DIY Network

Dimensions for Entertainment Unit and Metal Shelf Supports Web-exclusive dimensions and metal shelf-support details From "Freeform Furniture" episode DFFF-112

Host Amy Devers shares Web-exclusive details on the dimensions for the entertainment unit and the metal shelf supports.

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Host Amy Devers shares the method for figuring the dimensions for the mobile entertainment unit.

Dimensions for Entertainment Unit

To make a piece like the one seen on Freeform Furniture, size your steel box to fit your components and work out from there. The stainless steel box was made out of a single piece of steel that was folded to fit inside the wooden frame. The box has tabs that fasten it to the wood.

In order to precisely bend the metal, it needs to be perforated along the fold lines by a water jet cutter. The design is inputted into a computer program that controls the water jet. After the perforations are made, the edges are trimmed and the process is complete.

Dimensions for the Steel for the Box

• Length: top + bottom + 2 x sides + 1" for the tab.
  
• Width: depth + 3-1/2" for the tabs.
  
• Shelf: (inside width of folded box) x (depth + 1-1/2" for the tabs).

Dimensions for the Wood for the Frame:

• Front: (length of folded steel box + 3" to 5" x (height of steel box + 1/16" for clearance).
  
• Rear: (length of folded steel box + 6" to 10" x (same height as front).
  
• Depth: same depth as folded steel box.

And she reveals the secret to working with metal shelf supports.

Metal Shelf Supports

Square metal rods were used as shelf brackets for the entertainment unit on Freeform Furniture. The rods were applied with double-sided very high bond (VHB) tape. This tape is also used in the construction of cars, airplanes, and skyscrapers. The tape is as strong as a weld, but welding only works on metal. There are very high bond tapes for wood, metal, plastic, and even stone. You can get this tape at an industrial adhesive supplier for about $100 for a 100 foot roll. That sounds expensive, but it cost less than having it welded.

To use a metal square rod as a shelf support like on Freeform Furniture, apply a strip of very high bond (VHB) tape to the metal rod, press it firmly in place, remove the backing paper, and position it where you want the shelf support using a spacer block (a piece of wood designed to position the rod in the correct place).

There are many shelf supports on the market in a multitude of materials such as metal, glass, plastic, and wood. They come in a variety of shapes including arcs, L-shapes, and rod and pin supports. Metal brackets and solid wood brackets are two of the most common shelf supports. Some types of metal brackets can hold up to 1,000 pounds when mounted with the appropriate long screws.

Use brackets that have a keyhole in the back. This allows the bracket to slide down over the top of a screw head. The closer the screw head is to the wall, the tighter the fit will be on the bracket.

For all types of shelving, make sure you drill through the existing wall surface and securely into a stud. That way you’ll get as much support as possible.

RESOURCES :

Delta Woodworking Power Tools
Website: www.deltawoodworking.com

Festool
Website: www.festoolusa.com

Gladiator Garageworks by Whirlpool
Website: www.gladiatorgw.com

Stanley Tools Product Group
Website: www.stanleytools.com

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Inc.
Website: www.lie-nielsen.com

WMH Tool Group
Website: www.wmhtoolgroup.com

Power Tools (Porter Cable)
Porter Cable Power Tools
Website: www.portercable.com

Hand Tools
Garrett Wade Co., Inc.
Website: www.garrettwade.com

The Peck Tool Company
Website: www.pecktool.com

Biesemeyer
Website: www.biesemeyer.com

Jogensen Adjustable Clamp Company
Website: www.adjustableclamp.com

Adhesives, Abrasives and Safety Equipment
The 3M Company
Website: www.3m.com

Klein Tools
Website: www.kleintools.com

Power Tool Accessories
Woodcraft
Website: www.woodcraft.com

Ulmia GmbH
Website: www.ulmia.de

Shop Equipment
Eagle Manufacturing Company
Website: www.eagle-mfg.com

Waterjet Services
Flow International Corp.
Website: www.flowcorp.com

Greek Marble, Inc.
Phone: 323-221-6624

Forrest Manufacturing Company
Website: www.forrestblades.com

Wolf-Gordon, Inc.
Website: www.wolf-gordon.com

GUESTS :

Jeff Bailey
Flow International Corp.
Website: www.flowcorp.com