Build is, well, lets call it "Usable". I still need to build the drawer and doors, but I can at least move the aquarium to it, and add those later.
Doors at each end, and a drawer in the middle/ bottom. Top middle is for the DVD and Sat box.
I'll get another picture as soon as we get the tank moved over to it.
The staining is different shades because of the different woods. I wanted something that looks like it's been here awhile. To achieve that, I used 3/4" cabinet grade plywood for the top and (4) columns. Each column is also framed by pine 1x4's, which were then covered by 1/4" cabinet grade paneling. The top is rimmed with 1x2 Maple, 1x3 maple, and the bottom is a maple 1x4. Trim is poplar, which is why it is darker (Softer wood than the maple, so it takes the stain faster). I've always been a fan of maple for it's extreme hardness and random wood grains.
3 coats of polyurethane later and it's "Usable". Not bad for nothing but a circular saw, some deck screws and an air nailer. Joints would have been tighter if I had my mitre saw and I could have gotten a little more decorative with a router and belt sander. All are at my other house a few hours away (which has been in the middle of a re-model for the last 5 years...long story).
It's 54 inches long, 21 inches high and 17" deep and will hold my 45 gallon aquarium with no problem. The columns are spaced at 17 and 36" from the end (if I remember right). My Aquarium is 36" long, so the weight is distributed across 3 of the 4 columns that run from top, to the floor. The design is simple, but it's functional, and I think looks pretty good. If I had to do it again, the only difference I'd make, is I'd spend alot more time sanding before staining.
Sounds like the entertainment center was an ordeal. What did you end up doing?
