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First attempt at building a cabnet from scratch


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Hey all, I was having a beer with a few friends and i was struck with the idea of building an arcade cabnet, this idea is about to come reality with a little guidance hopfully from anyone who wants to offer it up. I have a few advantages on most as i work as a sign manufacturer, and have many cool gadjets at my diposal, one being several CNC Routers. So people where do i start?
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I've done a quick look around on the net and posts, i've come to appreciate the look of the viewlix type cabnet, something that will fit a large screen, i'm just throwing a few ideas together in design software atm, whats the go with internals ( running hardware ect.)

 

---------- Post added at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------

 

Ok rough design and i so don't judge to harshly, a few modifications from anything else i could find, and a lot eiser to assemble, any thoughts anyone?

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/roughdesign.jpg

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Cheers, for the link, a bit sleek and anti-vintage for my taste, must be a way to combine the retro with a practicle design, i'll tweak the design a bit more and see what i can come up with.

 

---------- Post added at 10:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 PM ----------

 

Flying through the design stage, just through together the layout for the control pannel, and some maybe artwork, sticking to the space invaders theme that i am becoming more fond off, i'm not the best self critic, go ahead and coment.

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/layou11111.jpg

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Welcome to AA!

 

I joined up a few months back wanting to own a cab - I ended up going down the path of building. I have been putting my notes and progress online at http://www.newhighscore.net/?cat=1

 

You may find it an interesting read or pick up a thing or two. I started with very little knowledge and just started researching and asking questions, and then documenting what I could. Lately there are more images as the cab comes together.

 

The best advice I could give you is take your time and research to determine exactly what you want, and what you're going to need to get it going. And don't worry about people being harsh on your cab - it's for you to enjoy!

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Thanks to jesder, great link for info! your cabnet is coming up nice. I've done a layout of material needed, 3 (MDF 1200 X 2400 18mm) 1 (MDF 1200 X 2400 15mm).

 

I'm up for a challenge and want to push the construction stage out in about a week from today, a bit ambitious i know even a bit stupid, but i have everything that i need ready to start tomorrow afternoon, here are the plans.

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/layou2.jpg

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Looks like you're all set to me mate, pretty jealous of your CNC machines - will make for perfect panels and easier assembly! Most of my panels haven't been too bad but I've had a few things where I just screwed it up and had to scrap it.

 

Construction seems to be a large part trial and error, and generally winging it while trying to think ahead a little - it's really not too bad once you get going even though it can seem daunting at first. I've pretty much got zero experience with this kind of thing but at this point my cab is playable and still (!) standing :)

 

Been posting pics in this thread: http://www.aussiearcade.com/showthread.php/40431-Let-the-building-commence?highlight=

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Ive managed to make a fairly good start, i've got all my pannels cut out and sanded ready to be assembled. It only took five hours tonight after work but looking good so far, here a few quick photos, whats the best fixings to use, glue and screws im guessing.

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0381.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0378.jpg

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I've finished constructing the shell in under 3 hours, everything fited together perfect. I ended up using glue and screws. The design allows for the shell to be broken down to three sections for easy moving, as for the monitor support, i have a 24 inch lcd monitor that i will use with a wooden frame around it, the mounting will be be a wall mount to make for easy adjustment. I'll upload photos for people to look at.

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0390.jpg

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0389.jpg

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0388.jpg

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0384.jpg

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Painting, will comence tonight after work, i'll give it a quick sand around all the joins and bog up all the screw holes except the four that hold the top and bottom sections together, i'm going to use a plastic primer and filler in a spray gun which is very dry and easy sanded. Tomorrow i'll give it a couple of color blasts orange and black to match the control pannel design, and top coats on sunday, well thats the plan anyways, I'll post some more photos as i go. Cheers again all for your comments
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To be honest this is a job that i wouldn't tackle without the resorces that i have! big shout out to all you guys going it the jigsaw!!! I have trade school in melbourne in three weeks, where is the best place to get all the buttons and sticks, trackball ect?
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Will be interested to hear how you go with painting it, have struggled to find a straight answer online about how to paint MDF without it swelling up from the moisture.

 

I just painted with mdf primer. which I guess seals and then semi gloss enamel on top, painted a few years ago and no problems so far. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

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Its been a crazy busy weekend, beers and bands and pub golf, managed to bog up all the screw holes and give it a sand and first prime, then another touch up after work, will post some photos when i get a chance, hoping to have the painting done by the end of the week. Adam out
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  • 2 weeks later...

Here are a few new photos for anyone that is interested, painting of the shell is complete, just the cp to prime and paint.

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0398.jpg

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0399.jpg

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0401.jpg

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0402.jpg

 

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/flaty2/IMG_0405.jpg

 

So thats it for now try and have acrylic top for the cp printed later in the week and the acrylic insert for the space invaders logo cut out.

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