Homemade TV Stand

Here at 12 Grain, we are very hands on folks. We are also big fans of recycling and reuse to live within our means. A trait inherited from my father, I have become a trash “browser” or collector of fine abandoned goods. This week I’ve decided to improve my living room with a custom TV stand made from some found objects.

As a disclaimer, I was a professional carpenter for about 3 years and come from a family of carpenters, this project however, was quite simple and requires only basic craftsmanship.

While taking out the trash I noticed that someone had abandoned an old dresser. I wasn’t interested in the dresser itself, a disgusting blue color, only the drawers. Any type of drawer, whether it be from dresser, a desk or a kitchen, is essentially a prefabricated box and I knew they would make great components. Since my space is small and my TV is smaller, I decided to only grab a couple of the drawers. I was lucky enough to get 3 large and one small. Size variation always make for a more unique grouping. I also had a couple scrap pieces of 1x12 in. pine from my bookshelf project and stopped at Home Depot for a 2 - 2x4’s and 1 1/2 finish nails.

I began with a simple sketch of what I wanted the TV stand to look like. I took some measurements based on our current TV bench to get a rough idea. I knew I had a specific amount of leftover wood that could work as a frame but the drawers were odd sizes and so I have “fudged” the numbers and shape of the piece just a little to work. The small box was the perfect height for DVDs. The other was an odd size so I had to make a middle shelf for that one. It took some hard thinking, but I finalized my design.

Step 1
The drawers are thin, old and unable hold a lot of weight, so I reinforced them. After cutting off the edges on 2 sides, I added in a couple finish nails and a bead of glue in the joints ( where I just cut). Then I gave the ends a quick coat of spray paint to cover the hideous blue color. While this dries I make a basic frame.

Step 2
I used one piece of 1x12 as a full side, then screwed in the 3, 2x4 lengths as a basic header and footer. I wanted the right side to open so I added a back brace on the right for stability. Although the frame is simple, it is sturdy enough to hold heavy items. The added drawers and top piece will add to its stability.

Step 3
The larger drawer is too shallow, so I braced it in the center between the two footer pieces before screwing the front and middle down tight. 

Step 4
Next, I added the 12"x12" flat stock to the remaining opening next to the drawer on the bottom and nailed it in firmly. The smaller drawer had a flimsy bottom so I added brace with 1x12” scrap, then screwed it all into the 2x4 frame at the top and right side. Finally, I added a couple small nails in the left side of the small drawer, into the edge of the larger drawer, for stability.

Step 5
The final touch is the 1x12 board. It’s placed on top and nailed neatly to keep the surface clean.  Once the stand has met your standards, it should be sanded with 220 grit sand paper, then again with a finer grit to ensure all nicks or pencil marks have been cleaned up. Remember to always sand with the grain.

To test your work, try sitting on it. Realistically, TV’s are quite heavy and although it may not weight 150 lbs., it is always good to test the strength of your work.

Custom Paint Job
I was a little undecided about the design I wanted to paint so I began to sketch out a couple ideas right on the surface. Using some objects found in my work space I began to draw out spheres and swirls. It evolved into something a more organic and liquid than originally foreseen.

Once I was satisfied with the drawing I chose some of my favorite acrylic colors and began to apply the paint randomly. I used a sharpie marker for the thin brown lines, preferring its maneuverability.

I lightly brushed on 3-4 coats of clear polyurethane once the paint was completely dry. (Sand lightly in between each coat, using a very fine grit of sandpaper, perhaps 1000 grit.) Always do this type of work outside so as not to kill too many brain cells.

Once dry set up and enjoy!

For detailed measurements and info,please email me or stop over and check it out!

Materials list:
1”x12” @ 6’
2”x4” @ 11’
2 random drawers
1&1/2” finish nails
2&1/2” screws
Screw Gun
Hammer
Wood Glue
Sandpaper - 120, 220, 1000 grit
Polyurethane - clear
Acrylic Paints
Sharpie ( Brown or Black)

Post by matt on 11/21
Artwork • Handmade • (4) Comments •