questions about laminate and buttons

[lovemore]

Hi everybody

I

[Tiger-Heli]

Hi everybody

I

[BigBri]

i wouldn't recommend anything other than a router and a laminate trim bit (aka flush trim bit).  

[DAmnb]

I live in Sweden so I know that alot of the fancy stuff is kind of hard to come by around here, still when I doubt go fleabay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2345276070&category=20781

[mw]

Outer edges just cut it off with a normal wood file turned at a angle. It's alot of work but can be done. This isn't fun and I'd definately recommend the cutoff bit.

If using a jigsaw. Cut laminate with slight overhang and glue to the wood. Make sure you tape the laminate on the cut line, so you are  cutting through the tape. The tape will help keep it from chipping, and scratching. Some minor chipping can still occur so use a slow speed and fine tooth blade. A 3 3/8" circular saw would work good, probably better than a jigsaw. You can finish up with the file for a nice finish.

[Hellfromabove]

ULTIMATES SUCK!!!!!!!! Seriously man, they do. Before I knew how to build arcade sticks I bought a MAS stick. I bought it before they had choices of buttons and sticks. Yeah they sued Ultimate 8-way sticks and Ultimate buttons. Those things are huge and have hard springs, not something I would recommend. If you are building an arcade cabinet for classic games the happs horizontal buttons will do great. If you are kind of a penny pincher you can go with the X-Gamming horizontal buttons. They work nicely too except they have a different kind of switch made by them and also the buttons don't have the shine that happ buttons do and also they only come in black. The price for those are 20 for $9.95. Hope this helps. Thanx.

-See Ya!!!

[Sasquatch!]

Everybody seems to recommend an electric router with a laminate cutting bit, my problem is routers are not widely used here in Denmark. It is possible to get one, but not the laminate cutting bit, and i tried several stores, even called a bosch helpline.

Definitely go with a router and a laminate bit.  If it makes you feel any better about not being able to find the proper bits, I live near Chicago in the US, and I can't find half of the bits that I need here either!  Get your bits online.  Two great places to buy router bits online are:
http://www.leevalley.com/
and
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/

EDIT: Here is a direct link to a laminate trimming bit from Lee Valley.