I have an idea.....

[TKW4rr10r]

I have an idea for a cool cabinet mod, but looking for feedback / help in seeing it visualized since I'm currently without time or resources. Figured I'd share one of these "rare moments of possible genius" and see where it goes.    You're going to need to use your imagination to follow with me, so I'll try to be clear in my description.

You first need to familiarize yourself with the NephRings to understand the concept:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132983.0.html
You're taking a clear plate and edge-lighting it between the control panel and joystick mount, for a very cool effect.

1st idea - take that concept, and work with the coin door. This time it's a trim piece that sits between the cabinet and coin door, and either sticks out a 1/16 of an inch all around, or sits flush with the coin door edge. Still edge-lit from within the coin door itself, but gives a cool "halo" effect around the door and adds some eye appeal to an otherwise overlooked area on the cab.

2nd idea - now lets take this to the logical extreme - For visualization purposes look at the front of say a Ms. Pacman cab:


Now picture a full plexi sheet on top of the front panel, being held on by the coin bucket bolts and the coin door, itself (or I'm sure you could cut some channels into the sides if doing a custom build). On the sheet you have one of the graphic colors etched to match (for this example lets say the pink stripe and pink graphics). Now it's being edge lit by LEDs located behind the coin door and bolt holes. I think that would be a really cool effect.

Another variation of the idea - This time take a cabinet without any front graphics - lets say a Donkey Kong. That sheet would have character/level sprites or another design etched and lit in the same fashion. Having the ambient lighting off and a "level" lit up in red around the coin door.

I hope you can see where I'm going with this. Maybe someone here with some artistry skills can throw up a mock-up to better explain what I'm trying to show. Just one of the crazy ideas that's been running around in my head thinking of future projects. But I won't get to this until at least the summer and I wanted to share. Maybe it's been done before but I haven't seen it. Let me know what you think.

[TKW4rr10r]

And that was post 300 

[Generic Eric]

I think I get where you are coming from.  I had a similar idea. I won't get to it until the summer either. 

Your idea has merit, you should definitely consider doing it.

[Nephasth]

Ran across one of these the other day...

Throw some etching and RGB LEDs in there and it'd be badass.

I've got another project utilizing LED edge lit acrylic on the horizon...

[TKW4rr10r]

Yeah that thing looks bad ass.
That track ball looks too small for that style cabinet, but maybe its a perspective thing.

If anyone can see what I'm getting at with this idea its you Neph. Hopefully I can get some work prepped for the project I want to try this on this summer. I'll need to find someone with a laser though.

[Ginsu Victim]

And that was post 300 

One day, you'll be able to make that many before lunch.

[Howard_Casto]

I think it's a good idea and we've all thought of it at one point or another only to price structurally sound plexi and come home sad and disappointed.

[SavannahLion]

Those ideas are doable.

Depending on your choices of acrylic you'll have different design considerations.

Hit up a brick and mortar store, NOT a Home Depot or Lowes or whatever. Go to a store like TAP Plastic  and tell them your idea,  bring a few sketches. Here's the important part. Ask if they have any scraps of different thicknesses for free or super cheap. These are going to be your test pieces so make them portable or keep track. Once you get an idea of what works for you, then go get your plastics.

I did this and I'm glad. I worked with plastics a long time ago but never acrylics until recently. TAP fielded me some free samples and I realized my initial idea wasn't even necessary or warranted. I still have a few kinks to work out (cross cuts are still a difficult) but I have better ideas now that I have plastic that I'm not so worried about destroying in hand.