What to use for TV stand (150 lb. TV)?

[aktick]

I'm curious what would work best for a TV stand I want to build...the TV is deep, about 35" wide, and weighs 150 lbs. The stand will be pretty simple, basically a couple shelves. What is generally used to build stands needing to support this much weight? Would MDF be strong enough?

Thanks for any advice.

[maxwell_smart007]

I have an MDF bookshelf that bends from the weight of my hardcovers, so I don't know that I'd trust it to hold a relatively expensive piece of electronics...

What about cabinet-grade ply?

[Joe Lyddon]

I would use 3/4 ply with at least 2 vertical pieces spaced between the sides where the top & bottom go into rabetted sides for good support.

My biggest problem would be moving the TV onto and off of the cabinet / stand... 150 lbs is heavy! :)

Have Fun!
Joe

http://woodworkstuff.net/

[BradTheNailer]

I have a 38" widescreen RCA that has a picture tube, non projection.
It weights 220 lbs. I built this stand for it out of knotty pine.
The stand is 48" wide x 24" deep. It stands about 33"high.
It's still as sturdy as it was the day I built it.

The strenght comes from the box surrounding the drawers, the wrap-around colums on the front edges, and all the panels are put in place using sliding dovetails.

http://www.woodworking.com/dcforum/dcboard.pl?az=view_attachment&file=43cd3f5a09e4dedf.jpg



"I just don't understand...
I've cut it three times and it's still too short!"

[link:www.mgsawmill.com|M&G Sawmill]. Makers of the finest sawdust in Texas. Oh, did I mention we have hardwood as well?

[JCCLARK]

I'm not sure of your question, but if the tv is going to
be on a "shelf" I'd use solid wood. You could use 3/4"
cabinet grade plywood and attach a strip of wood to the
front and back of the shelf to hold it rigid.
I do that with a 3/4" x 1 1/2" tall piece.
Looks pretty good too.


Jim C.

[alexh]

Not to hijack the thread but a couple of questions for Brad -

How did you make those wraparound fluted colums (specifically how do make flutes in general?)?

Just curious, since that is all solid wood, what measures did you take if any to allow for wood movement?

Nice work!

[Joe Lyddon]

Nice design!

Yes, those rounded corners make it stronger out there and negate the need for one vertical support... like you did... NICE!

IMHO

I would rupture my hernias just thinking about moving your TV! :) ;)

Have Fun!
Joe

http://woodworkstuff.net/

[OLD DON 68]

For several years I had a 150lb TV on the top of a small audio cabinet. The top was around 4'wide and made from 1/2" oak veneered particle board with one support partition in the center and two sides all made from the same material. It didn't sag at all which suprised me. Fifteen years ago when we bought the TV I lifted it up on the stand and off and back on again when I put casters under the cabinet. Can't do that now! OLD DON

[autobodyman]

I too would like to know how you made the round fluted columns. I made something slightly similiar and it was a pain.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/105255/TV038547_S.jpg
I cut these in sections on the bandsaw then glued them back together and sanded a lot.

~Mike

[JBark]

In my furniture store the majority of TV stands of all types are made of plywood with solids used for trim, doors, drawer fronts, etc.


John