Make a DIY Monitor Stand for a Smart TV

I made a DIY monitor stand for my new Vizio 24" Smart TV.  The stand has a height adjustment that can put the TV at eye level for computer use.  Check out the video and pictures below.

I created a set of cutting templates for this project.  Click here to download the PDF of my templates.  This stand is designed for a Vizio D24F Smart TV, so you may have to adjust the templates if you are making this project for a different TV.

The Vizio D24F Smart TV has mounting holes that are 10cm apart on center.  The holes require four metric M4 screws.  I used 16mm long screws that were too short to go through 3/4" lumber, so I drilled counter-bores to recess the screws.  Make sure there is only about 1/4" of screw that goes into the TV to prevent the screw from damaging internal components.

I made my own adjustment knob using epoxy and a 1/4"-20 bolt cut to size.  It screws into a standard 1/4"-20 threaded insert in the bracket.  This worked out great and saved me time and money by eliminating a trip to the hardware store.

Isn't that walnut just beautiful?  This was an easy custom project that can be made with just a jig saw and a drill.  If you need a monitor stand, try making one yourself!

PROJECT UPDATE!  After using the stand for a few days, I realized that the back of the TV is a little rounded, and as a result, the monitor was tilted forward slightly.  I decided to cut the bottom of the upright piece at a 3-degree angle so the monitor would tilt back a little.  This simple fix did the trick!

Raised Dog Food and Water Bowl Stand

This raised Dog Food and Water Bowl Stand is an easy woodworking project that you can make in one or two days.   I made this from regular 3/4" lumber from the home center.  Check out the video and then make one for your pet!

If you would like to make one of these yourself, click here to download my PDF plan.  You may need to adjust the dimensions to fit your particular bowls and food container.  Click here for dog bowls like the ones I used (affiliate link).  Your dog is gonna love it!

Patience Clock

I built this Patience Clock to remind myself that "Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly ever acquire the skill to do difficult things easily."  (Friedrich von Schiller, 1759-1805, dramatist, essayist and poet.)

Thanks to Nick Ferry and Sterling Davis for inspiring me to make this clock.  Check out their videos below:

• Watch Nick Ferry's Walnut Desk Clock video.
• Watch Sterling Davis's Letter Opener Clock video.

I made this clock from a scrap piece of a White Spruce 2x4.  The scroll sawn symbol is the Kanji character that represents Patience.  Here is a link to the Clock Insert that I used.  Click this link to download my free Patience Clock PDF Template.  

  

Cedar Organizer Trays

This matching set of organizer trays is made from reclaimed cedar fence boards that were gray and weathered from being outside for about 20 years.  A few passes through the thickness planer cleaned them up nicely and made them about 1/4" thick, which is perfect for projects like this.

The overall dimensions are 12" x 16".  The front piece is 2.5" tall at the top of the arch and the back piece is 3.5".  The sides are 2" tall.  The bottom is a thin piece of plywood that sits inside grooves around the bottom of the sides.  I cut the dividers to fit and glued them in.  It is lined with self-stick felt from the craft store.

I hope the recipients of these organizer trays enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.  And, I hope the wood enjoys being inside for a change.

My Father's Shoe Shine Box

I visited my mother recently and she gave me my father's old shoe shine box.  I remember him using it to shine his shoes before going to work or church.  I dust off my dress shoes maybe 5 times a year so I won't use it much, but I do cherish it since my dad made it.  Do men still shine their shoes like they used to?

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to make one just like it.  So, I traced dad's curved details and the funny-looking foot rest on top, then built one of my own.  It was a fun project, but now I just have to figure out what to do with TWO of them.  I guess I could use one for left shoes and the other for right...5 days out of the year.

Click here for drawings traced directly from my dad's shoe shine box if you would like to make one too!

Build a Shoe Shelf using Rockler's I-Semble Slip-On Shelf Brackets

This is by far the easiest and fastest project I've built in a long time.  Rockler sent me two sets of their 1x10 I-Semble Slip-On Shelf brackets for a project build video to display on their product page.  I used the brackets to build a new shoe shelf to replace our old broken one.

The brackets were easy to use and project took less than an hour to cut the boards and assemble.  Screws were included which was nice.  Below are some things to keep in mind if you are considering using these brackets for one of your projects:

• They slip onto a standard 1"x10", which is actually 3/4" x 9 1/4".
• You will need a pair of brackets for each shelf, so calculate the total cost to decide if it's worth the time-savings over other traditional joinery methods.
• The brackets have a strong brawny look to them, which I like, but it may not match everyone's decor.
• They do cover a lot of the wood, but I used this to my advantage to cover some unsightly defects.
• I like that they can be disassembled easily for finishing, and even re-purposed for a different project in the future.

Overall, this project was quick, fun, and turned out well, plus my wife likes it too!  The brackets are great for beginner woodworkers or people with limited tools, because they pretty much guarantee a successful project.