Plans for StepBack Cabinet?

[Dan McLaughlin]

I'm looking for plans for a step back cabinet similar to the one below. Everything I have found is either too small or too country. Has anyone run across such a animal? Thanks

[David Klug]

Dan, I would find a picture of something that I like and make it the size that I want. For the design I just play around with scraps until I get a design that I like.

Dave

[Jim Becker]

This one should be pretty easy for you to reproduce, Dan, especially with such a great picture that will help you maintain proportions. Many books, such as Jim Tolpin's Measure Twice, Cut Once offer advise in scaling a project from a picture as well as instruction on proportional design as well as useful techniques in prototyping and modeling. The latter is great for determining how you want to trim something like this out. Another great book is that I find helpful in this respect is Practical Design Solutions and Strategies from Taunton Press. The first few chapters really help with "developing" a project before cutting the wood.

The casework for this kind of project should be pretty straightforward, especially if you are using sheet goods. Just sketch it out.

[Todd Burch]

MAN! With a picture like that - who needs plans? Figure out your height and width of the whole piece, apply standard dimensions (counter height, shelf spacing, etc.), and work it out on paper. I'm thinking about 60-90 minutes with a sharp pencil and good eraser. (But that's me!)

When you say "plans" - to what "depth" (how detailed) are you referring?

Todd.

[Dan McLaughlin]

Hmmmm.....60 to 90 minutes - in your wildest dreams. I'm not sure that my "design skills" in woodworking are even close to my web design skills. But....given the two leads that Jim gave me, I may give it a try. Rumor has it that the step back in the picture ("borrowed" from a well known HGTV host's website) retails for about $3,000 to $5,000. I may be back for more inspiration and guidance from Todd and Jim

[Jim Becker]

I may be back for more inspiration and guidance from Todd and Jim

Always happy to help, Dan. And given our mutually close locations, I'd be happy to help you work things out if you need more direct assistance.

[Todd Burch]

OK Dan - what dimensions are you looking for? I'll offer to help you with some sub-assembly drawings. Todd.

[Dan McLaughlin]

Todd- Thanks for the offer. I'm going to try this myself. To paraphrase Arnold - "I may be back" for help. Thanks again

[Bill Grumbine]

Hi Dan

I would like to echo Jim and Todd on this. Many of the pieces I build for customers involve a picture of a piece they like but which needs modification, or is not available in that particular finish, species, or whatever. While a piece like this might look to be overwhelming, it is pretty much a couple of boxes with some fancy moldings. If you break it down into its component pieces and take it step by step, using measurements for standard sizes coupled with measurements of the space it needs, to fit, you will have it designed in good order.

Here is a piece I have on my website. This is a copy of an antique which is very hard to come by, and I worked from a 3x5 photo plus the measurements of the customers music box which is sitting on top.

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/bgmusic02.jpg">

Good luck with it.

Bill

[Ted Shrader]

Dan -

This month's issue of Woodsmith magazine that just arrived has a three piece entertainment center in it. You could reference the basic construction and measurements to make the break front book case in your picture. At least it is a decent starting place.

Good luck & let's see pictures when you are finished.

Ted