The Devil Mame

[golfboyusa]

Hi Everyone,
It's been awhile since I posted a new project. Here's one I'm doing for a friend. It's not going to be anything groundbreaking, but it will be a cabinet that intergrates a few new components that I've not used before. I'm hopeful that the finished product will turn some heads! Everything has been ordered and I started cutting today. Here's the rundown of the main components:

23" Vizio LED TV - This screen is unbelievable. The graphics on Future Pinball blew me away.
HP Computer - AMD Athlon II X2 215 Processor 2.70 ghz -3 gig of ram..
GeForce GT220 1gig Video Card
Ultimarc U-Track USB trackball - I can't wait to try it out.
Ultimarc MagStik Plus (2)
Happ Red pushbuttons
12" Red Neon Rings

Here we go!  

[golfboyusa]

The control panel will be my standard layout. I have held off cutting the hole for the trackball because I do not have it yet and the trackball ships with a retainer ring that needs to be installed fairly tightly. I just got a brand new adjustable hole cutter and I can't wait to give it a try. I prepped the panel with black paint so the CP overlay from Mame Marquees adheres correctly. The paint needs to sit for at least two days befor applying the overlay. I plan to run T-molding around the front edge and sides of the CP, so the slot has been cut.

I also began sketching out the sides of the cabinet - I'm may adjust here and there depending on the alignment of the LED monitor.

The Joysticks, buttons, trackball and T-mold will be red and the cabinet will be black laminate. The Marquee will have the Devil Theme.

[brock.sampson]

If you are looking for some devil artwork you might want to check out http://www.coopstuff.com/.  He has some awesome stuff to inspire you.  I may try and incorporate some of his stuff into and upcoming project.

[golfboyusa]

Thanks. His art reminded me of an old Lords of Acid album cover. I like dirty devil women! 

[golfboyusa]

I received the sound system today. I'll post a picture after I get it unboxed....

BTW, Future pinball was loaded some tables very slowly into the editor (Road Girls & Dead hunters took approx 3 minutes). I turned off indexing and that fixed the problem!

[golfboyusa]

Here's the completed sides. The control panel is going to have a 2" slope from front to back. The casters are installed on the base and on the flipside, the supports for the sides have been attached....

[golfboyusa]

I have the sides attached to the base and have began fastening the panel supports and bezel supports. Most of the support pieces are attached with a nail gun.

[golfboyusa]

Here's the sound system, neon rings, joysticks, buttons, Ipac2 and the SmartStrip power strip.....

[golfboyusa]

I don't have the CP overlay yet, but I wanted to test fit the trackball. I cut a hole 3-3/8" to accomodate the ring spacer, then I used the trackball as a template to mark the mounting holes. The holes were drilled with a 1/4" bit and the mounting studs were tapped in place. While tightening the trackball in place, one of the bolts pushed through a bit too far and caused a bump on the top of the CP. I added some washers and eveything looks good.

[rablack97]

Are you gonna use plexi, if so the t-ball isnt gonna sit right.  Your gonna have to take a 1/8 inch mdf from the bottom of your CP, where the t-base sits.  This is assuming your using 5/8 mdf.

If your using 3/4 with no plexi, the how do you plan to protect your overlay?

[golfboyusa]

No Plexi. I've used it in the past though with no problems. I've covered numerous CP's with the Mame Marquee product and it stays down just fine. I really like the texture without the plexiglass as well......

[rablack97]

Ahhh, ok.....just wondering.......

[golfboyusa]

The Holes have been cut in the sides for the graphic and neon rings. The bezel dimensions for the monitor have been drawn out. The grille cover for the speakers is ready for laminate and the marquee is pictured.

[opt2not]

Cool looking design of the CP.
Though, looks like the P2 side could be closer to the center more. Seems a bit close to the right edge for the buttons. Probably too late to change it anyways.

[golfboyusa]

Thanks! Yes, there is room to move it left. I actually move the P2 joystick and buttons as far right as possible. If you have ever tried a big hook or fade shot with the trackball during a game of Golden Tee, you'll hit the player 2 joystick. To keep the panel looking balanced, this is the best way to keep it functional. Here's a straight on picture of the control panel on a previous cabinet.....

[golfboyusa]

I routered the monitor bezel and got the graphics printed up. The graphics were originally multicolored. I loaded them up into Photoshop and colored them red....

[golfboyusa]

I have applied the adhesive to the laminate. 30 minutes to dry and here's the result. The sides now have a consistent, smooth finish!

[golfboyusa]

The CP overlay came yesterday. Once applied, I cut the holes with an exacto knife and mounted the joysticks, trackball and buttons. The red theme is really starting to pop. I plan to wire the panel tonight.....

[dynasty_trs]

This is turning out great!!!

I am slowly working on my build and hope that the final product looks a quarter as good as this.

Really, it looks really good, really really...

[golfboyusa]

Dynasty.....you are too kind. Like I said before, nothing groundbreaking here, but I'm hoping for a real sharp looking cab! I owe everything to the guys on this forum. I'm not the most creative guy in the wood shop, but I like improving on good ideas!  Go Suns! Spurs suck!

[golfboyusa]

The CP is wired and the t-Molding is on. Now the project is starting to come alive 

[golfboyusa]

I cut out two pieces of MDF larger than the graphics. Then I  applied some spray on glue, attached the graphic, plexiglass and neon ring. Center them up on the cabinet and presto!

[golfboyusa]

Rather than use laminate, I painted the back since no-one will see it. I added a cooling fan to the back of the unit as well. i don't think the LED monitor puts out much heat, but just to be on the safe side........

[golfboyusa]

Well, as I'm wiring up the Ipac2 and the buttons I came to the realization that since there's no Optipac, I have no mouse button inputs. I found an old mouse, fired up the soldering gun and my first mouse hack is complete.

[golfboyusa]

I finished the speaker grill. After I added the laminate and touched up the inside with some black paint, I stapled the covering to the back. I normally use a metal mesh wire and paint it black for the grill covering. When I was at the hardware store today I decided to try a dark screen normally used to replace screen doors. It's pretty dark and stretched nicely when I stapled it down.

I also use these nifty caps to cover any screws that weren't covered by laminate. It really adds a professional look to the cabinet.

[golfboyusa]

I finished up late last night. I Played a few games and everything was perfect. I'm very happy with the final result. The red theme really grew on me. I cannot describe how cool the Ultimarc trackball looks in the dark. I've seen plenty of tranlucent trackballs, but this is by far the best. I'm happy to answer any questions about the project......Thanks for following my build!   

[rablack97]

Kick a**.....For such a quick build the results are awesome.  Since your selling these, one of the best low budget, straight to the point, clean builds i've seen....Great work....

[HaRuMaN]

Why did you make it so deep if you're using an LCD?

Just curious.  Looks like it would be a lot of empty space back there.

[golfboyusa]

Thanks Rablack,
The project did come together quickly. I'd like to see this cabinet in the blue theme someday....

[golfboyusa]

HarumaN,
There is alot of space in the cabinet. My friend wanted the large cabinet so that's what he got!

[rablack97]

My current build is in blue, with the lightning theme, same concept with some kick....Just click the link at the bottom of my reply...

[HaRuMaN]

This looks familiar:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ele/1739370916.html

[golfboyusa]

Apparently, HarunmaN has taken issue with the fact that I sold this cabinet. None of my posts made any reference to my website or the fact that this cabinet was for sale. I only wanted to document a build and trade ideas with members of this board. If you wish point out Craigslist postings, fine. I'm not sure why it upsets you, but it looks petty when you do it.......

[HaRuMaN]

Who's upset?

[mwong168]

Apparently, HarunmaN has taken issue with the fact that I sold this cabinet.

I don't think Harunman is mad and wow if you actually sold it for $2500!  I've seen so many MAME conversion for sale on craiglist here and wonder if there are people that actually pay that much for it.  Some are really piss poor conversions and one was a Killer Instinct 2 cab with MAME and asking price was $4000 or best offer   

Not to say golfboyusa's cab isn't worth what he is asking but I didn't think there were people willing to dish that sort of money.  Nice cab either way.

[HaRuMaN]

If I had the time / patience / energy, I'd be building and selling them myself.  I see a lot of crappy MAME cabs on CL, this one by far is one of the nicer ones in this area.

[golfboyusa]

I stand corrected. I thought you were trying to stick it in me a bit. I apologize. I just felt that you were trying to pull back the veil a bit and I didn't want this to look like a spam posting and get grief from everyone. The cabinet is already sold. I only posted it on Craigslist to generate interest.

As far as the price goes, I've never had a complaint!  

[HaRuMaN]

It's all good.  Some of the members here are builders that sell cabinets, they post their designs / creations here too. 

[jmike]

 
     This looks great. Any more pics? Also where did you purchase the rings from?


 

[golfboyusa]

Thanks Jmike. I got the rings from mobile-emotions.com. I have a few more pics. PM me your email and let me know what you want to see....