Since Fall of 2014 I’ve had the goal to build my own 4 player arcade cabinet. Since then i've been mainly focused on first, perfecting my front end, adding games, creating themes (Photoshop is complicated, but awesome). I use Hyperspin (which is amazing btw). I think Maximus Arcade and LaunchBox are also cool but my heart belongs to Hyperspin (I guess, to each their own, right?). Even though Hyperspin is literally a never-ending project I feel like I’m finally ready to move on the next step; building my arcade cabinet. I first looked at DYI options like Recroommasters, because, you know, if it aint broke. And even though I think Recroommasters has some great products/options at super reasonable prices, it just didn't have everything I truly wanted for my dream arcade. They do have a 4 player CP but I didn't like the lack of space between each joystick and I feel the buttons are a bit far apart. I also wanted pinball side buttons and a pinball plunger (for virtual pinball games) which would have been tough with their CP layout. Again, not a knock on Recroommasters, just not exactly what I was looking for.
My biggest challenge was going to be the woodworking; because I know my strengths and weaknesses, and that is definitely not one of them. Luckily for me, my bro-in-law is super handy and has been helping me (see pics below).
INSPIRATION:
Pauly’s Ready Player One Arcade cabinet. He has been a huge help and I can’t thank him enough.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=146068.0Paradox Arcades (great arcade cabinets and ideas; if you have the money I would definitely recommend them). You get what you pay for, right?
GOALS:
Set Up Hyperspin Front End (pretty dang close)
Design a 4 player Arcade Cabinet with dark Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Themed graphics (haven’t figured out who I will have do the graphics)
4 Joysticks, 1 Trackball, 1 Pinball Plunger, 2 pinball side buttons, 4 Admin buttons (Exit, Start, Pause & Menu) and 7 buttons for Players 1 & 2, 4 for Players 3 & 4
2 Aimtrak Light Guns with recoil (haven’t decided on holsters yet)
Make it BLINKY (with LED Blinky)
2 or 4 player coin door (haven’t decided yet).
Add 2 Nuetrik USB connectors at the bottom of control panel. Will also need an input for my Aimtrak Light Gun power supply cord (any ideas?)
PARTS LIST (will add as I go)
• (1) 4'x8' 3/4" MDF Board (or HDF or Plywood)
• Jig Saw
• Hand Drill
• Router & Plunge Router with flush trim bit
• Table saw
• Wood Glue
• Wood Filler
• Wood Screws (1.25)
• Cabinet Hinges
• Pencil
• Some sort of measuring tools (Tape / Ruler / Level - your choice)
• Oil based Primer (See if you can get it in black)
• Black Paint (I went with a semi-gloss)
• Orbital Sander
• Clamps
• Slot Cutter for T-Molding
• T-Molding
• (1) Ultimarc Ipac 4 Interface
• (2) PacLED64 (from Ultimarc)
• (4) Joysticks from Paradise Arcade
• (32) Concave Translucent Buttons
• (4) Player Buttons –White
• (52) Microswitches (4 for each joystick, 1 for each button)
• (32) RGB Button LEDs (from Paradise Arcade)
• (1) UTrak Trackball
• (1) UTrak Trackball LEDs
I am super new to this so any ideas, constructive feedback or suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcomed.