Custom Arcade machine

One of our finest builds is a custom arcade machine with a stranger things theme. We started by cutting some MDF in the shapes we needed, Then on photoshop we put together a stranger things picture and sent it off to the a vinyl printing service which we then stuck those on the different pieces of MDF, Then we put it all together and placed a full HD Samsung screen inside and connected a raspberry pi running a pandora’s box system. We did think about placing a coin operated system in there but opted out in the end. The owner of The Painting service often has poker nights and this custom arcade machine proves very popular. It took us two days to build in total and is still running perfectly to this day even though we built it back in 2019.

How long did it takes us to build the arcade machine?

the actual building of the machine actually only took 2 days in total, most of the time spent was us waiting for the parts to arrive as there are so many different pieces to place together. Building an arcade machine is an exciting project that involves a mix of woodworking, electronics, and software setup. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what’s involved:

1. Planning and Design

Before you start building, consider:

Cabinet Type: Full-size upright, bartop, cocktail table, or wall-mounted.
Screen Size: Typically 19” to 32” monitors or older CRT screens for authenticity.
Control Layout: Joysticks, buttons, trackballs, spinners, and/or light guns.
Game System: Will you use a Raspberry Pi, PC, or a dedicated arcade board (e.g., Pandora’s Box)?

2. Building the Cabinet

Materials: MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) or plywood are popular choices.
Cutting & Assembly: Use a CNC machine or jigsaw to cut the panels. Assemble with screws, glue, and brackets.
Artwork & Finishing: Paint or apply vinyl decals for a professional look.

3. Choosing the Display

Monitor or CRT: A modern LCD screen is easier to install, but a CRT gives a classic arcade look.
Mounting the Screen: Use a VESA mount or secure it with brackets inside the cabinet.

4. Controls & Wiring

Joystick & Buttons: Buy a pre-wired USB encoder kit or wire your own using a Zero Delay USB Encoder or an I-PAC board.
Additional Controls: If using trackballs or spinners, ensure compatibility with your system.
Wiring: Connect buttons and joysticks to the encoder, then to the computer/arcade board.

5. Installing the Electronics

Game System:
Raspberry Pi with RetroPie or Batocera for emulation.
PC with MAME or LaunchBox.
Dedicated arcade board (e.g., JAMMA system or Pandora’s Box).
Sound System: Install speakers and an amplifier for high-quality audio.
Power Supply: Ensure proper voltage and power distribution for all components.

6. Software Setup

Choose an Emulator: MAME, RetroArch, or a system-specific emulator.
Install Games (ROMs): Ensure legality when sourcing ROMs.
Configure Controls: Map buttons and joystick functions.
Frontend UI: Use RetroPie, LaunchBox, or Hyperspin for a polished game menu.

7. Finishing Touches

Marquee & Lighting: Install LED strips or backlit artwork.
T-Molding: Edge trim for a professional finish.
Coin Door (Optional): Can be purely cosmetic or functional with a coin mechanism.

8. Testing & Tweaks

Playtest all controls, adjust the screen settings, and fine-tune the software.
Optimize performance by tweaking emulator settings.
Secure loose cables and finalize any additional features.