I Build some speaker stands a few years ago that turned out to be fantastic and very easy and inexpensive with a very unique look. not to mention about 150lbs each.
I got two 8" x 24" clay chimney flue liners, these are the red-ish clay liners but there is other colors and sizes available, From the hardware store about $30. then two 1/2" threaded rods (four nuts and big washers) about 36" long. then I had the hardware store cut 4 hard wood blocks (of your choice, I used oak) 12"x12"x2" so that you get about 1/2 over lap of the outside edge of the flue liner. picked up a big bag of cleaned sand. and a 5/8 router bit. you can finish the hard wood to your liking. the wood should over hang the liner all around when placed on top. and bottom. so you scribe on the wood blocks the outside and inside of the clay liner and then cut using the router a 3/8 deep channel so that the clay liners sit fully in the channel being carful not to make it to big you want a tight fit also level cut. then cut a recessed hole in the center about 1" deep to allow for the threaded rod and nut and washer to sit below the wood. now using a small amount of silicone in the lower wood blocks channel sit the liner in the channel and let the silicon partially set fit the nut and washer on the very end other the threaded rob through the bottom. you may also want to add some silicone here. then fill the space to the top with the sand. once full fit the top wood block in a similar fashion. tighten the threaded rod until secure let the silicon fully set and then cut off the remaining threaded rod. now you have the option to add spikes to the bottom using threaded inserts. now you have a very inert and heavy stand that no dog or large person could nock over. Looks good and could be painted or wrapped in cloth any way you like. I left mine natural as if fitted into my décor. mine worked out to be around 26" if I recall but the size can be made to your desired height. Your could even have the flue liner cut down at the store on their cement saw. I'll try to find some pictures as they are rather good looking and effective stands.
the liners so you get and idea what it looks like.
http://superiorclay.com/fireplace-firebox-design/clay-flue-liners/
