Brothers Build - Arcade 2

[Rangerkip]

So this started as the 24hr/$100 challenge but we ended up wasting a lot of time having fun. The images shown below are of 9 hours total in work done. I will be finishing hand updating this build on here throughout the upcoming week.

So far we have spent $85 ish on all of the materials and such for this build.

I hope he can come back out from Minnesota again soon to help! My other build is on temporary hold because this build is a lot bigger, should have both done in short order though.

[Mike A]

Are those windows on either side of the monitor?

[Rangerkip]

Are those windows on either side of the monitor?

Nope, that's all hand built reinforcement for the cover wood

[Mike A]

You really should have done a little bit of research into arcade cab building. That thing is a mess.

[Nephasth]

[Rangerkip]

You really should have done a little bit of research into arcade cab building. That thing is a mess.

Your reply is meaningless and helps nobody, congrats, input some useful advice or get lost lol.

[Mike A]

Telling you to research the basics is not meaningless. Your design is bad from top to bottom.

There is a couple of decades worth of cabinet building experience here. Use it.

The best advice would be to burn the cab and then throw your tools in the fire unless you want to actually try to learn something.

[Rangerkip]

Telling you to research the basics is not meaningless. Your design is bad from top to bottom.

There is a couple of decades worth of cabinet building experience here. Use it.

The best advice would be to burn the cab and then throw your tools in the fire unless you want to actually try to learn something.

Ever ask yourself if there's method to madness? I'm here to have fun. After having been a woodworker for 15 years I love to get loose and hone my skills in various manners.

These builds are not for the faint of heart apparently. They are strong, light, cheap, and from unfortunate experience can handle a drop 4' from a truck bed to the ground with no damage lol

[Mike A]

A woodworker? You are kidding right?

If you came up with that after 15 years of woodworking you should definitely chuck your tools into a bonfire.

This has to be a fake account. I am punk'd for sure.

[Mike A]

The fact you said you were a woodworker is the only reason this thing bugs me.

Have "fun" building whatever this thing is. I am checking out.

[Rangerkip]

Got my controls in yesterday morning, set them up in a little homemade control box and played a few games with them. The laptop is running awesome, I tested it out on a few Sega games and MAME running asteroids. Almost done figure out the hardware and software portion.

On the upside, I actually sold this machine to someone already, he has watched me build the machine since I pulled up to his shop with a truck bed full of materials. Going to use that money to build an even better machine.

[jennifer]

I get the challenge thing, But building fast/cheap is usually done after the first one is done cause then you know where to source parts and have the specialized tooling/jigs...However, (a traditional build) would lose the angled front and back supports, this is to be covered anyway with Ply/mdf and the way it is, you won't have any easy way into the cab for maintenence (coin door/back service door)...#2. It is too wide and wasted space for such a small monitor, an easy fix, would be again lose the support windows and add a brace behind the monitor you still leave the windows for marquee/mood lighting  just lose the crossbars as the serve no real purpous...Personally, Jenn would use a bigger monitor, and adjust the width to match the size, (leaving the windows) but making them more of a Backlot bezel.

[Rangerkip]

I get the challenge thing, But building fast/cheap is usually done after the first one is done cause then you know where to source parts and have the specialized tooling/jigs...However, (a traditional build) would lose the angled front and back supports, this is to be covered anyway with Ply/mdf and the way it is, you won't have any easy way into the cab for maintenence (coin door/back service door)...#2. It is too wide and wasted space for such a small monitor, an easy fix, would be again lose the support windows and add a brace behind the monitor you still leave the windows for marquee/mood lighting  just lose the crossbars as the serve no real purpous...Personally, Jenn would use a bigger monitor, and adjust the width to match the size, (leaving the windows) but making them more of a Backlot bezel.

Given the availability of a larger monitor and budget I would really like to do a bigger display. The size is a bit redundant but was done by request so it could comfortably fit 2 players (mainly his kids) and look beefy.

I like my other build more (in terms of size-to-screen) and have plans to start using either small LCD/LED TV's or older crt's. Depends on that builds budget.

The window brackets are mainly so the face has somewhere to mount, I plan on putting LED strips with an equilizer connected to a sub/speakers in the box so as the music playa from the games it adds some pizzaz (TBD on if that happens yet).

Maintenance will be pretty easy, there will be a single shelf inside the machine which will hold the computer and a majority of the system. Given this machine has no rear panel, the supports were required.

(Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind for future builds).

[javeryh]

How do you plan on finishing the outside of the cabinet? The plywood you are using looks rough - are you going to sand, seal and paint or use some sort of laminate?

[rablack97]

If I didn't know any better I'd swear this is Cory Bee!!!

Build what makes you happy bro, this is probably therapeutic for you in some capacity.

We all arent privy to folks budgets, and access to materials and tools, so if you are roughing it and got this far with it, kudos to you.

Cory Bee built cabs similar quality and nobody could tell him anything about his work, but over time he started producing some cool arcade cabs.

Ignore the vets and keep doing what your doing, what might not make sense to us, makes all the sense to you and thats all that matters.  Like Cory told us years ago, i dont give a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- waht you think, i'm getting paid, not much more you can say to that.

Have fun bro, like Yots says "Build what you dig" 

[Rangerkip]

 

How do you plan on finishing the outside of the cabinet? The plywood you are using looks rough - are you going to sand, seal and paint or use some sort of laminate?

He is coming by tomorrow I believe to give his input (the guy purchasing it owns a body shop and wants to do his own custom paint job).
My plans were a laminant cover, molding and paint.

If I didn't know any better I'd swear this is Cory Bee!!!

Build what makes you happy bro, this is probably therapeutic for you in some capacity.

We all arent privy to folks budgets, and access to materials and tools, so if you are roughing it and got this far with it, kudos to you.

Cory Bee built cabs similar quality and nobody could tell him anything about his work, but over time he started producing some cool arcade cabs.

Ignore the vets and keep doing what your doing, what might not make sense to us, makes all the sense to you and thats all that matters.  Like Cory told us years ago, i dont give a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- waht you think, i'm getting paid, not much more you can say to that.

Have fun bro, like Yots says "Build what you dig" 

Appreciate it, was getting concerned this forum was only filled with snobs, this is very theropudic for me. Between the military, family and all my school and jobs it's a good outlet.

[Wyo]

Yeah....it’s amazing how people like to put down others projects...pay them no mind.

It’s yours, build it how you want....at the budget you want. 

It’s supposed to be a fun hobby, not a job with a condescending boss hovering over your shoulder.

Look forward to the progress! 

[yotsuya]

So we’re not allowed to do anything other than cheerlead? Got it.

[rablack97]

The fellas aren't snobs, just well versed in the arcade world.

Your design and execution is a bit rough, but if your proud of it, then keep doing what you do.

Appreciate your service sir and good luck with the rest of your build.

[Mike A]

nevermind.

[Nephasth]

[Rangerkip]

The fellas aren't snobs, just well versed in the arcade world.

Your design and execution is a bit rough, but if your proud of it, then keep doing what you do.

Appreciate your service sir and good luck with the rest of your build.

Very rough lol, that's what makes it fun for me. I've always liked the industrial look.

[Rangerkip]

.

[Nephasth]

So we’re not allowed to do anything other than cheerlead? Got it.

I'd like constructive criticism. Too much to ask for?

Don't use roofing nails or linoleum while building arcade machines.

[Rangerkip]

So we’re not allowed to do anything other than cheerlead? Got it.

I'd like constructive criticism. Too much to ask for?

Don't use roofing nails or linoleum while building arcade machines.

Care to elaborate?

[Nephasth]

There are better ways.

[Rangerkip]

There are better ways.

Noted

[Mike A]

This forum has over a decade of better ways, and how they got there. I told you to do some research. You told me to buzz off.

[Rangerkip]

This forum has over a decade of better ways, and how they got there. I told you to do some research. You told me to buzz off.

I still haven't gotten any alternative ideas. I like what I thought up, if you have other ideas let them be known. If your going to put me down and tell me to burn my project you can buzz off. It's pretty simple lol.

[Nephasth]

There are plenty of builds that utilize a wide array of excellent craftsmanship... in this sub-forum no less. Do a little browsing, and you'll pick up the tried and true techniques. Don't tell people to buzz off because you're too lazy to do the research. Literally a plethora of knowledge here, tap into it. We shouldn't have to spoon feed you every step of the way.

[Rangerkip]

There are plenty of builds that utilize a wide array of excellent craftsmanship... in this sub-forum no less. Do a little browsing, and you'll pick up the tried and true techniques. Don't tell people to buzz off because you're too lazy to do the research. Literally a plethora of knowledge here, tap into it. We shouldn't have to spoon feed you every step of the way.

The issue is I didn't ask

This build doesn't even use linoleum, it uses side ply, car paint and 5 layers of clear coat, it's nearly a $5000 professional paintjob when it's done

[Nephasth]

You want to see a professional paint job? Check out Ond's work.

A well painted turd is still a turd.

[Mike A]

So you are talking about a sub 100 dollar project with a 5000 dollar paint job?

[Rangerkip]

So you are talking about a sub 100 dollar project with a 5000 dollar paint job?

Tell that to the body shop, I'm not a painter. He's doing his own custom paint job.

[Nephasth]

So you are talking about a sub 100 dollar project with a 5000 dollar paint job?

Tell that to the body shop, I'm not a painter. He's doing his own custom paint job.

Give him a proper canvas.

[Rangerkip]

So you are talking about a sub 100 dollar project with a 5000 dollar paint job?

Tell that to the body shop, I'm not a painter. He's doing his own custom paint job.

Give him a proper canvas.

If you were getting paid what I was for the machine, you'd be hesitant to put much more into the build yourself. It's a good stepping stone though.

Maybe I'll build a status quo machine someday, but I plan to explore different designs first. Life's too short. Only have a few more months before I sleep in the sand if you get my drift. I'm gonna spend it having fun =)

[Nephasth]

If you were getting paid what I was for the machine, you'd be hesitant to put much more into the build yourself.

Nope, I've done more for free for forum members in the past.

[Rangerkip]

Project update: ordered second set of controls, picked up another project, so between computer builds I hope to get some work done but updates will be slower.

[Wyo]

So you are talking about a sub 100 dollar project with a 5000 dollar paint job?

Tell that to the body shop, I'm not a painter. He's doing his own custom paint job.

4 wet coats of a High build polyester primer, blocked 220 will make that plywood as smooth as anything else out there....which is probably what hell do....however, the only issue I see with him having to paint on that substrate would be the eventual shrinking of the unstable material....which will reveal the wood grain under the urethane finish entirely and negate all that prep work, I learned that the lesson the hard way.

Since you are going to be handing this cabinet off to him when it’s finished....I’d definitely recommend that you let him know that will be an issue...and gluing a laminate or smoother material such as Masonite on the exposed surfaces to be painted will be very much worth the extra cost.  Plus, it will save him a ton of money and time on prep.  I like using MDF for this reason. 

[Rangerkip]

So you are talking about a sub 100 dollar project with a 5000 dollar paint job?

Tell that to the body shop, I'm not a painter. He's doing his own custom paint job.

4 wet coats of a High build polyester primer, blocked 220 will make that plywood as smooth as anything else out there....which is probably what hell do....however, the only issue I see with him having to paint on that substrate would be the eventual shrinking of the unstable material....which will reveal the wood grain under the urethane finish entirely and negate all that prep work, I learned that the lesson the hard way.

Since you are going to be handing this cabinet off to him when it’s finished....I’d definitely recommend that you let him know that will be an issue...and gluing a laminate or smoother material such as Masonite on the exposed surfaces to be painted will be very much worth the extra cost.  Plus, it will save him a ton of money and time on prep.  I like using MDF for this reason.

Indeed.

The plan is to polyurethane, then put a thin wooden panel on the sides and nail it in place. Followed by installing the molding if he wanted it.

Mdf hasn't been used yet mainly because the humidity this season has been horrid, my barn/shop does not offer much protection lol. I also found the materials I currently use much cheaper, upside of owning my own woods and such.