Wooden Arcade Cabinet

These instructions will show you everything you need to build your own inexpensive full-size arcade cabinet with the help of your local makerspace or woodshop.

Note: This project is meant to be run via a standard internet enabled laptop, pointed to arcade.makecode.com/kiosk.

Materials

The cabinet is built out of 3 - 8’ x 4’ plywood sheets of 1/2” thickness.

• 3 - 8’ x 4’ x 1/2” maple plywood sheets. Feel free to use other sheets based on your availability.
• 1 - arcade button set for 2 players (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WDQWK5M)
• 1 - 17” monitor with VGA input (https://www.pcliquidations.com/p6789-dell-e177fp-17-lcd)
• 1 - Set of speakers (https://a.co/d/82D1zYo)
• 1 - HDMI to VGA Adapter (https://a.co/d/4NyKmNO)
• 2 - Containers of screws: 2.5” #8 and .375” #4

Click here to download complete instruction pack

Suggested Tools

• CNC or jigsaw, router, table saw, impact driver, wood glue, etc… The kind of tools you find in a wood shop.

Template

This SVG template will serve as the outline for the top cabinet on your CNC, or you can print out the pieces at full-scale and follow along the outline with a jigsaw.

Download top of cabinet here…

The following SVG template provides the outline for the cuts in the control panel that allow you to add the two-player buttons and joysticks.

Download control panel cuts here…

Kiosk Top Instructions

• Cut your cabinet pieces from plywood as indicated in the SVG file.

• Cut the control panel from the second Control panel image.

• Cold-fit the pieces together using the tabs & notches to check for places that need to be sanded or filled.
• Take the control panel off again and add the buttons and joysticks according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Attach the speakers and monitors to their corresponding openings using screws. Make sure to arrange the cords and cables in a way that keeps them accessible once you attach your laptop.
• Reattach the control panel and secure with screws. Make sure the USB cable for the control board stays accessible for the laptop once everything is in place.
• Navigate to arcade.makecode.com/kiosk on the machine’s laptop, then test-fit the laptop inside of the cabinet, making sure to connect all necessary cables.
• Test the kiosk by attempting to select and play one of the two-player games. You should check that the joysticks move the players in the correct direction and that the buttons control the corresponding actions on MakeCode Arcade.
• Once everything is working as expected, you should have a tabeltop kiosk that’s ready to play!

Kiosk Base Instructions

If you want a wooden stand for the cabinet, here are the plans for creating a base from the remaining plywood.

• Mark your remaining sheet of plywood in such a way that you can cut four rectangles.
  • For a base that sits flush with the cabinet, you’ll need 2 sheets of 27”x34” and 2 of 18”x34”.
  • For a base that sits inside the cabinet, use 2 sheets of 16”x34” and 2 of 17”x34”.
  • (or measure the points on your cabinet where you want your base to rest and cut accordingly).

• Clamp the four panels together into a box with no top or bottom. Test the fit before gluing and adding screws.

Note: Be sure to secure the top to the bottom with screws (even if temporarily) to keep students from knocking the top from the arcade during a heated game!

Decoration

This is your cabinet, have fun decorating it and personalize it the way you like! We have used Arcade Stencilr to generate stencils and drawing for cabinets in the past, but feel free to paint freehand in any way that represents your project.