[Joe]

I had some spare monitors and an old work PC lying around so I decided to try and build a virtual pinball cabinet. I'd never done any woodwork before but I'd watched a few videos and thought I'd give it a go.

I learnt how to use sketchup to do a cad drawing of what I wanted based on dimensions of a real pinball machine but slightly adjusted to fit the screens I had. I then took that cad drawing and created a cut-plan, ordered a few cheap tools and some wood and started.

Here's a few pics of the first 3 weeks build. Got a lot done already but still a lot more to go! Work will likely slow down now that its actually playable 

[rooshooter]

Brilliant Joe , well done, looks very professional .

[Wally]

Looks brilliant. Is the table a big monitor?

A mate of mine once made a retro stand-up arcade machine with a PC in it, running an emulator with all the old arcade games in it. It had all the original joystick and buttons.

[Joe]

Yeah it's a 43" 4k 120hz monitor

I have an arcade machine too it's a 2/3 size arcade1up cabinet. I modded it to run off a raspberry pi and put all new joysticks and buttons etc in

[Wally]

You're a legend, Joe

[Bird]

Looks smick.  I wish I had your drive (and woodworking knowledge) Joe

[Joe]

Finally finished this today. Been 4 months of work, but super happy how it turned out

[Wally]

Looks amazing. How did you get the artwork on the sides?

[Joe]

Thanks Wally I'm really happy how it's come out. I found some hi res images online and a vector version of the logo then I created what I wanted in Photoshop to the correct dimensions, then had a print company print it on adhesive vinyl. Wasn't cheap but came out awesome. Was a hell of a lot of sanding to get everything smooth before putting them on.

There's lots of custom 3d printed parts in there too I learnt some CAD software so I could make parts. Biggest is the custom apron with the two small LCDs mounted.

[Wally]

So when are you going to quit your day job and start making custom pinball machines for clients?

[Joe]

Haha the man hours wouldn't make it feasible. There are companies in the US that sell them flatpack but they're all CNC machined

[rooshooter]

An amazing range of skills on display here Joe it's a credit to you .

[Bacchulum]

Haha the man hours wouldn't make it feasible. There are companies in the US that sell them flatpack but they're all CNC machined

There are ALWAYS people with more money than sense.....