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10
Tips for the DIY Arcade Builder: Vol. 2
By Nick Vazzana (AKA M3talhead)
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- You
can remove sticker residue, gum, and crayon marks from glass overlays with with regular Windex. Its
that simple. For permanent marker ink, rubbing alcohol and a paper
towel is all you need.
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- When
using your router to cut T-molding slots, its important to feed your
router against the bit's rotation. Feeding the router in the opposite
direction might cause the bit to climb out of the cut. The picture
below shows the proper direction for feeding a router.
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Though particle board is lighter and cheaper than MDF or plywood, it is
much weaker and will never sand smooth, ever. If you're building an
arcade cabinet from scratch, go ahead and spend the extra cash on some
quality MDF or plywood.
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- Bondo
makes for an excellent filler on metal or wood. Use it to cover screw
holes, fix deep gouges, or make pitted surfaces smoother.
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- Buy a Dremel. Buy a Dremel. Buy a Dremel. Don't ask why, just do it. You can thank me later.
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- If
you need to shorten a bolt that's just a little too long, thread a nut on the portion you intend to keep. Then, make your cut
with either a hacksaw or Dremel (see, I told you you'd thank me) and
ease the nut off with a wrench. The nut will repair the chewed-up
threads as its worked off.
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- Think
before you cut. The most powerful tool in any shop is your brain.
Thinking about a cut before you make it can save both time and fingers.
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- To see if your cabinet is squared
true, measure and mark a point 3" from a corner, and 4" in the opposite
direction. When measured, the distance between them should be 5". Once
you've done that, measure from corner to corner. Both
measurements should be the same.
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- If
you need to sand a curved surface and don't want to buy the more
expensive cloth-backed sandpaper, cover the back of the stuff you
currently have with fiber-reinforced packing tape. This will make the
sandpaper more flexible and durable when going over sharper curves.
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- No matter what anybody tells you, $100 for an empty cab is NOT a deal. Period.
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Above all, take your time. MAME will be here waiting for you when
you finish, so give it a warm welcome by installing it in a cabinet
you'd be proud to call a piece of furniture, not a P.O.S.
Credits:
Michael Vazzana
B.Y.O.A.C.
Makezine.com |
