First problem on unnamed UAII

[Steve Kaz]

Ok guys, i'm a novice woodworker and i have had the first problem pop up on my cabinet.

I'm building the UAII from the templates, but i'm using 3/4 MDF, drywall screws, and studs to make it more sturdy.  Spystyle warned that this would happen, but i went with one of the premarked template holes to attach the sides of the bottom to the actual bottom piece and it was too close to the end of the MDF. 

Long story short, the wood split (only on one corner of the possible 4). 

Here's my question.  It's in the back of the machine on the bottom.  No one will ever see it, but i'm worried about further splitting (as MDF isn't the strongest thing ever).  Can i putty over the split or should i cut out an entire new bottom panel and start over?

Any help is appreciated

[sodapopinski]

carpenters glue should work. After all, its stronger than nails.

[Steve Kaz]

I was thinking that myself.  I squirted some carpenters glue in the little crack and clamped it down.

I figure i'll move down 2 inches more or so and go with a slightly smaller screw and see what happens.

I really don't want to cut anymore MDF.  Sawdust was everywhere.

[Veinman]

I've got a few splits to deal with as well. I think it would be amazing to make a whole cabinet without any splits.

[gcbrowni]

Are you pre-drilling? If you are then you may want to use a slightly larger bit.

I've had three bad splits, all solved with normal wood glue and clamps.

#1) The front of my modular CP split when I put in 7 dowels, spaced 2" apart. I put them in 1" deep (the front is only 3" high) and then pounded on them with a rubber mallet. The whole front split from end to end. I just feathered in some glue and clamped it together. No problem at all. This was MDF.

#2) The front corner of my new CP box chipped, almost coming off, when sanding. I feathered in some glue and clamped it with a small C clamp. DNo problems at all. This was MDF.

#3) The right side trim peice of my new CP box split in to three parts when I pounded on it hard with a rubber mallet out of frustration. I slapped some glue between the peices and clamped it longways. When I took the clamp off and sanded it you could not tell it had ever been broken. Smooth as could be. This was pine.

[NIVO]

just to chime in here, i'd definitely recommend drilling a pilot hole before each screw is put into place. The one extra step is little compared to the cost of mistakes.

[Steve Kaz]

Are you pre-drilling? If you are then you may want to use a slightly larger bit.

Not really.  I was predrilling the pilot holes to countersink the screws on the outside, but i wasn't drilling all the way through into the other pieces.  I'll have to try that from now on (i was using a 1/18 i believe for the pilot holes)

I've had three bad splits, all solved with normal wood glue and clamps.

Glad to hear that i'm not the only one.  Man, was i pissed at myself.  I might still change screws just to see if that helps (along with the predrilling of all of the pieces)

[markrvp]

Remember that MDF is more closely resembles paper than wood (they both come from trees you know).  When a screw goes into MDF, it just pushes the material to the sides of the screw, rather than making a nice clean hole that removes material. 

YOU NEED TO PRE-DRILL to get the material out of the way so the screw doesn't push the MDF apart.  My best results are when I use a countersink bit first, then a small drill bit through to the next piece of material.

[Steve Kaz]

BTW mark, i'm thinking about stealing your Supercade name and marquee.  I think it looks great.

[Steve Kaz]

Man, have i full on caught the bug!  I got the bottom part put together and the splits held up well with the glue.  I can't wait until i can get some assistance over here to start bolting the top part on.

This is going to be one sturdy SOB, especially for a first timer like myself.  I can't believe that the original UAII plans just call for people to attach MDF to hold up a 27 inch TV...

I've got to come up with a cool name.  So far, all i thought of was "Wasted Youth", but that doesn't have much of a ring to it.  Maybe "Lunch Money"

[Steve Kaz]

The worst part so far was getting the drawer and lock together so that they fit right.  What a pain in the butt.   I've got to sand a bit so that the drawer fits better, but it's functional.

I'd post a pic, but i can't load pictures and don't have a hyperlink...

[markrvp]

You can post pics directly to this server.  Just click on the ADDITIONAL OPTIONS triangle below to bring up two windows where you can attach images.  Just click BROWSE and point to the image file on your computer.  It will upload the file to the BYOAC server.

[Steve Kaz]

We've all seen pictures of the UAII being put together, but i'm proud of it so far and figured i'd do it anyway.   

[Steve Kaz]

...a little tip for the people building their own UAII from scratch.

If you're going to use 3/4 MDF instead of 5/8, make sure that you cut the monitor shelf wider than the plans call for.  It's the only piece that i can see that sits on top of the side pieces to where the extra 1/4 of a inch is a big deal.

Also, you don't have to route the top of the pieces that will contain the bottom half.  It tells you to screw the monitor shelf (J) into the top of the side pieces, but i'm running some 2X8 studs and will just attach the shelf to those.  It could have really sucked if i wasn't planning to do that though...

[gcbrowni]

Nice. I cut my MDF for my UAII yesterday and will begin the glue today. I'm going to try to construct it without it any screws through the external sides. My plate joiner should be getting lots and lots of work today.

 

[Steve Kaz]

Good luck.  I've only had minor problems thus far.  This morning will be cutting another monitor shelf that fits, then cutting the 2X8 studs, then hopefully painting it.  I need to make my mind up on paint and make another trip to Home Depot though.

I'm curious how your method will work out.  I don't have alot of experience at carpentry, and really don't have alot with using glue for projects like this.

Like i said, if it were me, i wouldn't route the top of the sides pieces (for the bottom half). 

[Steve Kaz]

Ok, so everything is coming together.  I have the computer setup the best way i know how (i.e. as much RAM as it can hold plus extra hard drive space and an ATI 9600XT).

I loaded the command prompt version of MAME .97 and configged MAMEWAH.  I had some problems setting it up (and still am), but it's functional.

My Slikstik Quad came today and it looks great.  I'm really impressed, but i'm having problems getting it to work right too.  I don't know if the problems are with MAMEwah or something else that i did.  I setup the Quad as the default controller, but do i have to go set the buttons inside MAME for every game?  For instance, SFII seemed to work fine just clicking on it, but i couldn't find the jump button for Donkey Kong.  Ditto with games like Wrestlefest.

[Steve Kaz]

...and i used the S-Video for now to hook up to the Magnavox TV that i bought.  After playing with the TV settings, it looks alot better than i thought it would.

I couldn't be happier with the TV either, as it boots straight up to the computer monitor when it's turned on.

[clonestar]

I really like the sound of "Wasted Youth" wait and see if it grows on you