Things I learned the hard way while making my cabinet.

[diamz]

What are the absolute tools required for building one's first cabinet? Circular saw, jigsaw, router, drill??? What tools would you recommend to make the job easier? Thanks -diamz

[Silverwind]

32. The enemy of good is better.

That's my weakness.  Whenever I get ready to do something to my cabinet.. I always think of something "better".  This makes the complexity and time involvement shoot up dramatically...  sometimes I just have to hit myself and keep it simple to keep my hopes up of getting it done at some point.  Hehe.

[DrewKaree]

What are the absolute tools required for building one's first cabinet? Circular saw, jigsaw, router, drill??? What tools would you recommend to make the job easier? Thanks -diamz

Start a new thread.  That isn't a "thing you learned".

You'll get more responses, including a pretty good one from me

[Tahnok]

Along the lines of not letting go of your router...

33: Do not place your router bit only 1/2" into the collet and tighten it often.

I had my brand new pattern cutting bit come flying off when I tried to get some more height out of it. Fortunately, it flew in the opposite direction as me (though it did take fifteen minutes to find again). Needless to say, I now do any pattern cuts in two passes.

[DrewKaree]

Along the lines of not letting go of your router...

33: Do not place your router bit only 1/2" into the collet and tighten it often.

I had my brand new pattern cutting bit come flying off when I tried to get some more height out of it. Fortunately, it flew in the opposite direction as me (though it did take fifteen minutes to find again). Needless to say, I now do any pattern cuts in two passes.

Scares the crap out of you when you realize what coulda happened, hey? 

34.  Don't even start a cab, in fact, STOP READING THIS SITE if you are wondering how you can "save" money.  It just ISN'T going to happen.  You can LESSEN the amount of money you spend, but this hobby is a money pit and a time killer that WILL bring enjoyment to you.  It just comes at a cost

[saint]

35. Do not -- DO NOT -- attempt to move your arcade cabinet down stairs by yourself. Even empty, it's bloody heavy and big. You will hurt something. Probably many somethings....

(Yes, I know this from actual experience. That which did not kill me made me stronger... or something).

[nostrebor]

36. Do NOT go to an operators warehouse, with cash in your pocket, and just tell yourself that you are going to "look around".

 You will end up bringing so many games home that you have to put the Midway cabaret in the back seat of your truck and your wife will be pissed because you are 3 weeks from moving and your bringing more stuff home just so you can move it again in three weeks.

[DrewKaree]

your wife will be pissed because you are 3 weeks from moving and your bringing more stuff home just so you can move it again in three weeks.

37.  Get rid of the wife before jumping into this hobby or get her used to the phrase "This is the guy's equivalent of black shoes for women"

[subcriminal]

Things I learnt:
1. Don't put your buttons too close together even if they do feel better that way. You wont be able to screw the lock nuts on.
2. Blue cherry microswitches suck compared to red ones. Just replaced all mine they were so bad. (Switching at the very end of button travel compared to reds that switch half way down)
3. Never underestimate the effect a cap kit can have on and arcade monitor! Do it even if they look like they've been done before!
4. When demoing the finished cab to the missus make sure you have a good list of girly games she's guaranteed to like It doesn't matter how cool it is that you know all the fatality moves in MK2. She wont be impressed. Make a custom 'missus' list in MameWah or something to show her you care

[brack]

Along the lines of not letting go of your router...

33: Do not place your router bit only 1/2" into the collet and tighten it often.

I had my brand new pattern cutting bit come flying off when I tried to get some more height out of it. Fortunately, it flew in the opposite direction as me (though it did take fifteen minutes to find again). Needless to say, I now do any pattern cuts in two passes.

I have that topped.  I did the same thing except it didn't fly in the opposite direction.  At first I thought it was a piece of wood that got me.  Upon further inspection I realized that the rabbitting bit had spun out and struck mr. johnson right in the head.  I stood in pure shock for a minute before I dared inspect the damage.  All was good though, and it surprisingly didn't hurt that much.  I guarantee no one who reads this will make that mistake now, I know I won't do it again.  TIGHTEN YOUR BITS TO PROTECT YOUR BITS!!

[Tahnok]

Ouch! You're right, I will not soon make that mistake!

Actually, if it had hit me it probably wouldn't have been that big of a deal. I was wearing goggles and a dust mask; my face was completely covered. I was also wearing a long sleeve sweatshirt; my body was covered. It probably would have hurt like hell and left a bruise, but not broken the skin, like getting hit with a paintball.

[diamz]

What are the absolute tools required for building one's first cabinet? Circular saw, jigsaw, router, drill??? What tools would you recommend to make the job easier? Thanks -diamz

Start a new thread.  That isn't a "thing you learned".

You'll get more responses, including a pretty good one from me

No prob, will do. I was just thinking that determining the most useful tools for the job would be something some might learn building their first cabinet and quite possibly learn the hard way.

[DrewKaree]

What are the absolute tools required for building one's first cabinet? Circular saw, jigsaw, router, drill??? What tools would you recommend to make the job easier? Thanks -diamz

Start a new thread.  That isn't a "thing you learned".

No prob, will do. I was just thinking that determining the most useful tools for the job would be something some might learn building their first cabinet and quite possibly learn the hard way.

Right now, in the backgroun, we're working on precisely this information.  On the plus side, remembering you posted this, I put it up to add to the information.   

Here's a link to that topic

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=50624.msg494384#msg494384

[Fozzy The Bear]

this hobby is not cheap its best to take your time & use quality parts etc
thanks
dm

Depends on your point of view..... I can honestly say that this is the cheapest hobby I ever had.

When I compare it to building a car from scratch.... it's peanuts....
When I compare it to building a passenger hauling steam locomotive... it's Peanuts...
When I compare it to making large complex movie props... It's peanuts..
When I compare it to re-building my Motorcycle from the ground up... It's Peanuts...

Depends on how you look at it...

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Mark70]

17. DO NOT use wall repair putty to fill in holes or repair damaged wood. It is NOT strong enough.

Seeing as how I just advised FOR using this, I'd like to ask what you are referring to when you say "holes".  You are COMPLETELY correct in not using it for repairing damaged wood.  The "holes" are what I'm wondering about.  I've got a CP with some mighty hefty cracks on exhibit in Project Announcements that I had no problems filling, and no problems drilling.

Maybe I should ammend/clarify. Don't use it for control panel repair or large deep holes. It will end up just crumbling. If used on the control panel, when you drill button holes through it, it tends to break off very easily. Note, I am talking about wall patching compound, or whatever it's called. I'm not talking about bondo, which is what everyone recommends we use.

Joint Compound?

Yes I'm quire sure that he's talking about joint compound.  Also called "mud" in the drywalling trade.  Architecturally we specify it as "gypsum mud"

[Mark70]

What are the absolute tools required for building one's first cabinet? Circular saw, jigsaw, router, drill??? What tools would you recommend to make the job easier? Thanks -diamz

Start a new thread.  That isn't a "thing you learned".

You'll get more responses, including a pretty good one from me

No prob, will do. I was just thinking that determining the most useful tools for the job would be something some might learn building their first cabinet and quite possibly learn the hard way.

When you put it that way, you may be right; but the potential for derailment of the thread is too huge. 

On the learned it the hard way vein - Use the right tool for the job. For example, use a spring washer tool to remove the spring washers on the bottom of your joysticks.  Don't push them out far enough to pry at them with a slot screwdriver.  They go flinging across the room, or into your eyes.  It's a good idea to wear safety glasses when removing and replacing spring washers/spring clips, whatever they're called.  In fact the packaging for spring washer tools usually say wear safety glasses.

[fatfingers]

I'm very early on in my project, but I already learned that before you try to blow the sawdust away after drilling (or in general), one should swallow first...unless, of course, you actually want to see how quickly MDF will soak your saliva up...   

[RayB]

The last post reminded me of another one:

Wear a mask AND make sure it's REALLY snug. I've used those paper masks, and yet still I end up blowing dust or spray paint colored boogers after some sanding or spray painting!

[PCtech]

Joint Compound?


HEH...yeah I used a "joint" compound when building my cab, but not for patching holes...more for relaxing the builder....wiring that control panel can drive you nuts...NOT recommended, but works for me. 

As has probably been said, don't be in a hurry, you will hate yourself for it later.