As of yet unnamed WeeCade clone

[HaRuMaN]

Computer parts are in, as are the bartop parts:

[HaRuMaN]

Here is the revision 2.1 of the drawing, if anyone is interested.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7Rqi_4oIj-weDFDZlNWQ0c5UTA

Rev 2.2:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7Rqi_4oIj-wcGQ2Tjc5Mk0xT1E

[HaRuMaN]

space reserved...

[pinballjim]

[ChadTower]

Matches the table felt perfectly!

[DNA Dan]

Is this a kit you purchased?

[HaRuMaN]

Is this a kit you purchased?

No.  Took plans to a CNC router service local to me. 

[HaRuMaN]

Was waiting for the pbj weecade hate.

[TPA5]

Wow, it does look like a kit! How much did it run you, if you don't mind me asking?

(Also, why the WeeCade hate on arcade forums? I'm so confused over it haha)

[dextercf]

(Also, why the WeeCade hate on arcade forums? I'm so confused over it haha)

Guess it's kinda like artists paiting classical landscape canvas, you have seen the stuff thousands of times before. It's only tiny little details destinguishing them from other similar works.

I am watching this one anyways, cos the woodwork showed allready looks flawless.

[HaRuMaN]

Wow, it does look like a kit! How much did it run you, if you don't mind me asking?

Was $110 for the first one (programming was the big charge).  Now that the programming is out of the way, I can get copies made for cheaper.

[jmike]

Nicely done. Cheaper, $$. I'm sure shipping would be up there.
Just in case send me a pm   

 

[404]

damn, just $110!? wish i had money. build is looking great so far!

[HaRuMaN]

damn, just $110!? wish i had money. build is looking great so far!

Thanks!  Hopefully going to get gluing this weekend.  Haven't decided if I want to round the sides, leave as is, or route for t-molding...  1/2" mdf seems a bit thin for t-molding, though.

[leapinlew]

Looks good.

My Galaga bartop is 1/2" MDF. You can definitely put t-mold in it and it looks good. Several years later and it's still holding up well.

If you decide to put some screws in it, be sure to pre-drill, countersink, and be precise.

[BadMouth]

I think you should call it the WeeJim and dedicate it to pbj.

[HaRuMaN]

I think you should call it the WeeJim and dedicate it to pbj.

I should!

[pinballjim]

First, you take a design that looks like a laptop in a box.  It's so simple that people have made nice examples with nothing but hand saws.

Second, you have the thing CNC routed so all you have to do is slap glue on it and hold it together. 

I guess the point of it is lost on me.  I give him credit for being honest about the expense and not trying to hustle these as $500 kits on everyone.

I'd rather have the laptop.  Do what thou wilt.

[HaRuMaN]

Second, you have the thing CNC routed so all you have to do is slap glue on it and hold it together. 

Well, yeah.  I have a 2.5 year old and a 1 month old, so my 'free' time has been taken up considerably.  This saves me some time.

[ChadTower]

You should use the cab as a dinner time booster seat.

[PL1]

I think you should call it the WeeJim and dedicate it to pbj.

I should!

Here's a marquee for you.

You should use the cab as a dinner time booster seat.

That would go great with the SW chair.




Scott

[TPA5]

Wow, it does look like a kit! How much did it run you, if you don't mind me asking?

Was $110 for the first one (programming was the big charge).  Now that the programming is out of the way, I can get copies made for cheaper.

How much cheaper? How heavy would it be to ship a 'kit' like that? Just wondering if you'd ever consider selling the CNC'd wood for a quick bar-top project. It would be a cool gift for my bro-in-law for his birthday in a few months, and since I only have usually 1-2 hours of free time per week it would be easier than cutting it all up myself.

Also, I may be a noob at building arcades, but I think it's looking sweet. Of course there's always people who will think that it's not 'legit' if you don't spend 300 hours sweating in a workshop ignoring your family and friends, meticulously hand-sanding every inch of the cab, printing your own PCB boards and writing your on operating system to run MAME, and bloody-near hand-molding your own buttons and joysticks. But I think if you end up with a smooth-looking cab that plays well, it's legit.

[DNA Dan]

Also, I may be a noob at building arcades, but I think it's looking sweet. Of course there's always people who will think that it's not 'legit' if you don't spend 300 hours sweating in a workshop ignoring your family and friends, meticulously hand-sanding every inch of the cab, printing your own PCB boards and writing your on operating system to run MAME, and bloody-near hand-molding your own buttons and joysticks. But I think if you end up with a smooth-looking cab that plays well, it's legit.

You know, I buy my joysticks completely built too. There's no shame in that. 

[monkeysez]

I'd be interested in a kit as well. 61802

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk 2

[HaRuMaN]

Did some dry fitting today, these are not quite ready for prime time, yet.  Did some checking, some stuff is a little bit off.  I thought I had the button holes just right, but they are just under the right size needed for a Happ button. 

Also, some of the wood strip sizes need adjusting (for gluing everything together).

There are a couple of other minor things that need a bit of tweaking as well.

Will keep this thread updated.

Thanks all.

-Lee

[TPA5]

Also, I may be a noob at building arcades, but I think it's looking sweet. Of course there's always people who will think that it's not 'legit' if you don't spend 300 hours sweating in a workshop ignoring your family and friends, meticulously hand-sanding every inch of the cab, printing your own PCB boards and writing your on operating system to run MAME, and bloody-near hand-molding your own buttons and joysticks. But I think if you end up with a smooth-looking cab that plays well, it's legit.

You know, I buy my joysticks completely built too. There's no shame in that. 

Ah I apologize, I wasn't trying to make a sweeping generalization on anyone. It just bugs me when folks whine about something being "exactly the same" as many others. Often the reason they are the same is because the one it is based off did it right, so why re-invent the wheel?  Anyway I know that not everyone here thinks that way, I apologize that I made a broad sweeping-statement.

[HaRuMaN]

Doh.  So, in my plans I had the button holes as 1.1 inches, should have been about 1.15 inches.  Lol.

[ChadTower]

Doh.  So, in my plans I had the button holes as 1.1 inches, should have been about 1.15 inches.  Lol.

That is so much better than making them too big.  I did that on my mame cab... on the metal CP.  Had to make up for it with a plexi overlay.

[griffindodd]

You can't rip on someone for buying a weecade kit and putting it together when nobody bats an eyelid around here when someone pulls a completely built old cab out of a dumpster or grabs one off craigslist for $100.

[HaRuMaN]

Updates are off to the CNC router service, I'll see how these next ones turn out.

Hole sizes fixed, button placement tweaked, and assembly baton sizes tweaked.

Also, I have asked about slot-cutting, too.

[SNAAKE]

so how does it work you make the plan or its available online for download? then bring to someone with a cnc router and they'll do it for a fee? are you selling these yourself too?

considering setting one up for the asus 23" evo monitor. you'd def get business if you tried working with your CNC guy.

[HaRuMaN]

so how does it work you make the plan or its available online for download? then bring to someone with a cnc router and they'll do it for a fee? are you selling these yourself too?

considering setting one up for the asus 23" evo monitor. you'd def get business if you tried working with your CNC guy.

I got the plan from someone who made them based on the Weecade.  I then modified them somewhat and took them to my CNC guy.  I had to hunt around for one that didn't want to rape me on price.  At first I was getting quotes of $200 to $250 and I almost gave up.

Any large changes would require another programming charge.  I can get away with small tweaks with no extra charge.

Got a link to that monitor?

I may sell some of these once I get the bugs worked out.  Right now I'm waiting on batch 2 from the CNC.

[SNAAKE]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

this is whats used at EVO tournament and this is the least laggy LCD monitor for fighting games. been tested and everything. Id probably buy some kit from you too if u can set it up for this monitor. for personal use any maybe for friends.

[HaRuMaN]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

this is whats used at EVO tournament and this is the least laggy LCD monitor for fighting games. been tested and everything. Id probably buy some kit from you too if u can set it up for this monitor. for personal use any maybe for friends.

I'll see what I can do. 

[degenatrons]

I got the plan from someone who made them based on the Weecade.

Would have been nice for you to quote me as the source of the CNC files 

I then modified them somewhat and took them to my CNC guy

If you make any improvements then please share and contribute back.

I may sell some of these once I get the bugs worked out

Selling the CNC plans or kits?  I thought you just wanted to use them for your build?


It did take me some effort to put this lot together but I am sharing it with the community.  Thanks to Koenigs for his original plans.
I made my CNC files available for download.

you can browse all the files here:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkZWdlbmF0cm9uc3xneDo3MmM3M2ZkOTRiYzM0NWU2

or you can download as a zip here:
https://sites.google.com/site/degenatrons/building-an-xbox-powered-arcade-cabinet/cnc_cutting_and_templates_adapted_from_weecade_by_degenatrons.zip

There are other templates and resources in the zip file to assist peeps with their build. 

[HaRuMaN]

I got the plan from someone who made them based on the Weecade.

Would have been nice for you to quote me as the source of the CNC files 

I then modified them somewhat and took them to my CNC guy

If you make any improvements then please share and contribute back.

I may sell some of these once I get the bugs worked out

Selling the CNC plans or kits?  I thought you just wanted to use them for your build?


It did take me some effort to put this lot together but I am sharing it with the community.  Thanks to Koenigs for his original plans.
I made my CNC files available for download.

you can browse all the files here:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkZWdlbmF0cm9uc3xneDo3MmM3M2ZkOTRiYzM0NWU2

or you can download as a zip here:
https://sites.google.com/site/degenatrons/building-an-xbox-powered-arcade-cabinet/cnc_cutting_and_templates_adapted_from_weecade_by_degenatrons.zip

There are other templates and resources in the zip file to assist peeps with their build.

Didn't know if you wanted your name listed, and sure, anyone who wants the modifications I made can have it.  All I did was mainly change the units to inches, remove excess panels, and added in some batons for gluing purposes.  Spaced some panels out for easier cutting.

Originally this was going to be just for me.  However, so many people have been asking me to make them kits, so I have been thinking about offering low-cost mdf-only kits to the forum (US only) since I know reasonable CNC services can be hard to source on your own. 

I'll find somewhere to upload my working copy. Still have yet to get the hang of google drive and sharing.

[HaRuMaN]

Figured out Google Drive, 2nd post has been updated with the .dwg file.

[BuschWolff]

What size monitor will your plans fit?

[HaRuMaN]

What size monitor will your plans fit?

4:3 monitors up to 19" should fit.  Depending on the monitor, 19" may require de-casing.

[jmike]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

this is whats used at EVO tournament and this is the least laggy LCD monitor for fighting games. been tested and everything. Id probably buy some kit from you too if u can set it up for this monitor. for personal use any maybe for friends.

Snaake - This is a nice looking monitor. Might have to pick one up.


 

[dextercf]

Are the bugs now gone?
And also, is it possible to Get a copy with metric measurments as this is the global standard of measure (has too!).. Hehe

[HaRuMaN]

Are the bugs now gone?
And also, is it possible to Get a copy with metric measurments as this is the global standard of measure (has too!).. Hehe

I'll know when I get the next one back probably at the end of next week...

And no...

[dextercf]

Are the bugs now gone?
And also, is it possible to Get a copy with metric measurments as this is the global standard of measure (has too!).. Hehe

I'll know when I get the next one back probably at the end of next week...

And no...

cool enough.
I have some 16mm MDF sheets allready. So then I would have too grab some 13mm then, which is about 0,4 lagrer than 1/2" (aprox).
Would you forsee problems doing 13mm?

[HaRuMaN]

Denagatron originally made these for 13mm, so that should work out just fine. I had to use 1/2" since we don't have 13mm here.

[dextercf]

Awaiting your results then. 😁

[404]

hope you didn't throw away the first one 

[HaRuMaN]

hope you didn't throw away the first one 

Of course not!  

I had the CNC guy cut 1/16" pockets so I could place the wood batons easier for gluing.  Pockets are a little bigger than the baton (not a problem) so I centered the batons lengthwise and then pushed them to the outside of the pocket.

Gluing the batons in:



I have glued the bottom piece to the sides, and this is starting to take shape.  Top piece isn't glued yet, just clamped in for a little stability:

[jmike]

 
          Coming together nicely.


 

[404]

hope you didn't throw away the first one 

Of course not!  

I had the CNC guy cut 1/16" pockets so I could place the wood batons easier for gluing.  Pockets are a little bigger than the baton (not a problem) so I centered the batons lengthwise and then pushed them to the outside of the pocket.

Really wasn't interested in all that info. Was hoping you would have said yes to throwing it out. this way i could have asked you what dumpster did you toss it out in. 

Just kidding dude. It's coming along great!

[ChadTower]

Nice.  This is going to be a really good machine.

[DNA Dan]

No Screws or fasteners?

[HaRuMaN]

No Screws or fasteners?

Nope.  Other than screws for a couple of hinges.  And bolts to hold the monitor to the monitor bracket. 

[ChadTower]

Totally do not need them in this build.  Nothing heavy is going in and it's only a bartop.  No stresses that glue cannot handle.

[leapinlew]

Name it PBJ Killah

[dextercf]

So I can give my CNC guy the "OK" on cutting out one of these now?

[ChadTower]

I can see the marquee now.  "Do What Thou Wilt" in stylized font laid over Summer's Eve in one corner and Massengil on the other.

[HaRuMaN]

So I can give my CNC guy the "OK" on cutting out one of these now?

I have another tweak to upload.  If you feel like taking a risk, sure... I don't have V2 back yet to look at.

[HaRuMaN]

Looking better, the back door isn't attached yet, I just stuck it there to look.  I'll be attaching the hinges soon.

Control panel not attached yet, either, I still need to widen the button holes.

[HaRuMaN]

2nd post has been updated with my latest revision of the drawing.

[spystyle]

Awesome

[GnobarEl]

Hi,

nice project. Witch LCD you will place there? 4:3 or 16:9?

thanks!

[HaRuMaN]

Hi,

nice project. Witch LCD you will place there? 4:3 or 16:9?

thanks!

4:3 for mine, 17".  Should fit a 19" 4:3 as well.

[jammin0]

I think I'm going to try building one of these.  I am a fan of the weecade and your cad drawings are perfect.  CNC is awesome but unattainable for me on my budget so I'm going to try and cut a nice template to route the sides from.  I wish I knew someone in my area that I could get that curve cut on a cnc, even if it was just for the template in 1/4" hardwood.  I'm digging your cutouts for the batons as well.  Should be easy enough to do with a template that had cutouts as well.

How does the CP attach, does it hinge forward like a typical cabinet?  If so, how does it lock in place.  I'm considering having the only access be to the back.  I know that it will be a tight fit but I usually solder all my connections so it should stay pretty maintenance free but worse case I can gut it and reach in there to get at the CP.  Just curious to know how you are dealing with that part of the design.

[HaRuMaN]

How does the CP attach, does it hinge forward like a typical cabinet?  If so, how does it lock in place.  I'm considering having the only access be to the back.  I know that it will be a tight fit but I usually solder all my connections so it should stay pretty maintenance free but worse case I can gut it and reach in there to get at the CP.  Just curious to know how you are dealing with that part of the design.

I've been debating with myself over this.  I've been leaning toward gluing the CP to the admin panel and having the admin panel hinged to the bottom piece, and then using either a control panel latch or some strong rare earth magnets / industrial velcro.

Alternately, I may just glue the CP and admin panel.  The back of the cabinet is going to be hinged.

[spystyle]

... I'm going to try and cut a nice template to route the sides from...

It should be easy to print a template using "poster printery" or "rasterbater" or something like that. Then glue the paper onto the material and cut with jigsaw and router

Let us know how you do it, I'm into building this cute arcade machine as well !

Using laptop guts, one could run one of these on a battery LOL

[GnobarEl]

I will follow closly this topic since I also want to build one bartop like this on too.

[jammin0]

[/quote]

I've been debating with myself over this.  I've been leaning toward gluing the CP to the admin panel and having the admin panel hinged to the bottom piece, and then using either a control panel latch or some strong rare earth magnets / industrial velcro.

Alternately, I may just glue the CP and admin panel.  The back of the cabinet is going to be hinged.
[/quote]
Oh yeah, I forgot about Velcro.  That would be quick and cheap.  I decided to start a new thread http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128924.msg1317533.html#msg1317533because I am loving your weecade plans so much.  Not going to look as clean and nice as your cnc version but I'll give it the old college try. I started cutting the template after work tonight.

[HaRuMaN]

Another pic:

[yotsuya]

Where the heck are you going to put the Asteroids in that workshop?

[HaRuMaN]

Where the heck are you going to put the Asteroids in that workshop?

Behind and to the right of where I was standing.  It's a big room.   

[mcseforsale]

Subscribed...

AJ

[mcseforsale]

What are you using for batons?  The original drawings (in PDF) say 15mm.  Which is 1/2".  so, I'm looking at HD and need a better idea what you're using.  Is it a hardwood dowel?

thanks,
AJ

[jammin0]

What are you using for batons?  The original drawings (in PDF) say 15mm.  Which is 1/2".  so, I'm looking at HD and need a better idea what you're using.  Is it a hardwood dowel?

thanks,
AJ

I had the same question but just used mdf.  Since I just glued and clamped it worked great.  I'm interested to hear as well though.

[degenatrons]

What are you using for batons?  The original drawings (in PDF) say 15mm.  Which is 1/2".  so, I'm looking at HD and need a better idea what you're using.  Is it a hardwood dowel?

thanks,
AJ

I had the same question but just used mdf.  Since I just glued and clamped it worked great.  I'm interested to hear as well though.

I used 12mm (1/2") strip wood in my CNC plans.  You can see me fixing them to panels in this video at about 4 minutes in.


I made up some PDF templates for baton placement to make the cutting and fitting easier when following the CNC plans.  These templates are attached.

[HaRuMaN]

Got a new design in the works which improves on some things, and should make assembly a LOT easier.  More details after I pick up the prototype from the CNC guy in a couple of days.   

[404]

Got a new design in the works which improves on some things, and should make assembly a LOT easier.  More details after I pick up the prototype from the CNC guy in a couple of days.   

great, you can now drop off that first prototype at my door 

[HaRuMaN]

Got a new design in the works which improves on some things, and should make assembly a LOT easier.  More details after I pick up the prototype from the CNC guy in a couple of days.   

great, you can now drop off that first prototype at my door 

Um...

[ChadTower]

Got a new design in the works which improves on some things, and should make assembly a LOT easier.  More details after I pick up the prototype from the CNC guy in a couple of days.   

great, you can now drop off that first prototype at my door 

He tried but 404 was not found.

[404]

Got a new design in the works which improves on some things, and should make assembly a LOT easier.  More details after I pick up the prototype from the CNC guy in a couple of days.   

great, you can now drop off that first prototype at my door 

He tried but 404 was not found.

ya got me! 

[HaRuMaN]

First sides weren't cut right, had to make a slight design change and get them redone:



I'll be testing the fitment once I get home...

[jmike]

 
Black melamine 

[HaRuMaN]

And now, teh shexy:

Dry fit, no glue:



Still dry fit, no glue:



Thing is rock solid, with no glue yet...



Prototype was originally gonna be MDF, to be cheaper.  The sides had to be recut, he had run out of MDF, so he recut the sides in melamine.

This time, no batons for main assembly, just glue, insert panel, done!

There are batons for the CP and back only.  Back has been split into two pieces to allow for a lock or latch.   

[yotsuya]

Excellent job. my friend!

[HaRuMaN]

Trying out tapatalk...

Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk 2

[opt2not]

Lookin' good bud!

[HaRuMaN]

Wait until you see the one I'm making from the melamine!

Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk 2

[spystyle]

Awesome

One of these days I'll try to build one, but the regular way (no CNC)

Rock on!

It occurs to me too that the plan could be scaled small for a laptop screen (like a modified laptop inside) or scaled larger for a big LCD screen.

[dextercf]

This still happening?
Should I get the files and send them to "my CNC guy" now?

[jammin0]

This still happening?
Should I get the files and send them to "my CNC guy" now?

Late to the party?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130522.0.html

[dextercf]

This still happening?
Should I get the files and send them to "my CNC guy" now?

Late to the party?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130522.0.html

Yeah, and no.
I have missed out on that thread, yes. But if you care to look earlier in this thread, you can see that I am not late for no party. In fact, i was too early.

[HaRuMaN]

Not sure exactly what you are asking for, but the current CNC plans are linked on the top post of the for sale thread.   

[jammin0]

This still happening?
Should I get the files and send them to "my CNC guy" now?

Late to the party?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130522.0.html

Yeah, and no.
I have missed out on that thread, yes. But if you care to look earlier in this thread, you can see that I am not late for no party. In fact, i was too early.

Fair enough.