Originally I thought I was going to convert my Galaga 3 machine that I had won a few years ago from a radio contest. It had stopped working and was just sitting in the basement. However, after gathering some opinions from the Build Your Own Arcade Controls site I found that it wasn't going to make a good 2-player cab.

I decided to buy the Project Arcade book (buy it here) and try to build a new one from scratch. I've never built anything like this before, but I thought it would be a good trial before I tried some home improvement project and caused major damage.

I cut the pieces out of 3/4" MDF according to the book and (after getting my Dad to bring his router over to do the t-molding grooves) I started putting the pieces together.

Here's where the cabinet is as of Thanksgiving.

More pictures to come as I get further along.

I had my brother-in-law use router some slots into the speaker panel for the sound to come through.

Here is the speaker panel installed in a front view, and a rear view showing one of the speakers held in place with a wooden lip and strips of velcro.

Lastly, the top rear panel is attached and supports are being glued on for the last rear panel.

The actual cabinet construction is getting close to complete. The monitor shelf is in, the front door is on and hinged, and the control box is built (still needs to be attached with the clips).

Now it's time to start on the control panel.

Just about done painting. T-molding has been added and the control panel overlay attached (haven't cut the hole for the trackball yet).