AV Unit Build

Soldato
Joined
26 Feb 2007
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Not sure if anyone is interested but I thought I'd put my AV cabinet build up on here. The idea is to have a three section unit with my amp, PS3 etc in the cental one, DVD's/blurays in the left and the sub in the right hand side, I also want it to fill the alcove to the left of my TV so it can be used for extra seating/a reading seat.

First step is to make the frame, so cut up the wood 44mm PAR baton.



I was originally planning to do some fancy(ish) tenon joints I don't really have the time so thought I'd screw and glue instead. :)

I actually probably did this slightly the wrong way around, but I next screwed it together, I've bought a plug cutter to recess the screws, hopefully the screw heads will be mostly invisible once I'm done.







For the side panels I'm using 18mm hardwood ply, again I was going to use pine planks but this will be cheaper, stronger and its going to be painted anyway.

I'm going to recess the panels into the frame and glue it up, it'll add strength and look better.

So time to break out the router and my homemade table. Lots of mess!







And...I forgot to take a picture of it all back together again.

Next step will be to cut the side panels, make shelves, doors and cut the top which will be out of the 18mm ply again.

Mildly boring post!
 
Cheers guys! Nice once sprite, looks tidy! Yep, made the table, I've got some pictures of how I did it somewhere..

Anyway, today I got the side panels sorted, needs a bit of tweaking to get it all together properly but I should be able to add the shelves and top tomorrow depending on when I finish work, then it's just the doors to go and paint/stain, still not sure.

First I put the routed frame together -



Used a jigsaw to cut the ply, I started off using a guide but had to go freehand in the end as for some reason the blade kept wandering around, bit if a pain! Need to get myself a ripsaw...



And slotted together, somewhat roughly -





And with the top frame sort of on -




I'm pretty happy with it so far, if the back and sides weren't going to be hidden I would probably route the frame edges to make it look a little less sharp but once it's painted up it'll look reet.

Oh and I need to put a base in at some point and cable access in the back, and think about holes for the bass to escape from..
 
Your TV must be pretty hefty! Nothing like a little bit (a lot) of over engineering!

Looks good though and seems to be keeping you happy, need some shots of the spot it's going into!

The TV it wall mounted, this is actually for some additional seating, pics will follow once it's installed. The wife is making cushioning for the top out of some thick foam.


Only just got home so no updates tonight, can't be bothered getting it all out to be honest!

Figured out how to make the doors, haven't got a router bit for making the frames so just going to dowel the frames together and route in the middle panels with a bit of decorative routing too.

It's just the hinges I'm not sure about, will probably recess some standard hinges into the frame, dunno.

Edit - oh, haha I see I have just described shaker style doors.
 
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So I've managed to actually get some work on this done, been a bit busy this last week!

First I made the base, did this out of 8mm t+g.



Glued and screwed that in and then made some MDF shelves.



Fitted the shelves using some of these pegs, pretty handy things..



Then fitted the top.



And had a play with my plug cutter, I think they'll work reet with a bit of sanding.



Not a bad days work anyway! Going to cut some holes for cabling tomorrow and paint the inside, leaving the outside for now as I might just stain or matt varnish it or something, I don't know.
 
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Today is hole cutting and paint day, if it dries I can actually fit the thing (minus doors) which will be nice!

Going to route the top edge as it's a bit sharp to sit on, then fill it and paint to hide the ply edge.

Oh and make some trays for dvds.
 
Well it's fitted! Albeit without any doors and the surrounding area is a complete mess, ah well.

Painted using a satin acrylic, really good stuff, dried enough by the time I'd finished painting the top side of the five shelves that I could turn them over and do the other.

I didn't like the mdf shelves, much preferring the t+g look of the base, so I cheated slightly and routed in a groove, I think they look pretty good. :)



And messily fitted....



I've also wall mounted the TV and ran the cables through the wall, luckily that bit of wall used to be a doorway and is just a stud wall so nice and easy.



I'm very happy with the near-end result. Need to make some trays for dvd's and things on the shelves and do the doors (and fit a 13a socket for that trailing wire on the right!) but at least it's in now!

Also going to have to paint that wall as where the sub has been the paint has for some reason discoloured...must be all that bass!
 
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