Arcade FAQ

Welcome to the Arcade FAQ section! In this section I will try to answer as many questions as I can that are frequently asked about building my arcades or arcade questions in general. I’ve tried to put these in the order of the most commonly asked questions first to the least asked questions towards the end.

Arcade FAQ – Most Often Asked

This section of the arcade FAQ answers the questions we get most often.

Q: I sent you a question, why didn’t you answer it?
A: There are numerous reasons.  First and foremost I get hundreds of emails a week. It is basically impossible for me to answer all of them. Second, almost every single question I get asked is covered somewhere on this website, the premium section videos, or the plan files. Third, I prioritize paying customers to the very top (Premium Members, or Plan Purchases), which is why I ask for the order number on the support form. If you didn’t include an order number, resubmit your question with the order number attached.  Finally, I can’t answer specific questions about Retropie, Raspbian, Windows, or Linux. If you are looking for support for those platforms, the best place to go is the support forums for those products. I’ll certainly try to help when I can! Check this arcade FAQ often as I update it regularly.

On another note, I make a lot of specialized videos and articles that cover a lot of questions on building arcades. These videos are available to Premium Members. Consider joining Premium.  Premium members can also download all of my plan files for free, so it makes a lot sense to be a member if you’re going to build any of my arcades.

Q: What is the size of the arc/curve on one of your arcade plans?
A: We get asked this constantly, even though its mentioned numerous times on the site, YouTube, and elsewhere. You shouldn’t need it, and even then it isn’t really helpful to know.  I demonstrate how to set it in the Bartop Arcade video. Here’s another good video on understanding compasses at YouTube. With a little practice you’ll be a pro in no time!

Q: What is the angle of some component of your arcade?
A: We try to include most of them, but the truth is you don’t need to know the angles and shouldn’t be trying to calculate them. It’s inefficient and will never be as accurate as doing it the right way.  See my Tablet Arcade video to do it the right way. You’ll be glad you did!

Q: What size router bit did I need for the T-Molding?
A: If you are not using our T-Molding, check the manufacturers recommendations. In our arcades we have used a variety of t-molding that I’ve bought it from several places including Rockler, and Amazon. They range from 1/16″ wide to 1/8″ wide on the slot and 1/8″ to 1/2″ deep.  Again, check the manufactures recommendation and buy the bit accordingly.

If you use our T-Molding, the slot cutter size is listed on the product page.

Q: The templates are printing too small!
A: You must use Adobe Reader to print the PDF files.  Select Poster mode at the print dialog.

Q: Will you build my arcade for me?
A: Unfortunately I cannot build an arcade for anyone. Though we have considered offering arcade kits in the future when get a large enough CNC.

Q: When are you going to offer a Cocktail Table Plan?
A: We do! The Cocktail Table Arcade Plan is available here.

Arcade FAQ – Less often Asked

These questions in our arcade FAQ are asked a little less often.

Q: Can I get a PDF, PhotoShop PSD, or JPG of the artwork you used?
A: I purchased most of my artwork from GameOnGraphix. They are copyrighted by them and I don’t have distribution rights.  Check with them for more information.

Q: Can your arcade plans be resized for a smaller or larger monitor?
A: Sure. The SketchUp files are included in every set of plans if you really want to resize it. Honestly though, all you’ll really need to do is cut the front, back and top pieces smaller or larger by whatever amount your monitor is smaller or bigger.  For example, if your monitor is 20″ wide, you’d likely need to cut all the of the pieces (except the side panels) 1.5″ shorter.  Another option Is to make spacer blocks on each side of the monitor.

Q: Where should I buy my Arcade Controls kits?
A: We recommend you buy them from us! We offer high quality arcade controller kits in our store. Yes you can get them from Amazon slightly cheaper. But you’ll know why after you get them.

Q: Will you create a custom set of plans to fit my components? I’ll pay you for your time!
A: No. It takes weeks to make a set of plans. I just don’t have the time to do that. If I did it for a fee, I would have to charge for the lost time that I can’t spend on running my business. That would not be affordable.

Q: Can I put an XBOX or a PlayStation inside my arcade instead of a PC?
A: Well that depends. If you just want to play XBOX or PlayStation games, most definitely.  There are many adapters for plugging in the arcade controls to those systems available. You will not however be able to play MAME games, NES, Sega, etc on those platforms.

Q: Where do I get the game ROMs?
A: Please read our article on downloading RetroPie ROMs. We cannot answer any questions about ROMs beyond what’s in that article and under no circumstances will The Geek Pub provide ROM files to anyone.

Q: One of my game ROMs is not working! What’s wrong?
A: I suspect you have the wrong version of the ROM for the version of the emulator (ex. MAME) you are using. Make sure you get the right version of the ROM.  MAME has a whole article on Understanding MAME ROMs.

Q: I’d like some more specific dimensions than what’s in the PDF?  Can you tell me how far apart these two components are or how deep this section is when completed?
A: Every download of the plans includes the SketchUp file.  Simply open it and use the ruler or the dimension tool.  You can get a copy of SketchUp from www.sketchup.com for free. This arcade FAQ cannot cover specific learning topics on 3rd party products.

Q: Can I get a DXF file to cut my arcade on a CNC?
A: These are DIY plans and not targeted to shops with high-end machinery. We don’t provide a DXF file directly, but we do provide the Sketchup files. You can export Sketchup to EPS and then import that file into most CNC software (or convert to SVG, DXF, DWG, STL, or other formats).

Q: I bought the plans!  Where do I download them?
Click the download link in your receipt email, or click the My Account link at the top of the page.

Do you feel like we missed a question on our Arcade FAQ? If so, contact us here.