Carpentry and Woodworking - {Building} Under-Stairs Recessed Entertainment Center

Hi -

I am planning to recess the components of our entertainment center (TV, DVD, CD, VCR, etc) under the stairs in the basement, and I haven't been able to find any plans or ideas anywhere of the best way to do it. Could someone point me to a book, video, website - anything that would get me started?

Thanks,

David

David: You probably won't find a definitive "book" on the subject, since all stair cases are different. It would entail basic carpentry skills, moderate tool selection, and a good set of plans. Now, you can draw the plans yourself. You have the staircase sitting in front of you. Measure your components and write them down. Take your tape to the area where you want to build it, and see if you have enough space to put all of them. Some staircases are short due to turns, and others are high. One thing to consider is routing of electrical/speakers, etc. Make sure there is a way to do that prior to driving nails. You, of course, won't want to have the entire depth of the staircase involved, so you will need to build a partition wall about 24" or so back (whatever the depth of your deepest component). Your electrical and speaker lugs could be mounted on that wall. Build sides (with adjustable shelf holes spaced every 2 inches), build a top, trim the outside,and cut shelves. Now if you want to go to the trouble of doors, I would have them built by a cabinet maker, as you will have to invest in alot of tools to do that yourself.
Jump in the pool, the water is fine!

Hi, Larry -

Thanks for the advice. My skill level is pretty good, as I have redone kitchen, bathroom, and this basement from scratch. I was looking more for ideas as to how physically is best to do this. I have all the measurements, I know which stud I can take out, I have considered all the wiring and hook-up issues, and even plan to have a perforated back door that can swing open, maybe even a slide-out shelf for the TV so getting it out to clean would be easy. But I was looking for ideas as to get started - my first inclination is to build a main "box" in my shop (this would house the TV, DVD, VCR, Receiver, with a permanent shelf for the TV, and all the adjustable shelving holes), and then mounting this it to the studs on either side, with a back/underneath support. My concern with this is how to mount to the studs while making it all nice and finished. But is this the best way to go? Or, do I build it "in place" piece by piece? A taped home show, or a diagram from one idea would help. I reall try to do as much planning before any job, and always looking for the places I will get stuck, you know?

Thanks,

David

David: I wasn't demeaning your abilities, it is just the post indicated you were searching without an idea as to what to do, and I had nothing to draw from to indicate you were willing or able to do it. After all this is DIY forum, and alot of the posts are from people who want to do it, but don't feel they can.

Anyway, I think your idea of building it remotely is a good way to go. That way, you can, in essence, build a box, and slide it in. And your swingable backboard is great.

You could check with the big boxes to see if any of their libraries have something on the subject, and, of course you could google it just to see what is out there.

Good luck with the project, and if I can help, repost. Thanks

Hi, Larry -

Thanks. In no way was I taking anything you said in the wrong way, and all your suggestions were good ones.

Having you give me your opinion on my initial idea is a good start for me. I needed a "thumbs down/thumbs up" kind of response on that. Now it is jus a question, like I said, of how to mount it and still have a good finished look without lag-bots heads sticking out all over the place. I guess this would be hard to explain without a picture, but it seems if I build the box to slide in between the studs, I would have to fasten it to the studs somehow. If I lag it in through the inside face of the box into the studs, I have bolt heads showing. I suppose I could counter-sink, but with 3/4 inch plywood maximum that I would use, it doesn't give much meat to grab. I have anothe idea where the front of the box would have kind of a lip - the box would be equal to the spacing of the studs, would be fastened from behind, and then an inside finish piece would lip over the studs. The sides of the box would be 3/4 plywood (the outside) covered by 1/4 or 3/8 plywood (the finished inside).

Anyway, an opinion that building the box first is not a bad idea was a very helpful thing to hear.

Thanks,

David

Oooh, I like making the box with a lip, and sliding it in. That gives you trim and fit in one motion. I don't think you would have to resort to lags. I think you could use countersunk #8 screws the length necessary, then finish over the countersink. Will your studs be close enough to the box to do that?
Now, as far as construction material, check out the Sandeply cabinet grade plywood. It gives a great finish, and looks like oak when finished. That would eliminate having to add more wood on the inside for a finish. The Sandeply runs about $36 per 4x8 sheet, so it is easy to swallow.
Good luck with it, and repost if we can help further.

Hi, Larry -

Thanks for the suggestion on the wood. The stud spacing is 32" center-to-center, and I'm palling to build the box as wide as possible. Right now there is a 25-inch TV going there, and it will have plenty of room even if the side of the box are made from 3/4" plywood. I think the only load-bearing point is the shelf where the TV will sit, so I may use two pieces of plywood. All the corners will be dado fitted, as well as the TV shelf.

Now all I need is time.

Thanks,

David

Hey, let me know when you find an outlet that sells time. I need about a month of it to catch up... Good luck. I think you have all your ideas together, and it should turn out just great.