I haven’t blogged about it yet, but last fall I started building a TV cabinet. It’s my most ambitious project yet and I love working on it.
The cheap MDF TV stand we got at Target when we were newlyweds is nearing the end of its life (small children will do that) and I’m at the point in my life where if I’m going to get a new piece of furniture I want to really love it and for it to last–and if possible for it to be made out of solid walnut 😉
I’m a fan of mid-century modern design and so I wanted to design something that would have a lot of storage for our DVDs and still look good. I went with a design that has a section in the middle for adjustable shelves for electronics and then 3 drawers on each sides for DVDs and games.
Sometimes I struggle with visualizing proportions when designing pieces so I downloaded Google SketchUp, a free 3D drafting program. I spent about several hours learning how to use it and drawing my plans. This is just the skeleton of the cabinet.
Gluing up some beautiful pieces of walnut for the top/bottom of the cabinet.
Using the panel saw to square the ends of my side pieces.
My gorgeous outside pieces–the color is off in this pic but look at that grain! ♥
Drilling holes for the adjustable shelves that will go in the middle section to hold the electronics.
Marking where the dadoes (or grooves) will go on the top and bottom pieces. They have to line up exactly for the cabinet to be square.
Using the panel router to cut the dadoes.
I used hidden dadoes (meaning they don’t go all the way to the end) so from the front of the cabinet you won’t see the vertical pieces sitting in the dado or groove.
A close of one of the hidden dado joints.
Very safely standing on a stool to cut biscuits into the top / bottom.
Warm, buttery biscuit joints 🙂
A happy and exhausted me after working with my teacher and the TA to clamp up. After getting everything square and clamped I had a prompting and realized one of the middle pieces (one with the adjustable holes on one side) was flipped around! We got it out and facing the right direction in the nick of time, phew.
So these pictures are from last semester. We’ve only had a few classes so far this semester and I’ve been cutting down wood for my drawers. At tonight’s class I’m cutting the dovetails for the drawers. I’m really excited!
Our summer is in full swing (last week we went to a rodeo and this Friday E is walking in our town’s summer parade!) but I wanted post some photos from our trip to Disneyland back in May before I forget. It is becoming much easier and enjoyable to travel with the kids now that Mimi is potty trained and doesn’t nap.
