Hi All,
Looking for some ideas on how I should go about the build for the attached .pdf file (rough Drawing). The cabinets will be holding A/V equipment. My initial thoughts were to build the 2 inner doors as one 1 cabinet and then the 2 outer (1 door , 1 open angle) as 2 other base units. I will be using Birch Ply will Alder face frames.
My issues:
The 2 door inner cabinet will need to have a center divider to hold shelves on each side…do I use one 3/4 ply and veneer the backside with 1/4″ so both sides of the divider will have an A side face? Will I be able to drill peg holes for the shelve considering the divider is only 1″ thick? Do I make it into 2 separate cabinets so that they each have there own 3/4″ divider for holding the shelves?
Similar question for the open end cabinets, I need the interior and exterior of the end side to have both A sides considering they will both be exposed to the room…?
BTW, the right side angle cabinet is missing face frame. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
Replies
Find a local source for cabinet grade plywood. It will be a bit more expensive than the stuff at the home centers, but you will be amazed at the quality difference.
And those suppliers can sell you ply that has two 'A' faces. In Birch, or in just about any other wood that you can think of.
As to your shelf hole question, one thickness of 3/4 ply can hold shelf pins on both sides.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Chris,
There's no inherent reason for building it as separate units unless it will not transport to its intended location. Also, there's no reason (structurally speaking) why the center part needs a support wall for the shelves. Your shelves can easily span the double-door width. If you're in doubt about their sagging, there are any number of possible bracing methods.
Use veneer ply as already recommended. It will bring the whole job up a level.
DR
Ring/YesMaam,
I appreciate the advice as I am running out of time on this one and it's going into a high-end residence.
I spoke with my hardwood/ply supplier today and they have Birch in A-1 only, would it be acceptable to use A-1 in as the end panel for the open angled cabinet where both sides will be exposed or even for the center dividers?
Ring, I hear what you are saying about having the shelf span the full distance. Each of the 4 doors are approx. 26" x 28" so that center span is about 50". I planned on banding the shelves with 1-1/2" solid alder but I didn't want to do the full distance of 50". Also the customer wanted adjustable shelves independent of each other for each door.
Thanks again,
Chris
Chris,
It really boils down to what materials you can easily get hold of. Personally I'd be wary of mixing the alder and birch on the visible outside portion - how are you going to get a unified finish? If I were doing the piece I would absolutely use ply with one good face of alder veneer throughout (the other face with cheap backing veneer). I'd double the wall thicknesses on the outer walls (I've posted about this from time to time), also double the thicknesses of the open shelving. The little bit of extra materials buys you a lot of advantages.
If you're set on using the birch ply, then why not birch face frames etc? What were you planning to do use for the top?
DR
DR,
I am using Alder because of Alder cabinets that exist in the room already. I spoke with a colleague who suggested using the birch with the alder. He had used the 2 in past and said they worked well together.
Chris
Good advice, so far. But, 50" is far too long a span to remain unsupported. especially if the shelves/top carry any weight. a support underneath behind the doors will work, and a "lip" of solid wood greatly stiffens the top.
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