This might be the wrong forum, but it's not necassarily hardware, so I'd figured I'd post here. I know there's a few threads about this already, but they don't really answer my question.

Here's my delimma...I currently have 353 movies on DVDs, but to figure the number of space I need is misleading by that...4 of them have 2 movies on one disc, while i have about 8 or 9 double disc criterions, I've got the Antoine Doniel boxed set, I've got the Brazil Boxed set, LOTR:FOTR 4 disc set, Eraserhead, Twin Peaks Season 1, The Decalogue, Salival, the 3 disc Pianist and Brotherhood of the Wolf DVD sets etc...

My problem is that I've run out space. I had a nice bookshelf that held all my DVDs but now it's got as many as it can hold adn then just piles overlapping the ones standing up (as if books in a library). Then I've got spillover onto a CD rack that takes up 4 shelves, adn still not enough room for my Claude Chabrol and Hitchcock 14 disc DVD set...I've looked at the options, and I'm either going to have to custom build something or buy 2 huge DVD cases that don't look at that flimsy.

Now my best friend's dad's a carpenter so building it wont be the problem, the problem is design. Up until now I've had all my discs in my room where Id like to keep them, but between my digital video editing system setup, a 27inch TV with my PS2, my bed, a nightstand, etc. There's no way I can fit something store bought and assembled in my room, and the way my room is (i have 2 windows SMACK DAB in the middle of walls) it's going to be pretty hard to fit a custom built case in my room, so it looks like their going into sorta the "Spare room" for now.

Anyways...my question is, what's the best setup for a custom built shelving system? I dont want to go overboard on spending or anything, I dont need fancy oak or anything, I just want something sturdy that will hold my DVDs. Now one option that I MIGHT want or at least have the option of adding later is swinging doors that lock, mostly because if it goes in the spare computer room, the cat's litter box is in there, and even though it's one of those self cleaning litterboxes, i dont want my collection smelling like **** (no pun intended).

Has anyone built anything like this? I'm clueless as to how to go about demensions, and I also have to keep in mind that my collection's expanding, I've got 23 DVDs on the way through either preorders or trades or buying them, etc. plus I'm planning on picking up most of the upcoming criterions, the indy collection and the bergmans in november, maybe the fassbinders coming out next month, etc so I really want to build something that will ideally hold 550-600 DVDs so I wont have to worry about building somethnig else down the road for quite some time.

So does anyone have any ideas? Instructions? stories? pictures of something they've built themselves? Is this going to become an expensive project or would I be better off biting the bullet and buying 2 240 DVD holder cases or whatever at Best Buy and let them take up all that room?

Thanks, and if you have pictures of something you've put together, that would be just awesome.
Thanks again.

Why not build 2 smaller shelves that can be placed under the 2 windows. Each shelf could house different genres, or however you divide up your collection. Perhaps each shelf could also feature a door so that your dvds will be nice and secure inside, as well as looking great. I think you should try your best to have the dvd's close to your equipment... its much more functional.

http://www.chases.org/shelf/shelf.html



It looks high, but the ceiling is low. I can reach the DVDs. Barely.

This one holds about 500 DVDs and doesn't take up any floor space (which I don't have any to spare).

Nice

PS how tall are you? 4' 6"?



j/k

anyhow thanks for the link

Any suggestions on really cheap storage?

I'm approaching 350 DVD's and I live in a pretty small house. All my little racks are filled up and I have DVD's coming in the mail all the time and just being stacked on my dresser.

I don't have much money to spend and could use a lot of suggestions on some cheap storage. I'm not looking for anything too fancy, but would like to have it to where my collection is shown off.

How much does this cost and how many DVD's does it hold?

I made it for about $70 in wood. Right now it has 520 dvds in it with a whole other shelf to go. It can probably hold 750+ if we're talking single disc keepcases. A very good bargain if you ask me, considering what something like Boltz racks go for.
I looked at all the pre-made racks and didn't really see anything that suited my needs, so I made ny own. I am very happy with them.

What kind of wood (type/size) did you use?

I'd be interested in knowing all that too, because that's looking exactly like something I've got in mind.

build on your own=cheap storage

Can you tell me what all you did in making it? Equipment, type of wood, etc.?

I didn't make any of the above, but I do know a tad about woodworking. I would suggest pine. It is easy to work with, fairly cheap, stains well/or paints fantastic, cheaper than other woods, can be had pretty much anywhere, oh, and did I mention it is cheaper than hard wood, but still looks great. It really looks good with an old style "milk paint."

What about the base of the shelves? How sturdy is it?

Incredibly sturdy. Of couse they are bolted to the wall though
I used pine like stated above, but used 1/4 inch fiber board for the backing to reduce weight and how much they stuck out from the wall. They were really easy to make. I have no experience in woodworking, I just decided on how big I wanted it and slapped some wood together. Proper planning is the key. As you can see it is actually 3 shelves. I think this made it easier to handle when I was building them, and it definetly made them easier to move.
I wish I would have known people would have been interested when I was building them because I had some kick ass plans that I made and then lost but I am almost to the point where I will need to make more so maybe next time I can get some good instructions and pictures and get them on the web for anyone who is interested.

Thanks for the help boston george

I've currently got just over 100 DVDs, and I've completely filled a half-height three shelf book case ($15 from Wal-Mart). I'm going to be moving back in with the wife and kids in a few months, and there's going to be even less space.

I'm probably going to build a rack to fit across the top of the entertainment center. Keep them organized and away from the kids (they've got their VHS tapes and a few DVDs)

Built out of PVC. Holds over 600 discs.



http://inst.augie.edu/~jjsmalle/Home...beZ/PVCDVD.htm

If space is an issue, something like this is awesome... http://spinkeeper.com/hugespinkeeper.html ...This is not the exact one I have, but close enough. I got one that holds 600 DVDs. It only takes up one corner of the room.

In looking at the specs, it only takes up one square foot of floor space! How can you beat that?

That's really nice bue $200+ is a bit out of my price range.

Nice looking.

(2.44 sq feet)

This would not be that hard to build either. Basically a very tall lazy susan turn table...like the kind they sell for TVs. About $15. And then wood.

I'm actually attempting to do the same thing. I've also got about the same number of DVDs you do. Here's some websites I found on building in-wall shelving.

http://netscape.homestore.com/HomeGa...elvingUnit.asp

http://staging2.diynet.com/DIY/print...8,9860,00.html

http://www.growinglifestyle.com/h/improve/shelves/

Home Depot's also got a good how-to on building shelving.

On mine, I'm also putting plywood on the back to support the shelves like Boston George.

I've bought all the wood so far (except the plywood) and so far its only been around $50 at Lowes(I had to buy other stuff like a leveler, nails, wood glue, tape measure, etc.).

Doug

cool, I'm getting two of these...

I like the carousels, but I wish they would make them at least 6 feet tall.

I used to have one just like this. I would not recommend it. It was very unstable (not to mention ugly).