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Ammount of work involved in cutting and routing MDF for a cabinet...
classicgamer:
Hello,
I have been looking into building an arcade cabinet pretty much since I first played MAME, but I have all but given up because I don't have the tools to cut the MDF or a router for the T-Molding.
So what I am now looking into is how difficult it is to cut out the side panels and do the routing for the T-Molding, so that I can make an offer to someone to cut the pieces out so that I can paint and put them together. I am talking about a basic arcade design with 2 side pieces, probably 3/4 or 5/8 MDF, maybe like this:
http://www.dreamauthentics.com/product_page_2_ex.html
(I also think the Pacman and Galaga minis I have seen on these boards are awesome)
Basically, I am looking for the level of difficulty in this and how long it takes to do the work.
I am also looking for the weight of the side pieces, to see if it's cost effective to ship via fedex.
Any information about this would be greatly appreciated :)
emerica:
took me a weekend to cut and route my cabinet. I also never used a circular saw or router before I built my cabinet. I built the cab in Project Arcade. Not sure what a full-size cab side would weigh but my guess would be between 50-60 pounds.
Apollo:
lol try 100-120 pounds or more depending on the plan, you can't just get side pieces cut, you have base, front, back, top and monitor shelf etc to consider.
unclet:
I built both of my cabinets with just the following "main" tools:
- Handheld scrollsaw (blade bounces up and down and you move it around to cut)
- Handheld drill (making holes and putting in screws)
- Wood clamps (to hold everything in place while cutting)
Check my out cabinets to get confident, then go get yourself some MDF, draw the lines you want in pencil and cut them out on the line. You will love looking at the cabinet when it is done so much more (my opinion of course) if you cut everything out and assemble it yourself.
http://unclet.arcadecontrols.com/
Oh yeah, I paid a cabinet company (many places like this around every town) to route out the grooves for the T-molding. The cutting was free, but I gave the guy a $20 tip for helping me out. I believe if you mark out where you want them to cut the grooves, then it takes a professional about 20 minutes to route out everything. They do it rather quick.
emerica:
--- Quote from: Apollo on May 05, 2007, 08:29:12 pm ---lol try 100-120 pounds or more depending on the plan, you can't just get side pieces cut, you have base, front, back, top and monitor shelf etc to consider.
--- End quote ---
I can see a cut side weighing 100-120 pounds when a full sheet weighs about 100 lbs. I remember needing a friend to carry the 4x8 sheet into the house but didn't need anyone to move a side around.
--- Quote from: classicgamer on May 05, 2007, 07:07:54 pm ---Basically, I am looking for the level of difficulty in this and how long it takes to do the work.
--- End quote ---
One of the things about this hobby is that even when you think your work is done your really not. Everyone is always tweaking and changing their cabinets. As for difficulty, I didn't think it was too hard. I did the work without experience and figured that I would enjoy something more if I constructed it myself.
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