Xbox 360 Driving Arcade Scratch Build

[79fatcat]

Hi Folks,

Been lurking on here for a few years (built my first machine from the info provided on here) and am currently starting up a new driving arcade project. I've looked on here and thewayiplay for inspiration on what type of machine to construct and have finally settled on an arcade style machine rather than a racing pod. The only problem being that I had no plans to work off of when I was designing. Fortunately, I was able to find the google sketchup plans by Gozer and used that as a starting point. I think it was sheer dumb luck that my plans actually came pretty close to the sketch that BadMouth had made in their thread.

The projects I've seen on here are very impressive and I'm seeing if I can put together a machine on the semi/pseudo cheap. So without further ado...

First was the tv... rather than purchasing a new lcd tv, I grabbed a 34" HD CRT tv for $50. Not bad for 50 bux but VERY heavy.


Next was trying out the location for the seats. One thing was that I originally built the table portion of the stand outta 2x6's...kinda overkill so it was re done in 2x4s. I found the seats from a 91 Honda Prelude for the low low price of $0.00.



Last shot is of the side I've cut out for fit.


More shots to come as I progress.

Cheers

[extendedplayarcade]

Looks like it is shaping up good.

Is going to stay in your garage?

[79fatcat]

No I plan on moving it to my basement once it's complete. I'm designing this to be modular so that the cabinet, the base and seat are all separate pieces. I'm thinking running lag bolts thru the base to join them all together.

[BadMouth]

The weight of those big CRT HDTV's is killer.  I've helped move them.
$50 is a steal for it.

Looks good so far.  Got a color scheme in mind?

[79fatcat]

TV weighs 150 lbs. I wanted to go with everyone else's design on cantilevering the tv over the drivers legs to provide more leg room to get in but with that kinda mass, I can't quite pull it off which is why I had to go with 2x4s.

Haven't decided on color scheme yet. I'm debating on Xbox Black and Green or maybe an Initial D Black and White scheme.

[gbeef]

Looking good so far.
nice widescreen.

[BurgerKingDiamond]

No WAY! that is going to awesome. I've never seen a widescreen CRT before.

[The Habbler]

That widescreen CRT is beautiful and makes me wish I never sold mine to my old roommate. All he does is watch baseball on it.

[79fatcat]

Thanks for the support folks!

Lots of sawdust flung today but the machine is definitely taking shape now.





Next up, sanding and priming! Still have not decided on a paint scheme yet.

[Green Giant]

Thanks for the support folks!

Lots of sawdust flung today but the machine is definitely taking shape now.





Next up, sanding and priming! Still have not decided on a paint scheme yet.

Looking great so far.


Be sure to add a seatbelt to that thing.  With a screen that epic people might try to dodge obstacles by bailing out.

[79fatcat]

Not much progress to report since "real life" is interfering with the painting and priming. Fortunately priming was finished tonight so I'm hoping to start paint ASAP. One thing that just dawned on me is that painting the legs and underside of the cabinet sucks. This is considerably more work than building a regular arcade cabinet since there are so many edges....well I've figured out a solution and it also matches decently with the required height and look of the older sega driving cabinets:

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10115519

If the link doesn't show, it's the Ikea Vika Moliden Underframe Legs! Already painted and able to take 50kg each. I'd say that's a much more elegant solution than messing with 2x4s..too bad it's too late with this cabinet but there's always an opportunity to build unit #2 next spring! Damn that ikea...why didn't I think of this before..

[79fatcat]

Update: Finally finished priming, painting, upholstering and t-molding. The Arcade is finally in a state that I can more it into the house and reclaim the garage!

Next up, marquee, monitor bezel, speakers and glass. I'm hoping both the plexiglass and bristol board come in 36" lengths since the machine is 34" wide, otherwise I'm going to have to get creative.

Also, anyone have any recommendations for flat mount speakers I can put in the panel above the tv? I was thinking automotive speakers but am curious as to how to shield the speakers from the tv.

[extendedplayarcade]

Nice shaping up real nice!

[Rick]

Also, anyone have any recommendations for flat mount speakers I can put in the panel above the tv? I was thinking automotive speakers but am curious as to how to shield the speakers from the tv.

OH, CRAP!  Not to Bogart your thread, but damn.  That's something I hadn't thought of.  I have automotive speakers for my build, located pretty much in the same spot.  I was watching your thread before, but I'll be watching it even more now... ...hoping for some response on that one.

 

[BadMouth]

Also, anyone have any recommendations for flat mount speakers I can put in the panel above the tv? I was thinking automotive speakers but am curious as to how to shield the speakers from the tv.

OH, CRAP!  Not to Bogart your thread, but damn.  That's something I hadn't thought of.  I have automotive speakers for my build, located pretty much in the same spot.  I was watching your thread before, but I'll be watching it even more now... ...hoping for some response on that one.

 

Judging from it's depth, I'd assumed you were using an LCD screen on your cab.

As for 79fatcat, I'd just buy shielded speakers (or pc speakers) to begin with.
The distance to the speakers is kinda borderline whether it would affect the tv or not,
but it would  really suck to end up with discoloration and have to buy the tool to fix it.
fleabay or partsexpress.com for shielded speakers.

EDIT: looking at ebay, a used set of shielded bookshelf speakers might be a cheap option.  (the speakers themselves are shielded and can be removed)

[gbeef]

Very nice work on the cabinet.
Looks freaking nice. any ideas for artwork?

[NiN^_^NiN]

Looking great so far loving all these driving cabs lately

You could use the Logitech LS21 speakers

I think they would fit above the tv


And you could mount the subwoofer under the tv so its facing your feet and you can mount the seperate volume control anywhere

I've got these and they are great and only about $20

[HaRuMaN]

I have those exact speakers.  Look and sound pretty good.