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paulscade - First Build - MAME - Blastoff!
paulscade:
Ya know what... I just realized that I didn't mention the slot cutting.
BEFORE any assembly I did the slot cutting for the T-molding. All the way around the base sections and all the way around the top sections. It was the first time ever that I used a router. No problems... the MDF cut like butter.
There a bit of a story about that too. I had a heck of a time trying to find a 1/16" slot cutting bit at the local home stores (Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Harbor Freight). I bought a slot cutter bit from Harbor Freight... and then later realized that I had purchased a 1/2" shank and I had a 1/4" shank router. :hissy: I returned it but found that they had no 1/4" left on the shelf. After more searching, I ended up finding the 1/16" slot cutter bit at Home Depot... on the clearence rack... for $8. What a deal.
Edit: corrected mistake of specifying 1/6" slot cutter.
If you look... you'll see that the slots are already there.
paulscade:
I realized that my base modification had left me with an exposed 2x4 frame... with bolts sticking through. This makes it a bit clunky when trying to place a computer in the cabinet (having to workaround the bolts).
I decided to add a MDF base above the frame. I used the extra space to my advantage... to make a coin box (of sorts). Later, I'll find a plastic bin that fits in the space that I've created.
paulscade:
The base section is now almost complete. I'm 33 hours into the project.
Humm... I don't have a good shot of the keyboard drawer. But I was working on that at the same time as the base. The slides came from Home Depot.
paulscade:
Just a slight setback. There's even a warning on the plans... REMOVE the keyboard drawer when moving the cabinet.
I've been wheeling this cabinet in and out of the garage to work on it. We normally park both cars in the garage. There's a step up to get to the garage door leading to the house.
As I lifted one end of the cabinet to get it up the step... the keyboard drawer came flying out of the cabinet... it hit the concrete at just the right angle to snap it (the front of the drawer from the bottom with the slides). :'( I wasn't happy. Fortunately, the screws bent but held it together enough to make repair relatively easy.
Another mod that's not shown in the photos... to protect the lower edges of the cabinet, I bought some steel angle iron at Home Depot. The angle iron runs along the left and right sides at the bottom and it's mounted on the inside of the cabinet so you don't see it. I figured that it would protect the delicate MDF as I move it up and down the step in the garage.... and wherever else I move it.
paulscade:
Time to get the top section into place.
I should say... I've been using #8, 1.5" screws and a good wood glue to put this thing together. I first drill 1/8" pilot holes. Then, each hole is drilled about 5/16" deep with a 3/8" bit. I bought a 3/8" plug cutter and drilled plugs from scrap MDF. Once the screws are in place, I hammer in a MDF plug with a rubber mallet.
Here the top section going together.