Page 2 / 3
Design &
Construction |
  |
|
I would like to thank ArcadeShop.de for sponsoring some of the parts for this
project. I can definitely recommend Arcadeshop.de for their great
support and great products. Now go buy some pushbuttons and
joysticks:
|
|
.JPG) |
Now it's time to test if I followed
the mini-itx form factor correctly.
The 2.5" hard disk mount is
elevated from the bottom panel and there is room for using
o-rings between the mount and the hard disk too, if you want to
protect it from shocks. I'm using a SSD, so there is no reason
to protect it with O-rings, foam or adhesive rubber.
|
.JPG) |
Turning the panel around, it's
completely flush with no screw heads above the panel. |
.JPG) |
A perfect fit. Motherboard and
IO-shield frame is placed perfectly.
|
.JPG) |
The 60 mm fan and the power push
button is installad. Also a perfect fit. |
.JPG) |
I got there nice big professional
grade adhesive rubber feet on eBay. They are much nicer than
anything you can find in your hardware store or supermarket and
that will fall off in no time.
You can also make them yourself
from rubber and then use contact glue to mount them. |
|
|
.JPG) |
Installing the push buttons,
the joystick and encoders. I'm testing an E-limitator from
ArcadeShop.de to see if it actually works. The E-limitator is an
electronic device that predicts the right directions when
playing 4-way games like Pac-man or Donkey Kong. You have to
shift between 8, 4 or 2-way with a button.
The econ is a very flat cabinet
with low installation depth, so I couldn't use an UltraStik 360,
this is why I am trying the E-limitator instead.
I am yet to find out if the E-limitator
works, but I can safely say that the UltraStik 360 is much
easier to installs and feels better that your good old
micro-switch stick.
The more cabinets I make, the
more I hate micro-switches :) |
.JPG) |
I had the intention of using veneer
on the sides to give it a more distinctive look and add to the
retro feeling. A bit Atari 2600'ish, but with real wood.
Sanding down the sides for applying
the American Walnut veneer I have acquired. |
.JPG) |
I apply a layer of epoxy on the
veneer roughly the size of the side. Then I add some weight on
top of it all and wait for about an hour. The weight is
important to insure the veneer is applied totally flat on the
surface. |
.JPG) |
Then I cut around the cabinet and
sand the egdes afterwards.
Although the veneer is dry and
untreated, it still looks very nice. Can't wait to apply the
varnish and really see the structure of the natural wood. |
.JPG) |
Time for the other side. Same
procedure all over again. |
|
|
 Join
our Facebook group and receive updates and discuss MAME cabinets
with fellow retro gamers: |
|
Page 2 / 3 - Design &
Construction |
|
|
|
|
If you decide to make your own MAME cabinet using my drawings, please feel free to
make a donation, as I'm trying to raise enough money to make a new
up-right cabinet, that's hard to do as a student. |
|
