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Thread: Couple of cabinet design questions

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    Sandwich Shooter nickbuol's Avatar
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    Default Couple of cabinet design questions

    First off, I've seen designs for 8" deep and 10" deep cabinets. What are the "extra" 2 inches for? I don't plan on ever having a ball lifter, so I would think that 8" is enough but wanted to check with others.

    Are people using wood that is listed as 1"x8" and then cutting to length (knowing that these boards are really .75"x7.25") or taking sheets of wood at the desired thickness and then cutting them to 8" or 10" actual?

    OK. Next is the fact that I don't want to paint the cabinet. I would rather stain the wood (meaning that I would want oak to match the rest of my stuff in my house) which of course can get pricey and even with wood filler, you would still see the screw holes, or use particle board and laminate it. I have enough laminate left over from building my arcade cabinet a couple of years ago, but I am not sure how I would finish the front edges that are only .75" wide. For the arcade, I just used T-molding as that is the standard. I don't know if I want to use T-molding in the pachinko cabinet, but don't know if I have any other options.

    I was looking at starting with Ken's basic design, which also includes a "curve" on the sides near the bottom ball tray in the cabinet (not the tray on the pachinko itself). That is the sale edge that I would need to "finish" some how as mentioned above. If it was T-molding, then no problem, but again, I just don't know if I want T-molding.

    Any thoughts or ideas? I am hoping to be able to get started on this cabinet next week after I finish putting trim up in my basement this week/weekend...
    - Nick
    If you aren't having fun, then you aren't doing it right!

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    wearing a suit birdbrain's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    you can buy matching selfstick laminate of the right width, to finish the edges, at the same place you purchased the large sheets at. lowes. home depot, etc.


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    Sandwich Shooter nickbuol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    Cool. How well does that stuff stick though to an edge?

    I used some special vinyl matterial on my arcade cabinet that is designed to look like black laminat, and it works around curves, but I had to spray some 3M 77 adhesive on the wood first, and even then, it was going on an area about 8" wide, but .75" wide... Maybe the stuff you are talking about is better for this type of application??
    - Nick
    If you aren't having fun, then you aren't doing it right!

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    Captain Weirdo Sid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    Well Nick, you can use regular laminate for the edges..
    it has to be cut into strips. just a bit wider then the edge you want to laminate.

    you use contact cement it works wonders. once you the glue is ready you stick the strip on.. use a bar of soap in a sock to apply pressure to the strip on the edge, carefull not to break the excessive edge. this can be done to curves as well! ( I used to work in a countertop shop and we did all our custom edges this way)

    once it is set using a semi fine file you can file away the excess laminate.

    the trick is to put a piece of laminate behind the excess laminate that is over hanging and carefully cute away the laminate with the edge of the file.
    once this is done you can slowly file away to a nice edge...


    "I've stopped fighting my inner demons, we are on the same side now."

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    Sandwich Shooter nickbuol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    I've got a laminate bit for my router, which works well. My only concern with the laminate is that since it has a good amount of Kraft paper, which is brownish in color, you will see the Kraft paper from the sides or front. I think that I would need to pick up some thinner laminate as well to handle the curve as the stuff I have is pretty thick.
    - Nick
    If you aren't having fun, then you aren't doing it right!

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    Stuey - The RADministrator MrGneiss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    I use 1x10 boards for mine because some games can be quite deep and some also have the dongle sticking strait out the back, which can add a few more inches still!!

    Plus it gives a bit more room for balls up top and ramps and such out back!!

    So for me at least, I find that 9 1/4" is just right!!


    "Blowing smoke rings at the moon."

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    Blind Shooter ken524's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    Quote Originally Posted by nickbuol View Post
    ..(meaning that I would want oak to match the rest of my stuff in my house) which of course can get pricey and even with wood filler, you would still see the screw holes,
    Oak would be gorgeous. But wood filler for the holes? <GASP>

    If you go to Home Depot or a WoodCraft shop, you can get oak plugs to fill your screw holes. You first drill an oversize hole about 1/4" into the wood so your screw countersinks into the hole. After the screws are in, you take a plug (they are slightly tapered), cover it with wood glue and tap it into the hole with the grain aligned with the board.

    When the glue is dry, sand or trim the plug level with the board. Stain and finish. After a month or so, you won't remember where you put them and you won't be able to find them.

    Have fun with your project!
    Ken

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    Sandwich Shooter nickbuol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    In my mind I keep picturing those plugs in that "assemble it yourself" furnature where when all is said and done, they are "designed" to be sticking out from the board an 1/8 of an inch... Now THAT is YUCK! I guess sanding the plugs would help. My fear is that the oak plug will soak up either more or less stain than the rest and still stand out... Plus if I go with a deeper cabinet as Stuey recommends, I am looking at $60 just for the wood for the sides. It would look nice though...
    - Nick
    If you aren't having fun, then you aren't doing it right!

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    Captain Weirdo Sid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    cant put a price on quality..

    "I've stopped fighting my inner demons, we are on the same side now."

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    Scowlin' Jean Hornigold hanabi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions



    and just think how valuable the Pachinko is that you are going to house in that Cabinet

    I'm sure it will look fantastic

    Angie ...
    Pachinkos, Pachislos, Coffee, Papercraft Ninja, Pinball

    I ran away with the Steampunk Circus!
    I was hiding in a room in my mind...
    You crush the lily in my soul...



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    Sandwich Shooter nickbuol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    Yes, and then I'll have to build a display case for the cells that aren't currently in the machine. While that will be a simple design, it could get pricey too. Oh the humanity!
    - Nick
    If you aren't having fun, then you aren't doing it right!

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    Captain Weirdo Sid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    there are a lot worse things one can do with their money...

    "I've stopped fighting my inner demons, we are on the same side now."

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    Scowlin' Jean Hornigold hanabi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    Quote Originally Posted by nickbuol View Post
    Yes, and then I'll have to build a display case for the cells that aren't currently in the machine. While that will be a simple design, it could get pricey too. Oh the humanity!
    Just look on it as a work-in-progress...


    Heck I've got 8 Pachinkos and only 1 Cabinet built so far!!

    Angie ...
    Pachinkos, Pachislos, Coffee, Papercraft Ninja, Pinball

    I ran away with the Steampunk Circus!
    I was hiding in a room in my mind...
    You crush the lily in my soul...



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    Blind Shooter ken524's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    Quote Originally Posted by nickbuol View Post
    In my mind I keep picturing those plugs in that "assemble it yourself" furnature where when all is said and done, they are "designed" to be sticking out from the board an 1/8 of an inch... My fear is that the oak plug will soak up either more or less stain than the rest and still stand out...
    No, we aren't talking about Walmart furniture or plastic plugs. Here's an example of what it will look like:
    http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5542

    Once you get the finish on it, the plugs are even harder to see than in the picture. I had excellent results with these. I built some oak bookcases and cabinets a couple years back. I can't find where I used the plugs without looking for a few minutes.

    A cheaper option instead of solid oak is oak faced plywood (Home Depot). WoodCraft carries iron-on real oak veneer strips to trim the edges. You can sand and stain it with the rest of the project, I used this stuff for my shelf edges. Works beautifully. No one will know it's not solid oak.

    Shoot, you got me thinking. Maybe I need to redo my cabs with oak and sell my black ones!

    Ken

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    veneratio million deus Eddie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    You can always use Plexi for cabinets!!!
    Led Zepplin

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    Sandwich Shooter nickbuol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie View Post
    You can always use Plexi for cabinets!!!

    Ooooooo... Plexi...

    I've actually done some stuff with plexi before. Not sure that I would want to make a wall cabinet out of it though as it would be pretty pricey with the thickness required and it would be a bit of work to get everything together into a solid piece as just glue wouldn't be strong enough, and then you defeat the purpose of plexi... Unless... (sorry, typing as I think...) Unless I made plexi dowels and used them like screws to connect two pieces and then glued them in place... It would be a pain and a lot of work, but look kinda cool..

    I am leaning towards oak or the laminate. The laminate method should run me about $25 since I already have the contact cement, laminate, some particle board, and tools to trim the laminate.

    I guess I will look for the WAF (Wife Approval Factor) at this point. If she green-lights the oak, then I will go that way.
    - Nick
    If you aren't having fun, then you aren't doing it right!

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    Site Admin Tulsa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    By all means go with what is going to make you the happiest and certainly what you can afford to do but like my dad always told me, "It only costs a little more to go first class."
    Meanwhile, somewhere in Oklahoma.

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    SNORTARRIFIC! new in town's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    I've built cabinets and stands now for 6 Pachinko's, 1 Palot and 12 Pachislo's.

    Three things I can offer to you. : Suggestions given to me.

    1. From my Uncle. "If you don't use your brains you have to use your Brawn".

    2. From my Father. "Do it right the first time".

    The third from me and my learning experience. "Measure twice. Cut once".

    Plan it all out. Gather the materials as you can. Take your time. Don't rush and make it a labor of love.

    The rewards of your efforts will be 10 fold.
    72 Pachi's, 36 Pachinko's, 2 Pallots, 3 Pinn's & 2 Pachinko Bar Signs. Links to About Me: pachijunkie's Videos


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  28. #19
    Sandwich Shooter nickbuol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    So I think that I am going to go oak, and today I went to a home improvement store (only had time to stop at one), and they only had solid oak in one inch and half inch thickness. I was looking for the magical 3/4 inch, but didn't see it. I completely forgot (again, due to being really short on time already) to check to see if it is 1" nominal or 1" actual for thickness.

    If they are one inch and half inch ACTUAL, is half inch OK?
    - Nick
    If you aren't having fun, then you aren't doing it right!

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    SNORTARRIFIC! new in town's Avatar
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    Default Re: Couple of cabinet design questions

    I went with Poplar for the frame work around the machine and the top hopper. It's a hard wood that will hold up well.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    72 Pachi's, 36 Pachinko's, 2 Pallots, 3 Pinn's & 2 Pachinko Bar Signs. Links to About Me: pachijunkie's Videos


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