This
project grew from the frustration of having to reach behind my computer
one too many times to connect/disconnect A/V cables. Keep in mind, in
2001 most computer manufactures did not include front mounted
A/V and USB ports so I decided the solution was to simply mount A/V
jacks in a monitor stand and leave the cables running from the back
permanently hooked up . All I had to do was come up with a cool design
for the stand. I wanted to include something with a curve but since I
do not own a band saw, it would have to be done with a belt sander and a
router table. As a result, this project had a five month gap in the
production sequence (click here for more
on that incident). After getting back on track the project came together very quickly. The top and front panel are butternut and the legs are cypress. I picked up the A/V jacks at a local electronics store and the mini-clock at Woodcraft. Tools used were power sanders, router table, drill press and biscuit joiner. All in all, the lumber cost less than the A/V jacks and the entire project was under $40. Sometimes it just feels great to be a woodworker! Everything is finished in Bartley's Satin Gel Finish.
UPDATE 2008: The pic above was taken in my office a few months before the monitor stand was relegated to duty supporting my back-up office computer. The advent of flat panel screens and front A/V ports meant the stand took up more space than it should. consequently, I look forward to building a new butternut stand some day in the near future.
