Main > Project Announcements
Replay - modern, slim and upright. Finished photos @ post #15
tom_g:
My 2nd arcade build,
main design considerations being
- must be slim line, as cannot afford to lose space or want a big bulky thing in the living room
- no t-molding or flat pack furniture looking assembly details
- simple and clean lines, modern looking with retro references
- high gloss paint finish
- 20 inch vertical screen that I got in a sale, but wish I'd sourced a 4:3 now in hindsight
As for the "- no t-molding or flat pack furniture looking assembly details", I'm just tackling this design with a different perspective, as a cabinet maker I see old arcades as being mass-produced and built down to a cost, whereas here I'm trying to make something more bespoke, where time isn't a constraint and craftsmanship can be commended (hopefully).
I finished this about 3 months ago and didn't really take many decent photos during the making unfortunately, so details may be sparse, any questions or comments please feel free to ask anything.
So to start... Having done a few sketches it was time to make a full size cardboard mock. I think this is always a good thing to do as it helps massively with getting proportions and ergonomics sorted and also starts to get you thinking about the best methods for construction.
IMG_1093 by tom.goodfellow, on Flickr
IMG_1092 by tom.goodfellow, on Flickr
IMG_1091 by tom.goodfellow, on Flickr
IMG_1090 by tom.goodfellow, on Flickr
I didn't like the marquee size, much too bulky for the rest of the cabinet. As I planned on painting the arcade white, I made a few adjustments to the cardboard and gave it the once over.
Now there is a 'cut-in' to the side profile under the control panel, smaller marquee, plinth, smooth edges. Things like this help to stop it from just looking like just a box and a bit basic. Size wise, it's approx 560mm wide, 500mm deep and 1800mm tall. Although having an lcd screen in there means I could make it slimmer still, there are limits I think to what would look good, didn't want it to look too skinny. Looking at the photos of it, I think you get the impression that it (and other slim cabs in general) look too slim, strange even, maybe this is because we are so used to seeing cabs that are deeper. My point here being that even though it may look too tall and slim, that in real life when you are stood in front of it and as an object to use, it is not proportionally strange looking.
Photo 24-01-2012 18 12 48 by tom.goodfellow, on Flickr
Photo 24-01-2012 18 13 46 by tom.goodfellow, on Flickr
Photo 24-01-2012 18 12 48 by tom.goodfellow, on Flickr
tom_g:
So here I've moved briskly on and have put it together dry. Steps
- take measurements from cardboard mock
- trace side profile of cardboard mock onto MDF sheet
- cut out side profile using jigsaw. router other straight edges using guide rails
- copy route second side from other so they are identical
- cut all cross panels
- jigsaw then route out screen hole, coin door, speaker grill etc
- biscuit the panels
Was quite happy with how it was looking at this point. Having a cardboard one to sketch onto was good for sorting out sizes and positioning of the coin door, speaker grill, screen, controls etc.
The front coin door main panel and speaker grill panel are flush to the sides. The screen and control panel panels are recessed 6mm to take glass and plastic-
tom_g:
.
ark_ader:
Wow lots of clamps. I wished I had room and lots of clamps like yours.
Looks nice. What kind of display are you going to put in it?
TopJimmyCooks:
Excellent craftsmanship. Very nice shop to work in. looking forward to more.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version