First Cab - LuSid w/ Galaga theme -Finished

[AtomSmasher]

This is going to be another LuSid cabinet since it is a simple yet elegant design.

Edit*  I'm not sure what happened, but it looks like most of my pictures disappeared from this thread, so a lot of my posts make no sense.  Very weird.  Anyways, you can click on my sig to see all of the pictures, I may try to match them up in this thread again if I have the time.  You can also check each individual picture at http://www.atomic-train.com/images/ArcadeCab/ if you want.

[AtomSmasher]

I should probably also note that I havent decided o the theme of my cabinet yet, but regardless of what I pick I will likely need some help creating graphics.  I can draw a mean stick figure, but thats about it.
I have a feeling my theme is going to be "Atomic Train", which is a reference that just me and my old college friends know, but I think it could turn out pretty cool.  I'll start posting pics once I actually begin construction.

[bossyman15]

ok that's cool man. good luck on your project!

[RaggedEdge]

Hey good luck on the project.  Glad you are getting started.  I have found there are a lot of helpful people here to get you through the stumbling blocks.  Hmmm, your theme wouldn't be related to the phrase "Ride the A Train" now would it?  That could be a fun (and colorful) theme :-)

[AtomSmasher]

Hmmm, your theme wouldn't be related to the phrase "Ride the A Train" now would it?

[Elfman]

Some graphics to get the ideas flowing...



At least the graphics are cool

[ChadTower]

Hrm.. Atomic Train... Crazy Train... Night Train... lots of cross theme possibilities.

[Clonedsheep]

SOUL TRAIN 

[AtomSmasher]

Well I got most of the cutting done today, all I have left is cutting out the smaller pieces and the curved part of the side pieces.

[GameOver]

I thought about taking a pic and posting it, but then I figured who would want to see a few cut out pieces of wood. 

Wood is good!  We like pics.  Let's see what ya got!

[AtomSmasher]

Wood is good!

[AtomSmasher]

I've decided not to do an Atomic Train theme, but I think I'll stay with an Atomic theme.....maybe Atomic MAME

[MameJunkie]

I've decided not to do an Atomic Train theme, but I think I'll stay with an Atomic theme.....maybe Atomic MAME

Atomic + Mame = AtoMame

[bossyman15]

I've decided not to do an Atomic Train theme, but I think I'll stay with an Atomic theme.....maybe Atomic MAME

you really want another MAME theme?

[kevdave]

I've decided not to do an Atomic Train theme, but I think I'll stay with an Atomic theme.....maybe Atomic MAME

you really want another MAME theme?

Although a lot of the MAME themed cabs have come out awesome, I think it would be cool to see your project with some original based artwork and the original theme. I really think you can make Atomic Train a really cool concept. Id be willing to help you out with the artwork if needed. Im not the most advanced person in the world with photoshop but I know my way around enough, and I work for free.

[AtomSmasher]

you really want another MAME theme?

Heh, I'm new to building cabinets and have only been checking this board for a few weeks, so a Mame theme is actually new to me

But I'm open to whatever, if we can come up with some cool graphics then I'd be willing to go back to Atomic Train.

[AtomSmasher]

Heres a pic I found, could be good with a little photoshop, maybe change the text to Atomic Train and add an atomic blast in the background


heres a large version of it: http://www.mindfully.org/Nucs/Mobile-Chernobyl-Express.jpg

[bossyman15]

lol! if you look closely on face of the train you could see some sort of animal on there.

[MameJunkie]

lol! if you look closely on face of the train you could see some sort of animal on there.

Looks like a pic of a human skull. 

[ginno]

Here here for not going with a mame theme OR a ...cade name,

how about calling it 'THE REACTOR'

Could do a lot with the radiation symbol and colors...

Good luck...

Cheers...

[bossyman15]

lol! if you look closely on face of the train you could see some sort of animal on there.

Looks like a pic of a human skull. 

well yes a human skull but there are something else on there if you look closely...

[AtomSmasher]

Well I got to work on it for a few hours today.  I was able to finish cutting out all the pieces and sanded them all down.  I still need to cut the 45 degree angle on a few pieces and still need to do the routing.  Heres a pic of my progress so far.

[bossyman15]

nice job! keep up the good work!

[AtomSmasher]

stupid question:  What parts do I need to route for the T-molding?  Is it just the two side pieces and the top piece of the control panel?  I can't think of any other edge that will really show, but I figure I should ask to make sure.

[bossyman15]

Is it just the two side pieces and the top piece of the control panel?  I can't think of any other edge that will really show, but I figure I should ask to make sure.

i don't really understand that part of question but you use this router bit to route for T-molding.

http://www.cryptnet1.net/mame/pics/RouterBit.jpg

[Bones]

stupid question:  What parts do I need to route for the T-molding?  Is it just the two side pieces and the top piece of the control panel?  I can't think of any other edge that will really show, but I figure I should ask to make sure.

That's pretty much it!

I suggest you make the t-groove with the router gliding over the outward facing surface on both sides and mark them so you don't mix them up.

If you end up with any bad t-slot grooves it will be easier to redo later. I wish I had done this.

Everything looks good, keep the pics flowing. 

[AtomSmasher]

Is it just the two side pieces and the top piece of the control panel?

[AtomSmasher]

I started actual construction today....ok I didnt do much, but at least its something.

[Skadar]

I'm currently doing the exact same build.  I'm a little farther ahead of you.  Already I've noticed a number of things that I would have changed from the stock Project Arcade plans.  If you haven't already put your base together... you might consider this:

http://ooine.com/media/Project_Arcade_SkadarMod-2.gif

The Lusid cabinet has a MASSIVE base that, in retrospect, could have been reduced.  There is excessive room inside this cabinet.  I *wish* that I would have modified the plans as I've illustrated above. 

I suppose that I *could* pull things apart and make another base... hmmm...

Another point to consider at your stage.  Saint says in the book to use an 8-inch strip to secure the cabinet back bottom piece.  I recommend using at least a 12-inch strip... probably 14 even... in order to get the widest placement of screws.  This section is fairly critical for overall cabinet stability.

Cheers!
Skadar

[Skadar]

I should also mention that I too am going to be adding a keyboard drawer.  I haven't figured out the exact placement yet, but I did buy keyboard drawer rails at Home Depot.  They are much nicer than standard drawer rails.  They use many ball bearings and slide out very straight.

I think I'm just going to cut off the top 3 or 4 inches of the coin door and make this the front of my keyboard tray.

[AtomSmasher]

Damnit, whyd you have to show me this.  I was starting to make progress and now I'm stuck debating if I should switch to that design.  Seems like on the new design the best place to add the keyboard tray in the 4'' section right under the CP, in the old design I had the same idea as you, putting it in the top of the coin door.

Did you come up with that change your self?  Or is it an older, tested design?  Its possible the wider base is on purpose to help with stability.

[Skadar]

   Hehheh  Nope, this design is not tested.  In fact, I haven't though of any of the implications of making the change.  I quickly drew it up just before posting.

Obviously it would impact the placement of the keyboard tray as you suggested.  Also, it would probably require the use of the shorter, squarer coin door rather than the elongated over/under as in the book.  The only other "problem" I can think of would be that the coin door might end up being too recessed after taking into account the overhang of your control panel.  Still though, my modified design just "looks better" in my opinion... at least in profile.

Oops, and I also noticed that my measurements in the modifications are slightly off.  The CP "shelf" is actually 5 inches deep instead of 4.  But obviously you could size this however you think it might work best.

I probably would have done this had I thought of it a week ago.  But I've already got 90% of the cabinet put together and I don't think I feel like pulling everything apart. 

[RaggedEdge]

I like the idea of a keyboard drawer also, but I am way too far along to change now.  I plan on using a wireless keyboard.  The only problem is where to put the keyboard while typing on it.  I certainly don't want to lay it down on the Lexan and scratch it.

[tivogre]

Obviously it would impact the placement of the keyboard tray as you suggested.  Also, it would probably require the use of the shorter, squarer coin door rather than the elongated over/under as in the book.  The only other "problem" I can think of would be that the coin door might end up being too recessed after taking into account the overhang of your control panel.  Still though, my modified design just "looks better" in my opinion... at least in profile.

You could always build out your  coin door.

That's what I ended up doing when I realized that I wasn't happy with how far "under" my CP the coin door was.



It doesn't look like much... but a 3.5" build out makes a huge difference.

[bossyman15]

nice coin door you got there tivogre

i too plan to have silmiar coin door but only its not over under type.

[AtomSmasher]

Well I just bought a coin door off ebay for $34 shipped, looks like its exactly what I wanted.  Looks like I'll have both days off this weekend so I'm going to put the sides of my cabinet on.

[AtomSmasher]

Well I finished the last of the cutting today.  I had to cut out a new back piece to the control panel because I screwed up on the angle cut, so I learned the hard way to always test on a piece of scrap wood before trying a new way to cut.   I also put the wheels on the base and built the CP box.  Tommorrow I'll put the sides of the cabinet on and hopefully all the shelving.  Everyone that could of helped me do this is gone for the weekend and I don't feel like waiting another week to build it, so I'm going to try and do it myself.  I'll try to take a couple "action" photos of how I'm doing it myself... if I figure out how.

Also, I've decided to ditch the whole Atomic theme and go with something a little more standard, a Galaga theme.  I know my cab looks nothing like a galaga cab and its probably been done a hundred times, but I don't care.  Galaga was by far my favorite arcade game and it will be easy enough to do/get the art.  I'm planning on picking up a marquee from ebay, probably order the sideart and kickplate from somewhere, and I'll custom design the CPO to be reminiscent of the original galaga CP.

[AtomSmasher]

Time for a slide show:

As a mentioned in my last post I was going to be building my cab by myself so I had to find something that was 26'' high to support the top of the cab when attaching the sides to the base.

[AtomSmasher]

Ok, I created my first prototype template for the CP.  Any and all feedback is welcome and encouraged.  This is my first CP design ever so it may be the worst thing you've ever seen, and if it is, tell me. 

[Elfman]

I'll be the first but probably not the last to comment, but I think you may run into issues with your 4 way and your trackball placment.  I suppose it could work but the front of the CP seems pretty crowded.

I placed mine in the blank area above the player 1 8 way and that seems to be a pretty good solution for my scenario.

Also, if you are going to piano hinge your CP (which I recommenend so you can get at the wiring easily), the hinge and your 4 way are going to be competing for space.

Otherwise, I think it is a solid start.