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Interior structural wood pieces - I want them to be perfectly flat

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thorr:
I am about to build my first arcade cabinet out of MDF.   Is there wood that is perfectly flat that I can put along the interior sides and screw into, such as at the bottom where the bottom piece meets the side pieces?  I don't want to just screw the side MDF into the bottom MDF because I am assuming it won't be straight or stable.  I want to screw both pieces into wood like a 2x2, but I want it to be flat on all sides, unlike most wood that is usually warped somewhat.  I hope that makes sense.  I saw that there are powertools that grind wood down to make it flat, but I don't want to buy that.  I am hoping there is wood out there or something similar that I can just purchase.  I am open to other ideas as well.  I don't really know what I am doing.  Can I use my router/router table to accomplish this?  Thanks.

jennifer:
 :)

javeryh:

--- Quote from: jennifer on April 07, 2021, 06:59:18 pm ---Well normally that is a 1x1... But you shouldn't have any issues unless the wood you are using is incredibly nasty, The slight bow you may find, put it up in the center, or down on the end and it will pull flat when you screw or staple it. (Start in the center and work out)...If you are looking to build a flawless dream machine out of the gate however you are going to need some big machines in your shop, Just saying.

--- End quote ---
This is all the advice you need.  Just go to Home Depot and buy some wood strips that they usually sell in 8-12’ lengths and buy the straightest pieces you can find.  When you chop it up an individual section will be flat enough and when you screw or glue it to your MDF it will be really flat and you won’t see any gaps when you assemble.  You don’t need a jointer or planer.

jennifer:
 ;)

Zebidee:
Wood is so popular as a building material because it is both strong yet flexible, and as a bonus is easy to work with.

Minor bends and warps will no matter in the end.

1x1 inch is enough for the "blocking pieces" that you need. Strong enough and big enough to take screws from two directions.

Power tools? All you really need is power (hand) saw, jigsaw, drill. Table saw optional if you can't do a straight cut otherwise (but table saws are statistically the most dangerous of all power tools, seconded by the hand power saw mentioned earlier). Basic router if you want T-molding (good idea to do this) and a few other fancy things. You won't need a jointer or planer if you are just buying wood pieces from hardware store. Get at least one pair of G-clamps (I have small, medium and big) and a larger pair of F-clamps, these guys are so useful you won't know how you managed without them.

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