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Build an OND designed cab 'Metropolis'
Ond:
Back when I was designing this one of my rules was to keep the woodwork as simple as possible while still having an attractive looking cabinet. I wanted the control panel to have rounded edges at the front with printed vinyl wrapped over these curves. If you check the build steps on page 5 you should be able to see that the CP can be accessed via cut-outs in the back CP panel and matching cut-outs in the cabinet. In fact, the CP is secured to the cabinet with just a few bolts. You could use cable connectors, undo the bolts and lift off the CP when needed to make adjustments. Optionally if you are more confident with woodwork you could use cabinet hinges as stigzler suggests and hinge the top panel for easier access. On one of my arcade cabinet builds I've done exactly this, I have rolled off edges and a hinged top panel. Installing recessed spring loaded cabinet hinges can be tricky (and easy to mess up). Accessing the controls from inside the cabinet is fiddly but much simpler to build. If you need to regularly adjust joystick restrictor plates or tweak your controls a fair bit, then by all means go with a hinged top panel. I hope that clears things up.
vaderag:
--- Quote from: Ond on August 04, 2017, 05:12:33 am ---Back when I was designing this one of my rules was to keep the woodwork as simple as possible while still having an attractive looking cabinet. I wanted the control panel to have rounded edges at the front with printed vinyl wrapped over these curves. If you check the build steps on page 5 you should be able to see that the CP can be accessed via cut-outs in the back CP panel and matching cut-outs in the cabinet. In fact, the CP is secured to the cabinet with just a few bolts. You could use cable connectors, undo the bolts and lift off the CP when needed to make adjustments. Optionally if you are more confident with woodwork you could use cabinet hinges as stigzler suggests and hinge the top panel for easier access. On one of my arcade cabinet builds I've done exactly this, I have rolled off edges and a hinged top panel. Installing recessed spring loaded cabinet hinges can be tricky (and easy to mess up). Accessing the controls from inside the cabinet is fiddly but much simpler to build. If you need to regularly adjust joystick restrictor plates or tweak your controls a fair bit, then by all means go with a hinged top panel. I hope that clears things up.
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Thanks. I'm yet to build my CP - I also am doing wrapped vinyl, so a hinged top panel won't work (due to the crease of the vinyl), and while I don't intend to have to change anything (I have servostik's so should sort themselves out), I do want access in case anything goes wrong...
I have the holes at the back exactly as you suggested but don't feel that is enough...
My plan (currently) i think is to actually jigsaw a hole in the bottom which clips or magnets on (or if i'm feeling adventurous do a recess similar to the back door on the cab), meaning if maintainence is required I simply unbolt and open
My concern here is that I feel (perhaps unwarrently) that there is perhaps reason to have bolt(s) in the bottom of the CP as well to stop it lifting up in vigorous play... not sure tho
opt2not:
--- Quote from: GernBlanston on March 10, 2014, 11:59:55 pm ---I want this thread to stay alive too. My current status:
* Cab completely built and working. Been gaming on it for months now and it's pretty awesome. Vertical LCD and CPO has RGB everything.
* Custom artwork by Opt2Not is complete (AMAZING) and has been delivered though I have yet to send it to the printer. Working with this guy was such a pleasure. So prossional, skilled, creative.
* User Mike Boss is building a custom MaLa layout for me and he's incorporated some of the custom art from Opt2Not. I've seen a preview and she's a beaut!
* T-mold is here and ready for install after the artwork application.Otherwise it's ready to go. Hope to have the finish product pics posted soon.
Thanks again to OND for the inspiration to jump in and learn this stuff. I'm already thinking about another cab with a horizontal CRT w/ custom Metal Slug theme, assuming that Opt2Not will work with me again. And thanks to everyone else that has contributed to this thread and to the forum in general. I certainly couldn't have done it with you'se guys.
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I wish this guy would update us on his cab, but he went MIA. The artwork turned out awesome, I would have loved to see it applied to the cab.
JudgeRob:
--- Quote ---My plan (currently) i think is to actually jigsaw a hole in the bottom which clips or magnets on (or if i'm feeling adventurous do a recess similar to the back door on the cab), meaning if maintainence is required I simply unbolt and open
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If I were you, I would just make the whole bottom removable (ie don't glue it). That is, if you don't want hinges. It seems stuff like taking the trackball out to clean it would be really hard through the back panel holes...
vaderag:
--- Quote from: JudgeRob on August 06, 2017, 08:37:12 pm ---
--- Quote ---My plan (currently) i think is to actually jigsaw a hole in the bottom which clips or magnets on (or if i'm feeling adventurous do a recess similar to the back door on the cab), meaning if maintainence is required I simply unbolt and open
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If I were you, I would just make the whole bottom removable (ie don't glue it). That is, if you don't want hinges. It seems stuff like taking the trackball out to clean it would be really hard through the back panel holes...
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This still has the vinyl problem tho, as the vinyl wraps round... Hence the thought of jigsawing a smaller hole (tho so much bigger than the small ones on the back)