DIY Network

Family Room: Custom Entertainment Center, Part 1 From "Home Transformations" episode DHTR-204

Host Michael Ray Wisely and the homeowners come up with a solution to building a home entertainment center using finished cabinetry. Once the design is created, the base is constructed.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Materials:

2 x 4 x 8 fir stock
2" wood screws
pre-made cabinets
miter saw
measuring tape
6-foot level
shim material
pencil
circular saw
countersink bit
Finland birch
L-brackets
hole saw
plastic grommet
hand drill
table saw
finish nailer (18 gauge)
Finland birch plywood (3/4")
combination square
ear protection
eye protection
dust mask
concrete screws
3/8" round-over bit
router

Design and Base Construction

1. The Hortons wanted an entertainment center with asymmetrical curves. To save time and money, they decided to construct an entertainment center using pre-made cabinets (figure A).

2. To cut the 2 x 4s for the base of the entertainment center, use a chop saw (figure B).

3. Build the foundation and slide it into place in the space (figure C).

4. It is not unusual to find a basement floor not level. To level, use scraps of wood on both sides until the base is level (figure D). Then, using a measuring tape, determine the actual dimension. In this particular case, the base was 1 and 3/8ths off level. As a solution, a block of wood was cut to the same dimension and used to scribe a line onto the base (figure E). Cut the base with a circular saw to match the slope of the floor (figure F).

5. With the base even, mount it to the concrete with metal brackets (figure G).

6. Next, attach the pre-made cabinets to the base but first remove the doors so that the drill can fit inside. Pre-drill each hole with a counter sink bit and then secure in place with two inch screws (figure H).

Figure G

Figure H

7. Measure for depth and plan to make the center shelf (figure I). Cut Finland birch plywood to size at the table saw.

8. Next, assemble the basic box structure with finishing nails and take care to make sure the sizes are level and flush (figure J).

Figure I

Figure J

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