Main > Project Announcements
Long time reader, first time builder: MAME Slim Cab
ambush:
--- Quote from: Donkbaca on September 23, 2011, 01:29:13 am ---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!
--- End quote ---
@Donkbaca, thanks for your input! Very helpful.
You've convinced me to drop the casters. I'm not going to be moving this regularly. In fact, I'll probably earthquake strap it to the wall.
On the monitor size, what is the ideal size and aspect ratio for an LCD monitor? To keep this slim, I don't want to use a CRT or TV.
ambush:
--- Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on September 23, 2011, 09:33:13 am ---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.
--- End quote ---
@TopJimmyCooks that does look very familiar! I read your posts. Very cool.
Why did you decide to use MDF for the sides and plywood for the CP? Isn't MDF heavier?
I see you're using a 19" LCD monitor too. Does that feel too small like Donkbaca suggested?
You've further convinced me to not use casters. But I will add ventilation. Would you recommend installing a ventilation fan inside?
ambush:
--- Quote from: quintinbiker on September 23, 2011, 04:03:19 am ---Good luck with your build :D
--- End quote ---
Thanks!!
Donkbaca:
Its not that 19 inches is too small, its just be mindful of the monitor size when building, because a large bezel always looks bad, if you are using a 19 incher, just make sure you make the cab narrow, I wouldn't want a bezel of more than 2 inches or so on the sides.
If you look at my build, I have a 21.3 inch 4:3. That's the biggest 4:3 lcd you can get, and they are all mostly very, very good screens. I believe Kneivel used a 20 inch in his builds.
I would suggest smoked plexi for the front too. The bezel was a pain in the ass and a half to get right, and the smoked plexi helps hide a lot of imperfections, and looks cool when the cab is off.
TopJimmyCooks:
My 19" was a gift from my brother and was going to be the display from the beginning. However, the monitor auto rotates from Horizontal to vertical, so I'm using the full screen area for gameplay both ways. To allow room for the monitor to rotate, it is 24 1/8" wide inside the sides. When the CP is in it's smallest configuration, it's box is the same width as the cab. In a perfect world, I would choose the the 21" 4:3 LCD - those were great. I would't want to go any bigger if you like vertical shooters, with the controls where they are its the biggest screen I can take in.
I used scraps I had around for the cp which were mostly plywood, and structural rigidity was more of a concern there with the moving parts. the cab I made from MDF because I was planning to paint it and wanted the smooth, flat substrate. Also, the shop grade ply I like to use costs a lot more and I've been trying to keep the costs in proportion. It is heavy as ****, hence the wheels. As I said, my wheels are really too small.
There have been many cabs lately with this design and it's proved a good one. Arcade looks, suited to lcd display depth, scales nicely to different widths. I would love to see someone do a narrow vertical one like a Toobin' cab.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version