This is the project that got me started in woodworking…
In 2007, we were looking to have a custom built-in entertainment system built for our home in Plano, Texas. We drew up a sketch, and asked for bids from a few custom cabinet makers in the area. The bids came back between $7000 and $8000. Way out of our budget.
My father was a carpenter by trade, and also a woodworker, so I had seen him build many things. As I thought about the bids, and the actual work required, I came to realize I could purchase the lumber and all the required tools for less than half of these bids. But I needed some validation before embarking on this path. So, I drew up a set of plans using Google SketchUp, and took them to my local Woodcraft store for review. We iterated on this a few times until I was comfortable with the plan.
With a good plan, and support from my wife, I purchased the tools and lumber I would need to build this project. This included:
- Powermatic PM2000 table saw — I did not want to skimp on the centerpiece of my woodshop. Never been disappointed in this purchase.
- Kreg Pocket Hole System
- PorterCable Biscuit Joiner — The name of this blog is derived from the first two joinery systems I purchased — and which I use all the time,
- RIgid Electric Hand Drill
- And a few other odds and ends
- I purchased the lumber at the local Home Depot — before finding a better wood supplier
Before starting this project, the wall where we wanted to place the built-in entertainment center looked like this:
Real classy set up there with the TV on top of the bass woofer and all the components sitting on the floor.
After the project was completed it looked like this:
Which included plenty of media storage in the three drawers under the television:
A really big improvement over the original and personally satisfying. We watched way too much TV after finishing this project.
Unfortunately, I did not keep accurate records of my expenses for this project. But if memory serves, the tools were about $3000 ($2500 for the PM2000), and the lumber and other hardware was about $500. It took me about 4 months to complete — mostly due to learning as I went. Along the way I purchased a paint sprayer which gave a professional paint finish. I took my time and the end result was perfect.
After the completion of the project I had all the tools necessary to tackle other projects in the home. I built custom cabinetry in our storeroom, custom closets, and customc cabinetry in the laundry room. In 2012, I accepted a new job in Utah at Family Search. We put the house on the market, and it sold in 7 days. This and other cabinetry I had built in the home was the prime reason. The tools were not part of the sale and are now in my new woodshop in my home in Utah.
So, my message to the first-time woodworket is “You can do it!”. I had never built a cabinet before in my life, but with a little googling, and with the support of my Woodcraft store, I was able to build what I had planned. I asked lots of questions, made a lot of new woodworking friends, learned a lot of new skills, and in the end found a hobby that I dearly love.