My mame cab project!

[fastbilly1]

do they make those bits large enough for the arcade buttons? I was planning on getting this set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-ti ... 41312.html

The 1 1/4 bit should be just about right for the buttons.

What kind of button are you going to use?

If I remember correctly Sanwa buttons are 30mm but Happs are 28mm

[jay_red]

do they make those bits large enough for the arcade buttons? I was planning on getting this set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-ti ... 41312.html

The 1 1/4 bit should be just about right for the buttons.

What kind of button are you going to use?

If I remember correctly Sanwa buttons are 30mm but Happs are 28mm

I will be using 30mm Sanwa's

[dsheinem]

So I have ended up with a different monitor, my friend happened to have a 20 inch LCD with s-video and component inputs, and it weights a ton less than the CRT I was using. I have some black foam board to use as a bezel around the monitor after I get it in place.

I was walking around home depot today looking for parts to mount the monitor and found something that made me change my mind on the control panel. I had settled on black, but I walked past the aisle with shelves and my mind was made up. Some of you may not like it, some may love it, but it will be pretty clean overall.



It reminds me of the Analogue Neo Geo sticks that are made of wood. I need to get the proper bits for making the holes, I have a trade working out that will net me half of the parts I need. Will update once I get the monitor in place.

I'd be afraid that the finish on those shelves wouldn't hold up to use ...it is usually thin paper material over particle board...

[jay_red]

it seemed pretty good to me, for the $5 I spent on it I am not too worried if it doesnt work out.

[CRTGAMER]

do they make those bits large enough for the arcade buttons? I was planning on getting this set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-ti ... 41312.html

The 1 1/4 bit should be just about right for the buttons.

The spade bits you linked should be fine. A step drill only goes a ¼" deep before stepping the hole larger. I was thinking twist drill bits for a smoother cut, but the set I bought from Harbor Freight only goes to One Inch.

Large twist drill set http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-si ... t-527.html

There are step drills that go up to 1⅜" which puts it an eighth inch too big for your buttons. Might work if not too much slop in the metric diameter. A step drill bit is good to have in the toolbox anyways, indispensable for quickly punching holes in metal. Best to get the Green Lee Unibit, it is solid and melts thru steel fast, munches wood into dust.

it seemed pretty good to me, for the $5 I spent on it I am not too worried if it doesnt work out.

You can throw a clear sheet of plastic on top of the wood, but then its more drilling.
Maybe a two part Epoxy clear coat?

[jay_red]

The control panel is well underway! I had to borrow some legit wood working tools (jigsaw, skill saw, router). I went through a bunch of pieces of wood practicing how to use them correctly, and have gone through a few different ideas of what to use. I have ended up with something that looked like the wood shelf I had earlier, but will be much more durable.

So this is a sheet of particle board (I have seen many cabinet builds use this) with a piece of wood laminate on top of it, my Fiance's dad happened to have some of this kicking around his garage and it worked out perfect.

So here is where I am at so far:





Its coming together pretty nicely so far, I still need to order the other half my control parts, get the t-moulding, and re-paint the sides and front.

[shallowgamer]

Good call on the laminate piece instead of the "simulated wood grain finish" shelf. It will last forever, seeing as you're not walking on it

[fastbilly1]

Just be careful of water on that laminate. You shouldnt have an issue with that, but a no drinks on cp policy would eliminate it.

[CRTGAMER]

Keyboard Tray? Or are you setting it up where the controls select a game?

[BRIK]

If it's two things I've always loved together, it was wood grain and retro games.