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Author Topic: Building my first Arcade  (Read 6475 times)

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Grheault

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Building my first Arcade
« on: November 30, 2017, 08:43:25 pm »
For years i've wanted my own arcade that could just fit in the living room and act like a furniture...you know, something classy :p

So i did a bit of research and did 3D model to see what i would like the most


so i end up with this result even if i liked the second and third one from the left (the circles on top are speaker).


With those joystick
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00WAY9848/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've try to take the less space possible and i was able to make it fit in two sheet of plywood


Next step is to build it...hope it goes well  ;D

Slippyblade

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2017, 01:45:37 pm »
If you want a classy, furniture inspired build then search for Knievel's Slim Woody cabinet.  Totally sexy build and very classy.

wp34

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2017, 04:01:55 pm »
The second one from the left is a really nice looking design.

smass

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2017, 06:03:42 pm »
I am not a fan of the marquee - I think it needs to be a bit bigger. 

rablack97

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2017, 08:10:18 pm »
#2 and #3 get my vote....

dont do the swinging front door, it's a pain to keep latched, magnets get weak etc.

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2017, 11:28:54 pm »
#2 would be a work of art but the hardest to build :applaud:
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Grheault

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2017, 01:50:47 pm »
Thanks everyone, yeah number 2 was also my favorite but considering that i've never done that before, i'll wait for my next arcade to do something like that

Small update.


One thing for sure, next time i'm not buying 1/2'' plywood...

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2017, 07:31:46 pm »
Why is your marquee made of wood?
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morton

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2017, 10:08:16 pm »
Why is your marquee made of wood?

Wood is for coffee tables and George Washingtn's teeth! In OPs case, it may be a subdued look they're going for as one of the reference photos has a wood marquee area.

jennifer

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2017, 09:30:19 am »
   Not as easy as it looks right? (Jennifer laughs) I like the overall concept.... If that was mine, I would take it apart again, and template a sides and bottom onto 3/4" inch ply and then rabbit the back edge  1/2" and use the 1/2"ply as the back piece (that's common as weight saving) and the same with the bottom, This will give you a nice strong base project that will have enough meat to cut a slot for the T moulding, And possibly shorten that shelf a bit from the back to allow for airflow and cabling.

Grheault

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2017, 03:43:36 pm »
Since it was a  :censored: to bring two full plywood sheet on my car's roof, i'll try to continue with that...and yeah it not that easy. Don't care, i have fun and worst case i'll buy MDF and redo the whole thing

1/2 inch is look tick enough for t-moulding. Don't know how it will look at the end, but we'll see

Why is your marquee made of wood?

Wood is for coffee tables and George Washingtn's teeth! In OPs case, it may be a subdued look they're going for as one of the reference photos has a wood marquee area.

Yeah, i want to try to dye the plywood to see what it look like.

morton

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2017, 04:03:05 pm »
Since it was a  :censored: to bring two full plywood sheet on my car's roof, i'll try to continue with that...and yeah it not that easy. Don't care, i have fun and worst case i'll buy MDF and redo the whole thing

1/2 inch is look tick enough for t-moulding. Don't know how it will look at the end, but we'll see

Why is your marquee made of wood?

Wood is for coffee tables and George Washingtn's teeth! In OPs case, it may be a subdued look they're going for as one of the reference photos has a wood marquee area.

Yeah, i want to try to dye the plywood to see what it look like.

MDF isn't very fun and takes a lot of work to get a good finish IMO. I am using it for a build now and it's no treat.

If you're thinking of dye, be careful about prep. Some play doesn't take stain very evenly and can look patchy. There are conditioners that can alleviate the problem though. Also don't rule out tinted poly as another alternative to dye.

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2017, 08:28:57 pm »
   I would have to agree with Morton on MDF, the big book of games seems to push it however so I will keep my mouth shut on that subject.... Carrying anything on your cars roof seems like a really bad idea, much less full sheets of wood, maybe borrow a trailer or pickup next time and use this as a learning kind of thing. As for the stain, this would require some planning before the fact, #1, Keep the construction very strait and use a very minimum of the appropriate wood filler (utilizing the sawdust from the wood you are using) #2, don't scratch it all up during construction (work on clean plastic, or rags) #3, test your finish on paint stick samples and decide what you want before you just go splashing it on. (*Hint for a really light finish you can clear it first, and that brings up the grain, than float your finish over it lightly and clear again) 

Grheault

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2017, 11:42:57 am »


Small update. It coming a bit better than expected. The joystick panel isn't final yet. Don't know if the curve is a bit too much out (i may scale it down after drawing knowing where the button will go)
Also found some old speaker that I've put on top. And I've order some cover so it can have a nice look. I'll have access to a table saw in a couple of day (would be nice to have it before but anyway lol), i'll cut the tree piece that will make the door and I've order the t-molding that will cover the side and found a monitor for the screen. 

Next step will be to sand everything and chose the color that i want.

Grheault

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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2018, 09:36:17 pm »
Small update, did the sanding and color. Installed the molding. I still need to varnish the wood , buy a plexiglass for the monitor (and maybe for the controller) and install the front door, speaker cover and other accessories


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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2018, 09:39:32 am »
Staining plywood is usually not a great look. Sorry I would have commented sooner. But it isn't too late! You could use wood Laminate or Paint it and put some nice sideart on there! The shape is damn good.
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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2018, 10:48:46 am »
Cut that extending lip off the front of the panel, it doesn't do anything other than look out of place and create a weak spot.

Might want to recut the panel entirely, your button arch is way too vertical on player one. I had one like that, it was terrible to play on, you would just lose your place in any game with more than 2 buttons.
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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #17 on: March 20, 2018, 11:10:45 am »
your button arch is way too vertical on player one.

I'm pretty sure his sticks are angled.
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Re: Building my first Arcade
« Reply #18 on: March 20, 2018, 04:51:55 pm »
your button arch is way too vertical on player one.

I'm pretty sure his sticks are angled.

Oh, that makes it so much worse.
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