t_mike Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 The cabinet backing is cheap from Bunnings. You'd probably spend more on fuel running around on council collection days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EV Cali Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Not a big deal to have the 4 x 2 on it's side. I have added a hard wood top, from Bunning's, to mine, after the original top got marked and damaged quite easily. Also have two 4 x 1 and one 4 x 5 plus a few IKEA cd towers. Keeping every thing tidy helps the collection to be more acceptable. You will also notice I gained control of all of the 4 x 2, eventually 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April Snow Posted December 13, 2019 Author Share Posted December 13, 2019 56 minutes ago, EV Cali said: Not a big deal to have the 4 x 2 on it's side. I have added a hard wood top, from Bunning's, to mine, after the original top got marked and damaged quite easily. Also have two 4 x 1 and one 4 x 5 plus a few IKEA cd towers. Keeping every thing tidy helps the collection to be more acceptable. You will also notice I gained control of all of the 4 x 2, eventually That wooden top looks really beautiful on there - I love that - I put legs on mine to make it look less like a cube too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Not Kallax, but Flysta its smaller brother. Looks like I got it right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McP Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 19 hours ago, andyr said: You and me seem to be looking at different things when it comes to the 'strength' of a Kallax unit, twofires. In your orientation whilst, yes, the whole unit is more stable on its side (as you have it) ... the only thing supporting the ends of the top of the frame ... are the 2 dowels at each end. You put a 60kg amp on top (in place of your light TT) - like one other poster has done - and 2 dowels under such a heavy weight is not something I would care to risk. Whereas if the top of the frame was resting on top of the sides of the frame - this would have structural strength. Likewise, the weight of the LPs in each 'hole' is supported by 2 dowels at each end of each shelf - not a good idea, IMO. Andy If not using free standing ie away from walls just fixing a strong 3 or 5 ply plywood back (generously nailed/screwed) will greatly increase the overall rigidity and prevent catastrophic sideway fails! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkipEsquire Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) 7 hours ago, twofires said: With the shelves being white, you could use corflute. Relatively cheap, and easy to work with. 3 hours ago, t_mike said: The cabinet backing is cheap from Bunnings. You'd probably spend more on fuel running around on council collection days. You guys vastly underestimate my tightness and readiness to pull over and throw anything I feel may be recyclable into the back of my van I know it's easily achieved in a trip to Bunnings with a relatively small outlay of cash but I'm one of those 'it's the journey not the destination' guys in most aspects of life. I don't want to taint my experience of cheap Ikea shelves by paying substantially more than the price of the units on some backing board and screws.. My latest idea is just an op-shop 50c sheet/quilt cover glued and nailed or stapled gunned onto the back of the shelves. This thread has already given me lots of good ideas for the second unit, should I ever need it after filling this one. Really highlights the versatility and adaptability of these simple, cheap shelf units. Love looking at everyone elses vast collections and dreaming of one day having something equally as impressive. Edited December 13, 2019 by SkipEsquire 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08Boss302 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) I am no carpenter or cabinet maker, or, as a matter of fact I am not even really trade savvy, but, could we be over thinking/concerning ourselves with these shelving units. A bit? A quick check on the Ikea site just now as I seem to have mine the incorrect way, but it got me thinking why I did it this way...I know i wanted x3 high and x4 wide but something woudl have prompted to purchase and set up in this manner. ...now my eye sight isn't perfect but I reckon the long shelf is running vertically in this example directly from the Ikea site. I have moved (pushed and dragged) mine along the wall loaded and got not even a creak from out of it. With the lugs in each small shelf front and back as well as the coach bolts on the long shelf and the backing board I have (secured around the perimeter as well as each cross over point intersecting vertical/horizontal points I reckon mine is pretty safe. You can never say never with anyything but I am pretty comfortable with mine and its stability. Edited December 14, 2019 by 08Boss302 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxspl Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Kallax friendly hifi.... Technics SL10 Phillips CD100 ATC CA2. . 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxspl Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 And the sturdier Ikea Expedit bolted to the wall for record storage , rock solid. . 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janjuggler Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) Hi All, Recently received a Kallax as a Christmas Present and find the internal measurements are the same as the older Expedit, but the Expedit has thicker outside walls and they do not match up JJ Edited January 12, 2020 by Janjuc 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April Snow Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 15 minutes ago, Janjuc said: Hi All, Recently received a Kallax as a Christmas Present and find the internal measurements are the same as the older Expedit, but the Expedit has thicker outside walls and they do not match up JJ That sucks, but at least it doesn't look too bad - as the slighter wider is at the bottom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneK Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 You need to make sure the horizontal shelves are the ones that run from side to side all the way across the shelving unit. If you do it the other way they can collapse sideways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungbean66 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 My wife suggested I use a Kallax for my stereo instead of my old set up. Took her suggestion and added a few L brackets. The thing is tough, better then the solid furniture we own. Plus they look quite good and don’t cost an arm and a leg. I also use a 2x4 for the Records. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRSDarwin Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 (edited) What an excellent, informative and fun topic, which is very timely for me given that I have just cobbled together a fourth system that is Kallax-Fi in nature (including speakers). The speakers (Wharfedale Diamond 121s) were too large for my office shelf setup but go well in the Kallax system (downward firing ports, so that helps). My Rega Apollo-R CDP used to jump in my work system from vibrations but has operated perfectly in the Kallax (on a different shelf level and maybe the joins assisting with decoupling). Newly acquired Rega Brio-R integrated amp pulls it all together. So some Rega can definitely be Kallax friendly hi-fi. Unfortunately my TT is not Kallax friendly, but this has turned out to be a silver lining because I have ordered a wall mount shelf and need to move the whole Kallax unit 12cm to the left, the perfect time to rotate the unit 90 degrees to correctly orientate the shelving (whew!). I have the unit affixed to the back wall. It’s overflow vinyl storage from main listening room and work separated into new vinyl, old vinyl and vinyl without covers, each alphabetical. Thanks @Tubularbells for the backstop idea, another item to purchase on my next Bunnings trip. Edited June 14, 2020 by KRSDarwin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRSDarwin Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Spent a very large part of Saturday with my Dad and son turning the Kallax 90 degrees, installing a wall mount TT shelf and a trip to Bunnings for all necessary supplies, including the 70 x 45 x 330 wood backstops (which my son painted). Very happy with the result and now enjoying vinyl playback. Thanks to the OP and contributors as I feel much better about the shelving orientated this way and the back blocks making record storage easier and look better. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenikoy Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 3 hours ago, KRSDarwin said: Spent a very large part of Saturday with my Dad and son turning the Kallax 90 degrees, installing a wall mount TT shelf and a trip to Bunnings for all necessary supplies, including the 70 x 45 x 330 wood backstops (which my son painted). Very happy with the result and now enjoying vinyl playback. Thanks to the OP and contributors as I feel much better about the shelving orientated this way and the back blocks making record storage easier and look better. Sweet family effort! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyteq Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 On 09/12/2019 at 12:44 PM, Neurone said: This is what can happen with the larger ones: Oh god! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hergest Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 48 minutes ago, Jellyteq said: Oh god! That's what can happen with the larger ones that aren't put together properly the poster should really have said. I wouldn't fret it unless you're someone who can't understand basic instructions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyteq Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 On 22/01/2020 at 7:45 PM, Hergest said: That's what can happen with the larger ones that aren't put together properly the poster should really have said. I wouldn't fret it unless you're someone who can't understand basic instructions. All of my flat pack furniture gets compulsory wood glued for a sturdy construction. I think with those giant Kallax, some kind of corner bracing might be worth a thought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April Snow Posted May 20, 2020 Author Share Posted May 20, 2020 Ok so I am back revisting my own thread looking for some advice .............. I have almost outgrown my first kallax "cube" so now looking at getting this one: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/kallax-shelving-unit-white-20351884/ but I am wanting to lay it long ways like it is in the Ikea photo below (not upright) but you guys have said to use it long ways instead of upright means the strength is not there as the long shelf will not be running horizontal. Even though I see most people seem to lay this unit sideways and Ikea also have done so with records in it. So should I get the lower shelves strengthened underneath with some brackets if I lay this on the side like the photo? ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwstereo Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 (edited) 16 minutes ago, April Snow said: So should I get the lower shelves strengthened underneath with some brackets if I lay this on the side like the photo? It's probably unnecesary unless you are putting something very heavy in it. The thick panels are torsion box construction (thin skin over frames and a honeycomb core), so it's hard to add anything to them except where internal blocks exist for the normal fasteners. If it were me, I'd use multiple feet/pads under it, where each vertical comes down, so that you are supporting the load where it transfers to the bottom panel. Or you could use wood battens at each end and where the verticals come down to the bottom panel. Either of those methods would be good on a carpeted floor. If it's on a hard surface, wood , tiles, lino, or concrete, then felt/composite or similar furniture pads/feet would be the go, again where the ends and vertical panels come down to the bottom panel. Just to ensure the load is transferred well where the loading comes down to the bottom panel. Edited May 20, 2020 by pwstereo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eman Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 34 minutes ago, April Snow said: Ok so I am back revisting my own thread looking for some advice .............. I have almost outgrown my first kallax "cube" so now looking at getting this one: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/kallax-shelving-unit-white-20351884/ but I am wanting to lay it long ways like it is in the Ikea photo below (not upright) but you guys have said to use it long ways instead of upright means the strength is not there as the long shelf will not be running horizontal. Even though I see most people seem to lay this unit sideways and Ikea also have done so with records in it. So should I get the lower shelves strengthened underneath with some brackets if I lay this on the side like the photo? ???? Max strength is standing. You could add some uprights inside the lower ones to add strength. I hesitate to say get the shopfitters to do anything since they couldn't get a simple cube right. It's really the overloaded, wrongly oriented, 8x8 cubes that have trouble. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April Snow Posted May 20, 2020 Author Share Posted May 20, 2020 22 minutes ago, pwstereo said: It's probably unnecesary unless you are putting something very heavy in it. The thick panels are torsion box construction (thin skin over frames and a honeycomb core), so it's hard to add anything to them except where internal blocks exist for the normal fasteners. If it were me, I'd use multiple feet/pads under it, where each vertical comes down, so that you are supporting the load where it transfers to the bottom panel. Or you could use wood battens at each end and where the verticals come down to the bottom panel. Either of those methods would be good on a carpeted floor. If it's on a hard surface, wood , tiles, lino, or concrete, then felt/composite or similar furniture pads/feet would be the go, again where the ends and vertical panels come down to the bottom panel. Just to ensure the load is transferred well where the loading comes down to the bottom panel. Thank you this information was very helpful as I was just speaking with the factory foreman at my work and we were wondering what the construction was of these and you have answered it "honeycomb" so brainstorming with him now, we have decided that I will buy another Kallax 4x4 as I have now (cube one) and I can put them together and we will put a timber top over them both to tie them together so I cannot see the join in the middle.......that way I do not have to worry about records collapsing on top of each other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April Snow Posted June 10, 2020 Author Share Posted June 10, 2020 (edited) Ok so time to update the Kallax Situation........... When "one became two"........... I decided to stick with the 2 x 2 and put them together with the wooden feet attached to raise them off the floor a little. My floor is tiles on concrete. For now I have decided that you cannot really see the "join" where they butt together so decided to not get a timber top made up to go over the two tops for now..........(??) I have survived my first summer worrying about the heat warping the records (was no issue), now winter is here I am obsessing about my collection during winter (my first winter with the hobby). My Kallax is about 42 cm (approx. 1.5 feet) from the window - the window is always left closed and there is blind and curtain on there for privacy. Outside the window it is under eaves and a porch, window never gets wet with rain or condensation on it and the concrete stays dry near and around the window. But for some reason I am having an OCD moment and worrying........I live on the Gold Coast so winters are mild. It would be nice if we had perfect rooms that is for sure. Also OCD about the number of albums in each cubby hole. I have read it is best to have records as vertical as possible to reduce edge warp - so been concentrating on that but also to allow for fingers to fit to pull out and return albums. But then I see many have records in their cubby holes leaning quite a bit so wonder are mine too tight? I can wriggle them easily enough but if I do pull an album out, they do stay upright. But of course I am female and have small hands so it makes it easy for me to pull albums out so hard for me to tell if too many. Shall attach some pics - And yes, the cactus bowl on the Kallax, is indeed a hobby project I did with an Op Shop Scratched Up record - I did melt it and make a planter bowl.................and hope you admire my "Just a Girl that Loves Vinyl" poster - haha - another project that happened last weekend. I wish there was someone in my family into Vinyl or someone close by that could come and spend an hour with me just talking about these niggly things that I wonder about - thank goodness for the forum Edited June 10, 2020 by April Snow 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubularbells Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Wow what a room! Nothing useful to add other than what a cool Madonna/Prince shrine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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