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First Timer: Advice Welcomed
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shponglefan:
^ +1 building a small 1 player controller to start with.  You'll touch on most of the aspects of building a full-sized cab, but in a relatively simpler project.  And this way the learning curve of building the full cab should be smoother.

It can also be useful to test out planned controller layouts.
Generic Eric:

--- Quote from: shponglefan on August 25, 2014, 12:23:05 pm ---^ +1 building a small 1 player controller to start with.  You'll touch on most of the aspects of building a full-sized cab, but in a relatively simpler project.  And this way the learning curve of building the full cab should be smoother.

It can also be useful to test out planned controller layouts.

--- End quote ---
+1
Slugworth:

--- Quote from: PL1 on August 25, 2014, 04:05:21 am ---Welcome aboard, Slugworth.   ;D

While this may seem like an odd suggestion, you may want to warm up with a simple, inexpensive, standalone 1-Player control panel.

This will give you a chance to:
-- Practice woodworking, painting, finishing, wiring, and most of the skills you will use to create your dream machine
-- Evaluate which joysticks, buttons, and other hardware you like before you place a BIG order with 4 of everything
-- "Test-drive" games to see which ones you really like (and which controls they need)

You can keep the price down if you use an inexpensive encoder like a KADE, ZD, or Xin-Mo.

You might even eventually use this standalone panel to house unique controls like triggerstick(s) or a mechanical rotary joystick(s) that could nudge your 4-player panel into the dreaded "frankenpanel" category.   :scared

You may have already seen it, but the FAQ has a series of questions here to help guide you through the design process.


Scott

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I had never thought of that -- thanks for the suggestion.  What dimensions would you use to build it?  I guess i could just browse for the pacman cabinet data, then use the control panel from that game as a template?

I like the idea a lot -- I'll paint one side, laminate one side, maybe even build one with MDF and the other with ply wood to see which I enjoy working with more. 

As far as tools go, I had intended to have a friend cut up the sheets for my cabinet, but I'm starting to think I'll need at least a few tools of my own.  If you were amping up to do a project like this and had no electric tools, which ones would you prioritize buying?  I'd imagine I can get most of them off of craigslist / garage sales. 

Thanks for the suggestions.
Slippyblade:
When it comes to cabinet finish, think about your materials.  If you end up going with plywood it is almost impossible to cover up the grain of the plywood without many, many coats of primer and paint and extensive sanding.  The finish is one of the reasons so many of us like MDF - it's easy to paint. 
shponglefan:

--- Quote from: Slugworth on August 25, 2014, 07:37:11 pm ---As far as tools go, I had intended to have a friend cut up the sheets for my cabinet, but I'm starting to think I'll need at least a few tools of my own.  If you were amping up to do a project like this and had no electric tools, which ones would you prioritize buying?  I'd imagine I can get most of them off of craigslist / garage sales. 
--- End quote ---

1) Router
2) Power Drill
3) Circular Saw

In that order.
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