• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Any load bearing experts out there?

KiltedCowboy

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
After purchasing my new to me Sansui 9090 I found it is too large to fit in my rack. So I plan on building a shelve unit using steel threaded pipes and flanges screwed into solid oak wood shelves 48" long X 17-20" wide X 1" thick. Would put support spanners at all 4 corners going up 2-3 tiers. My receiver weighs 54 lbs. and turntable probably 5-6 lbs. I was hoping to avoid putting a center support at the 24" mark. Do you think shelve will support 60-65 lbs. without center support?
 
Register to hide this ad
I think you will be fine. A 48"x17"x1" slab of white oak should deflect 0.01" with a 75 lb center load. A deeper shelf will deflect even less. This is for clear, straight grained wood.

Edit:
I should add that the 0.01" figure is per foot so a 48" long board will sag 0.04" in the center with a 75 lb center load. Since the receiver won't be a load at the very center, the deflection should be less to some degree.
 
Last edited:
I doubt 1" thick Oak is going to sag, but if you tend to the anal side, you could always put a small diameter post in the back only - so not in your face in the front. You could also use a small steel sq channel screwed to the underside of the oak - again only in the back for added stiffness.

Best thing would be to find a candidate board and see if there is any flexion at all across the 48" width - I tend to think not.
 
Back
Top Bottom