Making a Mid Century Modern Credenza | I Like To Make Stuff

I wanted to make a nice mid century modern credenza to hold my newest fresh-water fish tank. Using some walnut plywood, I built a sliding-door cabinet to hold all of the fish tank's support equipment.
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We started this credenza project in Fusion 360 where we created a 3d model of the mid century modern piece. The design had to a good mixture of aesthetics and structure because this credenza if going to hold my new fresh-water fish tank. The 29 gallon tank and equipment weighs about 300 lbs (135 Kg) so it had to be strong to support it and still function as a nice piece of furniture. I wanted the credenza doors to slide from side to side instead of open on hinges. Modeling the credenza allowed me to visualize designs for the doors and to decide on stylistic leg assemblies. After I decided on a design, I created a cut list and began breaking down the walnut plywood.
I know that walnut plywood isn't readily accessible to a lot of people (tbh, it isn't really accessible to me either), and it usually costs more than maple or birch plywoods. I found a supplier online and had to have the material delivered to my house. If you've never used walnut plywood, this totally sounds like a hassle, but believe me when I tell you, it's totally worth it. Walnut plywood is really beautiful and looks so much nicer than stained birch plywood. I used the cut list from Fusion 360 and my table saw to break down the material into its individual components. Basically, the credenza is a box with (or without) shelves. Once I cut the pieces to size, I used a center-finding jig to place holes for dowels and applied walnut edge banding with an iron.
The sides and the center support are sandwiched in between the top and bottom panels. To save on the expensive walnut plywood, I used a panel of 1/2" maple plywood for the back panel that sits inside a rabbet along the back. Because I wanted half of the credenza to have shelves, I used a shelf pin jig to place those holes in the right places. Now that there is a nice looking plywood box, I had to cut the leg assemblies that the cabinet would sit on.
I cut the curved legs on my Avid CNC, but you could totally measure out and cut the pieces with a jigsaw (our plans will include those measurements). Because the fish tank on top will be pretty heavy, I wanted to make sure that the credenza cabinet sat directly on some portion of the legs, not just attached to the sides with screws. To accomplish this, I screwed in the two taller leg assemblies on either side, mounted a doubled-up short leg directly in the center. This arrangement allowed for just the center legs to sit in direct compression. To help offer more support, I cut some matching shorter legs and glued them to the inside of the outside assemblies.
Now that I have a free-standing, structurally-sound open cabinet, I want to make some unique sliding doors. I came up with a simple radiant design that Josh cut on the CNC. We took those cut lines and filled then with darker walnut strips creating a cool pattern. Because I wanted these doors to slide back and forth, I used some walnut lumber to make a strip with two channels cut into it. Two of these strips, one top and one bottom, would hold the door panels, allowing them to slide in each channel. Before fixing them in place permanently, I used a biscuit jointer to cut a small slot in the bottom of both door panels. To help reduce friction while moving, I cut some small pieces of acrylic and glued them into the bottom slots. I mounted the strips and the doors captured in them inside the credenza opening.
To hide the front edge of the door strips, I used more walnut lumber to make a simple mitered face frame. These four pieces were glued to the front of the plywood box and secured with pin nails. I used polycrylic finish on the entire cabinet and paste wax inside the door channels. Before I set up the fish tank, Josh and I sat on top of the credenza and made sure that the doors still worked under load.
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Making a Mid Century Modern Credenza | I Like To Make Stuff
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I Like To Make Stuff
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[@JoshMakesStuff]

It's been in use for about a month and it doesn't sag, the doors slide just fine. There is a small groove in the lower track, but it kinda helps. Chill presumptive structural engineers, it's all good. FIRST!

[@Wordsnwood]

Totally chill. Plywood *on edge* is ridiculously strong. I built a stand somewhat like this back in 2009. 30 gallon, 300lb, worked for years. Looks good, guys!

[@myoung14]

Nice build and video. As someone who is still learning and making plenty of mistakes I wish you explained what goof you made with the door tracks. Thanks for the content.

[@jayhitek]

Agree'd. If you look at how real commercial fish tank stands are built.. They do not look that sturdy at all but work just fine.

[@PTechMedia]

@@jayhitek and they're actually usually s###

[@PTechMedia]

@Daniel Kintigh the critics always turn up to critique

[@I3urton]

Thanks for staying true, Bob. I love that you don't try to hide your mistakes, but rather show that you can make them and still get an amazing final product!

[@sjbl1962]

"I'm pretty excited about that." Kind of a DAD thing to say about extra storage. Really nice build.

[@ChocoHearts]

Two fish are in a tank. One asks the other, "Do you know how to drive this thing?" The other fish replies, "AHHH, a talking fish!"

[@jimdouglas3038]

This video is exactly why I love ILTMS videos. You show the mistakes. It shows that even people that know what they are doing good up sometimes and it’s ok. It makes us people that don’t know what we are doing feel better when we goof up and not be afraid to try something.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much!

[@SteveGoodenough]

I really enjoy that you are open about mistakes made or changes to the design made as you went along, makes it all feel real.

[@suyog1260]

I am a simple man.. I see aquariums I hit like button 😍😍😍

[@jebowlin3879]

I like the asymmetry of the rays on the doors, it contrasts with the square linear shape of the whole thing overall

[@MrClarkisgod]

Protip for people wanting to build this. Trim a 1/2" off the door height and replace it with a strip of hardwood on the bottom. It will slide better, wear harder, and last for decades. Even good plywood doesn't wear well on the edge.

[@mattrinne]

I'm not going to go searching for any comments about the design because the haters would frustrate me too much. This design is awesome! I bet Picciuto loves it too! I think if I make this I would leave the inlay proud of the ply then you would have something to add some friction as you open the doors. At least just a tiny bit so it wouldn'tn interfere with the other door. Might also add a cool shadow effect with certain lighting.

[@Paftastic]

I have a hard time getting walnut plywood locally as well. I use a walnut veneer with a 3M sticky back built in (Amazon) on top of locally available cabinet grade plywood. It's a little cheaper and way easier to get a hold of for me. Great project!

[@RandyWillcox]

I'm obsessed with this channel now. And I can't stop envisioning tackling this, perhaps with a colored resin, maybe jade or teal, in place of the walnut strips in the doors. 🤔

[@amygoersch8394]

Looks amazing and is strong enough to support the tank, I'd call that a win. Fishkeeping is a great hobby to add to your lengthy list of pass time activities.

[@DropThatRamen]

I love my freshwater tank! I hope your return to the hobby treats you well!

[@IngunnHoldenBe]

A really elegant piece of furniture! 👍

[@sebastiantreloar6045]

Its nice to see you taking up the slack on awesome joinery videos while David is off welding go-karts together 😏😝

[@G2bb101]

Honestly, Bob the patter you put in is the main reason I like this project!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Turned out great, awesome job! 😃👌🏻👍🏻👊🏻

[@forby_]

🤘⚡️🥓

[@DennerBob]

Loved going through the whole process of this one coming together, and I know Bob wasn't looking for validation when he mentioned the door pattern, but i like that counter-radiating thing it has going on 👍

[@pwprescott]

After years of seeing you on my phone, I just watched this on my new smart TV. Thank you for making this in 4K. I could see every splinter you sanded off the edge of the plywood, and the wood grain looks awesome. It’s beautiful. Also, you look about 5 years older when I can see that same level of detail on your face. Not a bad thing.

[@Unlovable]

Love the outcome I think brass would've looked good as an inlay in the front too.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Agreed!

[@stevenryan6759]

@@Iliketomakestuff ive done exactly this! check out my IG designthenmake

[@thomaslinville2979]

I recommend putting that canister filter in a plastic bucket in case the seals leak. I’d like to make a dresser with that leg design and pattern across all the drawers!

[@dieselWillie421]

I really like the combination of digital fabrication and 'tradtional' fabrication. Another thing you can use for the plastic runners would be cheap plastic cutting boards. I think it's called UHMW plastic. It's used a lot in industrial applications for a bearing surface. It's has kind of a self lubricating property and you can cut it with regular wood working tools. Thank you for the video.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That a great idea!

[@yabe5094]

I‘m so confused. The video was uploaded 1 hour ago, and this comment is from yesterday..?

[@sqrtroot9312]

@@Iliketomakestuff Another good material for this is Delrin, also called POM or acetal. It is used for plastic bearings, because of it's great friction coefficient and it's self lubrication

[@cwize]

You need more friends spooooooky

[@bs838]

@@yabe5094 probably some patreon thing, unlisted first for people who send money then public later for us plebs

[@zacprunty]

That walnut on walnut inlay is GENIUS. using that in a future project. LOVE IT.

[@jayhitek]

Love fish tanks. Welcome back! I have a 36 and a 72. And as of 5 years ago I had a custom 300 I built. I miss it dearly. RIP.

[@madebym.e.]

Nice trick with the doors 👍

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!

[@reforzar]

The acrylic slides are brilliant.

[@laidenc]

Great to see the way you guys worked through the different obstacles like the peg holes and different sliding methods. And of course it looks awesome! Enjoy the hobby Bob :)

[@buuza7406]

Diggin the tracks in this...👌

[@Akira_203]

as an alternative I'd recommend chunks out of a dollar store cutting board. Polished and waxed they are even smoother.

[@JusBidniss]

FYI, when doing doors like this for shop cabinets, I've cut the top track twice as deep, which allows the doors to be lifted up and the bottom to swing out for easy removal. Not needed in your case here, both for a sense of permanence with a piece of furniture, and also due to the divided space behind them. In my shop cabinets, they go in front of an undivided space, so easy removal helps when storing items larger than the half opening exposed by sliding both doors to one side or the other.

[@forby_]

That's a great solution

[@JusBidniss]

@@forby_ Thanks! I got the idea from the plastic track strips you can purchase, which has the top one with deeper grooves, but rather than paying $6 or whatever for a pair of those, waxing plywood edges in softwood grooves works well enough for my shop doors.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job on the mid century credenza Bob! Thanks for sharing the video with us💖👌👍😎JP

[@thisquietplace]

Great video! I recommend giving a saltwater tank a shot as well, it's a bit of work to begin with, but so awesome when it gets cycled and stabilised, and those corals start to open up

[@risky8370]

I've been doing aquariums for years and years. Always making my own stands. But for strength and usability. This is a brilliant idea! Gonna have to give it a shot!

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

I really like this build, and what makes it spectacular are the doors. Liked them without the inlays, but loved them with the inlays. Nice work. Enjoy the fish, and if you want I can take your BB-8 lego and put it in a safe spot in my house. 😉

[@cwize]

Great piece. Simple and strong. Love the mid-century vibe as well! Good tips on the weight transfer with the legs.

[@iqaznili]

Miss those videos. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

They haven't gone anywhere.

[@ElvesofZion]

Love the Aquarist hobby. Would love to see more related builds.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That's a great idea!

[@ElvesofZion]

@@Iliketomakestuff some ideas : build a tank (working with pieces of acrylic or glass would be nice content), build some hardscape, build some electronics for controlling the lights/filter etc. , build a custom light rig.

[@akhurash]

Awesome project. Looks great!

[@garythree]

Looks beautiful!

[@JkCanvas]

Thank you for sharing and most importantly showing the goof’s and how you fixed them. Learn something new with every video.

[@mjmjmj8683]

One of the most beautiful and wonderful videos

[@timmspencer4632]

Great job! You were one of the first people to get me into woodworking.

[@donavanmcelroy6263]

Wow! What a beautiful build. 👍

[@lizb444]

Such a classy credenza. Thanks for the inspiration and the plans!

[@Kkuts37]

Door panels are awesome! Reminds me of the 70's record cabinets! Great job!! :)

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

3:37 Bringing back the original-style "I Like to Make Stuff" soundtrack! 👍

[@Iliketomakestuff]

It really brought me back.

[@forby_]

Pretty similar, right?!? 😄

[@ThisIsReMarkable]

It was good vibes 😁

[@hunterbeaulaurier1614]

So good!!

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

Bob this was such a great combination of building techniques. Keep up the great work!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@ClaesKamp]

Love tone in tone details like those walnut inlays. Super nice work!

[@tharemyhopkins5873]

That turned out great! I was really nervous when you talked about sanding the walnut inlay - knowing how thin that veneer can be and how quick you can sand through it. Using the card scraper was a great idea, and I'm glad it all went well!

[@dwmonk2000]

Love it. It looks great. Pretty fish choice. Looking forward for the project.

[@Bri-tg6xr]

Very cool build!

[@texasmike433]

Looks awesome Bob. I love the pattern of the doors.

[@dougjohnson9718]

It seems like everything you make is always so perfect. I love that you showed the mistakes you made and the problems that you had to overcome and their solutions. Great video, the piece looks beautiful!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Our projects are never perfect, but we are constantly trying to get better.

[@woodlandburl6648]

Very nice job.

[@jeremyvdl1252]

I like the second melody

[@karenalefounder4083]

Beautiful

[@tavosurfs]

Very nice

[@dennisdownes9319]

"It's never how you get into trouble that matters.........it's how you get out of trouble!!" Great Build! DD

[@kepler1175]

Love how bob uses most things he makes. I’d love to see a desk pc in a collab with a computer KZbin.

[@VEE727]

Look at the videos from DIY perks. That guy is a genius.

[@kepler1175]

Vipul Kapoor thanks, I’ll check him out

[@I3urton]

@@VEE727 And Matt doesn't even have a shop. He does most of his work in a small room in his flat. Truly mezmerizing!

[@kepler1175]

Vipul Kapoor thanks again for that suggestion he has super cool things, I’ve now watched a few of his things

[@BrendansReasons]

With all the crazy joinery on the internet now, this is really refreshing

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Every method has its benefits.

[@BrendansReasons]

@@Iliketomakestuff Sure does!

[@TheBartleyBuilds]

Awesome project! But I think the most exciting thing for me was seeing that you have Throw Throw Burrito!! I lead a teen guys small group and that game is a blast!!

[@wscottcross4012]

Love the style and the fact that it's totally customizable. There's a reason you're coming up on 3 million subscribers!

[@jackwriter1908]

Yes! A new Video. I probably will never build something like that, but it is helpful since the informations can be used other wise too. It looks beautiful.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Don't count yourself out. Everyone has a "first project," Check out the plans and give it a try. iliketomakestuff.com/shop/product/modern-credenza-digital-plans/

[@mkaali]

Nice! It has an art deco vibe to it

[@gjjgsherwin]

A metal thumbtack work is great for a slide under sliding doors and drawers. They just push in the bottom and done.

[@KennethMcGrath]

Loved the design and that jig really rocks.

[@aaroncastellanos3421]

Instead of paste wax or acrylic on the bottom of the doors, you can also edge band melamine and that works good too.

[@forby_]

Good call 👍

[@MikeAnaya80]

OMG! You just read my mind ... I was looking for a project like this but was afraid it was too complicated, now I know what to do. THANK YOU! Will surely show you the end result. Cheers from Guadalajara!

[@simon4realvideos]

A whole peace of furniture out of walnut? Love it soooooooo much!!! And I really have to say, if i hadn't seen the way you did these door tracks by yourself, I would have said that they're bought. Really, really great work at this point and the whole project!!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much!

[@gthiesfeld]

I really enjoyed the celebrity cameo at 17:21. This is a really beautiful project and gave me some ideas for the tv stand I want to build.

[@markderoller7645]

I like it. Nice build.

[@franciscopeixoto3821]

the soundtrack is amazing

[@SpecificLove7]

That's a nice setup. And the walnut was a great color choice.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@jGoodloejr]

Beautiful work!

[@s9plus20]

Very nice! Looks great!

[@Hidden_Fern]

Love this, the design on the panels is super cool looking!!

[@doughnut_panda]

Really nice.

[@joashluth3104]

This is definitely the best cabinet build on KZbin! Your channel is AMAZING!!

[@petebutler5139]

Youre right, not a big fan of the sun burst pattern however I absolutely love the creativity and simplicity of the design. That credenza would support 1000lbs easily. acrylic strips was an excelent choice. you can also use ball bearings. It took me a minute to learn how to size and place the bearings. 4 1/4" bearings per door is all you would need.

[@gregoryv3147]

Love It Bob! Keep on making!!!!!!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Will do.

[@NedbLegocity]

Looks great! Bobtimus, you make what you want, the design is Yours, your esthetic is clean and modern, don’t apologize to the trolls!

[@GiveMeCoffee]

I want to see more aquarium stuff on your channel D:

[@UltimateTechHub]

Great build Bob, I love fish aquariums and that's the perfect stand for it! I like how you show when you mess up.When I make a video for my tech channel I usually just edit out the mistakes to save time. Thumbs up like always!

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Awesome Credenza !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@woodprojectsdiy3445]

Αwesome design and idea, which is why I'm following this channel!

[@DerekFromMalden]

Great build. I’m sure others have said it but the weight of the tank is around the rim. You had that covered. Great look and recovery!!

[@parthlunia1487]

Absolutely love this. More such stuff!

[@BeneathMyWillowTree]

Love the door design and the legs! They are really cool

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!

[@mohamedmagdy-dz1pm]

Could you do some episodes on fixing design blunders? Maybe showcase errors in procedure, how to avoid them and how to fix them.

[@pluralkumquat]

This cabinet is beautiful.

[@FigmentsMade]

Looking good! I hope the fish fully appreciate the walnut! 😁

[@Iliketomakestuff]

They do, they're very snobby and posh fish.

[@kylecheramie2193]

Hey Bob , you should make a custom fish tank extension!

[@tienieuquang6349]

Good stuff

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!

[@modeybasel7541]

Good job well done The music with the fish at 17:38 minutes is great

[@anmedia7747]

I like the pattern it really shows art!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!

[@andreasstephan6372]

nice one !!!

[@SteveC38]

Well Done👍

[@sebastiantreloar6045]

The door pattern is a really nice touch. Another way of cutting them is with a track saw on a scribe cut. For anyone who doesn't have a cnc

[@waldvogelreview7755]

@14:30 You should look into UHMW tape on amazon for next time. Its made specifically for this type of stuff and can last a lifetime of daily use without wearing through. Great for wood on wood drawer slides as well.