ultimate arcade II additional strength?

[ras2a]

Hi all

Can anyone who has used the UIltimate Arcade II plans from www.mameroom.com, tell me if the final construction is sturdy enough 'as is' or did you use additional methods to 'strengthen' your cab?

I'm basing my cab on these plans and have cut all the panels..it's onto construction this weekend. Just want know if I'm gonna need additional hardware, brackets etc to strengthen.  I'm certain the designers would have pointed this out in their plans if this was required but you never know?

Cheers guys

Craig

[allroy1975]

I'm still building mine but it seems pretty sturdy.  I guess that makes sense because the top is maybe 4 feet tall and the bottom is only like 3.  So you have 2 boxes on top of each other.  however I strayed from the original plans slightly.  look at the thread I put in Project Announcements:
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=17180

Allroy

[MiKman]

I strayed from the plans a bit as well.  I wanted to be able to break my cabinet down into 3 pieces (control panel, top, bottom) so I had to add some additional supports.  I also dado'd the shelf that the TV sits on into the upper cabinet to strengthen it.  Here is a quick pic of some of the extra bracing I used. I added a 2X4 cross brace low at the back one is on the upper panel and one is on the lower panel then they are bolted together.

[Madman]

I basically just used the sides..... I changed almost everything else... I did not care for the overall construction.... for added strengh I used 2x2's in the corners...
I also made mine modular
If you would liek to see pics for ideas let me know.

[AmericanDemon]

Of course we would love to see pics!  Post em.  

[Sylentwulf]

The only thing I plan on doing very differently, is getting rid of the keyboard shelf, using 1*1" pieces for ALL screws instead of screwing from the outside and filling tons of screwholes, adding 1-2 2*4"s for additional strength/support.

I also made the bottom 3 inches shorter to fit my height, and the control panel shelf 1.5" shallower to fit my control panel.

A couple of the other pieces front and back are going to be miter-cut, and shaped to make a little more sense as well.

[clanggedin]

Make sure you add more supprt on the bottom if you plan on standing in it at anytime. I stood in mine and cracked the wood a little (particle board). Nothing big though, but it sure gave me a scare.

[Madman]

Ok tomorrow I will post some pics with detail of the guts...any particular things anyone is interested in?

[ras2a]

Ok thanks a lot guys - appreciate your input.  I saw some cool L 'type' brackets on this board a while back but now I can't find the post.  They aren't actually 'L-Brackets' and they look a lot stronger...I was thinking maybe using them to strengthen.  Or maybe I'll just use some blocks of 1"x1" pine etc like you guys have?

Thanks again

Craig

[Sylentwulf]

If you want to go with L brackets, go to the decking section of home depot, and get the real heavy duty L brackets with 4-6 holes in each for screwing. They're around $.40 each and WILL NOT BEND. I plan on using some of these here and there (like the monitor shelf)

And yes, more support on the bottom especially if you plan on using casters.

[ras2a]

If you want to go with L brackets, go to the decking section of home depot, and get the real heavy duty L brackets with 4-6 holes in each for screwing. They're around $.40 each and WILL NOT BEND. I plan on using some of these here and there (like the monitor shelf)

I would but I live in England...I'm certain we must have them, or somthing similar over here though.  Actually I asked Scott Glazer (of mameroom.com) about this whole extra strengthening 'thing' and he told me that provided I am using MDF to construct the cab (as opposed to particle board) and am opting for a 25"/27" version then extra bracing etc is not needed!  I do agree with you regarding the castors issue...although I'm not putting them on my cab...well not just yet

Cheers mate

Craig

[VMJ Team]

Scott here...I'd like to clarify my comments to ras2a.  

Additional strengthening is not required as far as crossbracing or under the monitor shelf...provided the assembly method is followed as specified in the plans and the cabinet will undergoe "normal" stresses (ie, transporting, bumping, normal game play).  I would agree that strengthening is required if using casters or if you plan on adding considerable weight inside of the bottom of the cabinet (ie, standing in the base during construction).

[ras2a]

Scott here...I'd like to clarify my comments to ras2a.  

Additional strengthening is not required as far as crossbracing or under the monitor shelf...provided the assembly method is followed as specified in the plans and the cabinet will undergoe "normal" stresses (ie, transporting, bumping, normal game play).  I would agree that strengthening is required if using casters or if you plan on adding considerable weight inside of the bottom of the cabinet (ie, standing in the base during construction).

Hi Scott

Yeah thanks mate - I think you've checked my other thread regarding MDF splitting already... my brother reckons I should be fine screwing into the edge of MDF as he's done it numerous times with no problems - It's the way you go about it !

Thanks again Scott

Craig