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Dive right in or test the water?
javeryh:
I jumped right in after randomly seeing Saint's Book in a Barnes & Noble and then finding these boards as a result. I never really built anything before and I owned zero power tools when I started but so far I think I've built 2 pretty good (unfinished!) cabinets. I say go for it - I actually ended up enjoying the design and build more than actually playing them. I'll be starting cab #3 later this year assuming I finish #2 by the end of June and I don't think that will be my last one!
miles2912:
Jump in. My wood working skills were sub standard at best. I could not remember the last time I cut a 2x4 and when I started my cab it showed. I botched the first few cuts and had to toss the pieces out and start over. Luckily for me 2x4's are pretty cheap. After re-thinking what I was doing I went slow and made sure that I was consistent on my cuts... so when the blade meets the pencil line it is consistent.
Cab turned out great and everyone that plays it comments on how nice it is and I should start selling them .. yada yada.
I did not buy Saint's book but instead just read the forums for a few months before I started and planned out as much as I could. Almost to the point where I could picture in my head what the next days construction will turn out. Really the building was almost as much fun as playing. People here are very helpful (almost every question you can think of has been answered) and will help along the way.
Don
(click on logo below to see my build)
Chris G:
One vote of encouragement for considering a restoration/conversion project. That's the route I'm currently taking for my first cabinet due to lack of work space, tools, and time. It's still been an extremely rewarding learning experience and I'm very happy so far. The electrical and monitor pieces were definitely challenging, however, I wouldn't worry about frying yourself - if that were a high risk, then I certainly would have done it by now!
Organic Jerk:
I'm also one who thinks way too much before rushing headlong into something. I have to say that since I've started, although my progress has been slow, I've never looked back. In fact I originally bought a cab to restore and ended up fudging it up, so I started from scratch! :P
If it were me, I would go straight for the large cabinet, but everyone works at their own pace. I say consider all options and then do what feels comfortable. Between a Bartop and a Mini I would rather go with the bartop if you plan on entertaining friends and such with it. It seems like It would be a much more viable option to play around with over drinks and chips. If you're more interested in making it to share with your kids or family/friend's children, then the mini would probably make more sense.
To make sure you stay on track and don't spend forever planning, I would say give yourself a personal time goal on when to start cutting. Of course you could change it if you need to, but take your goal seriously and use it to plan out and pace yourself. Select a design, select the features you would want, start planning/mapping, spend some time practicing your cutting methods and procedures on spare wood, then make the first cut on schedule (with spare wood still avalable... even if you dont use it now, as a Homeowner you WILL need it sometime)...
Above all, always remember that the cab isnt a "job" that takes you to the games, but really half the fun of it all... you're working by your own deadlines, at your own pace, on a project for your enjoyment.
Have fun with it!
Hawkypro:
Okay, I couldnt resist: In the words of Van Halen "JUMP". Anyone on this board will help you out. I built my cabinet from scratch and it was worth it. Also, I learned quite a bit in doing so. Come up with something good and be creative just dont do a "Frankenmame"
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