Total newbie needs box advice!

**woodnovice** · 14th May 2009, 08:27 PM

hello all,

this is my first post - I know next to nothing about woodwork, I have made a couple of bits and pieces in the past couple of years like a simple bench (out of decking wood!) and I like to think i'm fairly handy and can work quite intuitively so I guess that's a start.

Anyway I was thinking of building a very simple 'open cube' cabinet to sit under my TV and to hold a couple of electrical components; Surround amp and DVD player, so with the Plasma and those it needs to be fairly strong.

The design you can see on the basic sketch. I was thinking of using say 19" Black film coated plywood and using mitre joints so you can see the laminates in the ply as I like that effect.

Problems?, er where do I start, I don't actually know how to do a mitre joint and how it hold the two pieces of wood together!? And what tools will I need (bare minimum). I have some outdoor space that is covered and don't mind investing in a few tools (power?) that will serve a variety of projects so all advice is welcome.

thanks,

Steve

**mat** · 15th May 2009, 10:13 AM

Steve

The project is reasonable simple except for the mitres. You will be disappointed with the joins if the cuts are not right. Perhaps if you got someone with a decent tablesaw to cut the pieces the rest of the construction would be relatively easy with a drill, clamps, glue, screws and perhaps a cheap biscuit jointer.

Have you considered one of the woodworking clubs or men's sheds that may have a tablesaw to do the job and perhaps get a bit of guidance as well.

**munruben** · 15th May 2009, 10:30 AM

Cutting a 45deg mitre along the length of timber by hand is difficult to say the least. You definitely need some means of doing this. As suggested above, you could go to one of the woodworking clubs in your area if there are any and they will be happy to cut the pieces to size for you, alternatively, if you are buying the timber from one of the big hardware companies like Bunnings, they may cut them for you at a nominal cost. If you intend to make woodworking your hobby and this is not just a "one off" situation you will need to get yourself some tools. I think the first thing you would need to buy is a table saw as this is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will need. Setting youself up to do wookworking is not a cheap process but you can buy good second hand equipment if you search on ebay. Good luck with you project.

**munruben** · 15th May 2009, 10:31 AM

BTW, Welcome to the forum.

**fletty** · 15th May 2009, 10:45 AM

welcome woodnovice ... we'll see if we can change that name soon!
where are you in Sydney?
I would be happy to cut the mitres for you but I might be at the wrong end of town,
Fletty

**woodnovice** · 18th May 2009, 01:13 PM

Hello everyone and thanks for your great feedback. I am going to get the wood from a place that have said they can do mitre cuts so thats all good. One thing I'm unsure of at the moment is that once I have glued the pieces together is there any other fixings that will need to be made for strength purposes (it will be holding a large TV).

What about screwing the pieces as well (see pic) although I then have the problem of seeing the screw head - any ideas?

WN

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