Encounter; Mame project. ** I need feedback and critiques on my CPO**

[mgb]

Wow, I'm finally posting some type of project on here.
I started messing around with Mame in the late 90s and started building a cab around 2006.
I first built the controller seen her



I then picked up a Kortek Multisync from Betson and an Arcade VGA.

For the longest time, I worked on the cab. I changed my mind a few times and kept changing up the cab.

Like many others, through Mame building, I got into getting some other arcade cabs and I started doing repair work for others on their machines.
So bassically I settled on a pretty generic arcade cab and finished it enough to be playable in the basement (unfinished) and life carried on.

But now I am redoing a room in my house where my computer will be along with a 32 inch flatscreen with my vintage game consoles and a trusty ps2 and I got my wife to agree to my Mame cabinet coming upstairs.
so bassically I'm pretty excited and now I am rebuilding my Mame cab and doing the things that I wish I had started with.

[mgb]

My new cab will be a little long in the making but I hope to make some swift progress on it.
heres the start.
I have the base and control panel from a Narc that I will be building off of


I filled the holes on the original CP with large wooden dolls and glue. I will be redrilling the CP for a basic 2 joystick (Sanwa JLW 4, 8 WAY) and 8 buttons each (vielix type layout) and a trackball, spinner and admin buttons

[mgb]

One thing I really wanted to do with the first project is make it a 2 piece.
Thats what I'll be doing here.
I cut out the new sides for the top portion. They are bassically modeled after Oscar controls Gotham Mame.


In this pic, it looks like I'm building a really big bartop, but I'm just doing some mockups to see how things are coming.


Also I am using plywood on this build. Its a finer sanded grain that costs $10-15 more than MDF but I love the weight difference.
I am also sanding it smooth and considering covering it in vinyl.

[IG-88]

Your shop looks like mine with a half a dozen cabs in the process of rebuilding. 

[mgb]

Yeah my other cabs are just kinda there right now.
I figured it would be nice having them in my basement but its not a great place for a shop or for playin them.
Thats why I'm looking forward to getting my new Mame machine done and upstairs.
The heavey barrel machine will be in great shape if I ever just get around to replacing the centering grommets with the new ones I got.

[mgb]

I had to make a slight tweak the upper section sides today. I originally thought I would be the upper section flat on the base but it turns out that I like it more at the angle  that the original upper section sat at. with this angle it made the marquee area slanted back, not cool.
so I made an adjustment to the marquee area so that while the upper section is kicked back, the marquee will still be staight up and down.

I think the original base may be a little small for the upper section. I will probably make changes when I start on it.

[mgb]

I took care of the t-molding slotting on the new sides for the upper section today.
I have done this a few times on previous cabinets and I still hate it.
I'm just glad to get it done 

[NeoFlynn]

seems like the base is disproportionate to the rest of the cab....or is it just me?

[mgb]

Yeah, the base is very disproportionate to the rest of the cab.
I haven't started work on the base yet. When I do, I will make it larger.

[mgb]

Well I believe I've finally got a name for the project.
I've got the top section basically together now and I will get some pics.

Here is the first draft of the marquee. I like it, its simple and to the point.
I would really appreciate some feedback on it.
thanks

[emphatic]

Classy marquee. Is it a pun of some sort, or just a "gamey" word?

[mgb]

Yeah its just a gamey word.
I really see a theme based with blue lighting and Encounter just seemed to stick. If I used any of my wifes ideas, then it would have been a pun: her ideas were more along the line of " Digital Mistress".
I really like the name "Power Trip" but I keep seeing with red lighting.
I don't know, mabe I'm odd

[mgb]

This project is going a little slow as I have been very busy but its moving along.
I got a lot done as far as getting the top section together.
I will post pics later.

I just recieved all my buttons, rgbs and led-wiz' the other day.

I'm looking for some feedback on my marquee design. I'm shooting for a look that falls somewhere between a true arcade machine and something that doesn't look bad in the home and I think this simple design works.
 please let me know what you think.

[jimmy2x2x]

Very nice, not garish and the font has a great retro feel to it

The sun breaking the planet is a great touch, well done!

[mgb]

I feel I'm finally getting somewhere with my cpo. here is the wip.
I have had a real mental block on the cpo artwork and finally started making some progress this week.

I am going for a simple layout with Sanwa JLWs, a 2.25" trackball and a spinner. all of my buttons will be lit with GGG RGBs.
My top 3 buttons will be 1 & 2 player starts with a pause/ shift button in the middle.

This artwork is still in progress and I would really appreciate some feedback on what I've got so far and where to go with it. I am going for a classic "arcadey" feel.

Thanks

[javeryh]

Why not go with a 3" trackball - it looks like you have the room.  Also, the spinner might be a little close - you don;t want to bang your hand on it when using the trackball.

It's pretty cool you are revisiting an old project.  I have a cab in the house that I want to redo as well but I can't find the time.   

[mgb]

Why not go with a 3" trackball - it looks like you have the room.  Also, the spinner might be a little close - you don;t want to bang your hand on it when using the trackball.

It's pretty cool you are revisiting an old project.  I have a cab in the house that I want to redo as well but I can't find the time.   

I've been wanting to redo this cabinet for a while. My original cab was good enough for the basement but now its coming upstairs (where its dry).
The only reason I'm sticking with the 2.25" trackball now is because thats what I've already got. I revamped everything else by changing from my competition joysticks to Sanwa JLWs and I bought all new Ice buttons with RGBs and LEDWiz' so I spent a decent amount on this revamp, I figured I just keep with the current trackball.

I'm gonna experiment with the spinner a bit. Maybe I will push my start buttons up and bring the spinner up too.
I'm too worried about hitting it though because I tend to use my thumb on the trackball. I don't really fly my hand wildly like I've seen some people do.