How to Build a Rotating Media Center

Platform Construction

• 1

  Cut a 3/4-inch thick plywood square to four feet by four feet. This is the top of the rotation platform. Cut two pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch hardwood to a length of 4 feet. Cut three additional pieces to a length of 3 feet, 9 inches. These five pieces will frame the platform.

• 2

  Glue and nail one 4-foot hardwood section to the lid of the platform along one edge. Attach one 3-foot, 9-inch section at the end of the 4-foot piece, along the adjacent edge. Repeat with the final 4-foot section. The result is a box with one open end. Glue and nail a 3-foot, 9-inch piece into this gap, along the edge.

• 3

  Measure and mark 24 inches along two parallel framing members. Align the centers of the ends of the final hardwood section with these markings. Glue and nail it into place.

• 4

  Bolt one pipe base to the platform lid's center. The center hole of the base must be 1 1/2 inches deep, and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Use set screws to secure the 3-inch pipe in the pipe base.

Media Center Construction

• 5

  Cut one piece of 3/4-inch plywood to 18 by 36 inches. This is the top of the media center. Cut two 3/4-inch thick side pieces to 18 by 30 inches. Cut a backing piece from 1/4-inch thick plywood to 30 by 36 inches. Cut a 3/4-inch plywood bottom shelf to 18 by 34 1/2 inches.

• 6

  Glue and nail one side piece to the top of the media center, matching the 18-inch edges. Do the same on the opposite end. Fit the bottom shelf between the sides. Glue and nail it in place so that the bottom of the shelf sits 2 3/4 inches from the floor. Glue the back edges of these four pieces. Lay the back piece over the glued surfaces. Align the edges of the structure with the edges of the backing. Nail the backing into place.

• 7

  Cut two 3/4-inch plywood shelves to 34 1/2 by 18 inches.

• 8

  Measure and mark the side pieces of the unit at 12 1/4 and 21 inches from the bottom. These indicate shelf locations.

• 9

  Glue the side and back edges of the first shelf piece. Align it with the 12 1/4-inch marks. Use the level to ensure that the shelf is not tilted. Nail through the sides and back of the unit to attach. Attach the second shelf at the 21 inch markings.

• 10

  Cut a 34 1/2-inch by 2 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch piece of hardwood. Glue and nail it flush with the front, below the bottom shelf between the sides.

• 11

  Glue 3/4-inch wood veneer to exposed edges. Fill holes with wood putty. Sand surfaces. Stain and seal the media center.

• 12

  Bolt one 3-inch caster to each corner of the bottom shelf. The media center should rest on the casters, with a 1/4-inch gap between the bottom of the unit and the floor.

• 13

  Bolt a second pipe base to the bottom of the bottom shelf. The diameter of the center hole should be 1 3/4 inches to allow the pipe to spin freely. Lift the media center onto the platform. Slide the upper pipe base over the pipe to create an axis.