Opinions on a TV Stand

[VR3]

Im designing a TV stand...

Basically its around the theory that not all gear should be seen, so its coming with 4 side shelves, 2 on each side to place gear or DVDs - and basically its for the uglier/cheaper gear. I cant stand to have my VCR and XBox visible... so nerve racking...


So basically, its going to be built out of Oak plywood and solid oak for the trim where needed. With Walnut accents...

So far I have a very basic design, all edges will be routed and most likely will have some more walnut in there...

Opinions, suggestions...etc

Drawing is with top removed...

I definitely want to build something like this... just need to spec it out and modify it a bit...

[Willow]

So the sides where you plan on hiding the uglies, they will be big enough to house a VCR?

Have you thought about cable Mngmt ?
For example I love our TV stand but the prob is that there is a gap of about 1ft right in the middle, when the light shines in the right direction you can see a nest of cables. I HATE that !

[VR3]

The side shelves will be about... 24" wide, 12" tall and 14" deep... (12" tall per shelf - give or take)

Im all about cable managment... that will be in final designs more so than this rough draft here...

Most likely will put "hooks" along the side (or bottom of the shelves/cabinet) of the cabinet to run cable ties through and tie the cables to the side of the cabinet - that would also allow me to seperate power, ICS, speaker from one another...

[DaveMuell]

I like it. I suggest putting a verticle back on the center shelves (maybe about 5 - 7 inches from the rear) to help support a really heavy TV like the Sony tube that I have. I had a helluva time finding something that can hold it. This could also be an area to hide bundled/excess cables. You could even but some "hooks" back there to wind cable on.

[Willow]

All in all I like it, we were looking for something like that a while back.

One feature ours does have is that the top shelf is not as deep allowing cables to run from top to bottom shelf keeping the back of the unit looking clean. I think there may be a 2" gap.
I wish ours had an area to hide Xbox, cable box (but still being able to control it)

[ledhed]

I like it, for cable management, I would put in a false back and run some PVC pipe from the sides that way no cables to be seen or to tangle very easily

[VR3]

Thanks for all the comments...

Im not to worried about support, 3/4" Oak plywood and the center part of the shelf is about 20" wide - so that means about 15" of the sides will be braced front to back - so Im not to worried about bowing...

The back I think i will leave open for ventilation purposes mainly...

I like cable managment - may do the PVC thing, my only concern with PVC is - once you start running cable in there, will the other cable fit in afterwards due to lack of room? Thats kind of why I like putting hooks in that you can attach a cable tie to, know what I mean?

But there are so many ways to go about this...

and BTW - after I get done building it and you guys like it and want one, I WILL build you one! ;)

[ledhed]

Well, I thought about that too. I would run multiple pipes so that you don't really have to worry with it and then you can separate cables according to the source (each one can have its own pipe)

Also, consider putting outlets (like a powerstrip) on each side in the cabinets. We did this in ours and it is so much easier to swap gear in and out and also eliminates shorter cables not being able to reach

[brettw22]

PVC is fugly......Hooks are ok, but look out of line IMO. Form should be as much of a consideration as function.

Until I get a newer TV and appropriate stand, I'm using the 1" adhesive squares that allow you to bundle cables, then tie the zip tie through to secure. Much more linear, and if you need to remove or regroup cables, you just need a few more ties......

[ledhed]

Well, they way I am imagining it (I should make up a diagram probably) Is a false back that would hide the PVC completely.

[VR3]

A false back in the middle shelf is impossible - just because of the fact an amp is going in there, and not a lightweight either...

I like Bretts idea pretty good.. hmm...decisions decisions...

Once I get it built - lol, Ill have to look more in those kind of things...

Right now, getting dimensions (working on that slowly) and building it is half the battle.

[VR3]

Here we go....

Hopefully this one is a tad easier to understand and picture...

I just realized my side and top pic didnt add up. However, dont really need to measure the side through the top pic either...

[brettw22]

So the side compartments just open to the side instead of the front, and don't have any panel covering it (open/close) to hide the components you want.......right?

Also, are you sections exiting the back by 2-3" hole for all cables to get outside? Make sure you drill a hole between each compartment as well so you can get cables say from your x-box on the side to your receiver in the center so you don't have to maze the cables out the back , then in the right hole that lines up with that compartment........

[VR3]

Right, I would do doors - but ventilation, etc - Im going with the idea that this thing isnt always going to be in my room and in general it will be viewed from the front. probally will put the gear on the left side and videos, etc on the right side for the time being...

Well, my Dad did the whole "hole" near the component thing and its a great idea if you never upgrade or move gear - which I do constantly...

So for the side components to get the wires to where they need to go, i am just going to leave like 5-6" open in the middle to route wires...

Yeah, my Dad machine gunned the back of his cabinet basically and earlier this year he got a whole bunch of new gear and none of it lined up...yikes.

[brettw22]

You're probably going to move gear around here and there, but the shelves are being installed permanently (not adjustable), right? If adjustable, I understand the point, but only to a degree. Typically I switch equipment, but keep the same components in teh same place, so I'm going to know that a DVD player is generally X tall and wouldn't require me to alter the shelf's position......

I drilled holes at the bottom of all the spaces in my TV stand and even if I did replace equipment, I'd still need the holes to move cables around through, as pictured here....

[VR3]

Very nicely done...

What kind of fans are in there?? Loud? Quiet? Details... ;)

Holes in the shelves are definitely an option - lots to consider before now and when it all starts... may design something totally different, who knows... I like how you did it though. Very clean.

[brettw22]

I didn't make that, trust.......i actually got it from Sam's Club and it's by FAR the most sturdy (and HEAVY) stand I've had. I think I had something that was similar to what you had with the openings on teh side and the center compartments, but it go to be where i needed more forward facing shelves.

The fan's are from stores that my old employer had closed down and were scrapping, so i grabbed them before they hit the dumpster.

IM me on aim.....