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Arcade Cabinet Plans
An arcade cabinet in the classic full-size upright shape: two tall side panels, a control panel for two players at standing height, an upright screen panel for a 27 in monitor, a marquee at the top and a shelf inside for the computer or a Raspberry Pi. Build it from 18 mm (3/4 in) MDF, which paints smoothly and takes vinyl art. Enter the width, the height, the depth at the control panel and the control panel height to get the cut list.
- Default size
- 680 × 1830 × 760 mm
- Parts
- 14 pieces · 12 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 4 carcass + 1 door
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Build time
- About 16 hours
- Edge band
- 0 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side | 2 | 1830 | 760 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Plinth | 2 | 644 | 80 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Bottom | 1 | 644 | 524 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
9 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- Draw the side profile on one side and use it as the template for the other: full depth only at the control panel, the lower front 200 mm further back, a straight line from the back of the control panel up to the marquee, and the top as deep as the top panel.
- Rout a slot all round the side edges for T-molding before assembly.
- Drill the control panel before fitting it: 30 mm holes for standard buttons, 24 mm for small ones, and the joystick hole with its mounting plate under the panel.
- Screw the upper back on so it comes off, and drill vent holes in it: the computer and the monitor need air.
Common mistakes
- Cutting the cabinet before buying the monitor and buttons: measure them first.
- Gluing the control panel in: screw it so you can rewire or swap it later.
Tools you need
- Circular saw or table saw
- Jigsaw
- Router with a slot cutter for T-molding
- Drill with 30 mm and Forstner bits
Frequently asked questions
What are typical arcade cabinet dimensions?
About 72 in (1830 mm) tall, 25–27 in (640–690 mm) wide and 30–34 in (760–860 mm) deep at the control panel, with the control panel 36–40 in (915–1015 mm) off the floor. The defaults follow that.
MDF or plywood for an arcade cabinet?
MDF is the classic choice: flat, heavy, easy to cut into the side profile and smooth under paint or vinyl. Plywood is lighter and stronger at the screws but needs more filling before paint.
What monitor fits?
A 27 in monitor needs about 600 mm (23 5/8 in) inside the cabinet; the default width gives 644 mm. Measure the monitor with its bezel before you cut.
Can it be a MAME cabinet?
Yes: the shelf inside takes a PC or a Raspberry Pi running MAME or another emulator, and the upper back is removable so you can reach it.
