Done finally....

[Paul B. Cresti]

Well this one sure took me a while to complete. I was sweating the delivery like you would not believe! The main unit has got to weigh 4-500 lbs and getting it in through the front door was actually no to bad. It took four of us and went quite smoothly. For you that do not know me, I make everything myself, minus the hardware & lights ;)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Paul that is absolutely awesome. Very, Very, nice. You can be proud of that.

[Dan Forman]

That's a magnificent piece, not surprised that it would take a while. Like the way the arches are carried through the design.

Dan

[Jim Knauss]

Paul, you've taken away my ability to speak! Absolutely beautiful!
Jim Knauss

[Corey Hallagan]

Wow, very nice piece Paul. Great looking!

Corey

[Jim Becker]

OUTSTANDING, Paul!!! That piece really turned out wonderfully...great job!

[Steve Beadle]

That's really gorgeous, Paul! Magnificent, even!
How did you make the cove moulding? Also, we need a photo of the lower doors in the open position, 'cuz I'm curious about the orientation.
Bravissimo!

[Keith Burns]

Only one word I can use to describe this...FABULOUS !!!

[Joe Unni]

Very nice Paul!! Thanks for sharing.

Would you mind providing a few details (i.e. wood, species, joinery, etc.)?

Thanks again,
-joe

[John Olson]

Wonderful job, there is a lot of room for me to improve between my skill level and yours. Besides with my bad back I could never move a piece that big to do all the sanding.

[Richard Wolf]

Great job. But I wouldn't expect less from you. I'm wondering about the cove also. Table saw or shaper? Beautiful finish job also.

Richard

[Dan Oliphant]

Paul,
Looks super!!!! Do the side units get glass on two sides or do they stay open?

[Chris Barton]

Incredible! And to think you did all of that with a Skill X Shop!

[Gail O'Rourke]

Paul,

It is gorgeous...I am sure it is huge and woud love to see it filled up. What I love is the way you carried the arch throughout the piece, using it both front and back of the side towers...your top treatment is perfect and I love the elegant arch on the doors and base moulding. Your finish shines and looks great...

Well worth the wait I am sure.

[lloyd morris]

Paul,

What beautiful work! Like Richard, I would not expect less from your talents and abilities and tools. It is an inspiration to those of us who aspire to be better (in my case much better) in our woodworking.

Lloyd

ps What did you do to get that great finish?

[Neil Clemmons]

Excellent work, Paul.

Really great proportions and detail.

Are the two side panels hinged to raise up, or are they actually drawers? Can't tell from the photos.

Thanks for sharing such great work.

neil

[Paul B. Cresti]

Thanks for all the kind words. Being the way I am I can always find areas I don't like. I guess if I would ever attempt to do anything "perfect" I would never finish.

Yes, the bottom of the main center contains (1) door and the (2) sides are drawers (see photo below)

The sides units will not get any glass. They are for oepn shelving only.

The entire A/V center is solid cherry and cherry veneer plywood. The face frame & doors are all mortise & tenon (loose M&T thanks to my wonderful MMFS41 ;)). Everything is a full 1" thick I just do not like the 3/4" stuff. All plywood is 3/4" A-1 furniture grade (including the back).

The side unit styles are connected via a lock miter joint run on the shaper.

All the trim you see is is solid cherry. The base, cove and bead/cove were all glued up pieces. Everthing was made on my shaper using both stock and custom knives for my insert tooling head.

Finish is a follows. One coat of dewaxed shellac, one coat of gel stain, two coats of tung oil followed by a coat of paste wax.

[Ron Jones near Indy]

WOW!! Very nice. It would have been interesting to see a shot of it full of electronics. That is definitely a fine piece of furniture.

[Waymon Campbell]

Beautiful proportions and execution Paul.

[Russ Massery]

Another excellent job, Thanks for sharing it with us. I really get inspired when I see work such as this............

[Dave Malen]

Paul,
Your work is beautiful. I'm sure your clients love it. What size tv can fit in?
Dave

[Joe Blankshain]

Great work Paul. Another project that you can be proud of. Thanks for sharing

[Gary Herrmann]

Very well done Paul. I like the arches and the proportions.

[John Bailey]

Way to go.

John

[Vaughn McMillan]

Very nice, very classy...it's very very. Excellent job Paul, as always!

- Vaughn

[Joe Unni]

Paul,

Quick question. Once the units are brought into the house, what is your mechanism for fastening them together?

Thanks,
-joe

[John Renzetti]

Great job Paul. Nice clean lines and design.
Got the next one ready to start.
talk to you later.
John

[Frank Pellow]

And done very well indeed, Paul!

[Sam Blasco]

Way to go, Paul. From design to install. Home run.

[Paul B. Cresti]

Paul,

Quick question. Once the units are brought into the house, what is your mechanism for fastening them together?

Thanks,
-joe

Joe,
I screwed a nailer to the wall (to the studs of course) and then screwed the main unit to it. The side units are screwed to the main unit. I used the cabinet installation screws from Mcfeeleys (I forgot the name). They are self taping but I still use a pilot hole.

[Paul B. Cresti]

Paul,
Your work is beautiful. I'm sure your clients love it. What size tv can fit in?
Dave

Dave,
The main unit is 68" wide between the styles. I believe their tv is a 62" (?) DLP. I tried to convince them we should use the BAC hardware from Accuride but they did not wan to spend the additional $$.

[Per Swenson]

Paul,

Excellent job, and a fine looking unit.

Just think, if you had storage, you could of made 10 at the same time.

Betcha you would sell everyone.


Per

[Peter Pedisich]

Paul,

I have been staring at these photos...I know you are an architect so you have training and experience in all aspects of design, but even so I'm in awe of both the scope of the project in woodworking terms and the aesthetic details.
I want to point out two of my favorite details:

1) the arch in the center section base moulding. Perfect size & proportion.

2) the gentle cove up top, delicate yet strong.

Thanks for sharing, this is why I love this site.

Pete

[Shelley Bolster]

Now that is what I call furniture. A truly stunning piece Paul.

[Michael Gabbay]

Paul - That is really nice! Major kudos! :)

[Aaron Montgomery]

Great piece! Job well done!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Paul....truly a fantastic piece! You craftsmanship, attention to detail in construction and eye for design are unimagineable to me! Truly a fantastic piece of furniture!

[Jason Tuinstra]

Paul, it looks great all the way around. The cherry looks fantastic. I'm sure the new owners are going to love it. And it is going to give them plenty of space to store all the entertainment goodies. Great job!

[Dan Larson]

Paul, you've done a beautiful job with this project. It's a shame that most people who will look at this fine piece of craftmanship will pay more attention to the dang TV that will be sitting in it!

Dan

[Bob Swenson]

Just as pretty as Gail & Shelly. Do you charge by the lb.

[Bruce Page]

Excellant work again Paul - almost as nice as the project that you had sitting on your slider the other day! :)

[Ian Barley]

Paul - excellent work as always = hope you biz is still rolling OK.

[Mark Singer]

Paul,
Excellent work!!!! I really appreciate the careful detail!