Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Jammin0 on August 10, 2011, 11:55:17 am
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Let me preface this by saying that I have never used a router. I've done plenty of carpentry in remodeling my old home but I haven't had much experience with finish carpentry. My question for the group is what kind of router setup to buy for my first cabinet project. I will probably only be doing 1 for the time being and it is actually not even a full cabinet. More of a pedestal control panel to go along with an LCD TV mounted on the wall.
Plunge router vs. stationary router. Do I need a table for it? Can I build one pretty easily, does it just bolt on to the table?
I assume I will need the router for my cp edges and my button / joystick cutouts, as well as T-molding. Any other uses for the router on this project that would make things easier. I have a table saw, jigsaw, and miter saw. Are the control panels typically just cut out using a jigsaw and then sanded down? I want to know what the pro on a budget would do.
I plan to put acrylic on top of the CP can the router work for trimming that down to flush work as well?
My 1 question kind of turned into a whole bunch so I will stop there. :) I guess part of it is me just needing to get my feet wet and try it out. I have a really cool idea for the base of the pedestal to give it a nice custom look but we'll see if I can pull it off.
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Howdy!
I personally prefer a plunge router. It is not necessary, but if you can find a good plunge for the right price, go for it. For me it is for these 3 reasons:
1) It is much easier for cutting out inside areas in wood. You can alternately drill out an area, and then take a fixed router to cut afterward.
2) I find it just easier to set the height of the bit.
3) I do woodworking outside of arcade cabinets, and other projects have needed the plunge feature.
I still haven't built a router table, but I have seen homemade ones before. They seem easy enough to build.
Jigsaw should be fine for cutting a CP, but be sure to get or make a straight edge guide for any straightaways. Also, get a heavy duty cutting blade, jig blades tend to bend when they overheat. You will get a ton of recommendations for a circular saw though, because it is just the easier route for straight cuts.
I haven't cut acrylic with a router yet, but everyone seems to do fine with it.
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Oh yeah, I have a good circular saw too, forgot to mention that. I also have a little mini drill press but don't know if I can use it because of the size of the project.
Thanks for the advice on the plunge router. I kind of figured that there weren't really any advantages to a stationary router vs. the plunge router. I have a killer pawn shop right by where I live and I see plunge routers for $40-70 dollars or so all the time, craigslist is also really big where I live so I don't think I will have too much trouble finding one. Just have to convince the Mrs. Luckily I am also working on a basic cabinet/shelving for our new bathroom remodel so I think I will "have" to buy it for that project as well.
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:cheers: It looks like you will be pretty well set up! Drill presses are great for button holes, but yeah, sometimes they are just not big enough to use on a large CP.
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Plunge no question. You can do everything with a plunge that a stationary can do and more. You could also consider a 2 base kit where there is one motor than you can move between the bases. IMO this is really only useful for mounting the stationary base in a router table, however.
Also in my opinion its worth spending a little extra to get a decent router like a porter cable, dewalt, etc. (As opposed to an el cheapo.)
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I think the title of your thread answers your question. Take the plunge and get a plunge router. ;D
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ok, despite all of the advice I ended up not getting a plunge router. I was just having a really hard time finding any used. I picked up this guy instead from the local pawn shop. I was actually pretty happy because they wanted $70 and I got them down to $40. Now I just have to get some bits to go with it. I decided to go deWalt because most of my tools are deWalt already. Ever since I used a 18V drill in my job going through college I have been a huge fan, I figure that if they turn on at all they are safe to buy used.
Any advice on must have bits that I need to buy now?
(http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo300/melindalloyd_photo/photo13.jpg)