T-Molding the Cheap Way

[SlainbytheBrain]

I am quite new to building arcade cabinets. I will probably only ever do one and I don't do much woodworking overall. The fiance is giving me some mean looks regarding the tools I have been purchasing to do the job. That said, I am trying to avoid getting a router (as I will only need it for one specific task in this journey to a home arcade).

Is there a cheaper tool that could get the job done without necessarily being useful for much else? I am using MDF for the cab if that matters. I ran across this which seems reasonably priced:

http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Tools-TRIMBX-Trim-Router/dp/B0035JCA5Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309280193&sr=8-3

Would this work? What kind of bit for it if I use this t-molding:

http://www.t-molding.com/store/product.php?productid=21&cat=3&page=1

What other options might there be?

Thanks in advance,
Matt

[drventure]

Get on Craigslist and scout around. You can almost always find someone ditching a router.

Also, pawn shops, etc.

trim router might work, but they tend to be underpowered. good for trimming laminate, but not much else. And a tmold bit is a pretty good sized bit.

[SlainbytheBrain]

Get on Craigslist and scout around. You can almost always find someone ditching a router.

Also, pawn shops, etc.

trim router might work, but they tend to be underpowered. good for trimming laminate, but not much else. And a tmold bit is a pretty good sized bit.

Unfortunately there were no routers for sale in my area. Craigslist has been pretty useless for this project thus far as I live in a low population area.

[Blanka]

Craigslist is the dumbest site for classifieds I have ever seen. It makes the USA a zillion gated communities. Why is it not like our Marktplaats? You always search the whole country, and you can set a distance if you like. Most people ship everything as long as you pay. Even a mighty Vectrex can be boxed, although that might not be a wise one if done wrongly. It is always weird to see all big internet startups come from the US, but this example is the worst. Ditch CL and build up something userfriendly. A new goldmine for those interested!
Prove of the pudding that our system works:
Ebay bought it and they wanted to assimilated it into their own system: FAIL. Marktplaats still works as before, nobody goes to Ebay.nl and it is the biggest classified site of whole Europe, just because it works.
Maybe give it a try, they sure will ship to the USA and nobody has a problem to respond in English 

[Blanka]

"bovenfrees" is what you want 

[TopJimmyCooks]

blanka:  in the US (very large geographical area) it tends to be ebay for shippable items and craigslist for items that are too bulky and cheap to be able to ship effectively and only make sense for local pickup. 

Slain:  I usually acquire and give away beater routers 1 or 2 times a year, don't have one at the moment but I could probably locate one quickly.  Can you afford $20 for a slot cutter bit from GGG or Tmolding.com? 

[Donkbaca]

You will probably need the router to mount your joys.  May need it for the speaker panel.  I use mine a ton.

Router is the only way to go.  Buy one off ebay, use it, sell it on ebay when you are done.  You won't be out much, if you get a good deal, you may come out ahead.

If you ever plan on doing any wood working at all in the future, keep it.  Routers are pretty darn handy. 

[emb]

You *could* get by without using a router for the joysticks, although the router really helps lock them in place.

The trim router you are looking at is 22 bucks? If buying on amazon, make sure to spend more than 25 for free shipping.

If I were you, I would bite the bullet and get a cheap router for $60. I bought this one and could not be happier.

http://homedepot.digby.com/homedepot/product/detail.do?itemId=100485419&categoryId=&path=

The extra 35 bucks really pays for itself just from the time saved working on the cabinet alone. Since I didn't have a circular or table saw, using a router and jig saw worked out great. Nothing better than a chip free strait edge...something that is impossible with a jigsaw alone.

Now that I have a router, I have no idea what I would do without it. It is such a versatile tool!

[yotsuya]

You *could* get by without using a router for the joysticks, although the router really helps lock them in place.

The trim router you are looking at is 22 bucks? If buying on amazon, make sure to spend more than 25 for free shipping.

If I were you, I would bite the bullet and get a cheap router for $60. I bought this one and could not be happier.

http://homedepot.digby.com/homedepot/product/detail.do?itemId=100485419&categoryId=&path=

The extra 35 bucks really pays for itself just from the time saved working on the cabinet alone. Since I didn't have a circular or table saw, using a router and jig saw worked out great. Nothing better than a chip free strait edge...something that is impossible with a jigsaw alone.

Now that I have a router, I have no idea what I would do without it. It is such a versatile tool!

I bought that same router because I wasn't sure how it would work out. Now I can't see being without one.

[SlainbytheBrain]

blanka:  in the US (very large geographical area) it tends to be ebay for shippable items and craigslist for items that are too bulky and cheap to be able to ship effectively and only make sense for local pickup. 

Slain:  I usually acquire and give away beater routers 1 or 2 times a year, don't have one at the moment but I could probably locate one quickly.  Can you afford $20 for a slot cutter bit from GGG or Tmolding.com? 

I got a 1/16th bit (edit, oops!) with a 1/4th inch shank for 16 bux at MLCS. I just need something cheap to put it in!

Let me know if anything becomes available.

To the others, I won't be needing a router for the control panel as I am using a Tankstick (I know that is frowned upon, but it makes sense for me right now).

[BobA]

I got a 1/6th bit with a 1/4th inch shank for 16 bux at MLCS. I just need something cheap to put it in!

Let me know if anything becomes available.

Hopefully that is a 1/16 inch bit.

Fixed

[Donkbaca]

I'm telling you buy a used one on e-bay. It will cost you maybe 100 bucks.  Use it.  Sell it on ebay for around 100 bucks.  Seems the best solution to me....

[SlainbytheBrain]

I'm telling you buy a used one on e-bay. It will cost you maybe 100 bucks.  Use it.  Sell it on ebay for around 100 bucks.  Seems the best solution to me....

Yeah, I'm watching a few auctions on some modest models. I'm hoping I might get a good enough deal I can keep it - just in case.

[BobA]

You can get alot of routers for under $40.

Ebay example

However I would not order this one for Canada as the shipping cost is more than the router.

[milkit]

those little trim routers will NOT work for t-molding. the bit "depth" moves like crazy. You cant get it tight enough to hold a consistent level bc its a cheap plastic clamp holding your height.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Router-Craftman-A0133-/260825886064?pt=Routers_Bits&hash=item3cba6f2d70#ht_500wt_1413 buy that

[Green Giant]

When I built my cab I got a really cheap one off ebay for really cheap, like $40.  The thing is a powerhouse.  I am sure it probably puts out toxic fumes and has asbestos insulation, but who cares.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2HP-1-2-1-4in-Shank-Plunge-Router-w-12-PC-Tungsten-Bits-/280721444196?pt=Routers_Bits&hash=item415c4d4d64

Looks just like that thing except mine didn't come with any bits.