7 years later and we finally have sawdust. 2 kids later, and now they can take care of themselves enough that i can dedicate 3-4 hours each weekend to making progress.
I took my sketchup design and got all the XY coordinates i could, and transferred those to the MDF and marked all the straight lines out. Then i exported a PDF of the outline, and printed the curved parts so i could trace those.
Then got to work with a jigsaw, which is probably my least favorite tool. the last time i used one, i borrowed it, and it went terribly, but i think that is becuase i had a back cut blade and the plate was loose, so none of my cuts were perpendicular. I bought a new jigsaw and 10TPI regular cut blades. Not terrible, still not great, had so sand some of those curves back into shape.
Then the tried and true method of router with pattern bit. Nailgun with woodglue and we have battens.
I thought about going the pocket screw route, but MDF and pocket screws dont get along so well.
the interior width is 29 inches across, just enough for a 32 inch monitor. Ive got the artwork mostly done, this will go in my Wall-e Themed office, where i have multiple posters and pieces, so i figured i'd stay on brand.
sides.
Front/coin door. I grabbed an X arcade coin door with working mechs.
marquee
I'm having trouble with the control panel design. Im thinking of using the 8bit wall-e characters from the end credits. but not sold. im planning on working on it this weekend. Hopefully will not be another 7 years before my next post.