How to make a pinball back box to impress your friends.

Episode#15 Custom Virtual Pinball Cabinet Build
In this video I will be teaching you how to install your full dmd, backglass monitor, speaker panel, and all of the trim for your locking back glass glass. Sooo much pinball cabinet goodness for any inspiring cabinet builders out there. This seems like an easy task but it can be tricky so this video will make it a lot easier for your build.
I have also created timestamps so you can jump to the part/info you need.
00:23 Designing and making the full dmd monitor spacer block/mount
08:52 Mounting the full dmd
09:47 Mounting the backglass complete with fixing access issues
12:00 Designing the speaker panel holding system
19:27 Designing/making the speaker panel u channel holding system
25:00 Installing the speaker panel u channel
29:00 Installing the u channel for holding the glass
30:00 Designing the trim for holding/securing the glass
36:14 Making the trim pieces and installing the trim
44:43 Final install and glass template test fit
These links will take you to the parts/film gear I used in this video and help support my channel! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Canon M50 camera amzn.to/3x53c3v
Canon M50 AC adapter amzn.to/3JTaMpe
Canon lense filters/protective covers amzn.to/3HO6fBQ
Smart Phone tripod with cold shoe mount amzn.to/3RSQUEP
GoPro suction cup mount amzn.to/3DSQHvJ
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GoPro Media Mod amzn.to/3YESM6r
GoPro Light Mod amzn.to/3YfQsml
GoPro Chest Mount amzn.to/3HFlvAU
GoPro Dual battery charger and battery amzn.to/3DV0xNA
If you would like to make my vpin cabinet, here is a link to the free plans!
sdssautomotive...
If you design your own, I'd love to see it! Send pics/video to my DM on Instagram!
Special thanks to Michael Roberts for his amazing guide on how to make a vpin cabinet, check it out here. Thanks for the amazing pictures that really help people understand the assembly process.
mjrnet.org/pins...
Copyright ©2016-2021 Michael J. Roberts.
This book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. In brief, this means that you're free to use, share, and adapt this work for any purpose, without seeking further permission from the author, as long as you give appropriate credit and pass along the same permissions in your adapted material.
If you would like to keep up with behind the scenes info, pictures, and videos, follow us at / way_of_the_wrench
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Disclaimer: These videos are intended for entertainment and inspiration. Working in a woodshop, metalshop, or autoshop is dangerous without proper safety and experience. Always seek professional advice and training before using any power tools/machinery. If you have any uncertainty before performing any shop procedure, stop and learn a safe method/technique. Do not attempt anything simply because you saw it in one of my videos. Be smart, use common sense, respect your power tools/machines, and be safe.

[@matt68061]

I have really, REALLY enjoyed this series. I am actually doing this exact same thing tomorrow. This video is extremely helpful! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! Matt.

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Matt, I'm glad you're enjoying the content and are getting something out of it. If you deem me worthy, I'd really appreciate a share out on your social media so I can help more people. I'm installing the play field monitor in the next video which is out in 2 weeks. Thanks for your support Matt! Cheers!

[@PnPPinball]

love the attention to how-to techniques in your vids, nice progress, looking good

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and learned some techniques/tips. Yeah it's coming along nicely, next video up is installing the play field monitor. Thanks for the watch!

[@TheCoolDave]

Love the series, wish I had the tools like you do...

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks CoolDave! Ya know these tool aren't all that expensive. Just buy as you go or buy used tools. You could even borrow tools from a friend or use a maker space. Lots of options. Cheers!

[@sam27753]

Turns to a beautiful machine! Thumbs up!

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks SAM! Yeah all of the fun stuff is coming now and it is really starting to make it look like a vpin cab. Thanks for the watch!

[@scottzimmer8336]

Another great video! Excellent level of detail and some custom adjustments (always needed). My cabinet has been on hold for a couple months so I am about at the same step now. Can't wait to see the completed project. Big thumbs up!

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Scott, glad you enjoyed the video. Yeah this video had lots of little finicky stuff to get right so it turned out nice. Mounting the playfield video is next! Good luck with your build! Thanks for the watch!

[@DanielBreitschaft]

Amazing !! Congratulations to the job man !

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Daniel! Yeah it's really starting to look like a pinball cabinet. Thanks for the watch!

[@IlliniDog01]

This part seems very intricate to get it just right compared to previous videos. Will you be utilizing foam or rubber strips on the speaker panel and backglass to keep them from rattling from audio or gameplay?

[@wayofthewrench]

Yeah this part could be really simple if you wanted it to be, just screw in a board with cut outs and your done. I decided I wanted it to look more legit and I'm super picky with my projects so it was a bit harder. Most of it was just going slow and addressing issues as I saw them. I am a bit ahead of what your seeing and I have tested it already with sounds and gameplay and I don't hear anything...no vibrations or buzzing. In the final build, if I hear anything I might use some foam tape to silence any noise. Thanks for the watch!

[@mikeyfoofoo]

This is where my skills would have to level up, or would level up if I could pull it off! Nicely done!

[@wayofthewrench]

Yeah that's what it's all about dude, go for it and level up! You'll find that the more experience you get by making stuff to the best of your abilities causes your skills to increase and your projects start to look better....not to mention the feeling of pride when you look back at these finished projects. Thanks for the watch Bruh!

[@Jewer76]

Reeeeally enjoy this series, so big thank you from Denmark :D Found your first videos around the time I started researching this hobby by reading the Pinscape Build Guide. A LOT of it is hard to get my head around but up until now I really appreciate your steady and calm way of explaining what you do. I hope you will continue this way when it gets to installing all the stuff in the cabinet, because that is where I am still struggling to understand it all completely - the woodworking part I am quite skilled at ;) I am planning to build my own cab this fall. Right now I have assembled the computer and is getting my head around table setup.

[@wayofthewrench]

Glad your enjoying the series and my style of videos. I sure plan on making the assembly videos as good as I can so it should be easy to understand, if not just ask your questions in the comments. Cool that your building a cabinet, what's your theme? Thanks for the watch!

[@Jewer76]

@@wayofthewrench I sure will ask ;) Thanks for engaging so much with your viewers. I am not quite sure yet, but I think perhaps Medieval Madness. Have you settled on TOTAN?

[@wayofthewrench]

Yup, just paid for my vinyl with TOTAN artwork!

[@Jewer76]

@@wayofthewrench Fantastic! Looking forward to see it on your cab. Now that you go all in on that theme, what TOTAN table version is your favorit? Mine is Flubbers 4K version, simply because it's a looker, but I don't know if it is the most accurate regarding physics.

[@wayofthewrench]

I believe that's the version I run because it looks amazing. Now that I'm all in, I will probably make a TOTAN topper to match!

[@jestermgee]

My man your videos and workmanship are top notch! You use all the basic tools I have in my shed already, I am a big user of the old 2017 Sketchup which I also use for my 3D printer so will be whipping up a design in that or using an existing design to modify and I have learned a few new skills too (like tilting the jigsaw to make a plunge cut which for some reason I never considered to do but makes many jobs much easier. Also love the 80s synthwave music you have used, I am guessing you are about the same age as me (40s). If I can get even somewhat close to your results so far i'd be one happy camper. Hanging for your next videos

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Jester! Sketchup and some tools and a little skill can be a powerful thing Bruh! No stopping ya now! Yeah sounds like we're about the same age and into the same stuff. Yeah I'm a child of the eighties so I guess my music gravitated to synthwave, it goes good with arcade stuff fa sure. I'm sure if you take your time and learn some tips from me, you'll make a fine cabinet. Thanks for the watch Jester!

[@gusshultz]

First I'd like to say I love all your videos, they are so well done. I was wondering if you could tell me what size the channel is on top of your speaker panel, I can't seem to find that information anywhere. Thanks

[@wayofthewrench]

I'm not in front of the cabinet right now but I'm pretty sure it is 5/8" x 5/8" outside dimensions and 1/2" inside dimensions. I just bought it from a local hardware store, sold as U channel. Thanks for the watch and I'm glad you're enjoying the content. Feel free to share it out on your social media!

[@khoumic1358]

Love your vids. Planning my build now!

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks dude! Enjoy the process of planning your own vpin cab....soooo good!

[@Chinu306]

Hey Bro - great Video - can u share the measurements of your backglas and playfield glas?

[@wayofthewrench]

Everything you need to know is in my install pinball glass video.... it's a good one! Enjoy!

[@kirkhilles523]

Amazing job!

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Kirk, glad you liked the video!

[@kirkhilles523]

@@wayofthewrench I did, absolutely. I'm in process of redoing my AtGames Legends Pinball machine back cabinet using the original box but with a 21.5" monitor + a cheap 7" portable monitor connected to my PC. Who knows, maybe someday I'll attempt a 50"+ build from scratch. Lots of excellent tricks and techniques here.

[@wayofthewrench]

Cool! Before I started I tried getting a smaller cabinet like that or an old original pinball cabinet but here in Canada there weren't any or they wanted too much. So custom build it was and I'm kinda glad I did that because the 46" monitor I used filled up the original space with no empty space.

[@storborg]

Hello, couple questions about your back box as I'm getting close to cutting plywood. 1) Now that you have your back box built, in hindsight, how much extra space would add to the height of your back box if your backglass monitor (17-3/8" H) and your full DMD monitor (10-3/8" H) had a total height dimension of 27-3/4" together? Would you add and 1/8" above, below and between the monitors, or would you add more space to any of those areas to make it easier remove your monitors? I'm not worried about my back box width as I'm using standard parts, so that inside dimension is set for me at 29-1/2". 2) Your build plans suggest a 3/8" board across the back where the back box sits. However, in the video when you attempted to lean the back box onto the cabinet, you felt like the height of that board should have been more like 3/4" so the bottom of the back box wouldn't hit/damage your side-rails. Was that just a guesstimate? If you built your cabinet again, what would you have done differently to have the back box tip onto the playfield as intended? Trying to figure out how to remedy that issue and what measurement(s) to adjust. Thanks in advance, really excited to start cutting plywood soon!

[@wayofthewrench]

Hard to say but leave a little room for whatever monitors you have. You don't wanna struggle with fitting them in. If it doesn't fit you'll have to adjust dimensions or router out space inside. If I did this again, I would make a cardboard 1:1 mock up so I could swivel the backbox down and see if it lays flat. My guesstimate was 3/4" but that might not be enough for my custom backbox. Hope that helps. Cheers!

[@dmoehling]

This series is INCREDIBLE! The details you out into things that will never be seen make this a top notch build. This is exactly what I need to build my cabinet! Do you have a pateron where we can donate to?

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Donald, I really appreciate your praise as it is waaaay more work to put in the details, multiple retakes, and a stupid amount of editing to make these videos how I like them. So I'm glad you do too! Ya know I was thinking about setting up something, so now that people are asking, maybe it's time for a patreon and some merch. Keep your eyes posted for a future way of supporting the channel! Until then, a share out on your social media and your friends social media goes a long way to boosting my exposure. Thanks in advance Donald!

[@cybertechcomputerz]

Amazing as always! Really been enjoying the series. Just started on cabinet number two. Not done with the first one yet though 😂

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks J.L.! Two cabinets, that awesome! Are you keeping both or selling one?

[@kdwrghtsr]

@@wayofthewrench No pics? Shame on you

[@wayofthewrench]

no pics of what?

[@darwinboor1300]

​@@wayofthewrench5x8.5x2 😮 26:14

[@ChewyWaffles]

Was your top channel (to hold the glass) on top of the speaker panel also 3/4" wide? I ask because my lift channel for the backglass is far thiner than 3/4" and I feel like 3/8" wide might be a better fit considering the glass is just 1/8" thick. edit: I see at 29:49 that it's thinner than the 3/4" stock you're using for the speaker panel. That leads me to believe you're using a 3/8" channel or something similar. Ty!

[@wayofthewrench]

If I remember correctly, the u channel is 5/8" wide on the outside and 3/8" inside. I got it from Home Depot. Thanks for the watch and enjoy the series! Cheers!

[@jofes2000]

Another awesome video. I had planned to do a wooden frame around my backglass monitor, but this looks much nicer. I can't find anywhere here in Australia that does a lift tray though. What are the parts you have on the top/sides of the glass? Would it work using those all around?

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Bruh! All of my parts should be in my parts video and I either got it from virtuapin or pinball life. I don't think the top and side trim will work for the bottom. Well, it will but you'll have to figure out how to lift it out of the c channel. Maybe a piece of bent sheet metal? Glad you're enjoying the series. Good luck on your build!

[@jofes2000]

@@wayofthewrench Thanks dude. I did find a place eventually that had a lift tray just larger than I need which was lucky! They didn't have any top glass trim long enough, but I'm thinking as the top is pretty much hidden it probably doesn't matter if its not all the way across

[@wayofthewrench]

yeah the top one is hidden so it doesn't really matter. Cheers!

[@guillen1298]

Awesome!!

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks for the watch Alex!

[@dmoehling]

Does that lock essentially prevent the glass from being feed up? So you would of made your glass template height to fit just under the lock mech when it’s in the lock position? Does it wiggle back to from much at all?

[@wayofthewrench]

It prevents the glass/translight from being taken off unless you have the key. Yeah, just make it slightly below the lock lever. There is about 1 mm play but you will never see/feel it. Thanks for the watch!

[@shyrix]

Really nice, thank you

[@wayofthewrench]

Thanks Ray! Are you building a vpin cab? Thanks for the watch!

[@shyrix]

@@wayofthewrench I would love to. I don't have the space or tools. But I am retrofitting a 32inch vpin and a lot of these techniques I can adapt and use. But I love seeing the process and the accuracy and attn to detail and how it all gets done.

[@wayofthewrench]

I wonder if there is a maker space near you where you can access the tools/space. You could also start picking up a tool and go from there. Have fun with your mod!

[@shyrix]

@@wayofthewrench thank you so much, i had never heard of maker space, googled to see if i had one locally. looks like we do. a little bit of money to get certified and monthly membership fees. i can see how the cnc would help me greatly for some of my other arcade projects. as well as 3d print and traditional woodworking and laser cutting. this is all awesome. i will definitely be looking into this to do some of the work required. thank you!

[@wayofthewrench]

That's awesome Ray, if you don't mind me asking, how much is the maker space?

[@Woodwerker]

Cool..I wonder how heavy that thing is now..

[@wayofthewrench]

Heavier than a bread box and lighter than a refrigerator....lol. I had to move it the other day and with a set of casters, it wasn't hard at all. The front is light but the back is heavy, I'll have to weigh it when its all done. Thanks for the watch!

[@bellonwheels726]

Regarding the backglass top and side trims, did you use something other than true pinball backglass trims?

[@wayofthewrench]

I did and thought I would just paint them black but then I did order the real parts. These totally work and are cheap...like 8 dollars total. However the real side pieces have a plastic piece that sticks out and acts like a spring to keep and vibrations from making noise so those will go on for sure. The top piece could be the cheap grey stuff as it is hidden. This will all be in my install the glass video coming up later. Thanks for the watch!

[@MandoMike]

Not to give you a different option, but I'm going too lol Instead of the bottom channel to keep the speaker panel from moving, wouldn't it make sense to do 4 holes in the backbox floor and 4 matching in the speaker panel for 4 dowels? So, when you slide the speaker panel down it fits into the wooden dowels in place. That way you're not gaining 1/8 inch gaps in your original design.

[@wayofthewrench]

Lol, I'm all up for options! Yeah there would be all kinds of ways to do this, including just putting in 2 screws from underneath. What I did was pretty over kill but it works so good and holds it perfectly. There is no 1/8" gap, the extra cut on the piece got rid of it completely. Are you building a vpin cab? Thanks for the watch Mando Mike!

[@MandoMike]

@@wayofthewrench Yea I've been watching your episodes getting ideas, I've been adding tables to the software side of things (adding and playing them on my desktop) ;) But I like how you're doing this so far, figured I'd throw my 2 cents worth. I'm just waiting to actually head over to Home Depot to buy the lumber to start the build. I think I have all the tools so far, but you have some nice toys to help you along the way. This will be my first build. I'm a computer guy by trade.

[@wayofthewrench]

Yeah thats what I did too, got about 4 or 5 tables figured out and play them every night for like 6 months or so before I started my build. What kinda build are you going to do? Standard, widebody, custom?

[@MandoMike]

@@wayofthewrench Standard cab, I have yet to get a 43 inch TV as the new ones are coming out around December so we'll see what to get at that point, but a custom backbox, I have a 32 inch Samsung 1080p HDR for the back glass and 24 inch 1080p for the full dmd. I'll use the full dmd at a slight angle back, like the Jersey Jack machines. Instead of the regular shape of the backbox it will have an angle towards the bottom. Then there's the SSF sound, which I might venture too and instead of the regular two speaker setup I'm thinking sound bar somehow. We'll see.

[@wayofthewrench]

Cool a wedge head! I was thinking about doing that! Yeah I'm eventually going to upgrade my 1080p monitor to 4k and 120 hz but thats gonna need a pc/ video card upgrade too....not to mention $$$.

[@kdwrghtsr]

Man you got me waiting...

[@wayofthewrench]

Lol, sorry to get ya hooked into the series! Glad you're enjoying the videos. I have scheduled a bunch of videos for the Summer so I can take a break from filming/editing so they should be coming out all Summer. Cheers!

[@kdwrghtsr]

@@wayofthewrench Did Your back glass Parts come in yet?

[@wayofthewrench]

Yes I just got my custom tempered glass in last week. The back glass glass is all painted and looks great. I just scheduled the finished video for September as I've got a bunch of videos scheduled for August already. Sorry for the slow release of content but it's needed to keep me sane. Cheers Kevin!

[@thogar1]

i didn't bother with a latch, not really a home use issue.

[@wayofthewrench]

The lock on top to secure the glass? Yeah you don't really need it, but it looks super legit and it was only 5 or 6 bucks so why not. Thanks for the watch!

[@sparxies]

Is there a reliable way of adding a slot into the edge of a piece of 18mm thick (0.7") MDF without a workbench? I don't know if it's even possible to use a drill and some sort of guide to carefully "drill" a slot in the centre of the edge without messing it up. Otherwise I might have to go to a local wood work shop and ask them to do it for me. Thanks.

[@wayofthewrench]

Is it possible, maybe. Is it going to be fun and turn out looking nice, probably not. I would just look for a used $30 router and buy the $25 slitting cutter and do it the correct way. You might have a friend that has the router so you don't have to buy it or look for a local maker space that you could use too. Good luck!

[@sparxies]

@@wayofthewrench Perfect, thanks. It's not so much the cost of the equipment, it's more to do with not having anywhere to do the work. I think I'll have to go to a shop and get them to do the work for me - at least I won't have the stress of fudging it with the wrong tools!

[@wayofthewrench]

I would look for a local maker space or go to a friends garage/driveway to get it done. You could even use your yard, you just need an old table or even some saw horses to clamp to.