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Walnut Entertainment Center

Project by thewoodwhisperer posted 484 days ago 2250 views 4 times favorited 22 comments Add to Favorites Watch

So it appears I’ve gone retro. lol. This little entertainment center is designed for a future video to be released by FineWoodworking.com. The goal was to create a piece of furniture that anyone can build with a very modest set of tools. I got through the entire project with a Porter Cable circular saw, a router, a drill, and a random orbit sander. The most challenging part of the project was NOT the actual building. It was forcing myself to use tools that I normally wouldn’t use for a particular job. It was a great exercise though because it really gave me a renewed appreciation for the larger stationary power tools that live in my shop. Work from FWW is that they are aiming for a Sept. release of the video on their website.

Although my choice of wood species and grain gives the piece a retro look, you could just as easily give it a very modern flare by going with a darker finish with more muted grain. Or how about something in maple or alder? Lots of possibilities.

The front sliding doors are sized so that you can cover any two compartments at once. I have this unit in my bedroom and since I put my frequently-used electronics in the far left, I leave the doors on the middle and right compartment. The back panel is cut so that there is plenty of air circulation. Snd I even put a little recessed shelf in the back for storing the surge protector. This allows you to push the unit all the way against the wall without any major issues with the plugs.

Thanks for checking it out.

marc

-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com


22 comments so far

View FlWoodRat's profile

FlWoodRat

575 posts in 788 days


posted 484 days ago

Marc, it looks nice. does the Mrs like it in the bedroom?

-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

View thewoodwhisperer's profile

thewoodwhisperer

312 posts in 1063 days


posted 484 days ago

Well considering the TV was previously teetering on a small hope chest, she is thrilled. Also, we can now see the whole screen over the footboard, which was pretty annoying before. Ultimately though, its a place holder. I plan on building a combination dresser/entertainment center specifically for that job. Should be a cool project. But that’s about 2-3 projects down the line.

-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20080 posts in 701 days


posted 484 days ago

Marc,

This is a nice piece. I really like the recessed back. Putting the surge protector out of the way as you have done is something that tends to be forgotten when building pieces like this. It usually ends up being thrown in behind or under the cabinet. This was a nice build, especially given the choice of tools to which you were challenged.

Well done.

What kind of finish did you put on it?

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View thewoodwhisperer's profile

thewoodwhisperer

312 posts in 1063 days


posted 484 days ago

Thanks Scott. Trying to keep the theme of simplicity, I used a wiping poly.

-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com

View brunob's profile

brunob

1465 posts in 1048 days


posted 484 days ago

I just came into about 100 feet of Black Walnut. This gives me ideas. Thanks Marc

-- Bruce from Central New York

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1658 posts in 969 days


posted 484 days ago

You’re omnipresent.

Very nice grain selection and finish.

Congrats on the DVD.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

View Russel's profile

Russel

2033 posts in 818 days


posted 484 days ago

It does have a 50s/60s look to it. Back then that design was considered ‘modern’. Minimal tools makes for an interesting challenge. Looks goods, something my aunt would like.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

View SteveKorz's profile

SteveKorz

2030 posts in 593 days


posted 484 days ago

Very nice job, Marc… You gotta love the walnut!

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

View Greg Wurst's profile

Greg Wurst

713 posts in 711 days


posted 484 days ago

Looks very sharp. The walnut looks excellent in my opinion.

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7467 posts in 1097 days


posted 484 days ago

As one of us LJ’s old enough to remember the 60’s, I’d say it definitely has that feel.

Beautiful grain. I don’t know if I could follow the simple tool method, though. I’ve always hated using a circular saw for anything but rough sonstruction.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View teenagewoodworker's profile

teenagewoodworker

2470 posts in 647 days


posted 484 days ago

wow that came out great marc! been waiting a long time to see the final product! thanks for the post.

View griff's profile

griff

901 posts in 641 days


posted 484 days ago

Great looking piece. Did you free hand with the circular saw or did you straight edge it?

-- Mike, Bruce Mississippi = Jack of many trades master of none

View thewoodwhisperer's profile

thewoodwhisperer

312 posts in 1063 days


posted 484 days ago

Definitely a straight edge. I don’t think I will ever trust myself enough to go it without one. :) And since I had to apply trim and give it a subsequent bevel cut, the straight edge was pretty much a necessity for good results. But even my choice of straight edge was budget-friendly: a piece of pre-primed mdf trim from Home Depot. $5 out the door. :)

-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com

View steveosshop's profile

steveosshop

208 posts in 505 days


posted 484 days ago

Thats a really nice entertainment stand. Congrats on the video. Keep us posted on the video, can’t wait to see it!

-- Steve-o

View USCJeff's profile

USCJeff

899 posts in 947 days


posted 483 days ago

I love the idea of the recessed surge projector ledge. It’s funny how a simple idea can make a dramatic difference. Being flush with the wall always makes me feel like it belongs there versus being pushed up against it as much as possible. Maybe just me. .

-- Jeff, South Carolina

View coloradoclimber's profile

coloradoclimber

441 posts in 946 days


posted 483 days ago

Marc,

The piece looks very nice, and to have made it with such a limited set of tools is impressive. I’m looking forward to the writeup.

Question 2, what’s up with your tablesaw? Did you paint that yourself or did you sign up for an episode of “Pimp My Tablesaw, Home Edition” ??

View Jarrod Zion Murphree's profile

Jarrod Zion Murphree

347 posts in 602 days


posted 483 days ago

Very nice.

-- Jarrod, Taos, NM http://jzmurphree.wordpress.com/

View thetimberkid's profile

thetimberkid

1944 posts in 582 days


posted 483 days ago

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5590 posts in 978 days


posted 482 days ago

I like this piece.
The mid-century modern style has become a stronger influence on me than I would have imagined.
The craftsmanship, design, and proportions are all great.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View EdC's profile

EdC

454 posts in 719 days


posted 482 days ago

Marc,
Thats funny when I first seen it the first hought was that it looks like something out of my childhood back in the 60’s. But our stuff was fake laminate, we couldn’t afford real Walnut.
The project turned out really nice!

-- Ed - Milan, IN

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 595 days


posted 456 days ago

The piece looks very nice,Great job!

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View Kipster's profile

Kipster

1072 posts in 632 days


posted 395 days ago

I like it , does remind me of what was called modern back in the 50’s & 60’s. It is beautiful. The stuff back then frequently used plastic laminate to achieve that kind of finish. Very well done and thanks for the post.

-- Kip Northern Illinois ( If you don't know where your goin any road will take you there) George Harrison

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