Steve’s Masterpiece Entertainment Center

Viewer Project - By Steve Borstler from Muskegon, Michigan
Added on August 9, 2012

This Masterpiece Entertainment Center was inspired by a local furniture retail outlet. I had seen a lot of pictures in magazines and finally drew up my own plans. There are no 45 degree miter cuts, (which makes it a little easier for the beginner.) I custom made all raised panel doors, including the stile and rails.

Teardrop glass was purchased from a local glass company. The lighting across the top is 3” recessed. This unit is actually five pieces that are stacked together and measures 76” x 21” x 85”. The top and shelf are 1” thick; the remainder of the unit is ¾” oak.

I pretreated all exterior surfaces with Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner, and then applied two coats of Minwax oil stain. I then followed with seven coats of Minwax Oil Based Polyurethane ending with two coats of Minwax Paste Finishing Wax. About a ten day process!

Discussion

Patrick Schupbach August 9, 2012 10:27 am

Well done!!!! A true work of art!!!

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Dave Macdougall August 9, 2012 10:48 am

A very beautiful piece nicely designed.

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hamlet August 9, 2012 12:05 pm

Well done, but why do the speakers have to stand beside the rack? This looks so distracting …

And why is there a two-piece door in the middle for the receiver and not a sliding-to-top door?
Very old-school, but fine.

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- thewoodwhisperer August 9, 2012 12:26 pm
  
  I actually enjoy seeing my home theater gear. ;)
  
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Jay August 9, 2012 12:34 pm

Steve,

Nice looking piece! I have one comment though…to me, the grain of the piece of plywood representing the back of the hutch should be running vertically if it was to follow solid wood construction. I’m guessing you did it to save material? Please keep in mind, I’m not saying it’s wrong or bad…just asking the question. When using sheet goods in my projects, I typically try to mimic the direction the grain would be running if it was solid stock. To me it helps to create the illusion that the piece is of a richer heritage than engineered lumber currently allows. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Jay

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- thewoodwhisperer August 9, 2012 2:04 pm
  
  That’s an interesting point. I’d like to hear Steve’s thoughts on that as well. On most pieces, I think vertical grain would be the “standard” choice. Of course we might make exceptions when trying to show off a particular grain or achieve some unique effect. I notice that backpanel has very strong repeating cathedral patterns. And you can see that Steve used the same panel on the entire back so that the grain continues through each compartment. The more I look at it, the more I like it. But I still not sure I would orient it that way for my own piece. I’m just setting up the possible argument in favor of a horizontal orientation. What are you thoughts on this Steve?
  
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  - Kevin August 10, 2012 10:16 am
    
    I doubt this was planned, but with the grain going that way it really matches the grain of the long horizontal rail in the top molding area. It has a nice flow. Solid wood wouldn’t be screaming a uniform grain pattern at you so I just don’t think it makes sense to be a slave to that kind of thinking. I think I would have really tried to select a “boring” piece of ply so it didn’t call attention to itself, but with what he got I think he ended up making the right choice. It kind of looks like static on a really bad analog channel ;)
    
    Reply
- TerryMcK August 11, 2012 12:33 am
  
  I know what you mean about horizontal or vertical. I think in Steve’s case it looks absolutely superb in horizontal and really works well with that strong grain pattern.
  It really draws your eye into the piece. I like it lots. Well done Steve and thanks for sharing.
  
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Mark August 9, 2012 1:51 pm

Steve, Great Job, I think it looks beautiful!!! I love the wavy grain on the back pannel really makes the piece look interesting.

Mark from California.

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Bob August 9, 2012 3:36 pm

Very nice work. I like the general looking and the black handles look great.

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Claude Stewart August 9, 2012 4:13 pm

Very nice. I agree about the grain being vertical but looking at the finished cabinet you really can’t see it.

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Dan Drabek August 9, 2012 7:00 pm

Wow. Looks like a lot of work. I’d imagine it’s a good step above your “local furniture retail outlet” stuff. Especially to those who are allergic to particle board fumes. I’m sure it will give decades of good service. Nice job.

DD

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Bill August 9, 2012 7:31 pm

Great job Steve. I love it when people use lights in their projects. Takes a traditional build and throws it into the 21st century. I like it.

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Mike_M August 10, 2012 7:30 am

Well done Steve. It’s a very ery beautiful peice. Obviously a lot of time and effort went into this project. And man…are you laying on the finish!

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George August 10, 2012 8:37 am

Hey Steve…that’s a great looking entertainment center, one that you can be very proud of as it obviously took a lot of planning and work.

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Tim V August 10, 2012 8:52 am

Very nice job! I like the inset raised panel doors. I too would agree on using the back ply with grain vertical.

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Glenn August 10, 2012 5:10 pm

Nice job Steve. I don’t think the grain is a big problem but I would have made the screen compartment side panels run the same direction.

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John Daugherty August 10, 2012 7:56 pm

It looks great! An entertainment center is on my short list.

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drdarynm August 10, 2012 11:28 pm

His side cabinet grain does run horizontal like the middle, have a close look at the one you can see. I had this issue come up with a kitchen island I resurfaced for my kitchen. The material cost going vertical would have been about 2.5 times the horizontal and I hummed and hawed as I did it thinking everyone would hate it. ( out of 10 people seeing it thinks it looks cool and unique. Rules what rules.

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Steve Borstler August 11, 2012 12:45 pm

Hi all – and thank you for the comments, this was a very complex project, and ejoyable to build, I find woodworking very relaxing. In response to the horizontal grain on the hutch back, I found this piece at a local lumber yard, and was very intrigued by it, my idea was to show off the large cathedral pattern non stop from side to side. I would generally install it vertically as mentioned, but to me it was an exception to the rule, then when I installed the 42inch plasma I couldn’t see much of it anyway.
Thanks again for all the comments. I’m glad readers enjoy a quality piece of furniture.
Will post more in the future.

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S.Wellington August 12, 2012 4:05 pm

I am really impressed Steve! That is truly a big project. I think you did a great job. I like the panel doors, it makes it look very professional. I agree with you that the back panel looks good with the TV in front of it. Without the TV, maybe not? Anyway, your finish is solid and has just the right shine. You should be proud! Nice design all around. I like my gear outside also!! Thanks for sharing!
Shaun

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Nick J August 12, 2012 9:12 pm

Great looking Entertainment center. Fantastic work!

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Matthew August 21, 2012 8:43 am

I’m not much for full entertainment centers anymore, but I’m digging this one. I really like the back lit glass doors on the hutch, nice touch that’s often overlooked.

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Jerry S August 22, 2012 6:46 am

It’s very nice. A bit of a craftsman style has always been one of my favorites.

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Steve’s Masterpiece Entertainment Center

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