Nintendo T-Molding project underway.

Wundercade

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I called Dave (Daviea) at RAM Controls this evening. We discussed a way to move forward on trying to recreate Nintendo (OEM) spec T-molding. As you know Dave is an Atari guy and to the extent that we Nintendo owners would like to make this happen, he has graciously offered his assistance and talent for perfection.

Some vendors are selling what they describe as Nintendo (flat) t-molding, but it really is not flat and many perfectionists in the hobby aren't happy with settling for an "almost" right product.

So, I will be sending Dave a sample of the original Nintendo T-Molding and he has agreed to get back to me with a quote on fabricating a plastic extrusion mold.

Tentatively, the mold will run a couple hundred dollars. Dave has also agreed to be a conduit to a local manufacturer that can make the molding. We think that the minimum order we can expect the manufacturer to require us to purchase is 1,000 ft. to possible 10,000 ft. We'll have to see what we can swing.

Understandably, space is a premium right now at Dave's company, so to the extent that this project moves forward and an order for molding is placed; we will have to arrange for our own storage of the molding. Depending on price and volume considerations, if we go with 1,000 ft. initially, I may be able to take possession and then sell it / route it off to people wanting in on this project.

Therein lays the task, to muster enough financial support, similar to other projects on the forum here, through pre-orders to cover the cost of a run of a possible thousand feet of Nintendo T-molding.

Dave won't be stocking this stuff and I am not into resell. So the initial order to get this molding extruded will indeed depend on our collective efforts.

Anyone (especially the resell guys with web storefronts) interesting in joining this endeavor?

I will update this thread as we progress.



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I'm not going to be a big buyer, but I'm in for enough for a typical UR cab. (My new-to-me vs. SMB)

Dumb question, perhaps, but is it safe to assume this is for 5/8" wide white? :confused:
 
I don't think anyone is up for being a big buyer, this will have to be a collective effort.

Also, it's the flat, centered, 15mm white T-molding.

Here's an important consideration:

How many collector's that have installed the t-molding product available out there now, are willing to redo the molding on their cabs if this new molding becomes available?


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Here's an important consideration:

How many collector's that have installed the t-molding product available out there now, are willing to redo the molding on their cabs if this new molding becomes available?


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I would. I would need 4 games worth of Molding, and probably would buy a couple extra games worth to have on hand if the price is right.
 
I don't think anyone is up for being a big buyer, this will have to be a collective effort.

Also, it's the flat, centered, 9/16 " white T-molding.

Here's an important consideration:

How many collector's that have installed the t-molding product available out there now, are willing to redo the molding on their cabs if this new molding becomes available?


.

Hmmmm... Well, I just measured mine with my cheapo digital calipers, and it said it was 0.583" wide. Looked almost centered, but off just a little... I might be out of luck. :(
 
I don't think anyone is up for being a big buyer, this will have to be a collective effort.

Also, it's the flat, centered, 9/16 " white T-molding.

Here's an important consideration:

How many collector's that have installed the t-molding product available out there now, are willing to redo the molding on their cabs if this new molding becomes available?


.

I am in for this!! I am willing to contribute as much as I need to. I'll even take in inventory and sell it on my site if you'd like. We need this to happen. The so called flat t-molding is not flat at all. It has a crown on it. It's not right. Also, the original t-molding was made with a much harder plastic. So, we should consider that too. And, it was not quite WHITE, was it? It was an off white, no?

Lastly, I could get this made in China for much less if you want me to explore it.

EDIT - I will explore this ASAP.
 
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I am in for this!! I am willing to contribute as much as I need to. I'll even take in inventory and sell it on my site if you'd like. We need this to happen. The so called flat t-molding is not flat at all. It has a crown on it. It's not right. Also, the original t-molding was made with a much harder plastic. So, we should consider that too. And, it was not quite WHITE, was it? It was an off white, no?

Lastly, I could get this made in China for much less if you want me to explore it.

EDIT - I will explore this ASAP.

It was a harder plastic and off white but getting it made in China would suck.
 
It was a harder plastic and off white but getting it made in China would suck.

The original t-molding was made in Japan. What's the difference???!??!?!??!?!?!??! You know what? THe worst Ninty cabinets are made in the US!! HA!

Maybe getting involved in this isn't a good idea. :)
 
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what about the offset t-molding that was discussed in the other thread?

seems to me(from previous posts about the same subject), that the offset t-molding is what people really would like.
 
I just went out and measured my three cabinets. I also came up with roughly .585" which is probably 15mm molding. I am sure Dave would measure the sample and make it the size of the original. I just got enough molding for all 3 cabinets from t-molding.com, but would be willing to sign up for this if the cost was reasonable and it was a more accurate reproduction.

Murph
 
Yeah, Dave will make it exact, he's a perfectionist that way.

I will defer to your guys' measurements as I was only going off the measurement of the current product being sold.



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what about the offset t-molding that was discussed in the other thread?

seems to me(from previous posts about the same subject), that the offset t-molding is what people really would like.

Not really, the offset molding is usually on the less desirable particle board cabs. It makes more sense to fill them in and re-router a center channel, than to have to fill in a center channel on a plywood cab and re-router it to an offset channel for off-set T-molding.




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I'd be in for enough for 2 or 3 cabs as long as the price was reasonable... probably even more than that, but I assume that if one of the resellers picks it up I could buy from them also.
 
I have been wondering for a long time about this flat white T-molding for the original Donkey Kong cabinet. I bought some years ago from Arcade Shop that was supposed to be white T-molding for DK but when I got it , it was just regular white T-molding. It's still in the box as I never used it. I was always holding out for someone to reproduce the original stuff. I got 2 cabinets that needs new T-molding and if it's just like the original I don't care what the cost is, with-in reason that is.:D
 
I think it is interesting that the original molding on all 3 of my cabinets does not sit flush to the sides of the cabinet. It sticks out mostly on the outboard side. My Atari/Midway/Konami cabinets the t-molding sits flush with both the inboard and outboard edges of the sides. The Nintendo molding is definitely wider than (the thickness) of the sides.

Murph
 
Also, the original t-molding was made with a much harder plastic. So, we should consider that too. And, it was not quite WHITE, was it? It was an off white, no?.


I'd be careful here.....that stuff seems "harder" because it's almost 30 years old....and off-white.....
remember how white plastic turns over time.

I don't know for sure....just saying.....I'd be shocked if it didn't start life as traditional white.

Edward
 
I'd be careful here.....that stuff seems "harder" because it's almost 30 years old....and off-white.....
remember how white plastic turns over time.

I don't know for sure....just saying.....I'd be shocked if it didn't start life as traditional white.

+1000

I'm in - of course, depending on price. I wouldn't pay $50 per cab for molding, for example.

As for the Japan thing - good point, John. I would, however, like to see money stay in the US if possible. We're in a recession for a reason.
 
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