Should I buy cabinet plans?

[DutchDude]

Here is my dilemma - I love to tinker with things - and will find most any information on the web... However, I do not find any plans for a two part - 4 player cabinet like this one:

http://www.cybertechdesign.net/mameroom/order_uaII.asp

But, geez - $35 for paper ! On the other hand, somebody did spend the time measuring it, and I love the two part design.

So - my question - has anyone spend the $35 ? Was it worth it? Any similar plans that I missed?

Thanks in advance !

[Spaced Invader]

I think Oscar's "Unnamed/Gotham (OK Oscar which is it?   )"  plans are perfect for your application...at least according to your criteria (just have to make the CP 4 player--not difficult). And in my opinion it looks MUCH better than the UAII cabs (my appologies to any UAII builders).

Opinions Vary!

Oops forgot link...

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/unnamed/

[Lilwolf]

The pay plans will give you somethings.  Better pictures, better instructions, sometimes for a few bucks more you will get templates for cutting.

Do you need them?  No there are plenty of good free plans out there.

If you could have them (money aside) would you?  Probably... They all add more then the free stuff.  

Up to you.  30 bucks is usually a small price to pay on a full cab.  And if it helps you not !@# up one piece of oak plywood you made it up right there

[Bill_S]

I, too, like to tinker and tweak and I find it more fun to build my cabs without set in stone plans.
You can take a side view photo of any cab you like, overlay a grid, and tweak it to your own style.
I know I've seen free "plans" for 2 piece cabs around that you could use as a starting point for construction tips.  I don't have any links for you, though.
Even if you did buy the plans for $35, that's not a lot of money.  You are probably going to have well over $1,000 in this baby.  $35 for a set of plans to get you started is peanuts.  It might be worth it to give you something to start with.  Then you can customize it from there.

[Jaymz]

My firends and I are building 8 of the UA-II arcade units. We bought the full plans with the tempates fort cutouts. I would say the plans are worth the $35 but the templates are a waste of money.

[DutchDude]

Well.... the deed is done. I just purchase the plans, downloaded them, and printed. Comes to $1 per page   so lets hope it is worth it.

I did notice something - that was not mentioned on their website - the plans are written for a material thickness of 5/8". After calling around Salt Lake City, I cannot find any 5/8" mdf, everything is 3/4". I dropped Cybertech design an email to ask for measurements with that material thickness, so I am holding my breath.

The only material that I can find that is 5/8" is fir rated plywood sheathing - but that has a smooth side, and a checkerboard/grid side to it which makes it hard to use.... and is $10 more expensive per sheet.

Anyway, other then that, the plans look very professional. The measurements are printing out a little bit fuzzy, which makes them hard to read, even with a 600 dpi laser printer, but they are still readable.

PS - Thanks for the replies, that certainly helped - I did think the oscar controls cab was a bit skinny, but thanks anyway.

[JackTucky]

I built the UA I with 3/4".  I didn't change the plans in anyway.

Art

[Madman]

I am building the UAII and am VERY close to finishing it (A few hours).
heh new baby interruption!

Anyway if you need help, ideas, pics let me know...  I made a few changes to the plan for the good (I think hehe).... One thing... what size monitor will you use? This is VERY important to decide before you start.... If you go with a 27" or want to in the future you really should make the cab wider so it will look better..
Also 3/4 will be fine but VERY heavy. I used 5/8 and it's a MONSTER with the monitor in it!
Unless you plan on painting ( I laminated ) you really should try to find MDF.. It's cheaper !

[DutchDude]

This is the monitor that I am using:

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=13315

(that nobody has anything to say about   )

I would be interested to see your changes Madman. I for one think of changing the layout of the CP - that has to be done better.

[Madman]

Yep hehe you need to make changes... no matter.. What size r your doorways by the way?
I did change the control panel layout a little but not to much..
Come to think of it.... the only thing I didnt change were the side cutouts!!!!!!
I did prefer the old plans to the new ones... I liked the angle on the base instead of on the control panel. Also I think it's a bit easier to make. Especially if you are going to laminate.
Do you use icq or msn?

[Cisco Kid]

DutchDude ... just use the plans as a reference ... and let your imagination go to work.  Thats how I used them and mine has ended up looking more like a Custom Arcades cabinet ... hehe ... not that I intended it too ... just did  

... as for you changing the cabinet dimensions to fit you monitor ... just make the center sections wider (instead of 25" .... make them 26-1/2" to 27" ... that should work with a 29" monitor ... but make sure you can get it into your house ... would suck to have it remain in a garage ... lol     Using 3/4" material is only going to make your cabinet wider ... nothing else changes (well the bottom half becomes wider too ... but most claim to still not deviate from the plans and it still work ... guess you'll find out soon enough   )

The only suggestions I might make are these :
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.  If you use the UAII CP dimensions and you intend to use a trackball and spinner (assuming its the 4 player design) ... make the CP deeper ... as is there isn't if any palm rest with the original design.

2.  Round the bottom edges.  Makes the cabinet easier to move on carpet.  With only a 1/2" clearence with the casters ... the bottom edges tend to catch the carpet a little to easily and rounding them will eliminate this problem.

3.  Not sure if the new plans mention this ... when building the bottom base ... turn the front 2x4 flat instead of vertical.  If you plan to install a coin door it will not interfere with the installation of it ... if you mount it vertical you end up having to cut a notch in it to allow the coin to slide on through the coin door hole (assuming you center the coin door in the panel.)

4.  Make the marquee housing part of the cabinet a little larger.  As is the dimensions only allow for a 4" speaker to be mounted the normal way.  Adding a few more inches to this part will allow the use of a 5-1/4" speaker if you so desire.

5.  This is for all those folks installing WG D9200's into a UAII ... your monitor mounting brackets need to be 4-1/2" from the front edge of the monitor opening part of the cabinet for you to have a 1/2" recess assuming you use a 1/8" thick glass or plexi with the 27" marquee in behind it. (just thought I'd throw that in there ... I had to experiment with the mounting position to achieve that recess ... and let me say it wasn't no picnic ... freakin' 80lb. monitor gets heavier after the 4th or 5th trial fitting   )  Hope this bit of info save someone the trouble I had to go through to arrive at that measurement.


those are just a few things you might consider changing  

Have Fun! (cutting all those mitres ... hehe ... was my first woodworking experience ... and lets say its been a learning experience of what to do and what not to do )