The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Ren Hoek on September 15, 2003, 06:17:00 am
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I am in the process of making a cabinet ( I will be using high-pressure pre-laminated MDF from a timber company I work for - a massive range of colour/wood grain options). Because of this, I am wondering if there is a proven way to screw the pieces together from the inside so that there are no holes on the outside? I will be using a solid inner frame (what thickness/width is best for the frame?) and am thinking that glue and screws may be the go. It will be a 2-piece, 2-tone cabinet (bottom construction and separate top). If worst comes to worst, I will use black screws on the black top).
Furthermore, I find little literature on using angled pieces of wood (do people go to the effort to angle the edges of their wood so they meet flush such as on the marquee area and angled top corner panel, as well as the front face for the bezel?) Regarding these areas, does anyone have any close-up shots of the front panel/bezel and how it is constructed to fit nicely into the control panel and marquee area?
If the cabinets were completely square/right angles, it would be simple, but I find little instruction on the angled nature of the construction and joining.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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You can countersink the screws, then cover the countersink with a little filler to make it impossible to see the screws after you have painted your cab.
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Real cabinets are generally made by attaching 1x1's inside and screwing everything into them. Do yours the same and you won't have to put a single screw into the outside.
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Totallyout2lunch - you may have misunderstood me but I hope to use a high-pressure laminate on MDF (it is a pre-laminated surface used for cabinetry and kitchens/bathromms etc). It won't be painted as the colours/wood grain/granite effects are already provided and look professional (because they are) - but thanks anyway.
PaigeOliver - in saying "screw everthing into them", I assume you mean screws from the inside of the cabinet, through the frame into the panels (but not through to the other side (which would be the visible outer face of the panel). Would there be enough screw coming through the frame into the panel to provide a solid attachment (as the panel is not very thick), or would some glue be required to assist?
I'm just about ready to construct and I want to cover all bases until I begin, so sorry if I seem a little uncertain. The fact that I work at a wood/laminate company means I have the resources to create a really good-looking cabinet, and I don't want to skimp on a the aesthetics of it.
Also, thanks for the quick responses.
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Apply some type of adhesive product like Liquid Nails along with the screws, just don't expect it to come back apart again ;)
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yes, you can make it so that there's no screw heads appear on the outside....
example... I'm assuming you're using 3/4 in MDF....
and the frame's thickness itself is 3/4 in...
then total thickness is 1 1/2 in....
I would recommend using 1 1/4 in screws....
also.... before screwing in the screws.... put glue between the wood..... not just at the screw hole.... but on the piece....
(then they'll definitely be stuck together.....)
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I use 1 1/2 inch square lumber at all of my mdf joints. I glue and screw everything. Use 2 inch sheetrock screws and none of the screws will show if you are using 3/4inch MDF. This would preserve your fancy MDF material. Good luck.