The HUGE amount of letters and e-mails I've received from you FleXy-builders forces me to publish a rather comprehensive FAQ section, where -I hope- you'll find the answers to all the questions and doubts you may have about building your own DIY TNT FleXy Table.
I've received many inquiries about upgrading the FleXy Table or using it with analogue turntables so I promise an analogue-oriented version will soon be available in these pages.
Where can I find the threaded steel rods I should use as legs for the FleXy?
Normally they are avaliable at every DIY/bricolage store. Otherwise try some professional dealer who specializes in nuts and bolts.
Where can I find the neoprene (rubber) washers? Are they really necessary?
The main purpose of the neoprene washers is to save the shelves from being scratched when tightening the bolts. If you can't find the washers you can build them on your own, for example cutting a sheet of tender rubber or cork. You can even use a piece of strong cardboard.
Neoprene washers are easily available at any DIY store.
I can't find anyone (a turner) who can make the steel rods "pointed" at one end...what can I do?
Turning the ends of the rods is quite easy, I'm sure there's a turner near you who can do this for few bucks. The "turning" procedure is necessary in order to have the pin pointed rods facing to the floor. Otherwise you can:
1 - Drill a coaxial hole into each rod so that you can use threaded commercial spikes or pin points.
2 - Make use of "blind-bolts" with a spherical side. Hard to explain in words...it's better to have a look at the pictures.
3 - Leave the rods as they are and place ART Q-Dampers or TNT StoneBlocks under each leg.
Since I have a wood floor (parquet) I'm afraid to scratch it....
Place a marble slab between the FleXy and the floor. Be sure to use some rubber washer between the marble slab and the floor, either.
May I use tempered glass shelves?
High coolness factor but terrible results! Tightening the nuts may cause (sooner or later!) a crack in the glass shelf. Also, tempered nicely-finished glass shelves cost an arm and a leg...and the FleXy Table is meant to be a cheap DIY project!
May I use plexyglass shelves?
Yes, plexyglass has nice "audiophile" properties since it doesn't vibrate or ring BUT!!! it is expensive, hard to find in different thicknesses, easy to scratch, it builds up electro-static charges (not good for turntables and electronics in general!) and it is hard and expensive to have a nicely finished shelf.
May I use marble shelves?
Many of you have already used marble shelves (see pictures inside the FleXy article) and the results seem encouraging.
A marble shelf is heavy, unable to vibrate and stiff. It may be more expensive than MDF, though.
Also, don't use fancy-looking marble: the TNT FleXy has to be an elegant, simple, cool looking table.
3 or 4 legs?
It's up to you to decide but please consider that three legs are far easier to "level" than four. If you decide for 3 legs then avoid putting 2 in front and one in the rear!
The rear leg would cause some trouble with cables and connections, causing even short-circuits...you've been warned.
May I use the TNT-FleXy Table with my analogue turntable?
I think it is not the best turntable table available. If your turntable is a cheap component you may use the FleXy with no fear :-)
For more "audiophile-oriented" turntables I'm working at a special shelf that may successfully be used together with the FleXy Table, so stay tuned.
May I avoid using the damping paint?
Yes. You can use tar-damping sheets (automotive use).
Is it better MDF, medium density fiberboard or medite?
Please don't laugh! This is one of the most frequently asked questions...the answer is simple: those are three names for the SAME STUFF!
May I avoid to paint the shelves?
Yes. You can buy pre-finished MDF shelves, available in black, white or wood-like.
It should be better to use this kind of shelves EVEN if you decide to paint them so that you can avoid to "treat" the MDF before painting it.
I'd suggest to use walnut to finish the sides of each shelf...remember the coolness factor :-)
May I use real wood shelves?
Of course, but I suggest to use real wood to finish the sides of the shelves instead (see above).
May I use multi-layered shelves?
No, this kind of shelves are too soft and tightening the bolts will seriously damage them.
Now just one final remark: if you decide to build your own TNT FleXy Table I'd like to receive an E-mail from you so that I have an idea about how many FleXy Tables are out there...
Since TNT-Audio is a purely and entirely non-profit enterprise, your satisfaction is our only reward.
© Copyright 1999 Mimmo Cacciapaglia - http://www.tnt-audio.com
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