Is t-molding a must?

[stephenp1983]

The guy that is helping me build my cab suggested we do something with the router of rounding the edging instead of using the tmolding.  I myself know nothing about this sort of stuff and he is pretty much doing all the major wood work.  Would simply rounding the edges work just as well, or would the tmolding be better for protecting the edges?

[leapinlew]

Not only does the t-molding protect the edges better - it looks better. You could round out the edges of your cabinet and paint it the same color as the cabinet, but you'll be missing out on one of the major things that make it feel like an arcade instead of a peice of furniture. Everyone I've ever seen decide to skimp on the t-molding has regretted it. If your going to round the corners with a router anyways, it's just as easy to route a t-mold slot and buy some t-molding. Not only that - you can get a little creative and order t-molding a different color than the paint and have it stand out.

Take a look at some of the other cabinets around here and you'll see what I mean. Simply painting a rounded corner isn't going to be easy. Also, what kind of wood is it? Plywood rounded corners won't look good at all. If it's MDF, it will look ok, but won't be strong enough to absorb many hits.

I believe this is a time where the woodworking guy is incorrect. He may not want to buy a new bit, or he may just want to go with what appears to be an easier alternative.

Either way, let us know which way you went and what your thoughts are.

[adajmk]

I completely agree. 

I was on the fence with the T-molding and ultimately decided to go the distance and put it on.  In addition to protecting the cab, it makes the cabinet look much more authentic.

Take the time and put it on - you won't regret it.

***I know that Project Arcade recommends a 3/32 slot cutter, but those can be a b-itch to find.  I ended up using a 1/16 slot cutter (bought from Lowe's) and it worked perfectly with the T-molding I bought from slikstik. 

good luck.

[loremtr]

T-molding is something that truly gives it an arcade feel.    It also protects from minor bumps and dings.  I dont regret putting it on one bit.  Spend the extra $$$ on the molding and the router bit.  You wont regret it. 

[JustMichael]

T-molding will protect the edges much better than just rounding over the edges.  It will also look nicer (or worse) depending upon your choice of colors and finished.

[javeryh]

I also say go with t-molding.  It makes the arcade machine.

[stephenp1983]

Im using mdf, and he was worried it would be hard to do with mdf.  I really do want to use t molding, and I don't mind buying the bit as he has the router already.  So can someone kinda give me an idea of exactly the bit that would b e best and an estimate of the cost of it.

also how well does it bend around curves?  I think he was worried about fitting one peice around the entire thing.

[miles2912]

If you are using MDF T-molding is a must.  The MDF is too fragile with out it.  Yo will need a 1/16" slot cutter.  http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/ has them for a good price.  I bought my set at harbor freight.  For $25 I got a whole set.  MS is prolly your best bet for just one tho. 

As far as routing around corners you will just snip the back of the t-molding in a  \ / \ / \ / \ /  pattern and it will bend like a champ.  It took me all of 5 mins to route a side of MDF.  Takes longer to set up and clean up then to route the stuff. 

D-

[adajmk]

I picked up a 1/16 bit at Lowe's for about $16-17 and had to buy the arbor(?? for another $10 at Home Depot.

Make sure you get enough t-molding - you don't want to run short.  I bought 30 feet and it was just enough to cover my cabinet.  It is probably worth it to add another 10 feet or so just to be on the safe side.

I agree with Miles2912 - it takes longer to set/clean up then it does to actually route out the groove.  And this is coming from someone who is a complete novice at woodworking.

[leapinlew]

Takes longer to set up and clean up then to route the stuff. 

Also... I make routing the last thing I do and I do it outdoors. I tend to make routing the last thing I do and I take a shower as soon as I'm done.

[ginno]

I'd go with T moulding for the arcade feel, better protection then the painted surface which can easily dint / scratch.  Also you will end up with a more vibrant color then you would with paint.

I painted the rounded edges of my cabinet, below is a few pics of how it came out if your interested in the type of results you can achieve

cheers..







More pics of painting @ my site: users.bigpond.net.au/ginno

[stephenp1983]

One more question as I've been presuaded to go the tmolding route.  I know what the router bit is but what is a arbor?  I'm sure he knows but I'm curious myself.

[Havok]

There are two pieces: the bit, which is the thing that does the cutting, and the threaded post it connects to, which attaches to the router. Here's a picture:

[Havok]

Double post - nothing to see here. Move along...

[stephenp1983]

last question, the bit does the cutting, so do you have to have a special type of arbor that matches that bit, or does the arbor work for a variety of bits?

[yfdgricker]

Here is the 1/16 bit and arbor I bought at Lowes for my cab for my T-molding.

1/16" T-Molding Slot Bit and Arbor
 - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=227321-353-85526MC&lpage=none
 - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=227316-353-92813C&lpage=none

The slot bit slides on the arbor and is locked in place with a nut. The arbor then gets inserted into the router. It is super easy. I dropped my cab on the side, rested the the router on the cabinet and adjusted the router and bit depth so that it was in the middle of the plywood I was using. It took maybe 15 minutes to route both sides of my cab, teh neon holes and the joystick control panel. All you essentially do is trace the cabinet outline with the router. Try it on a piece of scrap wood first and it will boost your confidence level up 100%. I was leary about cutting the -Tmolding groove myself but now I think it was one of the more fun parts of the cabinet building process.

The arbor is reuseable. just take off the nut and slide off the 1/16 slot bit. You can then put any other bit that has the same diameter center hole.

[Havok]

Just make sure to route in the correct direction, otherwise you will burn the wood. Note the direction of the cutting surface of the bit, and route in the direction that it points...

[RayB]

Considering the costs of tmolding, it's worth every penny. Makes a cab go from looking unfinished and ghetto, to professional.

[fixedpigs]

why not just get the router bit all together when you get the t-moulding...?

http://www.tmolding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=38&cat=5&page=1

it's the same price roughly as hd or lowe's etc...

[Havok]

why not just get the router bit all together when you get the t-moulding...?

http://www.tmolding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=38&cat=5&page=1

it's the same price roughly as hd or lowe's etc...

Ouch! - I got mine for $16 shipped at mlcs.

[danny_galaga]

ya gotta have t molding!

[Noobert]

Thanks for the original post and all the replies.  I'd been thinking maybe I'd skip the T-molding, but now I'll definitely add it.  I guess with two boys aged 6 and 4 I especially need it.