My Upright Project (New Pics 90% Finished)

[eschmunk]

Here are some photos of my first project.  I should have taken some step by step shots and put up a webpage but I didn't.  I figured that there were already so many of these same style cabinets.  Anyways, plexi sucks.  I ended up cracking the plexi around one of the buttons and some of the carriage bolts, and the trackball hole doesn't look so great.  Hopefully I don't mess up the decent artwork that has been printed.  Attached are two picture for everyone to critique.

Please let me know what you all think

I have attached some new pictures.  One is primered the other two are when I moved it into the house.  You will notice that the unit is about 90% complete.  I want to add a bezel with some smoked tempered glass and some speaker grills.  All that is left after that is to finish installing the computer along with some software.  Lets here some criticism.  Thanks for everyone's help as well.

[ChicagoDave]

I like the artwork. 

For the plexi, I used Lexan, and used the "Lexan Sandwich" method of cutting.  I first cut all of my holes in the MDF.  I then sandwiched the Lexan between the cut piece of MDF and the cut piece of MDF.  The drilled piece then worked as a template for the Lexan.  Since the Lexan was sandwiched between the 2 pieces of wood it could not ride up the drill bits and crack.  It worked great.  To trim the Lexan, I used an Acrylic Cutting tool.  Scored the Lexan about 10 times and cracked it off.  Worked great....

[eschmunk]

Yeah I tried the sandwich method, worked great for the most part.  I used some crystalite or something like that from Home Depot.  It was only $13 for a piece to cover at least 34X18 with plenty to spare.  It cut like butter, but when I trimmed it, it crack due to the lack of support. (My fault)  I might re-do the cp with lexan but I don't want to.  My biggest problem is the artwork around the trackball, instead of folding the excess underneath I cut it and it doesn't look that great.  Oh well, an expensive lesson learned.

[ChicagoDave]

Yeah I tried the sandwich method, worked great for the most part.  I used some crystalite or something like that from Home Depot.  It was only $13 for a piece to cover at least 34X18 with plenty to spare.  It cut like butter, but when I trimmed it, it crack due to the lack of support. (My fault)  I might re-do the cp with lexan but I don't want to.  My biggest problem is the artwork around the trackball, instead of folding the excess underneath I cut it and it doesn't look that great.  Oh well, an expensive lesson learned.

It could have been more expensive.  The Lexan was about $60 for a 36x48 sheet at Home Depot.

[leapinlew]

I might re-do the cp with lexan but I don't want to.

HAHA! I know what you mean. Cutting that was my least favorite part. Is there some other material we can use from Kinkos? Have them print it on some vinyl or something?

[eschmunk]

I am more against the fact of having to remove all the buttons and joysticks.

[leapinlew]

I am more against the fact of having to remove all the buttons and joysticks.

right... either way - I disliked it all! The thought of uninstalling all the buttons, joysticks and rewiring the whole thing.... none of it sounds good.

I'll get around to making my new CP... someday. Currently it's working good enough.

[eschmunk]

Cabinet has been primered and is ready for paint.  I will post more pictures soon.  Can't wait it is almost finished.  All that is need to purchase is some sort of 3d bezel (or homemade) and monitor plexi.

[eschmunk]

Giving myself a bump since I have posted new pics.  Comments welcomed and appreciated.

[miles2912]

Giving myself a bump since I have posted new pics.  Comments welcomed and appreciated.

Great job.  I love the artwork/cab color.  A bezel would finish it off nicely.. or maybe some smoked plexiglas?  One clean cab.

Don

[eschmunk]

Am I correct in assuming the reason why I haven't gotten many responses is because of the everyday Lusid design with unoriginal artwork?

[vrf]

Nice work! The red and black look great together.

[Timoe]

Oh that is nice.  LIGHT UP that TRACKBALL!


YeA-uh!

[eschmunk]

Trackball has one of the three cluster leds under it.  There is no computer or power under the cab yet.  Soon, real soon.

[lovespicyfood]

Nice Job!  I've been amassing tools and wood  and am slowly but surely getting closer to getting some real work accomplished.  I'm curious, did you use the plans from Project Arcade?  The lines of your cab are very nice!

[eschmunk]

The plans are from Project Arcade.  The only thing that I changed was the cutout in the back.  Also, I closed in the whole back of the cabinet as well.  Other than that, it came straight out of the book.

[lovespicyfood]

The plans are from Project Arcade.  The only thing that I changed was the cutout in the back.  Also, I closed in the whole back of the cabinet as well.  Other than that, it came straight out of the book.

Eschmunk:  Thanks for the info, those are the plans I am using to build my cab also.  I like the fact that you fully enclosed your cab and am thinking about doing that on mine as well.  I don't see the "cut-out" that you are referring to, can you elaborate?  I'm guessing that that back panel unscrews for access?  Thanks for your help!

[eschmunk]

Yeah the back panel unscrews for access to the computer.  The cutout that I am referring to are on the side pieces.  Notice how the back of the side does not go straight down as the one in Project Arcade does.  I took about 3 to 5 inches out towards to bottom.

The plans are from Project Arcade.  The only thing that I changed was the cutout in the back.  Also, I closed in the whole back of the cabinet as well.  Other than that, it came straight out of the book.

Eschmunk:  Thanks for the info, those are the plans I am using to build my cab also.  I like the fact that you fully enclosed your cab and am thinking about doing that on mine as well.  I don't see the "cut-out" that you are referring to, can you elaborate?  I'm guessing that that back panel unscrews for access?  Thanks for your help!