mjmjr25's Gameroom - Walkthrough of Lower Level (pics) 2.14

[mjmjr25]

Thanks dude - ever since the first cab problem i've been keeping my eye out for a legit factory quality gun, and this is the one i've wanted.

Here it is in action:

Dolphin Blue Video:
http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad13 ... I_0573.mp4

(video may need to buffer briefly, it is only 30 secs long)

Demolish Fist video:
http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad13 ... I_0574.mp4

[mjmjr25]

Picked up a used 32" TV for the garage-neo-ghetto-cab. $20 off craigs, Looked so silly w/that little TV - looks tons better now. I plan to put up some posters or something behind it now and should really tie it altogether as a gaming area for those days when I want to stand and play. Also, just think it's sorta cool to mow the lawn and then put in a quick run on a shmup, then back to yardwork w/o skipping a beat.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

!! A NEW CHALLENGER!!11!!1!

[foxhound1022]

Wow, that dual DC stick is sick.

Where'd you end up getting that from?

[elmagicochrisg]

Love the wooden racks / closet. And the collection of course... ^^

Did you make them yourself?...

The racks I mean, not the collection...

[mjmjr25]

Thanks, yeah, all the shelving and other woodwork is custom work i've done in my garage/woodshop.

The Blaze Twinstick I picked up from Christoph about 2.5 years ago. I made the custom fit DC inlay for that stick to fit in my ghetto cab a little over a year ago.

[elmagicochrisg]

Thanks, yeah, all the shelving and other woodwork is custom work i've done in my garage/woodshop.

Nice. Did you learn this at school, or did you just start making stuff one day?... lol

I ask because I would like to do something similar myself. I think this is the best way to stash a huge collection without really sacrificing too much space. Never made anything like that before though. It looks easy. But looks can be deceiving...

Any pointers?...

[mjmjr25]

Best pointers, a couple nice tools (Chop saw, worm saw, jig saw, table saw and a good drill) will go along ways.

Preparation and planning are as important as the actual build. It's a good idea to do a mental build a few times, step by step, figure out the best order to make all your cuts and glue ups, and try to foresee reasons why something wouldn't work.

Depending on what your building and where it's going, take into account everything. Where are outlets, is the surface your installing into/onto level (if not, how does this affect what your building and readjusting plans), will it be multifunctional (diff. size games, or something different entirely).

Aesthetics are the easy part. Joinery is the tougher part - lots of different joints to use and in most cases, the more time-consuming and skilled the joint is, the stronger it is.

Gluing is incredibly important in the build process, so you'll want some good strong clamps (meaning, min. $20 and prob. $35-50 each for the really good ones). Along w/gluing, you'll need patience as once you glue it up, you want 24 hours or so before working w/that piece again, so planning your days ahead so you can get as much done before the glue up forces you to stop for the day.

Sanding and finishing (lacquer, poly, stain, conditioning, etc) take as much time as the build, sometimes longer, and if rushed can ruin a good build.

If one board is 1/8" off too long / short...take the time to fix it, you will find yourself compensating for that one minimal mistake throughout the project. Level is as important as right dimensions, so make sure that is perfect too.

Ultimately, there isn't much skill in any of it, just patience and planning...and again, good space and tools.

I've got another cab i'll be finishing up this week - in the finishing process right now.

[elmagicochrisg]

Nice, thanks... ^^

One more question. What kind of joint did you use?...

And maybe what wood. Although chances are I won't have what you have where I live...

[sevin0seven]

how is that Apex CRT TV? looks good from the pics...

[mjmjr25]

Nice, thanks... ^^

One more question. What kind of joint did you use?...

And maybe what wood. Although chances are I won't have what you have where I live...

For which project? The neo-ghetto-garage cab? Or the family room shelving? Or the custom wood cab?

If the joints are going to be fully covered, I typically use butt-joints and lots of glue. So long as the wood is strong enough (ie, thick enough, or braced at short distances) it is the easiest / fastest joint.

In most cases, I use pocket holes, which are super easy, especially if you have a jig (I use a Kreg pocket hole jig) and then back fill the holes w/plugs.

For woods, actually, a lot of the stuff I make I use construction grade lumber (spruce / pine / fir) and just pick out the best looking boards w/o major wane, etc.

For plywood, I like to use Birch, relatively cheap and consistent grains and colors. I use Mahogany and Maple in most cases where something more decorative is called for.