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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 06:45:06 pm

Title: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 06:45:06 pm
I want to cut down the front TV box and would like to know if I am figuring it correctly.

If I take measurement A and use that to mark B with that measurement from the forward edge of the radius and set the fence on my table saw and cut off C will that work?

My plan is to put a flat screen on a mount  and put a couple of shelves in the box for storage.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Foretravel/Forums-post-1/i-N38TmfL/0/4e756a06/M/TV%20box-M.jpg)
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: craneman on February 14, 2019, 06:55:51 pm
This might be another option.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: wolfe10 on February 14, 2019, 07:00:48 pm
Steve,

I like your  "make it look OE" approach. 

What I have done is remove the "box" that the original TV is installed in and "fit" the new TV in it.  Much more precise than measuring and cutting.

Agreed, you will cut off the height and depth.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 07:10:37 pm
That is about what I am considering but see if I can find a flip up MORyde mount.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on February 14, 2019, 07:16:26 pm
I like your  "make it look OE" approach.  What I have done is remove the "box" that the original TV is installed in and "fit" the new TV in it.  Much more precise than measuring and cutting. Agreed, you will cut off the height and depth.
Here's what Brett did:
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 07:20:22 pm
Steve,
I like your  "make it look OE" approach. 
What I have done is remove the "box" that the original TV is installed in and "fit" the new TV in it.  Much more precise than measuring and cutting.
Agreed, you will cut off the height and depth.
I have a TV that is not real big but about 6" wider that the one that is in the box and as mine sets to the street side I would have to cut up the center storage area and cut down the glass.

I guess I could pull the whole thing and rebuild it and put the TV to the center of the coach.  Hardest part would be finding some Oak to match, I have the saws, planer and routers.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Foretravel/Forums-post-1/i-LgVcbHs/0/85f34e55/L/rv-37626-39-L.jpg)
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 07:26:06 pm
Yes that is a option also, that would have to be a winter project as from now until Dec about the only month I dont have a trip planned is August "LOL"
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: stevec22 on February 14, 2019, 07:30:03 pm
Steve, I thought about doing what you are thinking about doing.  However I have no woodworking skills and when I got the old TV out I discovered that the sides of the box are a thin walnut veneer plywood.  If you do it you will need to remount the framing inside the box to provide structure for support.

I ended up just attaching a 2"x8" framing at the back of the box and attached a tilt/swivel mount.  The TV can be pulled out to access the electronics when needed. 

It was not an elegant solution and the TV is still a head knocker on occasion, but it was easy and worked for me.  If you have  cabinet building skills you may be able to be successful with your proposal.

Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Forewheelers on February 14, 2019, 07:55:15 pm
I did the same thing as Craneman did. I had a cabinet maker friend take a look at it and his comment has that he could do anything in the coach I wanted due to the quality of the wood. He did both tv cabinets. That same job in Nac would cost a couple of thousand. He did it for a couple of hundred.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: gracerace on February 14, 2019, 08:08:05 pm
PO, widened, and cut down the cabinet. I don't have measurements, but can go measure if you want.

The left plexi cabinet door is narrowed slightly

The one picture is when I had it apart to re-wire and run all HDMI cables

BTW, a wet towel, and a iron, will take all the imprint from the old cabinet in the ceiling. You can see it before in one pic.

Chris
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: juicesqueezer on February 14, 2019, 08:17:49 pm
When we find our next coach, I will be removing one of the couch's or single chair and installing a desk with lifting TV.  This way, we can sit across and look directly at the TV when viewing a show.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 08:29:35 pm
Steve, I thought about doing what you are thinking about doing.  However I have no woodworking skills and when I got the old TV out I discovered that the sides of the box are a thin walnut veneer plywood.  If you do it you will need to remount the framing inside the box to provide structure for support.
Thanks Steve, that was what I was pondering at first.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 08:34:00 pm
I did the same thing as Craneman did. I had a cabinet maker friend take a look at it and his comment has that he could do anything in the coach I wanted due to the quality of the wood. He did both tv cabinets. That same job in Nac would cost a couple of thousand. He did it for a couple of hundred.
Thanks Lyn, I might cost about $100 for some 1" or 1-1/4 sticks then the rest I can just use 3/4" stuff and have some left over to match the finish, the 2 glass doors should not be much at all.  Biggest thing will be time, you know how retirement is, not much free time "LOL"
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 08:40:27 pm
PO, widened, and cut down the cabinet. I don't have measurements, but can go measure if you want.
The left plexi cabinet door is narrowed slightly
The one picture is when I had it apart to re-wire and run all HDMI cables
BTW, a wet towel, and a iron, will take all the imprint from the old cabinet in the ceiling. You can see it before in one pic.
Chris
Thanks Chris that is about what I will do but move it to the center so it is easier to watch from either side .
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 14, 2019, 08:44:43 pm
When we find our next coach, I will be removing one of the couch's or single chair and installing a desk with lifting TV.  This way, we can sit across and look directly at the TV when viewing a show.
I thought of something like that Joe, I have a small fold out table thing behind the co-pilot seat but then I could not see it from the table where I spend most of my computer time.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Gayle McNeece on February 14, 2019, 08:59:38 pm
We just removed the entire box.  The flatscreen tvs don't need a box.  Just mount it in the space where the box has been removed.  Then find something to cover the ceiling damage.  We were lucky and found some matching ceiling material.  I have seen the "wound" also covered with thin matching wood.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on February 14, 2019, 09:50:09 pm
The PO took out the entire box and put on an immovable mount and a 32" LCD TV.  I took all of that out, mounted a plywood piece to the two vertical aluminum frames and then a TV mount that can extend outward, move to either side, swivel and tilt and hung a 39" Vizio TV on it.  I now have a 40" 4K Samsung Smart TV there. It is about flush with the cabinet

Plywood is 2 - 1/2" Baltic birch plywood pieces glues together for a 1" thick panel.  T nuts on the back side make it easy to bolt to the aluminum framework and bolt the mount to the plywood.

I used this mount.
Amazon.com: Mount-It! 32" 36" 67" 40" 42" 46" 50" 52" 55" LCD Compatible... (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B004AGSFZW/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Tim on February 15, 2019, 05:20:34 am
I cut my original TV box to align it with it's adjacent front cabinet. Due to angular differences, there are several wedge-shaped gaps that look unprofessional, but it looks 90% better from 10ft away.

I am looking to purchase smoked clear plastic to match to other front cabinet doors.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 15, 2019, 07:42:20 am
I am looking to purchase smoked clear plastic to match to other front cabinet doors.
Thanks Tim, are yours plastic or tempered glass? I think mine are glass.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on February 15, 2019, 08:07:51 am
I am looking to purchase smoked clear plastic to match to other front cabinet doors.
I purchased some translucent white Plexiglas acrylic panels from this outfit (to repair our shower skylight).  They have a wide selection of materials at decent prices, and shipped my order quickly.  They might have what you need?

https://www.estreetplastics.com/Default.asp
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: John Haygarth on February 15, 2019, 10:52:42 am
Steve, I took ours down then cut 4"off the back side then replaced the strengthners around inside rear. Then put onto the aluminum frame the tv arm. Replaced box and you could not see any change from oem.
Flat screen sits across face of box. To make the  cutting job easier use a vibrating hand saw and new blade. Less chance of screwing up in table saw.
JohnH
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: bbeane on February 16, 2019, 12:29:15 am
I removed the box, cut the cabinet down (very easy) then used hull linner material to cover the old foot print. 40" TV. Pm me for details if you like
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 16, 2019, 06:35:07 am
I removed the box, cut the cabinet down (very easy) then used hull linner material to cover the old foot print. 40" TV. Pm me for details if you like
Thanks Bruce,  that hull linner material look like a good match
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: wolfe10 on February 16, 2019, 08:16:59 am
That is OZITE aka monkey fur.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Chris m lang on February 16, 2019, 10:00:53 am
Brett, Where do you get OZITE?
Chris

Foss Floors in Georgia makes/made it.  There website has no search feature, but contact them on Monday.  You could also check with Foretravel to find out exactly what color Ozite they used.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: John Haygarth on February 16, 2019, 11:11:36 am
Go to an upholstery  shop and ask for sample of boat hull cloths. That is what I did and matched it up .
JohnH
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 16, 2019, 11:42:04 am

80" Wide Superflex Ozite Automotive Carpet (https://www.yourautotrim.com/80wideozite.html)

80 Wide Superflex Ozite Automotive Carpet (https://www.grahamfabrics.com/80-wide-superflex-ozite-automotive-carpet/)
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: gracerace on February 16, 2019, 01:04:06 pm
I removed the box, cut the cabinet down (very easy) then used hull linner material to cover the old foot print. 40" TV. Pm me for details if you like

Nice job dude....Fox huh!
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on February 16, 2019, 05:20:22 pm
Or use a matching vinyl fabric (matching is hard to do) or a contrasting one glued on a 1/8" masonite board.  Much thinner.
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Barry & Cindy on February 17, 2019, 07:12:20 pm
Go big, bigger the better with flat panel TVs.  Mount securely to wall bracket.

We found OEM aluminum structure a great place to bolt a wall mount.

See both our earlier and later larger mount pics:

Front 37 inch LCD TV Replacement - 1997 U-270 (https://beamalarm.com/Documents/Modifications/Television/37-inch-lcd-tv-install-1997-u270.html)

47" TV Remodel in a 1997 U270 (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/Modifications/Television/47-inch-lcd-tv-install-1997-u270.htm.html)


Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Super8mm on February 17, 2019, 08:04:47 pm
Go big, bigger the better with flat panel TVs.  Mount securely to wall bracket.
We found OEM aluminum structure a great place to bolt a wall mount.
See both our earlier and later larger mount pics:
Front 37 inch LCD TV Replacement - 1997 U-270[/url]
Thanks Barry, it looks like you moved your DVD and stuff got moved to the cabinet above the driver?
Title: Re: Cut Down TV Box
Post by: Barry & Cindy on February 18, 2019, 12:46:58 pm
Steve, Above driver's are DVD player and some other stuff, but have our DirecTV DVRs to the right of TV in an open cabinet. All could have been put above driver's chair and if there is closed door, an IR repeater would work for IR remotes. Door closed over RF remotes don't need repeaters. But closed doors over electronics tend to keep heat in, so no doors have an advantage.