Entertainment Unit

**LiliB** · 22nd July 2009, 02:39 PM

Hi everyone
Thought I'd share David's latest piece of furniture making with you, especially those who might shy away from making bigger stuff, because you haven't done too much of it before.

I'm the instigator of most of David's practical work, because I have found so many times, that you just can't buy furniture pieces that suit needs. With entertainment units, there are big drawbacks, especially the number of units that can be fitted AND the tangle of leads that make it a nightmare to have your room neat.

So, Dave designed one to my specifications. It is 1770mm long, 530mm wide and 800mm high. It is made from Tasmanian oak and holds TV, DVD and our stereo system, and has provision for 9 units. The interior has tassie oak edging with ply over MDF, and the sides are made from marine ply edged in tassie oak. There are two 'junk' drawers at the bottom.

Two special features make this more practical than anything I could buy -
1. a hinged opening into which all cabling is held, and can be accessed without moving the unit.
2. A roll out shelf to hold the rarely used, but highly valued, record player.
The objective was for it to look like a simple piece of furniture, rather than a purpose built entertainment unit, and to keep clean lines.

Photos show - the carcass without doors, and final setup. Hope you like it.

Cheers
LiliB

**beeroll** · 22nd July 2009, 09:47 PM

Very cool and practical - I'm about to make one of these units, and I am definitely going to steal, oops, I mean learn from, the cable-taming idea!

Do you have pets or kids in your lounge room ever? I would be terrified that they would step on the turntable on the low shelf - actually, I'd be terrified that I'd step on the turntable in a fit of drunkenness - oops, absent-mindedness...

- but I guess it's only out there long enough to change records...

great work!

**Tex B** · 22nd July 2009, 10:28 PM

Lovely job, Lili. Looks really good.

I like the opening that hides the cables.

Tex

**Wongo** · 23rd July 2009, 01:37 AM

Lovely work. I like it. Those 2 little boxes look classic too.

**Christos** · 23rd July 2009, 01:59 AM

That looks great.

**Fuzzie** · 23rd July 2009, 07:04 AM

Great idea for the cables. I also struggle with the problem of dust settling on components. Having open shelves is good for ventilation, but the doors keep out dust and give cleaner lines when not in use.

Nice work.

**LiliB** · 23rd July 2009, 09:45 AM

Thanks for the positive comments. David will really appreciate it. I am delighted that others see what a clever idea the cable taming one is. It's pure David, and I don't think he often realizes how clever he is at problem solving.

Keeping air flow around the components was important, so the segments are all considerably larger than they need to be. It also allows the good housekeeper, (me of course) the keep components well dusted.

I think one of the most important things about this forum, is to share ideas that help us each not to have to 'reinvent the wheel'. I think that too many people jealously guard ideas that could help other people, without really needing to. Dave said to me that he felt many people might love his idea of hiding the cables. Dust should be minimised because the segment that opens rests upon a board that means any dust that settles in the opening area, will settle on the board, not in the cavity.

Another tip for you, if you want it. One of the most expensive items in specialist furniture building is hardware. Get to know a good, local cabinet maker with reasonable volume building, and see if he will sell you drawer runners and handles. You get quality (our drawer runners are ball bearing type which open right out, and are as smooth as silk to operate and only cost $16 each) , reasonable prices, and of course marvellous choice compared to your local hardware store. AND you'll have the latest in handles, without paying a fortune.

This whole unit cost about $300 to make, compared to thousands for a piece of customised cabinetry in Australian hardwood.

By the way, the boxes are some David made whilst learning to use his scrollsaw last year. We are trying to build up a little stock to try our luck with sales at a local market later in the year. Model making and scroll sawing are his first love, and he only builds furniture when he really has to!!!!

Cheers
LiliB

**The Bleeder** · 23rd July 2009, 09:54 AM

I too love the cable taming idea. Could suit some other areas....my office..

Also love the turntable idea.

Great work Dave.

**AUSSIE** · 16th August 2009, 02:39 PM

Hi Guys
Well this one slipped under my RADAR.How did that happen?

Wonderful job guys.I also will keep the cable box idea in mind.

David has been busy just like you mentioned to me a few months ago.
Trust Wongo to notice the boxes.
Very sorry for missing this posting guys i will try harder from now on.

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