Rockin' RECORD STORAGE

Stash your wax in mid-century style with this simple mitered case

- Chad McClung

We’re calling this cool cabinet a “Basic Build,” but with a few caveats. As you can see from the drawing, this retro record stand has only a few parts, and is fairly simple in its overall construction. However, before you drop the needle and get started on this project, be aware that a few of the procedures require careful attention to stay in the groove.

Take the joinery, for example. Grainwrapped case miters are a clean and classic way to join panels at corners, but done sloppily, they can introduce sour notes in a piece. Routing perfectly fitting dadoes for hardwood plywood can be tricky, and assembling a cabinet like this definitely requires rehearsal. Likewise, applying and trimming hardwood edging, making solid drawers, and fitting inset false fronts all require finesse. But, done well, it pays off in a piece that sings.

We’ve jazzed up this article with tips and jigs to help develop your chops while adding to your catalog of useful woodworking accessories. Best of all, you’ll also have a sturdy, attractive cabinet to accommodate more than fifty vinyl LP’s. The two drawers will hold headphones and other audio gear. Ready? Let’s rock.

Plywood for the case, hardwood for the edging

With a few judicious cuts, you can grain-wrap your case parts from one sheet of 3/4" birch plywood. Miter-cut ends are joined with biscuits, and the 1/2"-thick back fits into rabbets that run along the rear

edges of the top, bottom, and sides. Dadoes in the top and bottom hold the divider. Hardwood edging hides the plies. Inexpensive and easyto-install hairpin legs prop up this handsome retro storage cabinet.

Make and miter the case parts