My new DIY Center Channel Stand....

[4x12]

The idea of building a custom stand for my center channel has been floating in the back of mind for a while now. In fact, the idea came from Twitch9. I noticed a custom stand he built in his gallery pics about 8 months ago (more of less) and thought his idea was different and it looked damn cool. So I figured I'd try and get one done eventually and with the living room/ht room almost finished I felt this was a good time to get it done.


Building time :

I used part of the orignal stand that came with the 42" Samsung Plasma I purchased for the bedroom a few months ago. Since the screen was meant to be wall mounted, I had no need for its base. The minute I pulled it out of the box I knew this would become my stand. My original idea was using the Panasonic stand (also wall mounted) since I prefer the shape of it, but the way its made wouldn't allow for an easy upgrade.

The Samsung's stand came in two premounted pieces... the base & the upper piece connecting to the screen. The two parts are connected at the bottom of the base with a 2 1/2 inch metal plate. So once the screws are removed this thing comes a part real easy. I didnt have my camera at this time so no pics for the moment.

Here comes the fun!

I purchased a Pine shelf (10" x 36") that ill cut and use for the top shelve. The center channel speaker is approx 8 1/2 D x 19 1/2 L, the pine shelve will be cut at 10x20.




A little work went into the shelve... sanding her down and rounding off of the corners. I didnt have a jigsaw or anything to cut the extra on each corner so I did it old' school... sorta... I used an exacto knife to cut off the edges and then used a sand paper to even it out. The result isnt perfect, but does the job I think! I also predrilled the pilot holes for the 2 1/2" wood screws.



NOTE: The other piece you see below it was my testing sheet... I tried out different ideas on this one and tested the stain also.




To connect the base to the top I needed to cut out some 2 1/2" disc's. I needed this to be about 3 1/2" high so I cut out 3 pieces out of an extra piece of pine I had to build the middle part. I needed 2 x 3/4" pieces and 1 x 1/2" pieces. And heres another small issue i ran into... I didnt have any 1/2" pieces of wood kicking around. So once agian, I had to do it old school. Using my hole saw I cut half way into the 3/4" piece of pine then shizzled out most of it with a flat head screwdriver then continued cutting the rest. I then had to even it out with the exacto knife then sand it down. In the 2nd pic you can see the 1/2" piece at the top...






I used a level to make sure I was sanding it down even. I didnt want to have a half assed tilting stand But Everything came out nice and straight so I went a head and screwed in the discs to the shelve.








By this time I was pretty much ready to start the stain job. I used a Walnut colored stain to match the MA's and the new TV stand (espresso). I went with a water based stain from a place called Saman. This product is made in Canada. Also used the clearcoat made by the same people.




This is the result I had after the first coat was dried up... I found it a little to light... for some reason the wood filler I used just stood out and wouldn't dissapear. So I sanded down the top a few times before getting the 2nd coat on and it was almost all gone.



So I added another coat... I found this to be a little better but I still wanted a different effect to it...



So on went a 3rd coat... after I applied a coat I always cleaned off the extra stain.



This is after two coats of clear added to it... the pic is a little dark but you can see the results.




Heres what It looks like once finished...


















Overall time from start to finish... about a day and a half. At a slow, relaxed pace. I'm happy with the overall look. The stain came out nice and blends in well with the TV Stand and Center Channel.

Just wanted to thank Twitch9 for the inspiration!!

BTW, I wasn't sure where to post this DIY project... if it isnt in the right spot can a mod please move it! thanks.

[wicked]

Looks good.... nice job

[Aerodude73]

Very nice! Came out great.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Excellent job! I wish I had the talent to undertake such a project.

John

[4x12]

thanks guys!

Having the proper tools would have made things simpler but
it still came out nice.

[Twitch9]

I think it looks really good, very nice job, and thanks for the shout out.

[4x12]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

I think it looks really good, very nice job, and thanks for the shout out.

NP dude!

[progers13]

Awesome job 4x12! I would've never thought to use a TV stand for the base of a riser like that, but it came out really good for you. Has it made a noticeable difference in your speaker's performance?

[4x12]

Originally Posted by progers13

Awesome job 4x12! I would've never thought to use a TV stand for the base of a riser like that, but it came out really good for you. Has it made a noticeable difference in your speaker's performance?

I havent played it yet... I JUST completed the thing sunday night. Ill be watching Terminator Salvation tonight and will post back.

Something I forgot to mention, at each corner of the speaker I used 4 pieces of 1.5 x 1.5 rubber sticky pads for some extra isolation from the speaker to the stand.

[4x12]

Originally Posted by progers13

Awesome job 4x12! I would've never thought to use a TV stand for the base of a riser like that, but it came out really good for you. Has it made a noticeable difference in your speaker's performance?

Well after watching a few movies with it on and off the riser I think there is a difference. Its a small one but still a change... I find it gets a little clearer/brighter. This could be caused by a couple of things... new height (5" to 6" higher), added wood (pine), glue, rubber pads under the center channel and at the bottom of the base ?? Kinda hard to pin point whats causing the slight change, but there is a slight difference.

[Rob J in WNY]

Very nice job and documentary of the project. Definitely adds style points to your setup!

[4x12]

Thanks dude!

If the proper tools where at my disposal I might have done something different with the top shelve... but I like it and it does a good job!

[Fors*]

Great job 4X12...I have an extra stand laying around. I will have to check it out to see if I could use it or not....but this is a great idea with an even better result. It looks sweet!

[4x12]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Great job 4X12...I have an extra stand laying around. I will have to check it out to see if I could use it or not....but this is a great idea with an even better result. It looks sweet!

Thanks Forsb!

If you plan on using the stand of your Samsung A650, it should work... From pics that i've seen the base looks the same.

Good luck!

[vega2K]

Awesome idea and great job! If my center wasn't so close to the bottom of my projection screens when they are lowered, I would have followed your lead with my spare Samsung stand. Nice easy project!