Do-It-Yourself Stereo Cabinet

Tools

• For this project you will need several tools and supplies. Depending on what you want your cabinet to look like, you will need to make decisions regarding what kind of wood to use. In order to save money, you should go with a piece of ½" plywood for the sides and 1x3 for the legs, which you can stain to match your existing furniture. You will also need a drill with a screw bit and hole saw, wood screws, a handle and a magnetic clasp.

The Case

• Cut your plywood so you have three pieces which are 18" x 45", one piece which is 18" x 42" and five pieces which are 18"x 21". These pieces will be for the sides of the case. The 1x3 for the legs should be cut into four pieces--all 4 feet long--which will allow the stereo to be placed at a natural height. To start, take two pieces of 1x3 and screw them into the ends of one of the pieces of 18" x 45" plywood. Make sure the edges match on top. This will leave 3" of 1x3 hanging below the end of the plywood which will be the legs of the cabinet. Continue adding the plywood and 1x3 at 90-degree angles until all three pieces of plywood and all four legs are used. You should have a three-sided case.

Placing Shelves

• Place one of the pieces of the 18" x 21" plywood inside the cabinet in line with the bottom of the plywood sides. This will be your bottom shelf. Decide how high you want your shelves to be. This is important because this will help you organize your stereo cabinet. Make sure you leave at least one shelf high enough to fit your stereo. Use a pencil and measuring tape to mark the shelf locations in the inside of the cabinet. Use two screws on each side of the cabinet to screw your shelves into the sides at these marks. Position and screw in the top shelf 3" below the top of the sides. Use a hole saw to cut a hole in the back of the cabinet big enough for the wires to go through.

Attaching the Door

• Finally, attach the last piece of plywood to the front using the hinges. This will be the door to the cabinet. Attach the magnetic latch to the inside end of the door and the inside of the cabinet on the opposite side of the hinges. Attach the handle to the front of the door and install your stereo.