ArcadeCab documents full-size MAME cabinet builds, control panels, tabletop cabinets and other arcade projects with free plans, measurements, construction photos and printable PDFs. The site began with my first cabinet more than two decades ago and has grown into an archive of builds from both me and other hobbyists.
These are the four builds and plan sets I'd point a new visitor to first.
My first full-size MAME cabinet, originally designed around the X-Arcade controller. I documented the build step by step with measurements and plenty of construction photos so that even a first-time cabinet builder could follow along.
The second full-size cabinet build adds more construction detail and incorporates lessons learned from the first cabinet. The entire section was refreshed in 2026, including a newly rebuilt high-resolution printable PDF.
A compact tabletop arcade project built around spare PC hardware and leftover materials. The original hardware is now very dated, but the project remains a fun example of adapting a cabinet build to what you already have available.
Detailed plans for my Ultra-Trackball design and the single-player panel that grew from it. The design is useful for anyone who wants a smaller one-player control setup rather than a full two-player panel.
ArcadeCab also documents custom control panels, trackballs, coin doors, cabinet modifications, front-end software and other projects accumulated over the years. Some of the software and hardware is now historical; I've kept those pages available because they still have value as reference material and as part of the site's history.
One of my favorite parts of ArcadeCab is the gallery of cabinets people have built using or adapting these plans. Some followed the dimensions closely; others widened, shortened or completely re-themed the cabinet. The variety is the point.
ArcadeCab's plans and projects have been free since 2003. If the site helped with your build and you'd like to help with hosting and keeping the old material available, you can support the site through PayPal. Completely optional, of course.