The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: lilrascal on September 09, 2011, 05:22:45 pm
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Well I promised to post a build thread. I am very early in my project, and hope to journal my progress as I move along. As many others, I was inspired by Knievel's work. I liked the woody, but more the curved lines of the evo. I am going to use the Hanns G 27" LCD that is 16:10. Because of the increased width of the cab (around 26"), I wanted to increase the depth slightly to make it more proportional. Thanks to TopJimmyCooks was nice enough to help by modifying the original sketchup work that EvilNuff had done.
I am planning on making it out of maple ply, and staining it a dark color. I wanted to make a template that I could use, to route the more expensive maple ply. I couldn't find any 4x8 sheets of 1/4" mdf, so went with 1/4" luan ply. I am sure I will be asking for input and advice along the way. Here is a picture of the template all cut out:
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Good luck! And take your time! I built a woody-ish cab. (check out my sig) and if you are new to wood working, make sure you take your time, keep things clean, and enjoy it!
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Looking forward to the build and that big LCD. Are you going to bezel it down to 4x5 or use the full aspect?
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Looking forward to the build and that big LCD. Are you going to bezel it down to 4x5 or use the full aspect?
Right now I am planning on leaving the full aspect for hyperspin, and having the mame games run in their original aspect. I am planning on having tinted plexiglas over the monitor. Hopefully that will work. Not really original arcade, but that went out the window with a woody cab I guess.
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If the inside of the cab is sealed pretty well and if the glass is right up against the monitor it will look good
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Well I finished getting the sides made this morning. I used a router and pattern cutting bit to cut the two pieces of maple ply.
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Got some more work done this week. Got the shell all made. Just need to finish up some small things including the keyboard drawer. I decided to not have the front open up. Instead I made the back removable using some threaded inserts. I am happy so far with how it is turning out. Sorry for the crappy pics, shop is a mess, and it is hard to get decent shots.
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I would ditch the keyboard drawer if its not too late. It adds complexity, gives another gateway into your cab for nosy folks, and isn't all that useful. The best way to set up a cab is to get the software stuff all set up and then migrate the computer in. If you aren't opening the front, I would suggest putting in a coin door to give you access. If you ever need to do maintenance, you could just open the door. It doesn't make sense to build a feature into your cab (keyboard drawer) that isn't useful, and that you will only need during the setup of the cab.
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I would ditch the keyboard drawer if its not too late. It adds complexity, gives another gateway into your cab for nosy folks, and isn't all that useful. The best way to set up a cab is to get the software stuff all set up and then migrate the computer in. If you aren't opening the front, I would suggest putting in a coin door to give you access. If you ever need to do maintenance, you could just open the door. It doesn't make sense to build a feature into your cab (keyboard drawer) that isn't useful, and that you will only need during the setup of the cab.
Thanks for the feedback. I am planning on sticking with the keyboard drawer though. I don't find it overly complex. And the way it is on Knievel's is pretty discreet. Planning on skipping the coin door for now, as they are pretty pricey.
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For an all purpose, all emulator mame rig, a discreet keyboard drawer is a very nice and easy to implement luxury. I agree i would bag it for a vert classic 60 in 1, multi-williams, or single game type cab. On the knievel cabs its so far back under the cp that nobody's looking for it unless you know it's there.
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This looks great so far!
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Staining is coming along, but staining maple SUCKS!! :angry: I used a pre-stain conditioner, then a gel stain by general finishes. This is the 3rd coat. The plywood parts don't look too bad, though the parts that are solid maple not so much.
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Starting to think about a marquess. Want something in a blue color scheme, fairly simple. Don't want to use the word "MAME", as most people I know don't know what that means. Not being real artistic, or good with editing software, I searched the arcade art library. I was thinking of going with this arcade classics one. Any thoughts or inputs??
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Ugg. Went to drill holes for my admin panel and mistakenly grabbed the 1-1/4 forstner bit instead of the the 1-1/8. :banghead:
Now got to mill up a new piece of lumber and start over on it.
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Well milled up some more lumber, and started on the box for the control panel. Here it is dry fitted together.
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Nice job mitering -looks good.
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+1 on the keyboard drawer.......I use mine all the time as the cabinet is online and makes it easy to add games to all emulators
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Today I got the CP top cut out. It is 1/2" mdf. Over that will go a piece of 3/16" maple ply, and 1/16" lexan. This will give me a total of 3/4". I will use this mdf as a template for routing the lexan, and plywood.
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I like the overarm dust collection on the tablesaw. What is that?
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I would ditch the keyboard drawer if its not too late. It adds complexity, gives another gateway into your cab for nosy folks, and isn't all that useful. The best way to set up a cab is to get the software stuff all set up and then migrate the computer in. If you aren't opening the front, I would suggest putting in a coin door to give you access. If you ever need to do maintenance, you could just open the door. It doesn't make sense to build a feature into your cab (keyboard drawer) that isn't useful, and that you will only need during the setup of the cab.
Couldn't agree more. I don't need a keyboard on any of my cabs. Once it's setup, I leave it alone. Been running fine for years.
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I like the overarm dust collection on the tablesaw. What is that?
It is a SawStop table saw. It is there overarm dust collection arm, that is optional. I love my SawStop, and the piece of mind it brings!!
Finishing some coats of poly this week, and then things should start to come together. Got my marquee from Game on Grafix this weekend, happy with quality and speed of service. Will try to update on the progress as things come together.
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the sawstop is a great thing to have. the safety feature is great and it's a quality tool to start with. do you keep a spare brake cartridge in the event that you set it off over a weekend? I guess I would. Cab looks excellent.
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Haven't heard about the sawstops in awhile. I remember the promotional videos with them running hotdogs through the blade. Did they evr make a contractor saw?
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Haven't heard about the sawstops in awhile. I remember the promotional videos with them running hotdogs through the blade. Did they evr make a contractor saw?
Yes but its $1.7k :)
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the sawstop is a great thing to have. the safety feature is great and it's a quality tool to start with. do you keep a spare brake cartridge in the event that you set it off over a weekend? I guess I would. Cab looks excellent.
I just have the standard and the dado cartridge. I never was to worried about having a spare I figure if I set it off, I would probably be scared enough that I would give it a day or two rest anyway!!! :o
They do build a top quality product though. And their customer support is awesome.
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. . . I figure if I set it off, I would probably be scared enough that I would give it a day or two rest anyway!!! :o
That makes sense. Be careful out there. I really appreciate those things when working on my 60's era 8" TS with no guard, splitter or DC.
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I figure if I set it off, I would probably be scared enough that I would give it a day or two rest anyway!!! :o
They do build a top quality product though. And their customer support is awesome.
I think I'd spend a day or two cleaning out my pants. :P
Nice looking cab so far. Should turn out nice.
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Control Panel top put together. Now I have to just wire it up. Kinda crappy pic, but here it is:
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Very nice! :applaud:
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CP looks great. It looks exactly like the Woody CP. What did you use to make the ovals around the buttons? Vinyl?
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CP looks great. It looks exactly like the Woody CP. What did you use to make the ovals around the buttons? Vinyl?
Used a couple black vinyl sheets at the Michael's craft store. I believe Knievel used Happ vinyl, but this was easier than ordering that, although this does not have any texture like the Happ vinyl. I got through about half the wiring today. Will work on it some more tomorrow.
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NovaMatrix Linx LED marquee lights installed.
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Control panel box and admin panel installed.
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Added the mount for monitor, and hung monitor to test fit.
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Control panel all wired up.
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All finished. Am really happy with how it turned out. To be honest the pictures do not do it justice. Thanks to all those who provided input.
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You're missing a coin door.
But seriously, very nice job. You got it done pretty quick too! :cheers:
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You're missing a coin door.
But seriously, very nice job. You got it done pretty quick too! :cheers:
After I finished, I actually thought that it needed a coin door too. Didn't really want too spend money on one, when I wouldn't be using it. Maybe I will add one later.
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Very nice! That finish is awesome.
It might be my eyes playing tricks but yours looks a little thicker than Knievel's. I like it.
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Very nice! That finish is awesome.
It might be my eyes playing tricks but yours looks a little thicker than Knievel's. I like it.
Yes, I made it wider to accommodate a 27.5" LCD. I made it a little deeper to compensate for the width.
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Very nice! That finish is awesome.
It might be my eyes playing tricks but yours looks a little thicker than Knievel's. I like it.
Yes, I made it wider to accommodate a 27.5" LCD. I made it a little deeper to compensate for the width.
It looks great. Much sturdier looking than many of the "slim" cabinets you see.
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Nice job!
Never done a stained Evo myself. Love it.
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Nice job!
Never done a stained Evo myself. Love it.
Thanks. That is a great compliment from the one who helped inspire it.
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+1 on the nice cab comments. the width, depth and big LCD look great. it's the modern interpretation of the arcade cab as technology moves on. I'm biased but I really love the evo depth.
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Your project turned out awesome!
Did you recess your joysticks or just screw them right in to the ply wood from the bottom? I'm starting my project and am curious. (CP top is 1/2" plywood with two pieces of 1/8" Lexan) Thanks!
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Your project turned out awesome!
Did you recess your joysticks or just screw them right in to the ply wood from the bottom? I'm starting my project and am curious. (CP top is 1/2" plywood with two pieces of 1/8" Lexan) Thanks!
Did not recess joysticks. Bolted through 1/2" mdf. Then 1/8" maple ply, and then 1/8" plexi.