Nerdbloke

I have cut out both sides of the cabinet base now. I was thinking about cutting out the rest of the pieces required for the base and realised I only just have enough ply to do the job.

As I want to get this right first time I decided to use Google Sketchup and create my cabinet base as a 3D model first. That way I can play with the model until I get it just the way I want.

I am really glad I did, as I have already discovered a few mistakes that I would have made on the first run. Sketchup also allows me to measure dimensions to the millimetre – so I can use my 3D model as my reference now, rather than my dodgy paper blueprint.

I have uploaded the model to the Google 3D Warehouse – you can view it here. It looks like this:

I managed to cut out one of the side panels for the MAME cabinet base this afternoon. I did a much better job cutting straight lines with this panel then the previous top panels. I took it really slow, and tried to cut my lines so that half of the pencil mark remained on the panel. It took a bit of time, but worked out extremely well. The lines are damn straight and will need only minor work with a file to get them dead straight. My best work yet.

1. Marked some lines on a sheet of 2400×1200 ply.

2. Here’s the result of 5 minutes work with my jijgsaw.

3. Here is the panel in an upright position. Underneath the plastic is my prototype control panel and 68cm TV that are going to be used in the cabinet.

4. Here is the panel standing in front of a previously cut top panel. It gives a decent impression of what the shape of the final product should be.

A fellow blogger that started his MAME cabinet after me has basically finished it. I have got the urge to get back to work on mine. With the recent move and all the related busy-ness of living on a 5 acre block I haven’t had much time to do any work on it.

Well – no more. Here is the plane for the base. It’s based on the “Ultimate Arcade II” I am hoping to start cutting it out today.

Bugger.

I was soo stresed out.

I figured I must have done something wrong. But no. After hours/days trying to fix the problem and getting no further than a command prompt teasing me I found this http://www.ubuntu.com/FixForUpgradeIssue and this. Seriously – not happy!

And now it’s bloody well time to do it again – Dapper to Edgy…