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Method to Disassemble
atomaka:
Hey all!
I'm finally beginning to build my first cabinet, but I have run into a semi-large dilema. Basically, I need the cabinet to be able to be disassembled and reassembled. I live on the third floor of a dorm without an elevator while attending school and it isn't feasable to carry the entire cabinet up the stairs while put together (even after taking out the miscellaneous trays for computer, monitor, etc instide) as I found out while helping a friend get his into his room.
If anyone has done something like how to make it be able to come apart and go back together many times somewhat easily, I would be glad to hear them.
I would appreciate any responses that could help lead to a success of this ;)
Thank you for your time
Tiger-Heli:
machine screws and T-nuts maybe . . .
Just the first thing that comes to mind?
I've never tried this, hopefully someone with more experience will respond.
hyiu:
if I didn't remember wrong... there are a few plans (maybe free... maybe for sale...) that have 2 piece cabinets...
for those cabinets... the top half is "screwed in".... if you do minor modifications and use nuts and bolts.... you should be able to build a cab that can separate into 2 piece with (maybe 8 screws ???....)
well.... I don't have the plans myself.... but look around...
1 thing.... if you're willing to pay for the cab plan....
maybe you can try cyberpunk's plan... his is more or less 2 pieces..... (again... I don't have that plan... and have not dealt with him before...) but up to what I hear, he is giving good customer service to his customers....
good luck....
atomaka:
--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on May 21, 2003, 05:06:24 pm ---machine screws and T-nuts maybe . . .
Just the first thing that comes to mind?
I've never tried this, hopefully someone with more experience will respond.
--- End quote ---
Do you think you could explain a little bit here? I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean.
And I would like to avoid payinf for plans to do this. Thanks for the suggestion though. I may have to look into it if it comes down to it.
I came up with one idea, but I don't think it will work out to well. It involves hanger bolts (basically a half screw, half bolt) and L-brackets mounted at several places along the arcade. This method would allow all sides to come apart, but I ran into a couple problems.
1) I am using 3/4" MDF for my arcade. I was told that putting a 1/4" screw into the edge of it would most likely split the wood. Can anyone confirm or say other wise?
2) Because of #1, I can't find the correct size hanger bolt that I would need. Since it would have to be drilled into the side and not the edge, the screw portion would have to be under 3/4" (I was thinking 5/8" for the screw portion) meaning a 10/8" (or 1 and 1/4") hanger bolt. The smallest hanger bolt I could find was one that was 2". If anyone knows if it's possible to find smaller hanger bolts that would be great
3) I'm not sure 5/8" screwed into the wood is enough to soldly hold the arcade in place. I was intending on putting these brackets in every foot on the arcade.
Thanks for the ideas guys. I really appreciate it!
hyiu:
hmmm.. let me try to clarify...
look at the cab in this thread....
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=7414
now... I donno if that guy paid for the plans....
but I guess just looking at the pic is not illegal.....
you see the top part ??.... is wider... and my guess is...
if you do it right... you can have it sitting on top with a few bolts / nuts.... and it should stay in place....
then your cab basically can separate into 2 pieces when needed.....
my experience with MDF is limited....
but my guess is.... if you're going to screw and unscrew and screw and unscrew.... you should avoid screwing right into the wood....
I don't think you should screw into the edge of MDF.... although if you use a correct size pilot hole, and put glue along the joint.... you might be able to do it....
you should be able to avoid screwing on the edge by changing the way you joint easily....
hope it helps... good luck...
;)