Looking for ideas...

[plantkingdom]

My first cab.  It's very humble compared to what I've seen here and  I realize I'm going to catch hell for using an X-Arcade.  Question is, what would you do to this cabinet if you had limited funds/skill?  It's also not deep enough to house a CRT tv or arcade monitor.  As far as LCD goes, this is the biggest square one I could find at 19 inches.  I realize the drawer is open a little bit too, sorry about that. 

Just looking for some constructive criticism.  Maybe I should just leave it alone?

[yotsuya]

If it does what you want it to, leave it be. 

Otherwise, plan a brand new scratch build, and transplant the guts.

[vidmouse]

If it were me I'd think about adding
> trackball
> spinner
> bigger flat monitor/less bezel?

either by selling the xarcade part and then getting the parts I'd
want and building my own, or salvaging from the xarcade itself.
I actually don't mind the xarcade, but I'd want it to look more integrated.

[keilmillerjr]

The design is not bad. Here is what I would do:

• Larger LCD.
• Paint glass black so only screen shows.
• paint glass retaining bolts black, or eliminate them all together.
• Get rid of the keyboard drawer. They are not necessary and look stupid.
• Make a proper control panel, even if you reuse some of the arcade components. (Or sell it)

[SpatzST]

im no pro like some people on here, but it looks good, aside from the x-arcade stick being really out of place.  Maybe figure out a new way to integrate it into your build? submerge the lower portion of the x-arcade into the design so its a big more flush maybe?

or just start a whole new one thats fun too

[plantkingdom]

 
I thought about maybe submerging the X-Arcade and putting the two side buttons on the sides of the actual cabinet.  I'd have to cut it up though because if I push the controller down it will interfere with the keyboard drawer.  Someone on here said to get rid of the drawer all together, but I don't see how at this point.

[spoot]

Paint or art?  All black is kinda bland.

[BadMouth]

If you have the woodworking skills:

>Redo the marquee area to make it more standard looking (bigger marquee, only two small retaining strips top and bottom)

>Yeah, ditch the keyboard drawer: remove drawer, cut a piece of wood the same size as the opening, attach from behind using strips or a larger piece of wood, fill in cracks with bondo, sand, sand, paint.

>Build your own control panel.  If doing this, combine with the previous step.

One of these would be handy for removing sections you want to change, but the included blade won't go through screws if it needs to. 
Buy the metal cutting blade that will go through screws.
http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68861-8493.html


If you don't have any woodworking skills:
Just enjoy playing it and don't worry about anything else.

[Generic Eric]

How long have you had it?  Play it for awhile.  Build a new one once you identify a compelling reason to have one.

Example:  Vert cab for shumps; won't need all those buttons. 

Its finished, you are done with this. Move on.  Virtual pinball should be your next project.

[clok]

Budget-  Larger LCD, but  you have the same problem I have, when LCD went from 4:3 to widescreen.. 19" are the biggest of the old 4:3, yes there where 24's, but they are HARD to find as they have not been made in years. SO upgrading a LCD will be hard. You could spice it up with some art around the Bezel. Some cheap poster board at the local craft store. One of the many POSTER programs that use traditional ink jet printers.. easy to make cheap artwork for bezel. yes it will have to be glued together, but black background no light under it. SHould look fine.
Side ART- tricky as it looks like that quite a rough surface.  A electric sander isnt to expensive if you have a cheap tool store. if you can get it sanded smooth thre are several options for side art (chek the art forums here).

agree with others the Bezel is small, that should be easy to expand.

and yes Building a new cab would be the way to go, but budget and time and skill are all something to consider.

[DaveMMR]

Budget-  Larger LCD, but  you have the same problem I have, when LCD went from 4:3 to widescreen.. 19" are the biggest of the old 4:3, yes there where 24's, but they are HARD to find as they have not been made in years.

Keep the 19" and make the monitor rotatable (either manually or automatically.)  I think that's the perfect size if you go that route.

[Malenko]

I dont think the old cab is that bad.  Make a new cab, then transplant the guts if you really want.

[plantkingdom]

For fun:




PS: My teeth aren't nearly as effed up as they look in that first pic