Rod & Bolt Entertainment Unit

Materials: Billy Bookcase, metal rods, bolts, lock washers and washers. Tools: drill and wrenches.

Description: I took an old Billy bookcase and repurposed it as an entertainment unit.

The two sides were placed horizontally and all the shelves were used. To do this hack you will need 4-1/2"x 6'long threaded steel rods, 4-1/2" x 2'long threaded steel rods, approx 88-1/2" nuts, 80-1/2" lock washers and 80-half inch washers. This cost me a little over $100. Not cheap but cheaper than a new entertainment unit (and looks damn cool too).

You take the wood pieces and drill holes in them where the rods will run through. be careful with this part and make sure everything lines up. Also you can use a 1/2" drill bit which will give it a nice snug fit but this can make it a pain in the butt to maneuver the wooden 'shelves' in their place. the teeth of the threaded rod get caught along the sides. Takes some patience but can be done. You could also use a 5/8" drill bit. Then what you do is sandwich the wood between the nuts. This is the order: nut, lock washer, washer, wood, washer, lock washer, nut.

Takes some time to get everything in place but when you have the shelves were you want them tighten everything up with two wrenches and you have yourself a super sturdy, super cool modern looking industrial entertainment unit. And you can always customize your shelves as the need arises.

PS. the reason you buy 88 nuts is because you place a nut at the bottom of each rod to act as an adjustable footer.

~ Yourgo, Astoria, NY