[finished] Star Wars themed arcade cabinet build

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Niels Arcade:
Top plate with vent holes. I made the slots thinner in comparison to the backside vent slots so it might be attracting (a little) less dust.

Been experimenting with some control panel layouts. I think I will go with an eight button layout (yes I know purists among you...), but I think this way it will be a bit easier to play console games as well. I'll see if I can figure out a way to light up the buttons which are usable during a certain game, to make it a bit more intuitive.

I will either use two black or two red ball tops, will decide when I have the artwork designed. For now I have settled for two admin buttons on the CP: exit and pause. I might still move the two admin and player 1 & 2 buttons around a bit. I might add a few other admin buttons such as tab, but I will place those out of sight on either the top of the cabinet or behind the coin door.

Niels Arcade:
As I have mentioned in this topic (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148106.0.html, no reply's yet so will post it here) I want to build a control panel without plexiglass cover or t-molding on the front edge. I would like the MDF edge on the front (near where your palms/wrist would rest) to be rounded off a bit and continue into the vertical part of the cp. The control panel, edge and vertical part of the CP on the front will be covered with sticker artwork.

My question is: will the rounded MDF edge (arrow in picture below) be strong enough without further protection (except for paint and sticker artwork)? Or will it still get damaged quickly if it suffers any impact (like straight edges of MDF do without t-molding or other protection). Does somebody has some experience regarding this subject?

harveybirdman:
First off obligatory...... 8 buttons?!?! :whap

As far as the MDF goes, if it's just for home use you're probably okay. But are you sold on MDF? You could always build it out of metal or plywood right?

Niels Arcade:

--- Quote from: harveybirdman on November 03, 2015, 02:32:39 pm ---First off obligatory...... 8 buttons?!?! :whap

--- End quote ---
Dang it, I thought I would have that covered/excused with me mentioning console compatibility ;)

--- Quote from: harveybirdman on November 03, 2015, 02:32:39 pm ---As far as the MDF goes, if it's just for home use you're probably okay. But are you sold on MDF? You could always build it out of metal or plywood right?

--- End quote ---

I don't mind using plywood. I am just not that keen on using metal, since I have zero experience in metal working and I am probably lacking the tools for that as well. Therefore a solution with MDF or plywood would be more efficient for me. You think plywood would be a sturdier option? No idea about the following, but should I be 'worried' about different shrinking/expanding rates of plywood in comparison to my otherwise fully MDF built cabinet?

harveybirdman:
I will do us all a favor leave out the two page argument about how console games on a cabinet are dumb....

What are you covering the panel with? I know you aren't using plexi (though I don't understand why) but are you painting it or overlaying with artwork? Both? What material? I think either MDF or plywood would be fine, but dont rule out metal altogether so quickly. Howard built a metal brake out of scrap, it can be done with a bit of research.

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