Author Topic: Nervous noob, (k)nows nothing, needs (k)nowledge (Read 11844 times)

Donkbaca · « **Reply #40 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:32:50 pm »

YEah, I actually do have a bit of behind the scenes work done. The FE and emulators are 90% done, built some aimtraks.

Now comes the tricky part of my build. I am going to incorporate a switch that will let me switch between my mame cab and an xbox 360. So I need to figure out where I am going to mount the xbox dvd player. I decided to be different and got a laser etched plexiglass marquee that I am going to edge-light. I have it, and all the LEDS I need, now I just need to figure out how to mount the sucker.... anyhow, that's my build. I hope you have good luck with your build.

You should incorporate a kegerator in yours like my buddys do in the cabinet they sell

www.drinkngame.com

ubermick · « **Reply #41 on:** March 07, 2011, 07:48:04 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on March 03, 2011, 02:32:50 pm

You should incorporate a kegerator in yours like my buddys do in the cabinet they sell

www.drinkngame.com

Hahaha, NICE! Although I'm scratching my head how he's managed to incorporate refrigeration into that thing. Must way a #$# ton!

Don't need it tho, already got 5 taps (one of them nitro) in the (eventual) man cave, and another three just outside in the garage.

Snagged my PC over the weekend, a P4 2.8ghz with 2 gigs of RAM and a 1TB hard drive for FREE. Added a 20" monitor for $80 cash, wiped it, fresh install of XP in preparation. First package arrived today too, 26 pushbuttons from Twisted Quarter. Hopefully I'll get started on the cabinet this weekend... might even make a build thread, although will have to see how it turns out first, to see if it's worthy of public display.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #42 on:** March 07, 2011, 08:06:33 pm »

The refrigeration is all custom designed. Its a blast at parties.

Wife got tix to opening day for the giants, so i'll be headed up to SF.

I will be following your thread because I like the fact that you make your own beer. Trying to convince my buddy to do that, he needs a hooby, his current one is watching movies and posting reviews of them on facebook. ---smurfy---, ---smurfy--- hobby, I could care less about this years Oscar shorts, hell I think the Academy could care less about this years Oscars shorts. Anyhow, trying to convince him to brew his own beer so he at least has a manly hobby that I can enjoy too.

I just dumped a crapload more money into my cab so I could integrate an xbox 360 into it. Its funny how a little change can add so much to your bottom line, for example, I wanted to get different sized admin buttons, well there goes 30 bucks for the buttons, plus another 20 bucks on cheap forstner bits to drill holes for the buttons... Wife asked me the other day, "so, how much have you spent so far?" I pretended I didn't hear her and made a quick comment about our daughter to change the subject.

Should be worth it in the end though (if the end ever comes...)

ubermick · « **Reply #43 on:** March 07, 2011, 09:32:35 pm »

Yup, I'm already seeing the nickel and diming effect on building these things. I'm delighted I managed to snag my computer on the cheap, since I know there'll be plenty of charges along the road on the cabinet. Not just wood, there's the t-molding, the plexiglass for the bezel, cp, and marquee, lights, laminate, etc. etc.... and of course the inevitable need to buy certain things twice, if/when I screw up the first time.

Congrats on opening day tickets - those things are ludicrously expensive, my wife and I decided to pass. Probably going to the game the day after, though! Where abouts in CA are you?

Donkbaca · « **Reply #44 on:** March 08, 2011, 12:39:49 am »

Luckily I got the pc and xbox 360 for free, otherwise it would be way more expensive. I think adding the xbox 360 will payoff big in terms of using it more.

Luckily most of the money I have spent has been on tools, which I am cool with.

I am in central CA by the way, Bakersfield

ubermick · « **Reply #45 on:** March 16, 2011, 01:55:27 pm »

Well, there's been a day of progress, got the sides cut, hopefully get some more work done on it tomorrow. (An Irishman working on St. Patrick's day!!) But quick question for folks - what are you using for sound? I was plotting on buying a 2.1 computer speaker setup (since I'm using it as a jukebox as well), but most of them have the control setup in one of the speakers themselves, meaning I'll need to disassemble the speakers and relocate the controls. Alternatively, there's the option of buying a small amp, speakers, and sub, but then we're getting spendy...

Donkbaca · « **Reply #46 on:** March 16, 2011, 02:31:40 pm »

I am just using 2.1 pc speakers, but I'm not going the jukebox route.

garnerb350 · « **Reply #47 on:** March 16, 2011, 03:00:17 pm »

I used a 2.1 PC speakers on mine...My controls were short and i had to placed my subwoofer lower into my cab , so i ended up splicing wires and give it more length. I eventually came across a used home theatre unit and i hooked it up also... When i am just in the mood for jukebox i crank the unit up... its nice because my 2.1 acts as tweeters and i get great sound along with the thunder woofer that the home unit has...

ubermick · « **Reply #48 on:** May 18, 2011, 01:40:14 pm »

In case folks are interested... almost done with the build! Whoever gets these things banged out in a weekend, my hat's off to you. Granted, I'm working on this an hour away from my house, so it's not like I can head downstairs and get it done bit by bit as time allows - usually limited to a 5 hour work session once a week since I started back in March. The marquee was a complete and utter pain to do - felt like it took three work sessions to get right - and I had a nightmare with plexi - repeatedly shattering it while cutting it, etc. But I've learned from my mistakes (there have been many) and next time I build one (there WILL be a next time!) it should take half the time.

All I have left to do now is to wire the control panel, and get it working. Some prelim pics I've taken with my iphone over the past few sessions, I'll take some proper pictures when it's all said and done.

Again, THANK YOU to everyone on here who's helped me out. Couldn't have done this without ya!

These two were taken a few weeks ago, when I finally got the glass on. Man, it needs a cleaning!

And these two were taken the other day, when I FINALLY finished fabricating the CP. Not mounted yet, still have to center it and attach it, plus add the hinges, something I'm putting off doing. (I HATE installing euro hinges!!) Loved the way the artwork turned out, really happy with it!

Hoopz · « **Reply #49 on:** May 18, 2011, 01:56:04 pm »

Wow, that's great artwork on the CP.

I can't quite make out the cups at the bottom and read the writing. I'm blaming your iphone pics instead of bad eyes though. What do they say? It looks like Rome, London, Rome, Paris, etc with a year after it? Probably a European soccer reference?

ubermick · « **Reply #50 on:** May 18, 2011, 02:02:00 pm »

Quote from: Hoopz on May 18, 2011, 01:56:04 pm

Wow, that's great artwork on the CP.

I can't quite make out the cups at the bottom and read the writing. I'm blaming your iphone pics instead of bad eyes though. What do they say? It looks like Rome, London, Rome, Paris, etc with a year after it? Probably a European soccer reference?

Thanks! Yeah, I'm really happy with the way the artwork turned out.

Good guess - they say Rome 1977, London 1978, Paris 1981, Rome 1984, and Istanbul 2005 - the years when Liverpool won the European Cup/Champions League.

scofthe7seas · « **Reply #51 on:** May 18, 2011, 02:22:36 pm »

This is your first cab, and you put it together like that in about 2 months?? Amazing.

Though I think "You'll never play alone" is a misnomer.

ubermick · « **Reply #52 on:** May 18, 2011, 03:19:20 pm »

To be fair, I've done a wee bit of woodworking before (nowhere near to this level, tho, and have never held a router before, much less used one) and I built this with a great friend who REALLY knows his stuff (he built one too, exact same as this but with different artwork, and didn't do the side circular panels). Personally, I'm a lot more impressed by the lads who've built cabs on their dining room tables, like Martjin and his SF cab, or Ramsus' Project Mame. (Actually, more credit goes to their SWMBOs, since MDF dust gets FRIGGING EVERYWHERE).

The "You'll never play alone" thing is a play on Liverpool's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone". Although I agree, with a five tap kegerator and this, I won't be able to keep folks out of my basement!

dfmaverick · « **Reply #53 on:** May 18, 2011, 03:28:29 pm »

Looks great.

You ended up banging that out in no time. May not have been a weekend, but didn't take you too long. Of course taht is probably because you didn't get it working...first.

DNA Dan · « **Reply #54 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:14:04 pm »

ubermick your cab turned out excellent! I love the way the red really pops against the black. What did you use for a monitor again?

Donkbaca · « **Reply #55 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:18:29 pm »

If you hate the hinges, just use velcro. I have a piano hinge in the front and a couple strips of velcro on the sides. I have to reattach my top because its not lining up right because I didn't account for the t-molding. Considering ditching the t-molding and just using the velcro...

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #56 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:29:01 pm »

So do you still hate us? (:

Nice work.

ubermick · « **Reply #57 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:35:32 pm »

Quote from: DNA Dan on May 18, 2011, 04:14:04 pm

ubermick your cab turned out excellent! I love the way the red really pops against the black. What did you use for a monitor again?

Cheers for that, Dan! Monitor is a 20" Dell LCD. Not the greatest choice, as it tends to disappear a wee bit behind the greylite, but am sure that after a few hours of being in front of it, I'll be glad of it.

Quote from: Donkbaca on May 18, 2011, 04:18:29 pm

If you hate the hinges, just use velcro. I have a piano hinge in the front and a couple strips of velcro on the sides. I have to reattach my top because its not lining up right because I didn't account for the t-molding. Considering ditching the t-molding and just using the velcro...

Hehe, I actually like the hinges, but installing the !@### things is a pain in the backside. Was one thing for the cab door, it's all nice and 90 degrees, but the CP hinge has me scratching my head a bit. And the prospect of screwing up that CP by drilling 35mm holes in there is a bit daunting since it's a one shot deal. I know Rick (buddy that I'm building with) is going the velcro route, might end up doing it myself. I mean, once it's finished and in it's final resting place, how many times am I going to be opening it up?

Quote from: cotmm68030 on May 18, 2011, 04:29:01 pm

So do you still hate us? (:

No, now I love ye all. My wife, on the other hand, would love to go door to door and go on a killing spree!

Donkbaca · « **Reply #58 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:39:21 pm »

Quote

Cheers for that, Dan! Monitor is a 20" Dell LCD. Not the greatest choice, as it tends to disappear a wee bit behind the greylite, but am sure that after a few hours of being in front of it, I'll be glad of it.

at the risk of sounding dense. have you turned up the brightness on it?

ubermick · « **Reply #59 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:46:45 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on May 18, 2011, 04:39:21 pm

Quote
Cheers for that, Dan! Monitor is a 20" Dell LCD. Not the greatest choice, as it tends to disappear a wee bit behind the greylite, but am sure that after a few hours of being in front of it, I'll be glad of it.

at the risk of sounding dense. have you turned up the brightness on it?

Hahaha, yes indeed I have, it's at 100%. It's an older monitor tho, the 4:3 ratio ones are bloody hard to find (and not cheap) in bigger sizes.

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #60 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:52:26 pm »

probably needs the backlight replaced:
http://www.lcdpanels.com/index.php?MenuLevel1=Items&MenuLevel2=Backlights&SalesList=LCDPAN&PANumber=15000&ResetPaging=1

DNA Dan · « **Reply #61 on:** May 18, 2011, 06:28:15 pm »

How dark is the greylite? Knowing that these things are never bright enough I went with 1/4" clear. Not as good contrast on the blacks though. Everything is a compromise without having an actual CRT.

Ond · « **Reply #62 on:** May 18, 2011, 08:00:41 pm »

Very nice work and, welcome to the forum.

Ond

DNA Dan · « **Reply #63 on:** May 18, 2011, 10:00:21 pm »

Quote from: ubermick on May 18, 2011, 04:46:45 pm

Quote from: Donkbaca on May 18, 2011, 04:39:21 pm
Quote
Cheers for that, Dan! Monitor is a 20" Dell LCD. Not the greatest choice, as it tends to disappear a wee bit behind the greylite, but am sure that after a few hours of being in front of it, I'll be glad of it.

at the risk of sounding dense. have you turned up the brightness on it?

Hahaha, yes indeed I have, it's at 100%. It's an older monitor tho, the 4:3 ratio ones are bloody hard to find (and not cheap) in bigger sizes.

Any chance you could take a photo with the monitor on? I really like the blackness of the greylite but don't know if it's too dark for my tastes.

dfmaverick · « **Reply #64 on:** May 19, 2011, 01:07:36 pm »

I like that your trackball seems to match the CP very well.

Did you stick with the X-Arcade TB, or did you opt for something else?

ubermick · « **Reply #65 on:** May 19, 2011, 01:15:55 pm »

I went with the X-Arcade, but bought a replacement 3" ball from Twisted Quarter to use instead of the white one. (The white would have worked fine, in hindsight!)

Dan, I'll try and grab a photo of the monitor in action behind the greylite, but my car's in the shop at the moment, and the cab is an hour's drive away. I don't remember which flavour of greylite it is, I do know it was the lightest we could get. Pretty sure it's 31.

scofthe7seas · « **Reply #66 on:** May 19, 2011, 07:21:55 pm »

Quote from: ubermick on May 19, 2011, 01:15:55 pm

(The white would have worked fine, in hindsight!)

No way, man. The red ball contrasts way better inside of the white football. A white trackball would just blend in and not look nearly as cool.

ubermick · « **Reply #67 on:** May 23, 2011, 03:08:42 pm »

Quote from: scofthe7seas on May 19, 2011, 07:21:55 pm

Quote from: ubermick on May 19, 2011, 01:15:55 pm
(The white would have worked fine, in hindsight!)

No way, man. The red ball contrasts way better inside of the white football. A white trackball would just blend in and not look nearly as cool.

Gotta say you're right - changed the white back in, and it blended with the ball nicely, but it just didn't pop. Red looks a lot better. So just as well I didn't spend $30 for no reason!

Brought the CP home and wired up yesterday, and it's working nicely. So next time I'm up there, I'll be able to (hopefully) get it finished. Then comes the oh-so-fun task of installing a front-end, the other emulators, and trying to get everything to work together. PCs... feh!

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #68 on:** May 23, 2011, 03:15:26 pm »

Quote from: ubermick on May 23, 2011, 03:08:42 pm

Then comes the oh-so-fun task of installing a front-end, the other emulators, and trying to get everything to work together. PCs... feh!

but that IS the fun part! You only get the build the cabinet once. You get to configure the software forever!

ubermick · « **Reply #69 on:** March 08, 2012, 06:10:31 pm »

Wow. I can't believe it's been almost a year since I worked on this cab, and realized I didn't post a final build pic!

Again, thank you to EVERYONE on here who helped me put this together. It's pride of place in the man cave, and have had a couple of offers from folks to buy it (it's not going ANYWHERE).

DNA Dan · « **Reply #70 on:** March 09, 2012, 09:43:08 pm »

Where did you buy your t-molding? I got some that I am unhappy with. It looks like a wavy ribbon on the extreme edges. Unless there is some heating method to installing this stuff?


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