I DID IT! Building a Class of 81 Arcade from Scratch - Here's How (Control Panel)

This video will be part of a series of building a Class of 81 Arcade from Scratch. This particular tutorial is a "How to" build an Arcade control Panel from scratch.

You can find me (and many other retro gamers) on "Rockin the Classics" Discord, and come say hello in "therexershow-arcade corner" room in this discord. Thanks again.

[VegasArcadeFan]

Nice video Rexer!
You could have taken the easy route. Buy an Arcade1up, mod it, hate it, sell it at a loss, and then build one. Just saying

[BobMcCouch]

Very nice! I did the same thing. I ordered a prebuilt blank cabinet from Arcade Shop for mine, which included a blank control panel. I invested in a 1-1/8” conduit punch for mine which made perfect holes. Making my own Class of ‘81 with an original PCB was a fun project and one of my favorite games in my collection.

[rickmonster]

Very nice.
Cannot wait for more videos on this new build

[MWuk]

Thats gonna be a cool arcade Rex, I would love to have a Ms.Pac but I'm happy playing on my consoles.

[TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nice build. Thanks for posting and have a nice day too.

[vaderdavedestephanis]

That looks great, good choice if you don't have the bit for the hole don't try to make it work, can’t wait to watch the progress!!

[snkfightfan]

Impressive. I actually bought an original class of 81, and I am partially restoring it. It's a great looking cab with some classics. Great job. Wish I could build my own.

[B.rad_Mo]

Everyone I talked to said you couldn’t do it and I kept trying to tell them otherwise.

Way to prove em wrong Rexershow

[Pitbull]

Mike Harland that owns Mikes is a good friend of mine Glad you go from him

[videogamevegas]

Rexer,

Anyone who would suggest seriously that Rexer get an Arcade1Up Class of 81, if they watch your channel, is most likely trolling. I would only say it in jest, but I think the joke is kinda played out now, so I'll get to better commentary.

This video is informative and I think it's AWESOME that you continue to share your Home Arcade journey with us. The panel looks BEAUTIFUL and putting in quality joystick and buttons will make the experience SO MUCH BETTER. You prove here that companies like Arcade1Up could use quality controls in their machines for not a lot of dough. It irks me that Arcade1Up raises prices, yet keeps the same low bar most of the time when it comes to their sticks and buttons. These actions on the majority of their cabinets show that they're more about profit margins than showing the reverence these games deserve. And your Class of 81 has a much better chance of having a great display experience as well. As you know, Arcade1Up's new Class of 81 Deluxe, though it uses a BOE monitor, doesn't use a model that can handle the extreme slant they've put it into causing screen uniformity issues with a moving washout.

I look forward to seeing this cab in all its glory!


vgv

[ForeverLacey]

I keep telling everyone the Rexer can do it! ....and then I get laughed at. Prove them all wrong buddy! Lol

Looks great so far! 😊

[-bit_Informer]

Great work. Loved this video. Can’t wait to see how it comes out. Any idea when Groovy Gamer is going to get those pac-man joysticks back in? I emailed them at the end of March and they said they were going to get more in but I still see they are sold out.

[Paddy_G]

I recently bought a 3d-printed replica arcade pac-man 4-way leaf switch joystick on Ebay for ~$40.00, but it was not very good, very intermittent response in any direction. I just bought a used original arcade pac-man 4-way leaf stick on Ebay, so now waiting on that to arrive and test. I wonder how the pac-pro stick will work out for you? I want to make my own Pac-Man 25th anniversary, similar to you Class of '81. Only thing I would change is to add another Fire button, on the left side of the stick, since I'm a righty and so prefer to use my right hand for the stick and left hand for the fire button.

Very much looking forward to watching your progress on this project!!!

[MichaelSmith-fdec]

Wow, really impressive start Rex. Didn’t know this was on your list? Are you going to build the Cab from scratch? Going to be another impressive addition.

[joobyzat]

Very, very cool! I'm thinking similar things, but would like a track ball for other games. What tool could drill or punch a hole big enough for that?

[DrDietBarqs]

Hey Rex! Love the video and plan on getting a really rough cabinet pretty soon here and look forward to building it along side watching you build yours!

Keep up the great work!

P.s. do you happen to know where I can find the side panel/ wood working measurements or plans? Haven’t had much luck through research on measurements of the class of 81.

Cheers!

[richardabkstorm]

NO ONE said you should get the A1Up. NO ONE. 💯🙏

[carlo]

I said it, but only to make you prove me wrong that you could do it!

[hollywoodpolo]

great Job so far. Are you putting a Mister in it to add all the other games you want??

[terryxperry]

Rexer will u make more cabs? I really injoy this build video. Hope u do more like this