New Cabinet - All Metal Design

[scujr]

All metal here are a few pics that show it's progress and finished

[yotsuya]

They remind me of kiosks.

[Nephasth]

I think you should be utilizing some radius bends in your design. Artwork should be a design cut out of the metal with etched plexi behind it and lit up with RGB LEDs.

This example is very boxy. Lose the sharp corners on the CP at least. And the monitor mounting could use some cleaning up.

What's the weight?

[Mike A]

Well since you asked for feedback...

They are really ugly. The lines are terrible. It looks like something a robot would have designed.

The monitor is way too big.

I am sorry. I usually don't have this strong a reaction to a cabinet build, but I really don't like this at all.

[scujr]

I think you should be utilizing some radius bends in your design. Artwork should be a design cut out of the metal with etched plexi behind it and lit up with RGB LEDs.

This example is very boxy. Lose the sharp corners on the CP at least. And the monitor mounting could use some cleaning up.

What's the weight?

I understand on the radius comment, but radius bends add cost. I am hoping the artwork will take away from the sharper corners and the cover the hardware from the monitor mount. The weight is about 120 lbs.

[scujr]

Well since you asked for feedback...

They are really ugly. The lines are terrible. It looks like something a robot would have designed.

The monitor is way too big.

I am sorry. I usually don't have this strong a reaction to a cabinet build, but I really don't like this at all.

I appreciate the feedback. I don't expect everyone to like it, but i hope a few will appreciate the work.

[Nephasth]

Ah... You're building these to make a quick buck... Good luck.

[Mike A]

I can feel the enthusiasm and love of craftsmanship that went into this design.

[scujr]

Ah... You're building these to make a quick buck... Good luck.

That is the goal plus to help people that had the same problem I had when trying to make a MAME unit.  Get a stand-up cabinet that's affordable , easy to assemble, and breaks down for affordable shipping. I know the design is nothing like a traditional wood cabinet, but I hope in the end the functions meets the needs.

[scujr]

I can feel the enthusiasm and love of craftsmanship that went into this design.

Yes, as well as a lot of hours in 3D Cad trying to get a design that fits in one sheet of 60" X 120" of metal, but this is an example of why there are so many different models of cars. Everyone has different tastes. I appreciate the feedback though.

[Nephasth]

Ah... You're building these to make a quick buck... Good luck.

That is the goal plus to help people that had the same problem I had when trying to make a MAME unit.  Get a stand-up cabinet that's affordable , easy to assemble, and breaks down for affordable shipping. I know the design is nothing like a traditional wood cabinet, but I hope in the end the functions meets the needs.

What's the final price?

[JDFan]

Looks like it would be a bit top heavy and unstable - I can just imagine a young child grabbing the joystick and trying to climb up onto it only to have the entire thing come toppling over and all the sharp corners doing some major damage ! 

[8BitMonk]

Not a fan of the design, there's nothing particularly unique or compelling about it, just two boxes rudimentally slapped together.

What's the advantage over wooden kits? Besides looking better, they're likely cheaper. I can't imagine these weigh any less and it doesn't look like they break down completely flat for shipping.

For instance a UAII kit from North Coast Customs is $550+shipping plus it has a pullout keyboard tray and accommodates a traditional coin door.

[scujr]

Closed

[scujr]

Closed

[scujr]

Closed

[thomas_surles]

You should have a vertical screen option.

[yamatetsu]

For instance a UAII kit from North Coast Customs is $550+shipping plus it has a pullout keyboard tray and accommodates a traditional coin door.

The UAII is a fugly monstrosity.

[scujr]

Closed

[rablack97]

I dont see pinball working here, the angle of your CP in no way portrays that you can stand up playing this thing

If the overall width of your cab is more that 24" the side buttons are useless for pinball, 24" is the widbody standard, plus your screen needs to be vertical.

I would go with larger mesh circular speaker holes and add a marquee area.

The squareness of the design makes it look like janky/klunky.  It's one thing to make something cheap and affordable, but its another to make it house worthy where people aren't saying "what is that."

Neph is right you needs some radii in their somewhere, Keep in mind, folks can get 2plyr bartop kits add a simple stand and come out cheaper with more of an arcadish look...

If you're going for viewlix, vigolix, krayliz mash up, you need to add some sort of wow factor in here, reminds me of an upscaled corybee build.

Good luck though, i'm sure you will sell a few units to those that don't know any better

I can feel the enthusiasm and love of craftsmanship that went into this design.

Yes, as well as a lot of hours in 3D Cad trying to get a design that fits in one sheet of 60" X 120" of metal, but this is an example of why there are so many different models of cars. Everyone has different tastes. I appreciate the feedback though.

I think he was being a smartass but i have to agree, your key empahsis is metal but no love on the design at all...

[rablack97]

I'm assuming those 3 dents are from mounting the monitor, re-engineer it so those go away, not a good look.

[scujr]

I dont see pinball working here, the angle of your CP in no way portrays that you can stand up playing this thing

If the overall width of your cab is more that 24" the side buttons are useless for pinball, 24" is the widbody standard, plus your screen needs to be vertical.

I would go with larger mesh circular speaker holes and add a marquee area.

The squareness of the design makes it look like janky/klunky.  It's one thing to make something cheap and affordable, but its another to make it house worthy where people aren't saying "what is that."

Neph is right you needs some radii in their somewhere, Keep in mind, folks can get 2plyr bartop kits add a simple stand and come out cheaper with more of an arcadish look...

If you're going for viewlix, vigolix, krayliz mash up, you need to add some sort of wow factor in here, reminds me of an upscaled corybee build.

Good luck though, i'm sure you will sell a few units to those that don't know any better

I can feel the enthusiasm and love of craftsmanship that went into this design.

Yes, as well as a lot of hours in 3D Cad trying to get a design that fits in one sheet of 60" X 120" of metal, but this is an example of why there are so many different models of cars. Everyone has different tastes. I appreciate the feedback though.

I think he was being a smartass but i have to agree, your key empahsis is metal but no love on the design at all...

I think out of what you listed the vigolix is the closest in wood to the type I have built. I think the wow factor and features that are missing are the artwork to set the cabinet off. I just have no clue where to start on the graphics design portion. The box look and lack of curves are the draw backs when you are dealing with metal and cost. If cost was not a concern in my design I could add them. Maybe someone on here can lead me in the right direction for artwork design.

[scujr]

I'm assuming those 3 dents are from mounting the monitor, re-engineer it so those go away, not a good look.

Yes, those are the mounting studs for the monitor. They have been reduced in size for the next build from an M6 to an M5, and when the artwork is applied they will be invisible.

[rablack97]

Man, not trying to but your bubble but artwork is not going to help your issues here, its just going slightly hide it.

Most people just paint these type of designs, look at all of the overlapping corners you have here, you will have artwork overlaps all over the place.

Plus your crossing mame up with fighter style design, you've been given ideas, but if cost is the problem, i promise you artwork will not save this project, your gonna have to make some design improvements before you even look at artwork.

[rablack97]

I'm assuming those 3 dents are from mounting the monitor, re-engineer it so those go away, not a good look.

Yes, those are the mounting studs for the monitor. They have been reduced in size for the next build from an M6 to an M5, and when the artwork is applied they will be invisible.

Have you applied vinyl artwork before, it shows everything, hate to tell you unless your artwork is busy, it will not be invisible.

[rablack97]

I think you should be utilizing some radius bends in your design. Artwork should be a design cut out of the metal with etched plexi behind it and lit up with RGB LEDs.

This here.....is your art work when dealing with metal.

[mahuti]

What do people get arcade machines for? Nostalgia (nostalgic decoration) and bragging rights. In the current design, I don't see this hitting either of those marks. So.... you're left with a real small subset that has little money and some need for an upright box, but has zero interest in the style of an original arcade machine. Weird niche. I just don't see that it's there. Personally, if I didn't have $550 to spend on a wood kit, I wouldn't spend $300 on something that doesn't hit the mark. I'd spend $199 on an x-arcade stick and call it a day. 

Once we start getting into a question about what is marketable my brain goes into overdrive on what is and what isn't going to work with the general public.  From the customer's perspective: this doesn't look like an arcade machine. It doesn't have that feel. It looks like a mall kiosk. It doesnt hit the target of "I want an arcade machine". If you don't hit that target, it won't sell.

[Ian]

Cabinet has been cancelled I am just going to jump off a bridge instead.

Ouch....

[rablack97]

What do people get arcade machines for? Nostalgia (nostalgic decoration) and bragging rights. In the current design, I don't see this hitting either of those marks. So.... you're left with a real small subset that has little money and some need for an upright box, but has zero interest in the style of an original arcade machine. Weird niche. I just don't see that it's there. Personally, if I didn't have $550 to spend on a wood kit, I wouldn't spend $300 on something that doesn't hit the mark. I'd spend $199 on an x-arcade stick and call it a day. 

Once we start getting into a question about what is marketable my brain goes into overdrive on what is and what isn't going to work with the general public.  From the customer's perspective: this doesn't look like an arcade machine. It doesn't have that feel. It looks like a mall kiosk. It doesnt hit the target of "I want an arcade machine". If you don't hit that target, it won't sell.

[rablack97]

Cabinet has been cancelled I am just going to jump off a bridge instead.

Ouch....

Yeah that might hurt,  you might try a re-design before you do that.

Take the advice and make it better man, dont give up........

[mahuti]

@rablack97 

@scujr You don't have many posts... I hope we didn't run you off. I think we all identify with your excitement. But we all know that it's real damn hard for things to sell in this hobby at any price.

My best suggestion: make awesome stuff for your own entertainment, to hone your own personal craft, to have fun, and if you really want to share...  as gifts for other people. This isn't a great hobby for making money, but it is a great hobby for learning things that might be applicable in other fields.

You want other people to have joy doing arcade stuff... that is great. At the end of the day though... it's a hard business.

[8BitMonk]

The UAII is a fugly monstrosity.

How so, it shares a lot of it's looks with traditional arcade cabinets. I used the UAII plans to build my Mame machine and quite like it. In any case, even if you don't like the UAII design I still think it's miles ahead of this design in form and function.

Besides the aesthetics I'm still highly doubtful the OP could actually get all that metal cut, bent, powder coated and shipped for less than the alternatives unless he's doing high volumes and I just don't see the demand.

[scujr]

Closed

[morton]

Cabinet has been cancelled I am just going to jump off a bridge instead.

Ouch....

Yeah that might hurt,  you might try a re-design before you do that.

Take the advice and make it better man, dont give up........

Was going to choose a bridge over a river and use my cabinet to anchor me down to the river bed.  It's all in good fun, I either have the wrong audience for my design or I have started a lost cause. Either way I built a cabinet for my man cave that I am happy with and works really well for my liking. Maybe my hopes of capitalizing from that was a bad idea.

You shouldn't take it too hard. This is the nature of market research. If every product stopped the first time it was shown to people and got a bad reaction, we would have missed out on some truly special things in our time.

That said, you built something you like, and feel is marketable. Its hard to take constructive criticism when you are so married to you own work. Trust me... Its why I don't post half the stuff I build on other forums. You took a need and tried to address it. Its not to say you're the only one who would appreciate the design, but its going to take someone wanting "your design". I am not sure your experience in the marketplace and what you know about arcades... I know little as I am just starting. Its definitely a tough crowd. The worst idea I had IMO was trying to come up with something EVERYONE will like. Just ain't gonna happen. So maybe build one that does one thing really well, and hope that can be your selling point. My struggle is with how many tricks can you make a pony do before you wish it could just go back to being a normal pony. I feel I am better trying to make two cabs that do half as much than one that does it all.

Just my $0.02... I do commend you though, as it is no easy task. I saw the posted photo and it wasn't bad... And more of a start than some others. Regardless of the result, enjoy the journey, learn what you can... You took an idea and realized it... and remember that building something and finishing it is more important than winning over the crowd.

[pbj]

 

[scujr]

Closed

[pbj]

Put the pics back up, coward.

[rablack97]

Cabinet has been cancelled I am just going to jump off a bridge instead.

Ouch....

Yeah that might hurt,  you might try a re-design before you do that.

Take the advice and make it better man, dont give up........

Was going to choose a bridge over a river and use my cabinet to anchor me down to the river bed.  It's all in good fun, I either have the wrong audience for my design or I have started a lost cause. Either way I built a cabinet for my man cave that I am happy with and works really well for my liking. Maybe my hopes of capitalizing from that was a bad idea.

Well for one you chose metal man, hard to work with that and make it look good without sinking some coin into it.

Start simple, maybe customized metal CP's, those would sell.  Think about what you said, cheap kit, but costs more money to perfect

Perfect it using the advise and charge more, people will by quality when presentation is nice.  If your trying to hit the lower end market, your not gonna beat a fight stick attached to a rasp pi that's like 100.00 and no eye sore.

The design has to be clean and innovative and not based on material use.

Like Kanye said to the girl that brought him a sweater for his bday - DO BETTER -

But don't quit......

[scujr]

Put the pics back up, coward.

[rablack97]

Put the pics back up, coward.

OH yeah, this too, don't be scurrredddd.

[pbj]

Looks like a movie ticket machine with a joystick bolted to it.

 

[scujr]

close

[yamatetsu]

Just trying to balance cost and look appeal is hard in metal.

Problem is, if there is not enough appeal to buy it, the cost doesn't matter. If I don't like it, I won't buy it, even if it doesn't cost much. The buyer doesn't care about the cab being made out of metal, since the metal will be covered by the art anyway. What the buyer cares about is buying a cabinet that looks like an arcade machine, and your design doesn't provide that look.

[yamatetsu]

The UAII is a fugly monstrosity.

How so, it shares a lot of it's looks with traditional arcade cabinets. I used the UAII plans to build my Mame machine and quite like it. In any case, even if you don't like the UAII design I still think it's miles ahead of this design in form and function.

I simply loathe the UAII's design. It's chunky, it's ugly, I hated it on first sight. I can't understand that it seems to be something of a favorite design, but hey, we all have different tastes. As to the OP's 'kiosk' design, yep, I don't like that, either. It's just too boxy. No amount of art is going to hide that.

[Ian]

Custom Metal control panels would sell! I would definitely be interested in that!

[scujr]

Closed

[stigzler]

That'd be handy for fridge magnets.

[pbj]

You're the second dude in a week to post a picture of his stool, binoculars, and lotion nook.

[yotsuya]

That'd be handy for fridge magnets.

---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, I LOLed

[pbj]

Stop, he's sensitive.

[rablack97]

Custom Metal control panels would sell! I would definitely be interested in that!

dude, instead of quitting do this.....simple cheap and people would buy these....

20ys of metal experience you could do some really cool control panel stuff and make money are the same time.

good grief man....

custom kickplates........

joystick control panel templates for undermounting.

reeingineer the t-ball mount......

ughhh opportunities all over the place.........

[yotsuya]

Oh man, I see he took down the initial post. That sucks. I don't think anyone was really mean about his design, they were just gave him real feedback.

I bet if he threw them on Kickstarter, some dudes would throw cash at him to get one for their man cave. That's really his target audience.

[8BitMonk]

If he didn't have the fortitude to withstand a little honest feedback there's no chance this was ever going anywhere anyway. He probably didn't expect real-world responses, just praise.

[scujr]

You're the second dude in a week to post a picture of his stool, binoculars, and lotion nook.

No I appreciate the feedback, but posts like this is why I am trying to close this thread

[Wyo]

Welcome to BYOAC! 

[yotsuya]

You're the second dude in a week to post a picture of his stool, binoculars, and lotion nook.

No I appreciate the feedback, but posts like this is why I am trying to close this thread

Just roll with it, my friend. It's Jim. Getting noticed is like a badge of honor.

[pbj]

 

[rablack97]

You're the second dude in a week to post a picture of his stool, binoculars, and lotion nook.

No I appreciate the feedback, but posts like this is why I am trying to close this thread

THats PBJ bro he hates everything.....

Take your ambition and and these pies to the face and do something cool with it.

Trust me i've seen worse, you just just need some tweaks, posting and hoping for yay great job takes some luck and hella love on design to get that kind of feedback here.

What you should of done, was show how you built it, what all you did to fabricate, then folks would appreciate your attempt more.

[pbj]

Yeah, man, round off those corners and that would have looked pretty sharp.  The lookout nook comment was based on your room's eerie similarity to another forum member's.

[Nephasth]

I missed all this...

What was the price?

[yotsuya]

I missed all this...

What was the price?

[rablack97]

I think he bounced.....

[ed12]

the other ppl where giving input (was really asked for)
the op took a pissy and pulled everything.??
a mod should just ditch the thread in the garbage can...

ed

[rablack97]

pissy no, deflated prolly so.

he should of posted the build process instead of just posting a finished prod and expecting a positive rave.

my thinking is he built before doing any real arcade style research and the mob gave him some brutal tell it like it is.

Oh well,    could of been cool had he taken the advice and changed up a few things.

[morton]

I can't blame the guy... I got through like 10 posts and didn't see one single compliment on a ANY aspect... this website is FULL of 1/2 done or less projects, and this guy just got shat on. Constructive criticism isn't just piling on the person. He expected some criticism no doubt, but I think it was more or less how it was said that just added insult to injury.

That, and the internet be ruthless... I only go to family members if I expect universal praise 

[yotsuya]

I can't blame the guy... I got through like 10 posts and didn't see one single compliment on a ANY aspect...

Why lie to the guy?

[wp34]

I can't blame the guy... I got through like 10 posts and didn't see one single compliment on a ANY aspect... this website is FULL of 1/2 done or less projects, and this guy just got shat on. Constructive criticism isn't just piling on the person. He expected some criticism no doubt, but I think it was more or less how it was said that just added insult to injury.

That, and the internet be ruthless... I only go to family members if I expect universal praise 

On the one hand there wasn't much to compliment.  On the other this place isn't known for tactful feedback.  You will get honest feedback if you ask for it but it isn't likely to be tactful.

[scujr]

I can't blame the guy... I got through like 10 posts and didn't see one single compliment on a ANY aspect... this website is FULL of 1/2 done or less projects, and this guy just got shat on. Constructive criticism isn't just piling on the person. He expected some criticism no doubt, but I think it was more or less how it was said that just added insult to injury.

That, and the internet be ruthless... I only go to family members if I expect universal praise 

On the one hand there wasn't much to compliment.  On the other this place isn't known for tactful feedback.  You will get honest feedback if you ask for it but it isn't likely to be tactful.

The reason I removed it from the thread was not due to the feedback. It was related to the off topic replies by some people on this forum. I have requested to the moderator just to trash this thread, but that has not been done. Most of the feedback was expected, because by design my cabinet is not supposed to be nostalgic. I have a 100% nostalgic cabinet already and so does almost everyone else in this world. So I wanted to make something different.. This cabinet is Metal which I can not find too many examples of work by anyone except when you start looking at gambling class cabinets.  So I appreciate the ones that did give real feedback, and I am sorry to the others that my cabinet is so far different from a nostalgic cabinet that it offends you.

[Mike A]

It has nothing to do with nostalgia. It is just an ugly box. I get it. You are trying to make a buck. Just don't pretend otherwise.

[behrmr]

If you are just trying to make money then do what a lot of custom builders do. Post the one you did for sale on CL. Then if you get a bite you tell them you just sold your last one. Then you make two and sell one. If you get no bites then no one likes your design.

[Ian]

Think of it as a good first draft... refine it and comeback a better builder. 100% of us did the same thing. All of our first starts where a bit rocky.

[thomas_surles]

Do a bartop and get back to us at 5pm. (Eastern time) GO!

[scujr]

Do a bartop and get back to us at 5pm. (Eastern time) GO!

I have done a bartop gaming cabinet , but it was for class 2 gambling machines . It would be easy to modify the design for arcade purposes.

[thomas_surles]

Do a bartop and get back to us at 5pm. (Eastern time) GO!

I have done a bartop gaming cabinet , but it was for class 2 gambling machines . It would be easy to modify the design for arcade purposes.

Check out the tempest design, those make great bartops.

[mourix]

Am I the only one who thought the cab was not that bad? With some proper artwork and refinements it could be turned into something quite nice

[scujr]

Do a bartop and get back to us at 5pm. (Eastern time) GO!

I have done a bartop gaming cabinet , but it was for class 2 gambling machines . It would be easy to modify the design for arcade purposes.

Check out the tempest design, those make great bartops.

Thanks for the tip on the design. Before my next build I will post some 3D model images. I am still trying to figure out how to add radius bends to my other unit with out jacking the cost. Plus considering cutting out a marquee at the top that can be customized per order and you can just add acrylic and lights behind it. Things like coin doors or custom kickplate could be added as well. The Prototype that have already built is the basic shape and is a prototype not the final product. Taking something from an idea to reality is not going to be perfect on the first builds.

[scujr]

Am I the only one who thought the cab was not that bad? With some proper artwork and refinements it could be turned into something quite nice

Thanks 

[mahuti]

I'd like to see this as a bartop.

[yotsuya]

I'm going to parrot some good advice given here - soften the edges.  Or go balls to the wall, embrace the blockiness, and do Minecraft - inspired artwork.

[yotsuya]

Am I the only one who thought the cab was not that bad? With some proper artwork and refinements it could be turned into something quite nice

Yes, I think you were.

[yotsuya]

Here a marquee thought - check out Nephasth's Two-Headed Beast. It has a marquee box that you could fab as an add-on. 

[Mike A]

You could weld an eye hook to the top.

Get a long chain and have yourself a nice battleship anchor that plays Galaga.

[mahuti]

You could weld an eye hook to the top. Get a long chain and have yourself a nice battleship anchor that plays Galaga.

You already got your shot in. No need to turn the screws more.

[stigzler]

Let's face it - BYOAC can be quite harsh and there are 1 or 2 that get a kick from laying the boot in. Others are just of the persuasion to "tell it like it is" and some read between the lines and are a bit more mindful with their comments. I've found myself on the wrong side of 1 or 2 nefarious characters over the years and I just have to remind myself "there's always ****s."

I think the majority of cutting comments are a playful ribbing rather than hateful venom. Mind you there's always the 1%.

Personally, I was stuck by the uniqueness of an all metal cab (cue someone producing a BYOAC link from 1976 entitled "The Pleasure Machine") so kudos for that and bet it took some work. But I, too, wasn't a fan of the aesthetic.

Next time - get the whole of BYOAC to agree a contracted and signed (in blood) final brief before starting a build. The ---smurfs--- can't moan then...

Now where's me fridge magnet?

[Mike A]

If it was a passion project I wouldn't be harsh at all. He is trying to make a quick buck with the smallest effort possible. There is a big difference. This isn't going in his living room.

[scujr]

If it was a passion project I wouldn't be harsh at all. He is trying to make a quick buck with the smallest effort possible. There is a big difference. This isn't going in his living room.

You are right and wrong on both accounts. It is not going into my living but it is going in my man cave with my multicade. Secondly there is no such thing as a quick buck on a project like this. There was a lot of hours put into 3D models ,creating sheet metal flat , programming the laser to burn them, setting up and running all the bends through the press brake, pressing all the hardware in, welding the corners, grinding, spot welding, and assembly after powder coat. This is a passion project , but I think it maybe unique enough to set it apart from other cabinets.

[stigzler]

Yerp - I also get the 'quick buck' thing. There's a fine line between capitalisers and passionate suppliers. If you're just knocking off crap to make easy money then I wouldn't even dignify their posts with a response. Are we sure that's what this guy was looking to do, however? Maybe I should read closer, but I wonder if he was just entertaining the ridiculous fantasy that some of us occasionally fall prey to occasionally "hey I could give up my day job and become an arcade machine building artisan." I am just as guilty, although, after being 4 years in on my first cab, I'd be very hungry.

[Mike A]

What got me is the first suggestion was to radius the edges. His immediate reaction was that it was going to cost extra money. I save my verbal arrows for people like this guy. He already had a bunch of these monstrosities lined up like robot invaders from an anime video. He wasn't asking for suggestions, he was fishing for customers.

[scujr]

What got me is the first suggestion was to radius the edges. His immediate reaction was that it was going to cost extra money. I save my verbal arrows for people like this guy. He already had a bunch of these monstrosities lined up like robot invaders from an anime video. He wasn't asking for suggestions, he was fishing for customers.

I had three units. One was for me , one was for the guy who was helping me, and the other is what we call in fabrication as a setup part. The setup part is the first part through each operation to help tweak the machine. Cost is a concern if I choose to sell my idea to others, and not as a replacement to my day job. Just for fun money. So if you still want to hate then keep drinking your Haterade and keep hating. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Wyo]

If it was a passion project I wouldn't be harsh at all. He is trying to make a quick buck with the smallest effort possible. There is a big difference. This isn't going in his living room.

You are right and wrong on both accounts. It is not going into my living but it is going in my man cave with my multicade. Secondly there is no such thing as a quick buck on a project like this. There was a lot of hours put into 3D models ,creating sheet metal flat , programming the laser to burn them, setting up and running all the bends through the press brake, pressing all the hardware in, welding the corners, grinding, spot welding, and assembly after powder coat. This is a passion project , but I think it maybe unique enough to set it apart from other cabinets.

That's how it always goes...with anything.  A lot of people can't see beyond what's simply in front of them and recognize the amount of thought and work it takes to make what they are looking at.  That said, people are unique in that not everybody else digs what everybody else does.  Your design has kind of a utilitarian European look to it....like IKEA would make it.  Some people would like that. 

You posses metal skills that many of us don't have here, and are doing something unique and different.  Not sure I've ever seen an all metal arcade cabinet scratch build on this board....because working with that material is a whole different animal that requires a whole different skill set.   Definitely much harder than wood or fiberglass. 

I work in autobody, I know some incredible metal fabricators....guys that can make complete reproduction 1930s Ford fenders from a flat sheet of metal....by hand; boggles my mind.

So I give you credit for being innovative for sure and definitely keep pushing through your design and I look forward to seeing what you come up with! 

[scujr]

If it was a passion project I wouldn't be harsh at all. He is trying to make a quick buck with the smallest effort possible. There is a big difference. This isn't going in his living room.

You are right and wrong on both accounts. It is not going into my living but it is going in my man cave with my multicade. Secondly there is no such thing as a quick buck on a project like this. There was a lot of hours put into 3D models ,creating sheet metal flat , programming the laser to burn them, setting up and running all the bends through the press brake, pressing all the hardware in, welding the corners, grinding, spot welding, and assembly after powder coat. This is a passion project , but I think it maybe unique enough to set it apart from other cabinets.

That's how it always goes...with anything.  A lot of people can't see beyond what's simply in front of them and recognize the amount of thought and work it takes to make what they are looking at.  That said, people are unique in that not everybody else digs what everybody else does.  Your design has kind of a utilitarian European look to it....like IKEA would make it.  Some people would like that. 

You posses metal skills that many of us don't have here, and are doing something unique and different.  Not sure I've ever seen an all metal arcade cabinet scratch build on this board....because working with that material is a whole different animal that requires a whole different skill set.   Definitely much harder than wood or fiberglass. 

I work in autobody, I know some incredible metal fabricators....guys that can make complete reproduction 1930s Ford fenders from a flat sheet of metal....by hand; boggles my mind.

So I give you credit for being innovative for sure and definitely keep pushing through your design and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Thanks for the encouragement

[leapinlew]

he was fishing for customers.

I hate it when people come on this board and try to sell me arcade stuff.

 

[Mike A]

I don't mind salesmen. Just be upfront about it. I guess people think I was too harsh. Try pitching an idea in an actual business environment some time. I will lay off this thread because I respect the opinions of a bunch of the people that posted here.

[yotsuya]

I don't mind salesmen. Just be upfront about it. I guess people think I was too harsh. Try pitching an idea in an actual business environment some time. I will lay off this thread because I respect the opinions of a bunch of the people that posted here.

Don't ever change, Mike.

[smass]

Why did I not open this thread when I noticed it earlier???  I now have to live with never having seen this, now legendary, cabinet?  C'mon bro, post a pic for the latecomers.   

[mahuti]

I think it's actually a clever marketing scheme to build buzz. I think Mike A is astroturfing.

[stigzler]

Yeah. This fella works for Nintendo.

[mahuti]

I heard he worked for Sega.

[Nephasth]

To be honest, an all metal cab isn't 100% practical (and I'm all for metal). A metal/wood hybrid cab would be the way to go to achieve some fantastic aesthetics.

[stigzler]

I heard he worked for Sega.

Both as bad as each other:

To be honest, an all metal cab isn't 100% practical (and I'm all for metal). A metal/wood hybrid cab would be the way to go to achieve some fantastic aesthetics.

Agreed. You get some quality hardwood trim mixed with some brushed aluminium or brass - cool beans.

[smass]

Props for the poll - and hell yeah dude - post them pictures.  I am sure you put a lot of time an effort into this, and frankly, who the fudgesickle cares if folks rip on your design?  Trying something new is never a guarantee of success, quite the contrary.  Gotta break 'dem eggs to make an omelette

[scujr]

I heard he worked for Sega.

Both as bad as each other:

To be honest, an all metal cab isn't 100% practical (and I'm all for metal). A metal/wood hybrid cab would be the way to go to achieve some fantastic aesthetics.

Agreed. You get some quality hardwood trim mixed with some brushed aluminium or brass - cool beans.

What I really want to do for my mancave unit is get a wrap done to make it look like a terminal PC out of Fallout 4 or a Blue and yellow Vault-Tec theme but I am not sure how to go about that process.

[mahuti]

but I am not sure how to go about that process.

Scrounge some parts for the monitor and keyboard. Take really good measurements of 'em. Draw up a plan. If you can do that... you can figure out the rest as you go. The art of the start... gotta start somewhere, and paper's cheap. I've always found that as soon as I just start getting things down on paper, I start figuring out what else I'll need to do. I write up a plan, take notes as I figure stuff out.

[scujr]

Props for the poll - and hell yeah dude - post them pictures.  I am sure you put a lot of time an effort into this, and frankly, who the fudgesickle cares if folks rip on your design?  Trying something new is never a guarantee of success, quite the contrary.  Gotta break 'dem eggs to make an omelette

Pictures added back to the original post

[yotsuya]

Paint 'em up like this and sell 'em to dudes who want 'em for their "man caves"...

[rablack97]

Is it me or is the OP totally ignoring the good advice given on this thread......

I mean the majority has spoken on the original design, mr. horse style.





I'm just not understanding the logic here, if you say it took a ton of man hours to make this, at a low cost, this means you over-engineered a box my man.

I would of taken and fabricated the appropriate profile, and engineered something worth posting.  The problem here is you took the hobby element and made it a business.  A hobbyist tends put the expense piece secondary as the primary protocol is to take a vision and make is a reality.

TBH sir, if you stuck in the mud hole on this one due to funds, put it out there, Corybee was selling his slop for hundreds and thousands of dollars.  He did get better with time and started building some cool stuff.  There is no sweet talking this up bro, it's slop with the potential of being something cool.

Instead of pitching a product, you should of as stated before, posted the build pics, showing your craftsmanship with metal, and at that point, folks would appreciate this more behind what you actually did.

People learn from your experience and then the slop box wouldn't of taken such a hit.   

I'm kinda seeing that you didn't want help, you wanted verbal support that this idea was golden.

I hope you can pull it off, if you decide to move forward.