My arcade

[smurf]

Hello all I plan to start my project on the 26th (I'm getting a camera and the book for christmas). Any tips before I start would be much appreciated. Also, if anyone can think of a good name to use let me know and I will print it on the machine.

[markrvp]

Welcome.  Read the book cover-to-cover before you decide anything, as you will get many new ideas from the book.

Read through other project announcements to see the steps involved.

Also a very good read is a cabinet building tutorial here:

http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com

[smurf]

Ok great Thanks for your help. I'll keep you guys updated.

[brophog]

Project Announcements and the Examples link are your best friends!

[missioncontrol]

as mentioned above the book it a valuable resource...

these forums are too, but some things you may need to do a search before you ask, and if you did search and don't understand let them know when you post the question that way they will know you attempted to find out on your own first.

My tips are:

1) It's not about the money.
     - do not keep track of every nickel and dime you spend this is a hobby and with every hobby there are cost involved. the reward out weighs the cost.

2) If there is something you don't understand ask.
    - there are a lot of knowledgeable people here who enjoy helping out other members who run into problems and it's nice to get outside help.

3) Walk away.
    - There are times when you think nothing you are doing is going right. Take a break go back to the project with a fresh outlook.

and those are 3 tips of the day.....

and and a bonus tip

bonus) EE can be an enjoyable place but it will consume you. it's best to finish you cabinet before you get addicted to posting in EE 

[c64rulez]

It's a trap man!
Run away. Evil forces are at work here and indeed you shall be consumed.
I know man. I've been eaten.
His tips are true and correct but the trapdoor is down there, waiting.

Have fun. Build your dream. There are great people here willing to spend a lot of time helping you out.

[Mark70]

I have the following suggestions:

-don't make a lusid, nfl blitz, mortal kombat style cabinet.  They're unattractive and look like a pregnant lady.... uh, not that the shape is unattractive on pregnant ladies, but certainly in an arcade cabinet design.

-Saw board.  Read up on making one.  much cheaper than a table saw.  if you plan right, you can get it out of the left over material you buy.  Make sure the top/back of your saw board is long enough to get clamps on and still let the saw motor pass by.  Don't make any angled cuts with your sawboard until you've made all the square cuts. 

-MDF dust is insidious.  It is very fine.  It goes everywhere.  Either use something else, or cover anything you don't want MDF dust on/in/around/under.  BUY A GOOD QUALITY BREATHING MASK.  MDF is heavy too, but nice and cheap and fairly strong and has a smooth surface requiring little sanding when it comes to painting time.

-take the time to plan your design.  it's half of the fun and working from "blueprints" is so much easier.

[missioncontrol]

-take the time to plan your design.

[c64rulez]

And bear in mind one important fact:

It may look small on your blueprint, but it turns out to be a very huge beast.
If you live in a small hut in the Philippines, plan accordingly. 

[brophog]

I was planning on the arcade doubling as a hut. I'll be the king of my village!

[c64rulez]

And this would make me a .... prince ?

[brophog]

Yep!

[c64rulez]

I think the smurf here would like us very much to carry our domestic stuff elsewhere 

[markrvp]

While I agree that the LuSiD cab design is not the most sleek, it is very easy to build, there are plans readily available in the book, and it plays games just as well as any other cabinet design. 

My first cab was  LuSiD design and it is still the one that gets the most play. 

[smurf]

I think the smurf here would like us very much to carry our domestic stuff elsewhere