Project DIY Speaker Stand: Assembly

Assembly

Ikea Vika Inge Leg A

Cost: $20 ea

Design: I decided to use 3 legs on each stand rather than 4 thinking it would be more sturdy and all the weight would be distributed evenly on all 3 legs rather than if the floor is imbalanced and the stand would be wobbly.

The surface was prepared and the board was measured and marked.

Holes for the screws were drilled before because screwing directly into the chopping board was not an easy task (hardwood). As the screws provided with the leg stands were 5mm thick, I used a 3mm drill bit.

Rather than screwing all 5 holes, 3 screws were sufficient to hold the plate in place.

The legs were then fastened to the base plate.

Isolators are used to separate speakers from stand. Blue tack could be used but as it does tend to disintegrate, it should be replaced every year or so.

And the result being:

This could be the front

Or this

Pluspoints

- - I think it looks uber stylish, rather than plain black stereotypical speaker stands that cost more. If I do not use it as a speaker stand in the future, it would make very weird looking bed side tables.

- -It does make quite a solid stand.

- -A satisfaction that comes DIY projects.

Setbacks

- -First and foremost, them being table legs, they can be a little tall. Ideally, the tweeters of the speakers should be around the height of your ears when listening. With my small frame, it certainly does not help if I’m slouched on the couch.

- -As the chopping board is of a certain size, the legs can only be spread a certain distance. It could be sturdier if spread further.

- -Current rubber pieces that come with the stand, does not sit too well on carpet. Might change these with proper speaker spikes at a future point in time.

Future work

- -I may try to see what it looks like with four legs

- -Will certainly change the rubber bits to speaker spikes in the future.

- -Looking to re-veneer my speakers.

Project DIY Speaker Stand: It's coming into being

I have thought about it, talked about it, mulled over it. Went back to thinking and talking and mulling and thinking and talking and mulling. This has been a project that’s been on hold for more than a year.

I’ve made progress! I actually bought something to start.

Vue solid rubber wood chopping board

Dimensions: 36cm x 24cm x 4cm

Weight: 2.4kg each

Cost: $49.95 x 40% x 2 = $59.90

This makes one solid sturdy base for the speakers. Weight of the base is important in ensuring that speakers are sitting on a stand that is heavy and solid to dampen vibrations. That’s the concept anyway. It’s just as how hollow speaker stands are filled with sand to dampen vibrations and prevent unwanted ringing and resonance.

Alternatives: Any other solid block of wood. I chose the chopping board because of it’s solidity, weight and anything on sale makes a good bargain.

Before proceeding further, the two pieces of chopping boards were treated with lemon oil. I used Formby’s lemon oil treatment. This helps prevent the wood from drying and cracking.

Surfaces were wiped clean and lemon oil was applied with a kitchen towel.

Alternative: Any type of vegetable oil or wood treatment can do the job. I chose lemon oil because it’s an existing bottle that I have. I use it to treat my guitar occasionally.

Next up: Installation of stands.



Disclaimer: This is a documentation of a work of progress of an interest. It's not meant to be a try-hard wannabe post. Ideas were generated from forums and discussions of many brighter, smarter people.

could you do me a favour?

A friends is known for telling Stevie Wonder jokes. Harsh and mean. At the wrong time or setting, it can come across as a terrible thing to say.

Have you seen Stevie Wonder's white piano? No? He too hasn't seen it before.
Do you know why he's always shaking his head when he sings? Cause he's looking for his microphone.
Did you know that Eric Clapton got into a car accident last week? Stevie Wonder was driving.

Today, i was listening to hamish and andy on the radio, and they interviewed Stevie Wonder. Like who doesn't know Stevie Wonder? Maybe some of us only heard of him through jokes that a friend makes about him.

It started off with talking about music and inspirations and song writing and yada yada yada. It moved on to a serious subject about his blindness and the lens that he sees the world.

Just as they were about to end the interview, Andy asks for a favour. "Could you please do us a big favour?" He goes on to explain how Hamish and Andy are beginning a caravan tour around Australia.

Now, this is gold. Least expected and quick.

He replies, "What? You want me to drive?"

Anyway, the favour was actually to soothe the aching girlfriend's heart of Andy as the caravaning would be during their anniversary and if the legend could sing just a line or two over the phone to her.

Hesitance

There is a trend in how i start my posts, if i ever get to starting a post:

-there is an apology for not blogging for oh-so long a time.

-there is a mention of if anyone still reads this blog.

-if anyone is surprised after blog stalking that there is a new post.

-there is some sort of mention about this forsaken blog.

To a blog stalker, one thing relieves their nerves and frustrations: a new post. Whether they are dead interested in the lives of people or they are just a busybody (which is kinda the same thing depending on how you look at it) or they are procrastinating instead of studying. Let me soothe your nerve after the frustration of clicking on this link and wondering when will he post something.

What are the things that prevent me from blogging:
-sometimes, there are better things to do.

-sometimes, plain laziness

-other times, it feels like people don't really want to know. they just want something to tickle their fancy.

-also, there is a fine line between revealing too much and when the reader goes "ok, didn't need to know that"

-as with all forms media, we portray what we want the public want to read. And that can make a blog feel fake. There are blogs that are like that. Everything can seem happy and fine when their whole world is actually falling apart.

-people say that blogging, journaling, writing our thoughts out are good to articulate and express how we feel. but there are times when there's too much to think about. there are times when writing out something unpleasant brings unpleasant memories.

So, what's the purpose of this blog? It's not so much a fad anymore. If it's to write down my thoughts, i still use pen and paper. How much do i reveal without being fake or at the other end without being as some people say 'emo'? (HATE that word) Who am i writing for? Is it to update friends?

(i happen to just glance at the title) That was what it's about! Being positive. Telling anyone and everyone who would read that there is hope. Not false pretense, not made up emotional highs. Substantial hope. There is reason to stand and walk tall when everything is falling apart. We'll see how often i blog from hereon.

Blessed

Every blessing you pour out, i'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord, still i will say, Blessed be your Name.

Easier said than done. When all is well, we seem to forget the goodness of God in our lives. We seem to think we made it on our own. We seem to think maybe, we don't need God. We look at what we don't have and grumble about how others may have it better. When things don't go so well, we ask, "where is God?" We are quick to point our fingers at Him, blaming Him.

Here on earth, we will never fully understand God's perfect plan. Yes, perfect.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. Is 55:8

The many things that God has blessed me with, i take for granted. With this, i pause. There are question marks BUT, I thank God for my family; everyone of them. For provisions of food and shelter and many times, more than just necessities. I thank God for the people that God has brought into my life, every person brought into the various seasons of my life.

I thank God that He is love. God is love. And that He should love you and me.

I don't want to merely mark time

Hellooo

It's been a long time since i posted anything on this forsaken blog. I did promise that i would blog sometime this week, and since i have time before my next exam, i thought i will blog.

The last time i blogged, i thought i would do more with it. I actually did change the skin of the blog, added two posts and that was it.

So, what has happened since then? In terms of blogging, as you can tell, nothing much. However, this year has started off really busy, with quite a fair bit to do. I can't say if i actually did a lot. Surely not as much as i wanted to, but here i am, on the brink of finishing my last exam as an undergrad.

Where to from here? I'm not too sure myself. But, one thing i do know is this, it's amazing to know God's grace. Really. Putting aside all humble pretense and saying the right stuff, I have made it this far in life (not 'that' far) just scraping the surface of what i think life has to offer. We start off as little boys (for some, girls) with big dreams of doctors and firefighters or knights in armor and all, only to stumble and bump ourselves left and right to get to wherever we are right now; flattering or unflattering, whether we like it or not.

Quoting Jim Cymbala, "I discovered an astonishing truth: God is attracted to weakness. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how they desperately need Him..."

"I despaired at the thought that my life might slip by without seeing God show Himself mightily on our behalf. I didn't want merely to mark time."

I don't want to merely tread water throughout my life. Seemingly doing much but not moving anywhere. Yea sure, today many live life without the existence of God. Life as we live it, is at it is. Hard knocks or soft knocks. We ask questions like. "Why God?" "Surely IF there is a God..."

There IS more to this life. There IS hope for tomorrow. I stand as a testimony of imperfection and i stand as a testimony of i-don't-know-where-I'd-be without-God.

i'll be home

the 10 day extension here has been amazing. whether or not i'm ready, come 2135, i'll be on that plane.

as how it normally is, the moment i'm about to step into the plane, with a deep breath inhaled and exhaled, words that run through my mind are, "let's do this. Melbourne is home for the season."

Looking at the above and the previous post, it seems as if i dread Melbourne. No, i don't. Just as i have things that i miss and am looking forward to in Melbourne, there are things that i will surely miss here in Malaysia. That's hard to leave behind. Family who will always be there. Friends that we've reminisced the past with. Crazy school life, crazy church life. Looking through old photos and laughing at ourselves silly. Picking up from where we left off and getting closer and growing from there.

So, don't get me wrong people, Melbourne is great! REALLY GREAT! If it ever occurs that it's time to leave Melbourne for good, it definitely won't be an easy thing to do. Is that convincing enough?

Melbourne, it's time to pick up from where we left off. I'll be home soon!

not quite ready

hello to all,
this has got to be one of the most deserted blogs that you come across. a dear friend did comment saying something like, "how do you give hope, if there are no new posts?" well, here i am once again penning my thoughts. ok, maybe not my thoughts in it's entirety since i would like to think myself as a very reserved person. some may beg to differ.

i remember it so clearly. a week ago, i had all my bags packed, luggages weighed, clothes that were set apart to be worn for the remainder of my trip, all laid out. it seemed too soon to part with family, friends and surroundings that i've been so familiar with. you may think it weird, but, i've NEVER really felt homesick before. it has always been, that, home is where God wants me to be for that season.

today, i'm still here in the motherland. the statement does not change. Melbourne, you will be my home for the season, but i'm not quite ready. Give me a few more days. Please wait for my return. (not like you have a choice)

for now, Malaysia, you are my home even if it's only for a few more days. Bring me the best that you have to offer!

ta.