Ms. Smith's 2nd Grade Cab

[Catastrophic]

With the cab 85% completed, I decided it's time to offer it up to you guys.

This little number is 4ft high, 2ft deep, and 16" wide, and was built entirely out of 4 2x4 sheets of 1/2" MDF, a 6 foot 2x4, and a scrap of 3/4" MDF for the monitor shelf.  The 15" monitor that is going in it I got off of Craig's List for free, and the computer I found sitting out on the curb up the street(!).  The hard drive had gone south, but I have several 20gb or so lying around for just such an occasion. 

The whole project was started as a gift for my 8 year old nephew and 6 year old niece because they can't seem to get enough of my MAME cab when they come over.  But my time is quite limited, so the object was to put this thing together as fast as I could.  The rather uninspired shape was freehanded in pencil on one of the sheets of MDF, then both side panels were cut at the same time.

The initial control panel had controls for only one player, but they discovered that they could both play Galaga at the same time on my cabinet...    So the panel had to be redesigned, which is why there is that large and ungainly control panel box.  The panel itself was painted with Rustoleum Black Hammered Finish, because I like it.  But the rest of the cab, in an inspired suggestion by my wife (who is also responsible for the sparkly trim that will handily cover up my crappy edges), is painted in 2 coats of chalkboard paint.  For a kids' cabinet, I find this to be a genius solution!

Anyway, I got the cheapy joysticks and buttons in a package combo on eBay for around $20, and went with a KeyWiz after my keyboard hack failed miserably.  The only thing worse than my woodworking is my soldering    The giant ABORT button came from Skycraft, which I'm lucky enough to have access to right down the street.  For those of you that don't live in Orlando, FL, it's almost worth it to move here just to be able to go to Skycraft!

The speakers came from Office Depot's recent $5 off $5 coupon that was listed on Slickdeals, and happened to be on sale for $5.99 that day, so paid a buck for them.  I pulled them out of their cases and drilled out 3" holes for them.  Some speaker cloth (also from Skycraft) cost another $1. 

I'm running AtomicFE because it has a nice layout that emphasises screenshots over game names, and with Havok's help I have been able to make it pretty much impossible for them to get out of the FE.

These pics show the cab without remaining trim, the monitor, the back piece, the 1/2" thick black foam board that will serve as the bezel (you guessed it, Skycraft for $2), and the plexi that will cover it up

Total cost of this cabinet, including paint, has turned out to be less than $100.  It certainly won't win any beauty contests, but it is a fully functioning 2 player MAME cab made for just about as cheaply as I possibly could.  I give it about 2 weeks until they figure out a way to break it 

[johnperkins21]

The chalkboard paint is truly inspired.  And while I agree with you about the lack of beauty awards, it is probably the greatest looking $100 MAME cab I have ever seen.

[MaMeNnO]

You don't need cupholders on this thing. Just put 'em on top!

Well, for under $100 they can't complain! The Arcade game experience is all there.

Did you gave 't a name???

[Catastrophic]

Well, for under $100 they can't complain! The Arcade game experience is all there.

Did you gave 't a name???

Exactly what I was thinking.  I just wanted them to be able to play.  Any effort spent on niceties would not really be worth it, like I said I fully expect them to destroy it one way or another (There is a 3 year old and a 2 year old running around their house too)

I haven't really come up with a clever name yet.  Anybody got any good ideas?  How about "The Chalk-One-Up-For-Uncle-Jason Cab"? 

[Kaytrim]

I haven't really come up with a clever name yet.  Anybody got any good ideas?  How about "The Chalk-One-Up-For-Uncle-Jason Cab"? 

Heck, let the kids name it.  With the chalkboard paint they can put what ever they want in the marquee area and the sides as well. 

[theCoder]

...it is probably the greatest looking $100 MAME cab I have ever seen.

This is the ONLY $100 Mame cab I have ever seen.  Love it.

[leapinlew]

I would just LOVE to build a game cabinet for my neice and nephews. Did you ask your brother or sister (in laws) if you could build it for them?

I like the cabinet - I've considered the chalkboard paint myself. I have a question about the sparkley trim. Whats your plan to permanently attach it? Spray on adhesive?

[Catastrophic]

I did ask before I started.  My brother-in-law's reply was basically to the effect of "If it lets me get rid of alot of the other toys that clutter up their playroom then I'm all for it".  I told him I thought that was a pretty safe bet...

The sparkly trim is glued on using good old Elmer's white glue.  Honestly, no matter what adhesive I use those heathens are going to end up ripping off the pretty, shiny paper.  If not the 8 & 6 year old, then the 3 or 2 year old will definitely get to it.  If I were putting it into an environment where I did not expect it to be semi-disposable then I would have used something a little more permanent, perhaps the spray adhesive ,or medium CA, or maybe even small dabs of Gorilla glue spread out thinly.

I have worked tonight finishing up what was left and have completed everything but the bolting down of the monitor and the computer.  All in all I'm quite happy with how it came out, with a few minor caveats:

- I feel that the 16" width is a little small.  That measurement was arbitrarily chosen because it was just slightly wider than the body of the 15" monitor.  Now that it is fully assembled, I wish that I had used a 17" monitor instead and widened the cab to accept it.  Not only would the extra screen real estate help, but it would aid in the overall proportions

- The joysticks that I got from eBay were cheap and they act like it.  The return spring is quite weak and the design of the actuator has it touching the levers of all 4 microswitches when it is at center.  The lousy return spring causes occasional unintended directional input if you don't keep a firm hand on the stick.  This is nothing that will not be overcome and adjusted to pretty quickly by the kids, but is a minor annoyance nonetheless.  When it comes to joysticks, you definitely get what you pay for.  The reason I liked them is that they are red ball-tops... you can get a pair of Happ Ultimates for around $20, but I find it hard to get quality ball-top style in that price range.  For my final personal cab that I will eventually get around to building, I have a pair of RandyT's retro ball-top omnistiks @$35 a-piece  sitting in a box waiting to be brought to life.  Now those are some fine sticks...

- at these small dimensions the 1/2" MDF has turned out to be plenty strong and secure, but I would not use it to build a standard size cab.  It also splits VERY easily and requires constant pre-drilling.

as always, Skycraft Surplus rules.

The kids are coming over for dinner tomorrow night, I plan to have it plugged up and waiting for them.  I'll let you guys know how it goes.

And a mega thank-you to DrewKaree for posting the sawboard plan in the woodworking forum.  That handy tool made this whole project much easier, I can't believe I've gone thru my whole life without one!

[DrewKaree]

And a mega thank-you to DrewKaree for posting the sawboard plan in the woodworking forum.  That handy tool made this whole project much easier, I can't believe I've gone thru my whole life without one!

The wife wants one to use for cracking me in the head once in a while.  Mebbe you could talk to her about the proper use?