After an immense amount of help from readers, watching countless how-to videos, and mostly just spending a lot of time experimenting, I am beginning to get a grasp on SketchUp. I really like it and can feel myself improving and getting faster. It's pretty nice to be able to move elements of a project around without having to get out a new sheet of paper or doing a lot of erasing.
I haven't included any joints that will hold the backs of the shelves into the rear support. (It took me long enough to get to this point!) I'm thinking possibly dados, or even just small cleats beneath. But it's the top shelf that I'm not sure how to deal with. It needs to support the TV, which is pretty light...maybe 30 pounds, but I don't want front legs (dowels) that would interfere with the components on the large shelf.
So right now, the top (TV) shelf is just magically floating there. Any ideas (in the real world, with actual wood) how I can make that shelf sturdy enough to support the TV, yet only attach on one side? I suspect that's not really practical.
I tend to do that sort of thing by making a right angle sort of box joint, but with the fingers only 1/4" wide or less. I have a jig for that - my screw advance box joint jig.
ReplyDeleteI would think 2 or 3 pocket screws through the bottom of the shelf into the back "leg" would be strong enough to support 30 lbs......
ReplyDeleteIf It were me I would use some metal rod as a dowel because eventually no matter what joint you use with the shelf extending out from the piece supporting all the weight only being supported at its most rear point will begin to sag but with the metal dowels going all the way threw the shelf except a 1/4 from the front so they are completely hidden and embedded into the rear support it should in theory eliminate all sagging that could occur.
ReplyDeleteHow about if you put the top shelf on top of the rear leg? You could just screw it down. Or use dowels if you didn't want the screw heads showing. For the cords, you could just make a small notch on the back edge.
ReplyDeleteGratz on "diving on in" to the Sketchup pool :) Glad you're having some success already
ReplyDeleteForget the top shelf altogether. Extend the backing brace up and mount the TV directly to it.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I didn't think my TV could be mounted from the back, so I just checked. Sure enough, there are 4 mounting holes on the back. Hmmm...now I'm thinking maybe I should just skip the shelf.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind the "golden rule" 1 to 1.618 Starting there and working the design from there can be easier sometimes. Goodluck!
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,
ReplyDeleteI reckon that if you mount it, you can still have your small shelf juuuuuust protruding underneath to store remotes and stuff.
Look forward to seeing it whatever you decide to do :)
Mike
I Re-Blogged your Blog here:
ReplyDeletehttp://thecadsetterout.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/resources-sket…r-mere-mortals/
(It will go out on Monday)
Cheers Steve, Keep working with it!
I wonder what the design of the entertainment center would look like if you had sketched pages of ideas first, then went to sketch-up. I've asked this before, years ago, but how much is your design constrained by your ability to use sketch-up.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of CAD, but not to early in the process.
It's already mentioned, but I would stay with the minimalist look and extend the post and use a TV mounting bracket. You could even get one of the fancy ones that swings out and rotates.
ReplyDelete