Hi all,
I’m a low intermediate woodworker in skill and experience. I’ve got a project that I want/need to do and it’s scaring me. When I look at my plan book, I realize I’ve been toying with this one for 3 years! I was orignally hoping to find plans for furniture but after lots of thinking/looking realized that the best solution is a built-in. I’ve even considered buying the furniture! but nothing fits.
Basically I need shelves to hold a 27″ TV, tuner, DVD. tape deck, mini disk, turntable (yes, I want a turntable), VCR, hold 54″ of records, and other shelves for CDs and decorative items. The TV should have doors to be hidden.
This is in a small ( 12′ by 12′) living room of an oldish (1916) house with parquet floors. The wall to build this on is just under 12′ with a large window and an radiator below the window. Years ago I build a radiator cover for it. The small side of the window will actually be a corner case (wall dimensions fo the corner 36″ by 33″, where the TV will go.
I’ve got lots of questions, if you are still with me.
I’m assuming that I build a corner section, a radiator section (radiator cover was painted to match walls, NOT what I want for the build in) and possibly two sections of bookcase, most likely with bottom cabinets that also have doors to match the corner section. These would hold the records, I’m thinking as they are heavy and need to have lots of support.
1) I’ve read on this list that often building a model is the best way to get the design. How do you build a model? (FWW must have had such an article?)
2) I want to put the TV in the lower part of the corner cupboard, the best to balance the room, especially as the TV is turned on maybe once every two weeks. I’ve thought of getting rid of it, but it does have it’s uses. Anyone have experience with putting the TV low? Is it a problem?
3) Doors on a corner cabinet? I won’t be able to have them disappear into pockets on each side of the TV, but I could have hinges that allow the doors to open wide? and basically flank the wall and the radiator.
3) Read the article in FFW on built-ins – those boxes had rabbeted back boards for strength. I need spaces for wires, and also ventilation. Why couldn’t I hang the shelves on cleats? (especially for the corner cabinet that has the media equipment?)
4) Read the article on FFW on building an audio entertainment center. I’ll use some of the techniques and the dimensioning is very helpful. Can’t understand what they did about the back. Help? Or would doing a model make it clear?
5) I remember that there used to be turntable hardware to dampen vibration from people walking. Can’t find one anywhere. Is this necessary? useful?
6) What are the specs for building record shelves? They are heavy as some of us remember.
7) Should I make myself learn how to make a frame and panel door? or wimp out and use a nice plywood with an edge?
8) How high? The room has a window, a bay window, a door to kitchen and a large opening to another room. They are respectivily 7’9″, 7′ 2″, 8’1″ ( one in clearnance to ceiling) and 7′ 6″. My first inclination is to build it as high as the door to the kitchen. But maybe floor to ceiling makes more sense?
I just measured the room and was quite surprised to discover that it is basically square. It looks longer – good news for my build in , since it will go on the wall that looks smaller.
Any help and thoughts about all this would be appreciated. I don’t get lots of time to build, with a regular job and too much commuting time, so ideas of how to minimize building time would also be appreciated.
AmP
Replies
AmP
There was an article in FWW or FHB in the last 6 months that covered builtins. I think you'll find it useful for some of your questions. On some of them, I have some opinions.
1. You can build a model out of anything to understand the construction and look at possible problems ahead of time. Cardboard is useful, foamboard like architects use for models work too. Scale it down to something equivalent, 1 inch = 1 foot for example, and you'll learn a lot.
2. A low TV is a good idea. If you think about it, you sit on a couch or chair with your head and eyes just slightly above waist high. Keeping the TV that low or lower means you won't be craning your neck to look up at it.
3. You absolutely hang the shelves on cleats. Bear in mind, you want to be abe to run wires behind everything so make sure to create holes or pass throughs in the shelves. If they're up against a wall, it's hard to run wires. (Don't ask how I know this.)
4. Ventilation is not all that important unless you're running a huge amplifier very hard whenever you listen to music. You may want to create a false back several inches out from the wall to allow the wires to pass. You could then hang your cleats on that to hold the shelves. You'd want to create chases in the back of the false wall for the wires to make it easier to fish them though.
5. Turntable dampers - wow I'm showing my age here. If the floor of this room has a bounce to it, you may need them. You'll probably have to go to a high end audio store for them. Another technique is to create a shelf just large enough for the TT that sits over 4 rubber balls on the real shelf. Cheap toy rubber balls would do the trick.
6. Records are very heavy. If the shelves you create are going to hang on cleats in the back as well as at the sides, three quarter inch thick that spans 3 feets is probably just fine. There is a web site, the sagulator, the location of which I don't know that can give you better info. Try a google search.
7. Yes create frame and panel doors. This is a built in and it needs to look at least as good as your home. It really isn't as hard you may have been lead to believe.
8. Floor to ceiling is a good idea in a room that small. The space up that high will have few uses anyway so use it for the cabinet.
That's my two cents. I'll be glad to answer any follow up questions you have. I say go for it!
Kell
Thank you Kell.
Rubber balls? Now that's an idea. Glad you like the floor to ceiling. Another feature of this house is 2 closets (no make theat 3, I built one) in all 8 rooms. So not lots of storage space and floor to ceiling would help that.
Thanks again.. I'll take advice.
AmP
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