The Skinner Family Everything Else

Arcade Cabinet: Thumbnails

(Project completed May '07)

I'm making a MAME arcade cabinet for Connor (no no, not for me...ahem). I certainly haven't documented everything I am doing as I have been collecting things slowly over the past few months, but here's a partial history.

Most of the big hardware components have been had via Craigslist and eBay. Craigslist netted me a cheap custom gamer's PC for the core of the system, a PCI USB port expansion card, and a FREE 21" Nokia high end monitor. eBay got me the coin box that some place had just refurbed from an old arcade and decided not to use, t-molding, external USB slimline DVD/CD drive, adjustable feet, marquee light and speaker covers. Other parts came from Tiger Direct (wireless card), Newegg (LED fans), and X-Arcade (the joystick/trackball controller). Many things I had laying around: wireless keyboard, extra PC power supply just for the coin door lights and LED cooling fans (why bugger with the PC's?), Griffin Powermate for the spinner, slim USB hub, and lots of other things.

The DVD/CD and the USB hub will be installed just below the monitor for easy access, along with a remote control for the speaker system (volume, subwoofer boost, and headphone jacks).

One thing I have learned already: I hate MDF. I will think twice (hard) before I use it again. It's a dusty bastard when cut or routed, and dulls blades and bits very fast (negating, IMO, the cost savings over plywood). I had decided to try it for the cost savings somewhat, but more the very smooth surface: ideal for paint and graphics.

XXXXClick on the small photo to see the original, and any caption.

(Workshop pictur ...)	(The wooden work ...)	(Dust collector. ...)	(One of two side ...)
(Second side. Bo ...)	(LED fans will b ...)	(Dados completed ...)	(Dry fit test. N ...)
(Next steps: cut ...)	(Coin door/mech ...)	(Marquee area cl ...)	(Cooling fan por ...)
(Cooling fan up ...)	(Inside view wit ...)	(Speakers disass ...)	(Checking best p ...)
(Monitor before ...)	(Name plate remo ...)	(USB hub to also ...)	(After 1 coat of ...)
(Still wet, but ...)	(Drawer-under, a ...)	(I decided the v ...)	(Close up of USB ...)
arcadeCab0025.jpg	(Back, bottom ha ...)	(First primer co ...)	(Sanded primer. ...)
(Interior coated ...)	(Drawer front, f ...)	(Laminated 1/4" ...)	(Bezel fitted an ...)
(4"x3/4" preprim ...)	(Fitting monitor ...)	(Masking the mon ...)	(Laying out the ...)
(Finished maskin ...)	(First coat of m ...)	(Two coats of pa ...)	(View from the f ...)
(Glass in place!)	(Close up of pin ...)	(Marquee in plac ...)	(Nicely backlit. ...)
(Speakers now in ...)	(Speakers covere ...)	(Speaker covers ...)	(Coin door in an ...)
(LED fans also i ...)	arcadeCab0051.jpg	(Backside of CD/ ...)	(Backside of USB ...)
(Monitor in plac ...)	(Starting to loo ...)	(Coin door insta ...)	(All the guts in ...)
(BITS Smartstrip ...)	("Kiptin! We hav ...)	(The awesome GAM ...)	(Griffin Powerma ...)
(Volume/bass con ...)	(Nearing complet ...)	(Mostly done now ...)	(99 44/100% done ...)
(Along side the ...)	(Connor and Liam ...)	(Final touch. LE ...)