Construction Material Question

[MUKid]

I'm going out tomorrow to purchase the wood and stuff I need to build my cabinet, and I'm putting together my shopping list.  I bought the plans for the Ultimate Arcade II from Mameroom.com, and I had a question about their materials list.

Most of the information I've found from custom cabinet builders says to use 3/4 inch MDF for the cabinet.  The plans from Mameroom call for 5/8 inch MDF instead.  Is this going to make a big difference in the stability of the cabinet?  I'm not a woodworker in the slightest, so I don't know if 1/8 inch matters in this kind of project or not.

Another question is about the T-molding.  The plans call for 3/4 inch T-molding.  Since the wood is 5/8, will my T-molding look funny or hang over the sides?  Of course, all the wood is laminated, so maybe the laminate adds an extra 1/8 of an inch and that's why the 3/4 inch T-molding works.  Is that right?

And finally, if the T-molding does, in fact, add significantly to the thickness of the wood, should I route the slot for the T-molding just off-center when routing the MDF?  Or is this going to matter?

Thanks,
Jay

[TalkingOctopus]

There is no difference between using 5/8" and 3/4" - both will be stable.  I used 5/8" MDF.  

[Frostillicus]

There is no difference between using 5/8" and 3/4" - both will be stable.  I used 5/8" MDF.  

Stability - the same.  Width - different

MUKid:  I'd go with what the plans call for - only because if you go the 2 piece route which is what the ultimate arcade II is, 1/4" difference (2 boards 1/8" off) will matter when fitting the front/back/top pieces.  Unless you take that into account when cutting them but why go through the hassle?

And 3/4 t-molding is just slightly wider than 3/4".  It will probably look fine though you can always buy 5/8" to get a better match.

[zero-one]

About the 3/4" T-molding with 5/8" MDF:

If you cover the 5/8" MDF with general purpose laminate on both sides you'll end up with a sandwich that is very close to 3/4" thick. Therefore use the 3/4" T-Moulding and trim excess is you feel the need. But I doubt you'll notice the .015" (~1/64") overhang.

BTW, General Purpose Laminate is .048" thick.

[TalkingOctopus]

There is no difference between using 5/8" and 3/4" - both will be stable.  I used 5/8" MDF.  

Stability - the same.  Width - different

Hehe yeah that is what I meant!

[Frostillicus]

There is no difference between using 5/8" and 3/4" - both will be stable.  I used 5/8" MDF.  

Stability - the same.  Width - different

Hehe yeah that is what I meant!

LOL I just had to mess with ya  

[pmc]

MDF is heavy stuff. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have used 5/8 just to keep the cab more lightweight. But the 3/4" works fine and it's all that Home Depot carried in 4x8 (actually, 5x9) sheets so I didn't have a choice.