How to Make a Hardwood TV Stand

Hardwood looks best with simple, clean lines. It should look substantial and strong in thickness, but not cumbersome. Woodworkers use laminated hardwood panels to build furniture that will last a lifetime. It has no veneer to separate or weaken, and will resist scratches or damage because it is solid wood. You can build a simple hardwood TV stand with three hardwood panels strong enough to hold any television. Build it 36-by-18 inches to hold any size TV, including big screen televisions.

Instructions

1

Install a dado blade on the table saw set at 3/4-inch wide. Raise the blade on the saw to 3/4-inch from the highest tip on the blade to the point where the blade emerges from the saw table.

2

Measure and then lock the fence down 30 inches from the blade.

3

Place the miter gauge on the table saw. Place the 36-inch panel on the miter gauge with one end of it against the fence.

4

Turn on the saw. Holding the panel against the miter gauge fence with your left hand, slowly push the panel and the miter gauge forward with your right hand. Hold the panel flush against both fences as you push it over the blade. When the blade emerges out the back of the panel. Continue pushing the panel forward 6 inches and then stop. Turn off the saw.

5

Spin the panel around 180 degrees so that the slot you just cut on the panel is now on the left side. Repeat step 4.

6

Slide the table saw fence over to the right 3/4 inch. Repeat steps 4 and 5. You should now have two, 3/4-by-1 1/2-inch notches cut perpendicular across the bottom of the panel.

7

Turn the panel upside down so that the notches are facing up. Spread a layer of glue inside both notches. Stand the other two panels vertical up inside the notches, and flush them at both ends. Use a mallet to tap them down into the notches if they are tight. Wait a minimum of one hour for the glue to dry.

8

Sand the TV stand by hand with 100-grit sandpaper. Round all the edges with the sandpaper.