Finally... after two years and 500+ posts...

[DaveMMR]

... I have something to post in Project Announcements!

At any rate, I had a lot of free time this Labor Day weekend so I decided to stop procrastinating with my cabinet.

I followed Carlos Centipede Extended cab plans, changing things to suit my own needs.  The cabinet itself is about  an inch deeper and an inch wider than a standard Centipede, and slightly taller.

Below are some pictures - forgive the mess in background (the garage is a disaster zone).  The 2x4's are temporary for now as I intend to replace them with fresh ones that haven't been recycled from something else. 

I'll update this thread as I make progress.

EDIT: The middle 2X4 is not crooked.  It's just not attached at all on one side.  I cut it too short (actually I cut both of them too short) but I forgot to take it out before I took the pictures.  That's probably what was making squaring the thing such a hard task.  I am not a carpenter by trade or even by delusion but I got through the problems okay so far.

[javeryh]

Awesome!  I'm in a similar situation of wanting to start but never finding the time.  I'm over a year here and tons of posts and just a couple of weeks ago I actually had something to announce.

Your cab is off to a nice start.  Are you planning on adding t-molding to the egdes?  If so I recommend routing the grooves asap.  It will only get harder as you get farther along.  Keep posting pictures!

[DaveMMR]

Thanks.

I wanted to route for the T-Molding long before I put it together.  Unfortunately, the person who was going to assist me (my brother-in-law) keeps forgetting to bring his router over.  I couldn't keep waiting for him because my mother wants to sell her house within the next few months and I have to clear out the wood pretty soon (and I can't exactly store it all in a one bedroom apartment). 

[Bones]

Sounds like the pressure might be on to finish it time?

I really like those shaped cabs, it's looking good.

[DaveMMR]

Sounds like the pressure might be on to finish it time?

I really like those shaped cabs, it's looking good.

On the contrary - the pressure was on to get it started when I would have more than enough time to work on it properly.  I can take my time now (within reason, of course - I need to be working on it semi-regularly) without being "rushed" out of the garage.

And I love that shape also, even if it means crazier cuts need to be made for the top panels.  Although I'm not using Centipede sideart and graphics, I'm trying to maintain the color scheme as close as possible.

[Thenasty]

maybe another 2 year, you will have that Monitor installed

[TOK]

I really like the look of cabs that don't have the control panel sticking out past the sides of the cabinets, but the Centipede style seems to be extremely narrrow and short. What are your plans for the panel?

[DaveMMR]

I really like the look of cabs that don't have the control panel sticking out past the sides of the cabinets, but the Centipede style seems to be extremely narrrow and short. What are your plans for the panel?

Glad you asked!  Four 8-ways, a 4-way, two trackballs, three spinners, 8 buttons per player and about 12 admin buttons scattered liberally. 

I'm just kidding.

First off, my original plans was a four player panel.  But then there was two-player Marble Madness.  Then there were steering wheel games.  Etc.  Can't fit all that on a four player panel.  And I also agree with you, I like the cabs that aren't spewing out from the sides better.

Basically I'm going the modular route ala Doc.  The interior width (that is, not including the sides) is 25 inches, which means panels come in 6-1/4, 12-1/2, 18-3/4 or full 25 inch sizes (though, they'll mainly be of the first two varieties only).  I'm working on a system that allows the panels to be secure and easy to remove without any visible over-hang.  It's still in the experimental stage but I'm planning on having the front most piece push forward slightly (via a strong hinge I picked up) to provide the necessary lip to lift the panel off the latch (probably cabinet latches).  There will be gaps most certainly, but I'm hoping the black exterior will hide it a bit. I'll be sure to be more specific as to the details if and when I get that perfected.

Though modular does help cut down on duplicate parts, I am consolidating certain panels for simplicity or necessity (e.g.. - the 8-way will be attached with the 7 button layout... buttons are cheap enough.  Also, the trackball panels will have buttons since I can't fit a 3-inch trackball onto only a quarter panel). 

Depth-wise the panels are 10 inches, though I'm losing about 2 inches up front and a little less than an inch in the back which is still more than enough space according to my measurements (the biggest footprint I measured was the 3 inch trackball at 6-1/2 inches).  Obviously, the start buttons (and pause/shift) will be relegated to a simple, vertical panel underneath the monitor.

The cabinet style may or may not fit two players as comfortable as, say, Street Fighter II or Mortal Kombat cabinets, but it seems to be workable.  It's going to be a one-player affair 90% of the time anyhow (which is why I scrapped my original 4-player setup). 

Finally, if my measurements are acurate (and they probably aren't), I should be able to fit a 27 inch monitor in there. 

So to make a long answer short - yup, there's more than enough space.

... I hope. 

[TOK]

Swappable panels makes a huge amount of sense for that machine. My panel is about 27.5" wide and really the minimum I'd want for a dedicated 2 player panel. Neither me or most of my friends are skinny-mini's. 

[DaveMMR]

Got to work on my cab a little this weekend.  I never knew how sad my cutting skills are.  Needless to say, my cabinet is probably going to be 80% wood putty.  I think I'm calling my friend's table saw into action.  At least this way, I'll make mistakes a lot faster.

I added spring hinges to the front panel.
 



At first, I wanted it to drop down to lift the panels off easier while it remains flush.  Now I'm thinking, (to make things simplier, to cut down on numerous cabinet latches, and also because I can't FIND cabinet latches) that I'll add a restrictor bar that'll catch onto a lip I'll place in the panels.

Actually, I don't know if I even want to keep that.  I have to think over other ideas and test a few of them out.  I'll get back to you on that later. 


EDIT: I have to put in smaller spring hinges.  Those monstrosities won't do.