Tried to move Centipede, but she fell ... HELP!

msignor

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Hey guys,

Sigh - Finally after getting this thing 100% up and running, I had to go and try and move it from the garage into the basement.

Long story short, the weight shifted and she just came down.. hard... I shouldn't have been driving the hand truck, as I am a small guy.. but I was eager and the beer modivated me.

Pictures are attached... I really need some advice on how the F**K I should go about fixing this...

My first thought was to cut inside the T-Molding channel, to get rid of the debris and at least get it the same width again. Fill it up with some wood glue / gorilla glue so that they wont separate in the slightest amount of humidity.... Then I would have to source some new t-molding since the impact zone is smushed...

I assume I can take some bondo in order to smooth out the sides and fill in the "chips".. Can I just get the lil tube of pre-made stuff from the depot?

This cab has some sentimental value unfortunately, from a passed family member. I really don't want to strip the side etc.. but I want it to look "normal", pre the fall.. how do you guys suggest I match the old gray and nicotine covered white as well as the dull and faded black? I just need a little to fill where the bondo would be right?

What about sanding? What would be the best way to sand the compound without destroying any more of the side paint?

I really wanted to throw up last night after this happened.. so I just hope I can get it back into tip top.

Any help and suggestions are appreciated!

-Matt
 

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Bondo! Next time..get a buddy to help with the move. I never move a game on stairs without extra help.
 
Bondo!!! But please move it back out to the garage before you use it otherwise your entire place will stink with the migraine inducing fumes for a few days. You could have this patched, sanded, t-moulding channel cut, and paint touched up in a couple hours. I've moved the majority of my games by myself down the stairs to my basement and have only almost lost a game once. It was a Dig Dug that decided to go down two more steps faster than I was hoping it would.
 
Edit:
DON'T use gorilla glue, it expands and will me impossible to shape. just bondo and touch up the paint. As for the greyed sides, I suggest thoroughly cleaning the cabinet to remove the grey stains. I am sure that you can get it nice and clean.

If you can't bondo that I believe that Frizzlefried (not sure) used a trimmer bit on a router and duplicated the good side out of particle board and then cut off the damaged area and replaced. Those Atari cabinets are so susceptible to damage there.

I repaired the corner on a Simpsons cabinet by replacing it and attaching with a biscuit joiner.

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?p=1479450#post1479450

2011-01-15-time-00-00-16-day-6.jpg


2011-01-15-time-00-17-10-day-6.jpg


2011-01-15-time-02-03-42-day-6.jpg


2011-01-16-time-17-41-17-day-0.jpg
 
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After trimming the area you'll use for the repair, use some wood hardener on the particleboard to shore it up before working on it. You'll get less flaking and a harder substrate to work with.

Thanks for sharing the pics on the corner repair. I have the same thing to do this week on my Star Wars cab.
 
After trimming the area you'll use for the repair, use some wood hardener on the particleboard to shore it up before working on it. You'll get less flaking and a harder substrate to work with.

Thanks for sharing the pics on the corner repair. I have the same thing to do this week on my Star Wars cab.

Thanks! The cabinet turned out great:

IMG_20111103_004912.jpg


When you start a thread for the Star Wars cab, please PM me the link, I don't want to miss that thread! :D
 
Wow guys - Thanks for the replies so far.

Is there any particular type of bondo I should look for? Is epoxy filler the same as "bondo" (I know its just a brand)

I was debating on just getting a saw to get rid of the debris in the molding channel.. I assume that there is really no other way to fix the bulge correct?

-- What kind of glue should I be using to secure the two sides and fill any internal cracks? After it was mentioned.. gorilla glue expands and I totally forgot.

so far I can tell my order of operations would be:

1) clear debris from the middle to get rid of the bulge.. Either use a saw or just pick it out with a screwdriver etc.
2) fill withsome kind of glue to prevent further cracking and breaking off
3) bondo the sides and front up to build up the 1/4 inch of missing wood that holds the t molding. I assume this would be a few "coats" required for this to properly cure??
4) tape off and sand (rinse and repeat)
5) cut new t-molding channel somehow
6) prime and paint with some kind of color match to what I have now..

AM I missing anything obvious? Do I need to worry about rebar or any kind of prep so the bondo will stick to the particle board?

THANKS!!!!
 
Thanks! The cabinet turned out great:

When you start a thread for the Star Wars cab, please PM me the link, I don't want to miss that thread! :D

The pics are inline with my arcade room project thread. I'm not undertaking a restore on that cab, I'm just getting it functionally solid enough to move it into the room without falling apart. The bottom plate was pretty much destroyed - all the t-nuts had fallen out, so I couldn't put any leg levelers on it:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=199821
 
On the bright side atleast its in the basement now :)

I wish :-( I just put it back into the garage to pray it turned on. when it did, i figure best not to tempt fate.. However --- since your in NJ i'll giva ya PM when I fix it and move this and the missile command downstairs and maybe you can see it in person :)
 
Wow guys - Thanks for the replies so far.

Is there any particular type of bondo I should look for? Is epoxy filler the same as "bondo" (I know its just a brand)

I was debating on just getting a saw to get rid of the debris in the molding channel.. I assume that there is really no other way to fix the bulge correct?

-- What kind of glue should I be using to secure the two sides and fill any internal cracks? After it was mentioned.. gorilla glue expands and I totally forgot.

so far I can tell my order of operations would be:

1) clear debris from the middle to get rid of the bulge.. Either use a saw or just pick it out with a screwdriver etc.
2) fill withsome kind of glue to prevent further cracking and breaking off
3) bondo the sides and front up to build up the 1/4 inch of missing wood that holds the t molding. I assume this would be a few "coats" required for this to properly cure??
4) tape off and sand (rinse and repeat)
5) cut new t-molding channel somehow
6) prime and paint with some kind of color match to what I have now..

AM I missing anything obvious? Do I need to worry about rebar or any kind of prep so the bondo will stick to the particle board?

THANKS!!!!


Use the grey 2 part bondo for structual repairs, and the red tube for surface repairs. You should be able to fix the bulge with sanding and clamping.

Just look at what monty_a900 what able to do with this Q*Bert:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=188046

You should fill in the channel in the damaged area and use a 1/16" slot cutting bit on a router to re-cut.
 
The pics are inline with my arcade room project thread. I'm not undertaking a restore on that cab, I'm just getting it functionally solid enough to move it into the room without falling apart. The bottom plate was pretty much destroyed - all the t-nuts had fallen out, so I couldn't put any leg levelers on it:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=199821

Is there enough left to use these?

http://www.therealbobroberts.net/ll.html

lgelegplt.jpg


http://www.therealbobroberts.net/ll.html
 
Use the grey 2 part bondo for structual repairs, and the red tube for surface repairs. You should be able to fix the bulge with sanding and clamping.

Just look at what monty_a900 what able to do with this Q*Bert:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=188046

You should fill in the channel in the damaged area and use a 1/16" slot cutting bit on a router to re-cut.

That is pretty impressive... Inspirational really. So your saying forgoe filling the gap with any glue.. just full it with bondo.. Makes sense, but should I get both types and only use the red tube for the surface, kind like spackle? I am unclear on if I can sand both types or just need one, etc.
 
If you are not doing a total resto just leave it as-is, will give a good story to tell when people ask about it :)

In all honesty, the cab does not need a full resto at this point. I gutted it while the PCB was being repaired.. cap kits, new screen, cleaned out etc.. even the CPO had one or two rips but not worth replacing just yet. The cabinet itself is in good shape.

Unfortunately, this little event happens to be its worst quality at ths time :-(
 
That is pretty impressive... Inspirational really. So your saying forgoe filling the gap with any glue.. just full it with bondo.. Makes sense, but should I get both types and only use the red tube for the surface, kind like spackle? I am unclear on if I can sand both types or just need one, etc.

I don't think you need any glue, the grey 2 part bondo is epoxy resin and is adhesive. Fill it and use to nice big smooth wood blocks on both sides with large C clamps to clamp it back into position. Make sure there isn't any bondo between the blocks and the cabinet, or it will be glued on there real well. Also don't over clamp it and an collapse the channel. The red stuff should really only be used to fill holes and smooth the surface, (it is called glaze). You can sand both.
 
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