CharlesWilson
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 458
This media cabinet was constructed from the article "Tri-fold Storage Cabinet" by Glen Huey in Popular Woodworking (February 2006). I modified the plans to suit my particular needs, by increasing the height of the piece by approximately 18", and reducing the spacing between shelves in order to hold a larger quantity of fixed size media (predominantly CD's and DVD's in jewel cases). I assembled all shelves to the sides using sliding dovetails, and opted to use 1/2" instead of 1/4" plywood for the backs. This unit was constructed using Black Walnut. There was a large mix of heartwood and sapwood, which results in a wide variation of appearance.
The following pictures illustrate the construction process.
The above picture illustrates the method used for cutting the stopped dovetails in the sides. The cuts were bookmatched, and the area between the two boards (in the center) was already notched to receive the back, so that dovetailing could be started from the center, and proceed outward to the stops (shown on the guide rail). Below is a close up of the guide rail and tool setup.
The cabinet consists of three rows of shelves, one set in the base unit, and the other two in each of the two doors that swing open on piano hinges. Each of the doors is constructed with mitered corners between the sides and the top and bottom. These mitered corners are reinforced with splines as shown in the following diagrams. In the original article, the author created these splines by running the door frames at a 45 degree angle across the table saw. This was not possible in my shop due to the fact that the doors were somewhat larger, and my ceiling is only 7 ½ feet high. The two pictures, below, show how I guided my TS75 to make the slots for the splines. The first photo shows the view from the top, with the guide rail and stops. The second photo shows the view from underneath where the corner fits into the area provided. The guide rail, above, directs the saw to make a cut through the corner. The guide rail is repositioned to perform two more cuts before the door is flipped over, and three more slits are made.
The picture below shows the slots made for the splines cut into a corner of one of the doors.
The splines were then glued into place, trimmed, and sanded.
The base unit and two doors then had the shelves installed. The dovetail joints on the shelves were only glued at rear since the joint itself will be holding things together. The glue will keep the shelves from creeping away from the backs.
The front door face was of rail-stile construction, with two raised panels. After assembly, it was glued to the rest of the front door.
The Domino arrived just in time for construction of the base and feet. I used the Domino to pin the mitered feet together. Due to the thickness of the material, I need to shorten the Dominos. I used a clamp to steady the unit on the foot before plunging.
After the final assembly and finishing, the unit was loaded up, and put into service. Here is the media cabinet at its present resting place. (The foam on the piece of furniture at left will be replaced with a more attractive bumper guard.)
With the front door open, the second door and its contents are visible. On the bottom is a sliding shelf on which rests a DJ’s case that can hold over 500 CD’s or DVD’s.
Here the second door is open, revealing the shelves in the base unit. The bottom sliding shelf has been pulled out to give easy access to the metal case.
A cupboard latch from Lee Valley is used to hold the unit closed.
Final adjustment to the fit and smooth operation of the doors was accomplished by fastening a 2x4 to the wall behind the unit and securing the sub-top to that board on both sides. Then, proper positioning of the rear feet magically aligned the two doors, and removed all tendencies for them to swing open or closed!
The following pictures illustrate the construction process.
The above picture illustrates the method used for cutting the stopped dovetails in the sides. The cuts were bookmatched, and the area between the two boards (in the center) was already notched to receive the back, so that dovetailing could be started from the center, and proceed outward to the stops (shown on the guide rail). Below is a close up of the guide rail and tool setup.
The cabinet consists of three rows of shelves, one set in the base unit, and the other two in each of the two doors that swing open on piano hinges. Each of the doors is constructed with mitered corners between the sides and the top and bottom. These mitered corners are reinforced with splines as shown in the following diagrams. In the original article, the author created these splines by running the door frames at a 45 degree angle across the table saw. This was not possible in my shop due to the fact that the doors were somewhat larger, and my ceiling is only 7 ½ feet high. The two pictures, below, show how I guided my TS75 to make the slots for the splines. The first photo shows the view from the top, with the guide rail and stops. The second photo shows the view from underneath where the corner fits into the area provided. The guide rail, above, directs the saw to make a cut through the corner. The guide rail is repositioned to perform two more cuts before the door is flipped over, and three more slits are made.
The picture below shows the slots made for the splines cut into a corner of one of the doors.
The splines were then glued into place, trimmed, and sanded.
The base unit and two doors then had the shelves installed. The dovetail joints on the shelves were only glued at rear since the joint itself will be holding things together. The glue will keep the shelves from creeping away from the backs.
The front door face was of rail-stile construction, with two raised panels. After assembly, it was glued to the rest of the front door.
The Domino arrived just in time for construction of the base and feet. I used the Domino to pin the mitered feet together. Due to the thickness of the material, I need to shorten the Dominos. I used a clamp to steady the unit on the foot before plunging.
After the final assembly and finishing, the unit was loaded up, and put into service. Here is the media cabinet at its present resting place. (The foam on the piece of furniture at left will be replaced with a more attractive bumper guard.)
With the front door open, the second door and its contents are visible. On the bottom is a sliding shelf on which rests a DJ’s case that can hold over 500 CD’s or DVD’s.
Here the second door is open, revealing the shelves in the base unit. The bottom sliding shelf has been pulled out to give easy access to the metal case.
A cupboard latch from Lee Valley is used to hold the unit closed.
Final adjustment to the fit and smooth operation of the doors was accomplished by fastening a 2x4 to the wall behind the unit and securing the sub-top to that board on both sides. Then, proper positioning of the rear feet magically aligned the two doors, and removed all tendencies for them to swing open or closed!
