Lots of questions before I start - UK based

[cubik]

Hi all, I'm new here but have been reading all the fantastic advice and have been inspired by some of the amazing projects on show.

I'm looking to build a bartop cabinet, but to make it all from scratch rather than buy a kit from eBay or wherever.

I'm in the UK and hoping to source all the materials, parts etc in the UK, so whilst I'm more than happy to receive advice on the build from people around the world, I'd prefer to stick to UK suppliers/material sizes where possible.

I've started a rough plan of the cabinet, attached are my initial concept images. These are by no means final, and show placeholder artwork from the internet.

The aim of the final project is:

1) All original artwork by myself
2) Side panels to completely vinyl covered with artwork
3) Single player (but two sticks for twin stick shooters, mainly Robotron)
4) Powered by a nettop PC which will be housed internally
5) Using an old 17" 4:3 monitor that I already have.

I've sourced the buttons and sticks, the layout shown is purely my first go with the CAD model and liable to change but have a few questions, mostly about the general build of the unit.

a) I'm aiming to use MDF for the side panels and plywood for the cross members. What typical thicknesses should I be looking at using? - Note that I want to be able to buy matching t-molding.

b) What are the minimum internal and external radii that t-molding will be OK with?

c) What material should the control panel be made of? Should it be thicker than the cab itself due to the impact it'll receive? If it has a curved front edge, will printed vinyl wrap around it OK?

d) Vinyl wrapping the side panels - Is this relatively easy? I've seen loads of posts make reference to it but no "idiots guide" so to speak.

e) Artwork for the control panel - Is this just thicker vinyl or does it have an extra protective layer on top? Again, I couldn't find an idiots guide.

Any other general comments or pointers to guides would be appreciated - Likewise links to UK suppliers for vinyl printing (along with recommended vinyl grades) and CNC routing would also be very much appreciated so I can start getting some rough prices together.

Hopefully I can find out all these basics first and then flesh out my design to suit.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[yamatetsu]

d) Vinyl wrapping the side panels - Is this relatively easy? I've seen loads of posts make reference to it but no "idiots guide" so to speak.

There's a sticky Side Art Install 101 in the main forum.

[cubik]

Thanks for that, looks like a useful video - Anyone got any other comments on my other questions?

[matsadona]

Well, I usually recommend all newbies to look at this site: http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/
Both for design reasons as well as general construction/building tips.

Personally I have used both MDF and plywood, and both have their pros and cons. I never thought of doing a mixed build like you are planning, but that might actually be a pretty good idea.

I have done both metal and wood control panels, and there are pros and cons here also. Haven't really decided yet what to prefer.

Here are two of my builds, that perhaps can give you some ideas.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,105790.msg1120585.html#msg1120585
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119107.msg1261623.html#msg1261623

[cubik]

Thanks again - I'm hoping that by doing a bit of research up front and working on with a decent design I can just come up with some thing that fits together nice and easy.

I guess I could buy a kit but where's the fun in that? 

I'll post a project thread once I get started properly.