Segmented & detachable full-size cabinet ?

[lroy12]

I want to build a full size machine using the plans from ´build a mame machine in 24 hrs´
However, I need the machine to be able to fit into my Volkswagen Golf when I go back to college in the fall and relatively easy to carry up 3 flights of stairs.

Using this as an example 

I was planning on having the top part of the cabinet, from the control panel --> up be a separable part from the bottom.
The bottom will hold the pc.

I was thinking on using latches on the inside of the cabinet to keep the two halves together.
The bottom half would have some extra wood supports to make sure it can hold the weight of the top.
I would put some sort of rubber padding inbetween the two halves for extra support.

Has this been done before? Is it doable?
Planning on building the full size cabinet then cutting it in in half and going from there.

[stuckpixel]

I don't see why it wouldn't be doable. So long as the connectors for the top and bottom part are stable, it should be ok.

I'd be interested to see pics after you have that finished. If you wanted to mask the seam even more, you could do like a colored stripe around that section of your cab or something.

[shardian]

I would recommend you have some sort of overlap between the two pieces, and bolt them together. Latches just won't cut it - we are talking alot of weight on the top end here.

[lroy12]

I would recommend you have some sort of overlap between the two pieces, and bolt them together. Latches just won't cut it - we are talking alot of weight on the top end here.

would it be best to have the bottom part slightly larger than the top?
That way the top fits into the bottom, then i can bolt them together?

[ChadTower]

That would certainly work better, yes, but then you'd have to make damn sure you planned for weight differential.

[shardian]

I don't think it would matter too much structurally. I think the top fitting over the bottom would be more aesthetically pleasing - kind of like an Ultimate Arcade II kit, or a Gorf machine.

After going back over your requirements, you would be much better off with a small scale machine. There isn't single full-size arcade machine that will be "haulable" in a VW Golf.

Have you considered a bartop machine? Take a look a Lew's WIP Bartop.
HERE

This would be something that you could transport, it would be somewhat light, and would include everything you desire.
If you so choose, you could even build a base for it to turn it into a full-size machine.

[ChadTower]

I don't think it would matter too much structurally.

I don't mean it would fail, I mean it might be a little too easy to tip over.

[stuckpixel]

You could also try going a bit non-traditional with your cab. (ie LCD instead of CRT, thinner build, etc.)

Make doing the multipart thing a lot easier, at least as far as the amount of weight you need to rest on the lower part.

Or, you could try doing a sit-down cab of sorts, more about the size of a desk, which would probably be easier to transport.

However you think man, it's your cab. I'd just make sure you measure measure measure before you commit, make sure it will fit where you want it to fit.

[shorthair]

Yeah, the monitor is going to be the crucial part, here. If you go (either arcade or PC) 19-21", it won't be that bad. Larger will be harder. But two people could handle it. I'm more worried about it fitting in your car. You could very easily get a hitch put on your car for a small trailer, and then dolly the cab up to your room when you get there.

[lroy12]

maybe i should be looking into building a mini cabinet with a two player cp. has this been done before?

[shardian]

maybe i should be looking into building a mini cabinet with a two player cp. has this been done before?

If you mean a small scale cabinet with less than 23" wide control panel, then yes it has been done many times, but two adults could not be use the controls comfortably. It is a stretch to put two adults in front of a standard 23" cabinet as it is.

[lroy12]

maybe i should be looking into building a mini cabinet with a two player cp. has this been done before?

If you mean a small scale cabinet with less than 23" wide control panel, then yes it has been done many times, but two adults could not be use the controls comfortably. It is a stretch to put two adults in front of a standard 23" cabinet as it is.

do you have an example of this 23 inch wide mini cp?

[shardian]

I think you are getting a bit confused. Most standard, 19" raster monitor arcade games with a single player (and alot with 2 players/2-3 buttons) have a control panel width on the average of 23". So, it is the gold standard that to even consider a 2 player control panel, you need at least 23" of width, but in reality you need more for real comfort.

Small scale cabinets are meant for children. Below is an example that a guy on here did:


The monitor is a 17" pc monitor, and as you can see there is barely room for two joysticks and four buttons. Little kids would have a frikkin ball on this, but adults would not. Not to mention that your buddies may make fun of you if you have a little kid's arcade machine in your dorm room.

I really think the best project for you is a bartop cabinet.

[lroy12]

I see what you mean shardian, a mini cabinet would be way to small to play comfortably. I like the idea of a bartop cabinet, however the more i think about it, the more it just seems like i should just play mame on my 22 inch pc monitor rather than the 15 inch crt i was planning on using for the cabinet.

[shardian]

I see what you mean shardian, a mini cabinet would be way to small to play comfortably. I like the idea of a bartop cabinet, however the more i think about it, the more it just seems like i should just play mame on my 22 inch pc monitor rather than the 15 inch crt i was planning on using for the cabinet.

Very true. Most of the time I just play mame on my pc with a desktop controller I made.

Another thing you may consider is an "arcade in a box" setup. Some people have made large control panels that contain the controls and the pc. All you would have to do is plug in the power cord, plug in a monitor or a tv wherever you are, and start gaming.

[stuckpixel]

Or you could do what I'm planning on doing, build a sit-down cab. 15" is a bit small IMO for an arcade, but my first project was done with at 15" monitor. It was still a lot of fun, but the screen was very small. You ought to be able to scrounge a 23-27" tv for not too much coin used, and that would be worlds better.

Alternatively, if you really felt like a challenge, you could go with a cocktail cabinet.