Building UAII - Messed Up, Have Questions

[nipsmg]

I finally broke down and decided to build a UAII --

The problem is this:

The plans call for 5/8in particle board or mdf.

I figured the 5/8 was because they were using 1/8 in laminate over the whole cabinet, and 3/4 in t-molding.  I decided I was going to paint it instead, and went with the 3/4 in particle board.

However, the measurements call for the boards that make up the cross pieces for the top are of width <width> (which is 25, 27, 31, whatever depending on your monitor).  The measurements for the bottom cross pieces are <Width> - 1 1/4in.   I figure out AFTER I cut this, that these will NOT WORK, because the 1 1/4in being subtracted is to account for the 2 pieces of 5/8in particle board that will overlap the bottom.  However, now I'm using 3/4 in particle board, so that number has to be <width> - 1 1/2in.

This is especially for anyone who has built a UAII or has the plans:  will making the base 1/4 in less wide cause any problems? Was there more than enough room for a keyboard? Will the 1/4 in REALLY matter all that much?

I want to know before i Get any further, in case I have to re-cut all the top pieces to be 1/4 in wider.

Thanks!

NipsMG

[screaming]

I want to know before i Get any further, in case I have to re-cut all the top pieces to be 1/4 in wider.

  <width> - 1 1/2" is the magic number, but remember that all the cutouts count on <width> - 1 1/4".

  With the UAII plans, it's actually quite simple to compensate for the extra 1/4" width, because you only need to worry about it with the 3 top pieces that connect the two top sides.

  I ended up making the entire bottom half to spec, but when I went to go attach the top to the bottom, the three pieces that connect the two top sides were (almost) 1/4" too short... and it's because of the extra 1/8" thickness of the wood.

  Since the bottom half is made to spec, there's nothing to worry about with the keyboard fitting, but even if you were to make the bottom 1/4" shorter I don't think you'll have a problem.

  The top half is 1/4" wider, but I haven't had any problems with the marquee or monitor bezel fitting correctly.

/Steve

[LOKIOLR]

I made the same mistake but it was fixed in about an hour. Just a little bit of trimming and you're set.

[nipsmg]

that's what I figured.. Thanks you guys for your quick responses.

I also neglected to read that the pieces on the bottom had to be mitred :-/
-- too bad I don't have a mitre/table saw.
oh well I'll get to it eventually.

[screaming]

I also neglected to read that the pieces on the bottom had to be mitred :-/
-- too bad I don't have a mitre/table saw.
oh well I'll get to it eventually.

  Yeah, those pieces were a serious pain in the butt.  I have no idea how I would have done them if I didn't have a table saw.

/Steve

[nipsmg]

For those of you that didn't use the laminate and/or went with 3/4 in particle board:

How did you finish the sides? I know partice board when painted isn't the prettiest thing.. I take it the sides were sanded down, but what then? prime & paint?  What kind of both?

Also did you guys all use the CP design or did you go custom?
Examples?

I'm really excited about getting this done.. I'm definitely not one to not ask for help or guidance.. might as well do it right the first time.. Dunno if I can go through all of this again (although the empty defender cab in my basement is calling my name after this....) :-D


(I know btw that there's a forum at mamerroom.. I ask here because I'm willing to bet that 95% of people who bought the plans are BYOAC'ers, and the mameroom forums seems to be all but dead.)

--NipsMG

[Metimbo]

I used this stuff:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Product_ID=120419&DID=7

It worked O.K., but you can see a seam on the sides  

If I had it to do all over again, I would either buy the Happs vinyl or go with formica.

~Tim

[nipsmg]

oof.. I was hoping for a paint solution. - Has anyone painted particle board and have any suggestions?

--NipsMG