Retro Revolver

[geomartin]

Long time listener first time caller here.  I've been watching projects here for some time and have finally decided to build my own.  Fortunately I have been gathering everything together for a while and being recently laid off, I now have the time to start my project.  Inspired by Pacmamea's 1up revolving controllers and the many great examples of rotating monitors, I have decided to incorporate both into my design.  I'm limited somewhat on space, so I have worked out a slimmed down version that looks pretty good to me.  Please see my beginning sketch and feel free to bombard me with ideas.  I've decided to name it "Retro Revolver" for obvious reasons.  I have no ideas for the artwork yet, but I am going to start wood working soon and will post progress here.  My thoughts are a standard 2 player panel, a trackball and spinner panel for Missile Command, Tempest, etc. and a flight sim panel for the WWII pc flight sims I'm addicted too.  Looking forward to any ideas, comments, critiques, etc.

[javeryh]

Cool - I love rotating monitor projects - make sure to document EVERYTHING.   

Also, check out Cornchip's Revolver.  It is similar in theme and function to yours and it came out awesome.

[geomartin]

Yeah, Cornchips "Revolver" looks great, and I love the artwork!  I also recall following your build of "Bella".  Now that my youngest has turned four I have been considering doing a small cabinet for him using my old Sega Genisis.  I have lots of good age appropriate games for him on that system.  Maybe for Christmas

[Bender]

Personally I like the revolving CPs even more haven't seen a new on of those in a while 
Still 4 sides are better than 3

[DaOld Man]

I agree. Rotating CPs are neat.
I wonder how hard it would be to automate the CP rotation to choose controller based on game?

You all know how I feel about rotating monitors!

Good luck with your project, I will be watching as with others.

[drventure]

+1 Looks like an interesting (and possibly tricky) build!

[geomartin]

I plan on modularizing the build to help keep things from getting out of control.  I'm starting with the rotating control panel.  I'm using 1up's idea, but revamping the assembly to use off the shelf hardware from McMaster Carr.  I will try to carefully document the build in Autocad and will post plans when I'm through.  I just hope to successfully stand on the shoulders of some of the great builders I have seen here on BYOAC.  The advantage to using McMaster Carr for hardware is that most items are well dimensioned in the online catalog which makes the development much easier and allows me to design ahead of purchasing all of the items.

[BadMouth]

Check out the video of Mark Shaker's FIVE sided CP 

http://www.marksarcade.com/

He's a member here, but doesn't post a whole lot.

[geomartin]

I checked out the 5 panel rotation and was well done.  I bought a vectrex cart from Mark a couple of years ago and he was a great guy to deal with!  Having 5 panels would be great, but the cabinet design I have now would limit the control panel depth to 8", down from almost 12" on the three panel design.  I would have to add to the depth of the cabinet to increase control panel depth, and I just don't have the room (it's got to share room with my pool table).  Decisions decisions...If I did 5 panels I could have: Defender Panel, Fighter Panel, Trackball and Spinner panel, Driving Panel, and Flight Sim Panel.

[geomartin]

side by side skecth of 5 panel vs. 3 panel

[BadMouth]

I wasn't suggesting you do five.  I just think everyone should see it. 

A lot of those controls would need too much clearance anyway.
If you made them detachable, you might as well just build a modular control panel instead.

I think the 3 panel plan looks good. 

[Donkbaca]

Yeah, I think three is the way to go.   I would do:

Fighter panel with Trackball and spinner

4 way panel with flight stick

driving panel

[geomartin]

The only reason I might consider the 5 panel layout is that I have an abundance of controllers available from the stock pile.  I already have two steering controls from a parted out Super Sprint with pedals, a spinner and two trackballs, the flight stuff, eight way joysticks and two LS 30 rotary sticks.  One thing that has been bothering me about this setup is that all controls will be live and I worry that controls like the steering wheel and trackball may move incidentally during rough game play.  I will spend some time tonight checking control mounting and clearance requirements.

[BadMouth]

A steering wheel and full height flight stick would probably need to be detached to rotate.
At that point, you might as weel go modular......
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68892.0

[Xiaou2]

Not entirely true.   Since LCD monitors are relatively low in weight, one could make it so that the monitor rose up a few inches when you rotated the CP. 

 There could be a wave-like path on the outside edges of the CP, that 2 roller bearings sat on... and as you rotated the CP, the height of the path would change... thus the monitor height would change to match it.  The monitor holder could be on slide rails for easier sliding... or merely use some plastic runners for less friction. 

 Instead of bearing auto-adjust, you could just manually lift it with a side lever, pull handle, rope system, motor lift, or other similar option.

 Other options, if you do not care about monitor -vs- CP heights,  are to use a slotted material, like a strip-cut bottom-weighted curtain, which would adjust to high controllers sliding past it.

 Still, the cab will have to be slightly deeper to accommodate the extra diameter of the taller controllers.

[geomartin]

IT'S ALIVE!  I can't believe it has been more than 2 years since I have been able to make any progress on this project.  Several unexpected job changes and family issues had this placed firmly on the back burner.  Recently, however,  I have been able to pick this up again and make some real progress.  Thanks to a recent machine shop auction, I now have a fully loaded CAD station complete with Solid Works, Auto Cad and Master Cam.  The Retro has been fully modeled in Solid Works and I have been able to get some laser and sheet metal brake time at work.  The company I work for is run by great people and have graciously allowed me to fabricate all of the sheet metal needed to make ths a reality.  Many thanks go out to them!  Below are some pics of just some of the pieces I have lined up for this project. First up is the monitor side of the rotating assembly.  The monitor looks a little funny because it still has the heavy mylar film protecting the display face.  I have also posted the monitor surround, which will hide the rotating parts.  The only other item I had time to photograph tonight is one of the control panels.  It is the trackball/spinner panel.  As you can see, if you squint and look closely is that I am using flush mounted PEM hardware on the panels.  This is a great way to hide the hardware.  Everyting will be flush mounted nicely, yet will still be easy to disassemble if necessary.  Some items not pictured will be posted the next chance I get to take photos.  I stuck with a 3 panel set-up for the rotating panels.  One thing I was able to do is laser cut templates for the few wood pieces I will be using.  This will allow me to easily router pieces to exacting shapes.  Well that is all for today, but I plan on hitting this project hard so that I can enjoy it all summer long!