what do you do when you need a particle board component?

vintagegamer

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what do you do when you need a particle board component?

OK so now I am ready to replace the back door on my Moon Patrol, but the original part was particle board. I have never bought particle board before so, I'm looking for tips on the best way to go. Every time I see it in HD or other stores, it's always part of an EZ build TV stand or something like that. I am guessing they do make just plain planks of particle board that you can buy and cut to size?

I was initially going to use real plywood in place of the particle board, but would like to hear some feedback from the "experts" here on the best thing to do.

Thanks!
 
In my area, the big box stors carry 4' x 8' sheets of particle board. You don't have a lot of options regarding thickness (I believe mine only stocks 3/4" thickness). If I'm not mistaken, Williams back doors (of that era) are 1/2" think (maybe 5/8").....The "odd" thickness sheets....I have to buy from a cabinet makers supply shop.

Edward
 
In my area, the big box stors carry 4' x 8' sheets of particle board. You don't have a lot of options regarding thickness (I believe mine only stocks 3/4" thickness). If I'm not mistaken, Williams back doors (of that era) are 1/2" think (maybe 5/8").....The "odd" thickness sheets....I have to buy from a cabinet makers supply shop.

Edward

Thanks Ed, yeah Phet said the door thickness is 1/2" so we'll see how it goes.
 
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh shaddap. :D

I hope you're wearing a respirator whenever you sand or cut that old cab. Seriously though breathing in sawdust is bad enough, but breathing in dust with mold is even worse.

Hopefully you'll be able to save it :)
 
I hope you're wearing a respirator whenever you sand or cut that old cab. Seriously though breathing in sawdust is bad enough, but breathing in dust with mold is even worse.

I haven't had to cut anything on it yet but thanks for the heads up.
 
It's 1/2 material. I made replacement doors for my Robotron project using 1/2" plywood. As superior as plywood might be, I kinda wish I'd used 1/2" particleboard, as the PB won't warp like plywood and is what they originally used. Just make sure you prime it, sand it, and use a few coats of RustOleum satin black to seal it real well.
 
Menards sells 2x4 pieces which is much easier to manage, unless you have a pick up truck and a good outfeed table for your table saw. Just buy MDF, it is stable, cheap and easy to work with.
 
MDF is great to work with, but use a very good respirator and cut it outdoors. Very bad to breathe in the chemical laced sawdust. My handyman loves the stuff though.
 
90% of lumber and lumber substitutes (MDF, OSB, Plywood, Particle board, etc...) will warp given enough moisture, pressure and time. The best defense against warp-age is sealing it with primer, lacquer or shellac.
 
WTF is a Menards

Arguably the coolest home improvement store in the upper midwest. Even your wives can find something to look at or buy there and not want to leave as soon as they walk in.

It's strange to describe if you've never been in one. Think of a Grocery Store, Big Lots, Home Depot/Lowes with a bit of Harbor Freight all combined into one.

They have all the stuff HD/Lowes does (by category--not necessarily quality). Many (50%) identical things at lower prices, other "cheaper" things for much much lower prices.

They also carry the cheap as seen on TV type stuff / direct chinese import stuff ala MP3/MP4 players, eBook Readers, and the like; often with more of that around Black Friday as door busters.

They also have a 13 year old rebate program that offers super cheap or many free-after-rebate products every week that become 100% free (including tax) if you 'roll' your credit checks week after week to use it to purchase more FAR stuff. They allow you to send in as many rebates in 1 envelope to 1 address as you can fit, and even allow slightly late returns and you get a merchandise credit check post card (to spend as cash) with now up to about 15 previously submitted rebate items as in-store credit to buy more free stuff (or cheap after rebate or of course non rebated items) in the future without expiration.


As to why they're good for gaming is they have cheap tools.. a slight step above Harbor Freight with year long warranty for electric or forever on non-electric for their own labeled stuff, or of course the more expensive "good" stuff if you want something to last longer. Things like $10 electric drills, sanders, jig saws, free after rebate circular and jig saw blades, glass and surface cleaners, $2-$5 gallons of paint after rebate, etc... Plus they have tons of precut in different sizes laminated MDF or particle board as well as full sheet plastic melamine coated particle board. Only complaint is in recent years they switched their precut laminated shelving from melamine coated to paper so it doesn't stand up worth anything.. only good as a base if you will paint it. Full sheets though are still plastic coated and basically what Namco used in making the MsPac/Galaga reunion machines a few years ago--hard to scratch.

Check their flyers out online if you're intersted in what they carry and discount. They even sometimes give extra 11% rebate on all your purchases over a week that is stackable with the free after rebate stuff so you can walk out with product that they PAY you to take out when they do that. http://www.menards.com
 
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I thought that would be the way to go too, but I wasn't aware that plywood would warp so quickly.

I have a particle board back on my Pac-Man and its warped to shit. If Primed and painted as others have said it will be sealed against moisture prohibiting warpage. IMHO ill take plywood over that other shit anyday. Particle board is garbage in my opinoin and mdf is a heavy bitch in large sheets, that breaks easily or mushes if a corner is dropped on the ground.
 
I suggest using a plywood with MDF crossbands on the front and back side. Not only is the MDF paintable, it acts as a backer so the plywood doesn't warp. That is what I will be using for my Galaga restoration but will use the plywood with black melamine on both sides.
 
MDF.....that pressed paper shit Galaga's are made of;).

Edward

Indeed. Just found out today after picking mine up. The whole bottom is so wobbly because the MDF is so torn and full of moisture, I am asking one of my customers to cut and replace it with plywood instead.
 
If you go to Home Depot (assuming you have one), they can rip the larger sheets down to what ever size you need.

So measure the door (or doors), and have them rip them in the store. Just make sure your measurements are accurate :D
 
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