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First Arcade Cab Project - UltraLux RGB Button Tip!
dawolv:
Ok instead of posting all over the forum, why dont I try posting here :laugh:
First of all its nothing special just a regular old cab. No real theme...yet.
I thought about calling it "The Peachy Keen Machine" and going that route...but that idea lasted about 3 seconds.
So just a plain cab, open for ideas, suggestions, and for everyone to learn from my mistakes.
The story is this cab is my first one so it will be a learning experience, the cab will be moved from the garage to an office then to a rec room.
The wife did not approve of my original plan which was about 36" deep by about 29" wide. So I cut it back a bit (28" x 24 1/4")
Here is the Google Sketchup design (I made some changes on the fly but its close to this):
Here is the overall look when complete:
dawolv:
The Rig
My machine specs are quite humble it was originally my Windows Home Server box, but I have since upgraded out of that box.
The rig was built for reliability and low power consumption and for the number of SATA ports.
I think this will make a pretty good box for this project since I am planning on mostly the classics like Donkey Kong, Pac Man, Galaga etc.
AMD Athlon 64 x2 4000 2.1 Ghz 65Watt (Love the low wattage here)
Gigabyte M57SLI S4 Mobo
Corsair Fanless PSU 450W (Quiet and very efficient, lets you plug in what you need so there is no uneeded cables cluttering up your box.)
BFG GeForce GT 220 with 1GB DDR2
2 GIGs of DDR2 800 Memory
I have an old BenQ 19" LCD that will work with the width of the cab.
For my front end, I am enjoying GameEx as my FE.
I think that is it for the internals (barring the Speakers still undecided on to use some old Altec Lansings or get some cheapies with bass)
dawolv:
I grabbed two 3/4" Birch Plywood from Lowes for $39.95 each (no sales tax here) ;D.
Here is the first side cut out:
After getting the first side to where I wanted it, I placed it on a new sheet of 3/4 Ply and traced it.
Then I rough cut that outline, clamped them together and flushed trim the second piece.
Odd Whale or Airplane shape when side by side :laugh:
I recieved my 3/4" Samples from T-Molding.Com, I decided to go with the Light Blue.
And of course my first U360 from Ultimarc.com
So running cost so far:
2 3/4 Birch Plywood: $39.95 x 2 = $79.90
T-Molding Samples: FREE + Shipping = $1.22
U360 Joystick: $59.00 + $14.00 Shipping = $79.00
Total Project: $160.12
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Using a Test Piece and centering the bit, I routed out a slot for the T-Molding.
Using the 5 Ply Plywood it was a no brainer, I aligned the bit on the 3rd layer then micro adjusted my router depth so it was perfect.
To be sure it would be completely centered I first Slotted one side then flipped the piece over slotted it again.
It is perfectly centered now, however I found the 3/4" Trim in the 3/4" Ply left the T-Mold proud by 1/16th on each side.
Now at first I was going to Paint the cab but after all the advice here I decided to laminate the cab.
My guess (Hope) is the Laminate I saw at Home Depot will be 1/16ths and all will be well...
Here is the Bit at Amazon.Com that I used to make the Slot, you will need this Shank if you dont already have one.
Cost
Shank: $7.07
Slot Bit: $12.00
Shipping: $4.80
Total: $23.87
Project Total: $183.99
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Next I worked on my base, I went to Lowes and bought two 2" Swivel and two 2" Fixed Casters.
I decided I did not want the Screws coming up through the bottom of my cab.
I came up with a solution, I would just use my Forstener bit to counter sink the Hex Bolt and Washer then use a Lock Washer and nut on the bottom supports then affix the Cab Bottom piece ontop of that. Still would be a piece of cake to change out a caster if I ever had too.
Bottom Supports with Wheels Installed:
Counter Sunk Hex Bolts and Washers:
2 Inch Clearance from the sides so the wheel will swivel:
Originally the base would be part of a adjustable shelving unit.
Then I got to thinking maybe it would be cool if the Door was actually a full extension Drawer.
So that is where I am for now, not sure if I want to use a Heavy Duty full Extension slide for a drawer front.
Cost
4 Casters: 4 x 3.98 = $15.92
Project Total: $199.91
dawolv:
Im still deciding on a CP Background Image with no theme it makes this easy or hard I guess LOL.
I am using Paint Shop Pro X3 you can get a free trial at thier website . Originally I was going to get Adobe Photoshop CS5 but WOW that is expensive, there is a free trial of that too.
Here are my top 5 in no order.
Im not sure if we have a FTP File Collection here or not so if anyone would like any of these let me know, I will email them over.
dawolv:
Here is a Test design Im toying with, the design is originally from Knievel, it seems pretty popular and I can see why ;D
I couldnt find the Adobe file or any tutorials on how to do it.
I also have no idea how to use Graphics Programs but meh I think it looks ok.
If anyone else is as lost as I am with this and wants help of what I did or wants me to add to this thread on what I did let me know.
Either case it would be nice to collaborate. ;)
This is using Paint Shop Pro X3