DON'T BE AFRAID TO BUILD YOUR OWN TV STAND!
May - 2010 Update
This thread was started on November 15, 2004 so we're closing in on six years of active participation. When I started it, I hoped a few guys would chime in and we might have the opportunity to share ideas, designs, and techniques. We've had well over 250,000 views of the thread with nearly 1100 individual posts. Lord knows how many pictures are in this thread... and THAT... should be an inspiration to all the people who are even remotely interested in attempting to design and build their vision of the perfect TV stand. Come and look at the results. Find out how easy it really is to build something as good as... if not better, than anything available at retail.
It was suggested that I edit this first post and do whatever I could to get everyone to explore their options. Perhaps down the road we can even organize this into some distinct categories that will make it easier to find specific information on hot topics like construction techniques, finish, materials, design, finished stands, and a few other categories.
But the bottom line is that there is a wealth of information in this thread, and if you just take some time and poke around you will find tons of ideas and loads of inspiration.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO LOOK... IT DOESN'T COST ANYTHING!
It seems that we have a couple of different factions here with regard to form factor, but there are two primary groups... those that find a metal-open stand attractive, and those that prefer a wood-closed stand. I thought that since there seems to be a fair number of folks who are interested in possibly _building_ a custom stand, it might be time for a new thread dealing with BYO wood stands.
For those who are curious, I'm going to try and post some images of what I'm building. Before I do, here's my basic design parameters:
1. Must be wide enough and strong enough to carry my Mits 62725, so my general dimensions are 60" wide, 20" deep, and roughly 21" high. We find it more comfortable to view higher than with our chins in our chests
.
2. I want three (3) main "compartments" for my components, center channel, and storage (remotes, manuals, etc.).
3. My side compartments will have adjustable shelves and flush tempered glass doors. Each compartment is about 18½" wide and 16½" high.
4. My center compartment will be about 19½" wide, and have a shallow, flush drawer. The center compartment has a false back that allows a ¾" X 9" channel for wires to crossover without a visible rats nest. There's enough room between drawer and speaker to add a spare shelf down the road if needed.
5. The stand will be mounted on dual-wheel casters so as to allow easy roll-away from the wall to mess with wires. I might use eight (8) casters and while I'm on carpet... Shepard does make urethane treaded casters that would be easy to push on any surface without scratching it.
6. I'm probably going to use my router to make an inset groove on the back edge that would allow me to put ¼" pegboard behind the components with a pop-off speaker mount type deal. If I need ventilation, I can always use a small boxer fan, but these components have worked in a box before.
7. I'm using a combination of the Slamander Triple-20 and a few other wooden cabinets I've seen as my guideline, but this unit is basically a big, strong box that would easily support 400 pounds if not more. Finish wise... I'm using birch plywood and will stain it cherry, then finish it with a satin polyurethane.
Bottom Line: I know that while my material costs will be under $500, If I had to charge for my labor... I probably would be well over the cost of the Salamander... but then I'm not that nuts about the Synergy anyway. I don't like the fact that exposed bolt heads are showing on the top of the cherry wood over each column. But I'm determined to do this, and I'm sure others might get inspired if they have some ability and access to tools.
So feel free to jump and get some sawdust on your knees as we build this monster and others. BTW, I'd be happy to offer whatever expertise I can on your project, so if you have questions... shoot!
Iron Horse
May - 2010 Update
This thread was started on November 15, 2004 so we're closing in on six years of active participation. When I started it, I hoped a few guys would chime in and we might have the opportunity to share ideas, designs, and techniques. We've had well over 250,000 views of the thread with nearly 1100 individual posts. Lord knows how many pictures are in this thread... and THAT... should be an inspiration to all the people who are even remotely interested in attempting to design and build their vision of the perfect TV stand. Come and look at the results. Find out how easy it really is to build something as good as... if not better, than anything available at retail.
It was suggested that I edit this first post and do whatever I could to get everyone to explore their options. Perhaps down the road we can even organize this into some distinct categories that will make it easier to find specific information on hot topics like construction techniques, finish, materials, design, finished stands, and a few other categories.
But the bottom line is that there is a wealth of information in this thread, and if you just take some time and poke around you will find tons of ideas and loads of inspiration.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO LOOK... IT DOESN'T COST ANYTHING!
It seems that we have a couple of different factions here with regard to form factor, but there are two primary groups... those that find a metal-open stand attractive, and those that prefer a wood-closed stand. I thought that since there seems to be a fair number of folks who are interested in possibly _building_ a custom stand, it might be time for a new thread dealing with BYO wood stands.
For those who are curious, I'm going to try and post some images of what I'm building. Before I do, here's my basic design parameters:
1. Must be wide enough and strong enough to carry my Mits 62725, so my general dimensions are 60" wide, 20" deep, and roughly 21" high. We find it more comfortable to view higher than with our chins in our chests
2. I want three (3) main "compartments" for my components, center channel, and storage (remotes, manuals, etc.).
3. My side compartments will have adjustable shelves and flush tempered glass doors. Each compartment is about 18½" wide and 16½" high.
4. My center compartment will be about 19½" wide, and have a shallow, flush drawer. The center compartment has a false back that allows a ¾" X 9" channel for wires to crossover without a visible rats nest. There's enough room between drawer and speaker to add a spare shelf down the road if needed.
5. The stand will be mounted on dual-wheel casters so as to allow easy roll-away from the wall to mess with wires. I might use eight (8) casters and while I'm on carpet... Shepard does make urethane treaded casters that would be easy to push on any surface without scratching it.
6. I'm probably going to use my router to make an inset groove on the back edge that would allow me to put ¼" pegboard behind the components with a pop-off speaker mount type deal. If I need ventilation, I can always use a small boxer fan, but these components have worked in a box before.
7. I'm using a combination of the Slamander Triple-20 and a few other wooden cabinets I've seen as my guideline, but this unit is basically a big, strong box that would easily support 400 pounds if not more. Finish wise... I'm using birch plywood and will stain it cherry, then finish it with a satin polyurethane.
Bottom Line: I know that while my material costs will be under $500, If I had to charge for my labor... I probably would be well over the cost of the Salamander... but then I'm not that nuts about the Synergy anyway. I don't like the fact that exposed bolt heads are showing on the top of the cherry wood over each column. But I'm determined to do this, and I'm sure others might get inspired if they have some ability and access to tools.
So feel free to jump and get some sawdust on your knees as we build this monster and others. BTW, I'd be happy to offer whatever expertise I can on your project, so if you have questions... shoot!
Iron Horse