Posted by robert mcelwee on 12, 2001 at 12:32 PM:
In Reply to: Questions about using Laminate instead of paint for an arcade cabinet posted by Commander Raven on 12, 2001 at 11:53 AM:
I have used this method on both of my cabs and they came out looking great. I lay the sheet over the area I am going to cover and mark the back of it with a black marker. After marking it I grab my versa-pak saw (a little battery operated saw, kinda like a skilsaw but it only has a 2-3 inch blade - you can get em at wal-mart) and roughcut most of the extra material away. Then I cover the sheet and the area I am working on with contact cement and let it dry 15 minutes (since I have the pattern marked on the back I coat it and about 3 extra inches on all sides). I put the two sides together (sometimes you don't get them lined up right - that is what the extra 3 inches of glued area is for) and let it dry for about 30 minutes. After the glue is kinda dry I grab my router and cut off the excess. MAKE SURE the wood you are running the "router wheel" (not sure what it is called - the little round bearing thing that makes sure you cut the right stuff) over is smooth. If it has a nick or something in it your laminate will have that nick in it as well. Good luck!