My Custom Design and built AV cabinet.. lots of pics!

atkins14

atkins14

Registered User
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
69
Points
28
Location
Liverpool
Website
www.peteratkins.co.uk
Well it has taken me a while to finally post my build thread of my custom AV cabinet. I had been searching for a suitable cabinet to fit all my equipment in for a while, but there was nothing I could find that met my requirements.

The problems I was having was nothing was quite deep enough to fit, as well as not looking nice, especially at the budget I was looking to spend. As my profession as a product/industrial designer I am quite picky about design!

My equipment spec:

- Dali Zensor 7 5.1 in Gloss White

- Yamaha RX-A1030

- Playstation 3

- Apple TV

- Sky HD+ Box

My 1st step was to do some CAD design and renders to see what would look good.



Some Renders:




My material choice was 18mm MDF due to better finish and cost. I created a cutting kit for all my panels then cut them out.



Thought I would secure the build with dowels and high strength wood glue.





Panels going together nicely!



First level on...


Top on!



Space for cable management at the back.



Sealing all joints...

 
Priming all edges as well!


Ready to take some high gloss paint...


Hinges and magnetic push catches...


Feet go on!




Installing remote controlled adjustable strip lighting...




Test fit of centre speaker! It fits :)



Acrylic panelling to cover top, sides and door fronts in gloss black and white.



Happy with these results!


Now to start connecting everything up in position!





With my old TV....



With the addition of my new 55" 4K Samsung TV! More fitting on the cabinet now!



Completed build! :)





Well hope you like my build thread! Cables are all kept out of view and I am very happy about the finish. Any questions feel free to ask!

Pete
 
  • Like
Reactions: gary_a4_quattro, MikeSel^, CHEZ and 8 others
Great finish nice work fella. Always tried to find a cab or stand with the centre speaker in the middle but failed due its size. And to fit the rest of the kit.
 
Thanks Rich! Yes I searched everywhere to find something suitable for my equipment, one of my biggest issues was most cabinets were too shallow, especially for the depth of my AV receiver and also to allow room for hidden cable management, plus I was picky on designs... naturally had to design and build my own one... :)
 
How much do you think it cost you to do in the end? Great work
 
Thanks! It cost me around £300 in materials, the biggest expense was the acrylic panels which were around £120... Out of interest I sent off my design to a well-known custom AV furniture builder and they quoted £2000+ o_O...
 
Thanks guys :). Certainly was a good saving, although was hard work! Swore I wouldn't do it again... however enough time has passed and feel like a new furniture project :p...
 
That looks ace.

Just what I'm after. About to purchase the Dali Ikon 6. MKII 5.1. Then need 2 sots for the sky box and computer. However is that enough room for ventilation on the Amp. My pioneer LX88 says 20cm from the top of the amp and 10cm at the sides. This is the main reason I haven't found anything.
 
Ric 2001 said:
That looks ace.

Just what I'm after. About to purchase the Dali Ikon 6. MKII 5.1. Then need 2 sots for the sky box and computer. However is that enough room for ventilation on the Amp. My pioneer LX88 says 20cm from the top of the amp and 10cm at the sides. This is the main reason I haven't found anything.
Click to expand...


Thanks Ric,

That will be a nice set up! As for ventilation that was a bit of concern when designing. I currently have 50mm above and 30mm on each side. However the shelf above does not go all the way back so the last quarter of the receiver has quite a lot of room. As well as the unit not being flush against the wall. I have felt the temperature within the space after long periods of use and it doesn't seem to be an issue at all, seems to get plenty of air flow.

I guess if you were that concerned you could install some quiet 12cm pc fans to help improve airflow...

My designer mind is now thinking of a nice new unit with some cooling system... :think::D
 
Really good finish. I have found the same issue as you, Why are the units never deep enough for AV receivers?
 
Superdoug said:
Really good finish. I have found the same issue as you, Why are the units never deep enough for AV receivers?
Click to expand...

Thanks! I know! I guess for most people a standard receiver can just about fit, but higher end models tend to be bigger... I searched everywhere and couldn't believe I couldn't find anything that was suitable off the shelf!
 
Yeah you need at least 50cm really. My Techlink stand it 45. I manage to squeeze the amp in but I can't shut the door properly.
 
Nice Job indeed! I have a couple of questions

1) How did you cut the different sections.... Jig set up? and what tool...Explanation please ;)
2) Did you get the acrylic pre-cut to size?
3) What High Gloss pain did you use?

Can or should I say Could a complete novice do this?

I would love to make something like this!
 
illingworth22 said:
Nice Job indeed! I have a couple of questions

1) How did you cut the different sections.... Jig set up? and what tool...Explanation please ;)
2) Did you get the acrylic pre-cut to size?
3) What High Gloss pain did you use?

Can or should I say Could a complete novice do this?

I would love to make something like this!
Click to expand...

Thank you!

Ok well cutting the wood, I marked up all the dimensions for the different sizes on the 2440x1220mm panels and propped them flat on some stands that I have at work, a standard Jigsaw was used to cut along the drawn dimensions. However I am sure there are companies that you can get the wood cut to your pre-cut sizes as well. This would save time and effort.

The acrylic panels were pre cut from here: http://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/

As for the high gloss paint, I just went to B&Q and picked up some tins of the Dulux trade gloss paint, but as I used MDF, I also had to use polycell filler on all the edges and joints. I also used a paint primer for all the surfaces before the gloss paint was applied.

As for making something like this, it depends how much patience you have! Also it would be ideal if you have a suitable space to build it, unlike myself when I built it on my kitchen floor in my apartment.

All I can say is, it is very time consuming, took about 3 weeks of working on it after work in the evenings and then on the weekends. Having spent over £300 in materials as well I was determined to have a great finished item. There were many times that I questioned myself why I event started to do this, however having the finished product I am so happy that I did!

Anymore questions feel free to ask!
 
Smart as f**k matey. Bet you're well happy with it.
Could be a business in waiting there fella.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: atkins14
I know this is old but man, I have to say I am really impressed by your skills! It looks amazing, good job!
 
rosinap said:
I know this is old but man, I have to say I am really impressed by your skills! It looks amazing, good job!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Appreciate it! It's still going strong, but just recently bought a new place so I am sure there will be new projects to come! :relaxed: Not looking forward to moving it though... :seenoevil:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

afcjay
My av setup
Replies
12
Views
6K
afcjay
afcjay
ScottD3
The Older generations of AV
Replies
13
Views
3K
ScottD3
ScottD3
arthurfuxake
AV Receivers
Replies
8
Views
2K
god_thats_quick
G
ScottD3
Custom Android Roms
Replies
2
Views
1K
ScottD3
ScottD3
NHN
Custom Moulded Earphones
Replies
1
Views
3K
RobbieWebs
RobbieWebs
Top
Back