IKEA Expedit Vinyl Records Cabinet Modification Storage

orthobiz · « **on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:05 am »

My daughter and I both have Expedit cabinets. They are great at holding records, cheap and sturdy. The top of hers doubles as an equipment rack, solid enough to hold a turntable (or two). And I guess mine is an equipment rack, since my Loricraft sits on it.

The big problem is the "disappearing album." Each shelf is about 14" deep so it's easy to push it in too far. Since her room is disassembled for painting, I took some time to add lips in the back of the shelves.

I found some white plastic molding at Home Depot. Bought some Gorilla Glue, the kind that dries white. 1" white finishing nails. I used a 1/16" drill bit. It's an easy project, probably any kind of molding or even a right-angle extrusion would work.

Here's how I did it, but first the "treated" left side completely eliminates the problem of the "untreated" right side:

Paul

orthobiz · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:07 am »

Another view of the "before" picture of vinyl mayhem from my daughter's collection. Hmmm, I see Beatles, Buzzcocks, Apollo Sunshine, Hall and Oates...the kid's turning out all right!

orthobiz · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:09 am »

Tools for the job:

Hammer, glue, nails, X-acto knife, Sharpie, and the all-important blue "spudge." The spudge will scrape away excess glue after the knife scores it and it will not scratch the melamine surface of the bookcase.

orthobiz · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:10 am »

This is the bar code from the white molding I bought at Home Depot:

orthobiz · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:11 am »

13 inches and 3/16. 13 and a quarter would be just a little too tight.

orthobiz · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:15 am »

I thought I would put the broad flat side against the shelf for stability. I like the Gorilla Glue concept but am concerned that the two smooth surfaces will not give a durable fixation. Like those towel racks you glue to your bathroom tiles, you know, the ones you find on the floor in the morning...

But the narrow side is a little flatter and will leave the tall part to better prevent the records from sliding back too far. The first time Allie put a record in with the wide side against the shelf and the short side acting as the stop, the record went right past the back. Totally ineffective. So the narrow side has to go against the shelf.

I decided to supplement the fixation with four "grabbing" 1 inch nails. And I decided to roughen that narrow surface with my Dremel tool.

orthobiz · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:16 am »

After the Dremel treatment, I scraped it down with a putty knife to get rid of any flash or irregularity.

orthobiz · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:18 am »

Four drill holes making sure I come out near the middle of the bottom. I want to say that I varied the angles of drilling slightly to avoid stress risers in the plastic but I wouldn't be exactly telling the truth...
1/16 drill bit

Then I put the four nails in each piece, just so they weren't yet poking out.

orthobiz · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:20 am »

For this particular molding, from the back, it was just over 2" to leave the records just about flush from the front. Boxed sets will overhang maybe 1/4" which is not such a bad thing: there is NO room for a finger to pull the box out. Records, however, leave just enough room to take them in and out.

orthobiz · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:24 am »

OK. You know how they usually say "apply sparingly?" This Gorilla stuff: no matter how thin the bead, there will be some overflow from under this thing. You have to wet the shelf slightly.

For the first molding, I just banged it in but because the nails are at a slight angle, one corner "walked" it's way in about 1/8" as I hammered it down. So for the other moldings, I redrilled as I held it in place on the shelf. Just enough to dimple the shelf. Then I glued it and hammered it home. Be aware that the bottom shelf is hollow so either drill super shallow or take a chance on hitting it in. Maybe even wait for the glue to dry and then put the nails in...

If you are going to predrill the shelf before you hammer the nail in, make sure you don't put the outer holes so close to the end of the molding that the drill will not physically fit inside the shelf!

I love those Jorgensen wood clamps. They're from my dear departed Uncle John and I especially love the one that has "2.98" written on it. I used three clamps for 30 minutes.

Another view:

orthobiz · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:27 am »

A view from the front. Obviously the unit's on its side. You can see Allie's Super Furry Animals poster in this one, as well as her bass guitar.

And that's it. The albums don't slide in so far that you can't get them out. No more frustrations!

Paul

etcarroll · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:35 am »

Nice, just bought an Expedit today, I can use this!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:38 am »

............

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20135300

etcarroll · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:42 am »

Close LW, I got the 8 cube unit in faux walnut.

First time I ever went to Ikea, what a crazy place. Half way home it occurred to me I should have gotten a halogen lamp with a flexible goodeneck that I could have attached to unit and pointed at the records to better read them. Guess I'll stop in next time I drive by.

orthobiz · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 02:44 am »

Quote from: etcarroll on 23 Jan 2011, 02:42 am

Close LW, I got the 8 cube unit in faux walnut.

First time I ever went to Ikea, what a crazy place. Half way home it occurred to me I should have gotten a halogen lamp with a flexible goodeneck that I could have attached to unit and pointed at the records to better read them. Guess I'll stop in next time I drive by.

You should top it off by listening to "Flat Pack Philosophy" by the Buzzcocks. It's all about the IKEA thing!

Paul

DaveyW · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 08:54 am »

Nice job Paul,
I've done exactly the same thing with my Expedits, not quite as professional though.
They really are perfect for vinyl storage, the best bit for me is my good lady likes them

My vinyl is now on full display in the dining room thanks to Ikea.

Scott F. · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 03:48 pm »

I took the easy way out with mine. I just bought a few sheets of 'door skin' (3/16" plywood) and used a brad nailer to fasten it to the back of the shelves. I works perfect and also prevents the albums from rolling out of their covers.

etcarroll · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 05:54 pm »

Half way through putting this together, I think I'll have to get another.

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 05:59 pm »

Hey Gene, what speakers are hiding on the side of the wall unit ?

JLM · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Jan 2011, 06:11 pm »

I'm bummed, the Ikea nightstand that I use for my small system "rack" is no longer showing up on their website.