pommyman Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi all, After lurking here for what is now over a year, and procrastinating over what I should build and how, I finally bit the bullet and made a start. I've built up a basic framework that the TV sits on, nad will bild the shell around it. That way I have more rigidity and strength in the cabinet, so it can take a heavy beating! I'm still to decide on a lowboy or standard cab, as the frame work allows me to do either. The measurements were based on the TV i have spare and I'm still waiting to get the wood for the panels, but that won't be at least until next week. Also if anyone can help, how would I cut a door out of a panel or would I be better off making a frame and dooing a door that way? Also how do I get the glass over the screen to stay in and how do I get it in or out? Here is some pictures of progress so far. Thanks for looking, Peter By the way, it looks flimsy, but is actually quite sturdy and there's no movement in it now, so it takes the weight nicely. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezbaz Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Hi Peter Love that frame! I built mine a bit different, just particle board sides and panels, but that's only because it was getting laminated and I could hide the screws The thread is here In answer to your door question, the thread includes what I did with the door, the panels are strong enough to hold a door. Good luck, keep asking questions, and you will have a fine machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Your off to a good start. Keep the photo's and questions coming.. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubaloo Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 I like the thinking of building the framework first - at least you have easier control over height an angle this way before having to work inside a cabinet. Completely unproven opinion follows ;-) My thoughts on Glass retention are steel edge clips with a magnetic catch behind much like a drinks cabinet style. Not sure how you would hide it or others do it. As far as a door door is concerned, I am going to use piano hinge and habve the door drop down with the MOBO, PSU and HDD mounted on it so it makes for easier access and convenient work area. Haven't decided on the catch method yet but it would be fairly simple to work out. End of my opinion. Keep up the momentum and never say die! Regards Stu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ond Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 I like the thinking of building the framework first - at least you have easier control over height an angle this way before having to work inside a cabinet. Completely unproven opinion follows ;-) My thoughts on Glass retention are steel edge clips with a magnetic catch behind much like a drinks cabinet style. Not sure how you would hide it or others do it. As far as a door door is concerned, I am going to use piano hinge and habve the door drop down with the MOBO, PSU and HDD mounted on it so it makes for easier access and convenient work area. Haven't decided on the catch method yet but it would be fairly simple to work out. End of my opinion. Keep up the momentum and never say die! Regards Stu In my roamings at Bunnings yesterday I was looking at catches. I'm going with the brass bearing type, the sort where a wedge shaped catch is forced between two spring loaded bearings. The pressure on the bearings can be adjusted to vary how much force the door (or CP lid) needs to open it. Preferable to those cheaper magnetic style catches I reckon. The brass bearing type give a nice firm click shut. Sorry no pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pommyman Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 As far as a door door is concerned, I am going to use piano hinge and habve the door drop down with the MOBO, PSU and HDD mounted on it so it makes for easier access and convenient work area. Haven't decided on the catch method yet but it would be fairly simple to work out. Regards Stu I love that idea! I was wondering how to mount the MOBO and gear, and that is almost exactly what I would, though now it's just popped in my head how would you do a coin slot thingy (sorry at work and my brain froze!) Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubaloo Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 In my case the drop down panel is on the rear. As this will never see a coin I do not have this issue. I am not really trying to create authentic. Same priciple would apply though I would have thought. Stu I love that idea! I was wondering how to mount the MOBO and gear, and that is almost exactly what I would, though now it's just popped in my head how would you do a coin slot thingy (sorry at work and my brain froze!) Peter In my roamings at Bunnings yesterday I was looking at catches. I'm going with the brass bearing type, the sort where a wedge shaped catch is forced between two spring loaded bearings. The pressure on the bearings can be adjusted to vary how much force the door (or CP lid) needs to open it. Preferable to those cheaper magnetic style catches I reckon. The brass bearing type give a nice firm click shut. Sorry no pic. Interesting!! Out of curiosity, how would you mount this type of catch to the glass panel? Stu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pommyman Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Update Hi again, Just an update, I've managed to get all the big pieces I need and will start cutting wood tomorrow with my nephew (who is actually older than me, but knows how to do this stuff!), so will post more pics then. I've completed my plan in sketchup and will figure out how to post that here for you to get the idea, it's only a crap setup, but it's given me the outline for the sides that I needed. With the long weekend and not rostered on either, it's been a good time to do this. Anyway, I'll get more photos up tomorrow or Mon night. BTW does anyone have any good hacks or builds for a trackball or am I better off buying the $60 buck one on Ozstick? Thanks, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pommyman Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 Another update: The sides were cutout and put on yesterday and look so much better than I could have imagined. I've got photos and will update them later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pommyman Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Photo's of progress to now. Hi again, Here are the photos from the work we've done in the last two days. I've done less today only as we went out bowling so we could spend some "family" time (it was fun too). Anyway, I hope the attachments show it in order, but essentially they show us measuring up, the first cut, the first side, both sides, and how it looks with the sides on. We only made one real screwup that was easily fixed in the top where teh marquee will go was too far forward as we forgot to cut it to the right length. After a few minutes, we had that sorted and all was well! The second side took only minutes as we used a router to cut around the first and then clean up both edges so they were exact, but the first took a few hours to get right after measuring, drawing cutting etc. I'm really very amazed at how it has turned out so far, even my wife and niece, who know very little about these, instantly recognised it for what it will be and were impressed. I think I'll be ok with the missus for this now! Anyway, I hope this gives you an idea where I'm at, and feel free to give some suggestions or advice. God knows I could use it! Thanks, Peter All, Another update, the front door and lock are now on and I couldn't be happier. Here's the photo's. PS sorry for the images, my real camera is dead, so I'm using my phone until I get another. Thanks, Peter http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/pommyman/dooron3.jpg http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/pommyman/Dooron2.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pommyman Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 Another update and questions. Hi all, Well, I haven't managed to get much further, but the control panel is ready to go, and I'm just waiting on a trackball from Ozstick before I go any further there. The speaker shelf is in as are the speakers, and I've split this is 2 to be able to use it as a support for the glass/perspex (any ideas on whats best?) with a channel piece at the bottom just above the CP to secure it there. I've got some red vinyl to cover the CP, and am still looking at paint options for the beastie, but am still very much undecided. Iwas thinking a white overall with blue and red flashes and a bunch of artwork or black overall , red cp and edging and artwork on the sides. Still not sure there. :unsure Anyone have an opinion? I still have to do the back and top and something for the marquee but that should be straight forward. Less so the edging as I'm very reluctant to spend $50 on one small cutting tool for use once. I'm thinking of rounding and painting and I've seen the threads on this but still undecided - aaaaggh the agony!:073: Also does anyone have any configs for mamewah that map joystick + 6 buttons per player (2) to emulators so that they work straight away without me having to reprogram them all. I would very much appreciate some assistance here too. Anyway, I'll get some more photos up soon so that you can see the progress. Thanks, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pommyman Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 Primered and ready to go Hi all, Another update! This is going better than I thought for someone with absolutely no skills in woodworking - some would say it shows, but hey, I don't care.:p Anyway, the control panel is together and I've used Red vinyl from spotlight as the cover. I chose this as it's easy to replace if needed and easy to work with - also with young kids wanting to play this quite easy to wipe off and keep clean. The only thing is I'm still waiting on the trackball, but I've cut the hole and routed the back already for that. Next to go in here is the wiring - but that's strightforward enough so no dramas there. I've primered the cab in white, as I am going for a white cab with blue and red - I have an idea in my head and am going to put it down on paper so I can get it right - These bits are what I actually do know so am really enjoying this phase of the build. I'm going to order some tinted glass for the front, but not too concerned about that at this stage. The PC is done, but I'm still getting some funny errors in Mamewah such as when first opening it crashes back to windows with no errors, and on reopening works OK, until sometimes after a game it will again crash to WinXP with no errors. Does anyone have any suggestions? ( though looking at reponses to questions so far - I don't expect many!:lol) Here's the photo's - I hope you enjoy Peter The CP: http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/pommyman/controlpanelsmall.jpg The side on shot: http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/pommyman/sidesmall.jpg The front including door. http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/pommyman/frontsmall.jpg The speakers: http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/pommyman/speakerssmall.jpg Ta, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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