Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 12, 2017 13:07:55 GMT -5
So my current project I'm calling 'La Credenza', it's replacing a too-big-and-awkward-to-work-in entertainment center I designed when we built our home about 15 years ago. There were several requirements of the design:
* Accommodate all of my current home theatre and stereo equipment, with a little room to grow (though after all these years I don't expect that)
* Very good ventilation, I have a few powerful amps (some tubes) that generate heat and I don’t want any fans.
* Ability for the entire loaded cabinet to move easily and smoothly away from the wall so I can get behind to install new gear, work on cabling, etc.
* Have minimal interference with my speakers, and allow the center channel to sit directly under the TV
* Accommodate a minimum screen size of 80"
* Allow for neat and efficient cable management
* Look attractive, fit our home's Craftsman design aesthetic, and hopefully achieve high WAF (though she's very tolerant)
A couple years ago I built a system for a friend that I housed in a commercial cabinet that met most of these criteria (BDI) – if had met all of them I would have bought it. I'm not embarrassed to say my design is a heavily modified copy of that cabinet. Besides the size requirement of the gear inside, the unit has to handle a lot of weight; between the equipment, wood, and glass, the total is closing in on 800 lbs – that's not including the steel caster base that will allow it to roll.
I use Visio to make drawings of most of my projects, I made plenty in my networking job, designed and made detailed drawings for our house, and for many other projects. I've been using it for almost 25 years and am pretty comfortable with it; while not as powerful as AutoCAD it's much more intuitive and perfect for most projects and work. I do tabs for different aspects like cabling, board cuts, and of course the specific plan and construction details. The picture below is an export of just the credenza itself without equipment, there are many more layers I can add on until it gets pretty close to how it will look sitting in our great room. (I should add that I miss seeing Chuck Elliott’s Visio drawings, he was also a fan).
I’ve divided the project up into four phases: the cabinet, the doors, the caster base, and removing the existing cabinet and extending the wood flooring. I’ve finished the cabinet and am working on the doors now, I’ll hire a welder for the caster base, and bring back the guy who did our wood floors after I rip out the old entertainment center. This is the most difficult woodworking project I’ve ever tackled, many things I’ve never tried.
Here’s an export of the credenza only, After that is a time lapse of the last cabinet dry fit before spraying lacquer. I’ll post some more pictures when I get time. - Bruce
* Accommodate all of my current home theatre and stereo equipment, with a little room to grow (though after all these years I don't expect that)
* Very good ventilation, I have a few powerful amps (some tubes) that generate heat and I don’t want any fans.
* Ability for the entire loaded cabinet to move easily and smoothly away from the wall so I can get behind to install new gear, work on cabling, etc.
* Have minimal interference with my speakers, and allow the center channel to sit directly under the TV
* Accommodate a minimum screen size of 80"
* Allow for neat and efficient cable management
* Look attractive, fit our home's Craftsman design aesthetic, and hopefully achieve high WAF (though she's very tolerant)
A couple years ago I built a system for a friend that I housed in a commercial cabinet that met most of these criteria (BDI) – if had met all of them I would have bought it. I'm not embarrassed to say my design is a heavily modified copy of that cabinet. Besides the size requirement of the gear inside, the unit has to handle a lot of weight; between the equipment, wood, and glass, the total is closing in on 800 lbs – that's not including the steel caster base that will allow it to roll.
I use Visio to make drawings of most of my projects, I made plenty in my networking job, designed and made detailed drawings for our house, and for many other projects. I've been using it for almost 25 years and am pretty comfortable with it; while not as powerful as AutoCAD it's much more intuitive and perfect for most projects and work. I do tabs for different aspects like cabling, board cuts, and of course the specific plan and construction details. The picture below is an export of just the credenza itself without equipment, there are many more layers I can add on until it gets pretty close to how it will look sitting in our great room. (I should add that I miss seeing Chuck Elliott’s Visio drawings, he was also a fan).
I’ve divided the project up into four phases: the cabinet, the doors, the caster base, and removing the existing cabinet and extending the wood flooring. I’ve finished the cabinet and am working on the doors now, I’ll hire a welder for the caster base, and bring back the guy who did our wood floors after I rip out the old entertainment center. This is the most difficult woodworking project I’ve ever tackled, many things I’ve never tried.
Here’s an export of the credenza only, After that is a time lapse of the last cabinet dry fit before spraying lacquer. I’ll post some more pictures when I get time. - Bruce
