My IKEA DJ Unit...

[DJ TEN]

Hi All,

Yes, I know there is a sticky for IKEA creations but I really fancied starting my own thread to write as I progress with building my unit. Hopefully I will inspire others as the creations in the original sticky did for me.

I'll start off by listing the equipment needed for my Unit:

3 x IKEA White Expedit Units @ £20 each. 79cm x 79cm x 39cm (No. 201.353.00)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/IkeaExpeditUnit_zpsc1edd59a.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/IkeaExpeditUnit_zpsc1edd59a.jpg.html)

2 x IKEA Linnmon High Gloss Red Table Tops @ £25 each. 120cm x 60cm (No. 502.513.45)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/IkeaLinnmonTableTop_zps2fda5aea.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/IkeaLinnmonTableTop_zps2fda5aea.jpg.html)

4 x IKEA Lillangen Legs @ £10 each. 39cm x 32cm x 15cm (No. 502.051.98)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/IkeaLillangenLegs_zpsc56b8b37.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/IkeaLillangenLegs_zpsc56b8b37.jpg.html)

4 x B&Q Corner Plates @ £5.28 (pack of four) (EAN 0000003211571)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/BampQCornerPlate_zps8debf5a3.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/BampQCornerPlate_zps8debf5a3.jpg.html)

4 x B&Q Corner Brace @ £3.98 (pack of four) (EAN 0000003211410)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/BampQCornerBrace_zpsc562ea4b.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/BampQCornerBrace_zpsc562ea4b.jpg.html)

4 x Homebase Mending Plates @ £3.29 (pack of four) (No. 314141)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/HomebaseMendingPlates_zps149179d0.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/HomebaseMendingPlates_zps149179d0.jpg.html)

Total Price to build Unit: £162.55

Okay, on to the build. First thing I did was clear enough space in my studio to build this unit. In total it is 237cm wide and roughly 97cm high. Next stage was to build up the IKEA Expedit Units which are simplicity itself. I made two of them as directed in the instruction manual and one of them I altered ever so slightly by omitting one of the 'walls'. This is so that I had a space where I could fit my amp. If you are going to copy my build you will need to cut two of the dowels in half which attach the bottom 'wall' to the 'shelf' above so they aren't poking through.

Here are the Expedit's lying face down. I had to photoshop this picture using two shots from my camera - it was too big to fit in one shot! You can see in the centre unit where the 'wall' is missing.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/ExpeditUnitsx3_zpsd4001759.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/ExpeditUnitsx3_zpsd4001759.jpg.html)

This is a work in progress so will upload more photo's as and when I have carried out any more work.

Cheers.

[DJ TEN]

Alright there folks. So, I got a little bit further with my Unit tonight and thought I would update this post and add the pics.

First thing I did tonight was secure the Expedit Units together using the Corner Plates and Mending Plates I bought from B&Q and Homebase here in Scotland (not sure if you have these stores in the States but pretty sure you can get these items in any Ironmonger's)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/Expeditswithcornerandmendingplates_zps684c62b1.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/Expeditswithcornerandmendingplates_zps684c62b1.jpg .html)

Here's a close-up of the Corner Plate and Mending Plate.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/Cornerplatecloseup_zps33526c18.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/Cornerplatecloseup_zps33526c18.jpg.html)

You will notice I have only used the centre two holes of the Mending Plate, this is because the outer holes were directly above the large screws holding the Expedit Unit's together. As you may or may not be aware, these IKEA units are constructed using a thin wood veneer and a cardboard interior - DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE SCREWS!!!

The next stage was to attach the feet to the base of the units. The table legs have 12 screw holes, however IKEA didn't supply me with 12 screws. Fortunately you don't have to use all 12 screw holes, it's perfectly adequate to attach them to the Expedit's just using the screws in the corner holes as well as a couple in the other available holes. As with attaching the Corner & Mending Plates - DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE SCREWS!!!

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/LillangenLegcloseup_zpsa1f5016a.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/LillangenLegcloseup_zpsa1f5016a.jpg.html)

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/ExpeditUnitwithlegson_zps7072057c.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/ExpeditUnitwithlegson_zps7072057c.jpg.html)

The next step was the one I was dreading since starting this build - tipping the Unit so it sits the right way up. I have been panicking that while tipping it up the legs would give way and collapse under the weight of the units. Thankfully this was unfounded. I called a mate round and he helped me carefully sit this mammoth beast the right way up. Because of the thin veneer and the screws holding the units together I didn't want to risk moving the unit more than was necessary so I positioned the unit at such a distance from the wall that when it was tipped up the right way it was exactly where I wanted it to be (I wanted the Unit to be 11cm from the wall when standing up, to take into account the table tops will overhang 9cm at the back and to allow 2cm for cables). With the depth of the Unit being 39cm, this meant the distance from wall to base of feet was 50cm. I have probably confused the heck out of everyone now, so here's is a diagram to help explain!

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/Expeditpositionfromwall_zpse4647dae.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/Expeditpositionfromwall_zpse4647dae.jpg.html)

And here is the unit in it's correct position.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/ExpeditUnitsx3pluslegs_zps99019858.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/ExpeditUnitsx3pluslegs_zps99019858.jpg.html)

Okay, that's it for now, not far from being completed. I'm busy for the rest of the week but will be back to update this post once I have anything to show.

Cheers for reading.

[sss18734]

Nice! Look forward to seeing it finished.

lol @ the complexity of your tipping explanation.

[DennisBdrmDJ 2.0]

coming along,nicely! :tup:

[swine]

Looks sweeeeet. but man you have too much time on your hands according to the amazingly detailed explanation..

[Eggy]

lol @ the tipping

[oddnumber]

good job

[HarryK]

Quite a lengthy booth, though, why is that? What gear do you plan on putting ontop of it?

[Sigma]

Nice job man. I wish I had the room for something like that in the spare bedroom where my DJ gear is set up, cos I could do with the record storage. Mind you, I don't think that's deep enough to fit decks on battle style is it?

[DJ TEN]

Nice! Look forward to seeing it finished.

lol @ the complexity of your tipping explanation.


Looks sweeeeet. but man you have too much time on your hands according to the amazingly detailed explanation..


lol @ the tipping

Lol. Yeah, I think the over-complicated tipping explanation is down to my OCD!


Quite a lengthy booth, though, why is that? What gear do you plan on putting ontop of it?


Nice job man. I wish I had the room for something like that in the spare bedroom where my DJ gear is set up, cos I could do with the record storage. Mind you, I don't think that's deep enough to fit decks on battle style is it?

At the moment the Unit isn't deep enough for battle style which is why I have two IKEA Linnmon (aka Vika Amon I believe) table tops to attach which will give me the required depth. In the end the Unit will house my DJM700, 2xCDJ850's plus 2x1210MKII's (battle style) as well as my speakers sitting on a couple of short stands. As stated earlier in thread, the gap in the centre will house my amplifier. Will possible add another horizontal shelf in here at a later date.

Cheers for the responses guys.

[djmickyk]

i built an expedit dj stand also,which is just wide enough for my cdj900,i also tried turntables but for that you would definitely need the stand two units deep for battle mode setup.
Nice job man. I wish I had the room for something like that in the spare bedroom where my DJ gear is set up, cos I could do with the record storage. Mind you, I don't think that's deep enough to fit decks on battle style is it?

[James Martin]

I definitely need something like that. Can not wait to see when it's completed.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

[djmickyk]

http://www.djtechtools.com/2011/10/16/how-to-create-a-professional-dj-booth-from-ikea-parts/

[CleverHans]

Looks ace mate, what's the height like as it is? I plan on doing exactly the same but with a 2x4 Expedit. If just wondering if it will be high enough with my TTs and mixer on top?

[DJ Difficult]

Sorry for posting own image to your topic but here's mine Ikea creation. Top glass is something I made myself. It's 10mm thick, laminated safetyglass.
http://imageshack.com/a/img824/4826/9dgr.jpg

[SplishDJ]

Looking good so far, and very nice to see the creative process and thought behind it. Look forward to seeing more :tup:

[DJ TEN]

i built an expedit dj stand also,which is just wide enough for my cdj900,i also tried turntables but for that you would definitely need the stand two units deep for battle mode setup.

Yep, the Expedit's on their own are not deep enough for battle mode, hence why I decided on a table top. You can, as you say, use two units deep but if you are planning having your unit against the wall then you are losing a lot of storage space. If you are going for a design which uses Expedit's joined by depth and not length then you will want to be able to access it's front and back. So, it will be put with it's side to the wall or away from the walls entirely.


Looks ace mate, what's the height like as it is? I plan on doing exactly the same but with a 2x4 Expedit. If just wondering if it will be high enough with my TTs and mixer on top?

Height at the moment is 97cm from bottom of legs to top of table. I'm 5'10 and it is a perfect height for me. I would suggest anyone under my height considers omitting the legs from this design (this would make the height 82cm).

Okay, moving on. Today I completed my Unit, well, bar the headphone hook which I have two options for and am still undecided as to which one to use. Anyway, I attached the gloss red Linnmon table tops using the small corner braces and I must say I am pretty pleased with the outcome (not so pleased that I will have to be pretty handy with a duster to keep it looking nice!).

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/DJUnitcomplete_zps432d9823.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/DJUnitcomplete_zps432d9823.jpg.html)

Next stage was placing my babies on top and as you can see, the Technics sit very comfortably in battle formation. Speakers will be placed either side of the unit once I have acquired some short speaker stands (about 30cm should do the trick). The very eagle-eyed amongst you will notice I still have to fill the cubes with my twelves and will include a final photo once this has been done.

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/DJUnitwithequipment_zpsfc81d55a.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/DJUnitwithequipment_zpsfc81d55a.jpg.html)

Cheers for looking!

[Mark_Spit]

Great work! I'm really liking the red table top. Good stuff :tup:

Quick question: why did you use the corner plates to mate the units together instead of something a little more robust?

[Tommy D]

Looks really good man. perfect size and well finished +rep

Next time i need advice on tipping somthing i will shoot you a PM :tup:

[Dj Pudgey]

Just wondering why people never leave the center open? Not knocking your build cause it looks awesome! Just was wondering because if you wanted to sit at a stool your knees would hit your stuff and be uncomfortable.

[stentorian]

Thank you for the ideas in creating my set up as well. Looks very nice! Great work!

-Joe

[MrB]

awesome custom table man. I actually just built my own from Ikea. A LOT less features than that lol but still a fun experience. I used a wood top and glossy red legs. the Red matching the shelves I bought form them too holding my monitors up.

[jessejrr]

Thats nice and clean... soo sick

[2RB]

Sweet, i think i might go to IKEA soon. lol

[DJ_GQ]

wow, this looks really awesome!

[justrave]

Ikea never fails. I wish I still had my old pictures from the old ikea set up i had.

[TheRabbitMonk]

just bought all the bits to do this from the lovely Ikea who charged £35 for postage.
I will post a picture when i've done mine.

[Baller95]

Nice man! :tup:

[Deep N Sexy]

I have the same exact setup, but smaller, it takes a mixer and 4 players ;D, but non the less, its a cheap and good solution!

[flyweed]

Now I know what to do with some of my old Ikea stuff!! Thanks

[DonRaja]

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/DJUnitwithequipment_zpsfc81d55a.jpg (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/DJ_TEN/media/DJUnitwithequipment_zpsfc81d55a.jpg.html)


Its forever Christmas colors! Very Nice!

[DJ TEN]

Hi folks,

Been a long time but realised I never posted a photo of my unit with all the cubby holes filled. I hope I helped someone out there build their own unit, mine is still going strong after all these years, and for just over £160 was a complete bargain!

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/DJ_TEN/20150913_183822_zpsy6vnve85.jpg

[andymunro]

That looks very smart, I'm intending to do something similar in my house, I like that middle section for the amps as mine is wider than one space and wasn't sure what best to do.

[bassdrop]

That's awesome. I think I have found a project for the holidays.