Strong Frame for 33" monitor

[Negativecreep0]

what do you guys think of this prototype for the frame of my monitor stand?

you think if i use 2 x 4's put together like this they should hold a 33" monitor with no problems?



also how come all the 2x4's at home depot aren't straight they have a bend to them, do i need to pay more to get better studs or what?


here is what i hope my final cab to look like when complete with laminate applied.


"RED SAMURAI"



already started this project so will update with pics soon when im not to busy with work.

[webgeek]

Picking 2x4s at Home Depot is a pain. I had a lot better luck looking at much longer boards. People always pick the 8' ones and ignore the longer ones. I bought a bunch of 12 footers that were almost perfect the other day.

As for the design, It looks great! I'd probably go a slightly different route on the construction though. If you go here:
http://www.shopsmithhandson.com/archives/july_aug_03/html/weekendproject/wp_plans4.htm
You can see the plans for a work bench that's easy and VERY strong. If you look at how the top is built you will see four 2x4s making a rectangle and then the legs attached to the joints. You could follow the same plan and then do another rectange for the bottom. To give yourself a mounting point for the sides, just put the legs on the outside of the rectangle instead of the inside. Also, they use nails for the workbench, but I would use 3" drywall screws and drill pilot holes for em before you put em in. SUPER strong and less work then the nails. You don't need to do carriage bolts like they did either.

Finally, if you were planning on using MDF, I wouldn't have the legs as you do. MDF corners crumple like cardboard if you bonk them on anything. You will probably want to reinforce the "feet" something else or make them out of plywood, etc.

Have fun!

[jedi27]

I've found that Menards has the best planks / boards around my neck of the woods, Lowe's has the worst, but they also have a better selection of MDF... wacky..

You should consider using 1 x 4 instead.  They are thinner and therefore easier to bend back into shape.  I used a box type construction and have found it to be very sturdy.. 

I could probably attach a picture if you want a better description, but basically the frame would be made by joining two boards on their long sides forming the corner of a box.  This is not only very strong when glued, but the opposing boards actually encourage each other to keep straight.

Yes - the MDF does tend to get chipped easily, but that's why the tmolding is used...

[webgeek]

but basically the frame would be made by joining two boards on their long sides forming the corner of a box.

I agree with this. It's the same thing I was trying to suggest in my post. It's also the same thing I'm doing on my cab.

Yes - the MDF does tend to get chipped easily, but that's why the tmolding is used...

Ah, but if you look at the design, you'll see that t-molding wont protect the corners of the feet. They are exposed and not reinforced. Even setting the cabinet down on a slight angle will cause the corner to buckle a bit. This in turn will cause the pedastal to be less stable as the feet wont be flat to the floor.

[Negativecreep0]

any pictures you guys could post would be appreciated.  Also anyone know where you can order a plastic back of a tv case one which will work well with a 33" showcase cabinet. What i mean by back case is the part that juts out in the butt area? like the diagram below. I tried a tvrepair shop that had tons, he wants 50 bucks for the back of a projection screen tv that he is about to throw away anyway.
     ____
 __|      |\
|           | |
|__       | |
     |___|/

In terms of 1x4s do you think they will be strong enough for the 100+lb 33" monitor?

[jedi27]

If designed properly, yes - the 1x4s would be plenty strong enough...

Good point on the MDF feet webgeek - happs actually sells metal corner protectors to prevent this kind of thing.  I would recommend an aluminum edging, but it could scratch up the floor...

Don't know about the TV casing --

[jedi27]

On a side note, given the discussion over your feet design, consider that such a top heavy box is likely to have a tendency to topple over.  Perhaps you should design your frame to have a foot type framing to add to it's stability as well as to re-enforce the MDF panels...

[Negativecreep0]

the feet will have paneling added to them like the front , i was just posting that pic for example of what i wanted to do with the frame.

On a side note, I went to a local arcade last night and measured their showcase cabinet, it seems every showcase cabinet I measure is different even though they are made by dynamo, some are taller in terms of monitor placement and some have the control panel farther away, guess im gonna have to make a cardboard prototype to see how comfortable the different sizes are.

[jedi27]

FYI - here's a photo of my cab - without the side panels or anything... if you look carefully you can make out how each of the corners is using this box technique...