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New/Finished project; Mini Neo-Geo cabinet
fedexin:
--- Quote from: syph007 on May 17, 2010, 10:11:22 am ---Looks awesome! The scale is misleading at first though, you looked like a giant!
--- End quote ---
LOL, I saw the poster image for the second walkthrough! I'm 6'1", but the machine itself is just under 4', and the ceiling right there is part of a dormer in my house that terminates in windows about 2.5' tall. I'll do another walkthrough at an aircraft hanger with the camera far away to complete the effect! ;)
fedexin:
I have to give much kudos to jeffhlewis on this board!! I saw the "Talking Classics" () mini MVS first, but jeffhlewis's build helped me a TON with my project.
I'll be posting my build notes and pics in this post next....
fedexin:
Okay! Here are my build notes and pics. This was my first full arcade build, but I've built a control panel before for a conversion to a Gauntlet Legends cabinet I did a few years ago. The build was pretty straightforward; I wanted a mini cabinet that would be kid friendly and accessible. I had already purchased an I-Pac 32 button controller and LED controller from Ultimarc a few months ago, and had started to play with the LED Blinky software and various frontends. I finally settled on Hyperspin and a custom build of MAME.
I started by visiting my local coin-op distributer here in the central coast of California, to get some measurements of size and angles from a real MVS.
I tried transposing the measurements into Illustrator but decided it wasn't going to be accurate without a TON of trial and error. I started looking for 3D programs I could mock it up in, but I have no experience with a particular program. I searched and eventually found Google SketchUp with has a free version. I found an existing 3D model of an MVS, and loaded it up. I took a screenshot of the side of the model and loaded it into Illustrator creating an outline I could print out.
I used an exacto knife and a straightedge to cut the outline into 1/2in MDF. I used a combo of tools to cut out the template I'd be using to create the actual sides. Between my table saw, jigsaw and a random orbital sander, I created a finished template with which to use my router on.
I created the base out of pine 2x4's and some casters. The front and rear lower panels are flush with the t-molding to give a bit of extra space on the inside of the cabinet. Every inch counts on a build this small!
I measured the installed tack strips with 1in drywall screws, because I had them lying around from a previous project. The hard part here is getting the two sides to align just right.
This was a good point to place my mock up control panel from a few months ago in for yucks. It was hard visualizing the completion of the project until very close to the end.
fedexin:
After getting the sides attached to the base and structurally sound, it was time for the middle panels. I decided easy access would be key to staying sane in the later stages of the project, so I made two large access panels in the rear. Once cut, I sanded them down to match the angles and curves of the sides.
I didn't want to install fans to keep noise down inside the cabinet, so a large vent area was called for. I used my router to cut some slots in the top rear panel, and my 30mm hole saw for finger pulls.
And the speakers get some ports too!
On to paint prep:
I wanted to make the control panel easy to work on, but also very stable and secure. I didn't decide on the engineering of it until this point of the build. Some simple clips secure it in place, and some locking hooks are going to be installed to keep it locked down.
I did some searching for the exact red paint color of the MVS cabinet, and found that Behr Grenadine S-G-180 is a very close match. I ordered a quart and added it to my white primer.
Anything that was to be red, was pink first!
I wanted to have a flush mount from the control panel to the bezel, and didn't have access to a metal working shop. So I got creative at Home Depot! I purchased a metal weather strip with a rubber buffer and cut it to size with my jigsaw. I used a metal file to smooth out the edges, and prepped the piece with wet/dry sandpaper before spraying it with flat black paint.
I finished painting the sides and middle panels with smooth surface rollers.
fedexin:
I forgot to mention, I cut the t-molding slot with a 3/16in kerf router bit.
Time for the computer build!
I bought all the components on newegg, but I haven't built a PC in years. Luckily, it seems to have gotten easier, yay SATA cables!
I installed the components on a slab of MDF and tested it at my bench:
I ended up using XP with SP2.
For MAME, I compiled my own version, with the hi score/no warning mod. Switch to my normal desktop area:
Back to the cabinet! I gutted a pair of powered speakers and installed them behind the marquee. I used a small florescent light fixture for backlighting.
I installed the 17in samsung refurb monitor and affixed the permanent panels.
Time for the bezel. I've dealt with plexiglass before, but I didn't want to mess up the fairly expensive thick piece I planned on using. I started out by cutting it to size, and cutting a hole for the power button on the monitor just in case I'd need access. I purchased some flat black plastic spray paint, and masked off the panel.
Two coats on the inside, and it came out great!
I placed the computer inside and cleaned up the wiring. I mounted a power strip in the middle of the cabinet, and wired a switch that was mounted to outside.