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| Willypill:
I'm about ready to start construction of my cabinet. All I need to do is choose what type of lumber I want to use. Now I know that many of you have used plywood or MDF, but that stuff just seems like it would be too heavy and not as attractive as it could be. I was thinking of using Maple wood. I'd like to hear your thoughts and see if there has been anyone else that has used this type. Other recommendations are welcome. |
| GameOver:
Hmmmm...I don't think maple is very common, unless you were planning on staining your cabinet instead of painting it. You'll probably pay twice as much for sheets of maple compared to MDF. If you're going to stain it, by all means use maple. Otherwise, don't pay all that money if you're going to paint it. The MDF will give a superior paint finish compared to maple. Do a search on 'maple' or 'hardwood' using the search function. You may find a couple examples of hardwood cabinets. Good luck! |
| Tailgunner:
There have been a few cabinets that were finished like real furniture and they come off looking really nice when done properly. Check the hall of fame, thete should be examples there. Weight is a good thing in an arcade cabinet though, build it too light and you'll end up filling the bottom with cinder blocks to keep it from moving when you're playing the cab. |
| Jabba:
A solid maple cabinet would cost you a bundle in the wood alone. If you are looking for a woodgrain finish, go with 1/2 " or 3/4" maple plywood good one side. This will look good if that is the look you are going for. When cutting plywood, put a piece of masking tape over your cut line on the good surface. This will minimize and almost reduce chipout to 0. 1/2" plywood should be solid enough, but would need a solid 2x4 frame to keep it from wobbling. Check out Scotts Unicade for an example of a 2x4 frame. Good luck. |
| ghent:
Use the 3/4 MDF unless you plan to stain it, there's no reason to go with something else. Another advantage to the MDF that I noticed today is that there are no splinters. :D |
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