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Long time reader, first time builder: MAME Slim Cab

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ambush:

I've been reading the forums for over a year and finally am getting off my butt to build my own cab. My goal is to finish by Thanksgiving of this year. I have finished a draft of the design I want to follow and made a prototype out of cardboard (see photos). I would love input from this community about pitfalls with my design before I start cutting.

I've taken inspiration from many cabs in the forum, including Knievel's Woody Cab (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55789.0;all), gajaman's slimline cabs (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=89163.0), martoon x's Defender cab (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90099.0;all), and others.

Overview on the project
As a big Mortal Kombat fan, I was originally planning to make a Midway clone cab. But after mapping out masking tape to the dimensions of that cab, I realized quickly that it would be much too big for the room I want to put it in. So I decided to pursue a "slim cab" design. Looking at Knievel and others, I created a design in Sketchup. Here it is:



I then built a cardboard prototype to see how it would feel fully built, and I like it!



Here's me looking like a goofball standing next to it.





Design
Here is the design broken down into steps from Sketchup.

First, the base is constructed of 2x4s and a piece of 3/4" plywood on top.



I use an additional 2x4 trimmed and installed at a 45 degree angle to support casters that will be used to move the cab when it is tilted back at an angle. Here is a view from the bottom of the base. (I have a question about the stability of this caster design)



Next, the left side is added to the base.



And then I add in cleats or furring strips along the side. Note that I would install these before attaching to the base, but I am just showing the build up steps incrementally in Sketchup. (I'm curious if it is better to use partial furring strips or full length. I'd like to keep the weight down as much as possible.)



Next I add the interior panels. This includes the monitor mount and an admin panel like Knievel had in his Woody Cab.



Next is the keyboard tray. This will be attached with sliders.



Now I add the exterior panels, including the top, speaker panel, and back. Here is a side view.



And here is a view from the back. The small panel in the upper back is meant to have a hinge on it and be a door so I can access the monitor cables if necessary. Note also that there are cutouts for the casters.



Now I add the door on the bottom front. This will be attached with a piano hinge and magnetic door latch.



Next is the control panel. I've chosen a size that nicely fits 2-player controls + a trackball for Golden Tee and spinner or 4-way joystick.



I'm hoping to do something similar to Knievel's CP layout.



Finally I add the right side and the monitor (LCD 19") and it is complete!



Questions
I'd love advice and feedback from this forum on any aspects of the design, and I also have a few questions:

1- Does the design seem stable? Any concern it would tip over?
2- Should I use partial furring strips (as shown in the design) or full strips top to bottom?
3- Does the caster design seem feasible? They are positioned at a 45 degree angle on the base.
4- Is there some way to make the control panel removable? I'm thinking about some kind of sliding lock mechanism on the bottom of the CP.
5- Paint or vinyl?
6- Any advice on joining?

Thanks!
ambush

Donkbaca:
I built a slim cab, check out my sig. (man I need to update the pictures of the completed project.)
My thoughts:
1- it's plenty stable, just make sure it's wide enough to fit you pc in the way you want.
2- I used 1x2 batting. Doesn't matter ful or partial, just glue and screw and you will be fine
3-casters- design seems fine, but I would ditch it all together, unless you plan on moving it around a lot.
4- yes, most common way is control panel latches. I got some, but in the end used washers thumb screws and wing nuts along with l brackets
5- depends on what look you are going for. I lean towards paint, but really for no reason
6- simple butt joints, glue and screw, counter sink the screws, putty over and sand flat.

Other observations
1- put a couple vent holes in the back bottom for airflow to the pc
2- don't use a piano hinge in the front door, use hidden euro hinges, it will look better
3- ditch the keyboard drawer , it adds complexity with not much benefit. I would just PKU a mouse and keyboard into the pc to set it up and leave them ther. Once the machine is set up you should rarely , if ever need a keyboard, and having a keyboard out is just asking for trouble from guests screwing around
4 - 19 inch monitor is an okay siR. But it's still pretty small, I would ditch the trackball to save space on the CP. Nothing looks crappier than a huge bezel around the monitor. I have a 21.3 inch monitor, the screen is 17 inches wide, the internal width of my cab us 24 in. giving me a 3.5 in. Bezel on each side. I would not want a bezel bigger than this . Keep that in mind. You don't want a huge bezel it a beefy overhang on your cp box. It won't look right.

Good luck!

quintinbiker:
Good luck with your build :D

TopJimmyCooks:
Looks very familiar :laugh:

I did a similar thing with the casters, but smaller and more recessed.  make sure to get the fixed casters rather than the swivels, and make sure they're rated for 200lbs or so. 



They're better than nothing but i give them about a 5 out of 10.  I grab the hand truck or just shove it around for the most part.  They barely touch the floor when level, all the weight is on the base.  so, to get them to roll, you have to tilt the cab back about 30 degrees, and the weight wants to get away from you.

Fully agree with Donk's inputs:  I am going to go back and add low ventilation intakes as everythings running pretty hot in there even with a top exhaust fan.

the pix are behind the build but take a look at my threads below.  I have an evo style cab with knievel style cp and a 19" monitor.  I can send you some completed cab pix, just haven't posted them yet. 

yotsuya:
The only thing I would add about the casters is that they seem to be really big or far back. If you butt it up against a wall, it looks like there would be a big gap there due to the wheels. Maybe it's just the way the model looks.

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