Starting First Cabinet

[jbeersm]

I will be starting work on my first cabinet in about a week.  Which is better Particle Board or MDF.

[Sylentwulf]

Opinions vary. Here's mine in order:
Finish grade Plywood
MDF
Particle Board

Your entire project will be about $50 more and 120 pounds lighter using finish grade plywood, and it won't split in humidity or if it gets wet.

[Craig]

Go MDF. It isn't very light but it is the best in my opinion. All cabinets I make are out of MDF.

[jbeersm]

Thanks for the input, I will check out your site.

Thanks

[etumor]

I will be starting work on my first cabinet in about a week.  Which is better Particle Board or MDF.

I've built with both MDF and Plywood.  MDF is clearly the better material to work with because it is cheaper and much easier to work with (cuts better, surface is always smooth).  But it does weigh a ton.

When I built my biggest cabinet, I used plywood, which probably cut the weight in half (good thing, because it's a serious beast).  I think it was well worth the effort.  But on smaller cabinets in the future, I might go back to MDF.

Obviously if you are planning on finishing the outside of the cabinet, then plywood is the only choice.  But I always cover my machines in vinyl, which works equally well on MDF and plywood.

-Jeff "etumor"

[old school gamer]

MDF is the way to go, I dont know where you guys get your wood but there is a thing called light weight MDF,it is about half the weight of regular MDF and just as easy to use. I made my cabinet out of it and it came out great. Home Depot or Lowes does not carry it around here,but it can be bought at a lumber supply company. Just my 2 cents.

[Nefesis]

lightweight mdf... would you hapen to know what it's made out of? i'll look into that for my cab. is it cheaper than plywood?

[old school gamer]

I dont know how they made it lighter,but it cuts and sands just like regular MDF, 3 sheets cost me 120$.

[Sylentwulf]

Now THAT, is expensive.

[Gildersneeze]

I dont know how they made it lighter,but it cuts and sands just like regular MDF, 3 sheets cost me 120$.

Wow!  I think I'll stick with the regular weight.  It may be heavy, but it's also only $15 per sheet.

[Craig]

Amazing. You pay more for less  

[old school gamer]

I agree with Spystyle, I have made many cabinets,beds,dressers,etc and never worried about the weight. I think some people making MAME cabs are new to woodworking and might not have the right tools and stuff to be able to properly handle a heavy sheet of 4x8 wood. Build it out of whatever you like and whatever you can afford,there is no right or wrong wood. Build one out of cardboard  if you like....... But just build it, everybody needs to have an Arcade machine in the house!!!

[etumor]

I personally feel that an arcade machine is a piece of furniture where weight dosen't really apply, it's moved only once-in-a-blue-moon.

It's meant for semi-permanant installation.

I can't say this is necessarily true.  I've had to move Supercade way more often then I ever thought I would, and I am very greatful that is doesn't weigh more than it does (it was built out of plywood).  When we moved it into the current house, we had to go down three stairs, then back up three stairs, then through an extremely tight doorway.  It took four of us to do it, and we about killed ourselves in the process.

Granted, it would have helped if I had taken the monitor out, and the next time I move, I assure you that's what I will do.  But even without changing houses, my cabinet has been moved to three different locations in my living room, from the living room to the dining room, I've had to pull it out to replace the monitor once, and I have to pull it out frequently to work on the computer.  How often do you have to change a whining fan in a dresser?  Or troubleshoot why you aren't getting any video to a desk?

I'm not saying that MDF weighs too much to work with it, just that it is a tough call.  Plywood only requires a small amount of extra effort, and weighs half as much.  Of course you pay more for plywood, but if you've got the money and you're willing to put in a little extra effort, why not do it right?

I don't hate MDF.  I've built two cabinets out of MDF.  I only chose plywood for Supercade because I knew it was going to be huge, and every little bit of weight I could take off of it was a good thing.  I am doing a classic restoration right now, and I am using MDF to replace broken pieces.  I will probably use MDF for other cabinets in the future.  But sometimes plywood is a better solution.

-Jeff "etumor"

[jbeersm]

I'm not so worried about the weight, the cabinet is going in a walkout basement with French Door access.  I

[old school gamer]

Plywood definately would hold up the best to abuse. ( I think you will find that your 40+ friends will abuse it more than the kids, I know in my house its that way) Have fun!!

[sofakng]

Well, speaking from experience, my first cabinet is about 75% complete.  (the main cabinet is completely assembled, except for the control panel which is detachable anyways)

After I started working on the cabinet I was getting very worried about the weight because I kept reading that MDF is much heavier than plywood.

Well, yesterday I needed to lift the cabinet to lay it flat on the ground.  It was quite a bit lighter than I had anticipated.  My father and I each held one side and we had no problems what-so-ever, and believe me I'm not that strong of a guy

If I had to do it again:  3/4" MDF for cabinet, 5/8" MDF for control panel.

I'm not sure about durability (when pounding on the control panel, etc), but I'm not worried in the least.  MDF seems to be pretty solid.

[Nefesis]

if you're just going to move it from room to room on the same level, why not use the cabinet wheels available from happs? they're in the accessory part of the pc arcade.