Storing Your CDs

There are some nice pieces of furniture made to hold CDs, but we decided that we wanted a CD storage rack that could hold up to 100 disks for less than $10. So, we decided to build one.

We love all kinds of music oldies, country, jazz, you name it. And, the artists too, from Frank Sinatra to Franz Schubert. We're not so happy, however, with the storage dilemma created by our collection. During a visit to the local music store we discovered that the price of storage libraries for CDs is considerable. Well-made ones cost a lot and the ones that are affordable are particle board wrapped in photo-finished contact paper. They look like they might fall apart before they are completely loaded. Another thing, almost everything we looked at required assembly. There are some nice pieces of furniture made to hold CDs, but we decided that we wanted a CD storage rack that could hold up to 100 disks for less than $10. So, we decided to build one.

Our rack is essentially a book shelf with solid ends and shelves made with dowels. Also, there is a sliding center panel that is designed to prevent the disk cases from toppling over when the rack is less than completely full. By adjusting the number and location of the dowels, the rack can store Beta and VHS tapes.

Although our primary concern was cost, we felt that it was important to use good quality materials. We wanted a product that would be strong, yet light enough to be portable. We decided to use knotty pine for the wood panels but changed our minds when we discovered that we could get scraps of 3/4-inch plywood at no charge from a local construction site. To make the plywood look like solid wood we simply puttied the edges. In our case this worked because we planned to paint the rack flat black a flaw-forgiving combination of color and luster. For shelving we purchased two 4-foot long fir dowels at a cost of $3. The three 16-inch lengths of 1x8 in knotty pine would have cost an additional $4.40. We found that oak, and other hardwoods cost quite a bit more than pine. A 50-cent container of wood glue completed our list of materials. Our grand total was $3.50 (dowels and glue). Including the panel material in knotty pine, we would have spent $7.90 well under $10.

The three panels are used as follows: two become end panels and the third is used as a sliding center panel. Four holes are drilled into each of the two end panels. These holes receive the dowel ends which are permanently affixed with glue. For maximum rack strength and the best glued connection, the end panel holes should be the same diameter as the dowel stock. Also, all of the end panel holes should be drilled to the same depth. Finally, it is important not to drill all the way through the end panels. In our prototype, we drilled the end panel holes just a hair over 1/2-inch deep. This left about a 1/4-inch to spare. The center panel holes are drilled all the way through and slightly larger than the diameter of the dowel stock which allows it to slide easily. If the project is to receive an oil finish, the four center panel holes should be about 1/16 inch larger than the dowel material. If the project will be painted, the center panel holes should be about 1/8 inch larger than the dowel material. This is because paint takes up space and oil does not.

Although various sizes of dowel stock can be used, we decided on the 5/8-inch diameter because we wanted a very sturdy rack. Half-inch material will work fine, but is the smallest size that we recommend. The two 4-foot dowels are each cut into four pieces of equal length. As it turned out in our case, each was just a bit under 2 feet in length.

Placement of the dowels is one of the most important aspects of our design. We invite you to experiment with your own dimensions before you begin your rack. But, be aware that changes can reduce clearances and might make the disks difficult, if not impossible, to remove or replace. Note that all dowel measurements in our plan are made to the center of the dowel.

Once assembled our rack is 16 inches tall, just a tad over 2 feet wide and 7 1/2 inches deep. Increasing the rack height by 8 inches to 2 feet allows the addition of a third row of dowels, expanding its storage capacity to 150 CDs. The dowel and the two additional feet of panel material will cost about $3.70. The rack design can be altered so that it is narrower or taller or both. A narrower design would eliminate the need for a sliding center panel. A taller design might need the addition of a broad base plate to ensure lateral stability.

To make a fancier rack, increase the height of the end panels so that they end 8 inches above the top row of dowels. Then add a top and a back.

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