Q*bert inspired cabinet. 1st ever project attempt.

[bobd2006]

After years of thinking about it and months and months of research and planning I have finally started to actually make it.

Originally I had designed my own cabinet based on ARTIFACT's Game Museum (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68794.0;all) and Markc74's Terminus (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92156.0), and as I was working away from home for a couple of months I was able to spend days trolling the web and reading virtually every topic on this website.

After watching Systms youtube videos one thing dawned on me. How would I get it though doorways in to the living room once constructed? After pondering different solutions I decided to choose the more challenging route of using fixtures and fitting used in flatpack furniture. At least if I move house I can take it with easily.

As I've worked for IKEA for 17 years I have a large knowledge on how flatpack furniture fits together. Whatever people say about building IKEA furniture I've never had a problem, just follow the instructions.

After a few months of not touching the project I decided I didn't like the design I started again. After looking at original Arcade cabinets, Q*bert's cabinet shape stood out, that's what I want!

I soon found a plan of the cabinet and started drawing it in Illustrator making a couple of alterations. I have made it taller and thinner (depth) and rotated the screen upright like most arcade cabinets. I originally I purchased a 21" monitor to give it that retro picture quality but I found it was too deep and too heavy for my liking so I bought a 24" Led monitor.

I've been slowly purchasing mdf, buttons etc. Time so start making it.

Over the Easter weekend I got off my arse and started drawing out the cabinet sides.


Cut out the shape.

(I didn't use a hacksaw as shown in the photo)

Time to make a copy.




It took me a while to find the correct sized slot router bit. Not bad for the first time.


Time to start cutting the the other panels.


All panels cut, l thats what I thought until I realised I havent cut the bottom. Doh! 


Just needed to check the panels fit together. Not 100% perfect but as I'm using a hand circular saw its a good first attempt.


A view from the back.


After a few measurements and drilling the first panel is in place.


Since the first panel was a success I drilled the second panel.


Posts in place for the second panel.


Third panel in place. Everything going well.

[bobd2006]

After being blown away with the quality of finish by Martijn cabinets Street Fighter cabinet (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=84649.0) and Marvel vs Capcom cabinet (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com
/index.php?topic=112721.0) I ordered a few sheets of laminate.

Yellow & black.

[not_so_handy]

looking good so far. 

Laminate looks like the way to go for that really nice finish.  I am going that route, mostly cause I know my painting skills are horrible

Are you actually cutting all that wood inside your house?

[wp34]

Looking forward to following your build.  I'm in the middle of a Q*Bert restoration.  Where did you find laminate that color?

[quintinbiker]

Looking very good, if you don't mind me asking how did you put the pannels together?
Call me stupid but i don't see any wooden supports or anything?
If you can perhaps show me? much nicer than my first cabinet that i can promiss you.

[yotsuya]

Where'd you get those connectors? You didn't hork them from IKEA, did you? 

[bobd2006]

looking good so far. 

Laminate looks like the way to go for that really nice finish.  I am going that route, mostly cause I know my painting skills are horrible

Are you actually cutting all that wood inside your house?

Yes, I've done all the woodwork inside the house. 2 reasons behind that is I live alone so no hassle from the other half but the main reason was the weather in the UK has been terrible lately. Rain, Rain, Rain! nothing new there really but unfortunately I don't have access to a garage or workshop.

I did open all windows and doors downstairs and wore a dust mask and ear defenders.

[bobd2006]

Where'd you get those connectors? You didn't hork them from IKEA, did you? 

I may have borrowed some from work

[bobd2006]

Looking forward to following your build.  I'm in the middle of a Q*Bert restoration.  Where did you find laminate that color?

I purchased the laminate from a local company in Leeds, UK called Lawcris http://www.lawcris.co.uk The laminate is made by a company in Germany called Resopal. The code is D483 - Yellow.

I got a few different samples from Lawcris before ordering and the Resopal was the most vibrant. I don't know if it's a good match with the original Q*Bert cabinet colour but it looks close from photos on the internet.

[bobd2006]

Looking very good, if you don't mind me asking how did you put the pannels together?
Call me stupid but i don't see any wooden supports or anything?
If you can perhaps show me? much nicer than my first cabinet that i can promiss you.

I've used cam locks & cam dowels - here's an example http://www.hafele.com/us/products/Minifix_Connecting_Bolt_Cam_Hafele.asp

I bought a plunger fitting/devise for my drill to help me drill straight holes


I made a little jig on the bottom to help with centring the drill bit in the middle of each edge of the panels.

I used a 15mm Forstner drill bit to drill the holes for the cam locks


After drilling 5mm holes in the side panel I screwed in the cam dowels


Slide the panel on to the dowels and tightened the cam locks, job done.

[bobd2006]

A little more progress today.



I haven't attached the side panel on the top, I just wanted to see what it would look like.

[Santoro]

Looks good - nice and clean.

[Seith]

Looking very good, if you don't mind me asking how did you put the pannels together?
Call me stupid but i don't see any wooden supports or anything?
If you can perhaps show me? much nicer than my first cabinet that i can promiss you.

I've used cam locks & cam dowels - here's an example http://www.hafele.com/us/products/Minifix_Connecting_Bolt_Cam_Hafele.asp

Excellent!  Following this build, this is what I was thinking of doing with my cab originally.  I ultimately decided against it for fear of the cab being too unsturdy (I have some really rough friends when they're drunk) but i'm curious as to how this turns out for you.

[EightBySix]

Nicely done, takes a lot of skill to get enough accuracy for those cam bolts, I bet.

[Termin8tor]

So far so good. Ive been looking for suppliers of laminate in UK without much luck, thanks for link. Following with interest  

[PIZZ]

I like the modular design. Looking forward to the progress. You should pitch it to the big wigs at IKEA to sell it in their stores 

[mcseforsale]

You're gonna get that tingly feeling when you put it on the floor for the first time!!   

It never amazes me where y'all do your wood work.  Very industrious.

AJ

[bobd2006]

I spent all day Saturday working on the cabinet.

Finished the base, I may need to add a couple of struts as support. We'll see once I attach the casters.


Routed out the bezel for the monitor. I wanted to inset the monitor to reduce the space from the perspex and the screen. Its a little rough but it will be hidden plus a little bit of filler will smooth off my dodgy routering.


Cut out the coin door hole.


Progress so far.







I drew out where the panels will go on the other side panel........I picked it up to put it on top and then it dawned on me. I'd drawn on the wrong side 


After redrawing the pattern on the correct side I was able to fit everything together. It took a bit of fettling in places though.





Still lots of things to do. A trip to the DIY store tomorrow me thinks.

[bobd2006]

Last week I decided start up the pc for the arcade cabinet. It didn't work!!  it seems that I'd dropped the harddrive at some point and it was knacked. Everything gone! I'd spent hours setting it up, controls, emulators, everything. I was well pissed off! So I've had to buy a new harddrive and start all over again.

So here's a tip for everyone reading this. Keep a backup somewhere and save yourself the anger, the disappointment and the time.

[bobd2006]

An update on the cabinet.


Spare time has been a bit scarce lately. With this weekend being a bank holiday weekend I had chance to work on the cabinet.

I've painted some hardware. Perspex holders and Grate for heat extraction.


Routed out some slots for the speakers. I'm still new to using a Router, the slots are a little rough so I've had to use a file the rough cuts in to some thing acceptable. Acceptable to a certain extent  .


I should now be finished with all the cam dowels and cutting of panels. I've also installed the sliders for the keyboard drawer.


A picture from the back. I've fitted a shelf in the bottom for my pc parts and the subwoofer will sit underneath. I'm undecided if I need to fit a fan at the top to extract the heat.


Things are starting to come together. The monitor is installed. Marquee light installed. Keyboard drawer fitted.



So far I'm very pleased with the progress, next will be the control panel, the access door at the back and then laminating.

[Seith]

Bump 

Wondering how this project turned out... did it get done?  Benched?  Wondering how the Cam Bolt approach turned out as far as sturdiness and durability goes.