Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Saneless on September 18, 2014, 03:17:14 pm
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Hello everyone. First post, we'll see if I'm destined to hatred or hugs.
I'm about to embark on building my first cabinet. Like Noah, I'm building an ark to save my people (family) from boredom and I will bring 2 of every kind of ROM (Original and Rev B) on this journey.
But first, I'm gonna need to build a bigger boat.
I've read a lot, probably 80% of it on this forum. Looked at people's work, cabinets, read their advice, read counter advice, and reread all of them dozens of times. I've bought the Project Arcade 2 book and been back and forth through it a few times. In the beginning I figured the Ultimate Arcade II was the route to go, with a 4-panel CP. It may not get 4 players of use all the time, but I don't have the time or patience to build around regrets a second time.
My question, now that I've finally gotten to it:
I was going to go all MDF. I've worked with it before, it seems fine but dusty, but man it's heavy. 95lb per 4x8. I've calculated the cabinet + CPO to be about 265 pounds without the monitor, wires, or sticks and buttons. That's at least a few pounds more than I can carry one-handed :)
Can I sub out some of the MDF parts for lighter things and be ok? Here's my plan and I want to see if I'm crazy:
Go MDF on the CP. Easy to cut, sand, shape, and not terribly expensive if I have to do it a couple times. I'll only need a 4x4 MDF so we're looking at about 50 pounds. Knocking it down to 32 by going MDO isn't going to save a ton of weight, really.
Go MDO on the side and front panels (basically, anything visible). Nice finish to paint, the majority of the t-molding routing will be done on these edges and I'll benefit from the less dust. It also has the benefit of being about 32% lighter than MDF (or MDF is nearly 50% more weight than MDO if you want to look at it that way).
Finally, Go some relatively inexpensive plywood on things that won't be seen, like the back panel, monitor shelf. This will probably save the most weight, as nearly 80% of the 4x8 will be used. I know the edges won't be as great, but they won't be seen and the lighter weight will make me happy.
In the end I should have a cabinet about 194 pounds, shaving a good 70 pounds off. Doesn't sound like a ton but that is probably the difference of me and a buddy carrying it downstairs without a problem or one of us dying.
Is this a workable idea? Crazy? Waste of time?
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Seems reasonable. I'm not sure I'd want to use it, but if you look at "real" arcade machines they pretty much use the particle board and seem to hold up reasonably well. I used MDO for mine and it still weighs quite a bit. I personally, wouldn't use MDF, but if you already have it, then all good (and it works just fine). If you haven't build a cab before (I hadn't either) I think you'll be surprised with how string plywood is. I swear I could park my car on mine it is so solid. :)
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You can mix without any real issues, as long as your construction is sound.
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My first (and so far only) completed build was a combo of 3/4" mdf for sides and CP and 1/2" plywood for pretty much everything else. Works like a charm.
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Thanks guys. I figured wood was wood but you never know.
Probably going to run out and see if I can pick up a 2x4 MDF sheet to play around with a CP layout. Figure it'll be worth it in the end to get that nailed down.