Best way to fix up my arcade cabinet without taking it apart?

[Doom bucket]

I built an arcade using Ultimate Arcade 2 plans.

Then it went through a flood.

Almost two years later(and moving it around three times) the bottom is falling apart. I don't think it could sustain another move, although I'll have to in a month.

The wood(mdf) is essentially rotting at the edges and the original screws have been pulling out of their spots, ripping through the wood. Is there anything I can do? Or should I just try and rebuild the bottom half... I really don't have the ability to do this, I don't have access to a woodshop or the ability to buy new wood.

[Ginsu Victim]

Go find an empty cab for cheap.

[Doom bucket]

:/

If that's the case, I'd rather sell the whole thing altogether. I'm a poor college student and it's just been a luxury item hanging around my apartment anyway

[Gatsu]

probably not gonna get much for a heavily water-damaged cabinet.

[daywane]

I would rebuild the Buttom half.

How far is the damage?
6 inches to a foot?
build a pedalstool that tall. a bit larger than the cab. I would make it have a molding strip all the way around. clamp on a straight edge to cab. Use a power saw and cut off damage , lift cab and bolt to pedestal
not perfect but you are still in action. a couple 2x4's a sheet of MDF , some glue, and screws and you are set.

[Doom bucket]

Hmm... if I work on it, throw it away, whatever, I'll still have to move it. How can I hold it together to keep it from falling apart while moving it?

[daywane]

I would cut off the bad first.
put in some nailer boards in all 4 corners.

[ami-man]

Hi,

You could screw/bolt blocks of wood into the base of the cabinet to keep the bottom from falling out or alternatively fit alloy angle iron around the base of the cabinet on the outside.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[garnerb350]

Hi,

You could screw/bolt blocks of wood into the base of the cabinet to keep the bottom from falling out or alternatively fit alloy angle iron around the base of the cabinet on the outside.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

I agree with ami-man....
Seems to me that you are trying to salvage what you can untill you HAVE to junk it...
Take some 2x4, screw them on the interior of the cab ( square frame) and srew the crap out of the base on the 2x4 also...

[Dr Zero]

Hi,

You could screw/bolt blocks of wood into the base of the cabinet to keep the bottom from falling out or alternatively fit alloy angle iron around the base of the cabinet on the outside.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

I agree with ami-man....
Seems to me that you are trying to salvage what you can untill you HAVE to junk it...
Take some 2x4, screw them on the interior of the cab ( square frame) and srew the crap out of the base on the 2x4 also...

And  put some wheels on the there while you are at it, will raise up the bottom from getting more tore up and make it easier to move. Wheels are pretty cheap 4 for less than $15 at harbor freight.

[Turnarcades]

The UA II is a 2-piece design yes? Ask around here to see if someone can do you a simplistic rebuild on the lower half. Repair is just not gonna work, as once MDF gets wet it's very fabric breaks down permanently. If you can't get a new bottom half built, you will do better to sell the top half off. It's because of potential scuff and moisture damage we build ours with concealed wheels that lift the cabinet base and sides up slightly, but so you can't see a huge gap underneath:

[Malenko]

cut new sides and lag bolt it into the existing cab, 2x4s inside cant hurt