How To Build A Turntable Stand

Do you have a record player collecting dust in your home?

Why not give it the attention it deserves by building a custom stand for it?

Not only will it provide a place of meaning for your beloved turntable, but it can also serve as a stylish storage solution for your records.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to build your own turntable stand using plywood and some basic tools.

With a little bit of effort, you’ll have a beautiful and functional piece of furniture that will make your record player the centerpiece of any room.

So let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather Materials

The first step in building your turntable stand is to gather all the necessary materials. You’ll need 3/4″ plywood, hairpin legs, iron-on edge banding, wood glue, screws, and a sound-activated party light (optional).

You can find these materials at your local hardware store or online. Make sure to measure the dimensions of your record player and records to ensure that the stand will fit properly.

Step 2: Cut the Plywood

Using a track saw, cut the plywood to the depth of the cabinet. Measure and mark for the four sides of the box. For now, work on the piece as one giant board instead of cutting the sides out individually.

Step 3: Attach Oak to Front

Attach 1×3 inch oak to the front of the plywood using a mortising drill, floating tenons, and wood glue. Run the board through the table saw to get the front piece of the oak to the correct dimension. Using a router, round off the front edge of the oak and make a rabbet cut on the back end of the panel.

Step 4: Cut Panels

Set the track saw to 45 degrees. Then, cut one side of each panel where it was marked. Once all the pieces are cut, flip the board upside down and make the opposing 45 degree cuts.

Step 5: Assemble Box

Hold the boards together where the miters come together and mark both sides with a pencil. Then, angle the mortising drill to 45 degrees and drill mortises for the floating tenons at an angle. Assemble the box using floating tenons, wood glue, and a hammer. Clamp the box together and give it about half an hour to set up.

Step 6: Cut Red Oak

Cut 1×4 inch red oak to size so it will fit inside the box towards the top and attach it to the box using floating tenons.

Step 7: Cut Molding

Cut molding to size on a miter saw to fit around the edges of the box and miter the corners.

Step 8: Sand Everything

Sand everything using a circular sander. Start with 100 grit and work up to 220 grit sandpaper. Wipe off excess dust from sanding with a tack cloth.

Step 9: Apply Wood Conditioner

Apply a wood conditioner to the box using a paintbrush. Allow conditioner to dry.

Step 10: Apply Wood Stain

Apply a wood stain to the box. Apply it with a brush and then wipe off excess with a rag. Allow each coat to dry before applying next coat.

Step 11: Attach Legs

Attach legs to base of cabinet using provided hardware and a drill.

Step 12: Add Optional Party Light

If desired, drill a hole in back of stand for party light.

Materials Needed

To build a turntable stand, you will need the following materials:

– 3/4″ plywood

– Hairpin legs

– Iron-on edge banding

– Wood glue

– Screws

– Sound-activated party light (optional)

These materials can be found at your local hardware store or online. Make sure to measure the dimensions of your record player and records to ensure that the stand will fit properly. In addition to these materials, you will also need access to tools such as a track saw, miter saw, mortising drill, router, circular sander, and a drill.

Measuring And Cutting The Plywood

Measuring and cutting the plywood is an important step in building your turntable stand. To ensure that the stand fits your record player and records properly, you should measure the dimensions of your equipment before cutting the plywood.

After attaching 1×3 inch oak to the front of the plywood using a mortising drill, floating tenons, and wood glue, run the board through the table saw to get the front piece of the oak to the correct dimension. Using a router, round off the front edge of the oak and make a rabbet cut on the back end of the panel.

Set the track saw to 45 degrees. Then, cut one side of each panel where it was marked. Once all the pieces are cut, flip the board upside down and make opposing 45 degree cuts.

Cut 1×4 inch red oak to size so it will fit inside the box towards the top and attach it to the box using floating tenons. Cut molding to size on a miter saw to fit around the edges of the box and miter the corners.

After sanding everything using a circular sander starting with 100 grit and working up to 220 grit sandpaper, wipe off excess dust from sanding with a tack cloth. Apply a wood conditioner to the box using a paintbrush and allow conditioner to dry.

Apply a wood stain to the box using a brush and then wipe off excess with a rag. Allow each coat to dry before applying next coat. Attach legs to base of cabinet using provided hardware and a drill. If desired, drill a hole in back of stand for party light.

Assembling The Base

Now that you have all the pieces for the base of your turntable stand, it’s time to assemble them. Start by holding the boards together where the miters come together and mark both sides with a pencil. Then, angle the mortising drill to 45 degrees and drill mortises for the floating tenons at an angle.

Next, assemble the box using floating tenons, wood glue, and a hammer. Clamp the box together and give it about half an hour to set up. Once it’s set up, cut 1×4 inch red oak to size so it will fit inside the box towards the top and attach it to the box using floating tenons.

After that, cut molding to size on a miter saw to fit around the edges of the box and miter the corners. Sand everything using a circular sander, starting with 100 grit and working up to 220 grit sandpaper. Wipe off excess dust from sanding with a tack cloth.

Apply a wood conditioner to the box using a paintbrush and allow it to dry. Then, apply a wood stain to the box. Apply it with a brush and then wipe off excess with a rag. Allow each coat to dry before applying next coat.

Finally, attach legs to base of cabinet using provided hardware and a drill. If desired, drill a hole in back of stand for party light. With these steps completed, your turntable stand base is now assembled and ready for use!

Building The Shelves

Now that the main box is assembled, it’s time to build the shelves. Using a Dado blade, make the necessary cuts for the shelves. Once you have made all of the dado and rabbet cuts, line up the outside frame of the stand. Measure and cut the shelves to fit inside the dado cuts that you have made, then apply glue to adhere them into place.

Use a mallet to level up the corners and make them flush. Next, use iron-on tape with a wood finish to cover the edges of the plywood. This tape is made out of real wood and can be easily applied. Just measure out what you need and cut it with scissors. Start in the middle and get it to attach, avoiding holding the iron in any one place for too long to avoid burning the wood.

Smooth out any imperfections with a dowel at the end and trim excess tape off of the edges with a razor blade. Smooth out any rough edges by sanding lightly with 220 grit sandpaper.

Glue the top piece on and then use decorative dowels to hold it in place. Clamp it on and let it dry. Drill holes into the top piece for dowels to be inserted, then insert them slightly glued over top of the holes. Cut them down to the surface of the top of the piece and sand that area smooth for finishing.

Finally, apply 1/8″ plywood to the back panel of the piece separately before staining it with a rag and sealing it off with a topcoat of lacquer. Attach legs using shorter screws that will line up easier, ensuring they don’t poke through the bottom of the piece. With these steps completed, your turntable stand is ready for use!

Sanding And Finishing The Stand

After assembling the turntable stand, the next step is to sand and finish it. This process will give the stand a smooth surface and a polished look.

Start by using a circular sander with 100 grit sandpaper to sand the entire surface of the stand. Make sure to sand in the direction of the grain to avoid damaging the wood. Once you’ve sanded the entire surface, switch to 220 grit sandpaper and repeat the process.

After sanding, wipe off any excess dust from the surface of the stand using a tack cloth. Then, apply a wood conditioner to the stand using a paintbrush. This will help the wood absorb the stain more evenly. Allow the conditioner to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Next, apply a wood stain to the stand using a brush. Apply it in even strokes and make sure to cover all areas of the stand. Once you’ve applied the stain, use a rag to wipe off any excess and give it time to dry completely. Depending on how dark you want your finish, you may need to apply multiple coats of stain.

Once your final coat of stain has dried completely, it’s time to apply a topcoat of lacquer or polyurethane to protect the wood and give it a glossy finish. Apply it using a brush or spray can and make sure to cover all areas of the stand. Allow it to dry completely before handling.

Finally, attach any remaining components such as hairpin legs or optional party lights as desired. With these final touches, your turntable stand is now complete and ready for use!

Adding Final Touches And Decorations

Now that you have completed building your turntable stand, it’s time to add some final touches and decorations. These small details can really make your stand stand out and add a personal touch to it. Here are some ideas:

1. Paint – If you want to add a pop of color or a custom design to your stand, consider painting it. You can use stencils or freehand designs to create a unique look.

2. Stencils – If you prefer a more subtle approach, consider using stencils to add decorative touches to your stand. You can find stencils online or at your local craft store.

3. Decorative Pieces – Adding decorative pieces such as knobs, handles, or even antique pieces can give your turntable stand a unique and vintage look. You can find these pieces at antique stores or online.

4. Iron-On Edge Banding – Covering the edges of your plywood with iron-on edge banding can give your stand a polished and finished look. This can be done easily with a little patience and a hot iron.

5. Top Trim Piece – Adding a top trim piece can give your stand a more refined look. Use wood glue and pocket hole screws to attach the trim piece to the stand.

Remember, the final touches and decorations are all about personalizing your turntable stand to fit your style and taste. Be creative and have fun with it!