Oppli Cantilever Mod... Ideas?

[delanoster]

I currently have an Ikea Oppli unit which is the perfect size for my room and has enough space for my receiver, HTPC, blu ray player, Sky HD and X box 360 within the existing shelf setup.

However my centre speaker has to sit behind my 46" Samsung M87 which seems to have muffled the sound somewhat.

I have this crazy idea of converting my Oppli into a cantilever stand so that the centre speaker can sit under the TV in the following manner:

Take two 1 metre lengths of 25mm square section tubing and a number of straight steel straps.

Bolt the straps to the central supports of the Oppli and to the tubing so that the tubing is vertical at the back of stand.

Then mount a standard LCD bracket across the span of the tubing.


The way I see it, the mass of the TV will try to topple it screen down on to the floor; the bolted steel straps at the bottom will prevent this, and as the tubes are box section they shouldn't bend.

Assuming the TV wall mount is bolted across both uprights then there should be little "wiggle".

Is this idea genius or destined to end with a call to the insurer?

Let me know a) what you think, or b) if there is a suitable stand already in existance that is cheap (<£100) and will hold all my gear.

[hornydragon]

Could work I have done stranger things at a clients request in the past. IT depends on your DIY skills and the strength of the fixings I would be tempted to mount the screen into the oppli (i used to have one) so it doesnt sit behind the unit.

[Sedated]

I think it could work, alternativley if your centre speaker could fit into the middle section with or without a shelf maybe get one of the small opplis from eBay and put on top of your oppli ...

Maybe not?

[delanoster]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

Could work I have done stranger things at a clients request in the past. IT depends on your DIY skills and the strength of the fixings I would be tempted to mount the screen into the oppli (i used to have one) so it doesnt sit behind the unit.

Nice idea there! It would a) look better and b) mean the TV was still central in terms of depth.

I'm still in the planning phase but this could spurn me on.

[delanoster]

Originally Posted by Sedated

I think it could work, alternativley if your centre speaker could fit into the middle section with or without a shelf maybe get one of the small opplis from eBay and put on top of your oppli ...



Maybe not?

Originally I did have the centre speaker in the top middle shelf but extra equipment forced me to move it.

Your idea is good, but would lift the TV too high for my liking. Thanks for the post though.

[Sedated]

If your speaker fit on top middle shelf then you could get the small oppli cut down and fix directly (maybe with dowls & Glue) to big oppli? get it cut on a propper rip saw at a wood yard or similar.

But make sure base of TV fits on small oppli, I think that'd look good and no higher than you were planning.