* * ARCADE CABINET [TIMEMACHINE] * *

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Thank to all the craftsman and women for the inspiration and information, ArcadeControls.com. 

I'm well into building my first arcade cabinet based on the Dynamo Z-Back.  [I could have picked an easier cabinet, but didn't.  Insert many expletives here!  Glad I didn't cave in and do another.]

Corrected errant milling with Bondo.

Here is what I have thus far:

Materials:

3/4" MDF Board
1" Square Dowels
2x3" Pine Lumber
4x T-Nuts
4x Leg Levelers [Hard Plastic / Slides easily and doesn't mar]
Particleboard Screws
Washers
Bondo


Tools:

Porter Cable Cordless Circular Saw
Porter Cable Cordless Drill
Rigid Jig Saw - Barrel Grip
Makita Router
Makita Orbital Sander
Black and Decker Workbench

That's a START!

[digitalchild]

I see where I went wrong with my cabinet.  I just put a computer inside mine.  You put an actual *child* in yours.   

[yotsuya]

Are those 2" x 4" studs temporary pieces?

[BEGINSTUDIO]

No.  They are structural.  The upper two will frame the ASUS LCD, another will be added behind them for a VESA mount.  I have added another just below the second [from the top].  A 24 x 24 1/4" Lexan plexiglass, back painted black, sans monitor area, will span over 2x3" supports and supported by magnets/washers and steel support. 

The control panel, 16g steel will provide additional support to this 24x24 1/4" Lexan "Bezel".

[yotsuya]

Oh, so you're going widescreen monitor? I was hoping you found a 25" Arcade CRT for that cab.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Yeah.  I'm going with widescreen for now, plus I have the ASUS.  If I find a CRT/TELEVISION a reasonable price, I'll work with it.  For now, its the wide. 

[eds1275]

If I find a CRT/TELEVISION a reasonable price, I'll work with it.

How are you not finding millions of them for free everywhere?

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Well, there have been a few with burnt in images and such.  I want to play some current games [HD] on the system also.  I was toying around with the idea of putting a Sony Trinitron 27" 4:3 into the cabinet.       

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Here is current control panel mockup and some other pictures.

Control Panel Controls:

2x UltraStick 360 [Ultimarc]
1x SpinTrack [Ultimarc]
1x Tron Stick [Groovy Game Gear]
Illuminated Push Buttons [Ultimarc]
1x I-Pac Ultimate I/O
2x Player 1/2
4x Leaf Push Buttons
1x 3" Illuminated Green Trackball [Twisted Quarter]

[yamatetsu]

That CP looks a bit crowded. I would recommend to make a mockup with cardboard to test it.
There is no space to rest your hand when using the spinner, looks like you might bump your arm
 into the 2P-stick when using the flight stick and you might hit the 2P-stick when using the trackball.

Also I would move the 1P-start button to the left side of the CP as this is where your hands will
be most of the time.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Thanks for the constructive information, Yamatesu. I will create another cardboard mockup on the standing cabinet.  The crowding bothers me, especially if it interferes with the game(s).   Aesthetics too.  I confined my efforts to a very tight area for the amount of components.   I thought about extending the CP area, towards the monitor, deepening the CP, but the angle seemed to steep and unreasonabl. (Bending the steel might be an option).  Also extending the CP out towards the player.  (I didn't care for the profile of the cabinet). 

After doing some additional mocks and moving components around I'm hoping the CP will rest nicely in the 24" x 10.25". Area.

[gabrielmtl]

Well, there have been a few with burnt in images and such.  I want to play some current games [HD] on the system also.  I was toying around with the idea of putting a Sony Trinitron 27" 4:3 into the cabinet.       

You should! They are cheap and will give you a great image if you set it up properly.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

1. Moved the Trackball Down
2. Moved P1 Button LEFT, Left corner.  Moved P2 Button RIGHT, Right corner.  [Liked the opposition it set up.  Also the convenience of not having to reach over P2.]
3. Eliminated secondary FIRE and SUPER ZAPPER leaf buttons.
4. Moved Spinner and Tron Flight Stick.

Will cardboard later tonight or this weekend sometime.

Waiting to hear from LITEMAX.

@GabrielMTL - - Admittedly, I have not been looking for one.  I have three little ones running around and I cannot leave this project exposed in any way.  As my workspace in NYC is small a terrace, 25-30 feet up and little nook.  The LCD panels are easier to handle and not leave open to curious hands/feet/ ... other.   However, that being said, if I could find one working I would love to secure one in the cabinet... How long do you think it would take to put one in?   

[eds1275]

Are you going to hide the mounting plate under the art?

I think it looks awesome, and the only thing I recommend would be move the spinner away from the front of the trackball if you plan on playing any golden tee/world class bowling/shuffleshot!

[BEGINSTUDIO]

@Eds1275 - - Thanks.  Good point and I have some latitude there with the spinner.

The CP will be on 16g Steel.  All bolts, screws will be counter sunk, Bondo/Sanded if necessary.  There will be no mounting plate for the trackball.  The thickness of the lip of the trackball housing is at the depth/thickness of the steel.

Made a brake that will bend the metal.  Drill the holes before or after bending?

 

[PL1]

Made a brake that will bend the metal.  Drill the holes before or after bending?

As long as you can accurately bend the metal at the desired position and angle, it's probably easier to drill first.   


Scott

[BEGINSTUDIO]

@PL1 - - Thank you.  That helped.  I am now 99.9% sure I will do that first.

Here are the pieces to be added into the cabinet.

POWER:
1x Modified Monster Digital Power Center.
1x Male Plug Panel Socket
1x Heavy Duty computer cable

AUDIO:
Audio will be serviced by an Altec Lansing and/or Cambridge Soundworks, Subwoofer and satellite speaker system.
2x 4" Speaker Grill Squares / No Nobranding. 
Will make modification to cabinet for a mini plug port or/ may opt for Bluetooth headphones.
Volume will be controlled by SHIFT+ button.

COIN DOOR:
Over-under coin doors w/ lights/switches and locks.

OTHER INPUT:
2x Neutrik NAUSB-W-B A/B USB Feed-Through - Black for Keyboard/Mouse/Controller/Or Other.

VENTILATION:
Four holes in base of cabinet/screened and 2x 12V Fans, top back panel.
Power from computer.

VIDEO:
Asus VS247H-P 23.6-Inch Full-HD LED-Lit LCD Monitor
15.4 Laptop Panel w/Controller/Keypad etc.  [MARQUEE, possible LITEMAX SSD2313, waiting contact]

CPU:
Dell OptiPlex 960, Intel Core 2 Duo 3.00GHz/64bit Dual Core and 4 GB of RAM
300G HD
10 - USB Ports
Display Port, Dual Monitor DVI
Windows 7

NETWORK:
Encore Router: Configured as Access Point

FRONT END:
Hyperspin

CABINET GRAPHICS:
Stencil
Control Panel Vinyl


 

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Heard from the LCD manufacturer.   798.00 FOB Taiwan -- 23.5 inch stretched monitor, 1366 x 382 resolution, VGA & DVI inputs

Well, its very nice and I would like to include it in my cabinet, the price is out of my budget now.  Maybe in the future when a trust fund from someone kicks in.  [sarcasm]  The LG/AOC/Dell ultra wide screens dimensions are too large for my use.  11" is too big.

MARQUEE - - I have a 15.4" widescreen laptop monitor w/ keypad controller that will do.  I will place speakers and speaker grills to the left and right of the screen.  Appr. 8.75" tall, just shy of 13" wide.  I have these items and can use them immediately.  Though, that 798.00 LCD fits the bill nicely. 

The decisions we have to make...

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Still entertaining the idea of picking a Sony KV-24FS120 up and putting it into the cab.  Reading postings, asking questions...  I know some of you have already chimed in, others?  Should I, or should I not?  That is the question.

[yotsuya]

Still entertaining the idea of picking a Sony KV-24FS120 up and putting it into the cab.  Reading postings, asking questions...  I know some of you have already chimed in, others?  Should I, or should I not?  That is the question.

Yes, do it. You have plenty of space there.

[rtkiii]

I dig the name 

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Dig yours too, rtkiii.  Nice to be transported back.

[markc74]

If you have the space for a crt then definately use one.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

@markc74

Pursuing the world for a CRT.  A quick question for you: What card are you using in your "Blip" CPU to drive both CRT Monitor and LCD Panel?  This is a large concern for me because I want to integrate a marquee screen, LCD.

Thanks for your help!

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Changes to the CP...

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Moody CP... [Perhaps for some other project.]

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Carboard/test of CP...

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Issues with cabinet:  While routing I angled the router's base and ending up creating a channel too wide for T-Molding on curve.  Solution: Bondo the area sand and rout.

At a stand still with the monitor.  I'm following a lead to grab a 23.1 4:3 LCD screen and still looking around for a CRT that I can/might use.

I will continue with the "Scramble" art for the rest of the project.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Followed through on a lead, looks like a Planar WS231 23.1 LCD Screen 4:3 is going to be delivered.  The Trinitron fell through.  This weekend was a wash for getting things done. 

Decided to put the Player 1 and Player 2 buttons on the vertical part of the control panel.  Am going to try some other designs, but I will put those experiments into the ARTWORK section of these boards.

Rock and Roll!

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Here are a series of the operation today....

The ventilation vents and speaker ports were changed because of an error with the router.  I totally freaking messed these items up.  I went with my alternative for the speakers, but still pondering what I am going to do about the vents.  Originally I was going to do an array of lines, 1/4", but the router did not perform well and when I pushed it, it was a smoke show.  I will NEVER purchase another 1/4" small router.  Ever.   Unless I'm etching plexi or cutting paneling or doing T-Molding all day.  Even then nope.

I also removed the computer from the box and mounted it on the plywood shelf.  There will be 2x cylinder locks on the front and two blocks on the back to keep the unit secure.

Applied bondo and woodglue to my errors and counter sunk screw holes.

Tomorrow... 

1. Sanding the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of it. 
2. Prime. 
3. Sand. 
4. Paint.  OSHA Red
5. T-Molding
6. Fix Lock
7. Prepare stencil.

Thanks all, time for a Stone Ruination or two.

Cheers.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Here's what was done today...

1. Fixed Lock - Added an iron bar.
2. Drilled Power Button Hole / Push button on Top
3. Primed and painted.
4. Added Black T-Molding.
5. Added Over Under Coin Door

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Quick test for fit...

1. Planar Monitor in Place, 23.1" Diag.
2. Test fit, prepare for Vinyl Order. Cardboard and printout.  To be mounted on 16G Steel.  Attached by continuous hinge and arcade cabinet hooks and clasps. Adding two mini jacks for headphones/also bluetooth?
2. Ordered 1/4" 24"x24" gray tinted glass, Monitor
3. Ordered 3/16" 24"x9" gray tinted glass, Marquee
4. 1/4" inner part of Bezel needs to be cut out. Paint black.

First cabinet!  Woot!  Neighbors will be please that I won't be doing a lot of cutting and sanding on the terrace anymore.  [My workshop!]

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Some of the gear...

[Rick]

You are a craftsman! (Craftswoman? CraftsPERSON!) Nice work!

[eds1275]

BEGINSTUDIO do you have a thread about the games you are developing?

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Yeah, sure...

https://www.facebook.com/BEGINSTUDIONYC

First game released: Dangerous SPACE (Dec 2013)

ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dangerous-space-1.1/id851765276?mt=8

GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=Dangerous+Space&c=apps

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Begin-Studio-Dangerous-SPACE/dp/B00HES9304/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409931825&sr=8-2&keywords=dangerous+space+app

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Will be getting some more done tomorrow.

Here are a few picts from the days activity.

1. Ventilation System: Two fans installed.  Vent covers, painted black.
2. Marquee: Two 90 degree angled aluminum, secured by flat head screws and 90 degree brackets, countersunk, painted black.
3. Tron/Flight Stick: Screws painted black
4. Monitor: Velcro and felt laid down for monitor/bezel and glass. 
5. Smart Power supply installed.

Tinted glass arrives Wednesday for main screen/monitor and marquee.

Asus Dual Band Wireless USB adapter arrived for integration.

The painting went wrong.  Left for the day after leaving the painted marquee items on the terrace when it began to mist.  Will need to REDO.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Received:

1. Vinyl Control Panel
2. Paper Copy of Vinyl

Problems encountered with marquee.  Want 3/4" right angle aluminium, but Home Depot sells it in 8' lengths.  Unwilling to cut at store.  I live in NYC so walking around with an 8 foot aluminum spire could introduce problems, Joust anyone.  Will go to HD tomorrow with hack saw and chop in store if need be. 

Other issue: my design was too tight. 

1. I will be filing metal this weekend to fit the control panel correctly.
2. With a metal punch I will dent the hole areas and cut.
3. File burrs and I will be onto the control panel. 

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Picture...

GameonGraphix: http://www.gameongrafix.com/

[mgb]

This cabinet is really looking great.
I love the z back design.

As far as cutting material right at the store,
 I do that all the time. I have brought my power saw and cut wood in the parking lot and
On a few occasions have done some metal working on the parking lot for stuff needed for work.