My Fisrt Project (Donkey Kong Cabinet Reproduction) Thread

[barrel_hopper]

Ok I started just trying to cut up these sheets of MDF so I could get them out of the living room before my parents kicked ---my bottom---.

I am building a DK/Nintendo cabinet replica. After this....who knows. Here are the pics of day one.

More to come this weekend.

Also I want to say thanks to all the people that have given me the advice that has gotten me this far

I have alot more to do with the belt sander before the sides are perfect

[Twin-X]

How did you get those lines and curves so nicely on that board?

I hav had a tremendous hard time doing this for my pac cab replica.

[barrel_hopper]

I found a badly water damaged nintendo cabinet and traced out the sides using the part from the actual cabinet.

I struggled with the measurements from jakobud so badly as well. I want to do a MS Pac myself and I am not sure I could trace it out from just measurements.

Keep your eyes pealed for a cabinet that is beyond restoration and you can perhaps use it as a template as well. Good luck. I have had a hard time trying to find a MS Pac man cab to use as a template.

Thanks again!

[barrel_hopper]

Todays progress was small. I made the coin door panel but I really need to go pick up a router tomorrow so I can finish a few things up. Once I get the router and a few other tools I should be buzzing right along. More pics coming soon if the weather is not to bad tomorrow.

[CheeseSndwch]

Do you plan to fabricate the control panel or will you be purchasing one from online?

[barrel_hopper]

I am not sure about the control panel yet...I may just fix up one of the few I have collected, or if my wood working skills keep getting better I may cook up an improved version.

UPDATE. I got a nice router from sears today so I was able to get my first side cleaned up with the pattern bit. It turned out pretty good considering this was my first time with a router and my technique was very poor. I am going to practice with this thing some more...but I am please with the results of todays work. I will post some pics soon as I am done nursing this major headache I have going on.

I am just happy I did not trash a $30 sheet of 5/8th MDF that was this hard to find.

Check back later tonight for more pics! w00t!

P.S. My dad that used to build houses with his dad way back in the day was pretty impressed with the way the side piece turned out since this if my fist time building anything this major. Everything I tried to build in the past would always turn out looking like a dog house lol.

[amadama]

Hi barrel_hopper,
Congratgulations on your first build. This is very exciting. I look forward to seeing your progress.
Good luck!
Alex

[Franco B]

I do love the Donkey Kong Cab 

Looks good so far!

Ill give you a bit of router advice from a fellow noob(ish) router user.

After tracing your profile etc, try to cut as close to the line as possible with your jigsaw etc (obviously make sure you dont go over the line!), about 3mm is ideal I have found. It depends how good your are with a jigsaw etc, if you can leave less on without going over the line, all the better for you.

When routing the profile dont be scared to feed at a fast rate (faster than you may think!). If you are getting dark/burnt patches its because the feed isnt fast enough and the tool is dwelling. You need to remove the material fast to get rid of the heat.

Keep it up, I see your nearly at the 3D stage where you get the thing standing up on its own. That in its self is a moment to behold 

[Steve]

Awesome stuff, this is going to be one of my next projects.

Keep up the great work and post more photo's 

[barrel_hopper]

Thanks for the advice Franco! Yes I am excited about getting the cabinet up in 3D. I just have to make the other side which I may work on if I get home from work a bit early today. I need to figure out better router control...it seems the thing just wants to grab the wood and run with it! But otherwise not to hard to control. I am going to try and get my second side cut today, and I will defiantly have more pics up tonight! That migraine had me down all night last night but I am feeling much better this morning.

I am really excited about this project, but I am bummed I needed a template from a dead cabinet and could not just do it from measurements alone. I tried to use jakobuds plans before I bought my junk cab but it was so frustrating for me. So that is the next thing I am going to learn to overcome because I want to build a joust replica next. 

[BUCKETHEAD]

Looking good!

Keep up the good work!

Your welcome to check out my DK project thread.

Maybe it could help you a little?

A link is below in my signature.

I can't wait to see some more pictures of your project !   

[Franco B]

If the router is grabbing, try cutting in the opposite direction. Its the same principle as climb/conventional milling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milling_cutter (Skip towards the bottom)

[Namco]

Buckethead's DK project has prompted me to download the Jakobud plans, and I agree that they look pretty complicated. I look forward to your progress and wish you luck on the hard woodworking parts. 

[barrel_hopper]

Yea Buckethead's project is hella sweet! Thanks for the link man!