Help me build my first 'cade

[whitebabylon]

Hey there,
So, I've barley ever picked up a hammer in my life, let alone any other type of tools.
I want to build an arcade cabinet. When it comes to the most simplest of things I probably don't have 'common knowledge' here. So I'm going to try and lay out my idea here and maybe get some advice.

Idea:
So here is a very crude MS Paint drawing of what I want to accomplish:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex1_zps40d5578d.jpg.html

What components am I going to be crafting the wood for?:
PC/Monitor (all-in-one touch screen): http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-one-2320/pd
http://www.xgaming.com/content/store/products/135/4/156.jpg

So I'll try to lay down some measurements.
PC/Monitor:
26 x 17 x 3
or
26 x 17 x 8
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/pcmeasure_zpseef3282a.jpg.html

The PC has a back stand that it can use to stand up. If I decide to stand it up like that, its 8 inches thick. If I build a tight enclosure, the pc with the stand in is 3 inches thick. As demonstrated in the picture above

Xarcade:
21 5/8 x 8 1/8 x 2
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/xarcademeas_zps7a7d27a3.jpg.html
The top part of the Xarcade that points toward the cabinet is 1/2 inches. I'd like to be able to reach underneath and press that back button but I'll get into that in a second.

If a user is sitting in the chair I have, the bottom part of the control panel (x-arcade, but including wood) should be about 31 inches from the ground. So the user can sit and have their legs undearneath the cab in the bar stool.

So with those measuremeants in mind, heres a new MS Paint mock up:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/cademeasuremeants_zpsbe4072cd.jpg.html

This does not include the marquee area, as I don't know it's height.
Also the body will be more like the original drawing, with the triangle base at the bottom, to support the weight.

So here I'll try to lay out all the peices and dimensions I'll need to cut:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/peices_zps2d1de36b.jpg.html

Paint is frustrating me TBH.
I can't figure out all the measuremeants because I can't figure out the angle of the triangular base.
I want the part that sticks out underneath the xarcade near the users feet to be less than the width of the xarcade. or equal to it.
I figured it's tip should be the outer edge of the 'cade closer to the user. I also figured it's height should be 1/3 of the total height. I'm making this up because I don't know what I'm doing.
It would also be nice if the back end didn't go super far to the back, so I can have it closer to the wall, but with some space.


The control panel measuremeants like this:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/peices_zps178d7082.jpg.html

It will drop into it. Fitting in the inside square, as the 'cade is wider than the xarcade by a little bit.

Hopefully my terrible sketches make some sense. Maybe people can help me come up with the dimensions on all my peices. Which would require some advice on my side triangle cut angles.

There will also be a fan on the back blowing in, and a fan on top blowing out of the 'cades body. I don't know the measurements of that yet. With the control panel cut, there will need to be space for the xarcades side buttons. I can probably figure that out pretty easy.

So for tools I really am not sure what I'm going to get.
Tools:
Some type of hand saw. A cheaper maybe 5inch circular saw. Kind of like this:
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/Saws-Blades/Saws-Circular-Wood/18v-lxt-lithium-ion-cordless-6-1-2in-circular-saw-tool-only
But def not that one.
I have 2 drills so I'll probably get some type of drill bits to drill screw holes. Get some type of screws.
Buy some type of wood.



All I have right now are two random drills.

[whitebabylon]

I need to add on to the first post. The 'cade would be 48 inches tall total, if you don't include wood width. No measurements included the width of the wood (thickness).
Also, for the marquee, is there a standard height? It will need to be the same width as my 'cade. My MS paint diagrams aren't accurate. The 48 inches would be where the monitor ends. So there would be a few more inches in addition for the marquee to be above the monitor.
My pc has 6 USB ports, and 2 of them will be used for the xarcade and my RGB light controller. I'm thinking I might get 4 USB extenders, and extend them to a sort of side panel. I need a clearer dimension of some of the peices though so far.

[Saneless]

GameonGrafix has marquees and I'm assuming those are the most common height.

http://www.gameongrafix.com/categories/marquees

Also, are you set on the X-Arcade because you already have one or you think it'd be the most simple solution?  After all the work that went through building my cabinet, if I threw an X-Arcade on there instead of building my own CP I would have been disappointed in myself.

[whitebabylon]

Cool link.
I've been wanting to build one for awhile with the X-Arcade. Since I already have one and it would be easier. I'd consider making my own but I don't really get how to do it.
I figure I could build the arcade with the X-arcade in mind first. The part of the arcade for the control panel would just be a hole where I drop the Xarcade into. I could turn around and build my own control panel, either with the drop-in design or get rid of the hole and just add on as a whole of the 'cade body.
When I browse sites for arcade buttons/sticks and you need to buy some boards and some wire-packs. It doesn't go into super-noob detail and it would be a lot of money to just buy and not know what to do.

[yotsuya]

I wish you had a better design, as I'm trying to determine what exactly you want to build here. Your sketches make it look like you want to use a 10" monitor. 

[whitebabylon]

It's a 23 inch monitor and it's
26 x 17 x 3

It's basically this:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/20141031_143351_zpsrlgmcdu6.mp4.html
Except instead of a TV stand, it's a wood block.
the TV stand is only a few inches shorter than what the actual cade will be.
I'll have to make better sketches some how.

[Generic Eric]

Looks like you want something like that asteroids 3 in 1 job. Or like one of shrunken masters builds.

I'll post links later

[whitebabylon]

Hey guys, I'm hoping I can help you help me here.
MS Paint just doesn't help. So here we go.

If you recall this diagram:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/cademeasuremeants_zpsbe4072cd.jpg.html

Pretend we have two rectangles with these dimensions::
Rectangle 1: 48 height x 3 width x 24 length [this is the body of the 'cade
Rectangle 2: 2 height x 9 width x 24 length [this is where the xarcade control stick will drop in
I've rounded off the x/n of an inch compared to the diagrams above.

So here's a better picture using 3D modeling (I think I can link you to it at the end of this post)
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex1_zps7868439a.jpg.html

Let's recall the x-arcade:
http://www.xgaming.com/content/store/products/135/4/156.jpg
It has a base rectangle, then the top part is an unusual shape with buttons and control sticks on top.
The base as we recall was:
21 5/8 x 8 1/8 x 2
As seen here:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/xarcademeas_zps7a7d27a3.jpg.html

For the top part, all I care about is that 1/2 inch on the top, exctra, compared to the base...

Let's pretend for visual save, that we have 2 pieces that represent the x-arcade stick, the base and the top part with buttons
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex2_zpsc2624005.jpg.html

Where the pinkish rectangle is :
22 x 8 x 2 (rounded right now)
The white square is the x-arcade, red cylander on top is the joy stick and the green circles are the buttons (not to scale, just for understanding).

So the x-arcade in its whole would look something like this:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex3_zps3acd9569.jpg.html
Where the top part of the x-arcade is 1/2 inch hanging off the back (and front too, I know the actual front is longer but it doesn't matter).

If you now recall this image again:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/cademeasuremeants_zpsbe4072cd.jpg.html

The bottom most diagram shows that the x-arcade base is ~22inches where as the actual thing its going into is ~24inches.
Also, notice the 1/2 inch difference in the thing its going into, and the x-arcade.
Let's show it through the 3D diagram now.

http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex4_zps88d7bec5.jpg.html
In the top left panel, we note that the x-arcade base is ~22 inches and the base it would drop into is ~24 inches
In the bottom right panel, we note the 1/2 inch space to allow the top of the x-arcade to touch our Arcades body.
Note here, in the top left panel, you would actually only see the dark blue color, and not the pinkish rectangle because the base of the x-arcade would be inside this.. but for visual purposes I dragged it out more toward the camera, to see the length differences.

Next up, the monitor
PC/Monitor:
23 x 17 x 3  <- original post said 26, it should be 23!
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/pcmeasure_zpseef3282a.jpg.html

Notice how the monitors height, including its legs for standing is 17 inches. For modeling purposes, the 'legs' are almost 2 inches, so i'm going to model a 15 in height rectangle to represent my monitor

http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex5_zps940ddad8.jpg.html

So the teal is my monitor 23 x 7 x 3, with a white piece to show the actual 'screen'. The screen is 23 inch monitor (from corner to corner the actual 'screen').
Imagine that it has 2inch legs...

So put  it into the arcade machine:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex6_zpsb94cf60b.jpg.html

I want to note something here:
Let me draw in the monitors ~2inch legs
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex7_zpsfbeb4e4c.jpg.html
Note the red line I drew, the legs and the base of the xArcade will be on the same level.

It might be easier too, to see this:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/cade_zpscd5c7f6b.jpg.html

The monitor and x-arcade are on the TV tray, on the same level. This is how it will be, except instead of a TV tray, it will be tight wood.
My diagrams doesn't take into account the thickness of wood

So let's pretend my woodth is 1/2 thick, how would my diagram change?
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex8_zpsb95d34c0.jpg.html
The black and dark gray peices are all 1/2 inches thick.

Here's an easier visualization:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/examplevid_zpsihy4dyiw.mp4.html

There are two things left for me to consider.
1.) balance the machine
2.) Marquee

So for balance I was suggesting like my mockup in MSPAINT that I have a triangular base.:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex1_zps40d5578d.jpg.html
But my question is if I do this, what should the height/angles be of my triangle base? Or should I do some type of legs?
Like this:
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex9_zps5ca59469.jpg.html


So far does my thinking make sense?
Based on no real logic I've come up with some dimensions for the feet/marquee area of my arcade
http://s16.photobucket.com/user/whitebabylon/media/ex10_zpsba6d1027.jpg.html
Where the marque is
23 x 5 x 7

And each foot is
7 x 9 x 5


You can play around with the model here:
https://clara.io/embed/8e6d84d5-685a-483a-8c30-f0034ee300a6?renderer=webgl&timeline=true&controlBar=true

If anyone wants the .OBJ I can upload that..


Edit: I think if you make an account you can see my scene here
https://clara.io/editor/8e6d84d5-685a-483a-8c30-f0034ee300a6

Also, I ask below how thick should my wood be, and how can I get the wood to hold up my x-arcade controller? Certain thickness of wood, with certain # of screws/types of screws?

[yotsuya]

It was my understanding there would be no math involved... 

[whitebabylon]

It was my understanding there would be no math involved... 

I'm afraid I don't understand. Sarcasm? Or is my post confusing.


I have a few questions though, how thick should my wood be? Should my arcade as a whole be the same thickness?
For the x-arcade to stay held up by the wood are there certain thicknesses with certain types of nails that could keep my x-arcade attached?

[yotsuya]

Forgive me, whenever I see long walls of text and numbers like that, I'm reminded of a skit from SNL that had that as the punchline.

I think you should make sure everything is the same thickness, and depending on how sturdy you want it, I'd probably look at 3/4. Nintendo cabinets were 5/8, so that would be acceptable too, but I've always felt 1/2 was a little too flimsy for a full size. I'm sure someone will pop up and say, "Well I built my whole cabinet out of 1/2", but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

[whitebabylon]

Forgive me, whenever I see long walls of text and numbers like that, I'm reminded of a skit from SNL that had that as the punchline.

I think you should make sure everything is the same thickness, and depending on how sturdy you want it, I'd probably look at 3/4.Nintendo cabinets were five eighths, so that would be acceptable to, but I've always felt 1/2 was a little too flimsy for a full size. I'm sure someone will pop up and say, Well I built my whole cabinet out of 1/2", but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Thanks for the info. I pulled 1/2 inch out of thin air TBH. The thicker the better.

[whitebabylon]

well guys I'm doing it. 0 experience. Went to home depot.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/whitebabylon/tools_zpsb7f814b5.jpg
You can right click the image and click 'view image' for kind of a bigger view

-50$ circular saw
-a blade better for ply wood
-50$ for 2 saw horses
-borrowed clamps for the wood
-borrowed drill because mines broken
-15$ pack of drill bits even though I only need 1 size I now have like 20..
-saftey goggles/breathing thing/ear cover 10$
-more breathing things 5$
-box of screws
-wood glue

Total spent at home depot: 170$
I need to go buy the wood. I think it was 4x8 plywood for 50$ Two of them should be enough for me, though I'll need to go do the math again

270$ spent
90$ arcade stick already owned
200$ pc/monitor all in one
-----
560$ total.

Would of been more if you include 50$ drill and however much clamps are.

To build another one though all I'd need is to buy wood, PC, monitor,xarcade,

I bought 20$ peice of tiny wood to make sure I was capable of actually cutting/screwing wood. Bottom of the last pic shows the peice of wood that I cut. I was going to build a 2 foot replica of my arcade with that wood but I might just go buy the real wood and do it.
I thought the lazor on my saw would tell me where my blade cuts, it doesn't. I thought the little nook on the saw that rests the saw showed me where my blade cuts too, its off by a little bit. Lazor helps me guide on the pre-drawn lines once I get it in the right spot. Gotta eye ball it a bit. So I imagine my arade won't come up crisp cut.

How do I clean the wood off once I've cut it and theres saw dust all over it? just...shake it a lot?

[horizon]

Compressed air makes it easy, can also use a very, very slightly damp shop rag to get the strays.

[whitebabylon]

Compressed air makes it easy, can also use a very, very slightly damp shop rag to get the strays.

Thanks, compressed air is so simple. I probably wouldn't have thought of that.

[UFO]

I know your sketches are pretty basic, but it doesn't look very stable for a couple of blokes hammering buttons...

[whitebabylon]

I know your sketches are pretty basic, but it doesn't look very stable for a couple of blokes hammering buttons...

Yeah your right, the physics of the machine will be tough. I might add bricks to the bottom, and add more support to the base, but even then it will still wiggle a lot.


Anyway, I bought two 4x8 pieces of 3/4 plywood. Here's day #1

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/whitebabylon/update_zps136bd5d5.jpg
I cut the sides and drilled them to the back part.

I have a lot of things I'm not sure about. At this point, I'm just going to cut/screw wood until its done and see what happens.

[whitebabylon]

Heres an update.
I didn't leave enough room for the power coord that sticks out the back of the PC, so I'm probably going to cur a slit somehow into the back.
I need to do the same for the USB cord from the x-arcade to the PC in the front.
I'm debating hinging the top to take the computer out if I wanted to.
So like a back panel for the power cord, a side panel for more USBs, a front slit for the usb cord...
I need to figure out what I'm going to do with my LED lights.
It'll wobble alot so that will be fun too

[whitebabylon]

I kind of like this tool I just came across:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-Moto-Saw-Scroll-Saw-MS20-01/203899883

Is there a bigger version more proper for my 3/4 thick wood? If I wanted to cut out a design on the front body piece I think I'd need something more extendable than the one above.
Maybe the same tool but bigger? Or a different tool all together?

Fun design aside, I need something that will let me cut pretty small rectangles into the wood, for USB ports and the power coord to go through. Any ideas?

[Slippyblade]

Fun design aside, I need something that will let me cut pretty small rectangles into the wood, for USB ports and the power coord to go through. Any ideas?

Drill a hole.  Then use either a jigsaw to make it bigger or just files to square up the corners.

[rovingmind]

If your hinging that top panel, you could just go in from the top and lag screw/anchor that thing to a wall.  That would take care  of the "tippy/wobbly" problem.

[whitebabylon]

Another update.
Bought a jigsaw to join my circular saw. My drill takes like 30 mintues to drill using the giant drill bit I have. might need a bigger/stronger drill or something, it stunk.
I drilled big holes then used the jigsaw which was only 30$.
The back powercoord setup is kind of unplanned, but as far as bad things go I'm ok with it.

I didn't even add a base yet. I was playing on it and it didn't really wobble. two people playing street fighter though who knows.
The PC is heavy enough that it kind of holds it down. I can still add some weight to the base though which might make it just fine.

Going to add a rectangle for the marquee at the top and have it stick out like a 1/2 inch. I really have no idea where my RGB lights going to go.
If I can cut out a simple design like mortal kombat symbol on the front I might just use the entire empty base to hang my RGB lights and let the light go through or something.
I'm going to hinge the marquee section so I can pop it open I guess.
Make some side case thingy for the power button.

Still debating buying usb extenders, but now that the back has the 4 USBs there wide open I might just not.

[whitebabylon]

Added the top part w hinges. Cut some holes for 2 usb fans. I added veneer to a lot of the sides.
I need to cut a hole in the back for a 120mm fan I have coming.
I need to cut a slit for the light that will be in the top part of the 'cade, and then some how attach a marquee.
After that It's pretty much done. I guess I need to paint it or something but I have 0 paint tools and 0 paint experience. Debating leaving it as-is.

[EMDB]

This thread should be in Project Announcements...

[PL1]

This thread should be in Project Announcements...

Good call.


Scott

[AzureKnight]

You might want to add a small triangle of support on the underside of the control panel.  It really looks like it is floating out there, I would be worried it could start to fail if someone were to lean on it.

For the LED lights I have two ideas, the first is to run them underneath the CP so they give an ambient glow out the bottom.  The other would be a bit tougher, along the two sides of the monitor cut a small slit the length of it, slide some plexiglass behind the slits and run the lights there.  That would take more work and I'm not sure if you have the space with the monitor in there.

I give you credit for taking the plunge picking up the tools and giving it your best shot 

[whitebabylon]

You might want to add a small triangle of support on the underside of the control panel.  It really looks like it is floating out there, I would be worried it could start to fail if someone were to lean on it.

For the LED lights I have two ideas, the first is to run them underneath the CP so they give an ambient glow out the bottom.  The other would be a bit tougher, along the two sides of the monitor cut a small slit the length of it, slide some plexiglass behind the slits and run the lights there.  That would take more work and I'm not sure if you have the space with the monitor in there.

I give you credit for taking the plunge picking up the tools and giving it your best shot 

Thanks.
Support under the arms might not be a bad idea, though I think I might be able to stand on them and they'd be ok. There really isn't any room near the monitor for the lights to fit in. I've thought about putting the lights under the control panel too. It might be a little akward with the amount of space down there, and I wouldn't want them to touch peoples legs. I was thinking of cutting a square out of the bottom part and just use the entire base of the arcades body for the lights. Maybe glass the front and sides to show it off. That way it would look appealing from a distance, but wouldn't get annoying if you were sitting down and playing.
I guess we'll see

[whitebabylon]

browsing through project announcements here makes me suddenly realize how gross my arcade system looks