Finished my first cabinet

[Twinpanther]

When it comes to building things I'm not exactly a patient or conventional person.  My goal was to build a cabinet that could play the majority of the games I like as well as fit into my apartment but most importantly, there was the "Wife Factor". 

The cabinet is made from 3/4" MDF.  Background artwork for my CP/Marquee courtesy of Digital Blasphemy's Free Gallery.

Here is the PC/monitor set-up I purchased for this project:
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP
ASUS M2N-MX SE Plus AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Rosewill RV430-2-FRB-S 430W ATX 12V Ver.2.01 Power Supply
AMD Sempron LE-1100 Sparta 1.9GHz Socket AM2 45W Single-Core Processor (Not my first choice but it was $12 with the combo deal and runs everything great so far)

After much deliberation with a 4:3 monitor I went with the widescreen because I thought it would be more fun to figure out how to make it rotate in some fairly original, cool way.

Now, like I said, I'm kind of a single minded person and don't take time to think things through well enough.  When I work I kinda zone into what I'm doing so I don't have pictures of most of the build unfortunately but in a nutshell:
Cut the sides.
Cut the framework.
Brad/glued everything together
Held brad gun to head for doing something noobish I SWORE "I" wouldn't do.
Cut slot for T-molding
Complained vigorously about my noobishness as two of my three slot cutter carbide teeth "tinked" and shattered as they hit a brad that wasn't far enough from the edge.
Slowly plowed through the rest of the slot cutting as my bit smoked along with only one tooth left.
Drilled holes for wiring and "Rotation Device".

Here is the "PC".  I attached it to it's own framework so if I need to remove it I can simply unplug it and pull it out in one piece.


Here is the drilled bare CP/Acrylic.  I had to use Partical Board because HD and Lowes here doesn't sell 5/8" MDF in ANY size.


This is my Marquee box.  I used Cold Cathode kit for a few reasons.  Inexpensive ($5/set with $5 shipping), connect directly to PC, easy color change, with the added sensor can flash to the beat of the sound.  I started out with white but have since went to blue as it didn't wash out my image as much.


Yes, the obligatory power button in the upper rear of the right cabinet side.


Now for the fun part.  Monitor installation with rotation.  Keep in mind since this was my first cabinet I went with overkill for stability and well, basically cause even though I knew what I wanted to do I was figuring it out as I went.  The concept is this.  I mounted a piece of MDF to the inside of a 20" bicycle rim, attached the monitor to one side of the MDF with the VESA holes and a 1.75" pipe to the other side.  This had to be perfectly centered as the monitor is 24" corner to corner and the area it was rotating in was 24.5".


After the monitor assembly was finished I needed a framework to mount it to in the cabinet.  You can see in the pictures below I drilled a hole in a pair of 2x6's and threaded a 2" pipe through it.  The 1.75" pipe fits perfectly inside the 2" pipe and rotates smoothly. 
I put together a 2x4 frame and spent a LOT of time getting it to match the angle of the cabinet while maintaining the correct distance from where the glass would be so the monitor was as close to the glass as possible when done.  Once that was done I installed the 2x6 "swivel" between the 2x4's to the correct height and screwed it in place.


I cut a piece of foam core mat for the front to hide any interior of the cabinet the bezel couldn't.


Finished Marquee and CP:



Lastly, I installed 1/2" PVC elbows into the sides of the cabinet and attached 1/4" cord to the bicycle rim wrapped around the rim once, out the PVC, down to the next PVC and back in to wrap around the rim once more and attach so it couldn't slip.  Unfortunately I don't have a video camera atm but here are some pics of the stages of rotation.
Horizontal game:


Rotation from Robotron to Arkanoid:





Vertical game:


I have to say, this works amazingly well.  Very smooth with just enough friction so no matter what I'm playing the monitor doesn't "wander".  I don't have any stops atm but if I need them down the road they would be easy enough to put in.  A simple pull on the cord of about 14" changes vertical to horizontal or vice versa. 

Well, that's pretty much it.  I couldn't have done it without you guys.  Thanks for answering my questions and having such an informative site.

BTW, Pongo rocks for anything vinyl!

Oh, and Knievel, THANK YOU for doing what you do.  Probably my biggest inspiration for this project as well as my wifes choice for the overall cabinet style. 

Ultimarc and GGG.  You guys are both class acts.  From communication to shipping I couldn't have asked for better.

Now to go kick my wife and daughter off "MY" machine so I can play it too!

[walls83]

Very nice work.  I really like the chain to move the monitor.

[DaOld Man]

I agree. Excellent work!
Rotating monitors were all the craze around here a while back.
I used a motor on mine that rotates automatically with selected game.
You did a very good job for your first time around!
 

[Franco B]

Awesome job, especially for a first build!!! 

I love what you did with the monitor chain. That would look even more awesome on a steampunk-esque cabinet, you could really go to town on the mechanism.

[javeryh]

Great job!

I need to get back to my rotating monitor project...

[Twinpanther]

Thank you guys.

I used a motor on mine that rotates automatically with selected game.

I have to say I thought really hard about asking for your help on automating the rotation.  I read your posts many times and went back and forth.  Now for my second cabinet (shhhh, don't tell the wife) you might be getting some PM's looking for advice on automation.   

I love what you did with the monitor chain. That would look even more awesome on a steampunk-esque cabinet, you could really go to town on the mechanism.

Hmm, time to search "Steampunk"  Man I hate being a noob.   

[Martijn]

Great job, i love the rotating idea, now whats that pinball button doing way up there ? 

[DaOld Man]

Thank you guys.

I used a motor on mine that rotates automatically with selected game.

I have to say I thought really hard about asking for your help on automating the rotation.  I read your posts many times and went back and forth.  Now for my second cabinet (shhhh, don't tell the wife) you might be getting some PM's looking for advice on automation.   

Hmm, time to search "Steampunk"  Man I hate being a noob.   

[/quote]

Be glad to help. I wasnt trying to take away from your cord idea, I like it!
When you find out what steampunk is, please let me know. It sucks being an oldb too!
 

[monkey puzzle]

Excellent work Twinpanther!
Im planning my first cab now, and I think I have decided to use a rotating monitor. I've never thought of useing a widescreen though, does that work well? I asumed that the picture wouldn't fill the screen up, does this seem to be a problem, or does the picture fit the screen better than a 4:3?

[DaOld Man]

Forgot to ask, where did you get that power button? It would look very good on my latest project.

[Epyx]

@Twinpanther

First of all I love the monitor rotation pull cord...very cool. I also like your controller. I am in the process of building my own and am wondering how your spinner placement works for you? In hindsight are you happy with where it is placed? Is it comfortable or would you move it if you had to build it again?

Just trying to get an idea for my own! Thanks and great job!

[Twinpanther]

Excellent work Twinpanther!
Im planning my first cab now, and I think I have decided to use a rotating monitor. I've never thought of useing a widescreen though, does that work well? I asumed that the picture wouldn't fill the screen up, does this seem to be a problem, or does the picture fit the screen better than a 4:3?

I'm using 1024x768 with MALA FE and everything is full screen be it horizontal or vertical.  Personally, (as a noob speaking of course) I like the widescreen better.

Forgot to ask, where did you get that power button? It would look very good on my latest project.

My "Power Button" is simply a standard arcade button with Pongo's vinyl wired into my PC power on posts.  I have the button set to start up into my MALA FE and do a standard shutdown when I'm ready to shut everything off.  Works great so far.

I am in the process of building my own and am wondering how your spinner placement works for you? In hindsight are you happy with where it is placed? Is it comfortable or would you move it if you had to build it again?

Personally I have no problems with my spinner where it is.  However, a friend thinks it gets in the way of driving games (I have the 5" wheel with my TT2).  Originally I was going to have the spinner on the other side and a Tron/Control stick where it is now but I wasn't patient enough for Happ to get one shipped out (apparently their machines were down).  I waited almost 8 weeks before I decided to forgo the stick and use the configuration I have.  So, I'm happy where it is and most likely wouldn't change it if I could do it again.

Twin

[fronty]

.

[shock_]

That is indeed a very nice solution for manual rotation.  Well done.

[(+_+)]

That's too funny. I was thinking of implementing the same type of manually rotation device at one point. Does it stay put. Did you have to put in a mechanism to make it snap into either vertical or horizontal position?

Nice job!!

[Twinpanther]

That's too funny. I was thinking of implementing the same type of manually rotation device at one point. Does it stay put. Did you have to put in a mechanism to make it snap into either vertical or horizontal position?

Nice job!!

Stays put great.  I have yet to have the monitor move in the slightest during game play of any type.  ATM I have nothing locking it in place in either direction.  However, after using it for a few days now I think it would be nice to have a stop block at each end with a magnet or something on it just so when i do rotate it I could have it stop at perfect 90º. 

Still searching for something to make a video with.  Damn Nikon SLR.  Sometimes I miss my Point and Shoot, LOL. 

[Hunk_4TH]

That's a bad ass cabinet dude! 

[cmoses]

Forgot to ask, where did you get that power button? It would look very good on my latest project.

My "Power Button" is simply a standard arcade button with Pongo's vinyl wired into my PC power on posts.  I have the button set to start up into my MALA FE and do a standard shutdown when I'm ready to shut everything off.  Works great so far.


Twin

So maybe I missed this, because I am just getting to this stage, but can you tell me more about Pongo's vinyls and where to get them?  I am guessing they are vinyl sticker that go on regular buttons.  Is there a web site to order or a place to see what is offered?

[Twinpanther]

So maybe I missed this, because I am just getting to this stage, but can you tell me more about Pongo's vinyls and where to get them?  I am guessing they are vinyl sticker that go on regular buttons.  Is there a web site to order or a place to see what is offered?

Pongo is a member of the boards here that sells vinyl for your buttons or just about any custom application you might need.  Go to this thread here for info. 

[Visitor Q]

Now that's pretty slick! 

Be cool to get that to rotate auto depending on the game, how sweet would that be!

[monkey puzzle]

Does your monitor have a TN screen? If so, what is the viewing angle like? I have heard that with some TN monitors, when the screen is in the vertical position, the colours are messed up when viewed from the side.

[Twinpanther]

Hmmm...  TN.  Well, after searching for what TN is I still don't know if my monitor has it or not.  This is the monitor I am using so maybe you can tell if it is or not by the specs.

I took some quick pics at different angles.

Horizontal Game
Track and Field Centered:


From the Player One position:


Player Two position:


Extreme Left of Player One:


Extreme Right of Player Two:


Vertical Game
Pacman Centered


Player One


Player Two


Conclusion:

Horizontal games are great at any angle.  Colors are good and picture is clear.

Vertical games are good.  From extreme left of player one to center colors are accurate and clear.  Beginning at the Player Two position colors just begin to darken.  It is minor and everything is still clear and doesn't hamper play in any way.  As you can see in Pacman, the dots are slightly reddish on the left of the screen for Player Two but Pacman is still yellow and all the guys are their correct color.

For Vertical my monitor rotates 90º CCW so Player Two's side is actually the bottom of the monitor.

Hope this helped a little.  I know the pics are terrible but it's 3:30am so what do you expect. 

[monkey puzzle]

Thanks for the reply. Juding by the pics, I would be very happy with a monitor setup like that. I have found out that your monitor has a TFT active matrix screen. Now I know that a TN is a type of TFT active matrix, but that doesn't mean you have a TN. I have foumd a cheap 22" TN monitor, and if I knew the viewing angle is as good as yours, I would buy it no problem.