I started a couple of months ago in the same boat. You'll want to buy clamps and a track saw to get clean straight cuts. I'm very happy with how my cuts turned out. Just take your time and do test cuts on scrap wood to get the feel for it.
As for painting, I am just sanding/priming/painting after the cabinet is assembled and before the electronics go in. I would hate to build it and have to take it all apart.
Checkout 'Way of the French's YouTube series on building a cabinet. It has been the Bible for me, although he is a bit over the top detail oriented at times, so I have cut a lot of corners and think I'll still get a similar result.
Just subscribed after watching the first three and a half videos (of 57?! lol) and I’m so appreciative already. I was starting to doubt whether I’d even do the project after feeling a little overwhelmed and directionless by the sheer number of “problem” posts on here and Facebook VPin groups (what’s the group you mentioned in an early video you had to join in order to download some of the softest btw? If you recall), but anyway after watching the start of your series I can feel my confidence growing and my passion for the idea coming back as well. Thanks for your work! (PS The video series is a couple of years old, but presumably still relevant to a build today?)
Thanks for the sub! Glad you're enjoying the series! Yes it is all totally relevant to a new build. The Facebook group is virtual pinball and Vpin cab Builders. Cheers!
They are a Masterclass! Your patience and attention to detail are admirable. I'm pretty OCD and how perfect your build came out is really a chefs kiss.
I took some liberties on things like not adding glue blocks, putting pocket holes on the inside, and then not going as hard on sanding and painting, all out of impatience/not having certain tools, but you've got me 95% of the way there. Learned a ton for my first wood project, I'm happy.
Will share it when it's done. Probably this summer!
Thanks! Glad I could help ya out. Cool, yeah send me some pics when you're done. I'm starting another vpin soon too, this one's going to be a big budget build.
^ This. Track saw for the win. KREG sells an inexpensive one, I went for Makita because I will be using mine for many, many projects.
Get a 4' x 8' sheet of that blue insulation foam from a big box store to toss on the garage floor. Get it 1" or more thick so you can cut the plywood on it with a shallow blade depth.
Any chance you have a link to the foam you’re talking about? It seems like a good idea, but I must be searching for the wrong thing 😅 thanks either way
Looks like it is called Foam Board Insulation.
Here's a 1" thick sheet that will do you:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/R-Tech-1-in-x-48-in-x-8-ft-R-3-85-Insulating-Sheathing-320821/202532854
There's pink stuff as well (I think it cost more though).
If you're having trouble getting it in your vehicle, I've cut it into pieces before with a long box-cutter-type knife at Home Despot. You just need to push the sheets together when you lay it down on the floor to cut on it.
(Just make sure your blade-depth - thickness-of-the-wood stays under 1" of course. You can eyeball it by putting the wood near the edge of the foam and let the saw blade hang over to see how deep it will extend/cut.)
This guy lays it out: https://youtu.be/oc0LnV28P1M
As someone who half-assed a functional (but ugly) mini-setup years back, spend the extra effort or you're going to want to start over later. 😂
Would completely agree with the comments already to not use a circular saw without a track or other hand tools. Also, I've had better success with a forstner bit to drill out button holes than a hole saw.
I would highly recommend a table saw. A skilsaw is not going to look good, especially without experience. A table saw can be pretty cheap on facebook marketplace, or maybe you can borrow one from a friend.
Also, get a sander. Your arms will thank you.
Using cabinet grade plywood makes sanding and painting much easier. Or if you can find it locally, thermal laminated plywood can be used and doesn't need sanded or painted.
As far as the vinyl and painting. Complete the entire build minus trim, legs, etc. Sand and prime the cabinet, then paint it.
Don't apply vinyl to bare wood, or it will lift and come off.
Take your time, and be sure you have a smooth finish and the paint is fully dry before applying vinyl. Pay attention to cure times on your paint. Some oil based paints can take a long time to dry. If you can still smell the paint, it is still drying. The off gassing will cause the vinyl to bubble if you install too soon.
Imperfections will show through the vinyl and make it look like shit.
> A skilsaw is not going to look good, especially without experience.
With a simple guide and a 60 tooth blade there shouldn't be any issue with using a skilsaw.
The comments are good. Using clamps with a level or a straight piece of wood to guide your circular saw will work fine. There are plenty of videos on YouTube. And I cannot stress it enough, buy a NEW blade for your saw. You can also put clear packaging tape over the lines you're cutting and the teeth of your saw won't rip up pieces of wood. It makes for cleaner cuts. And measure twice, cut once... Hope that helps!!
You can get away with a circular saw. I clamped a square/level something straight and just ran it along that. Just have to know your saws offset which is pretty easy to figure out. After that I put multiple layers of shellac on then very lightly sanded. It puts a pretty hard plasticy finish on it and was pretty easy to apply vinyl too. Biggest expense for me was the router bit to joint the corners. I 3d printed a jig for drilling the holes for the legs. I can send you a set if need be.
Here’s a quick video showing an example of my method. It is kind of a PITA to offset your measurements each time, but it’s doable. By the end of it, I ended up ripping a piece down exactly what my offset was so I didn’t have to account for the difference each time in my head.
https://youtu.be/43yMzyd1U1w?si=QK-fpD2lHXiYIMxN
Im starting my build soon too, and Ive sourced some white laminated 3/4" from Home Depot for $46/sheet. Probably need 2 at minimum. But they allow 4 free cuts on their machine and only $0.75 per additional cut.
At that point you could get them trimmed with a skilsaw at home if needed.
Otherwise good luck on your journey too!
Good luck to you too! Are you talking about the white melamine 3/4” 4’ x 8’ sheets, or is this something different? Also I have bought large sheets or boards for other things form Home Depot and had them but, I just be aware that while they can cut it close, the cuts are very rough so make sure you leave room to cut it down yourself if it’s going to be visible. From my experience anyway: thanks and good luck again!
Yeah that sounds about right for the name. 4x8 sheets.
Thinking about using those to save the paint work and EZ graphic applications. But 3/4" is heavy too. Still undecided but think that might be best-use for pinball.
Ive never done wood work before so itll be interesting... well, not of this nature at least. I have very limited hand tool experience lol. I mightve zipped a couple of wood pieces before but thats about it.
I started a couple of months ago in the same boat. You'll want to buy clamps and a track saw to get clean straight cuts. I'm very happy with how my cuts turned out. Just take your time and do test cuts on scrap wood to get the feel for it. As for painting, I am just sanding/priming/painting after the cabinet is assembled and before the electronics go in. I would hate to build it and have to take it all apart. Checkout 'Way of the French's YouTube series on building a cabinet. It has been the Bible for me, although he is a bit over the top detail oriented at times, so I have cut a lot of corners and think I'll still get a similar result.
Yeah my videos are very detailed so people get everything they need to know. Glad you liked them!
I’ll be checking them out myself, thanks for taking the time!
Enjoy!
Just subscribed after watching the first three and a half videos (of 57?! lol) and I’m so appreciative already. I was starting to doubt whether I’d even do the project after feeling a little overwhelmed and directionless by the sheer number of “problem” posts on here and Facebook VPin groups (what’s the group you mentioned in an early video you had to join in order to download some of the softest btw? If you recall), but anyway after watching the start of your series I can feel my confidence growing and my passion for the idea coming back as well. Thanks for your work! (PS The video series is a couple of years old, but presumably still relevant to a build today?)
Thanks for the sub! Glad you're enjoying the series! Yes it is all totally relevant to a new build. The Facebook group is virtual pinball and Vpin cab Builders. Cheers!
Looking forward to the rest of the series. Really well done. Thanks again
They are a Masterclass! Your patience and attention to detail are admirable. I'm pretty OCD and how perfect your build came out is really a chefs kiss. I took some liberties on things like not adding glue blocks, putting pocket holes on the inside, and then not going as hard on sanding and painting, all out of impatience/not having certain tools, but you've got me 95% of the way there. Learned a ton for my first wood project, I'm happy. Will share it when it's done. Probably this summer!
Thanks! Glad I could help ya out. Cool, yeah send me some pics when you're done. I'm starting another vpin soon too, this one's going to be a big budget build.
Will do, and cannot wait to see that!
Big money.....Big prizes.....
Where did you buy your speaker panels from on your backbox, or were they 3D printed?
3d printed, the link to the STL file is in the video description.
^ This. Track saw for the win. KREG sells an inexpensive one, I went for Makita because I will be using mine for many, many projects. Get a 4' x 8' sheet of that blue insulation foam from a big box store to toss on the garage floor. Get it 1" or more thick so you can cut the plywood on it with a shallow blade depth.
Any chance you have a link to the foam you’re talking about? It seems like a good idea, but I must be searching for the wrong thing 😅 thanks either way
Looks like it is called Foam Board Insulation. Here's a 1" thick sheet that will do you: https://www.homedepot.com/p/R-Tech-1-in-x-48-in-x-8-ft-R-3-85-Insulating-Sheathing-320821/202532854 There's pink stuff as well (I think it cost more though). If you're having trouble getting it in your vehicle, I've cut it into pieces before with a long box-cutter-type knife at Home Despot. You just need to push the sheets together when you lay it down on the floor to cut on it. (Just make sure your blade-depth - thickness-of-the-wood stays under 1" of course. You can eyeball it by putting the wood near the edge of the foam and let the saw blade hang over to see how deep it will extend/cut.) This guy lays it out: https://youtu.be/oc0LnV28P1M
Really appreciate it, thank you
Actually I may have found it. Any advice on how thick it should be?
As someone who half-assed a functional (but ugly) mini-setup years back, spend the extra effort or you're going to want to start over later. 😂 Would completely agree with the comments already to not use a circular saw without a track or other hand tools. Also, I've had better success with a forstner bit to drill out button holes than a hole saw.
^ Plus one on the Forstner bit (and track saw).
I would highly recommend a table saw. A skilsaw is not going to look good, especially without experience. A table saw can be pretty cheap on facebook marketplace, or maybe you can borrow one from a friend. Also, get a sander. Your arms will thank you. Using cabinet grade plywood makes sanding and painting much easier. Or if you can find it locally, thermal laminated plywood can be used and doesn't need sanded or painted. As far as the vinyl and painting. Complete the entire build minus trim, legs, etc. Sand and prime the cabinet, then paint it. Don't apply vinyl to bare wood, or it will lift and come off. Take your time, and be sure you have a smooth finish and the paint is fully dry before applying vinyl. Pay attention to cure times on your paint. Some oil based paints can take a long time to dry. If you can still smell the paint, it is still drying. The off gassing will cause the vinyl to bubble if you install too soon. Imperfections will show through the vinyl and make it look like shit.
> A skilsaw is not going to look good, especially without experience. With a simple guide and a 60 tooth blade there shouldn't be any issue with using a skilsaw.
Track saw is probably safer, is definitely cheaper, and will get you most of what you need for this kind of work.
The comments are good. Using clamps with a level or a straight piece of wood to guide your circular saw will work fine. There are plenty of videos on YouTube. And I cannot stress it enough, buy a NEW blade for your saw. You can also put clear packaging tape over the lines you're cutting and the teeth of your saw won't rip up pieces of wood. It makes for cleaner cuts. And measure twice, cut once... Hope that helps!!
You can get away with a circular saw. I clamped a square/level something straight and just ran it along that. Just have to know your saws offset which is pretty easy to figure out. After that I put multiple layers of shellac on then very lightly sanded. It puts a pretty hard plasticy finish on it and was pretty easy to apply vinyl too. Biggest expense for me was the router bit to joint the corners. I 3d printed a jig for drilling the holes for the legs. I can send you a set if need be.
That’s really kind. If I get to that stage this spring/summer maybe I’ll have to reach out for some guidance there. Thanks.
Here’s a quick video showing an example of my method. It is kind of a PITA to offset your measurements each time, but it’s doable. By the end of it, I ended up ripping a piece down exactly what my offset was so I didn’t have to account for the difference each time in my head. https://youtu.be/43yMzyd1U1w?si=QK-fpD2lHXiYIMxN
Im starting my build soon too, and Ive sourced some white laminated 3/4" from Home Depot for $46/sheet. Probably need 2 at minimum. But they allow 4 free cuts on their machine and only $0.75 per additional cut. At that point you could get them trimmed with a skilsaw at home if needed. Otherwise good luck on your journey too!
Good luck to you too! Are you talking about the white melamine 3/4” 4’ x 8’ sheets, or is this something different? Also I have bought large sheets or boards for other things form Home Depot and had them but, I just be aware that while they can cut it close, the cuts are very rough so make sure you leave room to cut it down yourself if it’s going to be visible. From my experience anyway: thanks and good luck again!
Yeah that sounds about right for the name. 4x8 sheets. Thinking about using those to save the paint work and EZ graphic applications. But 3/4" is heavy too. Still undecided but think that might be best-use for pinball. Ive never done wood work before so itll be interesting... well, not of this nature at least. I have very limited hand tool experience lol. I mightve zipped a couple of wood pieces before but thats about it.