Been looking to buy a new TV stand and, whilst browsing, came across the Atacama stuff.
Looks really nice & simple and I could make some nice legs/spacers on the machines at work.
Would solid wood kitchen worktop be a suitable shelf material?
This is the kind of thing I'm thinking of:
It is ideal , don`t go too far in the span otherwise it will bow under constant weight .
I’ve used some leftover 40mm solid oak worktop to make shelves in my kitchen. It certainly is very heavy and doesn’t flex. Not too difficult to work with, seems to take a router bit/drills etc easily.
The only thing I’d say is that it is very thick and obviously worktop, but clever design should make it less obvious. A unit like the one pictured would be very very heavy. Maybe if you found some 30mm ish material that might be better and strong enough?
I'm going to make a TV/audio stand similar to the design above (just 2 levels though) using NEW scaffold boards and scaffold pipe.
The plan is to have teh bookshelf speakers rigidly mounted on a short length of scaffold and a flange (chuckle) either side of the TV.. Should be sturdy, and cheap.
But...what to use to cut scaffold pipe?
DrP
Yeah that solid worktop weighs a ton! It'll work fine though yeah, but you'll need decent tools to cut it with unless you get it cut for you.
But…what to use to cut scaffold pipe?
It'll cut with a decent hacksaw(not a junior obvs) but it's an awful lot easier with an angle grinder and cutting disc. Cheap ones would work fine. Goggles.
@kayak - can you suggest anywhere in the West mids (I know you are in Leam) where a layman can buy decent wood such as oak for home projects? Or even somewhere online?
DrP - if you are using scaffold fixtures then the cut end of the pipe will likely be hidden inside the fixtures. In which case you don’t need to worry too much about the quality of your cut
I've a compound mitre saw with a 'multi cut' blade... I'm guessing this won't do??
I've access to an angle grinder, so will likely just use that!
DrP
I use Alscot timber near Stratford upon Avon. Nice yard where you can walk in and pick through what you want. They'll also do machining for you if you need it.
Timbmet online is I believe one a lot use. I've never bought online though to be fair.
And Goodtimber
I’ve a compound mitre saw with a ‘multi cut’ blade… I’m guessing this won’t do??
One of those Rage ones from Screwfix? I think that would do it yeah. Be quite scary though... 😲
Otherwise, you can buy it cut to size.
Thanks Kayak
Or just buy aluminium scaffold poles, much easier to cut with a hacksaw.
I’ve used leftover 40mm oak worktop from Ikea for a couple of simple projects - a bench seat and for a desk.
I am a complete novice - can’t emphasise that enough, but the worktop has been suitable and allowed the achievement of a good finish.
I’ve also used planed 30mm pine board for similar projects and it’s been good but is not as stiff.
I have considered going into Oak Furniture Land and buying a suitable piece, like a table, then cutting it up and using that as the basis. Their Vietnamese oak furniture costs less than the raw materials would cost me. Also consider charity furniture places.
DrP, have you considered using metal conduit? I recently put a clothing rack together using some wider diameter galvanised conduit - looks rather handsome and is really sturdy, didn't cost the earth either. Could work?
I just ordered online all the different lengths needed, the ends screwed into the fixtures & joints in only a few minutes, then a few screws to fix in place. Worked out well.
I've built a few desks using 27mm B&Q Beech kitchen worktops. Decent quality, not too expensive, and they will cut to size for you. As mentioned above, IKEA also have a good range of worktops for DIY projects.
