any carpenters here?

[Aquattro]

A good solid 2x4 frame holds the weight, the skin keeps it from shifting laterally, any thickness is fine, although I find 1/2" easy to work with and cheap. I used Oak as it's gotta look good in the livingroom, and it's not that much more money over pine. Given the cost of the entire setup, spending an extra 40 bucks for a nice skin isn't much.