The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: FrizzleFried on March 05, 2008, 02:45:35 pm

Title: MDF Repair
Post by: FrizzleFried on March 05, 2008, 02:45:35 pm
Alright...my Asteroids Deluxe is in pretty decent condition aside from the side panels right where the control panel curves down under.  It's more than obvious that the prior owners somehow dropped the cabinet on it's front thereby "smashing" the bottom curved part of the sides where the control panel curves under and back....

Here are some pics:

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/PapaFriz/DAMAGE3.jpg)

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/PapaFriz/DAMAGE2.jpg)

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/PapaFriz/DAMAGE1.jpg)

...and one of the other side...

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/PapaFriz/DAMAGE4.jpg)

I don't want to mess up the side art as it's in decent condition.  I was thinking of maybe pulling the T-molding off and "digging" out some of the middle part,  squeezing the side together and gluing?   I almost simply want to paint the inside black and outside white and try to match as best as possible...

Any suggestions?

PS: Asteroids Deluxe CPO on it's way from ThisOldGame...
Title: Re: MDF Repair
Post by: HaRuMaN on March 05, 2008, 02:50:05 pm
Or instead of gule, you can use some bondo.  Put two flat pieces of wood on either side, and clamp together.
Title: Re: MDF Repair
Post by: FrizzleFried on March 05, 2008, 03:30:45 pm
Or instead of gule, you can use some bondo.  Put two flat pieces of wood on either side, and clamp together.

Thats a good idea...pull the T-molding,  dig out some MDF,  add some bondo,  squeeze together,  let dry,  route out a groove for the t-molding.  It may be be 100%,  but it may work.

Title: Re: MDF Repair
Post by: Neverending Project on March 05, 2008, 04:43:03 pm
Also, it's probably particle board, not MDF... for what that's worth.
Title: Re: MDF Repair
Post by: nostrebor on March 05, 2008, 06:50:53 pm
Yeah, it's particle board. You might look into using PVA glue (gorilla glue) rather than bondo. I'm not *sure* that the bondo will hold that area together when you drive a new piece of T-molding into the groove. It may wedge the assembly back apart. I'ma give it a 50-50 shot of working. I would be sorely tempted to try it though.

If you do use Gorilla Glue, watch out! It expands and foams and makes a mess if you go overboard. It will never come off of anything it adheres to.