Advice needed for bartop arcade

I want to build a bartop retropie cabinet but I don’t know if it will be better to do it “freestyle” on the wood or if it would be better to use the CNC Router… I have absolutely no knowledge on the CNC, so, If this is my best option, what classes do I need to take to be able to build this? I have tried at home several times before joining the DMS and failed miserably, so any advise is welcome… I bougth the router bit for the T molding, but my router at home is not good and I ended with a crappy attempt…

***Please let me know if I’m posting this under the right category!

Close enough for gub’ment work.
I’d suggest chatting with @rablack97 (Rodney) if you get a chance. He does a fair bit of work along the lines of game cabinets on the MultiCAM.
Here’s a pic of his Mortal Kombat full-size

and some pics/info on the VECTOR showing @ TPF
https://dallasmakerspace.org/2016/04/vector-at-texas-pinball-festival/

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This one looks like a million dollars!!! what I have in mind is not that ambicious! Thanks!

just buy the shell from here

https://www.harumancustoms.com/product-category/bartop-kits

lots of options and easy to put together.

come in melamine mdf or melamine pressed wood.

it comes with the acylic for the marquee and the monitor, you just need the buttons pi and the stick.

he also pre-cuts for tmoulding if you want.

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Rodney, do you know a good retailer for the buttons and sticks? I got some off of Ebay which are hit and miss.

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I could buy it, but it won’t give me the “achievement” feeling… thanks anyways

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They are a good company to do business with.

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paradise arcade

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ok so what are you looking for help on exactly, do you have any bartop plans?

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I’m guessing there might be some CNC projects already created for download on the internet.

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You can laser cut a version in 1/4" plywood.

festi.info/boxes.py has a quick version.

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Found this site

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I just want to know what classes/training I need to complete in order of being able to build… for example, if I go with the CNC option, I know that I need some permissions to use the machines… also with the laser… I’m new to the makerspace, so I want to know what’s my path to follow…

I loved this option, but I have no training in the Laser yet… however, I don’t know how to calibrate the width of the cabinet… is this numbers in Millimeters? Centimeters? I know for sure that my monitor is 17.5 inches wide…

Woodshop
Woodshop 101 for woodshop tools access
MultiCam CNC for the cnc router

Lasers
Laser 101

Hope this helps

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