The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Lachlan438 on May 02, 2008, 08:15:50 am
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ok I just brought a step by step guide from www.mameroom.com for the ultimate arcade 2 any way.
in the plans there is a list of tools that i will need 3 i think are all for cutting so i was just wondering if i could do with out all of them listed is a
router
Jigsaw
Circular saw
i have none of these and was wondering if i realy do need all of them as they are $100 or so each if i would be able to get away with out buying some of them
if so what are the pros and cons of each
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It would be harder to do all you would need to do without all three of those tools. Some tools are unable to do the things you'll need.
e.g. slot cutting for t-molding, while you could use a jig and a circular saw on straight cuts, curved areas would be near impossible and the kerf of the blade would most likely be too big. curved cuts is where you would use a jigsaw, you could use a router and a template, but how would you make the template. straight cuts could be done with a straight edge and a router, but a circular saw would be faster and easier. For the control panel you would want a drill for the holes, a router could be used, but would be better with a pattern, which a drill would be best at making the correct size. Much more I'm sure I've missed.
I wouldn't attempt to build a cabinet without atleast those three tools.
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yer i know that i need a drill to make holes any way thanks for that it has given me some idea :notworthy: of what the tools are used for
any way to make things more clear for myself a router can be used for places were the are no turns so put that to work on the straights
and jigsaw is used for turns and making the slots for t molding
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First of all, PLEASE use proper punctuation and grammar when posting a message. It is damned near impossible to understand a single thing you are asking.
Secondly, you do need to purchase power tools to cut the MDF or plywood to build the cab. You simply can not avoid it. Building an arcade cabinet is not a quick and cheap thing. You have to spend some time and money to get it right.
If my interpretation of your questions and posting style is correct, then I would assume you are in high school and looking to build something quickly? I've been there myself. Trust me, you can't build this quickly and for only a few bucks. You will need to spend quite a bit of money to get this done right. Don't rush it. You won't be happy with the end results.
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router: slots for t-molding, pattern cutting, dadoes...
jigsaw: curve cuts, cutouts... eg trackball
circular saw: staright cuts...
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You can get away with not having a circular saw if you use a pattern bit and a straight edge for the long straight cuts. I did not use one to build my mini pink cabinet (but I did use a bunch of other tools like a drill, hand sander, etc. not to mention all the little stuff like a t-square, screwdrivers, forstner bits, squares, tape measure, hand saw, clamps, sandpaper, etc.). If you really have nothing you are in for some serious expenses along the way. :cheers:
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I would recommend that you find an existing generic arcade cabinet. Building one from scratch is a MAJOR commitment. You pretty much have to have the proper tools.
If you are deadset on building one, then consider the following:
-Borrow tools from family or friends
-Post a want ad on Freecycle in your area for the tools.
-Cruise Flea Markets and yard sales for used tools
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ask around dude. i'm sure you can easily borrow a jigsaw and circular saw from friend/family. these are very common power tools.
Routers are always a bit harder to find, but ask around.
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At a bare minimum you will need a jig saw, router, drill, straight edge, and various router bits including a slot bit and a flush trim bit and last but not least clamps.
I actually like using the jigsaw for rough cuts and then using a straight edge and a router with a flush trim bit to make everything perfectly straight.
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You need all of the tools listed. You can buy them from Harbor Freight for $20-40/ea. The tools will be complete junk, but may hold together long enough to finish making one cabinet. Be careful not to cut your finger off or put an eye out! Power tools are dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. And based on what you've posted, you don't...
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I thought this thread was a joke, but upon reading it i realized how lucky i was to grow up with a garage of tools!!!
Wow, that being said you need a circular saw, and a router (if your plans call for all straigh cuts). you could use a hand saw and a chisel... if you were amish!
Just do what the book says, im sure it wont lead you astray! (unless its a choose your own adventure)
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router: slots for t-molding, pattern cutting, dadoes...
jigsaw: curve cuts, cutouts... eg trackball
circular saw: staright cuts...
k thanks asked a friend he has a jigsaw and a circular saw that i can borrow ill by a router on tuesday along with the things that i need to build the bottom half of the arcade we will se if I'm up to it
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If you are desperate to save some cash - try getting a router table. You can use it as centre for all your work - cuts straight edges, curves, routes etc. This with a variety of bits would be a good place to start. Try ebay....
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If you really don't want to buy these tools... you can always rent them from a local tool rental place (Home Depot rents power tools). It wouldn't be *my* choice... but it does get you tools to work with. You just need to be ready to work... or you'll be spending more to rent than you would have if you bought the tool in the first place.
(Important note: if you don't know how to use power tools, be very careful learning... everyone has to learn sometime... respect the "pointy end").
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ok I just brought a step by step guide from www.mameroom.com for the ultimate arcade 2 any way.
in the plans there is a list of tools that i will need 3 i think are all for cutting so i was just wondering if i could do with out all of them listed is a
router
Jigsaw
Circular saw
i have none of these and was wondering if i realy do need all of them as they are $100 or so each if i would be able to get away with out buying some of them
if so what are the pros and cons of each
Not to be mean but since you are pretty much clueless as to the importance of each tool, I would suggest you take some wood classes in a community college or watch videos of wood tools so you can at least get your bearings straight as to what is what and its importance. I'm also guessing you have zero experience with woodcrafting. I suggest you practice on it first and before you decide to start on the cabinet.
I consider myself a pretty handy guy that can fix and work with tools. I watched and read stuff on woodcraft, and even after applying the tips and tricks from pros of the trade, my work doesn't come out as good as theirs. Meaning that it takes lots of practice and trial and error to make something worth :applaud: for out of wood. That'st just my two bits on the scenario for a beginner.
Expect to have a trash bin with all your latest mistakes and redos. But don't think I'm trying ti discourage you. All this woodworking is tons of fun. ;)
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Not to be mean but since you are pretty much clueless as to the importance of each tool, I would suggest you take some wood classes in a community college or watch videos of wood tools so you can at least get your bearings straight as to what is what and its importance. I'm also guessing you have zero experience with woodcrafting. I suggest you practice on it first and before you decide to start on the cabinet.
This is very true. Many of us take it for granted that we were around all of these tools growing up. My dad was a woodworker, and I was running a radial arm saw when I was like 7.
I would highly recommend you learn/work under the supervision of someone who knows what they are doing. Odds are there is an older fella living around you with a lifetime of experience and a ton of free retirement time. Find that guy if you can.
If not, the local Lowes/Home Depot has FREE classes all the time. Go get a copy of their schedule and start attending.
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Yeah, I've got this odd feeling that there will soon be a post here from someone stating that their son hurt themselves while using power tools trying to build a cab................
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If you really don't want to buy these tools... you can always rent them from a local tool rental place (Home Depot rents power tools). It wouldn't be *my* choice... but it does get you tools to work with.
If you do rent tools, be prepared to supply your own blades and cutters. The ones that come with rental tools are frequently in terrible shape!
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Yeah, this is not the cheapest hobby. But believe me, you will learn A LOT from practising and listening the guys with experience on these forums. I built my first cabinet over 2 years ago and it was a learning curve! And it still isn't finished. Why you ask? It was because I made the mistake of "testing" it before finishing it. I have been "testing" it ever since! Lol.
Make sure that you build it COMPLETELY before you test the controls out.
A router is the tool of tools! It will save your butt! So I would recommend def getting that! I am doing my 2nd cab in 4 weeks time and will take my learning's onto that cab.
Once you learn how to use all the tools that you mentioned you will see their importance. And you can take the learning's onto other things, like building furniture like fitted wardrobes!
The key is PLANNING! This WILL take time but it will be so worth it in the end when your friends and family come round and you show them what you have made with your bare hands and a little vision. :cheers:
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Yes Planning!
Last thing I built was a one player Joystick.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74322.0
And while building it, I learned a few things especially when it came to tolerances and tight spaces. But most of my time was spent on planning how to build the thing, designing, buying and gathering parts. So yes, planning is a BIG important part that needs to be considered way before you ever start cutting any piece of wood.
For those who didn't delve too much into the planning stage usually end up going :dunno on how to continue or doing the next step correctly.
Don't even get me started on how much time I've spent on planning and designing my upright cab. Let's just I started the plans over a year ago... :-\
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If you are just going to have one cabinet, and have no tools to start off, just buy the complete Ultimate Arcade II kit from mameroom. You'll put it together really fast and the results will be very good. I spent a lot of money on tools when I built my first cab (much more than I expected).
At a MINIMUM you will spend $60-$75 on wood. $5 on glue, $5 on screws, $150 on cheap tools (cheap router and slot cutting bit, drill, circular saw, jigsaw), $25 on paint and supplies (sandpaper, roller, primer, paint). Then there is the time you will have to spend on doing all of this. Don't get me wrong, it's great fun and you will learn a lot, but it is very time consuming.
Good luck!
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$150 for the router and all the bits!?
I must have got ripped off. My router alone cost me $250! But then its a high quality Bosch router. ;D
amadama is right, this will be VERY time consuming.
By the way, I spelled his name backwards and it still came out the same. :dunno
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Yeah, I'm talking dirt cheap stuff ($50 router, $25 drill, $30 circular saw, $30 jigsaw, $25 slot cutting router bit).
I bought mediocre tools and must have spent over $500 on them. Then again, I used a lot of those tools to fix up my deck too!
amadama=amadama either way. It's a palindrome!