Heli_av8tor
Well-known member
The old CRT TV was long gone when I bought my coach last March. The Dealer said he'd mount a TV if I supplied it and suggested a 22" model. Well he just set it inside the hole and run a couple drywall screws through the base to hold it. The 22" proved too tiny. And the whole setup was too crude for me.
Mounting a larger TV on the front of the cabinet face frame would interfere with the closet door to the left. I elected to make a new face frame and enlarge it to accommodate a 24" mounted inside the opening. The face frame needed to be hinged to allow access for mounting and wiring the TV and accessories.
I started constructing a new face frame. I believe the original wood is Alder but I couldn't find any locally that was fit to use. I settled on Poplar. The grain pattern is very similar and when stained to match it blends in well. Kreg pocket screws drew the joints up tight and is a great way to quickly make a frame. The original was done the same way. I sized the inside width 1/4" wider than the Samsung TV.
I found that hinging on the left side caused the frame to hit a ceiling speaker limiting the opening to maybe 30 degrees. I dropped the frame down 5/8" and made a filler piece to go behind it along the top. Of course now I couldn't open the top drawer and had to take 5/8" off the top of the drawer front. That went well and I was able to match the round-over and stain to match the original.
With the face frame done I started on the TV mount. I used 1/2" square steel tubing and some 3/4" x 1/8" flat stock. I'm embarrassed with the tig welds but at least they are out of sight. Guess I'm way out of practice not to mention going blind and getting the shakes. At least it is flat and holds the TV symmetrically in the opening. I angled the screen down as much as practical for the best viewing angle from bed. The top is about 1/2" proud of the frame with the bottom recessed. It would interfere with the closet door if I brought the top out any farther. I mounted it high in the opening to allow for a DVD player underneath and provide an outlet for the sound.
I need to build a latch to keep it closed to finish the project. All in all I'm happy with the results. Sure was a lot of work to gain 2".
But, if two extra inches makes my DW happy then it's worth it.
Tom
Mounting a larger TV on the front of the cabinet face frame would interfere with the closet door to the left. I elected to make a new face frame and enlarge it to accommodate a 24" mounted inside the opening. The face frame needed to be hinged to allow access for mounting and wiring the TV and accessories.
I started constructing a new face frame. I believe the original wood is Alder but I couldn't find any locally that was fit to use. I settled on Poplar. The grain pattern is very similar and when stained to match it blends in well. Kreg pocket screws drew the joints up tight and is a great way to quickly make a frame. The original was done the same way. I sized the inside width 1/4" wider than the Samsung TV.
I found that hinging on the left side caused the frame to hit a ceiling speaker limiting the opening to maybe 30 degrees. I dropped the frame down 5/8" and made a filler piece to go behind it along the top. Of course now I couldn't open the top drawer and had to take 5/8" off the top of the drawer front. That went well and I was able to match the round-over and stain to match the original.
With the face frame done I started on the TV mount. I used 1/2" square steel tubing and some 3/4" x 1/8" flat stock. I'm embarrassed with the tig welds but at least they are out of sight. Guess I'm way out of practice not to mention going blind and getting the shakes. At least it is flat and holds the TV symmetrically in the opening. I angled the screen down as much as practical for the best viewing angle from bed. The top is about 1/2" proud of the frame with the bottom recessed. It would interfere with the closet door if I brought the top out any farther. I mounted it high in the opening to allow for a DVD player underneath and provide an outlet for the sound.
I need to build a latch to keep it closed to finish the project. All in all I'm happy with the results. Sure was a lot of work to gain 2".
But, if two extra inches makes my DW happy then it's worth it.
Tom