Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Ground_Gainer on January 06, 2011, 11:50:06 pm

Title: Just getting started -- picked up a Xybots cabinet
Post by: Ground_Gainer on January 06, 2011, 11:50:06 pm

Hey guys,

Just getting started with this whole BYOAC process and I am very excited!

I picked up a Xybots cab pretty cheap off of craigslist.  Here's my question:  do you think it will be possible to pull out the current control panel and mount in a custom one?  I don't have any woodworking skills/tools so I would probably look at one of the online dealers to put together a custom control panel to fit that space.  I was thinking of going for a more versatile "frankenpanel" 4-player control panel, but am not sure how well it would fit and be supported in the sleek looking cab.  If this is possible does anyone have some good recommendations on who to work with to drill/cut it for me?

To be clear, I would like to purchase the buttons/joysticks/switches myself and wire them up, but I am looking for a pre-cut, pre-drilled custom woodworking solution for the control panel.

Thanks for your advice.  I'll be sure to do a project announcement once I finally get started. ; )

Cheers,
Ground_Gainer

Title: Re: Just getting started -- picked up a Xybots cabinet
Post by: D_Harris on January 07, 2011, 12:27:25 am

Isn't a normal Xybots control panel metal? If so a wood replacement would be a difficult undertaking, and some modification to the cabinet's control panel area would be necessary.

Remember that a wood control panel is a lot thicker than a metal one, so that alone would mean it would not to fit in the same space. (And that is not to  mention the unusual shape of the original control panel to begin with).

If I were to attempt something like that, I'd need to have the actual cabinet in front of me to work with.

Have you tried to get all the CP measurements? Or even drawn out a template showing exactly where you want your controls?

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

Title: Re: Just getting started -- picked up a Xybots cabinet
Post by: Ground_Gainer on January 07, 2011, 11:51:59 am

Darren,

You're right--it is metal.  My mistake!  I basically just dropped it off in the garage and went back to unpacking the rest of the house (we just moved).

How difficult is it to get custom metal control panels?

I have not gotten all the measurements or put forth a design yet--I'm still just in the information gathering phase on who I should be going to when I'm ready to order.

Thanks for the reply.

Cheers,
Mike