Frankencade

[RayB]

I love this one. Is it "one of us"?

http://frankencade.blogspot.com/

[SavannahLion]

That was on CoinOpSpace wasn't it?

It's an beautiful piece of work except that X-arcade. 

I'm just puzzled. he wrote:

Oh, yeah...I know those of you who are serious about MAME cabinets will beat me up for using the pre-made x-arcade controller...please forgive my current lack of electronics wizardry in this matter.

Yet he knew enough to wire the switch in the book and include a separate circuit for the lights. 

In any case, it is a wonderful piece of work and I'd like to see more on the machine he used to carve the panels and the painting techniques he chose.

[SavannahLion]

It looks like you're not the only one with interest

[Beretta]

really cool look, although that base does'nt look very strudy.

[Ginsu Victim]

All that work, and then they just drop an X-arcade in it. Blech.

[retrometro]

All that work, and then they just drop an X-arcade in it. Blech.

If it used real controls, it wouldn't be a frankencade.

[surface tension]

It really has some great touches.

Why, just why? I mean, it looks like a lot of thought and time has gone into that. Well, it's nothing that can't be fixed 

[severdhed]

yeah, that thing is so awesome..it's a shame they didnt take the extra time to do a custom panel, especially considering how easy it is

[shponglefan]

Yet he knew enough to wire the switch in the book and include a separate circuit for the lights. 

Maybe he's being sarcastic?  But yeah, it would have looked nicer if he'd done a custom panel or at least better integrated the X-Arcade controller.  It stands out too easily the way it is.

[Turnarcades]

Cool in it's own way, but these 'novelty' or 'themed' cabs would look out of place in most homes. It's like going to a theme park, looking at that themed fibreglass scenery and thinking "cool!" - but would you really want it in your house?

Kudos to the originality, but to me an arcade cab should look like an arcade cab. Ditto on the X-Arcade points others have given too.

[Siris]

May be it's just me as until very recently I didn't even know what the whole Steam Punk stuff was, but I think now that I some what understand it this dude FAILED by not having Boogie Wings playing in the pics. Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Sir Headless VII]

I think it looks awesome. For those of you getting on him for using an x-arcade, first if you didn't already know what an x-arcade looked like you wouldn't be able to tell that thats what he did, second the wiring of the CP when you are planing stands out as what seems to be the most difficult and technical part of the build (especially when you have design experience which he clearly does). Of course when you look into it wiring the CP is actually not particularly difficult but it seems that way to someone who has never done it. 

[MaximRecoil]

That was on CoinOpSpace wasn't it?

It's an beautiful piece of work except that X-arcade. 

I'm just puzzled. he wrote:

Oh, yeah...I know those of you who are serious about MAME cabinets will beat me up for using the pre-made x-arcade controller...please forgive my current lack of electronics wizardry in this matter.

Yet he knew enough to wire the switch in the book and include a separate circuit for the lights. 

Yeah, that doesn't makes sense, especially since the X-Arcade comes already wired. All he would have to do is remove the joysticks and buttons from the X-Arcade, drill holes in the CP of his machine, and drop the whole kit and caboodle in there.

[Beretta]

it's just the opposite for me, i dread any wood working.

[Ginsu Victim]

it's just the opposite for me, i dread any wood working.

Same here. I do the bare minimum, but I'll wire CPs all day.

[Benevolance]

I love it. I wish he had more photos of the build process. I'd like more detail on how he created the exterior rivet look. I spray-painted domed buttons acquired from a sewing show to do mine, but it wasn't exactly affordable. As far as the X-arcade, he did an excellent job blending it into the machine. By the comments, I figured he'd just dumped the black box on helter skelter.

but would you really want it in your house?

That depends a lot on the style of your house, doesn't it? I built my cabinet in a similar style (though not nearly as pretty) and it sits in our kitchen with old fashioned leather and iron stools, next to a laboratory table my wife uses for crafting, and shelves of beakers and vials on blocks to hold our spices and pasta. To each their own.

[javeryh]

I can appreciate the skills involved to make this thing but it's not something I'd ever want in my house.  I agree with everyone about the x-arcade - he obviously has talent and if he spent 20 minutes messing around with it he could have built his own CP.

[shponglefan]

As far as the X-arcade, he did an excellent job blending it into the machine.

Really?  To me it sticks out like a sore thumb and I think it's because of the black t-molding.  Nowhere else on the arcade cabinet is that t-molding used, so it draws immediate attention to it.  If he got rid of the t-molding and maybe added some fake bolts like the rest of the cab, then it would be better integrated.

[mytymaus007]

WOW alot of thought went into that. Thats big enough to put in 3 monitors and 3 seperate CP's 1- Vertical's
2- horizontals and 3- driving forget a 4 player CP you can have 3 people playing 3 differnent games at the same time
Hey that sounds like a space saver 

[Ummon]

Yeah, I worry about the base, too....but he could easily modify it with some old, curved metal chair legs and it add to the effect.

Cool in it's own way, but these 'novelty' or 'themed' cabs would look out of place in most homes. It's like going to a theme park, looking at that themed fibreglass scenery and thinking "cool!" - but would you really want it in your house?

Stuff is stuff. If you like how it looks, it goes anywhere you want it to go.


A quick explanation: To start the PC that runs this arcade machine, I've hidden the power switch in a fake "book" of Dr. Frankenstein's lab notes....it's mounted on a door on the bottom of the cabinet. The toggle switch on the side only controls the lights. I didn't want children toggling the power to the computer on and off.

So what is this saying here?.....  Regardless, even though I didn't prefer reading as a kid, I would've checked the book out and found the switch.

[BamBam]

He/She gets an "A" from me for artistic design.
You have to admit that it does look cool-sans the XArcade 

[Ginsu Victim]

You have to admit that it does look cool-sans the XArcade 

Most of us HAVE said that.

[DashRendar]

It wouldn't take much to recess that X-Arcade flush with the surface of the CP deck.

Just cut out a little bit bigger hole than the X-Arcade, put some mounting brackets underneath to hold it, and drop it in.  Fill the gaps with Bondo, sand and paint.

Would never have to mess with re-wiring (which isn't that big a feat, but anyway).

[garnerb350]

Love that cab....I worry bout it being top heavy...As for the x-arcade, I would have modified it to have riivets or something...make where you cant tell it an x-arcade...but at the same time, you can easily pop in and out in case you wanted to fix/repair something...I see where he/she is coming from...

Be cool to find some type of tesla coil ( one that wont blow your head off) have it arching out the top and or fog machine...

Great....now i have the overwhelming urge to find a pair of goggles and watch NIN Downward Spiral videos...

[danny_galaga]

That was on CoinOpSpace wasn't it?

It's an beautiful piece of work except that X-arcade. 

I'm just puzzled. he wrote:

Oh, yeah...I know those of you who are serious about MAME cabinets will beat me up for using the pre-made x-arcade controller...please forgive my current lack of electronics wizardry in this matter.

Yet he knew enough to wire the switch in the book and include a separate circuit for the lights. 

In any case, it is a wonderful piece of work and I'd like to see more on the machine he used to carve the panels and the painting techniques he chose.

+1. Bloody excellent work, bar the controller.

on a technical note, he doesnt seem to mention how he did the rivets, i wanna know dammit!

[MaximRecoil]

on a technical note, he doesnt seem to mention how he did the rivets, i wanna know dammit!

Carriage bolts would be my guess, though I suppose he also could have used extra-large thumb tacks for a lot less money.

[versapak]

+1. Bloody excellent work, bar the controller.

on a technical note, he doesnt seem to mention how he did the rivets, i wanna know dammit!

Actually, he does mention. You just have to find it in the comments.

The edge trim and rivets (upholstery tacks) is painted with a hammered copper and then I used rub-n-buff's patina color to add the blue-green drips from those.

[Ummon]

You know, only us folks know it's an X-arcade panel. Most folks wouldn't even think about it. Athough, even if I didn't know about stuff arcade, I would notice it because it isn't integrated. I'm that way about form.

[danny_galaga]

You know, only us folks know it's an X-arcade panel. Most folks wouldn't even think about it. Athough, even if I didn't know about stuff arcade, I would notice it because it isn't integrated. I'm that way about form.

Good point. But like you say, it doesn't look integrated, or homogenous the way it is.