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First cabinet, currently unnamed (Update 10/19/10: It's Alive!)
GoingIncognito:
Once my neighbor (Martoon X of the Defender MAME Project) decided to build a cabinet and got it all working I knew I wouldn't be able to resist. After only minor cajoling I decided to make a cabinet of my own.
After searching the internet and looking at a metric ton of plans I decided to go with a 2-player bartop-sized unit because it would be easier to maneuver and I'd have more places I could put it in the house (although it will likely 'live' in the basement for the most part). Plus, it'd be cheaper than a full-size cabinet.
Here are the source plans that I picked:
Even though I wanted a bartop-sized unit I thought the plans would be a little too small for comfortable 2-player gaming, plus I wanted a trackball anyway. I wasn't even sure if the PC I had would fit inside without modifying the PC or the plans.
Martoon was kind enough to offer me absolutely copious amounts of help (plus he has more tools than I do), and after taking measurements of the PC and LCD monitor he drafted up a set of working plans and modeled the entire thing out in 3D.
Here is the basic design:
Note: I did add 3 buttons to the CP after this was modeled out, Coin 1, Coin 2, and a single admin button (Will be pause, but act as Shift when held).
We're using 1/2" plywood for the build and ample interior bracing of 1"x2" strips to help ensure structural stability and prevent bowing. Since making it luggable (and not too expensive!) was one of the things I wanted, I think 1/2" plywood is a good choice, plus Martoon had an entire extra sheet of it in his garage :). I'm estimating that the entire unit will weigh 65-75 lbs max when fully equipped (although I could be wrong, we'll see), and I consider that to be fairly luggable up and down stairs in the house once I install some inset cabinet handles, especially when compared to Martoon's monster of a cabinet. Since the rear swings down I can always move the PC and LCD out during moves to save some weight.
Here's a picture of the sides cut out:
I should have more pictures of the build process later, I think Martoon took some. When I return I'll post the controls parts list, etc.
Thanks for looking and advice and comments are welcome! I'm still extremely new to all this so we'll see how it goes.
MikeyMerse:
Looks great, and you are off to a quick start! Sounds like you have some good help next door too. I like your plan of putting the trackball off-center to the left, so it won't get in the way of Player2's left hand, very smart.
emphatic:
This does look good. If you use hacked 360 pads for your controls, you could easily fit an XBox 360 in there if you get tired of emulated games.
jholman76:
I am finishing up my blacked out bartop project and found that de-casing the PC helped a lot for spatial constraints as well as cooling. Have you looked into doing that? the towers can take up a lot of room.
GoingIncognito:
Thanks :). Actually putting the trackball off center is Martoon's idea. It's also offset so that when using the trackball if you vigorously spin it to the right or upper right you don't immediately smack into the joystick. I think there would be enough space for a 360, but I already have one connected to my TV so I'm not sure I could go back to playing on a little screen :).
I decided to go with Ultrastik's instead of 4/8 ways because they're highly versatile, but I will be installing the harder spring and circular restrictor. Since this cab won't be focusing on a single type of game and will have a bunch of different emulators on it (PC is likely powerful enough to handle PS1, DreamCast, etc) I wanted to ensure the largest possible level of compatibility. They were a little pricey when compared to the Mag-Stick Plus, but I figured in the end I didn't really mind paying for versatility.
I also went with Ultimarc's 2 1/4 inch Trackball (I think it is the STC 2-1/4 inch trackball, so I guess it's actually a Suzo trackball, go figure). It was a lot less than a Happ, and I wanted to go smaller than a 3" trackball anyway.
I bought all my buttons from Ultimarc, too. Originally I wanted to do lighted buttons, but again in a bid to save some money I went with the Classic Pushbuttons instead. If/when I do another machine I'll go all out and have nice LED-lit buttons.
The cab was designed to fit the PC with case on, so there shouldn't be any space issues. I am going to install 2 additional cooling fans to help keep the heat under control, as well. One will be at the top to draw hot air out, the other I haven't decided yet. I need to get the PC in the cab and see where the heat generates and how the airflow is. I can de-case the PC without a problem, but I'm hesitant to do it because it's a really nice Li-Lian case that I once upon a time paid around $180 for. I may still end up de-casing due to heat, airflow, or weight issues. I'd have to drill some rivets out if I wanted to keep the interior mounting structure, and this would likely end up destroying most of the innards of the case. It's an option, though :)