All this talk of dual Oppli gave me an idea for a dual LACK TV stand. Unfortunately the Oppli center shelf is not wide enough for my center speaker (B&W LCR60 S3), and the wood color does not match any of my other furniture. The Ikea LACK shelving unit on its side, with some modification to the shelf positions could work nicely.

I am referring to this:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...roductId=11317

I want to get two, put them on their side and on top of each other. Then I would reposition the shelves like so (involves drilling some holes):
- On the top unit, I would remove the middle shelf, then move the other two shelves closer together to make a middle compartment for my center speaker.
- On the bottom unit I would keep the middle shelf in place, but I would widen the two middle compartments to fit my HTPC and AV receiver.
- There would be plenty of room on each side of the TV to place my front speakers (B&W DM600 S3, bookshelf size)

I plan to put a Sharp 46" LCD on top of it, which weighs about 79 lbs. (36kg) according to specs. So the 110lb/50kg "max load" stated on the Ikea page is a bit of a concern -- but I don't know if that is referring to the load on each shelf when the unit is upright, or load on the side when it is horizontal.

I also can't decide if I would put castors on the bottom unit, or just let it rest flat on the ground (carpet). I am thinking flat on the ground would be better for weight distribution, but castors would make it easier to swing out for accessing the rear.

I photoshopped the basic idea, see the attached image.

If it works, it would be perfect for my needs, and pretty inexpensive. What do you Ikea hackers think? Is it possible? Will it be sturdy enough, especially after the modifications?

[Dankeech]

Impressed with your ingenuity here.

Think you need a fellow Ikea hacker's advice.

I would be worried about strength through that axis as guessing it has been designed to have vertical strength

I'd be worried that having the stand effectively on it's side may mean it is much weaker. Maybe worth reinforcing the back points where one join hits another?

Dan.

[dannyf]

This is currently what I am doing...however I think the units were called something different when I bought them 5 years ago or so.
Worked brilliantly for me, very sturdy with plenty of room for all my kit and some dvds. I put casters on the bottom unit partly because of asthetics and partly for accessability.
However had some oak floors put down, which clashes a bit with the beech finish, so got a new bench on order...

[dolph]

My concern would be the depth for some equipment.. is 38cm really deep enough?

[Dankeech]

As rack would be open-backed, I'd probably say yes. You'd need to measure feet distance between front and rear feet.

You should also be prepared to have the unit away from the wall a little to allow for cabling, so take this into account. May not look nice with unit 20cm away from wall.

Dan.

My deepest piece of equipment would be my HTPC at 44cm. But I am pretty sure it will fit, with a little overhang in the back.

Yes the unit will probably need to be about 10-15cm away from the wall. Not sure how bad that will look. I was thinking of stapling some loops/ties to the back frame to put cables through, so you can't see them from the front.

[john key]

Your idea looks ok, but what is Lack furniture made of? I bought a Magiker bench some time ago from IKEA for my set up, and I had to modify it slightly after a problem showed up. The Magiker has two vertical spacers which divide the enclosed space, and a pair of legs front to back in the middle of the bottom board, which is similar to your idea in that you have two vertical spaces between the top and middle shelf, and a vertical spacer in the middle between the middle shelf and the bottom. My TV is a bit heavier than yours, a 59 kg CRT Panasonic, and I found that because the top and bottom of the units are made of particle board, it actually has less strength than you might think and began to warp downwards on either side of the middle leg. Like I said, your TV is lighter than mine, and I'm not sure Lack is particle board, although it looks similar to Magiker which is, but its something to be wary of. The other thing is that if it is particle board, its actually strengthened internally at the points where the screws are supposed to go, so if you want to put the screws somewhere else its actually not that straightforward. When you drill the pilot holes, the only resistance is from the surface, and once you get through that its easy to go straight thro' as the inside is like cardboard! (In fact it might be cardboard!). This might also be a problem with fitting castors.

Originally Posted by john key

Your idea looks ok, but what is Lack furniture made of? I bought a Magiker bench some time ago from IKEA for my set up, and I had to modify it slightly after a problem showed up. The Magiker has two vertical spacers which divide the enclosed space, and a pair of legs front to back in the middle of the bottom board, which is similar to your idea in that you have two vertical spaces between the top and middle shelf, and a vertical spacer in the middle between the middle shelf and the bottom. My TV is a bit heavier than yours, a 59 kg CRT Panasonic, and I found that because the top and bottom of the units are made of particle board, it actually has less strength than you might think and began to warp downwards on either side of the middle leg. Like I said, your TV is lighter than mine, and I'm not sure Lack is particle board, although it looks similar to Magiker which is, but its something to be wary of. The other thing is that if it is particle board, its actually strengthened internally at the points where the screws are supposed to go, so if you want to put the screws somewhere else its actually not that straightforward. When you drill the pilot holes, the only resistance is from the surface, and once you get through that its easy to go straight thro' as the inside is like cardboard! (In fact it might be cardboard!). This might also be a problem with fitting castors.

Ah you make a very good point. I do believe the inside of the Lack is cardboard so that might be a concern. I do have some old beat-up LACK side tables I'm not using. I will drill some test holes in them to see what the integrity will be like, assuming the shelves are the same construction.

This fellow seems to have done some drilling on his LACK, added casters, and removed all the shelves but the middle:
http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2006/...tts-media.html

Though his TV is considerably smaller than mine.

[dannyf]

I've since discovered that it was a couple of Lacks that I bought...
I've experienced no problems at all with movement or warping after moving the shelves/dividers...I didn't even screw them in and everythings still very solid.
Of course I did buy these a few years ago and the spec may have changed since then, I'd pop into your local ikea and jump around on one if you're still unsure..

Originally Posted by dannyf

I've since discovered that it was a couple of Lacks that I bought...
I've experienced no problems at all with movement or warping after moving the shelves/dividers...I didn't even screw them in and everythings still very solid.
Of course I did buy these a few years ago and the spec may have changed since then, I'd pop into your local ikea and jump around on one if you're still unsure..

Oh, interesting. You didn't even screw them in? How did you mount the shelves, or attach the two units? Or are they just resting freely?

Mind taking some pics?

[Paulie-W]

Fyi we use one of these as a window seat (and dvd storage). It`s on castors too. So if it can support me fat arse (13 stone), i`m sure it can support your tv and stuff

[dannyf]

Originally Posted by ewerx

Oh, interesting. You didn't even screw them in? How did you mount the shelves, or attach the two units? Or are they just resting freely?

Mind taking some pics?

The two units were just resting without fixings on top of each other, the shelves were unfixed also.
I found no problems at all with this. The weight of tv, speakers, my kit and the units themselves kept things sturdy.
Unfortunately due to us having a new timber floor recently laid the living room is a bit caotic so they are no longer in position atop each other.
Also waiting for my new stand to arrive.
Hope that helps.

[nick270881]

Check out my concept for a customised Lack Tv Bench!!

I will Post pictures when I have it completed - Going for a trip on the freedom bird for 2 weeks so plenty of time to get the glass top cut!!

[Paulie-W]

That looks rather nice. Now all you got to do is make it

[dolph]

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2006/...edia-unit.html

The OP is famous - well not really, but should be interesting...

Originally Posted by dolph

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2006/...edia-unit.html

The OP is famous - well not really, but should be interesting...

Hehe, I cast a wide net when I ask for advice. I posted this here, AVSForum, and Ikea Hacker simultaenously.

I plan to do it this month, as the TV should be available by the end of October...

[dolph]

Do post back, I'm planning some Lack customisation - although not to the extent you are...

[dereks]

i using one temporarly at the moment in my rented flat while my new house gets built ive got my 43 inch pioneer plasma and a yamaha ysp-1 sitting on ot without any problems at all

[stevebb]

I had a dilemma on a tv cabinet. i liked the LACK TV Bench but it wasnt big enough. so i bought 2 and did a very simple hack. i only had to drill six extra holes in the second bottom shelf so that it formed the middle shelf. I have a spare top which is now a table in the study - bargain !

I know its a cheap and cheerfull solution but there isnt anything available that beats this at the moment.

Very nice stevebb. I was also going to consider using those LACK TV benches instead of the shelving units. They have more depth which is good, and those metal support bars are way easier to deal with than drilling holes to reposition the shelves in the other lack.

Trouble is I think most of my stuff (HTPC, receiver, center channel) is too tall to fit inside the shelf of that LACK (even before accounting for ventilation above). Do you have a measurement of the height clearance inside of the shelf?

[stevebb]

Originally Posted by ewerx

Very nice stevebb. I was also going to consider using those LACK TV benches instead of the shelving units. They have more depth which is good, and those metal support bars are way easier to deal with than drilling holes to reposition the shelves in the other lack.

Trouble is I think most of my stuff (HTPC, receiver, center channel) is too tall to fit inside the shelf of that LACK (even before accounting for ventilation above). Do you have a measurement of the height clearance inside of the shelf?

i had to take the feet off my AMP for it to fit but the depth is perfect. Those metal rods arent for support though M8, they are for looks only as they stick on with sticky pads i didnt use them as the unit is ridgid without it - i will measure the height later for you

[dolph]

Originally Posted by ewerx

Very nice stevebb. I was also going to consider using those LACK TV benches instead of the shelving units. They have more depth which is good, and those metal support bars are way easier to deal with than drilling holes to reposition the shelves in the other lack.

Trouble is I think most of my stuff (HTPC, receiver, center channel) is too tall to fit inside the shelf of that LACK (even before accounting for ventilation above). Do you have a measurement of the height clearance inside of the shelf?

It's mentioned in another thread - think it's about 15cms - have to admit that had put me off them too...

[ricflairandy]

These all look fantastic, but i need somthing no more than 80cm wide.

Any ideas?

[square-eyes-baz]

Hi, while your talking about modifying this Lack unit does anyone know if its possible to shorten it to match the width of an Oppli tv unit. Thinking of putting one on the wall above my DLP that sits on the Oppli , thanks

[baldyman]

SteveBB: nice.
My Yamaha amp is too high for the LACK tv bench, and only 5mm too wide for the OPPLI!
Gah.


Has anyone attempted to hybridise the LACK TV bench, using two of the side peices vertically, thereby doubling the interior height?



I'm currently having to look at:

• using the TV bench as a large coffee table
  Having to shell out for a 'proper' AV stand

OR

• keep the CRT on the LACK bench
  maybe go for the atacama Equinox Hi Fi rack system to house the amp, DVD and maybe a turntable later on to keep the wife happy.

Just got find a way to hide the inevitable jumble of cables.

[Amit_Desai]

Re the orginal dual lack idea..

In my opinion that wont last long.

The sides of a lack are made by sticking vaneered sides to battons and filling the gap with carboard honey cone.

Any where there needs to be a fixing, there is batton inside.

The problem with your design is on the top tier, the side walls are inbetween the battons and all the wieght will be pushing down on the week sides of the unit.

If all you side walls were in line in the original position, it would be fine.

You could possibly transfer the laod into the floor by attaching battons or steel rods to back of the top where the original shelves would of been and resting the other end on the floor.

Amit

I have actually given up on this idea mainly because the LACK is not deep enough.

I was at a local AV shop that had a single LACK on display holding a flat panel TV and some components. They kept the center shelf but had removed the other two inside shelves. There was a Yamaha receiver (about the same size as my Denon) inside and it stuck out the front and this looked ugly. On top of this the LACK was about 20-30cm away from the wall to have room for all the cables, since the back of the receiver and other components were flush with the back edge of the LACK.

I think I'll have to go with something custom-made. It would still be very similar to this concept, but with more depth (possibly double), and panels not as thick.

Or I could get 4 LACKs... hah!

[bertoli]

Decided to go for the dual Lack tv cabinet after finding out the Oppli is discountinued.

In fact after completing the dual Lack, I'm glad the Oppli was discontinued, for what I've got now is far superior and only a tenner more expensive!

The advantages of the Lack are that you can fit any size of av equipment inside, and not be restricted by internal partitions.

It also very sturdy as I managed to use all the fittings and dowels from both packs. The top section is so secure, I can lift the whole unit by the top shelf with no problems.

I think I did it slightly different from the above posters as I added the top and both sides from one unit to another complete unit. I think others on this thread have gone for the two bottoms and one top approach (If that makes sense??!!.



.

[Lezman]

bertolli,

Great job you have done exactly the samer thing as me
Was disappointed at the discontinuation of the oppli, but 30 minutes thinking and an extra £10 makes a bench that look much nicer imo.
Solid as a rock too.

Originally Posted by bertoli

Decided to go for the dual Lack tv cabinet after finding out the Oppli is discountinued.

In fact after completing the dual Lack, I'm glad the Oppli was discontinued, for what I've got now is far superior and only a tenner more expensive!

The advantages of the Lack are that you can fit any size of av equipment inside, and not be restricted by internal partitions.

It also very sturdy as I managed to use all the fittings and dowels from both packs. The top section is so secure, I can lift the whole unit by the top shelf with no problems.

I think I did it slightly different from the above posters as I added the top and both sides from one unit to another complete unit. I think others on this thread have gone for the two bottoms and one top approach (If that makes sense??!!.



.

I think I might pop down Ikea on Thursday night and pick up a couple as a temporary fix for my new house until we decide what décor we will be going for in the living room .

Before that though could someone confirm what height there is between shelves? Looks like there is enough space for my kit/future kit but a dimension would be helpful.

Cheers