Help me make a shopping list for Home Depot

[The cranky hermit]

Tomorrow, I'm going shopping at Home Depot for everything I need to build my CP. I really do mean everything. Assume that I currently own nothing at all except for a house with power, and everything I ordered from various sites.

My CP will be made from 3/4" MDF, and will have a basic box shape. No overlays, no paint, and no T-Molding will be used. No router will be used. I'm just going to make a box with holes in the top, simple as that.

I currently have the following:
IPac
Wiring Kit
Crimping Tool
100 disconnects
PCB Feet
LED Harness
Oscar Mounting Plate with all included hardware

I am waiting for the following to arrive:
2 Happ super joysticks
Ms. Pacman/Galaga joystick
A bunch of happ microswitches
10 carriage bolts

Here is my shopping list so far:
30"X17"X3/4" MDF, top
30x15 bottom
30X4 side, front
30x4 side, back
15x4 side, left
15x4 side, right
Powered hand drill
1 1/8" spade bit
Phillips bit
Screws (how many do I need, and what size? The box will be held together with screws)
Piano hinge (again, how many and what size?)

Is there anything else I need?

[paigeoliver]

Buy a second spade bit. It is always handy to have a spare in case you burn one up.

You may also want to invest in a bit of metal corner trim, and some black rubber floormat. You can use those two items to nicely finish off your panel without the hassle and expense of t-molding and overlays. (Use the floormat as the overlay, and use the metal corner trim on the edges).

[TheTick]

You're gonna need a jigsaw or circular saw to fix the cuts from Home Depot. I've yet to have them cut me MDF with "accurate" straight cuts. Not only will the measurements be off, but they will come out crooked.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I've heard other have similar problems.

Edit->
Screw of 1" length should work fine for 3/4" MDF. Just make sure you predrill the hole, before you insert the screw.
But I would recommend you use Stanley 1" corner braces, and 1/2" screws. Than if the pieces don't line up right, you can still fasten it securely.

As for piano hinge... just get two 2" (length) hinges. Make sure the width is less than 3/4".

[Apollo]

Yeah you're going to need a set of drill bits from about 2mm up to 10mm probably.
Also you might as well get yourself a soldering iron while you're there, you may not be planning on using it but chances are you will need it.
I'm guessing this is an error in your post but do you have any buttons to go with those microswitches? LOL
If you are getting OSCARS mounting plate did you get him to chuck a two way restrictor as well? Handy.

[TheTick]

Oh... and even if they do cut it correctly (which they won't), you didn't take into account the width of the MDF. Your side panels (or the front and back) will won't fit as they will be 3/4" too long on either side.

[u_rebelscum]

You might to glue and screw it together, so maybe wood glue, too (not elmers).

As for screws, you might want approx 1 1/4" long, #8 (or maybe #6 or #10) thick, corse thread or deck screws.  

With MDF, it's a good idea to predrill the holes to prevent busting the wood, especially with #8 screws, or screwing into the ends.  I don't remember the needed sizes, but you want the drill bit to be smaller than the threads (duh), and approximently the same size as the screw shaft.  So that means a 1/8" - 1/4" wood drill bit (be sure to check for the right size).

It's good to counter sink the screws, so a screw counter sink bit would be nice, too.

You'll need some way to cut the wood.  Home Depot might cut for you, but they aren't all that accurate, and I heard something about not cutting partical and MDF at many places.  So to cut, you'll probably want a 36" straight edge/ruler and one of the following: circular saw, jig saw, roto zip, or hand saw.  Hand saw and jig saw are probably the cheapest two, but using a hand saw to cut 3/4" wood straight is, umm, not easy, and jig saw blades can bend so the cut is not perfectly vertical.  However, getting a circular saw just for this job is a little much (unless there's a great sale going on).

Other stuff you may or may not need:

2 Clamps, 2 sawhorses, plastic zip ties, wire striper (if your crimper doesn't have it), a smallish standard head hand screwdriver that fits in the ipac screwdowns.  Small screws to hold down the ipac if you don't have that; length depends on plastic feet, but 3/4" will probably be okay, but you might need 7/8" if the feet are long, or 5/8" if the feet are very short.

What else did I miss?

[hyiu]

don't mean to pour cold water.... but just stating my experience....

I don't think its possible to get everything in 1 trip....

I've been to HD.... hmmm.... errr.... I don't know how many times.... still I don't think I have everything needed to build a cab.....

good luck to you...

[AlanS17]

Don't forget to get a set of screw driver bits for the drill. You can get them pretty cheap and it will make screwing everything in a lot easier than doing it by hand. In fact, I don't know if you can even do without them.

[paigeoliver]

Also. If you decide to buy a circular saw, then buy an extra blade, because the ones that come with the cheap saws are total crap.

[AlanS17]

Well the way I see it, you can do without a circular saw if you're careful, but you can't do without a jigsaw.

Even though it takes more work to do the stuff a circular saw can do with a jigsaw, there are some things a jigsaw can do that a circular saw can't so.

If the budget allows, though, I would get both.

[TheTick]

Does he actually need to buy all these tools just to make one control panel box?  

Where do you live? If you're in the South-East Michigan area you can borrow some of my tools. Just don't kill yourself...

I'm sure someone you know must have tools you can borrow for a fairly simple weekend project.

[paigeoliver]

I was always borrowing tools. But finally I broke down and at least bought a drill and a circular saw. Between both of those I can do most anything. It would be nice to have a jigsaw too, maybe I'll save up for one.

[The cranky hermit]

But I would recommend you use Stanley 1" corner braces, and 1/2" screws. Than if the pieces don't line up right, you can still fasten it securely.

How many of each will I need?

[TheTick]

But I would recommend you use Stanley 1" corner braces, and 1/2" screws. Than if the pieces don't line up right, you can still fasten it securely.

How many of each will I need?

Get the thin braces that only have two holes per brace (they sell a larger one with six holes, but you may have more trouble lining the holes up). I also included a pic on the hinge I used on my first panel. They actually sell a slightly smaller version with just four holes per hinge (rather than six) that I used on my second panel.

I'd use two braces per side you are fastening. 4 sides connected to the bottom, and then the 4 sides connected to one another.

16 Stanley Corner braces (sold in 4 packs for a $1)
Wood Screw Assortment pack (about $6 for a nice assortment)

[jelloslug]

I used 2x2 lumber as braces in my cabinets.  The only drawback is that you screw through the MDF from the outside, so you will have to fill or plug the screw heads.  The advantage is that you can use Deck Mate screws that don't cam out and are very strong.  The cocktal cab I built is made with those screws and wood glue on each corner, I think you could drop it off of a building and not hurt it

[hyiu]

I have let HD cut my wood before... and they're like 1/2 inch off... I ended up have to modify my plans.....

so... no more... I cut my own wood !!!!  

so, when they make a cut, make sure its the right size....

some fine grid sandpaper might be handy.....

its always good to have spares... but so far... (I've drilled I don't remember how many holes... ) my spade bit is still good... (keep my fingers crossed.... and I have drilled quite a lot of holes... (2 panels and a lot of practice holes and just happy drilling off !! haa haa....

for the power drill.... I would say get a "variable speed" power drill.... if you can afford... get one with torque settings.... (these 2 things will come very handy....)

if you change your mind and want to cut wood yourself.... get a jigsaw and a long metal ruler (or some metal straight edgea) as a guide... also a couple of clamps....

actually.... hmm..... I don't know... sorry... this list seems to keep going and going..... are you sure you don't want to just buy an x-arcade ??..... (you might save some $$ if you're not planning to use the tools often....)

(ok.... plz don't yell at me for asking someone if they want to buy in byoac....   )

edit: also... the above pic shows some right angle mounts... they also sells "corner mounts" that will mount on all 3 sides... you might want like 4 of those in the bottom corners.... just go check things out....