New game cabinet status...

[Spock]

Sorry I haven't posted on my project until now, as it is in a close to fully constructed state, but better late than never.  The intention is to see if anyone has any suggestions that will help me avoid future problems.  This is the current state of my project, and has been for the last 2 months (this is what having a newborn will do to your hobby).  I have built this from scratch from MDF based on the Ultimate Arcade II cab using a 27" TV (and possibly an arcade monitor later).  I planned the control panel off of something like Delusional's, but without double 8 way sticks.  Currently I am debating on admin buttons and whether to throw a 4 way in there up top (and where to put it, as I'll jack up my hand playing golden tee).

From my short experience, I can tell you these mistakes that I have made:

1.  Building the cabinet before discussing where it will go with my wife.  (Ugh, no basements in San Antonio)  So possibly garage and I'll wheel it into the main area through the front door for parties.  Or I can put it upstairs in our room.  This one already has me thinking of building a second cabinet to put in the office that will fit through a narrow door (like the slim woody by Knievel).

2.  Routing the slot on the cp before buying the plexi that will go on top of it.  Really the plexi is thin, but hind sight was definitely 20/20.

3.  Building it all out of 3/4" MDF.  HEAVY, and only place it can go inside is upstairs.  The neighbors are going to hate me.  A case of beer may be in order.  Speaking of which, I could almost fit a kegerator in the arcade.  Hmmmm...

Note in the pictures that I modified the cp to include a slimmed out area that will have "flipper buttons" about where they would be on a real pinball machine.

[fallacy]

Were you trying to make your arcade look like the ultimate Arcade 2 and the  Ultimate Quad control panel?  http://www.mameroom.com/Products_kits.asp

[Spock]

Alas, you got me.  Yes, I am reproducing that to some extent (and by some extent I mean I followed the plans).  I was doing that to try to use some of the artwork, but then got motivated to learn photoshop.  Being that it's my first cab, I thought that would be a good place to start.  I'm going to add a little individual flavor to it as I finish.

[fallacy]

LOL I am curious on how much money you actually save vs the time you spent reproducing the wheel. I mean the kit is already covered in Vinyl and everything.

[DirtyDachshunds]

I did the same thing.  I probably spent $200 total on laminate and 3/4" MDF.  Compared to the $700-$800 I would have spent at mameroom for the cab and CP.  If you factor in the time, it would even out, but I could also just buy a fully completed cab for 3-4k too.

Plus this way I built it to the exact width I wanted, laminate > vinyl, cheaper...and its a hobby! I didn't want to buy a cab, and wanted to build one.

[Spock]

Isn't the whole point of this hobby reproducing the wheel  ?  Pretty much the same reasons as DirtyDachsunds.  I wanted more control over details.  Plus I have a workshop and like woodworking anyways.  But, just to keep you LOLing at me, I am going for the dreaded lightning cover for the cp.  What can I say, it just looks cool.     I am planning on the sand and polish for the sides, as opposed to laminate, so we'll see how that goes.

[DirtyDachshunds]

But, just to keep you LOLing at me, I am going for the dreaded lightning cover for the cp.  What can I say, it just looks cool.    

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Use your own art!  Make it yours!

...well you asked for it LOL 

[RayB]

Looks like you are building yourself a bar where a virtual bartender will appear on the screen and serve you drinks.

[drventure]

Isn't the whole point of this hobby reproducing the wheel

Indeed. The fun is in the building. Anyone with a few grand to throw down can pick up the phone and order something. And hey, nothing wrong with that necessarily, but then, you'd be missing out on half the fun of the idea of BYOAC!

[Spock]

Looks like you are building yourself a bar where a virtual bartender will appear on the screen and serve you drinks.

Admittedly, I can fit a quarter barrel in there with a small fridge.  I may have to do that.  Finally, an use for the large space where admin buttons should be, a tap!