Protecting bottom of the cabinet?

[specialmoose]

What are you guys doing to protect the bottom of the cabinet? I'm using 3/4" MDF and have primed and painted the bottom but that's all. Do you guys wrap around your t-molding to include the bottom or just leave it bare wood?

I already searched and didn't find anything.

[FrizzleFried]

Some classic cabinets wrapped T-Molding around the bottom (Atari Centipede for example).  Others didn't.  But they pretty much ALL use LEG LEVELERS under there to keep the wood from sitting on the ground.  The other option is some small casters to make moving the cabinets easy.

[Disturbed013]

Since I'm converting a Taito cab, it had legs (well, 3 out of 4), and wheels at the back (well, 1 out of 2).  I replaced all 4 legs (Ace Hardware), and both wheels (Happ) and she's solid as a rock.  As for protection, just like you, primer and paint, I'm not wrapping the t-molding underneath. 

[Jouster]

I would assume this question pertains to full sized cabs...on my bartop, I painted the bottom and then wrapped the t-molding all the way under.  The t-molding holds pretty well for grip.

Jouster

[ArcadeMaze]

X

[spystyle]

...The other option is some small casters to make moving the cabinets easy.

I thought everybody used casters!

Also, I have done extensive testing with particle board, MDF, and plywood in water. Plywood the best for resisting water, the other two will swell up like a sponge.

But if you use casters you should be all set reguardless of what material you choose - some basements do "flood" seasonally, but they *should* have subpumps and the water level should never exceed 1/2" at it's peak - casters would protect from that much water. You can buy casters that are 1" to 3" at any hardware store.

Cheers,
Craig

[SavannahLion]

...The other option is some small casters to make moving the cabinets easy.

I thought everybody used casters!

Some cab designs aren't effective with casters.  For example, I believe the pad is recessed underneath on my cab which would allow casters but give no access to locking the casters without modifiying the existing skirt or foot. Until I find casters that I can lock without modifying the existing foot, it's just going to be on a flat dolly.

[spystyle]

It's hard for me to imagine a cabinet that is not compatible with casters, but if you have one that you can't put your hand under you could extend the "locking lever" of the caster to reach the front of the cab (assuming it's a fixed and not swivel caster)

Cheers,
Craig

[SavannahLion]

It's hard for em to imagine a cabinet that is not compatible with casters, but if you have one that you can't put your hand under you could extend the "locking lever" of the caster to reach the front of the cab (assuming it's a fixed and not swivel caster)

How would you extend the locking lever?

I have a Hang-On cab. I haven't tipped the cabinet, but I believe the base is recessed up to the first bend. If I install casters, I'd rather the lock lever is around the back because of where the player can put their foot.

BTW, that cab is built with ply. 

[Green Giant]

There is an easy way for you to lock the casters with very little modification.  On my cab I used standard casters on the front since they are completely concealed by the cab, but the bottom of the back is open a little bit.  That way I can lock the back two casters keeping the cab steady.  You could always make a slight modification to the back since noone looks at the back of your cab.

[spystyle]

...How would you extend the locking lever?...

One way I can think of is to "JB weld" a long aluminum rod to the locking lever.

But what "Green Giant" said is much easier!

[Green Giant]

...How would you extend the locking lever?...

One way I can think of is to "JB weld" a long aluminum rod to the locking lever.

That would make the wheel unable to rotate 360 degrees, but if the caster is stationary then the rod would be fine.  With the size of my cab, I wanted it to be able to move as easily as possible.  If you want I can post a pic of how my wheels rotate later on tonight.

[spystyle]

I was of course referring to a "fixed" caster and not a "rotating" caster

[Green Giant]

I was of course referring to a "fixed" caster and not a "rotating" caster

Yeah, figured that, just wasn't sure what the guy that started the thread wanted.  Plus a noob could get mixed up.  You never know.