Project Funway - The Beginning

[rcrules]

I am finally starting my first MAME cabinet project.  I have ordered a router, router table and accessories.  I am going to use 3/4" MDF and laminate it with 1/16" formica (I'm not sure where from yet).  I hope to document my journey along the way so that I might help someone, like these forums have helped me.

Through a series of "go/no go" steps with the wife, I have decided on building a non-standard cabinet, based on the Quasicade CFX, as shown below...  You can read about how I arrived at this decision here.

I am having a hard time designing it though, because I only have one picture to go off of (which led me to the not so nifty project name).  I did find a video on Youtube that showed one briefly, but it didn't help much.  I have an LCD monitor and an X-Arcade solo mocked up in about the position I think they should go to get a rough idea of the dimensions I would need.

Has anyone seen one of these in person or have any pictures of one?  Any design ideas?

I need to be able to take the cabinet apart to get it in the basement, has anyone used the cam style knock down fittings for their cabinet?  If so, how did they work?

Thanks,
Dave

[rcrules]

Here is the preliminary drawing I have (sorry, my CAD skills are minimal).  Would it be possible to get a joystick, 6 buttons and a small trackball in a CP approximately 10"X15"?

[leapinlew]

Sure.

But, will it be playable? Only you can tell us that! That design is cool from a design stand point, I just wonder from an ergonomic stance how it will perform. Looks like a neck crane from where I'm standing.

[rcrules]

Thanks for the reply.  So you think if I cram all that stuff in the control panel it won't be playable?  I wasn't sure because I haven't tried to lay it out on a template and try it yet.  I thought the cabinet itself was more ergonomic than a regular cocktail style cabinet.  This was why I asked if anyone had seen one of these in person so they could tell me how it played.

The two dudes at the bottom look pretty comfortable though. 

[theCoder]

Unless you are into fighting games, I can't think of any reason to have 6 buttons.  Also, don't forget you will need at least a couple of admin buttons (coin & player one start) if not more. 

My current project (see link below) has a 8x18" control panel.  I've got a trackball, joystick, 3 play buttons, 2 large admin buttons (Start - Enter and Stop - Esc) plus 3 small admin buttons (coin, player 1 & player 2 start).  I also have pinball buttons on the sides that make the first 1.5" on the sides unusable.  Check around on this forum for layout ideas.

You mentioned 3/4" MDF plus laminate.  I'm no expert but someone recently mentioned on my thread that if you use 5/8" MDF plus 2 sheets of laminate (one each side, 1/16" each) you end up with 3/4" total, which is a standard size for t-molding.

Welcome to the hobby and good luck.

[miles2912]

Egonomically speaking it looks fine.  More so than a traditional cocktail table.  The nice thing about the cocktail table is that for 2 players the screen flips.  You are looking at a 1 player solution which is fine.  Doing the chair shuffle to play 2 player games might be a pain especially after a few adult beverages.

Ok.. as far as cam locks go I would avoid them for arcade games.  The game will be much sturdier with screws and glue.  If you mought a few hanldles in key places and build a frame for the cab you will be able to move it just fine with a few people.   The narrow design is a non-issue with regards to doorways.

I would go with  5/8" MDF and then laminate a few times like theCoder said.  It will make a nice clean finished look.  Alternately just paint it and go w/ 5/8"  MDF.  At first glanse most people thaink I used a laminate on my cab.

For controls you will need to make a cardboard mock up.  Don't rely on Viso or whatever.  You need to feel where the buttons will go.  Visit an arcade with a ruler and see what feels right to you.  Take lots of pics and keep us posted.

D-