ArcadeCab

Cabinet Plans 2: Ledgers

The Ledgers 
We have already installed the ledger supports for the monitor shelf.   Now we add the remaining ledgers that will hold the cabinet together.  The ledger design is such that all the screws will be installed from the inside of the cabinet, with no external screw holes to patch.  It also makes disassembly of the cabinet easy.  This was important for us and will allow Scott to paint the cabinet pieces while they are laid out flat, which is far easier than when the cabinet is completely assembled.

To make your life easier, lay one cabinet side down on two saw horses.  You might want to refer to the picture to the right for all the ledger measurements I refer to.

The ledger for the base 
Using the 1x2 board, cut two 31" strips.  Before attaching to the side, countersink/pre-drill four holes in the top side to receive the screws that will hold the base in place.  Then align the bottom of board with the top of the dado (slot) and attach it to the cabinet side.
 

The ledger for the top 
Using the 1x2 stock, cut two 5" strips.  Locate the top of the strip 1-1/4" down from the top of the cabinet side.  This allows a 1/2" inset once in factor in the 3/4" top board.  Countersink and attach this board.

 

The monitor bezel ledger
The ledger strips (16" long in the above picture) are recessed differently than the others.  I like to have a 1/2" recess for the glass to sit in front of the monitor.  This combined with the 1/4" thickness of the eventual glass panel means you will recess these boards 3/4" total (1/2" + 1/4" = 3/4").  These strips could also be of smaller stock than the rest as they serve only to keep the glass from falling back into the cabinet, and only need to be screwed into from one face.

 

The remaining ledgers 
For the rest of the ledgers, I took a piece of 1x4" stock 4' long and cut two strips 1" wide using the table saw.  This allows us to use 1-1/4" screws that, when countersunk a bit, will hold the cabinet panels very securely without fear of popping a screw head through the exterior side.

For each of the remaining ledgers, I predrilled and countersunk the holes on the two sides (top and one side) before attaching to the cabinet.  See pictures B and C for a visual description.  Then I located each ledger 1-1/4" from the outside of the cabinet.  By examining the picture at the top of this page, you can see what I cut each strip at.  The only tricky part is the interior holes on the speaker area.

 

A

B

C

D

Because we will be drilling from the top of the cabinet down, the holes in the speaker ledger will need to be angled.  See pictures G and H for how I achieved this.  You'll see what I mean when you start adding on the ledgers yourself.  Other than this bit, the rest is very straight forward.

 

E

F

G

H

 

Take the completed side off the saw horses, and replace with the other side.  Repeat the above steps with this second side.

Now you can attach the base and monitor shelf.  Then stand the shell upright to prepare for the next series of activities.