Obvious cheap and simple project under my nose

[ark_ader]

I have been trying to find a supplier (well I found one last month) that makes completed cabinet builds, and I really do not have money to splurge.

So I was looking at a box of spare arcade parts and an unused keywiz and noticed I have some room on my desk. I sit at my desk like 60% of the day why not build one in my desk.

So other than doing the obvious and drill holes into my desk, has anyone completed this simple project before (I already looked) and is it a good idea?

X Gaming have a deal for a interface board for $29, or I can use the keywiz.   I have an idea where I want to position the controls, I don't play Robotron so one stick will suffice.

Other question would be should I mount the joystick under the desk, in case I want to upgrade the stick at a later date?

I have four displays on the desk so I can play in any orientation.

Other question would be on button quantity as I can always use the main keyboard for admin.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Hoppy]

why not just build a box to put all the controls in?


Then when you are not using it you can move it and still use your desk

[Hoppy]

i built this box out of scrap wood i had... really just to test the controls that i bought... took about 2hrs including the wiring

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=115478.msg1224067#msg1224067

[ark_ader]

Control panels shift about.  I have weighted them down, put rubber feet on them, and finally screwed them down as they still shift.

I was thinking I could rig up a cable from the X arcade and have the one player stick and the buttons linked to the desk controls via serial.

I have a large corner desk with 3 screens and a small PC desk to the side with the dedicated X arcade and monitor and a laptop on the left side. 

It gives me six screens when I am working and a nice tan. 

If I embed the X Arcade into the desk I gain a more space.

But I have not seen anyone do that, and it seems an obvious choice in my situation. 

I just want it to look smart and functional and not noobish.   

[SavannahLion]

Well, there's always #15

[ark_ader]

Well, there's always #15

Thanks for that, it definitely gives some ideas, lots of inspiration there. 

Spade bit for the desk it is. 

Should I group the stick with the buttons or have the stick at one side and the buttons on the other side? 

When I play on the X Arcade I feel cramped during play, and I map player two buttons as it feels more comfortable.

Then I can have my defender button configuration as the stick is 2/4/8. 

I'm not sure if I want a large circular hole in the middle of the desk......

I wish I had the cash for something like this, but this is very similar to my monitor configuration.



DB9 to the X Arcade, saves me having to spend £160 for a replacement monitor, and I can extend the use of the X-arcade with all 5+ consoles.

I can spend the money on getting a decent stand for a better screen orientation for all on my displays.

[SammyWI]

You could cut out a section of the desktop and make a panel to fit in and lock down.  Then you could have swappable CPs and even swap back to an empty flat desk piece if you wanted.  Just a thought.

[bkenobi]

There are several systems that have been built into bars.  I was looking for one that was built into a rolling kitchen cabinet, but I can't seem to find it.  Either way, there are a lot of examples of mounting controls on the top surface of a counter of some kind.

[Nephasth]

I was looking for one that was built into a rolling kitchen cabinet, but I can't seem to find it.

Is this it?

[bkenobi]

Yup!  I thought that was gryhnd's build, but for some reason I couldn't locate the project in a quick search.  Thanks for the assist.   

[knohbody]

Is this it?

Someone needs to combine that with this:

Motorized Kitchen Island  (It has hydraulic lifts that bring it up from the floor) [click picture for link]

[leapinlew]

Someone needs to combine that with this:

Motorized Kitchen Island  (It has hydraulic lifts that bring it up from the floor) [click picture for link]

Who would want a countertop that was the floor? Gross.

[knohbody]

Who would want a countertop that was the floor? Gross.

Agreed. That's why i thought it was perfect for an arcade cabinet. Imagine it'd be cost prohibitive though, as you'd have to dig a hole in your floor however deep your cabinet was, not to mention the hydraulic hardware.

[Nephasth]

Who would want a countertop that was the floor? Gross.

+1. Or a cat on the counters?!

[EightBySix]

+1. Or a cat on the counters?!

+1

Yes, they do tend to wriggle during preparation, and are a greasy meal at best.

[Drnick]

Maybe the ceiling should come down at the same time, that would soon stop the cat from getting on the counter top 

[bkenobi]

Maybe the ceiling should come down at the same time, that would soon stop the cat from getting on the counter top 

Yeah, but cats are pretty fast.  I think the ceiling would have to come down much faster than the floor rose.  I like your thinking though!

[Drnick]

Actually come to think of it, have a control panel come out of the floor, have a 60" screen come down from the ceiling.  You could call it Hidden Arcade. Anyway I think we got way off topic