[Bruce123]

Hi Guys

Having been forced into early retirement through injury I have had time on my hands to pursue my interest in furniture design and cabinet making. A recent upgrade from an old RPTv to a flat screen required a rethink of my AV furniture.

With ever growing numbers of black boxes I came up with the design pictured below. I used Google Sketchup to play around with ideas before committing. The space in the centre is for a Lumagen Radiance once it is released leaving two spare slots for who knows what!

It is made from 30mm European oak with the end shelves dovetailed to provide the strength as they are supported on one side only. I found this gave the unit better balance and in a strange way made it look neater. I haven't tested their strength to breaking point but hey handle the 6kg DVD player no problem. The power amp might be a different matter though!

One benefit I wasn't expecting is an definite improvement from the centre channel. I had read about the benefits of oak before but this came as a very pleasant surprise. My wife has even commented on it!

The wood cost around the £650 mark which I don't think was too bad considering I paid that for an 8 shelf Quadraspire Q4 some years ago. I would take this over the Q4 any day.

Before the mods get concerned I am not a commercial enterprise, my injury prevents me from putting in the hours, but I am happy to get involved with AV furniture for other members if they desire. I need something to help fill these long days!

Any way I just thought I would seek out the comments, both good and bad, of other AV enthusiasts.

Thanks for looking.

Bruce

[Trent.]

Nice job
Can't beat a bit of made to measure furniture!
Is there any 'give/flex' in the open ends with 6kg? I would think you probably could go almost double that if needed,dovetails are a good strong joint coupled with the oak.
You could maybe add a brace if you were worried, something like a 60mmx30mm return from the rear of the main body, but i would'nt unless you really needed it.

I bet it weighs some

[Bruce123]

Hi Trent

Thanks for your comments. Luckily there is no visible movement in the shelves which gives a nice clean line around the DVD. Like you I suspect it could take at least double the weight as the dovetail runs the entire length and is 19mm at it's narrowest point. Oak that thick takes a lot to break and modern glues are at least as strong as the wood. Maybe one day when another change is in order I will put it to the test!!

Cheers

Bruce

[Knightshade]

Very nice, 30mm Oak and a sliding dovetail? (I'm assuming the dovetail goes the depth of the cabinet?) Doh! Just read your post and realise it does....
I'd be more concerned with movement of the wood in the open end, always a bit of a risk but weight wouldn't be a big issue.
Again, very nice work. I think the open ended look makes it.

[Bruce123]

Thanks Knightshade

You are right there is always a risk of movement but I did my best to minimise it by using three narrow boards joined with alternating grain to create the width and acclimatised the material in the house for as long as I could prior to construction. Fingers crossed!

Bruce

[alextegg]

Really nice job, I'd lose the curtains, though

Really basic question - where do I get decent hardwood from ?

The local "timber merchants" are all basically builders yards and as soon as you mention hardwood they look at you funny - like a chav in the headlights...

Recommendations for this kind of quantity, and a supplier that will prepare the basic cuts and planing to spec would be great. I am in North London, but happy to have stuff shipped or to drive for an hour or so...

[Bruce123]

Originally Posted by alextegg

Really nice job, I'd lose the curtains, though

Thanks. You are absolutely right about the curtains. Just out of interest I had a woman come and measure up for some new curtains with blackout liner and was quoted £2k!!! That included a pelmet made from 6mm MDF

[Bruce123]

Originally Posted by Peter Galbavy

Really basic question - where do I get decent hardwood from ?

The local "timber merchants" are all basically builders yards and as soon as you mention hardwood they look at you funny - like a chav in the headlights...

Recommendations for this kind of quantity, and a supplier that will prepare the basic cuts and planing to spec would be great. I am in North London, but happy to have stuff shipped or to drive for an hour or so...

I use these guys http://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/ and order loose boards as I have the machinery to plane and thickness. You could ask them to size boards but it will cost extra. Read the small print about wastage as that can add to your initial order. For example if you order 150mm boards and they only have 175mm in stock you get to pay for the extra width which you don't need.

Local cabinet makers will take rough material and produce thicknessed boards for a small fee. If you have any problems contact me (I'm only an hour from you) and I'll do it for you.

Bruce