Author Topic: Cabinet Construction Complete... GUNCON2 Interface Circuit Assembly... (Read 43170 times)

tivogre · « **on:** April 27, 2005, 11:16:04 pm »

Some of you may remember a LONG time ago, I posted some pics of my first ever completed control panel:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,13211.0.html

Well... I'm back... and FINALLY starting construction on the main cabinet.

The cabinet will be my own design. It will feature a full 2x4 internal frame, the 4 player CP above, and a Wells-Gardner 27" monitor.

I've put up a web site to document the process / progress:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm

Hopefully, there will be some interest and someone in the future will find this helpful.

I will also be adding the full construction info for the control panel (from the thread above) to the page soon.

Enjoy!

tivogre · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2005, 11:43:26 pm »

Today I built the cabinet base:

Amazing so far... I know...

It WILL get better!

PoDunkMoFo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2005, 01:26:37 pm »

Wow!!!! Simply Amazing!!! I've never seen a table saw mounted on a wall like that. Must be hard to use.

tivogre · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:10:30 pm »

Quite a bit of progress today:

Wheels mounted to base; most of side frames glued up.

web site has been updated with full run-down.

Here's a couple of teaser shots...

The two main side frames clamped together for alignment:

And the monitor support frame sub-assemblies:

Flinkly · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:12:09 pm »

woah...very well thoguht out. nice work. do you have a background in woodworking?

tivogre · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:15:57 pm »

Quote from: Flinkly on April 28, 2005, 07:12:09 pm

woah...very well thoguht out. nice work. do you have a background in woodworking?

Yes. I've got a full wood shop at home, and have been doing carpentry and furniture making for about 15 years.

My biggest weakness is over-building.... but that means most of my pieces will out live me (and stay put).

Flinkly · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:31:35 pm »

finally, another woodworker. i was starting to think we were a dying breed. are you going to do the sides in plywood? are you painting or laminating (or staining)? i'm glad to see someone else using something other than home depot L-brackets (for shelves) for stability and mdf for everything else. i can't wait to see the final results. what is the final shape you are after?

tivogre · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:39:47 pm »

Quote from: Flinkly on April 28, 2005, 07:31:35 pm

finally, another woodworker. i was starting to think we were a dying breed. are you going to do the sides in plywood? are you painting or laminating (or staining)? i'm glad to see someone else using something other than home depot L-brackets (for shelves) for stability and mdf for everything else. i can't wait to see the final results. what is the final shape you are after?

Well, truthfully, I am certain that I am over-building this thing. I'm sure that the normal MDF with 2x2 supports is adequate. However, you know how it is as a woodworker. If you CAN make half lap joints and a full frame.... why not. It's the challenge that makes it fun!

For the skin panels, I'll be using 3/4" ply wood, covered in black laminate. Not sure what color t-molding I'm using yet. Thinking of blue or silver.

Here's the working sketch of the profile...

Dire Radiant · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2005, 09:47:37 pm »

Now that is going to be one solid cabinet. I'm glad I'm not the one who's going to have to carry it into the house!

Flinkly · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2005, 01:00:42 pm »

eh...it's probably as heavy as a mdf cab with minimal 2x4 support. that mdf stuff is much hevier than plywood, and isn't as strong. as you can tell, i use plywood for most everything.

tivogre · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2005, 03:33:57 pm »

Quote from: Flinkly on April 29, 2005, 01:00:42 pm

eh...it's probably as heavy as a mdf cab with minimal 2x4 support. that mdf stuff is much heavier than plywood, and isn't as strong. as you can tell, i use plywood for most everything.

As I get this thing built, I'm starting to agree with you.

The frame parts are really not THAT heavy; I think the difference in the weight of a plywood vs. MDF skin system may offset the weight of the frame. That being said, a frame is HARDER to build than the normal MDF structural cabs.

I won't get anything done today. Have to attend a wedding... but this weekend, I hope to rock and roll on this project.

tivogre · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2005, 12:21:16 am »

I lied. I did get a LITTLE BIT accomplished.

I got the monitor sub-frame assemblies mounted to the side frames:

I'll break out the biscuit joiner tomorrow and get these on the base with some cross supports!

I can actually start to picture it standing upright!

tivogre · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2005, 08:02:32 pm »

Well, I didn't get the frame on the base today... but I DID get the final frame assembled, including the rather complicated monitor supports.

the web page is updated with details... but here, a shot of today's progress, in clamps for the night to dry:

tivogre · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2005, 02:40:41 am »

Due to storage / bandwidth limitations on the cox site, I had to move my construction site.

The new location is here:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm

I also updated this location in my initial post of this thread.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

tivogre · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2005, 02:34:39 pm »

Website updated.

tivogre · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2005, 06:12:37 pm »

You guys are awfully quiet.

I don't know whether to be happy, or afraid that there are no comments / questions.

Mayby once I get into the "pretty" parts, there will be more input / discussion.

Flinkly · « **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2005, 08:38:45 pm »

while it's taking you time to complete, to us, not much has changed. so yeah, we're waiting for the real meat and potatoes of the cabinet so that we have something to comment on. keep it up.

tivogre · « **Reply #17 on:** May 02, 2005, 10:36:48 pm »

Current status:

As always, website has details.

tivogre · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2005, 11:34:27 pm »

Website updated...

tivogre · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2005, 10:39:36 pm »

Today, I made and installed fixed and removable panel assemblies to close in the top of the cabinet:

Sneak peek of updated website:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%208

tivogre · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2005, 11:54:28 pm »

Got quite a bit done today!

I also put up a couple of shots from yesterday's small progress.

Website is updated:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2010

Here's the sneak peek:

tivogre · « **Reply #21 on:** May 08, 2005, 11:16:06 pm »

I got a LOT of tedious work done this week-end, including FINISHING ALL of the brackets and bolts for the removable light, speaker and marquee panels. I also finished up some "sculpture" to the back edge of the top hood:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2011%20&%2012

tivogre · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2005, 01:52:34 pm »

I've created another page on my site with the details of the control panel construction. I'll be finishing it up soon. So far, the planning, parts, construction and finishing sections are complete. I'll be putting up the wiring details in a day or so.

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_cp_construction.htm

[EDIT]: As of 10:00pm the CP website is complete!

Any comments or suggestions for additions / clarifications are welcome!

Hopefully someone will find this helpful.

mhermann · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2005, 08:44:20 pm »

Just to let you know your work is being watched. It is really helpful to me to see some other ideas. Keep up of the good work.

tivogre · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2005, 12:04:18 am »

Tonight, I made and installed the protective grill for my speaker panel:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2013

dphirschler · « **Reply #25 on:** May 11, 2005, 09:06:26 am »

Clever. Did you have any problem making it lay down flat?

Darryl

tivogre · « **Reply #26 on:** May 11, 2005, 05:08:29 pm »

Quote from: dphirschler on May 11, 2005, 09:06:26 am

Clever. Did you have any problem making it lay down flat?

None at all.

The material isn't very springy.

Hand pressure while putting the staples in was all I needed.

Now that the epoxy and bondo are down, it's not going ANYWHERE any time soon.

teef two · « **Reply #27 on:** May 12, 2005, 05:50:42 am »

I know there are not many comments on this thread but I for one am in complete awe at your woodworking and wiring skills on this project.

It does make my effort look extremely poor in comparison but that's down to my lack of skill and application.

This to me looks already like it has the makings of one of the best built and best documented cabinets I have seen.

dema · « **Reply #28 on:** May 12, 2005, 02:38:48 pm »

Quote from: teef two on May 12, 2005, 05:50:42 am

I know there are not many comments on this thread but I for one am in complete awe at your woodworking and wiring skills on this project.

It does make my effort look extremely poor in comparison but that's down to my lack of skill and application.

This to me looks already like it has the makings of one of the best built and best documented cabinets I have seen.

I agree...the workmanship is fantastic. It makes me sad thinking about different areas of my machine where I improvised with. I'm loving the step by step documentation as well.

tivogre · « **Reply #29 on:** May 12, 2005, 04:52:30 pm »

Quote from: teef two on May 12, 2005, 05:50:42 am

I know there are not many comments on this thread but I for one am in complete awe at your woodworking and wiring skills on this project.

It does make my effort look extremely poor in comparison but that's down to my lack of skill and application.

This to me looks already like it has the makings of one of the best built and best documented cabinets I have seen.

<blush>

Thanks for the compliment. That's some high praise.

Not sure I'm deserving of "the best built and best documented cabinets I have seen"... but I'm trying to not cut corners and do a professional job on both the construction and the web site.

I think there are several other cabs out there that are more complex / innovative... but I'm doing my best as a first timer.

Glad to see that the documentation is appreciated. I'm getting WAY more hits than I ever expected.

tivogre · « **Reply #30 on:** May 12, 2005, 11:15:59 pm »

Yesterday and today were spent applying black paint and poly to the frame and removable panels.

Today, I also mounted the satellite and sub speakers to the speaker panel.

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2014

tivogre · « **Reply #31 on:** May 14, 2005, 02:11:34 am »

Today, I completed most of the construction for the rear door of my cabinet:

Daily update:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2015

tivogre · « **Reply #32 on:** May 15, 2005, 01:16:01 pm »

Installed locksets to back door yesterday. Hardest part was making a couple of strike plates to keep it closed tightly:

Also got a sneak peek of the finished cabinet when I test fit the control panel and the bezel / glass to take some measurements for upcoming work:

My new mantra.... someday soon, you will be done.... someday soon, you will be done... someday soon...

tivogre · « **Reply #33 on:** May 17, 2005, 11:11:29 pm »

It's been a slow couple of days, and I scrapped about an afternoon's worth of work that I just wasn't happy with.

This is what I've been working on:

This will be my method of securing the bottom of the glass with no visible screws, my admin panel, and the back rest for my control panel.

I'll try to keep it moving along better!

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2017

tivogre · « **Reply #34 on:** May 18, 2005, 10:37:30 pm »

So, How did I do?

I'll take it!

Got the Glass Retainer / Admin Panel / CP Backrest done today.

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2018

tivogre · « **Reply #35 on:** May 24, 2005, 01:18:28 am »

Today, after taking a break this week-end to entertain company (with the MAME cabinet, of course), I got back to business.

The order of the day was the keyboard drawer and glides:

I still have to get some "trim" work done on the drawer... but the main drawer assembly is in place.

I also added a couple of shots of the glass retainer / admin panel while I had it all together:

Next up, finish off the drawer "trim" work and make / install the panel for the coin door.

Today's full update:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2020

pointdablame · « **Reply #36 on:** May 24, 2005, 08:55:27 pm »

This is my first time popping into this thread and all I have to say is this is the most over-engineered cabinet I've ever seen. A lot of the woodworking is really completely unnecessary.

And I love EVERY BIT OF IT!

Great work all around. It really makes my woodworking attempts look foolish in comparison heh.

Keep up the good work.. and the documentation.

markrvp · « **Reply #37 on:** May 25, 2005, 01:40:57 am »

I think this cabinet will be able to withstand a direct hit from a nuclear missile.

tivogre · « **Reply #38 on:** May 26, 2005, 12:17:14 am »

Today, I managed to find just enough time to cut out the lower front panel and install the coin door. For now, it's just aesthetic... no connections... and the panel is just clamped in place:

What a huge difference that makes in the look of the cabinet!

Daily update here:

http://www.ogredog.com/mame_construction_home.htm#Day%2021

Timstuff · « **Reply #39 on:** May 26, 2005, 03:17:10 pm »

Now that is a coin door.


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