Entertainment Center.

[alex grams]

Well, I just got it in on new years eve, so I guess I finished it last year... The wife had her doubts (so did I)

The lights look slick, but are hard to photograph in lower ambient light conditions which really show off how good they look:

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter263.jpg

You can see the old aquarium stand I made which we were using as a temporary TV Stand on the left, I made the new center out of the same style to match, which they also match the two end tables (not shown) I made for the room.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter262.jpg

I made the top drawer a false front, so you have to open the middle (top panel) in order to open the second drawer.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter259.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter254.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter252.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter246.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter245.jpg

Finish is shellac (clear) followed by 3 coats of Target EM6000 gloss then a topcoat of semigloss.

[Troy Turner]

Alex -

Excellent project! I really like the different color lights. Do they change automatically or just whatever you're in the mood for :)

I usually show projects to my wife, but I'm not showing this one...yet...cause then that would have to move to the top of my list :D

Hook 'Em!!!!

[Prashun Patel]

Alex-
This is really great. I am embarking on a similar project.
Any tips or suggestions or things you would improve? (I can't see anything that needs improving...)

It's maple and sapelle, right?

[alex grams]

Prashun,
The woods are maple and koa. I had the hardest time though finding 8' lengths of 8/4 curly maple for the columns though.

In hindsight, i may have found a better way to pre-finish some items, it was tough pre-spraying some shelves before assembly and getting things together in a good order.

I have the project 90% modeled in sketchup if you want it.

Here are some in-progress photos:http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter147.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter151.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter159.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter154.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter161.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter163.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter183.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter135.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter191.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter210.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/photo.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter214.jpg

Doing the crown was tough, but the sled for the mitre saw helped a lot, turning a compound mitre into a simple miter cut, which helped a ton.

Also, I made the mistake of when I made the jack miters on the beaded face frames for the doors of not making the tenon deeper than the bead detail, with them being even, when you cut the groove for the door panels, you effectively eliminate the tenon from the stiles into the rails, which is obviously not ideal, so I had to spline each door joint (see above picture). One way to hide a mistake and turn it into a detail/accent.

You can see in this model of the joint that the detail is cut correctly, but when I cut the slot only as deep as the profile of the bead, the tenon is machined away and doesnt work properly.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/jackmitre_zps27c1ea85.jpg

[alex grams]

Troy, the lights adjust to 15 different colors and can fade or flash to different colors every 5 seconds or so, and also have 2 music modes the change colors on each beat, or go black and flash a different color on each beat.

Close bowl win by you guys. I kind of had mixed feelings about possibly playing you guys in the cotton this year. There is a lot to be won and a lot to be lost by both teams pending the outcome of that possible game.

Hopefully in a few years the series will pick back up. Too much history and a great game to not be had any more. Hopefully we can put a good one on OU tonight for you guys to enjoy watching.

[Prashun Patel]

Yes, please. Would love the sketchup. Boy, you're scaring me with all the detail on this... Nice crown. You rocked that.

[Jerry Olexa]

Very nice results..Good top treatment!!

[Marty Gulseth]

Awesome! Congrats.

[Jeff Monson]

Beutiful Alex.....as usual.

[Sam Layton]

Alex,

Great looking entertainment center. Another project on my list... How did you construct the back and/or top to allow heat from the components to escape, and what type of finish did you use?

Outstanding job, Sam

[alex grams]

Sam,
Behind the TV is a pretty large, open area, so I don't think heat in there will be an issue. On the shelf the TV sits on (above the hardware) are 3 holes about 2" in diameter for wiring/venting. Here are a few pics of wireways and such on the backside:

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter104.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter107.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter102.jpg

Also on the divider in the middle of the shelf below the TV, I only ran it back about 2/3, so there is a large gap between the two areas that allows wiring and air movement (see below pic).

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Entertainment%20Center/EntertainmentCenter106.jpg

Finish is clear shellac as a basecoat, followed by about 3 coats of target EM6000 gloss, topped off by a coat of semi-gloss. The door panels (koa) I wiped down with boiled linseed oil before installing, to give them some pop. I like the clean, white look of maple, and don't like when it yellows. I used the same finish on a few other pieces of koa/maple several years ago, and both have held up well in terms of color and durability.

Aquarium Stand:
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/CIMG0333.jpg

End Tables:
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/CIMG0333.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/alexgrams/Furniture/EndTable105.jpg

[Jim Becker]

Really nice, Alex. Looks like it has plenty of space for pretty much everything needed!

BTW, just as an aside and for safety, be sure to install a chain or cord from the top of the screen to the back of your EC so nobody can tip the TV out on top of themselves. Flat screens on table stands can fall over very easily in that respect.

[Gordon Eyre]

Beautiful work Alex, your wife must be thrilled. The top treatment is outstanding but then so is the rest of this project. By the way, I love your choice of woods.

[Sam Layton]

Alex,

Thanks for the additional photo's, and information. You sure did an outstanding job. Your finish really made the figure pop.

Great job, Sam

[Gus Dundon]

The first word that came out in my mouth when I opened this thread is "WOW!. That's a huge project and totally awesome!