Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: HCFREAK on September 23, 2015, 08:11:52 pm

Title: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: HCFREAK on September 23, 2015, 08:11:52 pm
Hey guys.

I've been lurking around this site long enough, so I decided to build me own arcade machine :)

I'm currently in the process of getting all the different tools I need to work with, getting some arcade buttons and all that stuff. But there is one 'problem' that I have not yet found a really good solution to.

In the picture I made, you can see, that putting two mdf plates together in a right-angled way, obviously is not a problem (duh ^^). But what, if I wonna put them together like shown, in some kind of angular way?

Using a jigsaw, I would imagine this to be kind of awkward, or to be more specific, I wouldnt really know, how to do it. I would guess, you would have to use some kind of table, which can be adjusted in the angle you want, then somehow cut with a saw, so that it would fit.

Sorry, if this is a beginners question.... gotta start somewhere :)


(http://fs5.directupload.net/images/150924/temp/p75ji6rd.jpg) (http://www.directupload.net/file/d/4120/p75ji6rd_jpg.htm)
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: PL1 on September 23, 2015, 08:20:24 pm
Welcome aboard, HCFREAK.   ;D

Check out this thread (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146586.0.html).


Scott
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: yotsuya on September 23, 2015, 08:47:05 pm
Or just find a friend with a table saw.
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: HCFREAK on September 23, 2015, 09:05:05 pm
Thx :)

Yeah... since I dint know anyone with a table saw, looks like I'm gonna have to buy one myself.
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: Slippyblade on September 23, 2015, 09:11:15 pm
While a table saw is nice, I love me a normal circular saw with a sawboard.  Easy and inexpensive to make and WAY safer than running large panels through the
table saw.

There is a sticky on this board about them, here.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,43568.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,43568.0.html)
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: yotsuya on September 23, 2015, 09:46:15 pm
I wouldn't buy a table saw unless you plan to use it a lot. I use mine to cut wood laminate floors, panels for chairs, and so forth. I use it for a lot more than my arcade stuff.

Slippyblade speaks wisdom if you are looking to buy tools.
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: GSXRMovistar on September 24, 2015, 09:26:19 am
If going the circular saw route consider a plunge/rail saw.
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: knave on September 24, 2015, 12:01:54 pm
Correct me if I'm wrong...but couldn't one also achieve this with a router and the right chamfer bit? (of course depending on the desired angle)
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: nicwald on September 24, 2015, 01:17:02 pm
Correct me if I'm wrong...but couldn't one also achieve this with a router and the right chamfer bit? (of course depending on the desired angle)

Typically Chamfer router bits come in standard angles (45, 30, 22.5, 15). See, http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_chamf.html (http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_chamf.html)

That would work, but could be a costly solution depending on the number of angled cuts required as each angle would require a different bit. If you plan on making many angled cuts it could get expensive to replace bits vs buying a circular saw or a table saw

Best solutions would be a circular saw, table saw or a band saw (one of the larger versions 14"+), but a router with chamfer bits could work in a pinch for specific angles.

Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: EvilNuff on September 24, 2015, 04:33:00 pm
A band saw will leave an uneven cut line, I would not recommend that.  I second the suggestion about circular saw with a guide board.  I would avoid buying a table saw as any cheap ones you get will, IMO, be extremely unsafe.
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: wolcott27645 on September 26, 2015, 09:07:16 pm
If you are dead set on using MDF just remember that it may be cheaper but it does weigh quite a bit more.  I would use the chamfer bit with a zero clearance fence.  This will help keep the angle correct.  I also buy my router bits from www.routerbitworld.com (http://www.routerbitworld.com).  Shipping is a $1...cant beat it!
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: HCFREAK on September 27, 2015, 01:43:54 pm
Thanks for all your replies :)

As my first project, so to speak, I am going to create a 'GameBoy Arcade', using a SNES in combination with a Super GameBoy Adapter.

Mhm, now that I think about it, maybe I should create a new thread under 'projects announcements'.

I think I'll just do that right now :)

And thx wolcott for the link, but since I live in germany, the shipping costs are of course not really an option for me. But I'm gonna get all the stuff I need here anyway.
Title: Re: Beginners question about angular edges
Post by: jennifer on September 27, 2015, 10:26:45 pm
    I use a jointer, and will stand behind it"s precision. They are heavy dedicated, and extremely dangerous finger chewing machines however use at your own risk...My #2 choice would have to be a router table, here cheap should be frowned upon, Warped tables, and lacking above table bit changes (very time consuming)....And finally the tablesaw, a trusty workhorse that's up to the task.