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first cabinet - question about weight

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Xiaou2:

--- Quote from: MacGyver on September 22, 2012, 02:10:25 am ---As someone who made one that comes apart, I can say it will take a lot longer to build, and weigh twice as much. Oh, it will also be much more expensive, and the measurements and cuts will need to be much more accurate.  If I lived in the States, I would have just made a normal one, hell, I would have just purchased an old one.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121739.0.html

--- End quote ---

 Sorry, but the reason yours was so much heavier... was because you chose to put a whole Framework inside of it.   There really was no need for that.  The cabinet parts on their own, are strong enough.  (see kitchen / bathroom cabinets... they dont have I-beam style framework inside of them either)

 Furthermore, I dont see how making a cab break into a few parts be a disadvantage.

 It could be as simple as an internal 'lip', with some panel clamp locks inside.

 The most heavy part of course, is usually the monitor.   Making a monitor slide-out rail system would make any cabinet much easier to move.

 Also, Certain Arcade cabinets were designed to be taken apart.  Sit-Downs typically have seat sections that
detach.  Some even had upper canopy's that were detachable.

 Just remember, that if your cabinet weighs too little.. it will probably rock around way too much when people play it.   Plywood however, is a preferable material.  Its lightweight, thin, easy to work with.   MDF is a pain.. and you would need good dust respirators.. and it will leave dust EVERYWHERE. Its breaks apart at a smallest edge impact.. and it break apart.  MDF is thick, and severely heavy.

CheffoJeffo:

--- Quote from: Xiaou2 on September 22, 2012, 03:44:35 pm --- MDF is thick, and severely heavy.

--- End quote ---

You're right ... it is WAY thicker than plywood or particle board.

 ::)

paigeoliver:
A multi-part cabinet either weighs more, is less stable, or more likely both. Classic cockpit cabinets didn't come apart, they just looked like they did (believe me I know, I have had to deal with total disassembly and reassembly of both Star Wars and Pole Position cockpits). Big deluxe games with a seat out in front do indeed usually come apart in some way, they have to, otherwise you couldn't get them through a doorway.

If you want your cabinet to be easier to move then buy a dolly. The $20 one I bought at Harbor Freight 10 years ago has moved hundreds of games.

Xiaou2:

--- Quote ---You're right ... it is WAY thicker than plywood or particle board.
--- End quote ---

 A Galaga cab is made from like 1/2" plywood.. and is light as heck.  Most cabs made of MDF (and particle board) are 3/4"... as its not easy to find thinner MDF at the local Home Depot... AND, personally, Id never build a cab with 1/2 or smaller MDF.  Its just too weak, and could easily be smashed apart without specialized internal framing.  (especially weak to hold up an arcade CRT)   And if your going for internal framing... heck why not use thin wallboard?   Of course, then you run into the fact that the cab takes 3x longer to build.. is harder to deal with certain aspects,


--- Quote ---A multi-part cabinet either weighs more, is less stable, or more likely both.
--- End quote ---

I could EASILY make a multipart cabinet that comes apart with maybe 2lb at most difference in weight.

 I could also make it just as stable as any typical cabinet.   I dont know if you realize the Power of properly installed panel clamps.. coupled with a decent joint system.

 Its easy to say when you have to move a cab a few feet thru level ground.  Heck.. they even could go down a staircase with a single person.. thought I highly advise against it.  But try pushing your 300+ lb cab up a staircase by yourself.   Then you realize that you have to call upon your best buddies, at their convenience, whenever you have to move the thing.

 As for "Classic" cabs, yes.. they were not easy to take apart.. because they were meant to stay in put for years at a time.  They also needed to keep the costs down.. and simple bolts, are far more cheap than a locking clamp set. The purpose of a modern Personal home built cabinet, is far different than the arcades.

 However, even some arcade cabs had some Operator friendly features.  Ive seen some Sega Cabs, which had sliding PCB trays, for easier frontal access.

 If you like to make things hard on yourself.. thats great.. but personally, Id Opt for ease of transport.  While I can get friends to help.. I also dont like Imposing the task upon them.  Similarly, Im not exactly excited to help move one of their machines up and down a flight of stairs.  Getting a bit older isnt helping either.

CheffoJeffo:

--- Quote from: Xiaou2 on September 22, 2012, 09:18:34 pm ---
--- Quote ---You're right ... it is WAY thicker than plywood or particle board.
--- End quote ---

 A Galaga cab is made from like 1/2" plywood.. and is light as heck.

--- End quote ---

No, it isn't 1/2" ... it is 3/4".

Galaxian (like PacMan) was made of plywood. Galaga (like Ms PacMan) was made of particle board. I have one of each downstairs. PacMan is much lighter than Galaga, even though the panels are the exact same width.

Even Nintendo, who did make thin cabs out of plywood went 9/16".

And you wonder why nobody takes your "I was an important and responsible manager at a really busy arcade, so I know better" nonsense seriously.  ::)

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