First arcade project. Stainless steel cab.

[Cjax]

So not only am I new to the forum, but I'm new to arcade work in general. Started to read up a bit on restoration and different projects and I found it pretty damn interesting. Well I recently got my hands on a stainless steel cabinet with a touch screen and flush mount keyboard. It was used in a shop for employees to clock in, check retirement, etc. I currently have a few projects planned and in the early stages for my future upstairs theatre/game room, and when this was given to me for free I knew it would make an awesome arcade system for the room. I've already gut it, but still need to give it a proper cleaning. My idea is that I'll put the biggest monitor in that I can depending on what I can/should use, along with two joysticks and buttons. I've also considered side buttons for arcade games. My uncle is the software guy of the family, so he's planning on rigging me up a computer with MAME and basically as many old games as I can. Basically I just wanted to post this here and see if any of the more experienced guys have any ideas or suggestions for how I should move forward. Like I said this is my first project so any advice is much appreciated.

[Nephasth]

Just... don't...

[yotsuya]

That would make a badass touchscreen jukebox....

[DeLuSioNal29]

That would make a badass touchscreen jukebox....

+1

[Nephasth]

That would make a badass touchscreen jukebox....

+1

Then shouldn't you have moved this to the juke forum...?

[vwalbridge]

Basically I just wanted to post this here and see if any of the more experienced guys have any ideas or suggestions for how I should move forward.

I'm not one of the experienced guys here but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that your not going to get many people suggesting this machine get used as an arcade.

If it were me, I'd stay the heck away from it. Why? ...stainless is a whole different animal than wood. You're probably going to find it problematic to mount anything in there without drilling holes everywhere. Not to mention all the proper drill bits you are going to need.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck with it whatever you decide to do. 

[Cjax]

That would make a badass touchscreen jukebox....

+1

Then shouldn't you have moved this to the juke forum...?

I have no intention to use this as a jukebox..... So with all do respect, why was it moved to the jukebox forum? I mean I respect your opinion, but it's an opinion only. 

[Nephasth]

 

With all do respect, this would make a ---smurfy--- arcade machine.

[yotsuya]

That would make a badass touchscreen jukebox....

+1

Then shouldn't you have moved this to the juke forum...?

I have no intention to use this as a jukebox..... So with all do respect, why was it moved to the jukebox forum? I mean I respect your opinion, but it's an opinion only.

It wasn't. It was moved to Project Announcements. Neph made a suggestion, but that's not where/why DeL moved it.

[yotsuya]

Basically I just wanted to post this here and see if any of the more experienced guys have any ideas or suggestions for how I should move forward. Like I said this is my first project so any advice is much appreciated.

My suggestion to you is that it would make a badass jukebox. My advice is that you might be better off working with different materials for a cab.

Since you asked.

[dmckean]

That would make a badass touchscreen jukebox....

+1

Then shouldn't you have moved this to the juke forum...?

I have no intention to use this as a jukebox..... So with all do respect, why was it moved to the jukebox forum? I mean I respect your opinion, but it's an opinion only.

It doesn't look wide enough to be a two player cab. I like the side profile though and think it could be turned into something, but definitely not a general purpose mame cab.

[Nephasth]

Don't worry guys. He's going to build one anyway...

[vwalbridge]

any advice is much appreciated.

OP, please don't lose sight of this ^ as your thread progresses.

[yotsuya]

any advice is much appreciated.

OP, please don't lose sight of this ^ as your thread progresses.

Exactly. No one here is trying to be mean or is a hater, but you asked for opinions and advice. 

[Automark]

If you like to have a subway ticket machine in your house, why not ? 


In the inside, glue or screw some wooden panels, so you can easily install/mount pcb's etc

[dmckean]

To clean up the stainless steel and make it look new again you're going to need a few different grades of polishing compound, every sandpaper from 220 grit all the way up to 1500 grit and a polishing disc for a high rpm electric drill (this would be impossible to do by hand.)

[Malenko]

I just want to constantly put my finger prints all over it.   

[jdbailey1206]

I just want to constantly put my finger prints all over it.

No wonder X2 hates you.   

Automark!  Whats up man?

[stigzler]

Welcome to the forums Cjax! You'll quickly see that everyone's got opinions here!

Predictably enough - it's normally those around aesthetics that are the most polarizing. My advice is that it's your cab and it's going to be in your space - so you need to choose something that your'e going to be happy with. If in the slightest doubt, put it down, do other stuff and come back to it days/weeks later- can't tell you how long I've put off my side art.

Certainly don't do it to please anyone else. Apart from the wife, of course (where compromise is allowed)

For me - it's certainly a bit different and I haven't seen a brushed steel cab on here yet - there may be some old timers who can reference a link from 2002 or something....

Kinda like the DeLorean DMC-12 of the custom cab world.

However, there was a good point about working with metal being different (harder?) than working with wood.

Good luck, man.

P.S.

It was used in a shop for employees to clock in, check retirement, etc.

So you'd clock in then check how many days you got left until you could retire!? 
Can I buy the innards off ya?

[yotsuya]

Welcome to the forums Cjax! You'll quickly see that everyone's got opinions here!

To be fair, he ASKED for opinions. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said anything myself.

[stigzler]

Yeah - that's a fact, Yotsuya - and your initial opinion matched mine - it would make a great touch-juke.

However, when a fella walks into a new local bar and orders a pint, not sure it's just the pint he's after. Call me old-fashioned, but I still think warm welcomes to new people with the same interests is good form. Mind you, that in itself, of course, is just an opinion, but I would be grateful for no advice on this opinion/perspective, please.

[Xiaou2]

I agree with much of what stigzler said.

 Its your cab.  Do what you wish with it.

 You probably wont get a lot of help here about certain aspects with it though.. because most of the guys here are versed in woodworking,
not metal work.

 I have to agree, that metal work can be quite more difficult.   Drill bits wear quickly.  Large holes can be a bear to cut out.

 But its doable... and you can learn a lot of great stuff from the experience.

 Also, just because its stainless, doesnt mean it cant be painted.

 You will probably need an Angle Grinder,  a heavy duty hole cutter,  some sharp & tough bits + some cutting fluid.
Or as very least for the Control panel... getting someone to laser-cut the holes.

 Also, look online for vids on how to sharpen drills.  That, or buy a Drill Dr.


 Best of luck on your project.
 

[Nephasth]

Metal working is not harder than woodworking. If it's hard, you're using the wrong tools and techniques. Educate yourself and you'll find metal can be a more forgiving medium than wood.

[stigzler]

Yeah - just like most things -if you find the right tools, most things are OK.

Looks like Neph's yer man for metal working:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121731.msg1311443.html#msg1311443

(btw - that was a really interesting project, Neph and nice finish).

Maybe he can help you out - sometimes all it takes is a steer to the right tools.

[Nephasth]

Nope. I am not. I quit helping noobs after puetz...

[reptileink]

I honestly think it looks pretty bad ass, and who knows how much metal experience this guy has? He also hasn't mentioned if he's going to put art on the sides/Cp/etc.  Maybe he's going to paint it with auto paint, you never know.

Just speaking as an arcade rookie here, but I wouldn't be so quick to jump down a guy's throat and assume he can't make this into something useable. I, for one, love when you guys think outside the box and come up with un-conventional  ways to cram an arcade into a "non-arcade" machine.

Let's let the guy try (and possibly fail) first.

Yes, he asked for opinions, but I am sure he really meant suggestions versus (that's never going to work, scrap it, make it a juke)  I think the juke is a great idea myself, but the guy wants an arcade. He may just surprise us all. 

[yotsuya]

Nope. I am not. I quit helping noobs after puetz...

Neph is a great guy who is always down to help. Having said that, and knowing what he went through with Puetz, I know exactly why he feels this way, and I don't blame him one bit.

[Nephasth]

Why build your own ladder, when you can stand on the shoulders of giants? There's a very good reason why the common opinion of the experienced is this wouldn't make a good arcade machine. Sure, it can be done, but that doesn't mean it should.

[yotsuya]

I honestly think it looks pretty bad ass, and who knows how much metal experience this guy has? He also hasn't mentioned if he's going to put art on the sides/Cp/etc.  Maybe he's going to paint it with auto paint, you never know.

Just speaking as an arcade rookie here, but I wouldn't be so quick to jump down a guy's throat and assume he can't make this into something useable. I, for one, love when you guys think outside the box and come up with un-conventional  ways to cram an arcade into a "non-arcade" machine.

Let's let the guy try (and possibly fail) first.

Yes, he asked for opinions, but I am sure he really meant suggestions versus (that's never going to work, scrap it, make it a juke)  I think the juke is a great idea myself, but the guy wants an arcade. He may just surprise us all. 

No one jumped down his throat. He asked for opinions and got honest ones. I'd rather hear honest opinions from people whose opinions I value than get sunshine up the ass.

[stigzler]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with this Cjax and confident you'll reach your own conclusions about whose opinions you value - you can check peoples' profiles and topics to check their own builds/contributions and see if their style/creativity/contributions matches yours. Also, have a browse through this Projects announcements section - it gives you a really good overview of all the different approaches to builds + good for getting ideas. Finally, don't be put off asking - lots of people here who are happy to help - lots to learn in this hobby + lots of different 'specialisms' - there's lots of helpful folk here too.

[Nephasth]

Hugs and koombiya all around!

[harveybirdman]

Look at it this way, when we argue and fuss at you you get 300 plus views a day with plenty of feedback.

I get twenty views a day, and very few comments, and I'm pretty sure some think my coin door looks like a spray painted afterthought....

Meh I don't feel bad for this dude at all..

[Xiaou2]

Metal working is not harder than woodworking. If it's hard, you're using the wrong tools and techniques. Educate yourself and you'll find metal can be a more forgiving medium than wood.

 Ugg.   This is partially what I meant.    Certain metal cutting and bending tools are expensive... and take a good learning curve.
Its far easier for example... and cheaper... to cut a button hole in a wood CP.   A simple spade bit can do the trick.

 For a metal CP,  the best tool might be a punch.   Metal punches are not exactly cheap..  and finding the correct size may require an internet purchase... rather than a trip to the local shops.

 Cutting sheets of hard steel, usually means a angle grinder... or a press-brake.  Not everyone has one of those around.. especially at over $300... and something like 200lbs of mass.   Even bending steel, can be a bit tricky... as its easy to be off a bit.. when the bend forms.

 Fastening Braces with load strength, means either welding ... or bolts.  Bolts may not be optimal, due to the raised nature.  Rivits might be a possibility... but rivits are not always the best load bearing solutions.   Welding means another expensive tool set... and ... not sure about the needs of Stainless welding  -vs-  other metals.

 Ive worked with metal and wood... and found wood more flexible and easier to deal with.

/opinion

[rablack97]

Well, in a nutshell for the hobbyist wood is more feasible. You start getting into metal and plastics w/o a homeboy with metal shop hookups, your wasting your time.

The right tools IMHO for metal fab outweigh the cost in tools of the average woodshop.

I just did a quick overlook of the thread and i agree, this needs to be a juke or even a custom slot machine, or make is a touchscreen kiosk for your theater room.  Pick your movie from there and have it play on the bigscreen.

Unless your versed in metal shop, i think the fellas foresee a disaster or something hideous when your done.  Plus the fact its gonna show fingerprints like crazy, will make it a garage sale item really quick.

I actually like the profile, but the material not so much, i would trace that profile and go to wood or mdf, and you could actually make something really cool.

Take that shell, put a keg in it, and make it a dispenser, with a cupholders up top and a dynamic lit marquee showcasing what beer it houses where the monitor is.

 

[Nephasth]

Metal working is not harder than woodworking. If it's hard, you're using the wrong tools and techniques. Educate yourself and you'll find metal can be a more forgiving medium than wood.

 Ugg.   This is partially what I meant.    Certain metal cutting and bending tools are expensive... and take a good learning curve.
Its far easier for example... and cheaper... to cut a button hole in a wood CP.   A simple spade bit can do the trick.

 For a metal CP,  the best tool might be a punch.   Metal punches are not exactly cheap..  and finding the correct size may require an internet purchase... rather than a trip to the local shops.

 Cutting sheets of hard steel, usually means a angle grinder... or a press-brake.  Not everyone has one of those around.. especially at over $300... and something like 200lbs of mass.   Even bending steel, can be a bit tricky... as its easy to be off a bit.. when the bend forms.

 Fastening Braces with load strength, means either welding ... or bolts.  Bolts may not be optimal, due to the raised nature.  Rivits might be a possibility... but rivits are not always the best load bearing solutions.   Welding means another expensive tool set... and ... not sure about the needs of Stainless welding  -vs-  other metals.

 Ive worked with metal and wood... and found wood more flexible and easier to deal with.

/opinion

You obviously don't know what the ---fudgesicle--- you're doing with metal, so stop talking like you do.

[Ond]

I like the side profile of this thing, nice curves.  Stainless steel for an arcade cabinet though? yeah I dunno...  Build challenges aside, the aesthetics of stainless steel, I'd be covering a fair bit of the surface with paint or artwork or something, leaving just a hint of the metal here and there.  I'd also keep the controls very minimalistic.  I know you're looking at this as a multipurpose machine as most new folk do BUT I'd keep it very simple in terms of controls.  Just single player for select set of games.  I'd cut a larger window for the monitor.  To carry this off, the metalwork has to be clean and straight, not an easy thing if you are new to metal fabrication.

To sum up, if you have a strong vision for your build then go for it, but do take advantage of the body of knowledge of good design, Control Panel best practise etc to be found on BYOAC, research and learn. 

[Malenko]

You obviously don't know what the ---fudgesicle--- you're doing with metal, so stop talking like you do.

<3


Actual opinion on the cab, fingerprints aside....

It could be done but I don't think the juice would be worth the squeeze. This is in no way telling you not to do it, this is just my way of telling you Im going to say I told you so if you tap out.  

[vwalbridge]

What is the record for number of consecutive posts without the OP posting again?

[dmckean]

What is the record for number of consecutive post without the OP posting again?

He most likely wrote us off useless when he was told to build a jukebox. There's actually quite a bit or good ideas and advice in this thread now.

[mgb]

cjax,
if you do come back I'd like to say welcome to the forum.
Take what these guys say with a grain of salt. Many of them don't get out to socialize much and only a few of them have ever known the company of  woman.

But you did ask for advice so that's what they gave.
I'm a bit more of a purist who likes regular arcade cabs but I actually think this is a cool cab for a project.
Upon first sight I also thought it would make a cool jukebox but if you don't want a jukebox, why build a jukebox, especially not just because these goof balls told you to.

In my opinion, these can be a cool arcade machine though you may wanna limit it to a one player.
This is not a cab that you would use for an all inclusive, play every game under the sun kinda machine.

Being stainless may present some obstacles but it doesn't out right make it impossible.

Frankly I'm a little surprised when I see the members here giving someone a hard time because they have an out of the box idea.
Isn't it that kind of out of the box thinking that has driven this hobby to the great level it is at today?