Total newbie! Seeking arcade cab project advice!

[pboreham]

Hiya,

I've just brought all the materials and tools to make my first arcade cab. I'm 31 and never done any sort of woodwork before, so I'm after some advice!

Flicking through some of these threads, looks like a Jigsaw was a bad move? I dont have a great deal of choice now, so as good as they are, I dont really want to be told a saw table is the way to go! Kinda stuck with the jig for this project at least.

The guy in the hardware store advised me to get good blades for the jig as he said that was the most important thing - so I have a selection from soft & hard wood, plastic and metal.

So really after advice with by first build using 3/4 MDF, timber, Jigsaw and all the screws etc and all the protection masks etc.

I'm following the "Project Arcade" book which I've just read (excellent book as I'm sure you all know!!) and really excited!

Thanks for any help or advice.

[ScottS]

Advice?

Build a sawboard for making straight cuts; see the sticky at the top of the forum.

Buy, borrow, or rent a circular saw for making straight cuts. You can use a jig saw, but you'll get better results from a circular saw. Feel free to buy a used one from Craig's List or eBay, then put a high-quality blade on it.

Don't use MDF. Use MDO (medium-density overlay) or plywood instead. The Project Arcade cabinet is drastically overbuilt and will weigh, quite literally, a ton if you use MDF.

Use Titebond wood glue in addition to screws for your fastening.

Buy a 12-inch combination square and use it. If you can afford it, buy a Starrett. The cheap ones are a pain-in-the-butt to move/adjust, not terribly accurate, and difficult to read. I've used my Starrett combo square on every wood, metal, and machining project I've done since I got it. I don't regret the expense and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat...

[pboreham]

Thanks for tha advice Scott. As I mentioned, I already have brought the material, so its too late to change now, but I dont see this being my last build, so all good advice.

I did buy a 12-inch combination square, but I'm such a beginner, I dont know what they are for! On SpyStyles tutorial he recommended getting one - sure i will find out soon enough 

[Chris G]

Nothing wrong with having bought a jigsaw - it's a great tool and works well for many tasks in building a cabinet (and other projects).  A tablesaw definitely makes life easier, but if you don't have the money/space for one, then I agree with the circular saw recommendation.  And always buy good blades for any tool.   

[ChadTower]

One thing to avoid: 

Double and triple check each time, until you get used to your tools, that the blade is oriented the right way.  Several times, when I was first starting to use the circular saw, I put the blade in with the teeth pointing the wrong way.  I even took a Sharpie and drew arrows on the saw so I could match up the arrows on my blades.  This would apply to any tool you use but for some reason I made it about 5 times on my circular saw.

[javeryh]

A jigsaw is a great tool but I'd go out and buy a router and a few bits (pattern and slot cutter are essential) - you can build the entire cabinet using only a router (and some clamps).

ALWAYS wear safety glasses

ALWAYS double check your tools and settings before using them.

Measure twice, cut once.

THINK before you build - it will save you in the long run.

Take your time and enjoy the build - it's almost as fun as playing the games!

[Dudeman]

If you really want to make all your cuts with a jigsaw, you can. I've used mine quite a bit, but you have to give yourself a little room for blade creep... at least until you are VERY comfortable with the cuts you nake with that thing. Meaning, don't try and make precise cuts. Just cut close and sand down to the proper size. It sucks, and you're gonna create TONS of dust, but it's better than screwing up that last piece of MDF you need then having to go and buy another sheet.

I'd use (borrow or buy) a belt sander, or a palm sander at the least.

I've used a hand planer to clean up cuts too, but they don't work too well on MDF.

Also be aware that when cutting curves with a jigsaw, the blade will want to go straight, thus causing a bit more creep.

[pboreham]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys! Some I had covered, some is new!

I took the advice about the circular saw and went into town tonight to get one, but nobody had one within my budget - can be sorted out later in the week.

Just about the draw out the plan on the wood and should get to cutting in a day or two, but I am happier that the circular saw is the way to go!

[Dudeman]

I saw that you are using your dining room as an assembly area. You are going to cut all that stuff outside, right?

[pboreham]

Hell yea!

Just been sketching the plans onto the MDF tonight and am covered in dust. Luckily, have 2 large double doors out to the garden from the dining room, so will be easy to go out there, cut and bring the (clean) wood back in!

[fixedpigs]

scott...do you know the definition of 'literally'...?
 

[AtomSmasher]

Nothing wrong with MDF, it's what I used for the two cabs I've built so far.  Definately get a circular saw for the project, borrow one if you can't buy one (although you should be able to get one fairly cheap on ebay or craigslist).  Also, when I built my first one, I got a lot of help from reading through the project announcements threads.  Look for the ones that followed the book, such as Mars Invasion which is stickied to the top of the PA forum (mine is also buried in the forum somewhere, or you could click my sig).

[ScottS]

scott...do you know the definition of 'literally'...?

Yes. Do you know the definition of 'hyperbole'?

[pboreham]

Nothing wrong with MDF, it's what I used for the two cabs I've built so far.  Definately get a circular saw for the project, borrow one if you can't buy one (although you should be able to get one fairly cheap on ebay or craigslist).  Also, when I built my first one, I got a lot of help from reading through the project announcements threads.  Look for the ones that followed the book, such as Mars Invasion which is stickied to the top of the PA forum (mine is also buried in the forum somewhere, or you could click my sig).

Cheers, I'll check them out!