How to Build a Log Entertainment Center

If you have a cabin or other rustic style home, a log entertainment center will complete the theme. Now that televisions are thin plasma screens, traditional entertainment centers are not as essential as they were when the large, bulky 25-inch to 40-inch diameter television screens were popular. Instead of a large center space to rest the television screen, make shelves to hold all of your various game disks, controllers and game platforms. Leave room for standard board and card games as well.

6 2-inch diameter, 6-feet long peeled locust posts
12 2-inch diameter, 2-feet-long posts
6 24-inch by 3-feet-long shelves
Carpenters' glue
4-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter wood screws
Power drill, 1/8-inch diameter drill bit, 2-inch diameter hole saw
Countersink bit
Belt sander
Coarse, medium, fine and extra fine sandpaper
Clear acrylic wood treatment
Mortise and tenon cutter

Instructions

- 1
  
  Cut tenons into each end of the 2-inch diameter, 6 foot-long peeled locust posts. Cut 3 matching mortises in each of the 2-inch diameter, 2-foot-long posts, 6 inches from the top and bottom of the entertainment center, and one in the middle. Make a second set of mortises at a 90 degree angle from the first set, for the short shelf supports.
- 2
  Apply glue to the ends of each of the tenons and inside the mortises. Push the tenons into each mortise one at a time, wiping away any excess glue. Allow to dry overnight.
- 3
  Use a power drill and a 1/8-inch drill bit to make two pilot holes through each long post and into each short post, about 1 inch apart. Countersink all holes. Secure all long and short boards to the log entertainment center using 4-inch wood screws. Center the shelf pieces on each shelf. Secure with 1-1/2 inch long, 1/4-inch diameter wood screws.
- 4
  Use split slab wood to make a back and sides, if desired, for your log entertainment center. Run the slab wood through a few passes on your jointer to made the edges straight and square.
  
  Cut exit holes in the slab wood back piece, using a 2-inch diameter hole saw, to run the power cords of all the electronic gear you intend to house through them. The number and placement will depend on how many cords you have.
- 5
  Hold the back piece in place. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes every 4 inches along the top and bottom logs, beginning at one corner, through the slab wood and into the base. Countersink all holes. Secure the back to the entertainment center. Repeat for each side of your new log entertainment center.
- 6
  Place all your game consoles and speakers on the appropriate shelf, with cords run through the holes you made.

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