In the final part of this series, I assemble and attach the base, install the handles, and apply the final finish to the top. This project was an incredible learning experience, and not in the way you might think. I actually found it incredibly challenging to step back from my primary shop tools, and focus only on the portable power tools. Not only did I find new ways of doing things, but I have a new found appreciation for the tools I have been taking granted for years. But hopefully you’ll see now that even with a very basic set of tools, you can still produce high quality furniture.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Constructing the base.
• Gluing up miters using the tape trick.
• Attaching the base using pocket screws.
• Attaching the custom handles.

Mini Kreg Jig and Kit – $19.99
This is a less expensive and simpler version of the jig I used on the show. The kit contains the jig, a pocket hole bit and a stop collar. Check it out!

A Simple Varnish Finish DVD
I mentioned my finishing DVD in the video, so here’s a quick link for anyone who might be interested. A Simple Varnish Finish

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

An important aspect of building furniture that many new woodworkers overlook, is the importance of finishing BEFORE the project is completely glued together. That’s the primary focus of this part of the series.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• How to deal with color differences between plywood and solid wood trim.
• Raising the grain and applying water-based dyes.
• Theory and application of wiping varnish.
• Creating shelf pin holes for adjustable shelving.
• Applying angled trim to the shelves.
• Final glueup and clamping strategy.

I mentioned my finishing DVD in the video, so here’s a quick link for anyone who might be interested. A Simple Varnish Finish

JIG IT® Shelving Jig Our original JIG IT® Shelving Jig is now even better! Get perfectly, consistently spaced and centered shelf-pin holes! JIG IT® Shelving Jig

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

The absolute worst time to find out you’ve made a mistake is while the glue is drying. So this part focuses strongly on the importance of a dry assembly, which I consider to be an essential part of the glue up process. By the end we’ll have a partially glue-up entertainment center.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Gluing trim pieces.
• Using biscuits.
• Clamping strategies.
• Using a wood filler to hide miter flaws.
• Cutting the big bevels on the top and bottom trim.
• Sanding.
• Dry assembly strategy.
• Measuring and cutting the back panels.
• Initial glueup.

And this is the filler I recommended in the video. If you’ve had bad experiences with fillers in the past, you really need to give this stuff a shot. Shopping through this affiliate link will also help out the show.



Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

If there is one major negative aspect to working with plywood and other sheetgoods, its the fact that we have to deal with the ugly exposed edges. But with a little know-how and some strips of wood, you can dress up the edges so that only a trained eye can tell that the board is not completely made of solid wood.

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Edge-banding options.
• Sources for solid wood edge-banding.
• Attaching edgbanding to sheetgoods and trimming it flush with the surface.
• Cutting grooves and rabbets for the back panels with a router and edge guide.
• Using an inexpensive miter box.

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5

Think you can’t build furniture because you only have a few basic tools? Well, check this out! This walnut low entertainment center was built using three primary tools: a circular saw, a router, and a drill. But that doesn’t mean I skimped on quality and design. The unit has sliding doors, good ventilation, a little shelf in the back for a surge protector, and all of the trim is beveled at an angle for a more interesting visual effect (even the trim on the shelves features this bevel).

This video series is full of tips and tricks that will help you get professional results from these simple power tools!

A few of the topics covered in this part:

• Cutting down sheet goods.
• Using a guide with your circular saw
• The cheapest long rip guide on the planet.
• Plywood thicknesses.
• Cutting dados and grooves with the router.
• Fixing a dado that was cut through when it should have been “stopped”
• Chiseling the stopped dados square.

A Sketchup plan and cut list is on its way. We are hoping to have it by the release of the next part in this series.

And here’s a great clamping tool guide, very similar to the one used in this episode:

All-In-One Clamp Guides The first zero-deflection straight edge clamping guide! Provides you with straighter and more accurate cuts, dadoes and routing without additional clamps. All-In-One Clamp Guides

Quick Links:
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 1
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 2
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 3
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 4
Low Entertainment Center Pt. 5