And So It Begins. Custom Fiberglass Cabinet

[dezmond]

Hello Everyone.

A bit about myself.  My name is Dezi.  I live in Delhi and work at a custom wood shop where we make Aircraft replicas from WWI & WW2 and many other Planes and Jets from Full size down to 1/12 scale.  We process mostly Balsa and Bass wood.  We have a CNC Router, CNC Lathe, and 2 CNC Laser Cutters.  A lot of our projects are stick built and then covered either in Plywood, aluminum, or fiberglass.  It's a blast to work there!!!  Always a new challenge.

I have always loved playing arcade games and recently I have been wanting to build one for me and the kids to play on.

When I came here a couple months ago I did a lot of reading.  A LOT!!!!!

I came across OND's Futuristic cabinet and all I can is WOW!   GREAT WORK!  I must try one myself...

So that's why I am here today    I have started the design work of a custom Fiberglass cabinet that will be similar to OND's but with my own changes.  Ya I know it will somewhat look like his but that's what I like.  I plan to go more round and adding some nice chrome to it here and there.

I am a newbie at SolidWorks but I am learning.   Here are some renders of the very beginning of my project..  There are going to be a lot of changes.  I know the monitor is not sitting where it should be as well as the CP but I am figuring how to blend them all nice together.

I figure I will make a 1/2 size model of the machine before I go all out and make the full size one.   Today I took the profile of the Base, cut out the parts and glued them together.  I will next figure out the coin area and how to put that in and make up the frame work.

I would love to hear what you guys think.  Good or Bad.   I need opinions and guidance in case I am doing something wrong or right

It is going to be a 2P 6 or 7 Button CP.  No theme yet or name   That will come later.

Thanks everyone

Dezi

P.S.  My boy is helping with this project as well.  He loves working with wood and Dad

[Slippyblade]

Interesting concept.  Looking forward to seeing more.

[emphatic]

Cool. I'll be following this closely.

[johnrt]

Cool!!! And a nice start! I'll be following this for sure!

[dezmond]

Thanks guys I would love your help throughout this build.  I suck at solidworks so it will take me a bit longer to get you renders of my designs. 

I'm trying to figure out how to mount the monitor housing right now and hope to cut nor parts maybe tomorrow and try mocking it up.  That's the one thing I like to do is build smaller models before I build the real thing.  Less mistakes

[opt2not]

Personally, I'm not a fan of the design from an artistic POV, but this is the new BYOAC, so I should just say good luck and have fun with your build!

[harveybirdman]

Needs a 4:3 monitor or you need to adapt the shape of the monitor shroud to a corresponding shape like an oval or elipse.

[jennifer]

    I think I would have put a 3rd support in there for strength, But its the dowel thing, (Wood I presume?) that has me confused, That should be steel, (square 2x2 would be my guess) To help support not only the head but the whole structure,Unless that's just a mold plug your building there, then never mind its right on track.... Either way hats off to you friend, Quite a brave undertaking.

[mgb]

I was wondering when we'd start seeing some custom fiber glass builds.
Seems like a great idea. I'm looking forward to see how it goes.

While I'm not a huge fan of the particular design you're going for, I still love the idea and will watch.

I agree on going with a 4:3 monitor.
Go to Arrowdirect and get an recently off lease one for good and cheap.

Also have you thought about having a little angle to the monitor.
I find a straight up/down monitor to be hard to play.

How will the controls and such be supported, metal?

I look forward to seeing more, looks like a good start.
It's extra great that you're building it with your son.

[rablack97]

Doesnt matter how it comes out man, your son is helping you that's a solid build already....

Good luck with your project....

[jennifer]

Doesnt matter how it comes out man, your son is helping you that's a solid build already....

Good luck with your project....

   Doesn't matter?.... Cmone man, it matters even more, a life lesson at best... PLAY TO WIN!!!

[dezmond]

Thanks everyone for all the comments.

To answer a couple of questions.. 

There will be no steel structure in this cabinet.. No need for it.   I have built 1/2 size bi wing planes that we have hung from ceilings with no steel structure at all

It's all how you build it.  I plan to do a lot of "Stick building in this" so when it is ready for covering (fiberglass) it will be strong as 

Here are some pics of a 1/2 size Beaver plane we built for a medical company in the USA.  All stick built as well.  No internal steel support. except for the wing struts

I will look for a monitor in 4:3 format to keep the round sphere like design.  Again sorry for the crappy renders of the cabinet.  They will improve as time goes on with the build to show more support areas and how they will look.

Good call on the tilting..  I have a idea about making the monitor housing tilt with a few goodies I have sitting on my workbench.  Will show you shortly what I plan to do... 

[rablack97]

Doesnt matter how it comes out man, your son is helping you that's a solid build already....

Good luck with your project....

   Doesn't matter?.... Cmone man, it matters even more, a life lesson at best... PLAY TO WIN!!!

Wow, this if the first time i've seen you not talk in 3rd 1st or 2nd person.....

Dude, he cut out the frame with a freakin laser, and is going to fiberglass the shell, do you really really think its going to come out bad? 

I was just referencing the father son quality time.  I highly doubt the build is going to look like bat guano when its done.

[Token]

Needs a 4:3 monitor or you need to adapt the shape of the monitor shroud to a corresponding shape like an oval or elipse.

+1

I really really like the idea of a fiberglass cab with no straight lines. Which is why the opening for the monitor doesn't seem right to me.

[mgb]

well judging by your airplane builds, I think you've got this.

The reason I ask about steel support for controls, I was curious if mounting the joystick straight to fiberglass would break it up over time.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Subscribed!  Love to see where this is going.

D

[dezmond]

I plan to use 3/4" MDF for the top of CP.  I will then sand, primer sealer, sand, hi-build prime, block sand, paint   will look just like glass when it is finished    I hope

[jennifer]

   Jennifer, never said it was going to turn out bad  ... The planes are nice but structurally speaking don't need to be subjected to the stresses of gameplay, (or flight for that matter), so unless hes going to hang this game in the rafters too, a steel substructure would be the most logical solution IMO, Secondly, Those compound curves are not just going to magically fill themselves... Look at a boat for example, What hes got there is a plug (wood and putty) a mold is made from that, and then filled with gel coat and resin....That's not to say you cant paint it but for that level of commitment why just make 1... And finally just because its cut on a CNS and made with fiberglass doesn't automatically give it floor space in the queens chambers.

[dezmond]

Trying to come up with a neat way to attach the monitor housing/sphere thingy...  I would like to have it blend right in at the back and have some nice curves and stuff...  I will try to sketch something up tonight....

Got some goodies in today as well.   2 orders..  One for GGG and one for Ultimarc   woot woot!!! 

Keep you all posted as quick as I can.

[dezmond]

   Jennifer, never said it was going to turn out bad  ... The planes are nice but structurally speaking don't need to be subjected to the stresses of gameplay, (or flight for that matter), so unless hes going to hang this game in the rafters too, a steel substructure would be the most logical solution IMO, Secondly, Those compound curves are not just going to magically fill themselves... Look at a boat for example, What hes got there is a plug (wood and putty) a mold is made from that, and then filled with gel coat and resin....That's not to say you cant paint it but for that level of commitment why just make 1... And finally just because its cut on a CNS and made with fiberglass doesn't automatically give it floor space in the queens chambers.

If you plan it right you can make anything from wood and fiberglass.   The 1/2 size base I made, my son can stand on it no problem.  I bet I could sit my fat  on there and it would hold me.   If you use the stick build properly and fiberglass layers, it will be strong.  I have no worries about that at all.

This is kind of like a plug.   it will be wrapped in fleece, then resin, then chop mat on the inside built to a thickness that I am comfortable with.  Very little putty will be used.   

[vwalbridge]

Its got a "clam shell" look to it. So I think the bottom half of the clam shell should be the same size as the top. The OCD voice in my head is begging for symmetry.

+1 on the screen bezel not being square. I'd prefer it to have a 50s TV bezel like this:



(Maybe not curves that drastic, but you get the idea)

[dezmond]

Quick question guys.   What size monitor should I be looking for?  Trying to find a square one is getting a little hard.  I am going with a motorized rotating screen setup. 

Love to hear your suggestions please.

[Slippyblade]

Quick question guys.   What size monitor should I be looking for?  Trying to find a square one is getting a little hard.  I am going with a motorized rotating screen setup.

Totally depends on the overall size.  It's pretty hard finding an LCD in 4:3 larger than 19".  CRT TV's can be had in 4:3 in some pretty big sizes.

[mgb]

You should be able to find 4:3 monitors at 21"

I think that's the top size for LCD 4:3 (but I may be wrong)

I know I picked up a nice 21" 4:3 IPS display for $38 (shipped) from Arrow Direct

[dezmond]

Thats a sweet price for a monitor.. Here in Ontario, it is hard to find them..  I guess I have a bit of time to look around

[mgb]

would Arrowdirect not work out well for shipping to Ontario?