Tiptoes - making speaker stands
The Untrousered Redneck
I'm making a set of speaker stands for my bedroom and I would like to
put the nail points on the bottom (tiptoes, several other names) to
get them off the floor. I had a friend who made some a few years ago
and simply drove four tenpenny nails through the base to get them off
the floor. It sort of did what he wanted, but I'm looking for a
little more elegant solution.
I want the "spikes" to be two inches long or so and embedded in the
bottom of the base rather than driven through the base. Thoughts?
Also, the machined brass cones ($50 for a set) that go under audio
equipment - anyone using a simple, cheap substitute?
Thanks.
Network and Medical Information Systems Manager
Richland Memorial Hospital
The University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
John Ongtooguk
The Untrousered Redneck (cmo...@fpgw.rmh.edu) wrote:
: I'm making a set of speaker stands for my bedroom and I would like to
: put the nail points on the bottom (tiptoes, several other names) to
: get them off the floor....
:
: I want the "spikes" to be two inches long or so and embedded in the
: bottom of the base rather than driven through the base. Thoughts?
I used 3in drywall screws, in acoustic black :^), thru the base of
my homemade stands. To clean up the screws a bit I placed some
rubber bumbers around the screws. Having the screw heads up makes
leveling the stands easy. A fancier set of hardware would be a 1/4 -
20 T nut under the base and sharpened 1/4 - 20 bolts, or you could
use a nut on each of the base to capture the bolt, or...
John Ongtooguk (jo...@vcd.hp.com)
Chaz101s
HCM (a mail-order electronics house) used to sell brass cones that are
threaded so you can use them to level equipment. HCM has an 800
through which you can order a catalog. A local electrical supply
house should be able to tell you how to contact them.
Re: faux tiptoes--check the hardware section of a large hardware
store. I bought four pointed, screw-type gizmos at Home Depot. I
drilled short holes in the four corners of my wooden bookcase that
masquerades as my eqpt. rack (at least it's non-resonant) and, hey,
it's up on its toes!
Scott Ryczek
>I want the "spikes" to be two inches long or so and embedded in the
>bottom of the base rather than driven through the base. Thoughts?
>Also, the machined brass cones ($50 for a set) that go under audio
>equipment - anyone using a simple, cheap substitute?
I just finished a pair of beautiful ash stands with rosewood inlay for
my speakers. Here's what I did. Go to your local hardware store and:
1) Obtain eight threaded inserts (the kind that cut their own threads
into the wood, approx $16). Assemble via screwing them to the mating
holes in the stand with a ratchet/socket and bolt with two washers.
2) Buy two 12" sections of threaded brass rod to match your inserts
(Approx $6).
3) Now stick one end of the rod into your drill and tighten the chuck.
Wear your safety glasses. Using your bench grinder and drill, grind a
point on the rod. Then cut the rod to the length you want with a hack
saw.
4) Repeat step (3) with whats left of the 2 rods 'till you have eight
points.
5) Thread the points into your inserts, add a washer and locking nut
and you're set.
Sorry if my instructions are crude, I assume you have the necessary
tools.
E-mail me if you have questions.
Scott Ryczek
jjn...@prodigy.com
Chaz101s
Whoops!
I got my initials confused. (Apologies to the mail order place in
California.) I meant to "say" MCM (which is in Dayton, OH). In
checking my most recent catalog (# 34), I see it lists a modest home
audio section with v. inexpensive cartridges, crossovers, tweeters,
and so forth.
I ordered damper fluid from them when I had an SME 3009 tonearm with a
fluid trough. I also ordered the aforementioned "solid brass
isolation cones" that catalog 34 lists as order # 50-1310. A set of
four are priced $17.50. As I believe I said in my last post, the
company may have a minimum order. "I" ordered through a neighborhood
VCR repairman who took pity on my analog enthusiasms.
Sorry for the mixup with the initials. MCM's number is 800-543-4330.
(And I'd like to buy two more cones--I've never used that fourth one
that came with my set.)
Pete Goudreau
> On Tue, 17 Sep 96, cmo...@fpgw.rmh.edu (The Untrousered Redneck) wrote,
> I'm making a set of speaker stands for my bedroom and I would like to
> put the nail points on the bottom (tiptoes, several other names) to
> get them off the floor. I had a friend who made some a few years ago
> and simply drove four tenpenny nails through the base to get them off
> the floor. It sort of did what he wanted, but I'm looking for a
> little more elegant solution.
> I want the "spikes" to be two inches long or so and embedded in the
> bottom of the base rather than driven through the base. Thoughts?
Try using Ramsets, they are available at hardware stores and are
essentially concrete nails that flare out to a 1/4-20 threaded section
at the end opposite the point. They are available in various lengths
and cost virtually nothing. They are very strong and can be installed
just about anywhere you can drill and tap or install a brass insert of
the same thread. Beats the ludicrous cost of cones and will act
identically for nearly all purposes.
Hope this helps,
Pete
R Dunn
[ quoted text cut -- rgd ]
I've done what a Stereophile letter last year suggested: bought arrow
points and drilled a hole to insert them in the bottom of my
speakers. Far more elegant than nails, very finely pointed, and cost,
if I remember, a handful for a couple dollars.