need help on building marquee box in showcase cab

[hulkster]

i guess anybody can help with this, but in regards to my marquee box...what would be the best way to hold the plexi and marquee in?  i know a lot of people use the happ marquee retainer, but that is for the upright cab and it has something to latch onto.  what would be the best way for me to hold a marquee/plexi in, with the box sitting on top of the monitor section....check out the pics earlier in the post if you dont know what im talking about.  thanks for any help.

http://www.arcadecontrols.com/files/Uploads/DSC00273.JPG

http://www.arcadecontrols.com/files/Uploads/DSC00274.JPG

check out both those pics

[SkateDetroit]

You can make the box with a removable top and route a slot in the top and bottom for the plexi to slide into. This would hold it together quite well. It is how mine is done. I will try attaching a pic so you can get an idea. Also, I would curve the box to match the monitor housing if you can. Sets it off a little better.

[hulkster]

whoa!  i didnt know you were building a showcase.  well i think i did actually...just never saw pics of it.  cool looking cab...very unique.  

when you say route out a slot...i was thinking of doing this, but i cant find a 1/8" thin slot bit for my router, and im afraid if i use what i have now, its like a 1/4" thick slot cutting bit, it will be too much space and the marquee/plexi will not be secure...more wobbly and stuff.  what are you going to use?

[JoyMonkey]

Why not use your 1/4" router bit and then fill half the slot with a sliver of 1/8" material, leaving you with an 1/8" slot.

[hulkster]

hmmmm.....yeeees.....*note to self : remember to not be retarded*

[SkateDetroit]

I actually picked that cab up. It was a bowling game in it's previous life. Now it's running Mortal Kombat until I find time to clean it up, cut a new CP, and get a JPAC.

The slot for the plexi isn't entirely snug, theres a little room to play with. So I would suggest getting something close to your size. Just don't go to small or else that will be a headache.

I really dig your cab so far. Nice change of pace from everything else. Showcase cab is definetly an awesome way to go if you got the room. I have a little cab dedicated to just play vertical games, and this one is going to handle all the newer ones. Some crazy fighting action and four player simpsons.

    Keep up the good work!

[hulkster]

hey thanks man.  i dont want to have to buy a new bit, so ill probably just route out the 1/4" and put something behind the marquee to hold it in place.

on a side note....im not sure whether or not i should build a "box" for the marquee, or build the box without the bottom to it and just make the top of the monitor the "bottom" of the marquee box.  know what im saying"  as in, just route out a slot on the top part of the monitor section (this is for the bottom of the marquee) and then route out a slot on the top part of the marquee box (well, it would be the underside of the top piece of wood of the marquee box)....BASICALLY just not having a bottom for the marquee section...and leaving that just for the top of the monitor section.  what do you think?

[SkateDetroit]

Makes perfect sense. You will just need to bolt on a back piece and two side pieces. Slip on the top and you're in business. Maybe hinge the top piece for easy bulb replacement? Make sure you cut a hole somewhere for your wires to your light.

[hulkster]

yeah that sounds good.  sweet, thanks for the tips man.  post progress pics for yours!  i want to see that thing in action!!!

[hulkster]

one more thing, how far back do you think i should put the back of the marquee box?  the reason im asking is because i dont want the light to be mounted too far back and therefore not give proper illumination.  so how far back do you think??

[DrewKaree]

Here's the solution for your "slot slop" problem from using a 1/4" cutter:  go to your local HD and pick up a box of these things called "glazing points" or "glazier's points".  They hold glass tight to the window frame and you caulk over them.  You don't have to caulk over it, I'd bet tall cash you'll find them WA-AA-AY stronger/better than you actually need.  

They're cheap (a box of 100 costs ~$2) and easy to install.  Use a putty knife or screwdriver on one side, and press the point into your MDF snug/tight up against your (p)lexan.  

If you just made a rabbet in the face frame of your box, you'd have an even better fit.