Arcade Cabinet - Cutting Panels

Building Tip

When you cut your panels, always use the straight edge and always double check that your cut is square using the framing square. If you don’t, it will translate into your next piece and you’ll have gaps where your panels meet.

FRONT PANELS A, B & C

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NOTE: The prototype I built used wood blocks instead of angle brackets as shown on the plans. Some of the illustrations show the wood blocks. You should think of those as l-brackets. I think they worked out better as the cabinet ends up very durable and rigid.

At first I thought being screwed together would make the cabinet much more rigid but the base and 2x4 frame makes the cabinet very rigid.

Anyplace you see wood blocks pictured, you can replace them with L-brackets and ½” wood screws. Make sure your screws don’t poke through the outside surface.

[ ] Cut out an 8” piece from one of the 14” wide pieces of particleboard. This will be PANEL A. Test fit the panel in the cabinet.

Mark the panel where the l-bracket should be mounted with a pencil. (see picture)

Remove the panel from the frame and screw two of the l-brackets on each side where you marked. Make sure the l-brackets are nice and flush with the edge.

Building Tip

On all the pieces that get screwed together, I used wood glue to secure the joints in addition to screwing them together. This will make the cabinet more rigid and over time the cabinet won’t get loose from being moved around.

Make sure you don’t glue anything until after lamination and you are sure it’s ready to be permanently mounted.

You can now put PANEL A back into place on the frame and screw it to the side with one screw on each side just to hold it. Don’t screw it all the way down and don’t put any glue on it. You need to be able to remove the panel to apply the laminate. This applies to all the front, top and back panels that will get a laminate finish.

[ ] Next you can optionally cut out PANEL B. PANEL B is about 1½” long and is cut from the 14” wide pieces. Follow the same process for this panel as you did for PANEL A. Temporarily mount PANEL B also. PANEL B isn’t really seen and can be skipped if you want to save time. I don’t plan on using this panel for my own cabinets.

[ ] Cut two pieces 12” long from the 14” wide material for PANEL C (coin door and TV shelf).

Next: Coin Door Panel C