The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Denicio on September 24, 2020, 02:57:15 pm
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Greetings Y'all,
I am a newbie here. I have been a member for years at KLOV and someone there sent me to this forum for this specific need.
I am about to embark on a ground up build of a Midway cabinet. One thats as close to the Pac Man, Galaga, Mrs Pac Man spec.
I have found this website that provides the PDF file for the side panels but i cant find anything similar for the rest of the cuts.
https://www.classicarcadecabinets.com/pacman.html
Is anyone aware of a really good template that has all the complete sizes and templates?
I suppose i could cut the side panels from this spec, get the Control Panel (Multi from Arcade Shop) and use it for the inside dimensions...but i was hoping there were tried and true templates already out there.
I plan on doing the cutting myself and i dont have or have access to CNC equipment. I have saws, a hand router and pleaty of irish whiskey....so all i need are good templates (at actual size) and some wood.
Thanks!
Denicio
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http://jakobud.com/ (http://jakobud.com/)
This is what I used to scratch build a pac-man. There's still a little bit of guesswork though.... it's quite difficult to measure these older cabs without tearing them apart.
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Greetings Y'all,
I am a newbie here. I have been a member for years at KLOV and someone there sent me to this forum for this specific need.
I am about to embark on a ground up build of a Midway cabinet. One thats as close to the Pac Man, Galaga, Mrs Pac Man spec.
I have found this website that provides the PDF file for the side panels but i cant find anything similar for the rest of the cuts.
https://www.classicarcadecabinets.com/pacman.html
Is anyone aware of a really good template that has all the complete sizes and templates?
I suppose i could cut the side panels from this spec, get the Control Panel (Multi from Arcade Shop) and use it for the inside dimensions...but i was hoping there were tried and true templates already out there.
I plan on doing the cutting myself and i dont have or have access to CNC equipment. I have saws, a hand router and pleaty of irish whiskey....so all i need are good templates (at actual size) and some wood.
Thanks!
Denicio
Don't use the PDF. Use the DXF. It is all sized correctly.
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If you also have access to a jointer, planer, and or a spindle sander, it will make your life so much easier...As far as construction goes that is actually a good choice of cab if it is your first build, as it is built with simplistic function and high volume production in mind...It is so easy to go all 100% legit original or nothing, but you do have options that don't make it so old school, but modernized a bit...Ms pac for example, you have the option of stenciling or stickers as stencil was original, two bit side art, over blue makes for a fast clean modern build, little pink T moulding and that if done right is a beautiful machine.
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Why would you need a jointer and planer for working with plywood?
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The jointer is for shaping and making router jigs mostly, but also shaving a sliver off here and there, making for an almost perfect fit, (Ply is hard on blades however) I use my little 4"jointer all the time for such tasks,
And is arguably one my most favorite machines in the shop ...The bracing (generally 3/4") Can be cut with a saw yes, but a planer won't leave any mill marks, nice smooth and perfectly sized, But again is used generally for making jigs quickly and accurately.
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However...Thats because I tend to use a small portable tablesaw so I can cut the wood outside, and cheap saws don't usually have a rail type fence, creating a drift especially on large sheets of ply, (Yes I got a bigger saw, but cutting outside is a choice)...So rather than making a bunch of bad cuts, Jenn cuts everything 1/8" oversize and uses the jointer to actually get the square.
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You could use a circular saw and a guide on large sheets. Why not just cut it right the first time?
Doesn't the glue from the plywood wreck your jointer blades?
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Welcome Denicio,
Nice to to see someone from KLOV come this way (it’s usually the other way around).
The website you listed is probably your best resource for accurate plans save for an actual cab to reference. As MikeA pointed out you’ll probably want to grab the DXF file to be able to import into a CAD program (even if you aren’t going to CNC). A popular program around here is SketchUp and you at least use to be able import the DXF into it (on the free version for the first 30 days) and put pieces together virtually before doing it in real life. This can prevent a lot of mistakes, but it also isn’t necessary.
The site lists more than the sides, it actually has all the pieces, their location and depth of cuts:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200925/a3f75f2638ec3442a948d6ddc60a9af6.jpg)
It also has a bunch of pictures at the bottom for reference.
When they list that accuracy of the cab at 85% that’s because someone hasn’t given the feedback after building as to its accuracy. This doesn’t mean it’s not accurate just that it hasn’t been confirmed. That website is very conservative on those accuracy ratings.
If putting it together in SketchUp sounds like a bit much I’d probably be willing to do it for you, as I enjoy this stuff.
Oh and you don’t need a jointer or a planer.
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Doesn't the glue from the plywood wreck your jointer blades?
Yes it does. Plywood on a jointer is a really bad idea.
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And yet again, you dont NEED a jointer or planer...Circular saws are less than perfect, for cabinet building, Ply is bad for blades, and have to use carbide for longer work times...However working with laminates especially curved plywood, I can't imagine there would be any other way (not building a Midway cab), any respectable cabinet shop would have a jointer anyway and more than likely multiple planers too, each set up for specific cuts...They are wicked dangerous machines and probably what cut the fingers off your local shop teacher, So If you are an idiot, just don't buy one.
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Just stop spouting nonsense.
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Table saw, jigsaw, router and some pattern bits. A table saw is very optional - just makes certain parts easy. There are many track saws or guides for circular saws available for making straight cuts. I have a jointer and surface planer. Not needed for this work unless there are some really custom blocking needed. I used a chop saw a number of times too.
That cabinet has a few curves - depending on your woodworking skill - its sometimes a good idea to make them in 1/4" masonite first - then use that is a template for the actual wood using the router and a pattern bit. The masonite is easy to shape to a pencil line - plus you end up with a reusable template.
Good luck!
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Just stop spouting nonsense.
You know, this is really good advice...So watch this 😈
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And yet again, you dont NEED a jointer or planer...Circular saws are less than perfect, for cabinet building, Ply is bad for blades, and have to use carbide for longer work times...However working with laminates especially curved plywood, I can't imagine there would be any other way (not building a Midway cab), any respectable cabinet shop would have a jointer anyway and more than likely multiple planers too, each set up for specific cuts...They are wicked dangerous machines and probably what cut the fingers off your local shop teacher, So If you are an idiot, just don't buy one.
Jennifer - there is no curved plywood in this design.. Just a curved side panel edge.. Template and a router with a pattern bit.. After that that cabinet is pretty much all straight cuts.
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I said..."NOT in building a Midway cab"...That whole cab is done with a router, we are talking about making templates, and jigs 100%.
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I said..."NOT in building a Midway cab"
If you also have access to a jointer, planer, and or a spindle sander, it will make your life so much easier...
So why did you suggest any of this in the first place?
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I'm sorry, unless you are a professional cabinetmaker you don't need a joiner or planar. For our hobby you need a jigsaw, a circular saw and a router with a trim bit, slot cutting bit and straight bit...... that's it aside from something to drill your button holes with. Any other tools one may need would probably be for a special case and only used once or twice.
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Ya,
I'm sorry, unless you are a professional cabinetmaker you don't need a joiner or planar. For our hobby you need a jigsaw, a circular saw and a router with a trim bit, slot cutting bit and straight bit...... that's it aside from something to drill your button holes with. Any other tools one may need would probably be for a special case and only used once or twice.
Ya that's all you need...Harbor freight even has great deals.
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Everyone knows you are full of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- Jennifer. Just stop it already. It is embarrassing.
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Everything Howard said makes perfect sense. Your incoherent post Jen, is just baffling.
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Everyone knows you are full of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- Jennifer. Just stop it already. It is embarrassing.
You actually have a jointer, have you ever even tried to use it? There is a cord on it, plug it into the wall and try it...At least I build my own cabs, don't wait around for a "professional" to come over and do it for me.
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Let's see a pic of one.
I don't need a jointer to build an arcade cab.
I have never had someone build me a cab so I don't know what you are talking about.
As usual you talk a bunch of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- and have nothing to back it up.
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I got a whole thread on one, go check it out.
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A link would be helpful. Or you could post a pic.
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I got a whole thread on one, go check it out.
Did a search - I'd like to see one of your build threads. Can you post a link to it?
I have a Delta DJ-20 jointer. I built a pretty significant cabinet. Never touched the jointer or the surface planer.
I did use it last night to mill lumber for a picture frame.
thx
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If I was at home I probably will, I do like building machines... Jenn is on the road however (Not in the shop) , Usually once a year I go looking for lost gold mines with my friends, But this year, going to just visit every state in the continental US... Currently in Co.😜
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You don't have to be at home to post a link.
Must be tough traveling a day after you broke a rib.
You are full of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Just stop it.
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OMG, it is, bumps in the road suck, I am feeling better though, don't think its broke...But Ya, was going to ride it in every state, but diddnt bring it with, So I had to get another Skateboard from W/mart...It was cheap, and diddnt roll, Dont recommend it...About 800 miles into new adventure.
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FOCUS. Where is the link?
And what kind of moron chooses the middle of a pandemic to road trip to every state?
I can't tell if you are lying 100 percent of the time or if it is just 80 percent of the time.
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Lying? You got issues dude...The world is still spinning, get out of your basement, enjoy life.
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Check it out...Cheap gas, even...
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Yes lying. You never posted pics of any of these fabulous expensive machines you build. You provided nothing but excuses.
Then when you did post pics it was a busted up poker table and a cigarette vending machine. Neither of which you built.
Then you posted a pic of a couple of buck hunters and busted up drivers in some generic storage space. A far cry from the well over 100 machines you claimed.
You alternately say that you don't list or sell anything and then you talk about selling all kinds of things. I could go on.
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You know they have those everywhere right?
And you said you were from ND. Gas is cheaper than that there. So the price you just showed would be expensive gas for you.
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Jennifer,
In the 10 years that you have been here you have started 20 threads:
4 in Pinball (Restoration claim died after 2 posts, LED playfield conversion died after 5 posts, Hot New Pin part 1 & 2)
3 in Artwork (request for artwork w 1 post, Questions about Vectorizing w 4 posts, claims of getting Adobe CS5 yet haven't been able to upload a photo properly in 10 years)
2 in Monitor (Turning the picture w 1 post, Test equipment died after 5 posts no pics)
2 in Everything Else (Skateboarding, & Electrical motor)
2 in Main Forum (Opinion on Zip Tie Gun, Playfield restoration that died after 10 posts, no pics)
2 in website Discussion (Politics & religion, & a photo upload test)
2 in Woodworking (sticky threads, died after 4 posts, Picture of a scroll saw died after 6 posts)
2 Miscellaneous (1 post about holograms no pics, Jennifer's Fun day w pics of other peoples machines that you visited)
1 in Software (ROM dumping, 9 posts no pics)
Not ONE in Project Announcements.
The only one that could be construed as a project is the HOT NEW PIN, which has some pics of work being done to a playfield and some painting of the backglass box. It has yet to be completed in 8 years, and based your history I am starting to seriously question where those pics came from.
For reference MikeA has used a Jointer, he made me this:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191218/94db4e0e0f10d99c595de38384497d9f.jpg)
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I dont see "Jenns hot new pin" in your list....I dont take pics, so what, deal with it...That cheese board is nice, Just saying.
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The hot new pin is on the first line of the list.
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I dont see "Jenns hot new pin" in your list....I dont take pics, so what, deal with it...That cheese board is nice, Just saying.
That's what you took from that? "Jenns hot new pin" is missing?
(https://media.tenor.com/images/8c0b1ebfe6ccd1b316b984bca4d679c7/tenor.gif)
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To the OP - I'm and advanced/expert woodworker (I have plenty of visual proof and references)
Sorry to hijack your thread - it is a victim at this point.
That said - I will help you with anything you need. Feel free to PM me or continue on this thread..
We want people to build new cabinets and are supportive of those who want to do the same.
thx
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Thanks for saying that Bobby. Yes to OP, sorry about the derail, hopefully my original post was helpful, and am more than happy to help if I can. I am 85% through building a cabinet myself from scratch so a lot of what I've learned is fresh in my head.
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For reference MikeA has used a Jointer, he made me this:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191218/94db4e0e0f10d99c595de38384497d9f.jpg)
This is a really nice cutting board.
I have never needed more than a jigsaw, a router (with pattern, flush and slot cutting bits), a compound chop saw, a drill (with regular and forstner bits) and some clamps to make any of the cabinets I've built. There are some other odds and ends you can use like an orbital sander or a dremel or whatever but those aren't essential.
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All I was ever saying was if he has access to one (or all three)...None of you even mentioned a tablesaw, cutting everything with a jigsaw I guess...The blades flex on those, not really your go to for cabinet building with any level of accuracy, pick up any woodworkers magazine and show me how that is done.
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I would add a table saw and/or a circular saw to the list. Making long, straight cuts with a jigsaw sucks.
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Table saw, jigsaw, router and some pattern bits. A table saw is very optional - just makes certain parts easy. There are many track saws or guides for circular saws available for making straight cuts. I have a jointer and surface planer. Not needed for this work unless there are some really custom blocking needed. I used a chop saw a number of times too.
That cabinet has a few curves - depending on your woodworking skill - its sometimes a good idea to make them in 1/4" masonite first - then use that is a template for the actual wood using the router and a pattern bit. The masonite is easy to shape to a pencil line - plus you end up with a reusable template.
Good luck!
Which I said a long time ago.. A jigsaw is a rough cut tool at best.. Even really good ones.
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That's why you also need a router with a trim bit. Cut the shape out in 1/2" with the jigsaw to make a template.... clamp it to the plywood and cut out the pattern.
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That's why you also need a router with a trim bit. Cut the shape out in 1/2" with the jigsaw to make a template.... clamp it to the plywood and cut out the pattern.
Or, it could be said, the template was rough cut with a jigsaw, and when transferred with the router it is less than perfect...Jigs and templates are not just hurried throw away pieces, they are actually the pieces to be reproduced
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That's why you also need a router with a trim bit. Cut the shape out in 1/2" with the jigsaw to make a template.... clamp it to the plywood and cut out the pattern.
This is exactly what I do. Takes longer but buying a table saw is a commitment and you can definitely get by without one.
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That's why you also need a router with a trim bit. Cut the shape out in 1/2" with the jigsaw to make a template.... clamp it to the plywood and cut out the pattern.
Or, it could be said, the template was rough cut with a jigsaw, and when transferred with the router it is less than perfect...Jigs and templates are not just hurried throw away pieces, they are actually the pieces to be reproduced
Not at all. A jigsaw, if you know how to use it properly, is incredibly accurate on the side you cut in, it's just the blade can drift on the other side causing the edge of the wood to be out of square. Using a properly dialed in trim bit eliminates this worry as it'll only trace around the cut-in side of your template and automatically square it up after the first use. Using 1/2" for the template helps even more as your guide bearing is typically around 1/4" so there's less drift to worry about. Now a master craftsman could probably skip these steps and just use a straight bit on a router to cut directly on the final piece, but getting a router to follow a line takes a great degree of skill, so this just helps things along.
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Cutting a strait line with a jigsaw, is a stupid waste if time, there are faster more efficient ways...Bosch for example makes a really nice jigsaw, (7 amp, although @ 160.00 more than a cheap tablesaw) it will cut steel like a beast and has quick release blade change, and a light. But try cutting a long strait line on a midway cab, or a long sloping curve with any amount of accuracy, ya not so much, It chatters, wanders, drifts, blade flexes, and for what? A template with one good side only if you go really slow and try really hard to be absolutely perfect?
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No you get a pretty perfect template good on both sides. As I said the first time you use it the trim bit cuts and corrects the template. Maybe you might want to actually try the method or better yet post a guide on how you do it. Arcade cabinets have curves in them so your options are limited to a router or a jig saw. This method allows one to actually do the following of the lines with a template, which is easier to the novice and yet cut the actual material with a router, which gives a clean, accurate cut.
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I made a template from 1/8" Masonite to get the curves just right for the corners of my control panel. Next I made a full control panel template from the curve template.
Finally I made the actual control panel from the full template. I did it this way so the curves would all be symmetric.
Cut the rough curves with a jigsaw/bandsaw.. Smooth it up to the line with a sanding block. Then use it as a pattern for the rest.
There are actual pics in the link below:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,156272.msg1651808.html#msg1651808 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,156272.msg1651808.html#msg1651808)
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There are actual pics in the link below:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,156272.msg1651808.html#msg1651808 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,156272.msg1651808.html#msg1651808)
Even though I've read this post several times it always brings a smile to my face. Such clean lines!