I built my first arcade stick

[JoeAwesome]

Very nice! Let me know when you're up for taking orders!

[bmoc]

Very nice! Let me know when you're up for taking orders!

Hah, I think my wife would disown me if I made another one right now. But thank you for the kind words. Maybe one day when the kids are bigger and I have room for my own table saw.

[Kidpanda]

Just polyurethane. Four coats on the top. Three on everything else. I accept that I may have to sand down the top and refinish every few years if it gets super discolored from use.

Nah, that will show that it's been used, it's like that boss guitar that someone uses for years without refinishing it.

[cdoublejj]

How much time and money do you have in it?

[bmoc]

How much time and money do you have in it?

FocusAttack parts & wiring - $160 (during 15% off sale)
Metric forstner bits - $23
Hinges + screws - $16
Aerosol polyurethane - $8
Wood files - $7
Miscellaneous screws - $1
Total - $215

I already had all the other tools and parts or I borrowed them.

Time estimate:
Research - 5 hours?
Initial box construction - 1 hour
Soldering - 30 minutes
Drill holes - 30 minutes
Chisel/file hinge recess - 2 hours
Sanding - 30 minutes
Polyurethane application & dry time - 1 week
Assemble remaining parts - 2 hours
Total - ~1 week 11.5 hours

I started ordering parts on 10/4. I completed the arcade stick on 10/25.

[fastbilly1]

Well done. A great looking stick, and clean inside and out.

[cdoublejj]

what would it cost to buy one of that quality?

[KalessinDB]

$215 in parts and an estimated 11.5 hrs work?

Even calling it a labor of love I don't see you getting one for less than $300 + shipping, probably more. There's a reason most people in this hobby seem to make their own

[bmoc]

KalessinDB is right again. Building your own arcade stick from scratch is very pricey. I am a special case since I have access to a cabinet shop (80 miles away). It would likely be far too expensive to have me build one for you - not to mention it would take several weeks with all my other commitments.

Here are few arcade stick builders that I am aware of that do woodwork:
http://www.b15sdmdesigns.com/
http://foehammershop.com/index.php/shop ... m-requests
http://www.analogueinteractive.com/ (not sure how much custom work they do, but they may be willing)

Here is a list of local builders/modders in case there is one in your area. http://forums.shoryuken.com/discussion/ ... -this-post

If I can help you out with measurements or additional pictures of what I did, just let me know.

[fastbilly1]

Actually, how does it latch shut?