I feel like I know all you guys already. I've been browsing this forum for about a week getting ideas, looking at projects, and becoming inspired.
Since the first time I played the original Killer Instinct arcade (I was about 16 then), I swore I'd one day own one and have it in my house. Well the time came when it became a possibility. I started looking around and came across MAME cab building, and decided instead of buying a cabinet, I wanted to build my own. Now the obsession has begun.
I've never done any major wood working before. Once I decided to build my own cabinet, wood working has become an obsession as well. This week I went out and bought a circular saw, a jigsaw, clamps, sawhorses, a power drill, and measuring tools. The first thing I build was a sawboard (
this thread), and I was very happy with my results. I had a blast measuring and clamping and cutting and sanding. I know the only things left to buy is a router, an electric sander and some more bits.
This is my inspiration. After seeing it I knew I HAD to build my own. I love the CP, the art, everything about it. I might even stick to the same theme as it is one of my favorite series of games. But this idea might change and I'll design something completely from scratch. At first I wanted to go with the 4 player layout, now I'm thinking of just doing 2 as a starting point, with the trackball, and 4 way pac-man style stick in the middle. Each player will have 6 buttons, Killer Instinct style

.
So many questions come to mind though. What cabinet layout is the Zelda cabinet using? How can I find something similar in a CAD drawing? Would I have to create my OWN cad drawing? How would I transfer the drawing to a 4x8 panel before i start cutting? Just draw it using rulers and protractors? Could I print some stencil (is that even possible at that size? lol). Drawing out and cutting the sides of the cabinet seem like the hardest part of the whole project and I would like to get right.
Another question that I have really pondered, is how the control panel will attach? I've never seen a concise instruction on it. On some examples it seems to just 'sit' on the cabinet somehow. I would like to make it removable so I can upgrade or change it if I ever wanted to.
And finally, I've seen people here use different size monitors/tv's in the cabinet; from 19" CRT up to 27" TV's. What is the best? I'd like to get as close to that arcade feeling as possible (minus the dropping quarters part

).
I am so excited about starting this project. Once I find the right design for the cabinet, I'm going to get my 4x8 paneling. I'm going with an 3/4 inch Birch Plywood for the cabinet, and the same size MDF for the control panel. What do you think?
Thank you guys so much! I won't be able to get through this without this wonderful resource. I'm looking forward to showing you my progress!
