OND Metropolis copy-First build with no tool knowledge!

[tophite]

Longtime reader of this forum and I have followed many people's build over the months and have finally decided to take the leap.

I will state clearly up front that I have no wood working skills.  No prior experience.  I essentially own no tools at the start of this project.  For some reason, I have a cordless drill and strangely enough an orbital sander.  I really don't know why!  Either way it is a start.  I will also like it known that I know this build is going to cost me more than it should, my budget will be blown, it would be cheaper to buy a pre-made one, etc.  That being said, I don't care and my wife thinks the basement has too many spiders to visit so it is unlikely she will find out too much!

I do have a helper though (CMH)!  She seems quite excited and if I can teach her to measure, hammer and glue a few things in the process then this is all money well spent.  In addition, I am excited about learning a new skill.  With that being said, the first stage of the project happened the other day.....the hauling out of all the crap that was in my work space!

With all that space, CMH and I realized that we had nothing to rest anything on.  Our first wood project was then born:  Saw horses.  With the puchase of circular saw and a quick replacement of the crappy blade that came with it with a 24T 7-1/4 " Diablo blade, we set off cutting legs for saw horses.  Once I learned to cut all the way through the cut and not stop short, we got some really nice results.  We both had safety glasses and CMH hid outside.  The cat had less protection that she would have desired. 

All in all the sawhorses came out quite well.  Especially when you factor in the circular saw price (119.00), I could have bought some pre-made for much cheaper....but then that is not the point!

[tophite]

Fresh off the success of our saw horses, the next day we decided that a good table saw was beyond our budget (for now) so we made a couple 4"saw boards with 1/2" MDF for a guide and some spare 1/4" plywood we had in the basement (we saved it from getting hauled off).  We attached the two together with Titebond II glue and some countersunk #6 Spax screws from the botom.  One we trimmed up for the circular saw.  The other sawboard we left "wavy" (CMH term for our uneven end) and will come back and make it work for the router (which we have yet to purchase).

[tophite]

Ok, now caught up on the activity to today.

Today, my helper was not present.  She had gone off with her mother to get a new puppy (can't compete with that).  I decided I would soldier on unsupervised and make the base and attach the furring strips.  I had a 2x4x1/2" sheet of MDF that we picked up the other day.  After carefully measure it out, I made the first couple of cuts with my circular saw (switched blade to a 60T) with the assist of the saw board we made the other day.  The saw board was just amazing and really cool to see working.  When I was done, I would like to say I was impressed....maybe too impressed.  I labelled the piece of MDF and set it gingerly in the corner to cut the 1x2 furring strips that I would need.  Having done this, I decided it would be better to go ahead and drill the caster holes before I glued and screwed the strips.  I carefully measured and marked out the caster holes making sure the wheels would not rotate outside the base's perimeter.  Success (or so I thought)!!!!  I quickly moved on to glue and screw of my strips....I got nearly done when my wife called from upstairs.  As I was walking over to talk to her....I saw the beautiful piece of MDF I had cut for the base that I had labelled and gingerly laid against the way!!!  Turns out I had been working on the remant of the MDF board which was nearly...but not quite the right size (see the piece now laying on the woodpile after I removed everything.....  Oh well!  Practice practice practice.  I made quick work of the real base this time and I think it turned out well!  The caster screws are too long but I will trim off with a dremel.

I think if CMH had been there today instead of puppy shopping, she would have caught my error right away!

[johnrt]

Did the cat agree to the puppy investment? 

Btw: Great project you have started on!

[yotsuya]

Love the fact that your little girl is helping. Mine was 8 when I started in this hobby... She's now 12 and is still excited about these games.

[BGoulette]

That's awesome that you've got your daughter helping out! I too have no skills and not enough tools, but when I can swing it, I hope to involve my sons with a similar project. Good hunting!

[tophite]

Yeah, I will admit to not knowing how helpful she would be.....  She definitely is.  She keeps everything organized (like where is the pencil, the triangle, the ruler).  These things don't sound like much....but you can spend a lot of time looking for a pencil you drop to do something else and then can't remember where you put it!  The cat is not so helpful....

[Ond]

Welcome to the fun tophite! You're off to a great start, take your time and don't worry about the mistakes/practice. I've done dumber things in the workshop than work on the wrong piece of timber  .

Got any thoughts about the artwork for it?  I know the Metropolis artwork I did for the concept render is not to everyone's taste.  I'm thinking of doing a pure arcade theme for the design as an alternative.  I will make that available to the forum if I do go ahead with it.

 

Ond

[BadMouth]

Kudos for having the guts to jump in there and start building! 

The building experience gained (including mistakes) along with the acquired tools will continue to pay dividends long past this project.

[tophite]

Ok, the progress continues during the final two weeks of summer break for my little helper CMH.  School starts back on Tuesday!

So after waiting a couple days for a buddy's pickup, I just decided to rent the home depot truck to get the sheets of MDF home for the rest of the build.  The truck cost 19.95 for the whole hour, but since we live close it turned out to just cost 12 bucks.  Well worth it.  They even help you load.  So I get my 2 sheets of 3/4 MDF and 1 sheet of 1/2 MDF home just to realize how unmanageable this stuff is by yourself.  The 3/4" inch sheets cannot be carried by one person.  Oh well....live and learn.  I was able to get them off the truck and into the garage.  No problem!  I just moved the equipment up to the garage and did the big cuts up there until they were more manageable. 

Sharp eyes will note that I am missing something in the truck.....remember on the OND plans, the stuff in blue is not included in the plans.  As a result, I will have to return at a later date and get another 1/2 inch sheet to make the rear door.....ugh.

[stigzler]

Another Metropobuilder!!!

Welcome to the clan, chap. Will follow with interest - loving the variations on a theme aspect using this design.

[brihyn]

Indeed, welcome to the club. It's a great cab to build...so great that I'm a week away from my third
Looking forward to following this. And agree, it's great that you have a helper. Just having someone to remember where your pencil is will cut weeks off of the build time!

[tophite]

The cabinet build continues to steam along.  Thought I would take a couple picks to show the progress.

The control panel is not mounted just resting up there for the picture and I put the coin mechanism in just for the picture as well too!  Both Charlotte and I are looking forward to filling the screw holes (only one incorrect screw hole made btw...) and refining the sanding!

[tophite]

Well, been a while since we posted but the cabinet is finished and programmed....  Green Lantern theme and we are loving it!  Thanks to all who helped support us in our build!

[stigzler]

Cool beans. Like the theme.

[reptileink]

Well that was quite the jump. Would have been nice to see the road you took, but the finished product looks nice! Congrats.