My floating wall project.......for a change!

Albopalbo · 26-05-2008, 6:18 PM

After many weeks of sussing out, measuring and CAD...ing I finally think I'm ready to actually start building.

First off - the vision!!!

This will be your standard floating wall out of 18mm MDF fixed to battens to create a 33mm void at the rear. A 40mm overlap will hide the obligatory rope light from TLC.

I'm sure someone will question mounting it above a fire but it should be fine. The fire kicks heat outwards and doesn't have a grille at the top to heat by releasing the heat upwards. It also isn't that good anyway and I've even taken temperature readings above it so I'm 100% confident it'll be fine. If I was 99% confident I wouldn't do it!

I'll post some pics of where I've got up to tonight.

Albopalbo · 26-05-2008, 7:12 PM

Ok, I've got a bit done over the weekend >

First job was to measure, and measure again, before measuring, exactly where the TV will be fixed. I wanted to keep it as low I possibly could while still looking OK and leaving room for the centre speaker below.

After fixing the brackets to the rear of the TV I could then go ahead and attach the wall bracket.

A quick tester to see how it looked -

The outer sides of the battens I painted white before fixing, to reflect as much light as possible from the rope light. Also think it would look a little better than wood if anyone caught a glimpse from the side

I fixed all the battens to the wall with just a couple of screwsto ensure everything was A-Ok and makes it easier to mark for all of the many screw holes in the wall [below]. That my buddy who was giving me a hand.

And with the batten work complete>

mont1uk · 26-05-2008, 9:09 PM

Looking good so far, ill be doing exactly the same thing as you in a few weeks time so interested to see how it goes.

Albopalbo · 27-05-2008, 6:02 PM

Just a little update. Cut the first piece of MDF - goddamn these things are heavy and awkward to position on your tod.

It's wet now though and a need another person to help me steady it through the table saw, so the rest will be cur tomorrow.

Can't fix it until my rope light arrives tomorrow anyway.

Albopalbo · 27-05-2008, 8:12 PM

Well the rain let up so I cur the outer two pieces of MDF. The frikkin' fence shifted though and bodged up the first cut. Managed to salvage it though.

Also had a bit of an experiment as to how I'm going to finish the edges and joints. 1/4" roundover all the way round and rather than trying to get the joints perfect by filling and sanding and faffing, I'm going to bevel them and expose the joint.

I'll post some more tomorrow when the rope lights up

Syphonic · 27-05-2008, 9:38 PM

Nice idea exposing the joints, it looks really nice.

alz2605 · 27-05-2008, 9:53 PM

Hurry up and finish mate! Can't wait to see the end result!

Albopalbo · 28-05-2008, 10:27 AM

Rope light cam today. 15mins after and it was up...

tmurphy · 28-05-2008, 12:44 PM

Are those Duralite Rope lights? and are they white or yellow (camera's can never get it quite right!)

Cheers

Tony

Albopalbo · 28-05-2008, 1:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmurphy

Are those Duralite Rope lights? and are they white or yellow (camera's can never get it quite right!)

Cheers

Tony

Yes they are. £1.80 per m. They are white lights, the yellow ones are very yellow! link below-

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...hts/index.html

tmurphy · 28-05-2008, 3:59 PM

Cheers, just ordered some even though they are a borderline WAF case

Tony

jolly · 28-05-2008, 5:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syphonic

Nice idea exposing the joints, it looks really nice.

I agree about the joints, looking forward to seeing it finished

Albopalbo · 28-05-2008, 11:09 PM

Couldn't work on it tonight, but managed to get one of the MDF sheets bevelled and final fixed in place during the day. Also prepped the side two ready for tomorrow.

Albopalbo · 28-05-2008, 11:12 PM

I do have a quick question - the sub wire has got to go up, accross and down inside the panel, and it's not quite long enough. Will an wire do for extending it, or does it have to be specific speaker cable?

Ta

Albopalbo · 29-05-2008, 9:59 PM

Got the other two panels prepped and put up today. Also filled all the screw holes ready for sanding and painting tomorrow. Getting close...........

jolly · 30-05-2008, 5:07 AM

Are you going to put lights around the inside as well, might be different!

Albopalbo · 30-05-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolly

Are you going to put lights around the inside as well, might be different!

I'm not no. I did consider it, but decided not to.

Albopalbo · 30-05-2008, 9:34 PM

More progress...

Holes filled with good old P38 and first lick of paint.

A couple showing how I jointed the boards

I also routed some string with the wires so if i ever need to add a cable I can pull it through

Gear up!

:smas hin:

I tried to get a shot of it in the dark but didn't come out too good.

Still got a bit of tidying up to do and run the wires for the rear speakers, also need an SPDIF cable for surround from my media PC, but other than that the install's done!

Time to watch a film I think

jolly · 31-05-2008, 8:23 AM

Like the colour, the joints work as well

alz2605 · 31-05-2008, 9:37 PM

Thats stunning mate! Fantastic!

blue max 2 · 01-06-2008, 6:41 AM

That does look very smart!

However, is the fire actually a heat producing one or just decorative? I would be a little concerned about the rising heat if it is a heat source.

Maybe you can confirm whether it is an issue please as I had something similar in mind.

Thanks.

Graham

groove · 01-06-2008, 10:51 AM

Holy Cow ! That looks amazing....i really like the exsposed joints and colour , really adds some interesting details.

Nice one pal....ill bet your are over the moon with it.

Albopalbo · 01-06-2008, 4:33 PM

Cheers people, glad you like it as much as me

That colour was actually left over from my kitchen chimney breast - homebase slate satin I think.

blue max 2 - have a look at my first post - I explain about the fire there - it's fine.

I must say, this is my first surround setup, and i am utterly converted. I will never use the TV speakers again!

Albopalbo · 01-06-2008, 9:20 PM

Here's a little before and after shot ...

**inzaman** · 02-06-2008, 12:16 PM

What a difference, its gone from Gran to Glam

DaveThomas · 02-06-2008, 1:56 PM

Fantastic setup mate. If ever there was an advert for a floating wall home cinema upgrade, my gosh this is it . . . . . .Right off to show the missus she cant failed but to be impressed.