Hello to everyone, I’m new here and hope I don’t make to many mistakes.
I have a question about a project I’ve been asked to do, an entertainment center that will hold a bigscreen tv plus various audio equipment. the design is for a face frame cabinet that will be 88″ long and 7′ tall, divided into 3 compartments on the base, a large center for the tv (with pocket doors) and a smaller compartment to either side. all with flush inset divded panel doors. none of which is a problem, what is giving me brain block is the face frame, there are four stiles (60″ for the base unit) and thats the problem, the front of the case is to be straight across, no setbacks etc. so do I run a long rail top and bottom to the side stiles and then run the inner two stiles inside the rails or do i run all the stiles the same length and join them with rails inbetween as if I were building a single face frame? either way just doesn’t look right on a piece this big. I hope I explained this clearly, because for some reason my mind is just stuck on this one thing like a skip on a record.
thanks
uncletim
Replies
and hope I don't make to many mistakes.
On the Post or your project? LOL...
Sketch would help.. BUT.. I would think it does not matter.. Sketch out (It does not have to be ART) a mock up something in ridgid foam or cardboard...
hold a bigscreen tv plus various audio equipment.,,
Has to be a bit 'stout' for that... Maybe a few Googles out there for pictures to look at.. Help me ALOT many times.. Not a copy.. Just a idea that POPS in my head looking around...
Edited 11/4/2005 11:36 am by WillGeorge
I run the stiles full length and the rails fit in between.If this was a kitchen cabinet , then the middle stiles usually are cut in between the rails. The outside stiles are still full length. In my opinion either way is fine for an enertainment center.
Make sure you have the specifications for the television. I just finished a very large entertainment center and bookcases. The client gave me the specs, then called me halfway into the job to tell me they made a mistake with the tv height. I had to lower the shelf,no easy job as it is 50" long,20" deep and 1 7/8" thick.Seven hours of labor and more material. I was there when the tv was installed, the original measurements I was given were correct, now there is 6" between the top of the tv and the case top,should have been 3" as in the first specs I got. Get all the info you can get for any other equipment,vcr's,dvd etc.
mike
Thanks for the input Mike. I did measure the clients equipment myself, and it will all fit. what I have here is a project that the customer partially designed and then left me to fill in the blanks so to speak, I was suckered into this one by a family member who wanted to make an impression to his "important" "friend" ,So not only was most of the decisions made before I got there but my wonderful brother agreed FOR me that I would build the thing, leaving me holding the bag so as to not embarrass him. I tried everything to politely get out of it (including over pricing it to scare them off but money isn't a factor )and I got stuck with a project I'm not really into, and that just makes it harder to do. I have no choice but to make this a TWO piece unit, one upper and one lower, in spite of the weight the customer demands it be built that way. I'm just not used to large cases, never really wanted to do anything bigger than say a dresser or armoire. I normally build tables and or clocks, and love it. so for the next few weeks I'm stuck and just wish I could go back to doing what I do best,,,,what I want to do.
Tim
Tim, do whatever you can to make the unit in sections.I forgot to mention in my previous post that I had to put the units together in my garage first.Built in my shop (8'-0" ceilings) the units were 9'-0" tall.I built the units,put together in the garage to make sure everything worked. Look in the yellow pages for a small mover to deliver the unit. If you got enough money than this expense is worth it. I have a local mover that generally charges me $100.00 to move pieces within 25 miles. Not worrying about moving the stuff might get your interest in the project back up.
mike
Thanks again for the advice,,,I live way out in the country in n.w. AR. and i don't get out much, seems sometimes weeks can go by without talking to anyone but the wife, I am so glad that I finally got this Internet thing, seems there are a whole lot of nice people out there willing to help out,,,haven't seen that in a long time.
The project is going well, I just made up my mind to bull my way through and get it done, you guys raise some valid points about moving something this size,, my shop is 40x60 with 10' ceiling (my wife really likes me) so assembly space isn't an issue,and I'm sure it will fit through the client's door, even making the base one unit, and I will have help moving it, as for as transport, I am lucky enough to have a 14' chevy G30 box truck (traded a lawn mower for it) so that isn't a problem ( but a good point to line up a mover) My whole problem was motivation this time, and you guys helped with that,thanks...my client is still firm that the base is one unit can't change his mind, and today I was told to stain it,,,get this, black heavy black as in almost painted black,,,over all that maple, seems a crime to do that. But, as they say " The Customer is always......."
thanks tim
A 88" long unit, even if not high may have trouble fitting through doors and navigating hallways. If I had any doubt about that aspect of fit, I would knock together a 1x4 (or something cheap) "crate" in the basic dimensions of the larger unit and actually try it. Because if you make it to the customer specifications and it won't go in it will still be your fault. When the customer sees how large that actually is, you may get a go ahead for smaller sections.
Edited 11/6/2005 10:49 pm ET by SteveSchoene
If I understand you correctly, you have three rectangles. I'm assuming you're not making this one solid piece, cause you'll never be able to move it. Since you're not making an entrance door (for a house), you'll want the stiles full height, and the rails in between at top and bottom of each frame.
Jeff
uncletim, as far as size
think years from now for the TV. Flat panels are here.
Hilmar
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