Summer is a great time to start a new project.

[leanmeanjj]

I am getting ready to build an mame arcade cabinet for the first time in my life. I am thinking about a maple wood colored cabinet. Has anybody here ever built such colored cabinet with black T-molding? I would love to see some pictures before I dig myself too deep into a hole.

[Dazz]

I guess it really depends on where you live...  I live in Texas and I have a project that I'm currently working on.  Right now we are seeing temps in the upper 90's lower 100's.  In my garage it's a little cooler, but not much. The humidity really kills me sometimes.  It's really hard to get out and work in temps like this.  I normally get out around 1 or 2am when it's a little cooler, but lately it's still in the upper 80s out at night.

[drventure]

There's several cabs similar to what you describe around here, though I don't have any links right off.

You can search for mountain's "woody" for one. Also check the "Hall of fame" thread.

My cab has some of those elements (wood and black molding), I used a "Leather textured tmold" that looks really good with stained wood IMO.

If you go that route, personally, i think black buttons look best, possibly black surrounds and clear nova gem buttons if you want them to light up (or maybe vice versa).

[drventure]

@Dazz

I'm in texas too (Dallas ft worth area). It's rough working outside in the heat. ugh...

[Dazz]

@Dazz

I'm in texas too (Dallas ft worth area). It's rough working outside in the heat. ugh...

I'm in Keller.  We all really need to get together soon sometime to talk and play games.  I'll see if I can get us a group discount setup over at Tornado Terry's for one of the upcoming weekends.

[Woodshop Flunky]

Summers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area just kill any desire to get in the shop and work.  We were in west Texas (Lubbock) over Memorial day weekend and the temp was between 103-108.  Despite the hotter days, it was so much beter than DFW.  The day after we got home the temp was 10 degrees cooler and it felt awful.

I'm going to have to move back to west Texas just to be able to enjoy summers again.

[TopJimmyCooks]

black is ok, especially if you finish the wood to a more golden honey color rather than bleached, pale Scandinavian maple.  However, consider getting maple veneer edge banding and finishing the same as the sides.  you iron it on rather than cutting a t slot.  this is what I would do if I was doing a furniture grade cab.  woodworking sites like eagle america, woodcraft and rockler sell rolls of it.   

[IG-88]

I think this little Bartop is sweet tho I don't know if its maple. Definitely on my todo list.

[EvilNuff]

@Dazz

I'm in texas too (Dallas ft worth area). It's rough working outside in the heat. ugh...

I'm in Keller.  We all really need to get together soon sometime to talk and play games.  I'll see if I can get us a group discount setup over at Tornado Terry's for one of the upcoming weekends.

Frisco, TX here.  How the devil is your garage cooler than the outdoors!  lol

[popsicle]

Houston here.  Not only is it hotter than the 9th circle, but we've had a HUGE dry spell.  The ground is cracking, the pavement is cracking, the trees are dying.  Why the **** is it still so humid?!?

[popsicle]

Ha, I just realized the OP is my coworker.  Guess this whole thread is from Texas 

[kalars123]

Denton here, yea the weathers been abit to hot for me, ive been wanting to get and work on mr 57 chevy but just cant stand the heat so been rhrowing time and money at the cab

[IG-88]

I think the OP was asking whether or not people like maple colored cabs wasn't he? Not about working in the summer heat.

Regardless, I love how Texas people always say it's so hot and humid. Try it in Nebraska. We got the same heat and humidity PLUS we get the pleasure of winters that you guys never dreamed of. 

[kalars123]

I'm originally from Missouri, I know all winter 

[SNAAKE]

I think this little Bartop is sweet tho I don't know if its maple. Definitely on my todo list.

who made that? wow I wanna build a bartop too..NOW

[IG-88]

Here you go SNAAKE, if you haven't found it already:

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Mikes_Mini_Mame

[drventure]

I'm originally from Missouri  misery,

Fixed that for you.

 

[drventure]

Using veneer edge banding or tmold is definitely a style decision. either can look really good.

You might also consider ripping a strip of 3/4x3/4 contrasting wood (like cherry, etc), glue it to the edge, then route a simple ogee or roundover.

I did something like that with a desk and it worked great.