Are the speakers going to be affixed to the cabinet somehow? If not, you might consider it because when you move it, you will have to reset them. I also drilled a hole in the cabinet so that I could reach the volume control. Some games are louder than others, and if you ever use it as a jukebox (I have mine networked to my other computers and share my music library, you will want to be able to adjust the volume.

We'll see how it goes, but I don't think the speakers are going to need to be fussed with further. You can kind of see in one picture how there are screws on each side that keep them from wiggling around much. If I'm wrong, won't be a hard fix.

I haven't thought much about the volume control, but you're right it should be accessible. Off the top of my head, maybe I can attach it down at the coin retrieval door, so that instead of reaching in to get your quarter back, you can adjust the volume dial. I think I like that idea.

We put on the first coat of black paint on the cabinet earlier today. I'm so pleased with it. Maybe we can hit it with another coat in a few hours.

One coat of paint.

Quick picture of the design. I think the stripes kinda give it a bit of an 80s feel.

i like the stripes, and also the idea of making the coin return double as a volume control.

just found this thread today. OMFG sick!

The final coat of high gloss black was added today. We put on 3 coats of primer, and then 5 coats of the high gloss black. It looks... glossy.

A trip to Home Depot and Michael's crafts has supplied us with the metallic gold and bluish teal for the stripes and design as well as the stenciling materials Girlfriend says she needs to make the big spade. Today was the last day of our weekend though (we work casino employee schedules) so next Monday we will lay down the rest of the paint on the cabinet, spray paint a few metallic bits that need to be more black, and apply the T-molding to the edges. After that... OMFG it's ready to be moved inside!

We still haven't decided how to mask the gap between the controller and the monitor. I have a couple ideas involving plastics.

The marquee has yet to be worked on. Just too busy with everything else. That's okay though, I won't mind having a fully functional arcade in my house without a marquee for a week or so. Yeah, I think we can swing that.

I'm bored right now, so I think I'll make a video showing the computer/controller/monitor setup.

Okay! Here's a video showing the components of the arcade build.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8Xgl8FHrxI

balla

Are there people who custom make these for sale? My time is worth way too damn much to spend hours and hours building one of these. Expensive isn't a problem, I just want high quality materials.

Today I spray-painted the coin door and the metal bits that hold the glass for the monitor in place. Nice and glossy black.

Currently I'm attempting to glue the volume control for the computer speakers in place in a coin door slot. I'm using this stuff...



Let's hope it holds. If it does, I think it's going to look pretty snazzy having the volume on the coin door. If it doesn't... well... we'll figure something out. Think positive. We'll know in a few hours.

Mame's are FUN!!!!

TMNT and NBA Jam FTW

Stylistic has one, and I was so jealous, I had to build one for myself last year

Yeah I went and fired up the TMNT arcade game a few weeks ago. Now I remember why I was totally blown away as a kid when I first saw it. Man, was that game ahead of the curve or what? Even had the theme song after you hit start. That was a big deal back then.


It looks like the gorilla glue is holding the volume control to the coin door! Great success! I was really crossing my fingers on that one.

I have never bought or researched one of these, but the first google result for "custom arcade cabinet" returns http://customarcades.com. There are plenty more to choose from. Let us know what kind you end up getting so the other ballers can have a review.

watched the video earlier today -- thanks for making it, totally making me envious.

I had the same GE remote for my old TV.

Why does the TV look so small? Is that the size of most Arcade monitors?

FWIW, Gorilla Glue will hold anything to anything.

It is an amazing product. Just make sure you apply pressure, and lightly wet both surfaces prior to application.

It's 25" and is the standard size for the arcade cabinet. I didn't have to make any modifications to the bezel at all (the black thing that masks the outside of the monitor to the cabinet walls). Must just be the video. It's anything but small.

It worked great. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I was worried that I'd have to be extra gentle with it, but it sure seems solid.

I use a commercial equivalent of gorilla glue in the buffing pads I manufacture.

The pads are sometimes used in conjunction with commercial solvents while spinning at 2000RPM and a 250lb guy is applying his weight on top of said product as it spins on a stone surface.

If it can handle that, your volume controls will be fine. =)

I'm interested to see how this turns out in the end.

I had no idea the stuff was that strong.

Hows the cabinet been going Quadstriker?

This thread has inspired me to consider building one.

I did basically no work on it last week thanks to a little game called MLB 09 The Show. Holy balls is that an addicting game.

We've been painting stripes on the sides of the cabinet the last two days. It's harder than I thought to get nice straight lines, but it turned out really nice. The metallic blue and gold paint we got really pops! Once girlfriend paints the spade designs on the sides I'll apply the T-molding and bring it into the house. There's still a couple things to do to it once it's inside.

Are you putting wheels on the bottom so you can move it around easily?

Yes, I put swiveling casters on the bottom so it can move in any direction. You can see a picture of them in post #93 of this thread.

I have the day off today, but Girlfriend does not. She made me promise not to touch the painted stripes until she gets back. She wants to be the one to put on the last coat and touch them up. I think it is in my best interest to yield.

I'll go get a picture now.