Starting my first build.

[Snowbreak]

As it is, my actual experience with arcade cabinets is fairly limited, but since I have the resources I kinda just said "know what? I'm gonna make an arcade cabinet". Now, I've set up the dimensions and I'm starting off with a fully creamed frame with 2" bar bracing against the angles on the back and sides. The side panels will be some sort of particle board (I was originally going to go with plate steel and then was thinking of sheet, but after a hard dose of reality I realized I want to be able to move the damned thing), and as for the internals, I'm gonna wing it depending on what I can get. I will be posting pictures as I progress through the fabricating process, if anyone has any constructive criticism for what I'm doing please post it. And just as a frame of reference, my background is in metalworking, not wood.

[jennifer]

     **Jennifer needs some aspirins all of a sudden. ....Ok, Couple of things, First your going to have to know what your building, The monitors can be vertical/horizontal,  crt/flatscreen. Oem board or a Mame computer, And as for the construction Some steel could be incorporated into your design, however I would keep it more towards aesthetics rather than structural, (You don't want the player to be electrocuted should the monitor go south)...AND... BTW, Welcome to the forum.

[Snowbreak]

I am going to do a clear coat over the steel, and there will be rubber seals as well as cable sheathes to prevent shorting, as well it will be grounded (trust me, I got shocked once by a live stinger, not an experience I want to repeat). As for the components, the monitor is going to be a flat-screen 32" LCD (or LED), the powerhouse is actually going to be made up of multiple systems stacked in the bottom part (airflow will be necessary, so fans in each side as well as flow holes). I'm fiddling around with the idea of using a physical breaker to switch systems, but it might just be easier to use the controllers or the command console.

[jennifer]

     That sounds like a fun plan, And you could Rivet 2 side plates together With 2" flat stock for a super heavy duty tank like build. Back in the day games used to be monster heavy, So a build like this wouldn't be unheard of... cutting a groove in say a 1" square stock for a "T" moulding (for a finished high end look) might be tricky however, unless you have access to a plasma? 

[Snowbreak]

Molding does sound like a good idea, but as it is, getting 1" stock through my supplier isn't really an option. Although once I get past the initial weld-up I might look into that depending on where I am. (and I actually don't have access to a rivet gun sadly, but I could do plug welds and then use a bolt head for decoration)