Thread: Entertainment Unit

Image 6. Following the above, two pieces were attached to the top to add both rigidity and a base for the top to be attached to.

Image 7. The ends of the unit have a frame and panel construction. This image shows the panels being constructed.

Image 8. Next was the frame. When this was glued up a router was used to create a rabbet for the frame. The corners were squared off by hand.

Image 9. The front stile of the frame wraps around the cabinet. The piece at the front is taken from the stile prior to glue up so that the grain wraps around the front. The joint is a miter. The blue tape is clamping the glueup.

Image 10. The finished frame and panel.


Image 11. In this photo the wrap around described in 9 above can be seen.

Image 12. As the unit is still up on the assembly table I took the opportunity to fit 6 non swivel wheels.

Image 13. The unit now on the shop floor.

Image 14. Making the drawers using the Leigh jig. Purists look the other way.

Image 15. Smoothing the dove tail joints and sides.

Image 16. The drawer fronts are just sitting in the opening for rough sizing and grain matching.

Image 17. The Accuride slides are now installed and the drawers tested.

Image 18. The fronts have now been fitted to the drawers and fine adjustments made to the slides to get the fronts even.

Image 19. Another shot of the fitted drawers.

Image 20. Next the back was cut out.

Image 21. As I mentioned earlier - not happy Jan when it comes to veneered plywood. So after forking out for the jarrah veneer I set about covering it. I cut 3mm strips, book matched, then glued them up. This was then put through the drum sander. First time at trying this. Lets just say, and interesting experience.

Image 22. Clamped up and drying

Image 23. The finished veneering.

Image 24. With the veneering finished it was time to fit the edging. Here the front edge is fitted first.

Image 25. Next the end edging is fitted using two clamps gripping each other to gain the distance. Biscuits were used here.

Image 26. The top resting on the cabinet for a trial fit.

Image 27. A look at the top.

Image 28. When it came to finishing I was not sure what I wanted to do. I got in touch with Evan Dunstone who had written a number of articles for Aust Wood Review; one on jarrah. He suggested that if I was going to use Danish oil, then apply about 5 coats as a wipe on and buff straight away. Then for a final coat use Feast Watson Fine Buffing Oil also as a wipe on and buff straight away. I am more than pleased with the finish.

BobR, that is a very nice unit. How many man-hours do you reckon it took you?

Allan

Nice work Bob.

Great piece of work there Bob. looks great!
Cheers,
Glenn

Hi Bob,

Yes, very nice job. Well done, and the top came up beautifully. Good finish too.

I reckon you just trippled the value of your son's house. Seriously though, a mate had one made to order, not unlike yours but a bit taller, it was mostly solid but had some ply also, and get this, he paid over $4000 for it.

Thanks for all the photos. We likes lots of photos.

Cheers
Pops

Excellent work Bob, well done

wow

Hi Bob,
Very nice unit job well done, nice trick with the clamps not being long enough also.

Thanks for the comments.

ajw, guestimate only. In excess of 200 hours. However, this is just taking my time, coping with workshop restrictions, and working out new processes. Someone who was all setup, plenty of room, and not breaking any new ground may halve this. Although glue time and finishing time are hard to reduce - just waiting.

Pops I could believe the price. Materials for this project are in excess of $2,000. This includes everything from consumables that may have a quantity left over (screws, sandpaper, oils), ply that has offcuts, not too much jarrah was left though.

Great job, Bob, and an excellent WIP too.
Was the jarrah veneer cut by peeling it off the log? I've found it very boring and hard to get a good finish on. Cutting your own 3mm as you did seems to be a lot better.