Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: sofakng on June 06, 2004, 02:26:59 am

Title: T-Molding: All the way around, or just the front?
Post by: sofakng on June 06, 2004, 02:26:59 am
Ok, this is my last t-molding question, I promise.

Since tomorrow morning I plan to do a bunch of routing, I'm wondering if I should cut a slot around the ENTIRE side panel, or just the front section?

For the couple of extra bucks, I would think it would look nicer if I do the entire side panel (including the bottom, the top, and the back).

EDIT:  How would I do the bottom part of the side panel since it connects to the bottom piece?  Do you cut a slot through both pieces?

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Also, how much t-molding would I need to do two complete side panels, plus a control panel?  40' or 60'?

Finally, anybody have any suggestions for me when cutting this slot?  Yesterday my 1/16" slot cutter came in from MLCS Woodworking so that is what I will be using.

Thanks again for everybody's help!
Title: Re:T-Molding: All the way around, or just the front?
Post by: Gameboy.au on June 06, 2004, 02:41:41 am
It looks much better if you do the whole thing.  I change mine from black to blue and I'm glad I did the whole lot, and not just the front.

It just seems more complete now.  ;D

Not knowing the size of your cab, I dunno how much your going to need.

I used a special router bit with the (funny enough) router so I was really simple for me.  

Either way, when cutting it, double check what your cutting.  I went to far and have know done part of the underside as well.   :o  Oops.
Title: Re:T-Molding: All the way around, or just the front?
Post by: sofakng on June 06, 2004, 02:44:01 am
Gameboy, did you make an upside "U" (covering the front, top, and back sections), or did you do the underside of the cabinet as well?

I'm not sure how regular arcades look (and what looks the best) -- if they put t-molding on the bottom, or just around the front, top, and back...
Title: Re:T-Molding: All the way around, or just the front?
Post by: Gameboy.au on June 06, 2004, 02:50:29 am
Yeah, I buggered up and did a big O instead on one side, so I changed the upside down U on tghe other side of the cabinet to a big O as well.

My cab has a smaller base that it is bolted onto, so it wasn't a big drama.  For the extra couple of bucks, it didn't worry me about doing the bottom as well, and well, quite frankly, I like it, even if no one else will notice or care.  ;D
Title: Re:T-Molding: All the way around, or just the front?
Post by: pocketbikez on June 06, 2004, 08:42:59 am
i like to run the tmolding all the way around.

i have a Spyhunter and an APB arcade machine, they both have the tmolding installed all the way around.
Title: Re:T-Molding: All the way around, or just the front?
Post by: BigBri on June 06, 2004, 09:15:19 am
I went all the way around except the bottom.  That was a mistake.  When I moved my cab against the wall, i just slid it on my concrete floor.  I kinda tore up the laminate.  If I had put t-molding on the bottom, maybe that would have prevented that.  I will be painting soon, so I have to get my bro over here to lift it away from the wall.  So take that into consideration, don't drag your cab on the floor.
Title: Re:T-Molding: All the way around, or just the front?
Post by: sofakng on June 06, 2004, 10:05:18 am
Ok, I'm following the Project Arcade book and I believe that the two side panels will attach on top of a "cabinet bottom" piece.

So, to make the t-molding go all the way around, I would have to cut the slot around each side panel, and then continue the groove *through* that bottom piece (so it would go through both pieces to form a complete circle)

Understand what I mean?

Is that what I should do?