DIY cabinet with minimal tools

[Arcade Rabbit]

I'm thinking of cutting out some expenses with my arcade machine. Thinking 70-100$ for a shell is a bit steep. I'm pondering if I can make a very boxlike cab myself with plywood. I only have access too a big old saw, hammer, nails, the old drill might, just might still be in working order, and I might have access to a dremmel, but not a guarantee. How would I go about doing the holes for the buttons and joystick without expensive powertools?

[PL1]

A variable speed drill is an absolute must-have.

A 1-1/8" spade bit, hole saw, or forstner bit (personal favorite) is also a must-have.

As long as you choose a long enough joystick, you won't need to use a router to countersink.


Scott

[Vigo]

Yeah, you could. I've built cabinets with the bare minimums. I'm gonna toot my own horn here, but my easiest cabinet was the Vigolix I designed. All straight cuts, but has a very sharp design. Although I did round some corners by sanding them.



Here is my project link

DrChek and Slappyhooper both made Vigolix cabinets as well. DrCheks is a lot like mine (but nicer), and Slappyhooper made a cool 2 player full size version of the cab.

I think the absolute bare minimum you need to make a cabinet is a saw, a drill with a hole bit that PL1 Mentioned, screws (will work better for you than nails), sandpaper, paint (you can buy spraypaint or a roller/brush and a bucket of paint), bolts for mounting joystick and monitor.

But anything you can borrow that is a power tool will help.

[Arcade Rabbit]

Wow, that one was really nice! Hope my tabletop will turn out good too =D

[Vigo]

Thanks! I think you can make a nice cab on your first attempt. Corybee made a number of very a few bartop cabinets not to long ago as his first attempts, and even so they turned out well enough that he was able to sell them for a good price. Just be sure that if you have any questions or snags you you run into, that you check here and ask. We are always here to help. 

[Arcade Rabbit]

Great too hear! I ordered my controls yesterday from China. Guessing it'll take about a month for 'em to get here. So it's gonna be a while untill I can start working on the cab. I can't wait! 

[bsktbllmn23]

Yeah, you could. I've built cabinets with the bare minimums. I'm gonna toot my own horn here, but my easiest cabinet was the Vigolix I designed. All straight cuts, but has a very sharp design. Although I did round some corners by sanding them.



Here is my project link

DrChek and Slappyhooper both made Vigolix cabinets as well. DrCheks is a lot like mine (but nicer), and Slappyhooper made a cool 2 player full size version of the cab.

I think the absolute bare minimum you need to make a cabinet is a saw, a drill with a hole bit that PL1 Mentioned, screws (will work better for you than nails), sandpaper, paint (you can buy spraypaint or a roller/brush and a bucket of paint), bolts for mounting joystick and monitor.

But anything you can borrow that is a power tool will help.

I built this very design from his project link. Havent posted it yet, but Vigo is the man! (BTW sad to see you leaving the encoder world, Vigo)

My 2.5 year old loves to play on this thing! Very easy and built from one small sheet of nice plywood. Planning on making another one this summer for my son's room.

[Vigo]

Thanks man!  My 2.5 year old loves our as well (and the racing one I made for my dad when we visit). I can't wait to see your cabinet when you post it! 

[Hambo3]

A good drill and a jigsawa are must have's for me. I jigsawed the button holes, took a while though and a lot of extra care and filing!!

[Jeromebechaz]

A good drill and a jigsawa are must have's for me. I jigsawed the button holes, took a while though and a lot of extra care and filing!!

if you had a drill then you would have been able to cut the holes with a spade bit? That would have been so much easier