i made a 1:30 scale model of the arcade cabinet last night. i was a little concerned about how big the control panel is and after making the cabinet, i’ve decided that the control panel is too large. i also want to build a drawer into the cabinet, so i think that i’m going to modify the plans just a little bit. but i think i have a pretty good idea of how everything is going to work out.
i also borrowed a circular saw and jigsaw from my parents (though they don’t know that i did, heh) and i think that i have pretty much all the tools that i need to build the arcade. i’m almost ready to start buying parts. one quick trip to the arcade for a few measurements and i think i’ll be all set!
Where’s the photo of the model? And did you go with the jello like we’d decided?
i added a photo of the model just for you. and no, i decided that jello wasn’t a sustainable medium for the arcade cabinet. the cardboard is thicker than it should be, but the rest of the model should be pretty close to scale.
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2005/12/build_a_mame_cabinet_in_24_hou.html
http://arcadecontrols.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/0764556169
1) Several folks did this a while ago. Probably can search and find their tips.
2) Surely there must be a totally burned out shell of a console machine you could buy for $50, and then just stick a PC in the cabinet…maybe you can even use the existing controls! Maybe if you check out surplus places (like “Weird Stuff”, if that place still exists), you can find a nf old game and use it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VIDEO-ARCADE-GAME-LOCK-ON-AIR-PLANE-CABINET_W0QQitemZ280144671935QQihZ018QQcategoryZ13716QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mameroom-Designs-Ultimate-Video-Arcade-Game-Cabinet-Kit_W0QQitemZ280145058723QQihZ018QQcategoryZ13716QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem leads me to http://www.mameroom.com/products.asp
i’ve actually done a lot of research about how to build an arcade. i’ve weighed the pros and cons of building from scratch or retrofitting a non-functional cabinet. part of the fun of this project, for me, is to be able to build a new system from scratch.
it’s been a while since i’ve really done any kind of woodworking so i tihnk it’ll be fun.
thanks for the tips, though!