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Ultimate Arcade II kits available soon...
VMJ Team:
The www.mameroom.com will be making Ultimate Arcade II kits available for purchase very soon. These kits will assemble in less than one hour using a shaft and locking cam system much like a modern computer desk or entertainment center. While trying to keep costs down to make the kits affordable...I am in the process of doing material analysis and need input....for all of the cabinet builders out there...I am looking for an inexpensive alternative to formica countertop laminate. Anyone with experience building cabinets and other furniture, I would like input on the thinner surfacing material options available and where to purchase....thanks!
_Iz-:
I'd use melamine for the parts personally. (Almost) all the durability of laminate, less cost and hassle. Need a router or CNC to cut it and get really good results. You could make some templates and use a straight bit with guide bearing to cut parts out of a sheet. Maybe do the actual control panel surface out of laminate (unless you are covering with plexi).
Those shaft and cam locking devices scare the crap out of me, especially for something that could see as much stress as an arcade cabinet. Consider using another fastener as well. You'll notice that all furniture that use the shaft/cam locks also use dowels and glue. The shaft/cam are really just used to draw the 2 pieces together tight long enough for the glue to dry. Dowels really aren't that strong (I've done stress trials personally). I would recommend using biscuits with the shaft/cam. They're also easier to align and cut the slots accurately. Read more here if you have no idea what I'm talking about.
http://www.woodzone.com/articles/biscuit/biscuit_joiner.htm
Also, how are you planning on machining the parts for the shaft/cam? They need to be quite precise for a positive assembly experience.
shmokes:
I agree. Melamine would be the simplest route for you. I'm not so sure about using a router for all of your cuts. Talk about going through expensive bits fast. If you've got a tablesaw or a circular saw just pick up a blade made specifically for cutting melamine. A good one might set you back $100, but it'll last approximately a million times longer than cutting through board after board with a router.
...I think. ;) Honestly I don't know my head from my --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- when it comes to woodworking. But I know that they make melamine blades for tablesaws and circular saws. The rest I just surmised.
Here's some useful info regarding:
http://32mm.dalrun.com/System_Tools/Cutting/cutting.html
dag2000:
You may want to look at some of the products & info at Rockler's website, like this:
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showdetl.cfm?offerings_id=5291&objectgroup_id=7&catid=6&DID=6
and this:
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Offerings_ID=2334&ObjectGroup_ID=72&CATID=22
and this:
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Offerings_ID=348&ObjectGroup_ID=72&CATID=22
and also this:
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Offerings_ID=10299&ObjectGroup_ID=72&CATID=22
VMJ Team:
Those bolts and cams from www.rockler.com are exactly the ones I was planning on using...I decided to scrap the l-bracket construction for simplicity sake, but I do have to consider what _IZ- said about stability...I think it will be OK, but I'll put one together and beat the living crap out of it before I give it a seal of approval. I appreciate all of the helpful feedback on this subject...thanx