cheapest minimum material?

[dndcollect]

someone here gave me a great idea for like a test cab, by using insulation paneling. it works great.

however its very delicate and can only be used for tests, etc.

so i was wondering, what is the bare minimum material that can be used? i know that Midway made those Target cabs out of particle board right?


the reason i ask is because i want to build something quick and cheap for this little kid that comes over from time to time. 

is there any material that you can think of that i can build one out of that fits this idea?

styrafoam maybe? LOL, j/k

[shardian]

Particle board is fairly cheap. Low grade subfloor plywood/ chipboard would maybe work for a rough cabinet. To tell the truth though, MDF is not all that expensive and gives you a very nice finish.

[SavannahLion]

Is scratchbuilding the only option for you? With care, you can find gutted cabs for really cheap, or even free, that you can easily turn into MAME machines. Also, short of a total restore or an extensive control conversion, it's probably faster to reach a finished stage because you already have the completed cab.

[dndcollect]

for me, yeah i would do that. actully i am in the process of building 2 bartops for myself those i am using wood, etc.

im just exploring what other matertial can be used if i want to make a cheap, almost throw away cab.

i acknowedlge that the idea to some is ludicrus. 

[ChadTower]

You use an Xbox and a TV.

[TOK]

Most alternate materials cost more than a sheet of MDF. Instead of making something cheap that he can ruin, why not make something cheap that he can't possibly ruin?

That is part of the appeal of real arcade controls to me -they'll stand up to a lot of abuse.

[ScottS]

Why bother asking us? Go down to your local Home Depot or lumber yard and see what sheet goods they have and what the prices are. Particle Board, MDF, Oriented-Strand Board (OSB), CDX plywood, just about anything can work... Heck, if you want super-cheap, build a frame out of some 2x4s, glue, and screws, then skin it with whatever 1/4" sheet good you can find. You'd probably need a small piece of 3/4" material for the control panel top. If you can wait a couple of weeks (or months) for the 2x4s to dry, you'll have better results.

[dndcollect]

ok my fault.

[shardian]

Heck, if you want super-cheap, build a frame out of some 2x4s, glue, and screws, then skin it with whatever 1/4" sheet good you can find.

Cover the frame with drywall, that way when you get pissed after losing you can put a whole thru the machine...then you can repair it real easy!

[ChadTower]

Build a frame out of 2x4s and wrap a curtain around it. 

[knave]

You could use carboard.

[BobA]

You can make furniture or a cab from free fedex shipping boxes.

[ChadTower]

That looks like it took so much work you may as well get a job and buy it.