Hey flatrockrecordin & Heylow, could you guys help me out?

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Brad

Brad

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I really liked the way both of your PVC monitor stands turned out - I need to build something a little different, but with a similar premise.

I recently went with a dual monitor set-up in my studio - this is great, but the addition of the 2nd monitor has displaced my 14" TV monitor that I use for film/tv scoring. The way my studio is laid out has ruled out the wall or ceiling (hanging) mount, so I have been looking at those PVC monitor stands you guys built and I think this might work - the PVC TV Pedestal.

I am no carpenter or structural engineer, but I think that although I plan to have the top plank larger than the bottom, it should still be stable enough to hold the TV. I will be able to bolt the bottom of the pedestal to my desk for added stability and I am going to put some nylon straps on it to hold the TV in place. I do live in earthquake country, so this is a must. I did some rough sketches - NOT TO SCALE - and the PVC measurement was just an idea (I don't even know if there is such a thing as 5" PVC).

The thing I left out of the sketch is the pedestal height. Suffice it to say that the bottom of the top plank must clear 17", so with the base plank being (probably) 1" thick, I am thinking a 16" length of PVC will do the job.

Please check out my sketches and tell me what you think - I might be missing something or not thinking of an easier solution...

Thanks in advance for any help and/or ideas!

Brad
 
Here is a photo of the actual area - I know it doesn't look like it, but there is room for a 12" x 12" base in between those computer monitors. Sorry that the photo is crap quality. :rolleyes:

picdualmonitor.jpeg


AND - this is for you structural engineers out there: Could I go larger on the top plank for a possibly larger TV in the future? Or should I just stick with this size for now?

Thanks again!

Brad
 
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Oh, by the way...

I know this thread is a shout out to flatrock & heylow, but others please feel free to chime in. I mentioned those two names because I remember seeing pics of their monitor stands and they stood out in my mind, but if anyone else out there has any advice or ideas, please feel free.

Thanks,

Brad
 
I don't think PVC would hold it but you could probably cobble something together out of 3/4" plywood that would.
 

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Hey Track, thanks! I am a little confused by the "Top View" of your sketch...

I thought the same thing about PVC too, but then I saw the monitor stands these guys were building, and they look pretty damned sturdy. Heck, one of my PS6's weighs more than my TV!
Anyway, I mean to use the thick PVC, I don't know the gauge or whatever, but I think it will be okay if I get the strong one.

Thanks for the other idea!

Am I missing something in that Top View?

Thanks,
Brad
 
The top view shows the braces through the top (the broken lines) showing you where the braces set. The "T" allows you to set the stand in between your two monitors.
 
Okay, I get it.

Yes - that is good - that would be easier too. And I wouldn't have to drill into my desk.


Hmmm.



Not sure if there is enough room for that back part - the top of the "T" (top view). The computer monitors go back as far as the table top, if I am not mistaken. Damn. I will have to check...

Thanks T-Rat!
 
If your intent is to stick with the PVC piping, you can get any diameter you want. You could take TR idea and hybrid it with the PVC using a 3 legged design. One leg fwd btw the monitors and 2 legs in back. Use 8 inch diameter pipe in back and whaterever you can in front. Thermal bonding PVC is pretty tough when loaded in compression.


Good Luck

SoMm
 
Thanks SoMm,

One question, though it is not mentioned in my idea, I was going to mount the PVC using toilet flanges (as they did witht he PVC monitor stands) - so, do the make those toilet flanges in different diameters as well?


Brad
 
Brad,

Standard toilet flange diameter is 4". That should be plenty wide enough for your application, assuming your 14" tv is not made of lead.

For comparison sake, my monitors are approx. 70 lbs each. My monitor stands are 33" high, supported by 31" of 4" diameter PVC. The PVC is mounted to the base and to the top plank via 4" toilet flanges, and is filled with sand. They support the monitors just fine.

Good luck.
 
Just a thought but 15-17" LCD monitors are getting pretty cheap nowadays. You can get great deals at places that carry used office equipment.

Sorry for the interruption, carry on.
 
Hey Brad!

I'm actually quite flattered anyone'd ask me advice!

Here's my take:

PVC will be fine and cool enough looking....you just need to rethink the original monitor stand design a little. You only need (as you say) 16 or so inches of PVC....shouldnt be an issue...at that length, it'll be as sturdy as anything, I think.

The only thing/s I'd change/stress is:

a) Make DAMN sure to get the thick PVC. I have found some that is pretty thin....almost bendable. Get the stuff that feels solid...you'll know it when you feel it.

b) Use something thicker than 5 inches. The stuff is cheap and since you only need a relatively short length, get some fat stuff. i dont know all the exact sizes it comes in, but I know i've seen some sewerpipe lookin stuff!!:D If you can find it, go more like 7 or 8 inches...even 10! Just to be safe.

c) make sure to follow directions (you have them, right?) and fill with sand, beat it down, and top it off. This makes a HUGE difference in stability. Without this step, you would most likely be screwed! The difference feels like the difference between plastic and cement poles. PVC alone will wobble.

You are using it on a hard surface, yes? So it should be stable enough. I mean, I'm no expert either but it sounds good to me. My stands are still rockin and still doing wonderfully so I must have done something right. My monitors weigh a ton....Powered Event 20/20, 8 inchers! Probaly about as heavy as my computer monitor and standing 4 feet off the floor!

The best part of all this is that if it doesnt work out, you arent out much....its all low dough!

I think it will work though...just follow directions to the tee to get that stability, use thick PVC, use a larger diameter and some solid wood.

Lemme know if I can be of anymore help!

I also want to see it if you do it!!



heylow
 
On second thought,

I was being a bit over the top about diameter.:D :D :D :D

Sorry...too much typing without thinking....10 inch!!! Jeez!!

5 or 6 inch should be more than enough to hold that size tv 17 inches off the desk. I'm sure of it.


Thinking a bit more clearly now,

heylow
 
Brad said:
Thanks SoMm,

One question, though it is not mentioned in my idea, I was going to mount the PVC using toilet flanges (as they did witht he PVC monitor stands) - so, do the make those toilet flanges in different diameters as well?


Brad
Click to expand...

Gobs of different ones if you go to a plumbing supply store.
What would be really cool, is if you could find come tubes that are semi-transparent and with lights inside...or even some gold fish. Submit the pics when your done. Studio porn is a must!

SoMm
 
deaf fish

Wouldn't the noise deafen the fish?

I heard somehwere that you aren't supposed to tap the sides of a fish tank.

Surely, the noise from a speaker with the water absorbing the noise would deafen the poor buggers?

just a though..

r
 
Okay - going to the hardware store tonight. Don't know when I will get a chance to work on it, but I will post pics when I am done.

Thanks for chiming in heylow, I appreciate it!

As for the fish - who cares about them going deaf - their biggest problem will be starving to death due to the fact that I am sealing the tube! Poor little deaf, hungry bastards!

Clear would be cool - then I could get some of that colored sand, you know the stuff people layer into large brandy glasses to make some sort of sand landscape art? I could do some funky colored layers of sand!

Okay, calm down.
Black would be just fine.


Thanks for the input EVERYBODY!
Your help is very appreciated!

Brad

*strapping on Fischer-Price toolbelt*
 
Sorry I haven't replied( just got to my internet pc in about a week). 4" schedule 40 filled with sand should be just fine.
 
I decided to go with the two column idea...

tvstand1.jpeg


Here is a pic of the stand in mid-construction.

tvstand2.jpeg


Once I stained the wood (ebony) and laquered it, I was going to take a pic of the finished product, but I was too damned anxious to see if it would work, so I just set the bad boy up.


tvstand3.jpeg



tvstand4.jpeg


There it is! Sturdy as can be! Thanks for the ideas, guys!


Brad
 
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