DIY TV Stand... what type of wood?

[wackii]

Hi, I'm thinking of building a tv stand for my new plasma. What type of wood will you recomment? MDF? Plywood? I want to paint it glossy black for the finish to match with my TV. Any info and link would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Al,

[Hdale85]

If you want to paint it you could use MDF probably with no problems. I'm going to be building a bed frame and still deciding the same thing.

[ThomasW]

The choice of shelf material would be dependent on the weight of the TV

[Chris7]

In most cases, since there is unreinforced weight-bearing involved, your best bet is plywood. However, a glossy black paint finish is much more challenging on plywood, and it's comparatively simpler on MDF. So you might prefer MDF assuming your TV is not too heavy.

[Brian Bunge]

If using MDF I'd suggest doubling up the top shelf. Also, if you're separating the lower part of the cabinet into left and right (and possibly center) sections the walls creating the sections will help to brace the top shelf as well.

[---k---]

A plasma shouldn't way too much. You'll have to get the wood in your hands to see how big an heavy you want to build it. Though, in general, a rule I learned from an old college professor of mine and has served me well is to never buy (build) a piece of furniture that you can't stand on.

I agree, if you don't want to go through excessive pain to not get the wood grain to show through, use MDF.

Got any sketches yet of what you're thinking?

[cjd]

I would stick to ply. If you're lucky, you can find 13 ply for about the same price as MDF. Stiffer, lighter... generally a far better material for this kind of thing.

I've also found (relatively speaking) cheap iron-on birch veneer edge banding at my local big box store. That combination with sanding sealer and some priming coats should get the ply up to doing as well as you could do with MDF (where you'd still have to solve the edge).

You might also be able to get a nice glossy black veneer of some kind - I know Jim Holtz built his NatP's with a pre-glossied material...

C

[Gir]

MDF will sag a lot without proper support. You're better off using ply. Just get a good grade wood and sand well :T

[Brian Bunge]

MDF will sag a lot without proper support. You're better off using ply. Just get a good grade wood and sand well :T

As will plywood. The key word is "proper" support. Place a 30+ lb. receiver on a 3/4" birch plywood shelf that's roughly 4' wide x 2' deep and watch it sag over time.

[wackii]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. My tv weights about 115lbs. It's a 50" plasma, the width is 48.5". I'd prefer the size to be around 62"x22"x22". I want to make it with 2 rows and 3 columns, something like this:

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This way I can put all my audio toys in there. I've built subs and main speakers using MDF and finished them with paint and veneer so I'm pretty confident it. But the weight of MDF is my concern. I'm also waiting on Jon new center design. I'll built that and stick it in there too. Lots of goodies to build and so little time

Thanks all.

Al,

[bob barkto]

Something like this can be done in 5/8" - 3/4" mdf. Strength comes from the stretchers and back. This is a very generic form that can be readily adapted to suit your needs.

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. My tv weights about 115lbs. It's a 50" plasma, the width is 48.5". I'd prefer the size to be around 62"x22"x22". I want to make it with 2 rows and 3 columns, something like this:

------------
| | | |
------------
| | | |
------------

This way I can put all my audio toys in there. I've built subs and main speakers using MDF and finished them with paint and veneer so I'm pretty confident it. But the weight of MDF is my concern. I'm also waiting on Jon new center design. I'll built that and stick it in there too. Lots of goodies to build and so little time

Thanks all.

Al,

[---k---]

Your ascii art didn't come through well. Did you mean something like this:

http://htguide.com/forum/showpost.php4?p=311749&postcount=1

edit: was checking out all the furniture again in the MA thread, and noticed that you had built a rack similar with your equipment. So, I guess you know what you're doing.

[wackii]

You might also be able to get a nice glossy black veneer of some kind - I know Jim Holtz built his NatP's with a pre-glossied material...

That sounds good. I'll look into this. I hope it's not pricey. Do you have a link by any chance? Thanks.

Al,

[wackii]

Your ascii art didn't come through well. Did you mean something like this:

http://htguide.com/forum/showpost.php4?p=311749&postcount=1

edit: was checking out all the furniture again in the MA thread, and noticed that you had built a rack similar with your equipment. So, I guess you know what you're doing.

Sorry I'm at work, I will try to put up a graph or so when I'm home. And maybe take a couple shot of my room so you guys have an idea. Thanks.

Al,

[wackii]

Thank you all for the help. I saw a decent good deal on the tv stand over the weekend so I took the plunge and purchased it. Thanks all. Project cancelled.

Al,