Just broke down a "Nintendo Graham Cracker" (particle board cab)

Sir Kongsalot

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Just broke down a "Nintendo Graham Cracker" (particle board cab)

Yesterday I dismantled a particle board Donkey Kong cabinet. (I assure you, it was unsalvageable, with water damaged/expanding wood all around the t-molding channels, total "perimeter disintegration" around the edges - the thing shedded like a pomeranian every time it was moved an inch - and a front/base that were so bad I should probably upload the pics).

In any case, wow, these things are almost unbelievably soft! I took the sides, laid them against a curb at an angle, stepped onto them, and the "wood" broke right apart. Turned both sides into a neat pile of small, manageable trash can-sized squares within 15 minutes. No saw required, just a little weight. These things were not designed to last more than a couple of years, and it shows.

My point/question: how many of you are still rockin' a particle board cab? Have you ever been forced to get rid of one that was beyond salvage? Where would you draw the line with that? Have you been able to restore a graham cracker? What sort of issues have you faced?

In any case, my DK is now in a plywood cab, and it's really a world of difference. Not significantly heavier, but infinitely more "solid" feeling.

Not wanting anything in particular I guess, I just think the "plywood vs. particle board" discussion is always interesting.

(PS: I performed last rites.)
 
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I have a particle board DK at the moment. The front edges, corners, and perimeter is almost perfect. However, both of the top corners in the back are missing. Also along where the backdoor sits it is starting to come apart. I plan on cleaning this cab up this summer and using some wood hardener and filling the gaps with bondo.

At first I was a little worried that it was particle board, but I am over it now.
 
Total pieces of junk. I have a couple and hate them. Strapping it down to the trailer damaged it badly.
 
My Jr. was originally particle board. It acually wasnt that bad, just minor damage on the bottom corners. Could have easily been fixed (or even ignored) but a fellow KLOVer hooked me up with an empty plywood cab. So now my Jr. resides in that. The particle board cab ended up getting mame'd and sits across the street in my neighbor's house. He filled the damaged corners and gave it a black paint job. He has no complaints about the cab being particle board.
 
I have a particle and plywood. The particle is in beautiful condition. The plywood now so much, but I fixed it up and painted it. It was already converted to a PC10 and I left as such.

Plywood:

Before:
IMG_20111018_080117.jpg


After:
12%2520-%25208.jpg


Particle board: just cleaned it, nothing else: (it was free too)
12%2520-%25201.jpg


Group shot, along with my DK cabaret, and DK '94 cabinet I am building (wearing Jr bezel and marquee)
IMG_20120622_061150.jpg
 
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