metric cab design

[g00bli]

I am creating a 4 player cab based on lusids design but i am going to loosely convert the measurements into metric first, because we use use metric measurements in New Zealand - like every other sane country in the world. thought they might come in handy to others in my boat

Theses are my bits :
ipac4
xarcade joys & buttons
old philips 20" monitor (weighs a tonne!)
AMD Athlon 650, 256mbram, 8gb hdd, geforce 3, win98se using mame32 (as i want to run a couple of windows games too)

I am planning to construct it with fibreboard

A couple of questions plz?

As im trying to do this on the cheap do you think i need to use t-moulding? (cos then id have to buy a router too)
Should i buy a jigsaw? or can i use this old hand held circular saw?

Thanks, will be starting this weekend will keep you posted

[ginno]

If you don't go for T-moulding then how are you going to finish the edges of your cabinet? Just leave them square?
If you do this then they will easily get damaged.

[g00bli]

Yeah i dont really want it getting banged up, ill see if i can borrow a router. Ill check out mameWAH too, sounds like a good alternative. Thanks for the comments.

[tommy]

Goobli- " like every other sane country" whats that supposed to mean. 

[DrewKaree]

Goobli- " like every other sane country" whats that supposed to mean. 

That means that every other sane country wants to copy the insane games this insane country has and are willing to go to outrageous lengths to try to emulate the insanity that makes them happy.....or crazy.  I dunno which, but who's "saner"?  The people copying the insane, or the people who think they're the sane ones, despite following the insane's example?

Don't hate the player, love the game!

[tommy]

What did he say, oh well probably that hes not sane. 

[g00bli]

Goobli- " like every other sane country" whats that supposed to mean. 

Just a little rark up taking my frustration out on the imperial system No offence to US you guys are allright in my opinion. (tries desperately not to alienate himself from 90% of forum members)

So anyways i tried to get the MDF for the sides of my cab this morning so i could draw out a pattern and make the measurements for the rest of the cab. The other thing i needed to do was make sure i could get the right size t-moulding - i couldnt let alone any at all. That was the biggest hardware store we have around here but ill sortie out later to try again. Also the sheets of MDF they had there were tiny i didnt measure but theyd be lucky to be long enough for a cab grrr.. ah well ill manage it eventually maybe they had more stashed somewhere

MameWAH allows you to play PC and MAME games from the same screen, have a look at it, may be an idea for later on down the track.

Thanks ginno ill incorporate mameWAH that will make life easier

[elvis]

Goobli- " like every other sane country" whats that supposed to mean. 

There are only three countries left in the world that use imperial (or colloquially, "english") measurements. 

http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/internat.htm

The USA is one.  The other two are Liberia in West Africa, and Myanmar (or Burma) in South-East Asia.  The latter two are not first world countries.

Every other single country IN THE WORLD uses metric.  Ironically, even America's imperial measurements are defined by metric amounts.  All measurements are defined in Greenwich, and an inch is defined as "25.4 millimeters".  Yup... your imperial measurements are defined by metric.  Miles, Gallons, pounds, all of it.  All defined by kilometers, litres and kilograms.

40% of US manufacturing is today done in metric for overseas export and certifications, or because imperial measurements cannot express accurate enough sub-points (what's the fraction of an inch to express a micrometer or nanometer?).  I'm still yet to understand why America doesn't take the final step and convert everything else across.  It would make America (and the world) more uniform, as well as benefit America by making things so much cheaper and more accessible from both a domestic and international market standpoint.

But anyways... I don't need to jump on that soapbox.  There are enough Americans out there who are fed up with the imperial system already, and are doing good things to get rid of it.

A fantastic website for anyone wanting to know more is here:
http://www.metric4us.com/

[RoboG2]

USA can't change to metric.  First of all, they would have to change almost evey single street sign, text book, change spedometer numbering (flip it), and not to mention educate every citizen, because almost no one I know knows metric.  We have been told to learn it for generations, and there's been no change yet.

In other words, big time, and big money!

I guess It wouldn't take too long to learn, but it would be hard to learn it as well as I know imperial.  Otherwise, all the engineering formulas I use are in metric (I should just convert them, but whatever), so I must convert all my measurements to metric first.

[elvis]

USA can't change to metric.  First of all, they would have to change almost evey single street sign, text book, change spedometer numbering (flip it), and not to mention educate every citizen, because almost no one I know knows metric.  We have been told to learn it for generations, and there's been no change yet.

In other words, big time, and big money!

I'm sorry, but hundreds of other nations, many with MUCH larger populations and MUCH less money, have converted.  Saying that the US can't because it's 'too hard' is plain and simple a cop-out.  You are talking about one of the most advanced and powerful nations in the world.  Metric conversion should be far easier for the US than any other country, and quite frankly as one of the world's technology leaders they should have done it years ago.

The USA can put a man on the moon.  The USA can lead the word in semiconductor research.   The USA can create some of the most widely used and most important software in the world.  Yes, USA can change to metric.  I have great faith in their ability to do such a task.  It's a shame their own governement does not.

No, it's won't happen overnight.  You won't go to sleep Sunday night and wake up Monday morning, and all your systems are changed.  But quite frankly, the little things that could get the wheels in motion need to start now, so that in 10 years things are fixed.

Two posts ago I said I wouldn't get on my soapbox.  Now look at what you've made me do.

Apologies for the offtopics, kids.

To the original poster:

My first cabinet used routed edges.  The cost of t-moulding is too great for me, basically because the shipping costs 5 times what the actual t-moulding would.  The routed edges look nice, and don't get damaged.  Plus, they are kiddie safe, and don't hurt as much as sharp corners.

My second cabinet will use t-moulding.  I managed to go in with a few locals on a group buy, which means we split the cost of postage to something more reasonable.  I've only just recently cut the groove for the t-moulding to live in, so no comments as yet on whether or not the end result is worth the effort.  One thing t-moulding has going for it is the colours.  I'm following Blakey's design, and making a black cab with chrome t-moulding.  I'm hoping the end result will look pretty cool.

[DrewKaree]

There are only three countries left in the world that use imperial (or colloquially, "english") measurements. 

http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/internat.htm

The USA is one.  The other two are Liberia in West Africa, and Myanmar (or Burma) in South-East Asia.  The latter two are not first world countries.

So far, I'm following you.  You're saying if two third world countries can manage to do things right, why can't the rest of the world do the right thing.  Excellent point

Every other single country IN THE WORLD uses metric.  Ironically, even America's imperial measurements are defined by metric amounts.  All measurements are defined in Greenwich, and an inch is defined as "25.4 millimeters".  Yup... your imperial measurements are defined by metric.  Miles, Gallons, pounds, all of it.  All defined by kilometers, litres and kilograms.

Nah, we just do it that way so the rest of you commies can figure out the right way to do things.  We're dumbing it down for you, just like we try to make everything "fair" for schoolkids so their feelings don't get hurt.  Luckily, you came here to have it 'splained

what's the fraction of an inch to express a micrometer or nanometer?

A touch, a fuzz, a hair, or a skosh.  Take your pick.  We used to have those fractions, but we found the percentage of the population requiring eyeglasses after reading those measurements skyrocketed, and the glasses were being manufactured in prisons in New Zealand, so we did away with 'em.  It was also our worldwide effort to help you guys "feel better about yourselves".  Seems to be working.  U - S - A!  U - S - A!   U - S - A!

I'm still yet to understand why America doesn't take the final step and convert everything else across.

Explained above.  You're welcome

It would make America (and the world) more uniform, as well as benefit America by making things so much cheaper and more accessible from both a domestic and international market standpoint.

Make us more uniform....I think you got your words miskornfuserated there.  You meant to say "conform".  How could things get cheaper?  We've already got the cheapest labor we can find in Liberia and Burma, what more could you want?


Glad to be of service answering some of your questions for you.  I know it's hard to figure out why people do things the right way if all your life you've been told yours is the right way.  Luckily, you can be the prophet to your nation.  Now go, go and spread the word amongst the world, li'l doodle!

[g00bli]

man i wish i was a commie thatd be totally sweet, pity it doesnt work. sorry didnt mean to hurt the imperial systems feelings.

I cant find t moulding in any of the hardware stores so ill just have to round the edges im sick of waiting around and ill have to wait another week to get my mdf now as i can only get itin massive sheets that i cant fit in the car so ill have to borrow a trailer. Man if i had one of your massive american cars with your sweet sweet cheap gas i could fit it in 

Oh yeah plus my wife made me build her a rabbit hutch. So thats a two edged sword in the fact that it takes up precious cabinet building time but lets me hide some of the costs into the hutch teehee

[markrvp]

The real reason American's have kept the Imperial measurement system is because we feel it is bad if you have to use millimeters to measure your thingy!

[g00bli]

Ok yay i have the mdf finally after weeks of getting rained off! Now i can get started, will borrow some tools off my dad tomorrow. Im really still wanting to go for t moulding now, have to keep looking still might be able to get it somewhere 

[danny_galaga]

The real reason American's have kept the Imperial measurement system is because we feel it is bad if you have to use millimeters to measure your thingy!

hehe. sagely words! did you know that the US was the FIRST country in the world to adopt a metric system? what happened?

[markrvp]

We have both units of measurement on virtually everything.  However, whole standards of building have been instituted around the imperial system.  For example, when building a wall, 2x4 studs are spaced 16" apart center to center.  These are standards.  Changing systems would require whole new standards to be instituted.

I assume China is the country larger than the US that instituted the metric system, but their Communist government is funding all the changes, whereas a government change in the US would be an unfunded mandate for small business owners.  Could you imagine if every family owned gas station was required to replace all their pumps at once to measure out litres instead of gallons?  It simply wouldn't be a fair mandate for the government to make.  And really, what is the benefit to the average American to switch?

[Crazy Cooter]

Strangely though a 2x4 is no longer 2x4.

The US actually did try to convert to the metric system in both transportation and federally funded construction projects.  It was/is a major PITA.  Some of it is used (such as stationing), some of it is more outdated than imperial measurements (chains).  It's all a nightmare.  Just remember two rules of thumb and you'll be fine:

1- There are 2.54cm in an inch.
2- If you own an "old" piece of land, survey yours before the neighbor does his.

[g00bli]

Man i inadvertantly hijacked my own thread, thatl learn me to make smart arse comments. how many metres of t-molding would i need? i assume i just need to do the front of the cab?

Could you imagine if every family owned gas station was required to replace all their pumps at once to measure out litres instead of gallons?

[danny_galaga]

We have both units of measurement on virtually everything.

[Veinman]

Good luck with your cab!

One tip, that isn't exactly news to the world: While I was working on my own dimensions, I encountered some metrics that I wanted converted to Imperial.

Google makes this very easy for you. Simply go to google and type (without the quotes) "87mm = ?in" and it will tell you.

[elvis]

And really, what is the benefit to the average American to switch?

Already covered above:

http://www.metric4us.com/why.html
http://www.metric4us.com/whynot.html

And here's one more for you... did you know a "metric pint" (ie: the glass you get if you order a "pint of beer" in any metric-using country) is defined as 560mL?  But a "US pint" is 473.176475 mL.  That's right... our beers are bigger than yours!

If that's not a reason to convert, I don't know what is. 

[markrvp]

And really, what is the benefit to the average American to switch?

Already covered above:

http://www.metric4us.com/why.html
http://www.metric4us.com/whynot.html

And here's one more for you... did you know a "metric pint" (ie: the glass you get if you order a "pint of beer" in any metric-using country) is defined as 560mL?

[wj2k3]

1 keg = 56.781177 liter

[DrewKaree]

danny, "can do" is the nation to the north of us. 

The metric equivalent of a keg is a kkg....a kilokeg.

[danny_galaga]

danny, "can do" is the nation to the north of us.

[Crazy Cooter]

*drools...

How's the build coming along?

[g00bli]

yeah i never replied cos there was nothing to report. i bought the mdf i needed but it just sat there for weeks when i realised i was poor and couldnt get the tools i needed. My wife is sick with chronic fatigue again, so back on one income with food being a higher priority than a router ill only use once, go figure. BUT just the other night a good friend of mine was round who works in a joinery owned by his dad. I grilled him for information on the cabinet and he was very helpful, next time he has a spare weekend he offered to help me cut all the shapes out down at the joinery! yay so no expensive power tools for me & a professional to stop me from botching it too bad! Also he will show me some alternates to tmolding

So thats great im getting excited about it again, although i wasnt going to have a theme initially i have been thinking about a few ideas. I was thinking about a fantasy theme cos shadows over mystara is one of my favourites. I think i will call it ORCADE and put heaps of artwork of orcs and stuff on it. Just cos orcs are awesome

Will post back in a few weeks when something else happens

[geomartin]

How about "Metricade"   I've been working as a machinist for the last 15 years, and find that half my prints are in metric.  It really has not been that much of a burden to go back and forth.  I understand that the US Military has gone metric, even down to the 9mm sidearm.  None of the rest of the world seems to be to happy about that though.

[AlanS17]

If I were to do everything in metrics I would probably be just fine. The only thing that would take some real getting used to for me would be the temperature conversion.

I just gotta say, though... the 1/4" is a great little length.

[Acids]

If I were to do everything in metrics I would probably be just fine. The only thing that would take some real getting used to for me would be the temperature conversion.

I just gotta say, though... the 1/4" is a great little length.

Odd as i would of thought the temperature would have been the easiest to get used to.. whats freezing point to you?

[AlanS17]

32 degrees fahrenheit

We express degrees in whole numbers. I don't know if yall do or not. But when you go outside and it's 38 degrees, you're going to want your shorts and sandals. If we go outside in 38 degrees with shorts and sandals we're liable to die of hypothermia!

[Franco]

The thing that I have never understood is that when you disect angular degress you get 60 minutes in a degree and then 60 seconds in each minute

[AlanS17]

If you were going to make me to guess I would have to say it probably involves a sun dial. Beats me, though.

[danny_galaga]

The thing that I have never understood is that when you disect angular degress you get 60 minutes in a degree and then 60 seconds in each minute

[Bones]

I am glad the metric system never degreeerized the current measurement system.

Boasting about doing a radical and gnarly 100 on a snowboard would sound just as ridiculous as the word "degreeerized".

[danny_galaga]

I am glad the metric system never degreeerized the current measurement system.

Boasting about doing a radical and gnarly 100 on a snowboard would sound just as ridiculous as the word "degreeerized".

unless they divvied it up into 1000 degrees (",) doing a 'grand' on a snowboard sounds cool...

[g00bli]

Oh great you all say, some other chump wants to add his two cents to that stupid metric vs imperial argument. But NO! tis I. so basically heres an update.

My friend who works at the joinery got very sick and is having tests on his intestines and stuff. I am tired of waiting and have started on my CP. Hopefully he will be OK soon so he can help me with the rest of the pieces as my first few cuts were OK but a bit rough and will need a little sanding. Can you guys tell me what  diameter spade bit i will need for the Xarcade buttons i have? *sigh* yes in metric if possible

Oh wait i found it have to convert though 

[MaximRecoil]

I am creating a 4 player cab based on lusids design but i am going to loosely convert the measurements into metric first, because we use use metric measurements in New Zealand - like every other sane country in the world.

www.metricsucks.com

[Mark70]

Don't you think it's funny that the United States was one of the first colonies to fight a war and die to be independant of the Brittish Empire, yet they're one of the last countries on the planet still hanging on to the Imperial system of measurement.

Go figure.

As I understand it, most engineers in the US use metric anyhow.  NASA does as I understand it.

I wish the USA would switch so I could work in metric.  Here in Canada, a lot of our construction materials and trad come from the US and they're all imperial, thereby preventing our complete conversion to metric.

[Mark70]

Oh, and home depot sells iron on edging in colours to match all melamine including white, black, oak.