Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Extruder on August 03, 2025, 07:30:53 pm
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This is my first project. It's not fancy, and it doesn't have a name.
I caught the arcade cabinet bug, joined the forums, and started reading all the cool designs that have been posted here. It's good to have big dreams, but I figured I should start small and learn the basics before I embark on a major investment.
So, I started with a Vigolix. I wanted a vertical for the classic arcade games and shooters, so I customized the design a touch. Thought I might document the adventure here to encourage other newbies like myself. I started with minimal woodworking experience, and learned a lot along the way.
The basic Vigolix structure went together just as planned, cut it out with a jigsaw. The design is what, 12 years old now? I wonder how many people start with this easy and inexpensive design?
(https://i.postimg.cc/CLHXtBtp/2-vigolix-front.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/2jWPQX76/3-vigolix-rear.jpg)
My plan was to forego a marquee and instead use a large vertical monitor and have the marquee be software-based, changing per game. I had a 22" LCD TV in the garage for this purpose. It wouldn't fit unless it was de-cased, so I came up with a plan to make it work. De-casing meant giving up the VESA mounts, so I needed to design a frame to hold the panel. I ended up using 3/4" furring strips and routing a setback into the inner edge for the panel to be held in. Had to learn how to use a router for this.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0Nr4btN9/5-decased-frame.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/fyQqqDfb/6-frame-detail.jpg)
The design worked pretty well, here is what it looked like during a test fitting.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DzDMsqWL/7-test-fit-of-panel.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/prQGg4sJ/9-dry-assembly.jpg)
The TV I used had speakers already, with audio over HDMI. Figured I could eliminate an audio amp and extra wiring if I could re-use them so I did. They had a weird way of mounting to the frame, so I just cut out the TV frame sections that included these speaker mounts and drilled new holes in the mounts so I could re-use them.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tTxmzYPf/8-speakers-original.jpg)
Did a little priming and painting (spray paint) with sanding between coats. I was disappointed that I still had some raised grain from this and determined I would use laminate when I started my next project.
(https://i.postimg.cc/htty5CTV/10-primer.jpg) (https://i.postimg.cc/J4mdb7h6/11-paint.jpg)
A test fit of the electronics was next. I'm using a Pi 3B and a GRS LED Single Player Arcade DIY Kit. This kit came with a joystick, encoder and 8 buttons, and was simple for a new user to understand. It went together well.
(https://i.postimg.cc/q791g4YG/12-rear-view-of-electronics.jpg)
The last step was t-molding. Here is where I recognized a huge error. I misunderstood the specs and had routed slots way too big. Couldn't use the t-molding when it arrived in the mail and didn't know what to do. A search of the forum showed me that some people use a different product called edge banding, so I went and bought some. Watched a few videos and got out my trusty iron and hot-melted the edging in place. Unfortunately the store didn't have the special trimmer tool, so I had to freehand the trimming using a scalpel blade. It's not perfect..
(https://i.postimg.cc/WbnYSRF2/13-edge-guard-installed.jpg)
That done, it was time to fire it up.
It's not perfect, but it gave me a chance to put all the things I read about here into practice and figure out maybe what to do (or not do) next time. Total cost was under $110 (I already had the Pi and the TV) and several weekends of work in a hot garage.
I am very pleased with how it all turned out ;D
(https://i.postimg.cc/mrcdbtdD/14-running-test.jpg)
Just wanted to say I appreciate everyone who has posted their designs and tips here in the forums. Reading all these projects gave me the head start and encouragement I needed to DIY this myself. And thanks to Vigo for a cool design!
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Great job! It's such a neat little design - I especially like how you can have a dynamic marquee using a 16:9 monitor in portrait mode. Very cool looking! :cheers:
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Awesome first project, looks great, you'll have lots of fun with it, could be a slippery slope to build another one now :laugh:
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I need to build one of these things. It’ll piss off my family and I’ve got a copy of Espgaluda I need to do something with.
What’s killing the notion, though, is X-Arcade is selling their new pedestals for $325ish and you can get a rotating flatscreen TV stand for less than $100.
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it says pedestal is $100..guessing its just for that and stick not included. either way xarcade sticks are ass anyway lol