Generic cabaret-Arcade Classics finished-02.23.14 **4 button/PC update 5.25.14**

[Louis Tully]

.

[DaOld Man]

Plan looks very promising. Will be following this one for sure.
Merry Christmas to you and the family!

[Louis Tully]

.

[404]

awesome. looking forward to this one. You always have lots of great projects, especially your mini and cabaret units. 

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Well Fed Games]

Ha, yeah, I can't cut a straight line to save my life. Currently building a cocktail by using the router to copy the pieces of a nasty old Atari cocktail. Even with user error (which is still more than I'd like to admit) the results are great.

[jmike]

Looking good LT. 
Following this project with interest.
What kind of hardware you putting in there?

 

[Generic Eric]

I like that whole sheet layout!

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Generic Eric]

I like that whole sheet layout!

Yeah, that was one thing I really wanted to get right. The lesson I learned is that the 16" wide horizontal panels will only work if you're using MDF because they're actually 97"x49". Plywood is 96"x48". Lesson learned. So my plans need to be adjusted to 15.5" or 15.75". I thought all 4x8 sheets had that extra bit. 

Don't forget the kerf.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[DaOld Man]

Looking Good LT!
Im glad you bought a router, you will ask yourself why you didn't buy one first.
But I got to put out the generic warnings.
Be extra careful. Routers spin fast and can get away from you very quickly. Keep a firm grip on it.
When cutting a slot, let the router completely stop before pulling the blade out of the slot.
Always unplug the router before changing the plunge depth or changing the bit.
Always wear a breather mask. Routers tend to put off a lot of dust with mdf, not so sure about ply though.
Always wear eye and ear protection.
Always test your first cut (after bit changes or adjusting), on a scrap piece of wood. This can save you a lot of heartache.
Keep the bearing on a trim bit well oiled. I use 3 in 1 oil, just a drop on the bearing after using, and store the bit pointing up, so the oil can seep into the bearing.
Keep the bits clean, dry, and stored in a protective case or box.
When you are finished with the router, remove the bit, vacuum (or blow) out the air vent ports, and store in a safe place, preferable with the router base sitting on a firm flat surface. If its a plunge router, oil the plunge sleeves every so often, and store router with plunge fully up.
Hmmm, what have I left out?

[stripe4]

I messed up and got the flush trim bit with the bearing on the bottom but it worked out well enough. I'll pick up a top bearing bit one of these days.

No, you did not. Actually a flush trim bit with a bearing on the bottom has its advantages. If you will use plexi overlay for CP, this router bit is the best choice to flush trim the edges and button holes (after drilling pilot holes). I only have this type of flush trim bit, and so far I have managed to do everything I need with it.

Speaking of plywood, I don't know what type of plywood you guys use in your projects but I would not call plywood lighter than MDF. I've only had experience with birch plywood made by this company (http://www.finieris.com/en/about-latvijas-finieris), and it's really heavy stuff. Heck, once I made a simple dollhouse for my daughter, and it takes two people to lift it comfortably.

[stripe4]

Hmmm, what have I left out?

Do not wear loose clothing while working with a router (shirt in pants!).

[Hockeyboy]

Looking good LT. 
Following this project with interest.
What kind of hardware you putting in there?

 

Thanks, jmike.

I try not to build in the same style twice so I can learn some new things. This time around I'm going with plywood, a little stain, and t-molding(and a router of course) all of those things are new to me. I mean I've used plywood before, just not for arcade cabinets. Another new thing for this build is that I'm not using a computer, I got a 60 in 1 for it. I've got the list whittled down to 32 games that require 1 button and a 4-way joystick. I shaved the corners down on the 4way restrictor on the Zippyy stick and it's pretty nice. I also got one of those little single coin acceptors. New stuffs all around.


I like the weight of the plywood but I'm not digging the splinters, I'm used to MDF.

I love that you are planning on doing this in plywood with stain. Mine is very close to being completed - I still need a marquee and software tweaking, but it's all assembled and has already been playing some games (courtesy of the youngest daughter that is 19 and her friends). Shameless self-bump here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133642.0/all.html

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[jmike]

  looking good LT.
Using a 60-1 board, you might want to look into one of the scan lines from craftymech.
Sounds good. I thought I read somewhere that you were looking for one of those Vigo encoders.

 

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[404]

I started working on the front panel and I didn't quite figure out how I was going to keep the plexi in place before building.

 

I was farting around with some scrap 1/4" mdf leftover from the template and I made a frame. It works. I might just go this route but make it out of wood strips or 1/4 round molding.


 



I'd really like to make it out of aluminum angle but 1/2" is the smallest I can find. I trimmed a piece for my Street Fighter cab once but it was a pain. I don't think my hand is steady enough for a 1/8" cut.


Maybe I can find a 5" x 9" metal picture frame and use it for parts. 

totally going to steal your bezel idea. You have totally inspired me to create a bezel. Don't think i can make a recess to hold the plexi though.

btw, where did you get that coin door? Still on the ropes on whether i should get one for this cab.

[chopperthedog]

Maybe cut a hole a tad smaller for the marquee add t-molding to inside of opening and attach marquee to inside of cab. #thinkingoutloud


good day.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[pbj]

Decase and center that monitor.  Good lord.

[Louis Tully]

.

[yotsuya]

Louis-

Are you planning on that much of the monitor bezel being visible?

[JDFan]

Louis-

Are you planning on that much of the monitor bezel being visible?

From the posted pics it looks like he plans on a fairly thick wood frame around the plexi that should cover most of that 

[yotsuya]

I was under the impression that frame was for a marquee setup.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Louis Tully]

.

[rablack97]

dammit man, i can't follow where this is going.....

[Louis Tully]

.

[yalborap]

I got some vesa mounts from newegg the other day and I like this setup better, the tilt is nice. I'm thinking about throwing it all together, wiring everything up and giving it a full test run just for the hell of it.

No, you poor fool! Countless cabinets have been lost to that very same urge! Do not give in! 

Fantastic build so far, really looking forward to the end result!