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Author Topic: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?  (Read 15873 times)

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freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« on: December 19, 2017, 11:55:45 pm »
Started my first build a few weeks ago.  Not exactly sure what style it is.  Just something I came up with in SketchUp that I really liked.  I am using a Tank Stick simply because it was easy.  After I bought it, I discovered that I could have built my own for less, but hind site........

I drew several versions until I settled. 
« Last Edit: December 19, 2017, 11:59:03 pm by freqster »

freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2017, 12:01:47 am »
I designed it to be Modular.  The plan was to build one for a friend too, and I wanted him to be able to transport it fairly easy.  And I have to move mine upstairs when it is complete, so it should be a little easier to move.
« Last Edit: December 21, 2017, 07:34:05 pm by freqster »

freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2017, 12:28:26 am »
Some pics of the build progress.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2017, 12:31:05 am by freqster »

pbj

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2017, 01:25:39 am »
Hm, this has promise and it's clearly well built.

Continue.


opt2not

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2017, 01:27:32 pm »
It's been a while since we've seen a cabinet that will host some bent acrylic/plexi.  Are you going to rig up heater strips?  A while ago guys used to take apart old toasters and mount the heater strips to a rig for bending. You might have your own way of doing it, but a search here would probably give you some ideas if not.

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2017, 04:18:48 pm »
That's a lovely Tank Stick stand.

luizw81

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2017, 04:59:47 pm »
That's a lovely Tank Stick stand.

 :lol :lol :lol

It is a pretty cool design, though.

freqster

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2017, 01:07:19 am »
It's been a while since we've seen a cabinet that will host some bent acrylic/plexi.  Are you going to rig up heater strips?  A while ago guys used to take apart old toasters and mount the heater strips to a rig for bending. You might have your own way of doing it, but a search here would probably give you some ideas if not.

I was thinking that the acrylic would be thin enough to handle the bend.  But if not, I can look into using heat.  I have played around with heating and bending PVC, Acrylic, before.  And I built a Vacuum forming machine a while back that has a custom built heater on it.  Might be time to get that out. 

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2017, 12:01:52 pm »
Looks really nice. I would lose the Tank Stick though. Imho it looks like it just doesn't belong there.

But definitely will follow this one!

pbj

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2017, 12:02:37 pm »
Also - why is the marquee area so gigantic?

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2017, 12:43:00 pm »
Am I the only one staring past the cabinet at the amazing shop setup?    :cheers:

stigzler

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2017, 02:29:46 pm »
Also - why is the marquee area so gigantic?

It's not a marquee - it's a fog horn.

Seriously though, if a proper CP was built and that fog horn was made a bit more subtle, this would be a nice looking build. Nice standard of woodsmanship too...

freqster

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #12 on: December 21, 2017, 07:30:49 pm »
Also - why is the marquee area so gigantic?

It's not a marquee - it's a fog horn.

Seriously though, if a proper CP was built and that fog horn was made a bit more subtle, this would be a nice looking build. Nice standard of woodsmanship too...

Ok, I can agree somewhat on the size of the Marquee.  After I built it, I thought that it could be a little shorter, but I didnt think about more narrow.  My thinking was that I wanted it as wide as the display, so I could put the speakers at each end in the box.  Also, since it overhangs the display some, it helps to keep the glare off the screen. 

I would need to do some research on building the cp.  I could even just use the internals of the Tank Stick and just build a custom box for it.  Maybe, I am still deciding.   Maybe with more comments on this forum, I might be persuaded to build one. 

So what is the general consensus on how big the Marquee should be?   Right now it is about 31 inches wide, and 6 inches tall. 
« Last Edit: December 21, 2017, 07:42:19 pm by freqster »

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #13 on: December 21, 2017, 07:54:39 pm »
The marquee is not too large - if it was on a traditional upright cabinet.  However, I do think it appears large on this particular design and makes it look a bit top heavy.   It might look better once you have paint and art applied.  Everyone has an opinion on design - do you think it looks good?  Its much easier to judge in person, and ultimately if you like it, don't change it.

freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #14 on: December 21, 2017, 11:00:58 pm »
Tonight, I fabricated how I will bring in electric to the cabinet.  I want a clean look, so I routed the power through the base, and installed a single gang outlet that will be inside the center column. 

pbj

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #15 on: December 21, 2017, 11:13:45 pm »
I'd cut the depth of the marquee box down.  Height and width are okay.

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #16 on: December 28, 2017, 09:37:52 pm »
This solves the empty box syndrome. Basically when you have this huge cab and its just basically a big wooden box with a tv in it. This design solves that.

zinger

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #17 on: December 29, 2017, 03:27:45 am »
Nice shop! Your build is looking good too.

freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #18 on: December 30, 2017, 11:28:51 am »
I am going to work on the Marquee box this weekend.  Make it a little shorter, and maybe a little more narrow.  And cut in the grill for the speakers.  I have been working on getting the computer, subwoofer, power components installed.  I tested out the electronics and have it working the way I want. 

I still need to extend the computer power button.  It might be tricky.  I am using a Dell Ultra Small Form Factor PC, and it does not have the standard pins for the power buttons/led lights/reset switch.  It uses a very small IDC connector with a ribbon cable.  I thought I found a break-out board that would work, but it was too big.  I still need to solve that problem.  I could splice the ribbon cable, but I want a more elegant solution.    Everything is just a dry fit for now.  Once I am satisfied with placement, I will disassemble, sand and finish. 

Speaking of finish.  I was originally thinking of a solid color finish, maybe hammered metal paint.  But I do sort of like graphics.   I am great at SketchUp, but I am horrible at graphic design.  Any suggestions on the finish?
« Last Edit: December 30, 2017, 11:30:46 am by freqster »

yamatetsu

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #19 on: December 30, 2017, 03:02:56 pm »
Any suggestions on the finish?

I'd either stain it or do some kind of black and white design, something like shiori1425 did:



Also, since you asked for it, get rid of that fugly tankstick. It simply does not fit. At this moment this is a nice build with a plastic box plonked on it. A wooden CP would match MUCH better.
                  

stigzler

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #20 on: December 30, 2017, 03:25:19 pm »
Any suggestions on the finish?

I'd either stain it or do some kind of black and white design, something like shiori1425 did:




Or, alternatively, don't.

For the love of all things good and right, don't.

stigzler

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #21 on: December 30, 2017, 03:35:07 pm »
In an attempt to be a little more helpful, I'd say you were doing this the wrong way around. Think of a them for it first and then do your graphic design afterwards.

The more I look at this, the more I like it - as long as a custom CP is placed on the bad boy and that fog horn is altered. I'd even suggest maybe think about loosing the marquee box all together... Maybe too late for that...

Given that there's not a lot of surface area, you could go for a super-duper finish. OND did a build with a high gloss finish - bit like a piano black gloss finish, but in red.. Found the thread, but all his pictures appeared to have disappeared!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,88912.0.html

yamatetsu

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #22 on: December 30, 2017, 06:56:29 pm »
Seems like Ond has pulled a Tully on that thread. He hasn't been active since. His videos on achieving that mirror finish seem to be gone, too.
                  

stigzler

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #23 on: December 30, 2017, 07:10:33 pm »
Shame, that. Was an interesting thread..

freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #24 on: December 31, 2017, 05:02:45 pm »
I am kind of liking the "Inkjet to Wood" thing going on in the pic on Yamatetsu's  signature.   I am going to read up on that some more.
« Last Edit: December 31, 2017, 05:04:28 pm by freqster »

yamatetsu

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #25 on: December 31, 2017, 07:44:01 pm »
Here's the video that I used to learn how to transfer an inkjet print to wood. It's really simple.
                  

freqster

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #26 on: January 01, 2018, 04:06:14 pm »
Here's the video that I used to learn how to transfer an inkjet print to wood. It's really simple.

Thanks, I think I am leaning towards doing this to my cabinet.  But I still need to come up with a theme.  Got some thinking to do.

freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #27 on: January 10, 2018, 09:40:19 pm »
I haven't had much of a chance to work on the Arcade Cabinet due to another project that took priority.  But I did manage to work on the Marquee display a little.  I made it shorter by 2 inches.  It looks a little better in my opinion, but I am still getting used to it.  It went from 6 inches tall to 4 inches tall.  Here are before and after pics for comparison.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2018, 09:43:57 pm by freqster »

Mike A

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #28 on: January 11, 2018, 06:34:52 am »
I thought the depth of the marquee area was more of an issue than the height.

Drnick

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #29 on: January 11, 2018, 07:52:01 am »
I concur, It is the depth that makes it look like odd.  I see a robot with no arms, I would take it to half the depth if possible. Other than that I like your take on the pedestal.  I once looked to do something similar with a kiosk unit I got. Yours looks a lot more professional though :)

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #30 on: January 11, 2018, 01:11:54 pm »
Lol. Yeah. Wrong dimension off...

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #31 on: January 11, 2018, 01:43:52 pm »
Here, let me do all the thinking around here.  Quick photoshop attached.


stigzler

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #32 on: January 11, 2018, 02:32:31 pm »
Pbj was close, but no cigar. This:


pbj

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #33 on: January 11, 2018, 03:33:38 pm »
That looks too much like a movie theater ticket kiosk.

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #34 on: January 11, 2018, 03:39:56 pm »
Maybe. But one without a foghorn on the top. I prefer my kiosks foghornless.

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #35 on: January 11, 2018, 03:56:14 pm »


This, minus the tankstick, plus a custom CP box with maybe the same curved front as the marquee.
                  

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #36 on: January 11, 2018, 04:21:17 pm »
This, minus the tankstick, plus a custom CP box with maybe the same curved front as the marquee.

This :)

freqster

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #37 on: January 14, 2018, 07:19:31 pm »


This, minus the tankstick, plus a custom CP box with maybe the same curved front as the marquee.

Well, I think its a little too shallow in the Photoshop pics, but maybe I will split the difference with y'all. 

freqster

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First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #38 on: January 14, 2018, 10:55:40 pm »
Every time I make a change to the cabinet, I check it out in VR first before I build it.  If you have a HTC Vive or maybe another VR headset, there is a really cool free program on Steam called SYMMETRY.  It allows you to import google SketchUp models and view then in VR. 

Here is a link to a quick video I made today of the different versions of the arcade Cabinet. 

After seeing it in VR, I think I will make the marquee a little more shallow.  I have enough scrap plywood left over to rebuild the marquee all together, but I would rather not if I can avoid it. 


stigzler

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Re: First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?
« Reply #39 on: January 15, 2018, 02:51:19 am »
 :applaud: Bloody hell. VR cab design. Whutever next...