Control Panel or Cabinet First

[sleong]

This seems a bit more difficult but do you build the control panel first then make the cabinet fit around the control panel? 

or

Build the cabinet frame then build the control panel to fit the cabinet?  This is the path I'm planning on taking.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

[CoryBee]

This seems a bit more difficult but do you build the control panel first then make the cabinet fit around the control panel? 

or

Build the cabinet frame then build the control panel to fit the cabinet?  This is the path I'm planning on taking.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Number two, yes.

That is how I go about it anyways.

[Louis Tully]

.

[JDFan]

Actually - I'd suggest getting the monitor first and deciding what orientation you will be setting it up in and deciding what games are going to be played on it -- that way you then can decide what type of build it is going to be (ie. what specs of the internal components is needed to run those games and what buttons you will need on the CP to use those games ) Then build the system around the monitor size (nothing worse than a tiny monitor in a wide cabinet or an oversize monitor in what should be a small single player cabinet) and design the CP to fit in with the dimensions of the result in combination with the type of games it will be using.

[PL1]

+1 on game list first and choosing/configuring software.

Game list = "ALL" ==> FAIL + Frankenpanel.

Next monitor/orientation.

Next CP design based on the controls required by the game list + cardboard mockup to test layouts, spacing.

Build the cab, paint, art.

The last step is to make it playable by wiring the CP -- once you do this progress has a way of stopping abruptly.   


Scott

[JDFan]

The last step is to make it playable by wiring the CP -- once you do this progress has a way of stopping abruptly.   
Scott

Sooo TRUE !! -- It's hard to find time to finish things up when playing games on the system.

[sleong]

I agree with Mr. Boo but I think you should at least tinker with a control panel on some scrap material or even cardboard so you know the overall idea of how your control panel will be.


Or make the entire thing in sketchup and then build whatever you feel like building first.

I've already got a rough draft on paper on how I want the control panel layout but to actually drill the wholes and or build one on scrap material I have yet to do so.

Still trying to learn sketchup but putting more time into getting ready to build the cabinet.  I've already decided on a bartop based on the Weecade with some modifications to it. 

[sleong]

+1 on game list first and choosing/configuring software.

Game list = "ALL" ==> FAIL + Frankenpanel.

Next monitor/orientation.

Next CP design based on the controls required by the game list + cardboard mockup to test layouts, spacing.

Build the cab, paint, art.

The last step is to make it playable by wiring the CP -- once you do this progress has a way of stopping abruptly.   


Scott

Still trying to decide on the frontend but most of the games played will be on a landscape/widescreen.  I'm still trying to decide if I want to do artwork and or just paint it.  Since this is the first build I just want to get a feel of it then later build a full size cabinet where I will do artwork and a bit more to it to make it look catchy!

[paigeoliver]

Thinking of the control panel as somehow separate from the rest of the cabinet is why a lot of custom built cabinets end up looking strange. The control panel is an integral part of the cabinet and not a separate bolt on item (even if it does bolt on separately).

Study the best cabinets before you design yours. Don't forget to study not only other custom cabinets but to ground yourself in the design of real actual factory built arcade cabinets. There are a few frankly bafflingly bad trends in cabinet design that I see on countless custom cabinets.

[zoup]

Actually - I'd suggest getting the monitor first ...

I built the control panel first, spaced it out nicely, took my time, etc.
Problem is that unless I come up with a huge 27 inch monitor, my player 1 and player 2 joysticks are waaay too far apart.
I'm using two 21" crts, side by side, for modular purposes, so a cab is out of the question right now, but if you want a cabinet, I agree with JD. Get the monitor(s) figured out first. You will then have a good idea of what type of spacing you have and need for the control panel. Also, you can spec the cab accordingly so that it is proportionally appropro.

Or just use a scrap piece of wood and rig up the control panel. It's funny how much good xp comes from doing these things more than once. Leave a Little bit extra length than you think you need on all of the wires and you will be okay even if things change on the final setup. It's true though. You might think twice about the cabinet if you get everything up and working. I built my setup in 2008, and am still stuck on just the control panel. Those monitors are heavy to keep moving around and reorienting, but they can do it all with all of comfort of customization. Problem is that it lacks any semblance of polish or finish and are just a bunch of components on a backup dining room table in my basement. 

Short answer: "Get the monitor first"