Complete Noob's Superhero arcade build

[luizw81]

So after stalking you guys for over a year on these forums I decided to jump in and build my first cab.  I've got my old HP 110-23W setup with Hyperspin.  I love Hyperspin but to all of you who said it is a pain in the tail to set up you weren't kidding.  And I know my PC is crap but it's one I just had laying around.  As soon as I get the funds I plan to update to a gaming rig so I can my newer fighting games.

So, for a baseline,  I have beginner woodworking skills.  Power tool wise I have a drill, skill saw, a cheap power sander, a cheap jigsaw and a router that I got for my birthday.  I've used 3/4" MDF for my frame and furring strips for my supports.

[reptileink]

Welcome (officially) to BYOAC!

Looks like a promising start. Are all the bondo marks from screwing the furring's from the outside? Is there any reason you didn't go from the inside?

Either way, looking good! Any specific superhero you are going with?

My fist arcade attempt is in my signature, as you can tell, I have as soft spot for The Punisher.

Look forward to your thread, I too, am a novice woodworker.....aka, hacker...lol

[luizw81]

The bondo is covering the screw holes front panel pieces.  I need to do some more sanding before I paint.  The fir strips are just held by some 1" nails I had laying around.  I wasn't too worried about those since they realy are just acting as "guides".

I noticed your build before as Frank Castle was my idol as a kid. Lol.  I loved the Garth Ennis run.  Born is probably my favorite comic story arc of all time...twisted stuff man.  As for my theme, it's just a collage of various superheros I slapped together but the Punisher features prominent on my marquee.  I kept it mostly mainstream since kids will be using it (no Yorick Brown, Agent Graves, etc) but I think I have something like 60+ superheros total.

[luizw81]

Apologies for not posting in a while but my 3 year old developed pneumonia and we had to spend 4 days in the hospital.  Needless to say my arcade build took a back seat.  I worked on it some this weekend though and I wanted to share with you guys.

First I dry fit my TV (pictured below).  It was sitting way to low so I raised my mount two inches and now it sits right in the middle of the opening.  I know a bunch of people are against larger TV's like this 32" but it was one I already had laying around the house....waste not want not right?

Then I picked up my artwork from the local print shop I used.  It is really durable and super cheap.  I think I paid ~$40 bulks for both pieces.

[luizw81]

I also got around to painting the cab.  The below pictures is after the first coat went on.  I forgot to take a pic when I was done but I was real happy with the way it turned out.  Then I applied my CP graphics and mounted my buttons.  I originally went with red Happ pushbuttons from Ultimarc but, with the urging of my wife, I ended up buying some red ChromaLite LED pushbuttons.  I'll save the Happ buttons as I am thinking about building my son a miniature cab when he gets a little older.

I haven't mounted my Mag-stik joysticks yet but I am worried.  I want to bottom mount them but I didn't route the CP so I think they feel too short.  I screwed up 2 CP's before I decide to skip this step.  Anyone mount these without routing?  Are there extended shafts that fit the Mag-stik that anyone knows of?  I know Andy said I could buy the ball-top shafts but they won't be any longer.  I guess they would look longer because the ball would take up less of the shaft.  If I can't find longer shafts I probably will try and find a local metal shop and get a quote about fabricating some.  I would love to have some longer hollow shafts so I can snake an LED light into a ball top but metal fabrication is DEFINITELY out of my wheel house! LOL

[wemr97dl]

Routing is not hard and doesn't have to be exact, mark your area and use scrap wood as a guide and take your time. Try a couple practice pieces first, with your art applied its all or nothing.
I know paradise arcade sells a lot of shafts, not sure how long, you'll have to contact them to see if they have what you need.

[luizw81]

I lost track of posting when the site had it's issues.  I'm 99% done with my first build.  All that is left is to paint the speaker covers red and mount them.  In all I'm very proud of my 1st build and can't wait to start planning my next one.  I'll attach some pics for now and try to get a video posted soon.

[luizw81]

A couple more pics.  I decided to spray paint the plexi for a basic black bezel.  I was worried to begin with but I was really happy with the results.  A little painters tape and newspaper to cover the screen, 4 coats of black satin spraypaint, and it looked awesome.