It arrives!
Shipped via DHL, it arrived just before Christmas. It came it two boxes. The smaller one contained the two control panels, the larger containing everything else. The large (and very heavy) box arrived with the bottom corner of the box torn. Not too surprising given the volume of packages these companies move around the holidays. It was a couple days before I could get things opened up. One morning before work (that darn real world thing) I quickly began opening the controller box.

Box #1...

... and box #2

Nice packing

Doubled boxed

The packaging
After cutting open two layers of box, then moving some foam out of the way, I opened two more boxes and was then assaulted by packing peanuts. Time to go to work, so any further progress would have to wait. Finally, I found some time to dig everything out. Those controllers were amazingly well packed. It was a bit of a challenge to get them out of the box. Time for the big box. Something was rattling in the box. The bag containing the hardware had broken open. Looks like the bottom of the bag gave out. I don't fault Dream Arcades for this. They took adequate precautions, but the combination of holiday handling by DHL and the extreme temperature changes (it was abnormally cold for central Illinois around this time), this shouldn't have really surprised anyone.

The panels

After struggling with the box for a bit, I was able to extricate all the parts. Plastic wrap, paper, foam wrap, Styrofoam and probably other things I'm missing were used to keep the parts together and stop any pre-installed parts from scratching anything. Searched through everything and took an inventory of the parts. A quick count and it looked like I might have been a post or two short. I laid out all the parts, snapped a picture and sent it off to support.

Cams and posts

Mike and Michelle got back to me very quickly, informed me that it looked like I was only 2 posts short, promised to get them out into the mail, and gave me suggestions on how to assemble the cabinet without those two posts (in case I needed it together for a Christmas gift). Given how hectic the holidays were going to be around here, I decided it would be easiest to just wait.

Instructions
But being excited, that gave me more time to get the PC ready that was going to go in and to review the information that came with the cocktail. Some paper directions and 3 nice shiny discs were included. A quick read-through of the paper directions. Standard RTA type stuff, a bit cryptic, but a couple of read-throughs and some picture references...I'd be fine. What were the shiny discs? Hmmm, one was an Atari game pack. File that one away for later. One was unlabeled. Checked it out on the computer, looks like basic support files for MAME and for programming the I-PAC nestled snuggly inside one of the controllers. File that one away for later. Third one appears to be a DVD with the Dream Arcades logo on it. OK, lets see what it has. A 3 chapter movie. Chapter 1, assembling your Dream Arcades Head to Head Cocktail, Chapter 2, assembling your Dream Arcades SideBySide Cocktail, and Chapter 3, installing your computer into your Dream Arcades cabinet. Chapter 1. This video does a step by step walkthrough of assembling your cabinet. In very good detail. In fact, I as I was to discover later, you might as well file the paper directions as this video will be all you need.

Shrink-wrapped controls

Controls unleashed

Controls, from the side

Sides going up

Velcro should be on the top for attaching holding the non-hinge side of the top in place, but it doesn't look right. I finally figure out that the Velcro was put on the bottom by mistake. Easy enough to fix. Pry out the staple, set the piece aside for later. Time to put on the access door. Hmm, I know I don't want it flush against the side or there will be a big gap on the other side. This is where the paper directions actually were very helpful. I folded them in half and placed them between the door and the side to provide a spacer while attaching the hinges. I drilled a couple pilots, and then put in the screws with a regular screwdriver. Video showed using a cordless drill to drive in these screws, which is probably fine, but when screwing into particle board, I prefer to hand tighten so as to not strip out the screws. They went in very easy so it wasn't a big strain or time waster. The rest of the shell assembly went smoothly. At some point during this process, I put the feet into the pre-installed t-nuts. At this point, the cabinet is sitting upright awaiting the top. Hinges are pre-installed on the top and pilots are in the side panel (actually on the top edge).

Grabbed the screws...wait, I don't have any screws. Apparently these screws are taking their tour of America with the missing cam posts. Rather than bug the fine folks at Dream Arcades, I decide to check my screw inventory. Guess what, I have about every size but 6x3/4, which seems to be about the right size for this application. It is now 3:00 and off to Lowes I go. (I'm sure if I'd have contacted support at Dream Arcades, they'd have offered to send out the screws, but I'm going to finish this today and you can never have too much spare hardware around the house). I get back from Lowes (and Wal-Mart for some other stuff), get some domestic stuff out of the way.

 By 4:30 I'm ready to get started again. I've added a tape measure and staple gun to the tool pile. I use the tape measure to verify that using the alignment holes, the top would be centered, and it was. For the first time in the project, I recruit the Mrs. to assist. I have her hold the top while I affix the hinge to the shell. This time I used the power driver to put them in most of the way, then hand tightened them. Also attached the Velcro (removed in a previous step).

Feet have been attached

The interior

Top and Controls
Now comes the trickiest part of the whole install. Attaching the smoked plexi to the top. First, remove the protective paper. That paper sticks good. Next, verify it fits right. Next, remove the sticky from the back side of the velcro already attached to the top. Now to carefully place the top down so it aligns properly. You only get once chance at this. OK if it is off a little. Just remove the plexi (velcro should stick to it) and reposition. There is some wiggle room here so you really only need to get it close. And it is assembled.

Oh wait, we are missing something. Still need to attach the control panels. Grab two bolts, and a CP, set it on the side, align the holes, insert bolts. Tighten carefully. Repeat on other side. Now we are done with assembly.

Time check...5:00. So that was 90 minutes of actual construction time. And it could have been less if I wasn't taking a few notes and a few pictures. Forgot to mention the monitor shelf. Plenty of settings within the cabinet for this. I measured the monitor I was going to drop in here, found the hole that was closest to this, put in the 4 pegs, placed the shelf in place. That almost seems too easy. Am I missing something here? Nope. It was that easy. And when I got to installing the PC, the monitor set in there just fine.

Top attached

Looking good

Control panels attached

Controller cord connecting the two controllers

Another shot