where can i go have wood cut for me?

[shateredsoul]

I was looking at Taz's design and was wondering if there was any place where I could get wood cut, then I could use the pieces to do the rest myself.

Any ideas?

Where can I get my wood cut ? What kind of wood do you think would work best? I was thinking of going with a 36 inch tv , I'm worried that players would feel like they are too close to the tv with this design.

http://tazmame.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/mame-layout1.pdf

[drventure]

By the time you pay someone, you'd have been better off just picking up a cheap circular saw off craigslist.

Plus, then you'll have the saw to fix any mistakes that might will happen 

[shateredsoul]

So you're saying.. that even I, who know nothing about wood cutting, could do a better job than someone who knows this stuff?

I was talking to my neighbor about it, he said we should rent some tools from home depot and just build it ourselves

[drventure]

Absolutely! There's lots of threads here about guys in exactly your predicament.

But the reality is, it just doesn't take much to build a decent standup cab. A circular saw, straightedge, some clamps, a drill, some bits, and, if you can swing it, a router with a slot cutter bit to cut the tmolding slot around the edges.

That's about it. And you can pick  those tools up pretty cheap at harbor freight, or even better on craigslist, or the classifieds. There's always guys posting needing to get rid of their tools. Heck I've even found some good buys on tools like that in pawn shops.

It'll be a lot more fun if you do it yourself, even if it does take a bit longer to scrounge up all the bits you need.

but wood working skills? I'm positive you could do what's needed for a cab!

[shateredsoul]

oh... any idea what kind of wood works best? and how much the wood alone and the tools might cost?


I found another cab that looks even nicer! http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92156.0 I'm just trying to get his cab plans.. he posted the 3d plans, but that's not too useful for me.  Plus, I would have to mount a 2 player cp on it (already ordered it.. to late to go back on that) so I'm not too sure if it would tilt forward with that weight.

[Gatt]

Absolutely! There's lots of threads here about guys in exactly your predicament.

But the reality is, it just doesn't take much to build a decent standup cab. A circular saw, straightedge, some clamps, a drill, some bits, and, if you can swing it, a router with a slot cutter bit to cut the tmolding slot around the edges.

That's about it. And you can pick  those tools up pretty cheap at harbor freight, or even better on craigslist, or the classifieds. There's always guys posting needing to get rid of their tools. Heck I've even found some good buys on tools like that in pawn shops.

It'll be a lot more fun if you do it yourself, even if it does take a bit longer to scrounge up all the bits you need.

but wood working skills? I'm positive you could do what's needed for a cab!

I'm in just such a predicament,  I've read through lots of material on here,  and like OP I have no woodworking skills,  but I feel pretty confident about doing this.  Only trouble spot I see is the trackball and flightstick holes,  but I'd imagine if I read some more here I can handle that as well.

Honestly,  my impressions are that it's more intimidating than difficult,  though some of the work I've seen here is absolutely incredible.

[MB]

Not sure where you live but over here in Holland if you buy your wood in a builders market (like Home Depot in the US)
they will cut it for you. They will be more helpful if you come in when it's not too busy. So don't ask them to cut you
a hundred different sized pieces on a Saturday afternoon.

[shateredsoul]

I thought about home depot.. but I don't think they would take the time to cut it according to these plans? I can imagine they'd be okay cutting the piece in half or straight cuts... but cutting these curves wouldn't be part of their job would it?

[javeryh]

Home Depot will not make exact cuts.  I never built anything prior to building my first cabinet and now I'd consider myself average at it.  I can pretty much make any cut I want but it takes me forever to set everything up.  Just go for it.

[Epyx]

Home Depot will not make exact cuts.  I never built anything prior to building my first cabinet and now I'd consider myself average at it.  I can pretty much make any cut I want but it takes me forever to set everything up.  Just go for it.

+1

Many of us had never lifted a tool before starting this hobby.  The only thing I had ever used was a hammer, screwdrivers and "power drill"...that's it.  What is so fantastic about this hobby is the community here, who will always lend advice and what you learn as you go along.

Each cabinet we build or restore builds the skills. I would agree with Javeryh...based on what I have already learned I would agree with the average statement....but therein lines the beauty...even average can build a fantastic cab...you don't need to be a woodworking guru by *any* means.

As for wood...MDF is heavy as sin and dustier than a sandstorm on Tatooine *but* its infinitely moldable and forgiving of mistakes.

[shateredsoul]

well in that case I might give it a try,

does anyone have the plans for this cab? http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92156.0 or could anyone draft one up for me? He hasn't responded yet so he might be too busy with his new cab

The wifey said I could have a cab if I could fit it in to my study... and it's a small area so I was thinking of going for something slim, but I want to use a wide screen lcd tv or monitor (any suggestions on which works best?).

I worry about using mdf... my study is upstairs so moving it around may be an issue.  Would plywood work??

[garnerb350]

MDF & Plywood  both has its pros and cons...its comes down to what your check can cash...Cabinet grade plywood is pretty expensive...I bought 3 sheets for 46 bucks a sheet last year...I think I am going to try MDF for the next cab...

MDF is heavier, but man it is smooth...you'll be doing minimal sanding with MDF compared to plywood.
If MDF is left out in the open and it get wet...it becomes a sponge...

MDF is easier to cut from what i have heard and seen...easy routing...etc...

Plywood is more resilient....

do a search and see what is better for you...

[shateredsoul]

were those three sheets enough for the whole cab? what size did you buy?

[shateredsoul]

nevermind...

I guess when she said, "If you can fit it in your study that's fine"

she really meant

"If you really understood how little space we have you'd go ahead and come to the decision on your own that you shouldn't get the arcade machine"

 

[TOK]

Build a bartop then... I'm guessing you're a pretty young dude. Give in now and you're getting set up to be miserable forever. 

[javeryh]

Build a bartop then... I'm guessing you're a pretty young dude. Give in now and you're getting set up to be miserable forever.  

Seriously.  I'm pretty sure my wife could do without the Donkey Kong cabinet in our DINING ROOM but there was literally nowhere else to put it and she's not the only one that lives there you know.  

EDIT: and I think it has grown on her.  I've even caught her sneaking in a game or two!

[Paul Olson]

When my girlfiend and I were talking about living together a few years ago, I only had one real warning for her: "Say what you mean...I will not try to decipher what you really want" So, if I were in your shoes, the cab in the study would be a done deal. In my case, we agreed that the garage was mine for the games. She regularly challenges the agreement, especially when it is snowing, but I always stand firm. I have even managed to get a pin in the dining room. That one isn't as solid though, so I don't know how long that one will last. 

[shateredsoul]

Okay it's back on.. she changed her mind.  This time I'm just going to build it.  The agreement is that it has to fit in the study, so it's going to have to be a slim arcade.  I'm going for the second design I posted, but I have no idea how to translate the 3d figure into cuts of wood.  Can someone help me out with this?

The plan though... is to build it over the summer.  My neighbor is willing to help out, I'm in the process of designing and ordering the cp, so it should be done soon. Now I just need the dimensions for that cab I want to build.

[garnerb350]

were those three sheets enough for the whole cab? what size did you buy?

You can buy different sizes/cuts...buts it all straight cuts...
I bought 3 sheets of birch plywood 4ft x8ft...I then proceeded and did the cuts i needed...
You can buy smaller pieces, 2x4, 2x2,...just depends on what is there...BUT BUT BUT and I SAY BUT, Javeryh is right, if you get HD or Lowes to cut your wood, the measurements are NOT correct...

Dont worry bout what lack of space you have...Ive seen where people here have made their living rooms into a wood shop (BLOWS MY MIND)...also saw where a guy used his hotel like apartment balcony as a "workshop"...Me i did mine out under a tin carport and everyday I took what i had and rolled it inside the house...for a while there my wife used it as a dirty clothes hamper...


If space is an issue...you can see bout maybe renting a storage unit that has power and do everything there...(just an idea)

[shateredsoul]

I just recruited a friend who said he'd help me out.

He lives on a really big peace of land out in the woods (I live in Santa Cruz.. right next to a forest and the Ocean) and he does wood work for fun.  He said he could help me with the cuts, but I told him that I may have to wait until the summer to start the project.  He suggested the same thing you all have mdf or plywood. He also has all the tools and space to do everything.

Maybe I can do it on weekends? One day a week... hmmm.  It really depends on his availability though

[RobbyMac]

jigsaw is cheap and you could do almost all of a cabinet with it (sans the tmolding slot)

[garnerb350]

I just recruited a friend who said he'd help me out.

You are good to go...I spent a weekend building...spent couple of hours here and there during the week doing the painting...glad to hear things worked out for ya...now spend the time setting up your PC and getting parts /artwork...untill you start building...