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You know this monkey its Donkey! [DK scratch build]
falcon NL:
After almost 4 years of doubting, I finally decided to make a scratch build replica of the Donkey Kong Cabinet. The real "kick"from behind was after i had seen King of Kong...men I love that movie! Im still not sure if I want a complete replica or a adjusted one for two players+ a couple of extra buttons.
Since i have been looking to start this project more then 4 years ago i knew a couple thing ahead of time.
- Nintendo coin doors aren't that easy to find
- Planning is everything
- Color Matching is hard.
I started off with buying a coin door off the this forum.I started with buying a sheets of MDF (244x122x15) and tracing the plans of jakobud (yes i know that they aren't that accurate, but i haven't got anything better to work with..)
Im still a total noob on making cabinets, mame or restoring parts or old cabinets to there original state. But i figured, if i never try it i would never learn so that makes this a fun project to do and maybe make some new friends along the way!
Picture time!
Cleaning up
Drawing out the first side of the cabinet
first side of the cabinet done!
I have been working a lot of thing this week to make sure she was standing up this week.
First i worked out the foot for the cabinet
I made sure to sink the bolts,so just a bit of touching up before i can paint the thing.
Saturday i jigsawed the seconded side panel and made sure they where even by sanding the hell out of it!
Assembly! Thanks to Scr33n for the L brackets idea!
Well its been a hell of a week...but she is finally standing! I
So there she is! Im not sure about the size...she looks kinda small, but its 60cm wide and 86 cm long...
Now its time to order all my stuff like the bezel, side art, retainers, buttons and joysticks. So which one is good? Im doubting between Mikearcade and mamemarquees/Gameongrafix, anyone any thought on that?
WhereEaglesDare:
looks real good, really good.
never thought about nintendo coin doors being hard to find, but I guess you're right, ive never seen one for sale in any sort of good shape
I think I want to make one too, itll be a while though
javeryh:
Great start. Lots of us have DK cabinets that we restored so there shouldn't be a shortage of information. My restoration is HERE. It runs MAME and about 30 vertical, 4-way, one button games.
EDIT: some suggestions:
- get a router. There's no way you should have to sand the sides to match. Also, you will have to cut the t-molding slot eventually.
- you don't need screws for the base. Wood glue is VERY strong. Also, add some feet so you don't ruin the wood base and, more importantly, your floor.
- I hope you are using some glue in addition to those L-brackets and screws to hold everything together. If not I guarantee over time your cabinet will come apart. MDF doesn't hold screws as well as wood does.
:cheers:
falcon NL:
Well thanks for the welcome!
@Javeryh
Your here? I watched you blog for so long, and have gotten so much inspiration from your blog!
I would be happy to answer your questions.
-Well i just bought one for the t-molding. They are the same, but the only problem i was having is that some of the edges aren't straight anymore. Some part of the sides are kinda sloping. Would you suggest to take everything apart :cry:?
- Thanks for the advise! I kinda alreay had seen it on your blog ;)
- I already though that MDF was kinda weak, so this good that i used some wood glue.
I am mostly struggling what to buy and where online. For example:
Mikes arcade is selling "Nintendo CP Strike Set" i have no idea what it is or it should be on my cabinet..same is for Control Panel Latch, i think they fit together but i have no idea...
severdhed:
awesome project, i'll be watching this closely. Javeryh's thread is a great source of info, and is what inspired me to restore a DK cab as well. Mine is going much more slowly than i would like, but one of these days...
good luck with the build..there is nothing like a DK cabinet