Building a Pinball Cabinet

Step 2: Assembling the Cabinet

Quick Nav: Intro - Research - Cutting Wood - Assembling - Wiring - Done
 

Backbox
 

Time to finally start working on my backbox. I found some old shelving in the garage. I started by cutting a board for the base. I drilled two holes in it and attached it to the cabinet with large bolts. Then, I drilled two large holes in the top and drew a rough outline where I'll be cutting out a large hole.
 

I used my jig saw to cut out a large hole between the backbox and cabinet. This hole will allow air to flow between the two spaces and also will serve as the way cords will get from the computer to the backglass monitor and to the speakers.
 

Next, I cut and attached a front panel (4 inches tall) and drilled two holes (2 inch diameter) for the speakers. Then, I cut and attached two side panels.
 

Next, I framed in the backglass monitor. I created a sort of "track" to guide the monitor in place (from the back) once the backbox is complete. There is a notch in the bottom board to hold the monitor in place once seated.
 

Finally, I put the top in place. I used the router to round out many of the edges.
 

Then, I spackeled all the screw holes and seams.
 

Once that dried, I sanded the whole thing nice and smooth and gave it 3 coats of black paint. Then, I added a star field on the sides to match the rest of the cabinet. Here's how it looks with the monitors and speakers in place.
 

While I was waiting for the paint to dry on the back box, I also painted my lock down bar. I used some gray primer to match my front access door.
 

I gave my backbox and lockdown bar 3 coats of clear to seal in the color--5 coats on the edges/corners where my hands will rest.
 

To keep fingers out of the speaker holes, I mounted a pair of chrome fan grill finger guards. Bling!
 

I picked those up for about $1 each. I did the same thing to the back of my backbox.
 

I called a glass company and it will cost about $42 for a piece of tempered glass to cover my playfield monitor. I'll be ordering that tomorrow. I know that I had mentioned wanting to use Lexan, but that would have cost me over $100 and it wouldn't be as stiff as glass. If I'd built a mini-cab as originally planned, I probably would have gone with the Lexan. A piece that size would have been much more reasonable.
 

 
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