Entertainment center mod

[ChadTower]

I have an entertainment center structured pretty much like this one (but not as ugly).



I just bought an LCD that is a little wider than the TV opening.  I figure the best plan is to put the LCD up top instead.  The problem is that the AV receiver, Tivo, and DVD player are currently up there.  I would like to mod the TV area for some adjustable shelves.  I'm concerned, though, that the usual "little peg in the hole" supports won't be strong enough to hold the components with shelves that wide.  Maybe I'm wrong but it doesn't feel like it would work.  Does anyone have any suggestions on other methods I could use to support the shelves short of gluing rail supports?

[nuka1195]

how wide is that area.

two holes on each side and a hole in the back is pretty strong, facing the front of the shelf helps also.

will you be sitting down watching the tv or even laying down on a couch. will that height be uncomfortable to watch?

[ChadTower]

I don't think it will be uncomfortable to watch, but if it turns out that way, I'll find another solution.  That's why I'm making such a small mod to the entertainment center.

If it helps there is no back to that section, so it would just be side pegs.  I suppose I could go with three or four rows of pegs, though.  That may work.  I think it is about 32".

[nuka1195]

it would help if you could add a support down the middle of the back for a peg.

if you can't just face the shelves so they are not flexible and it should hold.

[sstorkel]

How heavy are your components going to be? I've had 30" wide bookshelves loaded with magazines resting on nothing but shelf pins or wire supports. Don't know what the exact weight was, but enough to cause the shelves to sag over time. If you're worried about the shelf pins letting go, the tap-in sleeves sold by Lee Valley and others will help to reinforce them.

BTW, I'm with nuka1195: conventional wisdom says that your TV should be at eye level when you're in your common viewing position. I'd be worried that if you put it on top of the entertainment center that it'll be too high.

[ChadTower]

I actually enjoy having them above eye level.  I keep all of my monitors that way.  This will be a little higher than that but not all that much higher.  A history of neck injuries makes it more comfortable to spend time looking up than looking down, and if your monitor is centered at eye level, half of it is below.

I'm actually more concerned with the pegs splintering the holes than I am with the shelves sagging.  You're probably right that they will be sufficient, though.

[sstorkel]

I'm actually more concerned with the pegs splintering the holes than I am with the shelves sagging.  You're probably right that they will be sufficient, though.

If you drill the right size hole to the correct depth, you shouldn't have to worry about splintering the holes. If you're really concerned about this, definitely use sleeves in the holes. BTW, I would recommend buying 1/4" pins rather than the slightly smaller 5mm pins if you're concerned about weight. If you go with the sleeves, I think you'll need to drill a slightly larger hole.

[ChadTower]

I'll do that, thanks.  I'll get pics up when I'm done.  I still have to find a good local supplier of cabinet grade oak ply.

[MazzMn]

no time to do this right, but I have the same type of set up...I actually thought about cutting out the middle levels of the shelf...could something like this be done (and still look nice)...basically reattach the top

[ChadTower]

I don't see why not.

[sstorkel]

I don't see why not.

It all depends on the construction of the unit. Joining the bottom back to the top may present interesting challenges... If the unit was designed to knock down, you'll probably have an easier time of putting it back together than if it was constructed as one solid piece.

[ChadTower]

If it's like mine, the best approach would probably be to cut the thing, put a new top on the bottom half, and then mount the old top on the new top.  A little glued inside corner support action and you'd be golden.

[ChadTower]

Turns out I didn't have to mod the entertainment center.  The TV I got fits in there with about a quarter inch to spare on either side.  It's a 32" LCD.  Now that I think back, when I originally made the measurements about a year ago, I was looking at 37 inchers.  The 32" set is a near perfect fit.