Stereo Stand...Built

Finally got to build the stereo stand I posted about recently over this past week and I am really happy with the outcome.   Beyond solving the function problems with using the stereo, it has surprisingly activated the space near the window, now a favorite reading spot as the spring rolls into summer.

 I ended up using an old piece of laminated particle board I had laying around for the top, a good way to use up what I had and save a couple bucks.  Some bracing was added to the sides for extra rigidity, but apart from that it was a neat, straightforward little project.

Stereo Stand

I am thinking of moving my stereo to a better spot so that you can actually the display without crouching to the ground and to make using the remote a bit more reliable.  Currently the stereo hides in a couch side table and is crowded by a storage unit.  

I need a minimal structure that will work with hover over my subwoofer and provide some flat space by the window.  What I have drawn utilizes 2x2 and 2x4 cedar lumber in a simple fashion.  The legs pass through the cross members in such a way that the 'wobble factor' is taken care of with the joinery.  And to keep the joint from working apart over time I have used a single bolt as a fastener.  

A top has not been settled on but I picture something thin; plexiglass, copper pan, painted plywood? Probably what ever comes cheapest, copper is out then, but it would be sweet.

front and side elevations

plan detail @ leg and crossbar junction

Roof Detail

This is one of those ideas that attempts to add fun details to elements that tend to end up hidden in standard construction.  Sometimes these are referred to as the boring parts, and I think a chimney stack roof flashing falls clearly in the dull category.

Well I hope to add a little something to the topic.  The basic premise is to highlight the junction of elements, roof and chimney.  Immediately I thought of an oversized metal flashing that would express itself inside and out.  The first sketches ignore building codes simply to explore the idea.  The second sketch addresses some more technical issues; insulation, serviceability, usability, weatherproofing and an actual fireplace to fit the roof detail.

In a romantic world the materials would be copper and cedar shakes.  As the shakes will corrode the copper over time one of the materials has to go.  Since I am partial to copper it stays, but slate replaces the cedar.  This is pricey I know, but it would maintain a classic nature even with some quirky new details.  A nice alternative could be synthetic slate or heavy composite shingle combined with coated metal.  There are more color options this way if you wanted to have some fun.

Top Left: Cross Section.                           Top Right:  Roof Section
Bottom Left: Detail Roof Section.          Bottom Right: Roof Plan

Top: Cross Section
Bottom: Fireplace Elevation

Wood Box.

I came across this old sketch of a muti-purpose box the other day and realized it was time to take a shot at making one.  Some hang-a-round scrap Cedar wood strips are going to be used in a stacked manner, growing each level by 5/16".

Stacking the entire structure I hope will create texture that I hope will compliment any plants that may end up in the box and it has a more lively feeling to it.  Other perks to using cedar is its naturally rot resistance and for me has a great smell.

I should also mention that my idea here was inspired by a 'recycled can plant pot' made by a friend, thanks Susana!  I liked the idea of reusing but especially because of the simple covering treatments.  So thinking about plant storage sent me in the direction of a storage container of my own.  The resulting sketch above is a home for a Jade plant and a stereo speaker.

After the break, a section drawing and a couple photos of the creation process....

Skeleton Stair Sketches

This stair is part of the sketch-a-day series I attempted to start back in late January, as you can tell the once day schedule hasn't happened.  I think a weekly update is a more reasonable goal.

The past couple months have been consumed with some larger projects, a couple home reworking requests from family and friends.  I will get to sharing those as they move forward.

For now I present some sketches for a stair I have dreamt up.  These drawings are the development of a "napkin sketch" I did over a year ago.  The stair grew from the idea of tweaking standard house construction to create basic building elements while interpreting the Arts & Crafts movement of the late 1800's for today.

Early sketch

Sketch-a-Day

The challenge is seemingly simple; sketch an idea every day for the remainder of 2011.  I have been on a steady run of drawing so far this year and decided it was time for a little personal challenge. 

Some ideas may be decidedly practical, but I expect a few will wander into unusual and impossible realms.  One thing I can be sure of though will be the difficulty in producing a fresh idea as the year moves on, I have a plan for this.  Old sketches, i'll pull out some of my favorite drawings from years past.

For now I will catch up you up on the year and present a few sketches I have drawn so far.   The headline image is a mini-study of angled structures, intended as wood timbers in this case.  

Drawings to modify my computer desk.  Replaced the top with a larger and lighter one, added an upper shelf and lowered the desk height.  I made it large enough to sketch comfortably and slide a desk chair under, both surely lacking in the previous desk.

 An idea for a portable drawing table made from the discarded top in the above.  Includes custom parallel bar, hardwood pencil tray, and an adjustable height.

Trying to fix my apartments kitchen.  It's tight, the stove is crowded, and theres a 9 foot tall counter on one side, well more like 4 feet but thats way to high.  The idea is to lower the current counter and add a new one forward of that creating a bounty of usable space, especially around the stove.

Plant Table w/ Storage

This is one of a several little space-creating projects I have in the works around the apartment.  This table will replace a much wider one and give a couple swivel chairs some extra space to spin.  The main goal was provide a little extra space for some of our plants that have been deprived of sunshine, something in short supply during Northwest winters.

The base is made out of leftover scraps from a desk project I’ll get around to featuring at some point.  To stabilize the legs I inserted a series of dowels at the top and bottom, which strengthen the unit nicely. The dowels also provide a little bit of extra storage too, a nice bonus feature.  The top is a piece of Parota I pulled from the scrap woodbin at the local Rockler Woodworking store.  The edges are rough and will stay that way, a reminder that nature isn’t this sleek modern block that it is sometimes presented as.

Overall investment so far $35, which includes a little for the plywood base that came from a much larger sheet.  Throw another $10 max in for some kind of finish and call it a day.  A brand new custom table w/ an exotic wood top for under $50, not too shabby if you ask me. 

Photos are all pre-finish; well they will be stripped of their current red and given something a little less 'in your face'.  I’m excited and I know our plants will be for sure.