Lowboy Cabaret

[jan25th]

Hello,
I have been lurking on this fourm for more than 15 years always with great intentions of building a cabinet. I have a half completed bartop from 15 years ago that never really satisfied my needs.

Having viewed many excellent builds, my plans have taken many right turns but now I feel satisfied that I know what I really want. I haven’t cut any wood yet but I have a decased 20” Toshiba TV connected through component cables to a Crescendo Systems TC1600. Thanks to the great work on groovymame and especially Calamity and rCadeGaming I am very happy with the picture.

The cabinet is a fusion of the lowboys and a Pacman cabaret. I like the minimalistic look of those cabinets and need something that won't overpower the space where I plan to put it. Currently cabinet measures 5'2" high, 2'7" deep, and 22.5" wide (21" control panel). The control panel height is 36" at the front and 38" at the back and is 8" deep. I am planning on buying a PacPro and have 2 or 3 buttons.

Here are some pics from my sketchups. I am definitely looking for criticism ...





Barry.

[harveybirdman]

 

Great start!

[vwalbridge]

I have been lurking on this fourm for more than 15 years

 

Better late than never!

Looks good so far. Make sure that TV will fit in there for sure. Looks like it might be cutting it awful close near the back.

[Generic Eric]

I have something similar.  The edges, where the cp drops below the sides.  My hand smacks against it.  I don't like it.  I'll take a pic and show you what I don't like, if that doesn't make sense.

[jan25th]

I have something similar.  The edges, where the cp drops below the sides.  My hand smacks against it.  I don't like it.  I'll take a pic and show you what I don't like, if that doesn't make sense.

I think I know what you mean. I am trying to go for the old school look and I am sure that is how I remember it. The drop is only .5" so I hope it won't be too interfering.

[jan25th]

I have been lurking on this fourm for more than 15 years

 

Better late than never!

Looks good so far. Make sure that TV will fit in there for sure. Looks like it might be cutting it awful close near the back.

Thank for the reply. I look at it as 15 years of planning... In the meantime I have had 2 children who are now 15 and 16 years old.

Regarding the tv. I am going to build a mounting frame first and that should give me clearer idea about the depth that is necessary.

[johnrt]

Nice! I think it looks great! So when are you starting the build? 

[yotsuya]

I am planning on buying a PacPro and have 2 or 3 buttons.

Good choice, my man! 

[jan25th]

Nice! I think it looks great! So when are you starting the build? 

I am hoping to do some work this weekend but don't expect incredible progress.

To satisfy the voyeurs among us here is the current state of my garage / workshop. The picture may not do it justice but it is a decently good sized double car garage, although it rarely sees a car.



Unfortunately my basement is in a similar state as I gutted it last winter and have been working on it in my spare time.

[vwalbridge]

Yikes. I'm pretty OCD with my garage so my eye started twitching looking at your garage. 

I just finished completely reorganizing my garage for the sole purpose of arcade building/restoration. It was very satisfying. I have a really hard time even starting a project without a clean work area.

I count 5 bikes that I can see in your garage. Bikes are the worst. They take up too much space. Sure, you can get all kinds of fancy wall/ceiling mounts, but I hate spending money on that when I could put it towards an arcade.

Let's see some before and after pictures when you are done cleaning it up. I'll need something to cure this eye twitch that I have now.   

[jan25th]

Been slow to get started but managed to get some things done on the weekend.
I made a template for the side from some discarded 1/4" wall panelling and cut out both sides. I added 2" to the depth to be sure of the monitor fit.

[jan25th]

Both sides complete. I have almost completed the monitor frame. Will see how that fits with the cabinet profile.

[vwalbridge]

Is that the fixed based DeWalt router you are using?

How do you like it?

I've got my finger on the trigger for the Combo DeWalt

I seek feedback please. 

[JDFan]

Yikes. I'm pretty OCD with my garage so my eye started twitching looking at your garage. 

I just finished completely reorganizing my garage for the sole purpose of arcade building/restoration. It was very satisfying. I have a really hard time even starting a project without a clean work area.

I count 5 bikes that I can see in your garage. Bikes are the worst. They take up too much space. Sure, you can get all kinds of fancy wall/ceiling mounts, but I hate spending money on that when I could put it towards an arcade.

Let's see some before and after pictures when you are done cleaning it up. I'll need something to cure this eye twitch that I have now.   

I thought that was already the after Pic !! -- you think that makes your eye twitch you should see my garage 

[jan25th]

Is that the fixed based DeWalt router you are using?

How do you like it?

I've got my finger on the trigger for the Combo DeWalt

I seek feedback please. 

I don't have a whole bunch of router experience but it has been steady.

Now, my Dewalt circular saw is another story - I hate it's plastic foot / guide.

[jan25th]

I have completed my monitor frame. I used 3/4" plywood for the frame and was afraid it would be tool flimsy so I doubled it up. In retrospect I probably didn't need to. I initially tried to cut out the opening to exactly fit the monitor to allow for enough room for securely placing the corner bolts but that was proving too difficult. Instead I cut a generous opening and then used a galvanized metal clip of some sort (I forget it's orginal purpose). I had to drill some holes and cut away part of the clip but it made positioning the monitor much easier and is very secure.

Over-engineered in true BYOAC fashion.

Installing and placing the monitor shows that I can do away with the extra 2 inches that I added to the cabinet depth. I will trim that tonight.

[harveybirdman]

Looking good man just letting you know I'm still following.

[yotsuya]

I have completed my monitor frame. I used 3/4" plywood for the frame and was afraid it would be tool flimsy so I doubled it up. In retrospect I probably didn't need to. I initially tried to cut out the opening to exactly fit the monitor to allow for enough room for securely placing the corner bolts but that was proving too difficult. Instead I cut a generous opening and then used a galvanized metal clip of some sort (I forget it's orginal purpose). I had to drill some holes and cut away part of the clip but it made positioning the monitor much easier and is very secure.

Over-engineered in true BYOAC fashion.

Installing and placing the monitor shows that I can do away with the extra 2 inches that I added to the cabinet depth. I will trim that tonight.

Great idea with the clip there!!!

[Vigo]

Agreed. That clip deal is clever! I'm subscribing to this build.

[opt2not]

Could 2015 be the year of lowboys?  I hope so!
I like what's going on in this thread. subscribed.

[jan25th]

Thanks for the comments and interest guys. There is almost nothing original in what I am doing, just pulling together the techniques of all the greats builds that have come before me.

I love the lowboy look. Even if it doesn't have a smaller footprint than a full size cab it just doesn't dominate the surroundings that I know my wife would have problems with. It is all about the "Wa".

[TheDude]

Lowboys are really cool. After bartops, my favorite kind of cabs ! Will follow this thread !

[jan25th]

It only truly becomes a build when one gets to use Bondo. I had never used Bondo before but have seen many projects where it has been used masterfully.

I had a brainfart and attached the front panel nailer (on one side panel) 3/4” too close to the front of the cabinet. I had to pry off a well and truly glued nailer - resulting in some veneer being ripped off of the plywood face. The damage will “mostly” be covered by the edges of the front panel but I just couldn’t abide by that nasty scar. At least I didn’t obsess over the repair …

[jan25th]

The previous post was lame and I did that work last week. I am also involved in a basement build/reno which you can probably notice in most of my photos - if I haven't cropped them enough, as I am doing most of the cab work in the basement. (Easier to fool the wife that way)

Received an amp from aliexpress


and a blurry Groovy Game Gear order


More to come ....

[jan25th]

I am following the instructions in
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,111387.msg1181637.html#msg1181637
for including images which creates a smallish inline image. I have noticed the images in other posts expand when clicked, mine aren't ... what am doing wrong?

[PL1]

I am following the instructions in
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,111387.msg1181637.html#msg1181637
for including images which creates a smallish inline image. I have noticed the images in other posts expand when clicked, mine aren't ... what am doing wrong?

You're probably embedding the URL of the thumbnail, not the full size image.

Check out steps 6 and 7 (or the shortcut) in this post.


Scott

[jan25th]

I must confess that I have done bits of work over the past 2 weeks and haven't been keeping this thread up to date. Having said that, this post will rectify that.

I fell in love with some 45 degree angled casters I stumbled on in a project recently and wan't to implement something similar. I bought 3" casters from HD and levelling brackets from Lee Valley.



The plan is to bolt the casters to a bottom panel and mount it at 45 degrees with the wheels being about 3/4" proud of the bottom and back of the cabinet. This piece will be boxed and braced with 4 right angle pieces only 2 are attached in this image.



This is showing the bottom panel and the short back panel with a wheel propped in place. Nothing glued or stapled yet.

[jan25th]

I am following the instructions in
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,111387.msg1181637.html#msg1181637
for including images which creates a smallish inline image. I have noticed the images in other posts expand when clicked, mine aren't ... what am doing wrong?

You're probably embedding the URL of the thumbnail, not the full size image.

Check out steps 6 and 7 (or the shortcut) in this post.


Scott

Thanks, that was it.

[jan25th]

I have resumed this project and have made some real headway.

The structure is mostly complete.
Front:


Side:


Back:

[harveybirdman]

As we have another slow day on the BYOAC, I was just trying to think about some of the builds that needed updates....

Glad to see you're still working on this cool project.!

[Slippyblade]

First time I saw this project.  I like the lines on this as the Pac-Man cabaret is one of my favorite cab designs.  Good job so far!

[jan25th]

Here is a clue to what I am planning to do for theme. I am not very artistic but can manage edit existing works.
The marquee colors do not duplicate well on the laser printers / papers I have available to me. I will be going to gameongrafix for the final product. I am currently working on sideart to make it fit my cabinet dimensions better.



Closeup:

[Vidiot]

I also just saw this build thread today. Nice design. I love seeing someone come up with a new shape / design cab. Great that you are taking your time and getting the details right.
Following with interest. 

[jan25th]

Thanks. In this case "taking my time" means - months of project languishing with spurts of mad progress ..

[wp34]

Looking good.  I'm really digging the lines on that cabinet.   

[n3wt0n]

I really like the shape of this cab. I wasn't sure when I saw the original 3D drawing but as I see it in actually take shape I am really impressed. Looking forward to the finish.

[jan25th]

If you have noticed the missing speaker panel it was intentional as I am undecided about how to do it. I have the speakers that I removed from the tv. They are 8ohm and the specs for the TDA7297 amp I have says it will drive them. They are oval 2.5" x 4" and I didn't like any of the speaker grills that google turned up.

While rubish browsing at work I came across this:






I thought I could diy something. Here is my attempt so far.

This is the speaker template that I have used to route holes in the speaker panel. Also in the picture is a piece that matches the speaker hole but has 1/8" gap around the edges.



I cut out a piece of the mesh and laid it across the opening. With the block on top I began pounding / extruding the mesh through the template. After a dozen or so belts ...





Eventually I got to this ...





Then removed it from the template.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Could 2015 be the year of lowboys?  I hope so!
I like what's going on in this thread. subscribed.

Agreed, I love the look of Lowboy cabinets too.

DeL

[markc74]

Loving the lines of this cab. Especially liking the speaker grills. I tried to think of a way to that on my cab but couldn't work out how to so if i try again I'll be doing that.

Any artwork ideas yet? Seems like it's screaming out for a taito style pattern.

[Titchgamer]

Looking good