After church today I was asked if I could make a frame for a wall mounted wide screen tv. I have searched the net and seen some for sale but no plans. Has anyone of you either built or know of a source of plans????? I'm thinking it would be quite basic, but attaching it to the wall is avoiding me. Plus, I'm wondering what the frame would be made of.

Thanks,

gary

Are they wanting to close the TV up in the frame?  Most LCD TV's give off a lot of heat. The frame would need to be vented probably in the bottom and top to allow for air movement.

 

I think what Gene suggested would work, but I would allow for air to pass through.

 

Most televisions will have guidelines in the owners manual about how much open space around the unit is required for ventilation. I recently installed a 42" tv which specified 4.5 inches of open space for the sides and behind. Most tv owners manuals are downloadable on the Internet if the owner no longer has it.

Mike

A plywood back would be a good idea. If I'm understanding correctly, the hanger would come off the wall.....and then be fastened again to the wall, through the plywood.............and more holes.

Yes, I'd like to use a hardwood, or a close grain inexpensive hardwood if they prefer painting.

Food for thought. Thanks gene

Gene Howe said:

For attaching to the wall, you use the present metal hanger. Just remove it and and mount it inside a box, trimming out the edges much like a cabinet face frame. I'd use hardwood ply, 1/2" thick. Maybe 3/4" for the back. Make your box 1 1/2" bigger all around the TV.

Screw the box to the studs through the back (with the hanger mounted), then hang the TV. Finally, attach the face frame. 

You can run the wires out the bottom.

I'd use a hardwood, that matches the plywood, for the 1 3/4" wide face frame. You'd probably want to 45 the face frame corners. That way you could add grooves or other profiling.  

This will all need to be finished before installing. 

We only had a few minutes to talk about this project, but that's what I assumed. I have be planning on vents, top and bottom, for good circulation. I guess I didn't know about how much heat, but now I can imagine a row of 10-12 holes maybe 1" to 1-1/4" diameter.

Thanks john

John Moody said:

Are they wanting to close the TV up in the frame?  Most LCD TV's give off a lot of heat. The frame would need to be vented probably in the bottom and top to allow for air movement.

 

I think what Gene suggested would work, but I would allow for air to pass through.

 

My understanding is that this is a new tv, so they should still have the owners manual. If I do this, I will have them check what the manufacturer recommends for ventilation. I darned sure don't want to be responsible for burning out their new boob tube.

For such a basic box...........you guys have sure throwed me curves I never thought of.

Thanks for all the input.

Mike Zilis said:

Most televisions will have guidelines in the owners manual about how much open space around the unit is required for ventilation. I recently installed a 42" tv which specified 4.5 inches of open space for the sides and behind. Most tv owners manuals are downloadable on the Internet if the owner no longer has it.


Mike