About LEP1 Customs
Do What You Love, and You’ll Never Work Another Day in Your Life
I’m John, founder of LEP1 Customs — and I’ll admit it: I’m a big kid at heart. I love to play, design, and build things that bring joy. Growing up during the golden age of the arcade — the 1970s and 1980s — I spent more quarters than I care to count chasing high scores on games like Pac-Man, Galaga, and Donkey Kong.
In 2010, I discovered I could relive those memories on my PC through MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator). But something was missing — the cabinet, the glow, the sound, the feel. Playing on a screen wasn’t enough. It needed to feel like the arcade again.
From Hobby to Craftsmanship (2012–2014)
My first homemade arcade machine was a mash-up of an old redemption cabinet, a pre-fab joystick unit, a PC, and MAME. It worked — but it wasn’t the real deal. Soon I was restoring original cabinets and selling most to fund my growing hobby.
As a software developer, electronics and emulation came easy, but finding solid cabinets free of mold, rot, or rodent damage was a constant battle. Like many collectors, I ran out of space and turned my focus toward compact tabletop designs — the start of our CNC-cut arcade cabinet kits.
By 2014, I built my first CNC-cut prototype and had it cut by a local shop, Soon after, I decided to take control and build my own machine.
Building a Business from the Ground Up (2015–2020)
In 2015, I bought a used hobby CNC and began producing LVL19 DIY arcade cabinet kits for 19-inch monitors. The precision-cut parts and easy assembly quickly had them selling rapidly and requests for more and larger designs grew..
The Clasica cabinet kit followed in 2016, and the LVL23 arcade kit in 2017. By 2018, we officially formed LEP1 Customs, LLC in Raleigh, MS and added a full-size 4′×8′ CNC, unlocking larger upright and bartop arcade kits.
We expanded to arcade pedestals, introduced custom artwork, and doubled production with a second CNC. Even during 2020’s supply-chain chaos, we launched our first four-player arcade cabinets, strengthened vendor partnerships, and relocated to a larger Hattiesburg, MS facility.
Growth, Innovation, and Community (2021–2025)
The Hattiesburg shop transformed our supply chain and opened doors for new designs:
Trackball-ready cabinets with Ultimarc support
4 PLayer Pedestal Kits, Large Golf Style Pedestal Kits
LVL23V, LVL24V, LVL23JV & LVL24JV Vertical Kits for vertically mounted screens
Pixelcade-compatible cabinets
LVL43 Bartops for up to a 43" Screen with larger options to come...
We also expanded beyond arcade builds with customizable dollhouse kits — available in both 1:12 scale and 1:6 Barbie scale — all precision-cut on our CNC machines.
In 2024, we upgraded our print shop with new printers, laminators, and cutters, added acrylic marquees and control panels, and brought another CNC online to handle growing demand.
Beyond the Shop: Building More Than Cabinets
At LEP1 Customs, our mission extends beyond building great arcade and dollhouse kits — it’s about using the talents God has given us to help others grow. One of the ways we do that is through our partnership with Reflections Dramatic Productions, an independent Christian drama club run entirely by volunteer parents and supported by students as cast and crew.
Each year, Reflections Dramatic Productions presents two full-scale dramatic performances that bring together families, students, and community members. The goal is simple yet powerful: to give Christian students an outlet to use their gifts for the Lord, to build confidence in drama and public speaking, and to help shape the next generation of Christian leaders in their homes, churches, and communities.
We’re honored to come alongside Reflections by assisting with their website design, point-of-sale support, advertising, and promotion. We also contribute our skills and equipment for set design, construction, lighting, and sound—making sure every performance shines both technically and spiritually.
Through these partnerships, we’ve seen how creativity can inspire character, how craftsmanship can become mentorship, and how doing what you love can point others to something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s helping teens learn practical skills or supporting their efforts on stage, this work reminds us that true success isn’t measured by sales — it’s measured by the impact you make in others’ lives.
Why We Do It
At LEP1 Customs, we believe that doing what you love can also serve a greater purpose. Every arcade cabinet and dollhouse kit we design is a reflection of creativity, craftsmanship, and community — values that guide everything we do.
We love helping people build and play games the way they were meant to be played — in a cabinet you built yourself. But we also find joy in using our skills to build opportunities for others, from mentoring teens to supporting local ministries and family-centered productions.
Whether you’re assembling a DIY arcade cabinet kit or crafting a custom CNC dollhouse, every kit is made with precision, durability, and nostalgia in mind — and every sale helps us continue supporting creative outreach and youth development in our community.
🎮 Ready to build your own arcade?
Browse our arcade cabinet kits and dollhouse collections today!
📧 sales@lep1customs.com 📞 601-299-9334 📍 Hattiesburg, Mississippi