Group Help with New Project?? New Pics Updated :)

[dezmond]

Hey everyone.. 

I've been working on designing my new custom fiberglass cabinet which is going to take some time.  I am no good with Solidworks or other design software..  So it is in my head and I am trying to get it on paper.  I think this project is going to be a loooooooong one.

So I was thinking.. I would like to build a cabinet out of wood.  But maybe I could get a bunch of everyone's help here to put a design together?  Make something really cool with all your ideas?

Let me know what you think.   

I have access to CNC machines to make pretty much anything.  I would love to have a rotating monitor, use a arduino for some switches and motor control, I have a 21" Square NEC monitor and 4 sheets of 3/4" MDF and a sheet of 1/2" MDF.

It can be either a 2P or 4P.   Also I can always go with a bigger screen if needed.

I am hoping maybe one of you great designers that works with Sketchup or   Could help design a smoooooooth curvy cabinet?

We can make it a group project.  Maybe some ideas from everyone and incorporate it all into this build?

Any helpers???

Thanks all

Dezi

[dezmond]

61 views and no helpers?    

[Jamesbeat]

I'm afraid I don't have any design ideas for you, but I do have a little advice:

Don't try to incorporate EVERYTHING into your cabinet.

There is no such thing as a mame cabinet that does everything and still looks good.

You say you want either two or four players. Will you often have four people playing? Which four player games will you play?
If you NEED four players, go for it, but don't do it just because you can.

My advice is to set up mame on a pc and play the hell out of it.
Decide which games you want to play, and thus what controls you really need.

If you find you genuinely need trackballs, spinners, yokes, steering wheels for the games you like playing, consider swappable control panels.

Do a Google image search and save pictures of all the cabs you like the look of.

Less is very often more when it comes to mame cabs.

[wp34]

I'm not much for design and can't offer a lot of guidance. I spent several years doing the things Jamesbeat suggested to you before I settled on a plan.  One you start posting specific ideas for folks to riff off of you are likely to get more input.

You might start here -

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,118612.0.html

[vwalbridge]

My only advice (based on your first post) is to not bother doing a rotating monitor. It's far more trouble that it's worth in my opinion. Either build a dedicated horizontal or dedicated vertical and live with it.

Or get a display big enough and it can play both.

[Jamesbeat]

Or build one of each

[JDFan]

I have a 21" Square NEC monitor and 4 sheets of 3/4" MDF and a sheet of 1/2" MDF.

My only advice (based on your first post) is to not bother doing a rotating monitor. It's far more trouble that it's worth in my opinion. Either build a dedicated horizontal or dedicated vertical and live with it.

Or get a display big enough and it can play both.

If it is truly a 21" square monitor then rotating wouldn't actually make a difference as the horizontal and vertical dimensions would be the same whether rotated or not !! ( though he probably meant a 4:3 or 5:4 and not actually square ! ) - I do wish some manufacturers would make square monitors so the prices would come down on them ( like the Eizo EV2730Q 1920x1920 monitor) - would be great for using in a build but the $1400 price makes it a bit uneconomical to use !

[mgb]

From reading his project post, I think it's a 4:3, not an actual square monitor.

While one of those true square monitors would be nice to replace a rotating monitor, I think the best
Available option is simply installing a large LCD vertically (32-42") then you've got your verticals and horizontals covered fine. My monitor is just a 27" trisync CRT mounted vertically and it works great with horizontal games playing at 20" or so. With a larger LCD, you have even more options.

I like your idea of getting input from the community here.
Don't try and have it all though.
You should at least try and draw up some kind of rough idea of what you want for design. Doodle it on paper.
Another option with sketch up is to go on 3D warehouse and search for arcade cabinets. I feel the best way to get a great design for an arcade cab is to look at the originals.

I'd also go 2 player myself

[dezmond]

Thanks for all the advice   I like ONDS cabinet and the idea of a 2P for now....

I loved NBA Jam and TMNT and I know my kids would love them to.  But maybe I can build a 4P after?    Might as well.....  I got the ok from the wife to have a game room and there is enough for a few cabinets down there

Going to start layout and cutting tonight!

[Jamesbeat]

You could make detachable usb side panels for four player games.

[dezmond]

Good Call James....

[dezmond]

Hey everyone. I took the advice from you guys and started to look around and found some cabinets on here that I really liked.  So I decided to use OND's Metro cab plans and did some changes for myself.  Then away I went to the CNC router and cut out the sides to the start or my first Arcade cabinet. I would love to hear your opinions please.

Going to go with a 2P cabinet for this one.  Once I get my monitor in I will post all of the hardware I have.  Maybe some help from you guys on what I might need

Thanks!

Dezi

[mgb]

Looks like a great start

[dezmond]

Thanks    Getting ready to cut more panels out maybe tonight..

Got my NEC 21" 4:3 Monitor today as well..  Woot! Woot!

Bought it from Arrow online.  Cost $63.00 Canadian and free shipping..  Ordered it Friday and it showed up here at 1:00 today...

[mgb]

Yeah Arrowdirect is pretty sweet.
Good luck as you continue.