Materials: Red 2x4 Expedit, Ikea drywall screws, Dioder lights, duck tape
Description: I have seen a lot of folks on here use the Expedit as record storage but I don't have a large collection and I wanted something that would fit into a small corner space.
I liked the glossy red Expedit and figured with the 2x4 size I could not only house my records but also my turntable, speakers, iPod speaker system
, etc. To get the look I wanted I built the Expedit according to instructions but left out the last short divider so I would have a double length shelf at the top of the unit on which to rest my turntable and speakers.
You do have to secure the long shelf to the divider beneath it and I have seen other folks cut the dowels down so they are flush with the shelf but I decided screws would make it more secure.
The Ikea drywall screws that come in their multi-screw kits were the right width and length to accomplish this, only downside being a rounded head as opposed to flat so they are not flush with the shelf. Easy to switch to the same size screw at a local hardware store that has a flat head.
I installed the color changing Dioder lights to the unit so I can easily read the record labels and see the grooves of the LP when playing my records. The lights are thin enough that you can still flip through your records without hitting them.
To hide all of the cords at the back I found glossy red duck tape at the local hardware store that matched perfectly with the Expedit and I ran it along the shelf lines at the back. I left the protective film on the back of the unit so I could tape to that rather than the unit itself so it won't leave residue if I decide to use the unit for something else in the future. Voila!
~ Lauren, Phoenix
That's a fun little piece. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteUnreal that this is what someone would call a sound center.
ReplyDeleteA cheap turntable and speakers that are a total joke.
Shocking,
Who's a grumpy old git?!
DeleteHey man, we're talking Ikea budgets here. Don't diss people just trying to enjoy the old LP's. The turntable matches the red expedit and at least they are all Bose speakers....
Delete....and now that we've heard from the holier-than-thou audiophile nerd....anyone else with some constructive comments? I for one like it!
DeleteCommenter #2 is a jerk. Was that really necessary?
ReplyDeleteHey there admin, just wanted to leave a quick comment to say that I liked your post.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the make and model of the turntable? I'm looking for a small one that'll fit into an expedit unit.
ReplyDeleteION Audio iPTUSB Turntable, you can also use it to transfer your LP's to digital music files.
DeleteNice work but that turntable will destroy all your records.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I've been thinking about doing. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDelete(Also, just so that everyone will be quiet about it. If you're going to do this hack and you're looking for a budget turntable, just go for an Audio Technica AT-LP60, a receiver and some smaller bookshelf speakers. Then you'll have yourself an entry-level audiophile system for roughly $300, which is much better than buying a $100 ION or Jensen and ruining all your records. Plus, it should all fit in or on your Expedit.)