Welcome to my next nightmare . . .
T h e A b o m i n a t i o n !
This started out as an idea of what to do with a pile of extra parts I had lying around. The cabinet was scavenged from an audio equipment setup I wasn't using anymore and the plan was to try and build something on the cheep. So far I've actually spent very little ca$h on it. Couple hundred, for the controls, computer and the 2 GP-wiz's, that's it.
Here is an early picture of the cabnet, I was using this to get some ideas on how I wanted to cut the sides and layout the placement for the control panel parts, etc...
Some of you may remember that picture as I used it in this thread...
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=60251.0asking for some info on a 4 player setup a few months ago. It was as a result of this discussion that I targeted the Simpson's/Turtles cabinets as my basic shape/layout. However as I am working with a used cabnet, I had to adjust for the smaller size and different dimensions, etc...
I knew from what little experience I have gained thusfar in this hobby that having 4 players slamming away at an over hanging CP was going to make for some stability issues. That is why I decided to lower the placement of the monitor, and thus, lower the center of gravity. Just to make it a bit less 'tipsy'.
The main issue then became how to flush mount the bezel and protect the screen Here is a detail shot of the monitor area before cutting:
There was some discussion in this thread:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=60389.0where I was interested in a flush mounted Plexiglas panel held in place on the sides by t-molding. I believe it was at this time I acquired the name for this monstrosity, courtesy of Shardian.
So at this point, I knew I wanted to do something like this:
and I set about making some cuts. Both to the cabnet and to some plexi.
I now understand what the woodworking guys meant by the 'snowstorm' in their houses when putting a router to plexi. It's amazing! Plus the stuff it statically charged so you just can't sweep it up, it clings to everything!
Anyway, here is a picture of it's current status:
the piece of plexi in the photo is just a practice piece and it is held in with tape for the photo. I have cut the propper piece but plan to leave the protective covering on it until I'm ready to mount it for good. I am also working on some metal retainers that will screw into the lower edge and keep the plexi panel in place.
I just got in the t-molding & spiner (Thanks RetroActive!) and I hope to have an updated picture very soon.
Also, have to get working on the control panel and I know I will have some questions about that.
Has anyone here made a 4P setup with 2 trackballs yet?