Skinniest/narrowest vertical CRT 1p cab possible?

[sunspot]

Hello all,

For my man-cave, I'd like to build a 1p/2p turn-based vertical CRT cab out of plywood with the narrowest footprint possible and still be stable enough for a 20" CRT TV that I will be modding to add RGB input.  I'm looking for any input on the minimum cab width possible that will still be stable and light as possible and not want to tip over.  This would be a compromise cab for Galaga, Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, etc.  Small enough to not piss off my wife.

It also doesn't need to be tall enough for speakers.  More like Zebidee's lowboy project, but maybe use a couple of hollow round metal rods as vertical extensions for the speaker section instead of plywood all the way to the top.  That part may end up looking like total ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- to be honest, but it would keep the weight down.

The narrowest cabs I know of right now are the Arcade 1up's at 19" but of course they use LCDs so not a problem for them weight-wise.  I haven't cracked open these TVs yet but the vertical side seems to be no more than 16" tall.

Any feedback appreciated.

[bobbyb13]

To allow enough room for mounting brackets to the hold the tube an interior width of 20" is a realistic minimum.
The portion where the tube sits needs a minimum interior depth of 18-1/2" perpendicular to the tube face- measured back from center of tube.
When you add that portion to a control panel (which anything smaller than 8" deep is very cramped) you wind up with a cabinet that is between 24"-26" deep depending on tube angle.
If it is a candy cab style sit at design then you can make it as short as 58" tall  and have it not be stupid, dependi g on whether or not you want a coin door and what style.

What you are asking about is effectively a Neo Geo mini that is very slightly tweaked, which I happen to be building one of right now actually.
 

[sunspot]

Those dimensions are really helpful Bobby, thanks for the reply.  I of course hadn't even gotten to the dilemma of cab DEPTH yet when brainstorming this idea but you've given me some good numbers.  Cab depth is really just as important as width.  I noticed the Arcade 1up's are a depth of just under <23".  I think CRT angle is important. Do you guys feel that the Ms Pac Man cab CRT angle is a good compromise for all vert CRT games from a KISS perspective?  Or do I need to consider another CRT profile?  I'm getting old and don't need to be slouching lol.

I've considered trying to build the cab just wide enough to fit the CRT vertically, and then make the control panel a separate wider segment if need be.  I had also planned to make the control panel section modular so I can build and plug in different CPs depending on game.  This cab would definitely be the anti-Frankenpanel (which I never understood to begin with).

I'm considering making the speaker section out of vertical telescoping rods that can hold a Logitech Boombox-type device, that I could raise up for game play, and then collapse back down into the cab when not in use.  Again, this design is NOT a govt issue arcade-ready cab and would be engineered for minimal footprint.

[javeryh]

The cabarets I recently built are very narrow.  The interior control panel width is 18" (making the cabinet 19.5" wide) and I'm guessing I could squeeze a 20" monitor in there mounted vertically but might require a bit more depth  I'm using a 17" LCD .



As you can see there is plenty of room on the sides but you'd either need to make the CP a little smaller (doable) or go a little deeper.

[sunspot]

Hi javeryh, those cabs look fantastic!  Could you tell me what vertical height the front edge of your control panel is, and what screen angle you decided to use, and why?

Also, I couldn't tell how exactly you were going to handle your sound situation there.

Thanks again!