Main > Main Forum
Building my 2nd cabinet - questions regards new ideas
mike_bike_kite:
I've allready built one mame cocktail cabinet (http://www.bikesandkites.com/arcade.html) but I want to go further. Version 2 will have the same dimensions (roughly 2 foot cubed) but I wanted advice on the following ideas.
To make the box kid (and drunken adult) friendly I wanted a thick sheet of shaded acrylic to cover the top and then have the buttons and joysticks come through it. Has anyone tried drilling and bevelling a sheet this 2 foot square and 1/2 inch thick? Could I light the middle of it and would the edges glow - I think I've seen this done somewhere else - also would I be able to still see through the sheet to the game below?
Normally the joysticks screw into the underside of the control panel but my control panel would be acrylic - how would I fix to this? Could I get by without joysticks? it would look more sleek but I'd loose half the games:(
I was intending on using an LED wiz board to light the buttons - I haven't done this before but thought it would look neat - is there a way of lighting the on/off button (wired to the reset button on PC) permanently ie when the PC is switched off? Could I just hide the inards using a piece of black card under the acrylic?
I've seen 250mm fans on PC's and thought this would look very cool on the front - where can I buy one, are they easy to fit and would it look naff? Are they strong enough to be on the front?
I'm going to try using an 17" LCD screen - would this be enough/bright enough and with enough view angle for an looker or two?
I thought about putting the main directory on USB stick so I could easily add new files etc - is this a good idea? is it just read from or is it written to a lot?
Any suggestions for a front end that could:
* * start up automatically with the last game played.
* control the LED wiz
* have a juke box function (1980's hits seem appropriate) - I've headr of arcade jukebox but can this be called from the front end?
*
Thanks for reading.
Mike
javeryh:
All of what you want to do is doable (I think). Check out MaLa for your front end - it does everything. I like your idea - something original! :cheers:
Green Giant:
Sounds pretty sweet, but doesn't acrylic scratch up easily? Would tempered glass work better? Either way, wouldn't you have to worry about drunks spilling stuff the panel?
As for a front end, Mala works great for everything you need. It offers the most variety for the ledwiz.
Pops:
Some good ideas their, let's see what the snags are...
Acrylic is less inclined to scratch up than plexy so good choice. Bending 1/2 inch thick ain't easy, you'll need a machine specially for bending plastics, shop fitting manufacture?
Forget the LCD panel, unless mirrors are involved the viewing angle is terrible.
Am I right in thinking you want the CP and top all in one piece? Nice with only buttons that could look smooth.
Dunno what advantage putting the ROM Dir on the usb would be, it's just as easy to drag n drop from the stick as to pull and update the stick was in the first place.
The joy sticks in 1/2 inch plexy will need bolts through the plexy or route a recess and fix them in place with glue. It's doable but the all button panel sounds cool. build two cp boxes for joysticks connected by usb when you need them. Ultimate 360 are ideal for this.
Go for it.... looking forward to the pics and progress.
Havok:
--- Quote from: Pops on September 11, 2007, 08:28:23 am ---Forget the LCD panel, unless mirrors are involved the viewing angle is terrible.
--- End quote ---
I would disagree with you there - I only use LCD screens, and have for some time now. If you get a good model, they have 170 degree viewing angles. Just don't shop at Walmart when you buy one...