TV Riser with DVD storage

I think actually MDO would work best if you can get it in your area. This is plywood with a resin impregnated paper laid on as the finish layer on both sides. This takes paint better than either birch ply or MDF. And you can often get it pre-primed as well for a few bucks extra. I use it for most case goods that are going to be painted.

As for the corners I would look at a drawer lock joint as it provides a lot more glue surface for more strength in the joint. It can be easily cut on the table saw with a bit of setup. The problem with a plain rabbet is that half your glue surface is end grain which does not provide a strong bond. The corners are not going to be carrying the bulk of the weight (the center divider will) but they do need more strength to keep from pulling apart. Any end grain that is exposed can be skimmed over with filler and sanded to seal it for painting. Another possibility, if you don’t mind another opinion on design, would be to divide the inside into 3 compartments, with 2 dividers equally spaced inside. This would provide much more strength to carry the load of a tv, and you would only lose .75” of space inside (about 2 DVDs worth?). My two cents….hope it helps.

-- I used to be all thumbs......'til I got a tablesaw!

I agree with jaidee about the two dividers. Three is generally a sweeter division than two.

I appreciate the finish ease with MDO but in fact the key parts of this are the edges, and there would be some work in getting them as smooth as you’d want them.

Further, I don’t see any issues about strength or glue surface in the joinery. Since it is paint grade, you could easily put this together with just butt joints and attach a 1/4 inch back that’s a little oversize and sand it flush.

I would recommend 3/4 MDF for the rest of it. You can ease the edges or round them, whatever, to match the Ikea. When you don’t do joinery on a piece like this your measurements are net. It’s actually easier to get it true that way.

Kindly,

Lee

-- "...in his brain, which is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage, he hath strange places cramm'd with observation, the which he vents in mangled forms." --Shakespeare, "As You Like It"

Check out Charles Neil’s Webpge and/or his you tube videos. Charles has a DVD set called cases and bases. Most informative. Not sure if you are including a back on this cabinet and what the actual tv wieghs?

-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher

Thanks Doc, I will check that out if I can find it.

-- MolokMot, Rocker, Woodworker, Geek

Just another option…when I look at your sketch, the first thing that comes to my mind is 1×12s and pocket joints. This is kind of the “poor man’s” approach to building cabinets, but it’s simple and quick.

-- http://www.ezwoodshop.com