[Fordy]

Just a little something i knocked up in illustrator in 2 minutes so forgive the crudeness of the illustration.

something like this in a light cherry colour. To house a Sky box, DVD/blu-ray player, Xbox360, Sony SRTDB 790 amp, and eventually a PS3.

I've had a look round the web and not seen much that
a: I can afford (Ikea's got expensive recently hasnt it)
b: Is not made of cheap n nasty particle board
c: is the right colour or size.

Appreciate any suggestions, I get the feeling however this will end up being a self build...

thanks
D

[Fordy]

please?

[Knightshade]

John Lewis or possibly Next? Otherwise a bespoke build which will cost quite a bit I don't know if Blok are Arca make anything like it but it could be worth a look.

[Fordy]

Christ! At the price of some of this stuff not just the bloc/arca stuff but the next furniture, it would be cheaper to build myself, plus the next stuff is cheap tat for the price.

[Knightshade]

True, the only stuff that is semi-reasonable is the John Lewis stuff. Even then you have to watch what you buy.
If you have the skills then making your own is the best option. There are plenty of online suppliers of cut to measure veneered board (it's only .6mm stuff but it's reasonable) good drawer runners etc are also readily available.

[deckingman]

Hi,

This is a tough one. Looking at your three criteria, I'd say that the only way you are going to get something that is the colour of choice, is not made from cheap particle board and costs less than Ikea, is a self build from reclaimed materials.

[Fordy]

I'll go to the builders yard sometime this week…
I'll be looking to build it out of 35mm wood for the top and support legs and 20-25mm for the mid sections (whatever is available off the shelf to be honest).

Could you point me in the direction of some veneered board suppliers please I'll look into this as an option.

For colour I'll apply a wax or varnish, I'm playing it by ear here, can you tell.


Plan is for right now to get a basic non drawered version together to house the new tv and kit then add the drawers soon after. It's kind of a matter of urgency as the TV will be coming very soon and I'm not wall mounting until i redecorate.

Construction should be quite simple, dowel and glue and a few well placed long thick screws.

Next stop woodfit.co.uk...

When I get going, I'll post some pics and prices.

Thanks for the advice.

D

[Knightshade]

A few links that you may find useful: http://shop.instant-shop.com/bagpress/
http://www.sykestimber.co.uk/ http://www.timbmet.com/Default.aspx
Best of luck. If you do use any real wood then you need to 'condition' it before you use it. Sit it in your house for a couple of weeks preferably on a flat surface to reduce its chances of warping. This will bring help bring the moisture content down to a sensible level.

[Fordy]

Lay flat for a couple of weeks you say, damn, that changes things.
Anyone got a plan B?

[deckingman]

This might work - really cheap. 18mm mdf and paint it (although this is technically particle board). You need to seal the mdf first with a proprietary sealer. Use several coats of Japlac and rub down with very fine abrasive between coats. Saw a stand on another forum made like this and looked the dogs althogh it was gloss black.

Admittedly, it is not the same as stain, but you can't really stain mdf as it has no grain pattern. I've looked at veneered board and it ain't cheap. By the time you have bought veneered board, fixings, hinges, drawer runners, stain etc you'll have spent more than if you'd just gone out and bought Ikea.

Also, try Screwfix for drawer runners - Woodfit are expensive. I have trade accounts with both so I know these things. Whatever you do, to save money on fixings, avoid all DIY chains like the plague.

One final thought, try a sale room for timber. You can buy old wardrobes, chests of drawers etc for a couple of quid.

[Knightshade]

You could spray the MDF if you wanted to, i've done this with black gloss speaker cabinets before.

[Fordy]

I've spent the last week measuring and remeasuring. there's no way i can get this without it being massive, so I have ordered this from Argos.
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...&Submit=GO+%3E

Hope the drawer is big enough for the projector and the colour isnt too far off.

Fingers crossed....