My First MAME project (updated)

[USSEnterprise]

While watching an ep of the Twilight Zone, I drafted these designs. They are not totally to scale, but they're damn close. As of now, I have very little cash so it may not be built for a while.

[USSEnterprise]

I'm going to lumber yard either today or tomorrow so I can start construction. Going to get 1/4 inch ply sheets and a 15/32 sheet to support the monitor, which is around 85lbs.

[Franco]

If you use 1/4 in ply sheets your cab is likely to blow over!

[USSEnterprise]

ok, you are probably right. I will use 3/4 for the sides and shelf and base. Now all I need is more cash.

[USSEnterprise]

Yay! I got a loan from my Dad. He says since he will get use out of the machine too, he'll loan me some money. I can start work.

[krion]

awesome,

cant wait to see some pictures!

[dema]

Make sure you build in more support beneath the control panel. It will be taking some abuse during play and you'll want to make sure you have it secure.

[tommy]

I'm going to lumber yard either today or tomorrow so I can start construction. Going to get 1/4 inch ply sheets and a 15/32 sheet to support the monitor, which is around 85lbs.

I have a bunch of card board for making your cab if you really want to save some cash. 

[USSEnterprise]

I am going to star buying stuff on the weekend. Already have a joystick and 9 buttons, and 2 trackballs from ebay, one of which I will resell.

[USSEnterprise]

I just got 3 sheets of (very heavy) MDF for the side panels and other panels. I got a trackball I'm gonna use, and buttons and joysticks. Going to start planning and cutting of the side panels tomorrow. What is the best way to cut them so they are identical? I was planning on cutting them at the same time, one ot top of another.

[Timoe]

Use clamps if you've got em to hold the two pieces together. 

[USSEnterprise]

Yeah, I was planning to use a few c-clamps. I just wanted to know if I was going about it correctly by cutting them at the same time.

[tommy]

Yeah, I was planning to use a few c-clamps. I just wanted to know if I was going about it correctly by cutting them at the same time.

If your jigsaw you and the blade are up to it cut them togeather, that way they will/should be exactly the same.

[USSEnterprise]

MDF is chalklined with side panel design and waiting to be cut. Pictures soon

[AlanS17]

I hope it's not too late to warn you. Unless it's industrial strength, you're gonna burn up a jigsaw (or 2) by trying to cut through both at the same time. Jigsaws don't handle 1.5" very well. And you're going to be very dissapointed with the curves if you don't go crazy slow. The blade will move even though you're holding the blade in place. I recommend making as many cuts as possible with a circular saw and cutting the corners VERY slowly with the jigsaw. If you have to question your speed you're probably going too fast.

[USSEnterprise]

yeah, I might go with a circular saw for most of the cutting. Its a very angled cab design, so the circular saw should work well for most of it. I only have a Ryobi jigsaw, so I won't chance it.

[USSEnterprise]

I've got the main part of the cab built. Got most of the computer equipment. Will have to use an LCD monitor due to depth restrictions. Many buttons in the mail. The marquee exists as a Photoshop file on my PC. I will upload pictures soon, but I'm on dial-up right now

[USSEnterprise]

For over one and a half years, my cab has sat empty in my parents living room. Not they say to throw it out or finish. I choose the latter. Within a month or two, it shall be finished! All major construction is done. My father, to help me along, is buying an LCD for me to use, and is going to help engineer a motorized rotation system based on many of the ones I have seen here. Controls will incluse two red Omnistick-basics, sixteen red pushbuttons (and 2 players), one BI 3" trackball, and one arkanoid spinner. Will be utilizing a Keywiz Max and Opti-Wiz for controls. For the PC, I am going to be using an old 733MHz Celeron HP with 192MB RAM. I need to dig up my old marquee and see if it still applies to my planned color scheme. This will take time, but I can't wait until I'm finished.