Introduction: Audio Cabinet

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I planned to build a record cabinet to house a new turntable I purchased. I wanted to use mostly recycled wood and scrap laying around the shop. Other than fabric this was more than achievable. Free material from craigslist was also useful for this project.

Step 1: Inspiration

The project was partially inspired by a "Sunday Project' I did previously. I disassembled an old record cabinet and converted it into a portable audio chest.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Audio-Chest/

Step 2: Brainstorm

Sketch out some ideas.

Step 3: Electronics

Collect electronics to fit the cabinet. I had a stereo receiver and equalizer I wanted to incorporate along with the turntable.

Step 4: Cabinet Top

Measure and cut 3/4" MDF to the approximate size of the cabinet top to accommodate the electronics.

Step 5: Trace

Trace the footprint of the electronics onto the MDF.

Step 6: Router

Use a router to remove the material. I had to build a jig to help accomplish this task.

Step 7: Turntable Box

Cut some stock to fashion a box to support the turntable.

Step 8: Screw

Construct the box and fasten to the cabinet top.

Step 9: Fitting

Drill a hole in the box for the electrical cables and fit the turntable.

Step 10: Structure

Cut melamine or plywood and a few 2x4s to create the chassis of the cabinet.

Step 11: Progress

Attach the cabinet top to the panels.

Step 12: Base

Fasten the 2x4s to the cabinet structure with 2x2s.

Step 13: Rip

Rip some hardwood into 3/4" strips.

Step 14: Lip

Use 3/4 inch strips to create a lip around the edge of the cabinet top and screw them in place.

Step 15: Glue

Glue the 3/4' strips together in sets of 5. These will be used as decorative panels on the cabinet.

Step 16: Sand

Sand the panels smooth.

Step 17: Cut and Glue

Cut the panels to the correct length and glue them to the lip on the cabinet top.

Step 18: Feet

Fashion feet that will accommodate casters.

Step 19: Casters

Attach the casters to the inside of the feet.

Step 20: Stain and Finish

Stain the feet and apply a finish.

Step 21: Attach Feet

Attach the feet to the base of the cabinet.

Step 22: Speaker Houses

Cut 2x3s, MDF and veneered plywood to create speaker houses.

Step 23: Screws

Screw the speaker houses to each side of the cabinet.

Step 24: Backing

Screw a piece of stock to the back of the cabinet top.

Step 25: Stain and Finish

Stain and finish the the speaker house tops and backing strip.

Step 26: Panels

I used Danish Oil to finish the panels and added them to the front and sides of the cabinet.

Step 27: Glue

Glue the speaker house tops in place and refasten the backing.

Step 28: Speaker Covers

Cut, bevel and fasten 2x2s together to create frames for speaker covers.

Step 29: Cloth

Stretch speaker cloth over the frames and staple in place.

Step 30: Enclose

Screw the speaker covers to the speaker houses.

Step 31: Cabinet Lid

Glue trim wood to a piece of veneered ply.

Step 32: Finish

Sand, stain and finish the lid.

Step 33: Trim

Cut decorative trim, stain, finish and attach.

Step 34: Front Panels

Make front panels from OSB and veneered ply. One of the panels will act as a door.

Step 35: Hinges

Recess hinges into the door panel and attach to the front of the cabinet.

Step 36: Magnet

Add a magnet door latch to the door.

Step 37: Take a Deep Breath

Things are coming together.

Step 38: Shelf

Add shelves to the inside of the cabinet behind the door panel.

Step 39: Oranment

Ornament the front of the cabinet.

Step 40: Speaker Shelves

Add shelves inside the speaker houses.

Step 41: Refashion

The original turntable purchased for this cabinet had a poorly machined platter and was returned. I picked up an old replacement turntable from an estate sale and restored it. The instructable for this project is at the link below. Because the size of the new turntable was slightly larger I modified the cabinet top to accommodate it.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Turntable-Restoration/

Step 42: Fabric

Cut fabric to adorn the interior of the cabinet top. Iron out any wrinkles.

Step 43: Adhesive

Use spray adhesive to attach the fabric to the inside of the panels and to the cabinet top.Trim any excess.

Step 44: Seal

Adhere window strip to the edge of the top panels.

Step 45: Lid Trim

Add fabric and trim to the underside of the cabinet lid.

Step 46: Internal Embellishments

Add decorative wood to the inside of the cabinet top.

Step 47: Hinges

Fasten the lid to the back of the cabinet with spring loaded hinges.

Step 48: Electronics

Slide the electronics into their respective homes. I removed the receiver cover so that the face edge would hold it in place.

Step 49: Wires

The equalizer was chosen to act as an intermediary between a smartphone or computer and the receiver. A 3.5 aux to RCA cable goes to the input and the output is RCA to receiver. The receiver didn't have an Auxillary input so I just ran to the CD function. Wire up the speakers, receiver antennae and turntable. You can also run a TV into the unit.

Step 50: AUX/Bluetooth

Play music from your laptop or smartphone through the 3.5 aux cable. Bluetooth connectivity is also available from this function when a bluetooth receiver replaces the 3.5 aux cable.

Step 51: Music

Boom.