DIY Pop Up TV

Having a TV pop out of a cabinet is not only thrilling to watch but allows for whatever is behind to be viewed without obstruction when the TV isn't being used. You can make your own pop-up TV from a few hardware parts and an actuator lift motor purchased from an electronics supply store. You will also have to cut into the cabinet so expertise with power tools is a requirement.

Instructions

1

Put a drop cloth on the floor. Put the cabinet that the TV will pop out of on the drop cloth. Remove everything from the top of the cabinet and all of the drawers from the inside of the cabinet by pulling them straight out with your hands.

2

Put the TV onto the top of the cabinet. Draw around the base of the TV with the grease pencil. Remove the TV from the top of the cabinet.

3

Cut out the drawing on the top of the cabinet with a power saw. Sand the sides of the cut-out top of the cabinet with rough sandpaper. Sand the sides of the cut-out top of the cabinet with fine sandpaper.

4

Paint the cut-out top of the cabinet the same color as the top of the cabinet. Let the paint dry overnight.

5

Place the actuator lift that is rated for the weight of the TV inside the cabinet. Cut a hole in the back side of the cabinet near the actuator lift with the power drill. Pull the actuator lift's power cord through the hole.

6

Plug the actuator lift's power plug into the wall socket for power. Activate the actuator lift's remote control. Press the remote control button again when the actuator lift exits the top of the cabinet to stop its ascent.

7

Place the TV on top of the actuator lift. Verify that the TV is centered to the top of the cabinet and the base of the TV is just above the top of the cabinet. Remove the TV.

8

Cut a vertical slot in the back of the cabinet with the power saw that is wide enough for the TV's cord to go through easily. Sand the sides of the cut-out with rough sandpaper.

9

Tighten the lift screw on the side of the actuator lift with the Phillips screwdriver.

10

Insert wood screws into the holes in the actuator lift's bottom. Screw the wood screws to the cabinet with the electric screwdriver.

11

Press the remote control to lower the actuator lift into the cabinet. Remove the actuator lift's power cord from the wall socket.

12

Move the cabinet back to its original location. Plug the actuator lift's power cord into the wall socket for power.

13

Press the remote control button to raise the actuator lift.

14

Stand a guide rail inside of the cabinet. Mark the top of the guide rail one inch past the top of the cabinet with the grease pencil. Cut off the end of the guide rail at the one-inch mark with the power saw. Repeat this entire step with the other guide rail.

15

Put the TV onto the actuator lift. Place the groove of a guide rail against the bottom left side of the TV. Repeat this on the right side with another guide rail.

16

Line up the bottom ends of the two guide rails with the bottom of the cabinet. Put wood screws into the holes in the bottom ends of the two guide rails. Screw the wood screws into the bottom of the cabinet with the electric screwdriver.

17

Put bonding glue on the four edges of the top of the TV. Center the cut-out piece of cabinet on the top of the TV with the painted side facing up. Let the bonding glue set overnight.

18

Press the remote control button to lower the TV into the cabinet. Plug the TV's power cord into the wall socket for power. Close the cabinet doors.