Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: penguinpc on April 10, 2011, 04:02:43 pm

Title: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 10, 2011, 04:02:43 pm
I've had the Project Arcade book (1st ed.) for a year or two now, but have never been motivated enough to start.

That changed a few weeks ago when I purchased three sheets of MDF along with some tools I would need to get started.

I've been working on it for a few weeks now and have made quite a bit of progress (and mistakes!) along the way.

Now I have the 2nd ed. of Project Arcade, so I may be making a few modifications to my cabinet.  I'm sure I'll have lots of questions to ask as I feel a long way from completion.

I'll be back later to post pictures.
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on April 10, 2011, 05:59:40 pm
Welcome.  I need to order that 2nd edition and check it out as well.
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 23, 2011, 04:04:40 pm
Took me a while to get back. Here are various pictures from the last few weeks.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5637551076_87e5f60968.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637551076/)
IMG_0594 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637551076/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5636973461_41d54b7009.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636973461/)
IMG_0596 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636973461/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5637551454_606be121b7.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637551454/)
IMG_0597 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637551454/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5637551732_987dc56ed9.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637551732/)
IMG_0598 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637551732/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5636974097_3173a3493a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636974097/)
IMG_0601 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636974097/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr


(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5636978155_85dcee07f1.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636978155/)
IMG_0519 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636978155/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5637556172_8835e5674c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637556172/)
IMG_0520 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637556172/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 23, 2011, 04:09:10 pm
A few more.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5636974627_17aeab8c6c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636974627/)
DSC_4524 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636974627/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5637552620_c272ec10a3.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637552620/)
DSC_4527 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637552620/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5636975059_fdd03314fc.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636975059/)
DSC_4819 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636975059/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 23, 2011, 04:57:23 pm
Pictures of my monitor shelf. At the time I mounted it, I had not yet decided on what kind of monitor I would be using.  Now as it turns out, I don't need the shelf since I have decided on LCD.  :)

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5636976391_06c4232a1e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636976391/)
DSC_4828 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5636976391/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5637554486_8dd71b433b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637554486/)
DSC_4829 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637554486/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5637554792_55b70f9e70.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637554792/)
DSC_4830 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5637554792/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 23, 2011, 05:09:45 pm
With LCD mounted.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5646982307_bd488faa5f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5646982307/)
DSC_4964 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5646982307/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr


(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5647546958_e08388609c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5647546958/)
DSC_4965 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5647546958/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

Faux coin door installed.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5647547652_675abc9afc.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5647547652/)
DSC_4966 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5647547652/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: yotsuya on April 23, 2011, 06:43:36 pm
Looking good so far!
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: Ond on April 23, 2011, 06:46:44 pm
Looks like a nice clean build so far and good progress pics.  Have you thought about a theme for this cab yet?

 :cheers:

Ond

Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: dugg8 on April 23, 2011, 10:16:19 pm
Is that Lusid's arcade rev. 7? I just started building mine last week, its going to be a street fighter theme. Also, why did you decide against the crt?
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 24, 2011, 08:59:14 am
Quote from: Ond on April 23, 2011, 06:46:44 pm
Looks like a nice clean build so far and good progress pics.  Have you thought about a theme for this cab yet?

 :cheers:

Ond



Thought about it a little.  Gameongrafix has a marquee that has six mini-marquees (Ms. Pac-Man, DK, etc) that I have thought about using as a basis.  I also found on this forum someone's files for doing a Space Paranoids themed cabinet.
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 24, 2011, 09:05:46 am
Quote from: dugg8 on April 23, 2011, 10:16:19 pm
Is that Lusid's arcade rev. 7? I just started building mine last week, its going to be a street fighter theme. Also, why did you decide against the crt?

I'm not sure which rev it is, but I am using the plans from the first edition of the Project Arcade book.

As for why I decided not to go CRT, there are many reasons. First is just ease of set up. I'll be able to hook it up directly to the computer without much fuss. Second is weight. I was leaning CRT at first, but now that I've seen some pictures of cabinets with LCD's that looked nice, I just decided it would be easier.

The LCD I am using is an HP LP2065 20.1 inch that I was highly recommended on these forums.

I also didn't want to have to re-mount my monitor shelf so that a CRT could be angled properly.  ;)
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on April 24, 2011, 10:08:03 am
Let me be the first to say that I hate suggestions about major changes in midstream on a large build.   ::)  That being said, If I had converted from CRT to LCD on this cab, I would consider cutting about 12" of depth right off the back of the entire cab.  It will still have a good look, but way less dead weight and still tons of room for any hardware you have.  With your WW ability you could do it even if your intermediate shelves are already glued in.
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on April 26, 2011, 08:04:14 am
Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on April 24, 2011, 10:08:03 am
Let me be the first to say that I hate suggestions about major changes in midstream on a large build.   ::)  That being said, If I had converted from CRT to LCD on this cab, I would consider cutting about 12" of depth right off the back of the entire cab.  It will still have a good look, but way less dead weight and still tons of room for any hardware you have.  With your WW ability you could do it even if your intermediate shelves are already glued in.

I see the wisdom of what you are saying, but at this stage, I really don't want to change it.  Maybe I could put a beer fridge on the monitor shelf now that I don't need it.  ;D
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on April 26, 2011, 04:10:46 pm
Put your pc and stuff high behind the lcd and a Kegerator in the bottom.   :laugh2:
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on May 03, 2011, 07:54:23 pm
Got putty applied to all of the counter sunk screws, still need to sand it down.  Cut out the top and bottom of the control panel, waiting to go to a friend's house to cut out the sides so he can do it with his table saw.

I have all the controls I need for my my panel except for the spinner, and I think I've settled on the TurboTwist 2, but will have to wait for another paycheck before I can purchase it.
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on May 09, 2011, 10:02:36 pm
Now that I've put on the first coat of primer, I really feel like I am getting somewhere.  Here are some pictures from the last couple of weekends.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5701486879_878083a3d4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5701486879/)
DSC_5054 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5701486879/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

Decided to do one coat of primer on the inside, but probably won't paint any more after that.  This weekend I will sand and put on the second coat of primer.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5701487989_50485cdb10.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5701487989/)
DSC_5055 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5701487989/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

Hear are the speaker holes cut out.  I'm repurposing a 5.1 Creative labs set up I have.  I'll only be using the sub and the front left and right channels.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/5702057736_307327e903.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5702057736/)
DSC_5056 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5702057736/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/5705738842_d7fa2c6981.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5705738842/)
DSC_5057 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5705738842/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

Worked on the control panel tonight.  Still needs blocks and velcro on the inside to keep it together.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/5705172701_2e8060b404.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5705172701/)
DSC_5059 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5705172701/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

I think it's actually starting to look like an arcade machine.  Haven't settled on a theme yet.  Really need to start thinking about that.
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: sapro on May 10, 2011, 08:12:57 am
Looking nice  :applaud:
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on May 13, 2011, 07:19:22 am
Got the blocks and velcro installed.  Also got the top routered for t-molding.

Does anyone know if there a populated version of the Project Arcade/Lusid control panel that can be printed at full size?

Thanks.
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on May 16, 2011, 01:59:56 pm
Cut the holes in the control for the buttons and joysticks, but not the trackball. But I made a few mistakes. When I taped the template to the control panel, I didn't notice that some of the overlap of the pages screwed up my button spacing.  That God for Bondo. :)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/5727370044_35f66a9856.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5727370044/)
DSC_5100 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5727370044/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5727370482_9f423df95c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5727370482/)
DSC_5102 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5727370482/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/5726814595_67726f83fa.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5726814595/)
DSC_5103 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5726814595/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5726814785_22eb7bfe60.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5726814785/)
DSC_5104 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5726814785/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on May 16, 2011, 02:05:38 pm
Here is the populated template I created in GIMP (from templates provided on the disc from Saint's book) if anyone would like it. You can follow the link to Flickr for the full size version.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5727410564_cc55119f1c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5727410564/)
control_panel_100 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5727410564/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(Please delete if this is violation of Saint's copyright or intellectual property. Just wanted to be helpful.)
Title: Re: My First Cabinet
Post by: penguinpc on May 27, 2011, 08:31:14 am
A few more pics. I need to sand some of the Bondo off of the underside of the control panel, but did get the hole cut out for the trackball and I routered the areas for the joysitcks.

Also test painted one of the back panels. I used two coats of Kilz (oil based) and will be covering it with semi-gloss latex. Didn't look so good with the first coat which I applied with a foam roller. However, I applied the second coat of black with a short nap roller (3/16") and it looks great.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/5764365411_e2f6a1fe3b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764365411/)
DSC_5105 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764365411/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5764913540_f84c54897c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764913540/)
DSC_5106 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764913540/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5764913644_edd14c9905.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764913644/)
DSC_5107 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764913644/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/5764913746_25d651dea1.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764913746/)
DSC_5108 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvis_susan/5764913746/#) by Alvis Elledge (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvis_susan/), on Flickr