Retrobution half-cabinet project

[Fats]

Hi guys

This is my first attempt at building an arcade cabinet. I first got into the emulation scene about five years ago and wanted to build a cab back then, but life got in the way. I bought an x-arcade back then and used it at LAN parties with a projector and MAME, and it always went down well.

This year, I was looking for a project and stumbled upon BYOAC. After spending a day drooling at all the cabs here, I began using Sketchup to design a build. I had a number of obstacles to overcome... Firstly, I am absolutely crap at DIY. I managed to persuade my dad to help with the woodworking side of things but even he didn't have all the tools we'd need.

Due to a lack of experience, limited space and no router, I nearly abandoned the project. But by then I was way too into it and decided to go ahead anyway. For now, I'm using the x-arcade (cue the sound of a thousand back buttons being clicked), but I wanted to allow for a custom CP to replace it when I have the tools to make something that won't suck.

Anyway, enough of the excuses, here's some progress pics. I started work in February, and as of now I'm waiting for my marquee from Emdekay and a sunny day for a final coat of paint.

The PC is an old Shuttle system that had a dead PSU. I believe it's an Athlon 2800 or somewhere around that, with a gig of ram and a Radeon 9600. Frontend is Maximus Arcade, used as a Windows shell replacement.

There's tons more pictures and details on my blog.

[leapinlew]

How's stability on that going to be? Seems like it'll be top heavy.

[Fats]

That was one of my main concerns when I decided on a stand rather than just putting feet on it and calling it a bartop. I played some games of Street Fighter and didn't have any problems at all. The base is quite weighty.

[ChadTower]

All that work and an X arcade?  Don't compromise on the controls, man!  That's the most important part.

[HaRuMaN]

All that work and an X arcade?  Don't compromise on the controls, man!  That's the most important part.

You'll have to forgive chad, he can't read all that good.   

Due to a lack of experience, limited space and no router, I nearly abandoned the project. But by then I was way too into it and decided to go ahead anyway. For now, I'm using the x-arcade (cue the sound of a thousand back buttons being clicked), but I wanted to allow for a custom CP to replace it when I have the tools to make something that won't suck.

[Fats]

It is most definitely my intention to build a custom CP later in the year, and I expected to get negative comments for using the x-arcade

I've had the x-arc for about five years gathering dust and wanted to put it to good use. I've replaced the joysticks with Sanwa JLW-UM8s and that's plenty for now until the main cab is finished. Sure, it might look like ass for a while, but I'll have something to play on until I figure out how to do the cutting for a CP!

[ChadTower]

Due to a lack of experience, limited space and no router, I nearly abandoned the project. But by then I was way too into it and decided to go ahead anyway. For now, I'm using the x-arcade (cue the sound of a thousand back buttons being clicked), but I wanted to allow for a custom CP to replace it when I have the tools to make something that won't suck.

Apparently reading isn't always fundamental.   

[severdhed]

very cool...i actually like that alot...where did you get the base for that thing?

[Fats]

The base comes from a bar table that I bought new. It was self-assembly, I never even got the actual table top out of the box It's actually gas-lift so the height of the entire unit can be adjusted for standing/stool or table height for sitting.

Anyway, today's progress. It's pretty much complete now. I imagine I'll start thinking about a control panel before long... 

[Gatsu]

oh man that paint job could use some work.

Did you sand and prime the case before you painted it?

That really detracts from the overall coolness of the project.

[severdhed]

i agree...sand and paint.  this is a pretty cool idea for a cabinet, take the time and get a good paintjob on there, you will be happy you took the extra time.  also, Tmolding makes a huge difference in the appearance of a cabinet.  i just black painted edges on my cabinet for a while, i couldn't beleive how much better it looked once the Tmolding was installed.

i really like this style of cabinet though..you get the ability to stand up and play like a full size cabinet, but without all that extra space.

[Gatsu]

ah yes. t-molding. Its a little extra work, but adds +100 awesome points on your cabs overall cool factor. Just adds that extra little zazz.

[dkssprs]

you defenetly going to need some paint job on that thing

Many members are giving good advices on painting the cabinet.

Give it a try ....its a litle pitty not to have a shiny and clean cab in your room.

And then go for some arcadecontrols....x-arcade isnt giving style to your cab.

Keep up the good work. 

[bgspot]

I agree with the above comments, but it's pretty damn good for a first time go. Your cabs are only going to get better as you gain more experience.