How to Build an Environmentally-Friendly Entertainment Center
More in Decorating
Highlights:
- Step 1: Cut the Maple
- Step 2: Create a Rabbet Cut
- Step 3: Create Holes
- Step 4: Attach the Boards
- Step 5: Attach the Third Shelf Piece
- Step 6: Add the Clamps
- Step 7: Place the Maple Back
- Step 8: Create Two Bottom Cabinets
- Step 9: Attach the Three Shelves
- Step 10: Secure the Two Cubbies
- Step 11: Nail the Trim Into Place
- Step 12: Secure the Top Section
- Step 13: Attach the Doors
Step 1: Cut the Maple
Cut the maple down to size. The top TV section will consist of two long 3/4-inch maple sides, two shelves (one of which will have a shorter depth), and a 1/4-inch maple back. The bottom sections will consist of two small adjacent cubbies that have three 3/4-inch maple shelves and a 1/4-inch maple back.
Step 2: Create a Rabbet Cut
Use the table saw to create a rabbet cut along one edge of the two long pieces, which will serve as the sides of the TV section. This will allow the back to fit snugly inside the frame once it's assembled.
Step 3: Create Holes
Mark a row of three biscuits on two long pieces along the two edges and another row 6-inches below one of these rows. On the connecting pieces, make three markings on the thin corresponding edges. Use the biscuit joiner to create holes at each of the markings.
Step 4: Attach the Boards
Place biscuits and glue inside the three rows on the long pieces. Attach the shallower perpendicular board to the biscuit holes that are 6-inches below the edge and one of the other boards to the bottom biscuit holes. Attach the second long piece to sandwich in perpendicular to the two shelves.
Step 5: Attach the Third Shelf Piece
Attach the third shelf piece to the top row of biscuit holes.
Step 6: Add the Clamps
Place clamps onto the unit to hold the pieces together while the glue dries. Flip the unit over and add more clamps so each of the pieces hold together securely. Use a square to make sure the pieces are squared-up before proceeding to the next step.
Step 7: Place the Maple Back
Flip the unit to its true bottom and make sure everything is nice and tight. Place glue around the rabbet cut along the back edge and slide the 1/4-inch maple back into place with the better side facing in, since it will be visible. Hammer it into place with a mallet for a better fit. Staple around the back edge with a pneumatic stapler for good measure.
Step 8: Create Two Bottom Cabinets
Create two bottom cabinets-in-one for the upper cabinet to rest on. Cut the pieces down to size and create a rabbet cut on one side of the longer pieces where the back will slide in.
Step 9: Attach the Three Shelves
Attach the three shelves to the cabinets with biscuits and glue. The bottom shelf should rest a few inches above the bottom of the unit to create legs. Staple the 1/4-inch maple backing into place.
Step 10: Secure the Two Cubbies
Clamp the two cubbies together and secure them together with screws to make one large unit.
Step 11: Nail the Trim Into Place
Measure and cut down walnut trim with a chop saw. Cut a mitered edge on pieces that connect at the corners. Glue the walnut trim along each of the exposed edges, including the bottom edge along the two sides, and nail the trim into place.
Step 12: Secure the Top Section
Secure the top section to the bottom cubby section with 1-1/4 inch screws. Screw in from the bottom so the screw heads aren't visible.
Step 13: Attach the Doors
For the doors, cut down two equal sizes of kirei board so they cover the open TV section. Attach the kirei with sliding hinges so the doors will be able to slide back into the unit when open.
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