DIY construction project

[Chris.]

sup people?

i want to do some home cabinetry... myself..

id like to make a TV stand/cabinet... also a few end tables. i have basic woodworking skills. i can operate a table saw... and operate a drill.. as well as a hammer.. lol

i dont own a router... although i think i should pick one up.. im not looking to make anything extravagant... just useful

im not good at finishing wood... i can paint it.... or stain it... but sanding for me... im not good with... i mean i can do it... it just wont look good...

one thing id like to make is a new desk for my computer.. something large... and nice. and sturdy...

my only problem really is my budget... it has to be cheapish... and really anything wood wise that can come from lowes.... as the resources to make anytihng out of anything good... like oak or cherry or something like that... i have no idea where i might find that stuff...

this will be my first project like this of any kind..

so please.... if there are any carpenters out there who can help me out with techniques, tips, pointers.... id really like that.

so anyone think i can do it with just the tools mentioned?

 

[s_crowley 17]

Yeah you should definitely be able to handle that with those tools.. do you have a cordless drill? you will be needing that.. also little things like a level and a chalk line to snap your line for an even platform for your ledger board

 

[Chris.]

ok im not dumb... but ledger board?

not sure on the terminology here...

i do own a cordless drill... and i do know what a chalk line is.... but i thought they were only used in roofing and framing drywall and perhaps tile work... something that you need a long straight line for... not for simple cabinetry...i may be wrong though...

 

[lethal6]

^^^ You are right on the chalk line for the most part. However, they can be used on bigger cabinetry, desks, entertainment centers, etc. Anything that is larger than you have a level, straight edge, or square for.

I can't be of much help directly as I don't know too much yet, but my father has been doing custom cabinetry for longer than I have been alive. He built a huge custom entertainment center and all the desks in our office. His main one is pretty big. Both the entertainment center and the main desk were large enough for a chalk line. I am in the process of having him teach me as much as he can as I am designing my own entertainment center.

Good luck with your projects. Woodworking is a fun hobby.

 

[Mr. Jollypants]

How has your period key kept working?

 

[Chris.]

i dont know... this is a really old keyboard too... im gonna say...98? 97? somewhere in there this thing was made. works like a charm

 

[joe7987]

How has your period key kept working?

I can't say anything... I'm a multiple period guy myself.

 

[toneekay]

If you want sturdiness... Make sure you reinforce your angles and box your legs.

Reinforcing your angels (EXAMPLE):
You have a 90 degree angle, slide in a piece of wood that'll connect the 2 pieces together, diagonally. I'm sure you already know this, it's pretty self explainatory.

Box your legs (EXAMPLE):
Let's say you have the far left side of your computer table where you have 2 legs coming down. 1 leg in front, 1 leg in the rear.. At the lower side to side leg, add in an extra piece of wood there to keep the 2 legs straight together, and sturdy.


I'm not a fantastic handy man, but when I build s**t, I like it on point and KNOW that it won't break. My experience in this field: I've done everything from building small tables to a 6x9 overhead patio.




Always draw and plan out what you're going to build and add in what to what... I need a new computer table as well, I've never made one though... But I'm sure if I did, that mother f**ker would look crazy haha!

 

[Chris.]

yea id like to make a nice L shaped desk and have one of those monitor pedestals ....just like you see in stores...

 

[31dev31]

One major tip: Measure twice, cut once.

 

[Mr. Jollypants]

One major tip: Measure twice, cut once.

f**k that, it's usually measure twice cut 3 times.

 

[civicfan111]

f**k that, it's usually measure twice cut 3 times.

lol if the guy measuring is dyslexic

 

[Mr. Jollypants]

You can do something like this:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1400367&page=3
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2009/08/the-plywood-and-pipe-desk/

 

[toneekay]

I usually measure once and then cut the mother f**ker... Usually I'm on point.

 

[Chris.]

You can do something like this:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1400367&page=3
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2009/08/the-plywood-and-pipe-desk/

the last one is awesome.... gave me a new idea! lol

 

[s_crowley 17]

Oh, well a ledger board is what is drilled into the side of a house for a deck, or what is drilled into the wall for a cabinet

I thought you said you wanted to build cabinets, thats why I said ledger board

 

[Chris.]

Oh, well a ledger board is what is drilled into the side of a house for a deck, or what is drilled into the wall for a cabinet

I thought you said you wanted to build cabinets, thats why I said ledger board

cabinets like... a tv cabinet... where there are doors on the TV stand... lol

i rent this house... i am not making kitchen cabinets