The Vewlix Fighter Cabinet - WIP. The cab is dead my friends.

[emphatic]

Yes, keep the wooden part and just have the controls + lock mechanism sit in a metal sheet.



If I was to do this myself, I would also use a couple of these:



to hold the top of the wood part to the box (one of each side) and once you open the lock underneath the panel, you can remove the metal sheet, thus be able to reach these and open the top up completely. Perhaps you could even store the extra panel + keyboard inside (I don't know how much room that control box has, so I'm just guessing).

[Gatsu]

The entire top section of the cabinet slides right off and wont be bolted down so that I can get to the wiring quickly if need be.

So the way I've got the CP cut and fitted....I dunno if that would really work. I understand what you mean I think with the metal plate, but to have those hinges in there probably wouldn't work the way the pieces fit. I will give it a try though and see if it works because that'd make things a bit easier to manage.

[emphatic]

The entire top section of the cabinet slides right off and wont be bolted down so that I can get to the wiring quickly if need be.

So the way I've got the CP cut and fitted....I dunno if that would really work. I understand what you mean I think with the metal plate, but to have those hinges in there probably wouldn't work the way the pieces fit. I will give it a try though and see if it works because that'd make things a bit easier to manage.

Yep, I just wanted to put the idea out there for grabs. If possible, it's a really convenient way to go.

[evitagen]

So glad you're back on this project!

I'm working on a custom Vewlix myself at the moment, but I'm taking my sweet ass time with the whole thing.  Basically I'm admitedly stealing most of the neat ideas I've seen from other custom projects as I go.  I'm interested to see how your CP turns out because that is what I am going to build next(well, after the top rounded piece).  I'm probably going to recreate something similiar to how this works: 

I ended up going with trying to recreate the actual Vewlix design and not donovon myers redesign so the sides on mine are slightly slimmer.

Oh and I've heard a lot of people ask about the metal base.  A friend of mine does metal work and he's going to build me those metal legs from stainless for only about $50.  I know I'm getting a deal but apparently it's pretty easy to make in case any of you other guys with these projects want to see about someone local making it for you.

Keep us updated on your progress!  I wanna see more pics!

[Necroticart]

Gatsu I was able to get ahold of the vewlix manuals I contacted saint to see If he would host them on the file repository seeing as it is a newer machine and the files are abit on the large side and I figured they might give you a better idea of how the actual cab is assembled.

[malelanct]

how big are we talking for the manuals?

i might be able to help hosting them.  if not, i'd definitely be interested in getting a copy of them for sure!

[Gatsu]

oh they were kinda big if I remember. One was like 80mb.

[SpaceHedgehog]

If it's of any use:

Vewlix owner's manual (link to pdf's containing some dimensions of the Vewlix cabinet):

http://forum.arcadeotaku.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=862

[Gatsu]

yep. I believe thats where I downloaded them from.

[Necroticart]

yep that's them could not remember where I got them. Definitely usefull since they show how the actual machine is put together and it would nice if saint could mirror these files in case they become unobtainable in the future

[evitagen]

That is a huge manual!  Hadn't seen it before so thanks for posting it.

Gatsu you created your top rounded piece yet?  I think I'm going to try tackling it next but I know it's going to be a ---smurfette---.

[Gatsu]

my 1 regret is that I wish I had of known about these manuals when I started the project. I would have tried to make it more accurate.

Guess thats what happens when you base your design off of someone elses.

As long as it looks close to a Vewlix in the end...I guess thats what matters.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Any updates on this one Gatsu?

[Gatsu]

got the new speakers in the mail. decided to get rid of the car speakers and go with a full 5.1 set.

I've been out of town all this past week so no woodworking yet. But I'll start back on that this weekend for sure.

I've recently aquired 2 Tournament sticks that I'm really tempted to mount as the control panel like Donovan's original design. One's all black though. So I dunno if thats gonna fly. I'd hate to throw away all the control panel work I've done so far. But I dunno if it'd turn out as nice as using 2 TE sticks like the original designer used....

hmm.

[bgspot]

 ...2 tournament sticks mounted together instead of a full cp will leave the cab with a cheap and unfinished look. Not cool

[Gatsu]

yeah I agree....Im gonna stick with the CP I've built. I just have to add a few things to it.

[blackwatchplad]

Ive been away for quite a while from an accident     but i decided to stop by the forums and the first page i went to was here lol.
I really like the sound of how your cabs taking shape with the lighted move list and the new speakers.  Keep adding in the little things that really make something great and you will have a masterpiece.  I feel for you on still wanting a candycab and also you custom vewlix. I got an astro recently and i still want to make 2-3 more cabs but ive only got but so much space to spare.  Something about building something as crazy as a arcade cabinet captivates me for some reason.  Ive said it before and i will say it again, i cant wait to see this thing complete! lol
Good work sir.

[Gatsu]

I can't wait to see it finished either.

I've been out of the loop for a couple of weeks due to x-mas, new years.....and now with my wife and I both being sick. Just hasn't been a kosher time for cab construction.

[Gatsu]

Alright. After a longer break than I anticipated...I'm ready to get back into this project and get this puppy finished.

My biggest drawback has been myself really. I'll make a choice and then 20 minutes later 2nd guess myself and think of about 10 reasons not to go that route. So after much deliberation, and input from friends and family....I've got all the details set in stone now. There will no longer be any changes in the design after this.

Control Panel:
Even though I'm probably gonna get booed for this, I've decided to go with using 2 Madcatz TE sticks. Why? My electrical engineer buddy is going to japan for a whole month, and I told him I'd have the cab done by the time he got back. So...I'd be doing all of the wiring myself. Which I cannot do. I've tried and killed about 3 controllers. I can't afford to mess up more. I don't want to rebuild the CP either. I also want the control panel to be easily removable so that I can use the space for a keyboard and mouse.

I can also still remove and easily use the joysticks over at a friends house or wherever. Its not stuck at home attached to the machine.

And the madcatz sticks work with both PC and Xbox 360.....so...a quick cable swap and I'm good to go for 2 systems.
And headset jacks won't be an issue since they are built in to the sticks.

Gonna go with my original control panel, but will have swappable control sets for different style games. Its easier and I don't have to throw away all my work.

PC & Xbox 360:
Gonna be using a Xbox 360 and a PC. The PC for mame and naomi emulation, and the 360 for Super Street Fighter IV, Tekken 6 and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 whenever it drops.

Stuff to finish:
------------------
1.) taking all the parts out of storage.
2.) add a larger entrance door to the front of the cab.
3.) add cooling fans to the back of the cab.
4.) figure out how the new speakers will fit, and how best to mount them in.
5.) covers for speaker bars.
6.) ethernet port
7.) hole for power cable
8.) finish the top rounded piece, control panel modifications and marquee
9.) paint the cab
10.) print artwork
11.) PC setup
12.) final cable setup

[opt2not]

Just in time for SSF4.
Welcome back.

So...I'd be doing all of the wiring myself. Which I cannot do. I've tried and killed about 3 controllers. I can't afford to mess up more.

With the cost of those controllers, you could have just sent them to HarumaN to get hacked. Makes the wiring step 10x easier.

Personally, I'm not a fan of keyboard and mice connections,  I like to set it all before-hand without having to rely on those controls.  Unless of course you're using this as an actual computer station, then nvm.

Anyways, hope it all turns out for you. 

[Gatsu]

Yeah I could have sent them to HarumaN. But at the time I had some extra controllers laying around from other projects and decided to try my hand at it. Its not for me. And the way the control panel is looking now, I don't think i could make it look how I want. And its way too heavy.

I figure I'm spending the money on a dual-core system with a nice graphics card, I wanna use it for more than just Mame. And it makes updating and installing new software that much easier. I'll probably have a usb plug somewhere near the keyboard as well for thumb drives and whatnot.

[HaRuMaN]

Thanks for the plug, opt2not! 

I do like this cab...   

[Gatsu]

thanks for the support.

My biggest worry is getting the finished product to look really good, let a lone playable. And even now as I sit here typing this....I'm having 2nd thoughts about the decisions I've set in stone. lol.

I'll just be glad to finish it so my mind can rest and I can play SF the way it was meant to be played.

[HaRuMaN]

I'll just be glad to finish it so my mind can rest

Cab's are never finished, just more / less playable...   

[Gatsu]

very true. Finished enough then so as to consider it a fully-functioning and good looking machine.

[emphatic]

Great to see you back at it! 

[blackwatchplad]

I see a powered up cab!!  It looks great.  Just in time for all the great fighters coming out soon. 
Even if you used 2 fight sticks for it..doesn't mean you cant opt in a custom panel one day.
Keep it up man, you are almost there!!

[SpaceHedgehog]

Great that you're starting up on this again. I'm sure SSF4 and your mates will give you the incentive to complete it soon.....

Go to it team Gatsu!

[Franco B]

Great to see you back at it! 

+1   

[Sosetsuken]

Good to see you're still at it Gats, take ya time

[donnie1979]

WOW! fantastic work, it looks great! nice graftmenship there  , the vewlix cab is going to be my next build love to have one of these baby's(and my will let me place it in the livingroom).

[Gatsu]

thanks donnie.

Nothing really solid has been done to the cab. Been working on cleaning out my dads garage so i can move the pieces back in there to finish up the wood working and then repaint.

Reconsidered on ditching my original control panel idea. Too much work went into it and it won't be much work to make it usable and nice looking. So i will not be using the 2 madcatz te sticks as I am selling them to help fund the last few parts I need to order for the cab.

If I had a scanner I'd have some design ideas to show off. But I'll try to explain them as best as I can.

For the Vewlix style control panel, the section where the sticks & buttons go is removable. So I decided to do the same for my cab. Originally I was gonna have just 1 set of controls permanently mounted. Won't need to be the case anymore. I want to have a couple different control panel for different style games. Sanwa stuff for Street Fighter, Happ for Mortal Kombat (with mk art), neo geo will have its own control panel...etc. And it gives people who come over to play some options if they prefer one over the other. I personally dont care as long as I can play.

The main control panel section is gonna be bolted to the main body of the cab. But the actual player panel section will be mounted with magnets. That way they won't shift around as we play, but a good tug will remove it easily. And I won't have to worry about unscrewing and screwing down a control panel a lot, wearing out grip of the screw holes.

For the main body, I'm gonna buy an access panel door. There's a website I found that had some different styles and were pretty cost effective. I'm also gonna have a coin door. Just because I want one. I know its not on the original vewlix design....but I want one so....yeah. And there will be xbox 360 and PC in the cab. I only have room for 1 cab in the apartment, so I need to make this bad boy do everything I can for now. Otherwise I'd be starting a MK 1 style cab also.

Here's the site for the access door I'm thinking about:
http://www.proproductssales.com/

Not sure I can build an access panel door properly, but I may have to with the hole already cut in the front of the cab for it. Didn't plan properly for it. 

Its gonna be a week or so before I can really start the wood working. But in the mean time Im gonna try to get my designs scanned and show what I plan on doing. See if you guys think its a good idea or not.

[donnie1979]

Think its a great idea! all my friends played mk,ki so i just can use the HAPP controls but i like the idea that you have on changing cp's so people can play with controls that they preffer, i will keep my eye on this thread love to see how it comes out.

[Gatsu]

So I had a talk with my father about the condition may cabinet parts were in after I left them in his garage for a while last year. Didn't end well. Keep in mind they were wrapped up in a tarp, and placed in a corner of his shop out of the way. Its a pretty big shop. Its a tarp that I paid for, and all of tools & bits I purchased were placed inside the cab for safe keeping.

Since the weather was cooling down, I decided to go back out to my dad's place and start some prep work to begin working on the cab again. So I peek in the garage.

Tarp was removed, my tools & bits scattered all over the place, and oil/grease covered parts and tools were laying all over my cab parts. Some parts of the control panel were being used to hold up parts of board he was cutting for something else. And to top it all off, the tarp I had bought was ripped and tossed in the garbage.

So being the level-headed individual I am, I dumped every container, toolbox and whatever else I could find all around the garage. A hurricane hit that place. All I asked was that he respected my parts and if he needed anything, feel free to use it, just put it back how you found it. I extended far beyond the same courtesy when I was using the space for building. Vacuumed up all the sawdust, organized tools and keep the floors cleared. Why is it so hard to not put sh#t on my cabinet? He has shelves ontop of shelves in there.

Needless to say. The parts are beyond saving now. And the project is dead. I might start another project in a year or so. But all the time and effort put into this project, to have it treated like garbage. Just couldn't take it.

[opt2not]

:'(

[Nephasth]

Sorry for your loss.

[SNAAKE]

http://www.kraylixarcade.com/

[taylormadelv]

   Wow that is really, really sad. I am sorry for your loss.

[emphatic]

RIP poor cabinet.