Custom Entertainment Center
Premade entertainment centers can fit almost any household budget. But if it is difficult to find exactly what you need, an alternative is to build a custom center. To do this, you will need the dimensions of all the components that will be housed in your entertainment center. Remember to allow a half-inch of space all around each component for air circulation. The guide below will make a shelved entertainment center that is 7 feet tall, 37 1/2 inches wide, and 24 inches deep.
Instructions
Face Frames
1. Place the face frame pieces on a worktable. Place the 33 1/2-inch pieces (frame rails) between the 2-by-84-by-3/4-inch pieces (frame ends). Measure from one end and make marks at 36 and 66 inches. Place the framing square on the marks and draw lines across the width of the two frame ends.
2. Place the two 4 3/4-inch rails at the bottom and the 36-inch line. Place the 2-inch rail at the 66-inch mark and the 3 1/2-inch rail at the top of the frame. Hold the rails tightly against the frame ends and secure them with corrugated fasteners.
3. Measure from one side of the frame and make a mark on each of the rails at 17 3/4 inches. Repeat this from the other side of the face frame. Next, place the 2-by-26 1/2-by-3/4-inch piece on the marks and secure it to the frame with the corrugated fasteners. Place the 2-by-14 1/2-by-3/4-inch piece between the top rail and the one below it.
Cabinet
4. Place the two pieces that are 24-by-84-by-3/4-inch (end panels) on a worktable. Measure from one end and make marks at 4, 36 and 66 inches. Place the framing square on the marks and draw lines across the width of the plywood. Mark the bottom side of the lines with an X. Next, apply glue below the 4-inch line and place the 4-by-24-by-3/4-inch piece on it and secure it with the 2d box nails. Repeat for the other end panel.
5. Place on the worktable the four pieces that are 24-by-36-by-3/4-inch (shelves) along with the 4-by-36-inch pieces. Apply glue to the long edge of the 4-inch pieces and secure them to the bottom of the shelves at the front and back. Apply glue to the bottom sides of the lines on the end panels and secure the shelves to them with the 4d finish nails.
6. Place the 24-by-31 1/4-by-3/4-inch piece on the worktable. Measure from the 24-inch edge and make a mark at 4 inches. Place the framing square on the mark and draw a line across the width of the piece. Next, measure from the 31 1/4-inch edges and make a mark at 3/4 inches. Repeat this for the other 31 1/4-inch edge. Place the framing square on the marks and draw a line until it intersects the first line drawn. This will form a small rectangle measuring 3/4-by-4 inches. Cut this out with a jig saw.
7. Measure from the sides of the cabinet on the bottom two shelves and make a mark at 18 3/8 inches. Repeat from the other side on both shelves. This is the location of the notched piece produced in Step 3. Apply glue to the top and bottom edges of the notched piece, place it on the marks and secure it with the finish nails. Be certain to keep it at the same distance from the sides of the entertainment center as you secure it to the two shelves.
8. Apply glue to the edges of the end panels and shelves. Place the 37 1/2-by-84-by-1/4-inch plywood on the cabinet and secure it with the 4d box nails. Turn the cabinet over, apply glue to the edges and secure the face frame to it with the finish nails.
Tips Warnings
Clean excess glue immediately with a damp cloth. Sand the cabinet parts before assembly. Apply veneer edge band on the frame to give it a solid-wood look. Secure it to the frame with a hot iron.
Do not leave power tools unattended in the presence of children. Do not stain or paint the entertainment center without proper ventilation.
Tags: build, custom, entertainment, center, Measure from, 4-inch piece, framing square, make mark, Place framing, Place framing square, across width
