Very first cabinet from scratch

[shiftybill]

Hello,

A few friends(one of which is a carpenter) and I are getting together to build a cabinet.  I would like some feedback on the plans I have drawn up particularly how the control panel should be constructed, should it be a box or just a flat piece of wood?  The cabinet is 1 meter wide.

Thank you for your time.

[BobbyG66]

I think you are going to hit your head on the marquee.
I would move it back.

As far as the CP goes, With the cab being a meter wide, you have room  to make it a flat panel.
You just need it removable to install the controls.

I used a scrap peice of wwod to layout the controls first to make sure I was happy with them.
Than build the real thing and work on the CP graphics.

Good luck
BG66

[arzoo]

Welcome!

If your control panel is not wider than the cabinet and does not hang forward, then you can go with just a flat piece of wood. Otherwise you'll need a box design.

[Dudeman]

I would straighten out those buttons. That angle will make it hard to play some games. Especially SF or Mortal Kombat.

[shiftybill]

Thanks for the tips guys, we have successfully cut out the pieces of MDF and will assemble it this weekend, and no head hitting the marquee 

I will have pics of the build this weekend

I also updated my control panel plans, please see attached.

Thanks guys!

[Dudeman]

You may have read this before, but it bears repeating.

Make a test CP out of cardboard or hardboard and play on it a bit to make sure you like (read: you hands don't cramp up) before you cut your final piece.

Good luck and let's see the pics!

[Encryptor]

At 1 meter wide is it going to fit through a standard doorway? Most are around 29".

Encryptor

[shiftybill]

Thats a very good point Encryptor, thank you so much for poiting that out!  I will make the cabinet thinner.  With a thinner cabinet i will have to make a box for my control panel that is detachable (interior latches) so the controls dont get to cramped when 2 people are playing.  I will update my plans and post my thoughts, thanks again guys!

[shiftybill]

Hiya guys,

Had a great time assembling the cabinet today, still need to do a bit tomorrow (angle cuts).  Heres a pic of what it looks like so far

Update:  I got a free 21" CRT from work today 
I put wheels on the cabinet, filled in all the gaps and am almost ready to begin painting

Update2:  I put an undercoat of paint on and am about to drill the holes on my CP

[shiftybill]

Hey Guys,

I just finished the 2nd coat of paint and thought id share a few pics 

Update: I painted the 1st coat of Glossy Black paint, it will need another one or 2 coats

Update2:  Added another coat of black paint one more coat and that should do it

Update3:  I just purchased all the joysticks and buttons and i got an old pc yesterday, dual P3 1Ghz!!

Update4:  The painting is all done, the control panel is in place, waiting for my joysticks and buttons to arrive

Update5:  The joysticks and buttons arrived the other day, I had quite a time installing and programming it, but after a bit of tweeking and many a foul word it all works perfectly!

[shiftybill]

Hello,

Heres some pics of the cabinet

I still need to attach the door, get a marquee and bezel, and then I can decorate, im still thinking of a theme

[shiftybill]

Hello,

I finally attached the door, and the marquee is on its way!

Heres a pic f what it looks like so far

[spacies]

You are almost done buddy.

Keep truckin'