Tara Dennis converted a cheap pine chest of drawers into a designer TV/video cabinet.

How it was done

1.  Tara removed the top two drawers and replaced them with shelves, one for the VCR and the other for CDs. To make the shelves, Tara first had some 12mm MDF (medium density fibreboard) cut to size at the local timber yard. She glued and nailed the shelves into place on the old drawer runners.
2. To dress up the front of the drawers, Tara made some stylish new handles from a circle of 12mm MDF cut into two semicircles and attached to the drawers with bolts. To do this, she first cut out the circle of MDF using a jigsaw (tip: when using power tools it is essential to wear safety gear). The circle was then laid over the bottom two drawers to mark the positions for the bolts (two bolts per half circle). The bolt holes were drilled using a cordless drill. The circle of MDF was then cut in half.
3. Four spacers were used between the MDF and the drawers. To make the spacers, Tara marked out a length of dowel at 25mm intervals and used a jigsaw to cut to size. She drilled a hole through the centre of each spacer, and glued the spacers onto the drawers over the bolt holes.
4. Using some fine-grain sandpaper, Tara smoothed off the edges of the semicircles. She attached the semicircles to the drawers using 75mm roofing bolts. After lifting the drawers out, she attached the washers to the back of the screws, and used a screwdriver to tighten them.
5. The entertainment unit was painted with two coats of acrylic silver spray enamel (tip: when spray painting always apply thin coats rather than thick ones, otherwise the paint will run).
6. Finally, holes were drilled in the back of the unit for the VCR and DVD wires.

Further information

Costs:

MDF sheet, 1200 x 600 x 12mm, $15.60
Timber dowel, 0.9 x 25mm, $6.24
75mm roofing bolts and washers, packet of 25, $8
Wattyl Acrylic Silver Spray Enamel, $14/can

This story is featured in the June 2003 issue of the Burke’s Backyard Magazine, available from newsagents and supermarkets for $5.50.

Copyright CTC Productions 2003