Monitor Stand Construction Question (long)

[boblon]

Need some opinions here. Hopefully I can post my question correctly and clearly.

I am building a monitor stand. It is approx 45" long, 13" deep. Here is a (admittedly bad) line view looking dead on the front.



The segments edges were cut using a birdmouth router bit and glued up using poly glue

Each end will have a drawer in the space. It will hold a 3x1 lcd monitor setup. This one in fact:

http://www.digitaltigers.com/displays-trio.shtml

The space between them will allow a keyboard to be slid up under it, approx span 19"-20"

I don't know for sure how much the monitor weighs, but lets say 40 to 50 pounds.

I plan on facing the front and back with a contrasting wood. Now we're getting to the question:

Since the front face and solid back will be glued to the rest of it long grain to long grain do you think that will be enough to keep the rest from wanting to spread under the weight of the monitors or do I need to screw or dowel the front face and back into each segment of the body?

I would rather not and I think the glued up front frame and back panel will hold it.

What do ya'll think?

BobL.

[gerti]

Hmm... I think I'd be more concerned about sag in that 20" span. Oh, and this:

Each end will have a drawer in the space. It will hold a 3x1 lcd monitor setup. This one in fact:

http://www.digitaltigers.com/displays-trio.shtml

earns you a heartfelt


You suck!

[wardprobst]

BobL,
I think it will hold up that much weight. I don't think dowels are needed. You might put some weight on it just to see how it flexes. Nice monitor...
DP

[boblon]

Ok guys, it's not my moniter set up. It for the Network Control Center at work. It is pretty slick though.

BobL.

[cabinetman]

Any details on the drawer for each opening? Are they to take the shape of the opening? As for the center, maybe you double the thickness of the connector, if that's possible.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[boblon]

The drawers won't add any structural support and I'm not worried about the center span holding the weight of the monitors.

My concern is that the downward force would have a tendency to seperate the 4 joints at the outside of the ovals. These joints are mostly endgrain.

I'm thinking the a sold back accross the ovals should stabilize it and would hope the all that long grain to long grain glue-up would preclude the need for other re-inforcement (ie screws/dowels).

BobL.

[cabinetman]

If you've got good fitting joints with sufficient glue, they should hold even though they are end grain. Clamping those angles will be fun.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[Wood_workur]

which one of the lcds?

[scorrpio]

Weight is right there in the specs. Just click 'More' and scroll down to specifications. 32lbs for a 17" set, 42.5lbs for 19", 60lbs for 21", etc.

[boblon]

Thanks for the input guys. I am very confident that the integrity of the stand with the glued on face and back will be more than sufficient.

The lcd setup is a 19" in the center and two vertical 17" wings.

This is one of those projects that came about because I was tired of building shop cabinets and such and re-arranging the shop and wanted a project that didn't involve plywood and MDF. Kind of walked into it sideways you might say.

Is and interesting project though, and that is what I was looking for.

Thanks again,
BobL.