Small Pinball cab (27" / 19" / 7") ***Now NOT named DigiPin***

[swaffar]

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE TO THE UPDATE:
I'm officially scrapping the artwork and possibly theme/name I came up with over a year ago.  It no longer pleases me.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE:
I've had about five people ask me for plans so I uploaded my sketchup file to MediaFire.  You'll need to learn sketchup if you don't already know your way around it... But I hope this helps you guys out!
You can find the file here: DigiPin plans



UPDATE:
I've been getting lots of questions about this build so I've decided to update this first post to list all parts used.

PC:
Motherboard: MSI 880GM-E41 AMD 880G
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition
CPU Fan: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler
GFX card: EVGA GeForce GTX 460
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro Power Supply - 600-Watt
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600MHz
HDD: Crucial m4 64GB SSD

Cabinet:
Wood: 3/4" (19mm) MDF
Backglass screen: NEC 1970NX 19" LCD Monitor - 1280 x 1024
DMD screen: Mimo 710s 7" USB Monitor  **I recommend using a 720s model for Windows 7 compatibility!** (mimomonitors.com)
Playfield screen: Acer H274HL 27" LED Monitor - 1920 x 1080
Speakers: Pioneer 4" 110W Car Speakers
Subwoofer: Cyber Acoustics 2.1 Computer Speakers with Subwoofer and Desktop Control Pod (CA-3090)
Lockdown bar: Custom 15" VirtuaPin Lockdown Bar (virtuapin.net)
Power Strip: BITS Limited SCG5 Smart Strip
Legs: 28-1/2" Smooth Black Legs set of 4
Leg bolt plate Data East /Sega/Stern set of 4
Leg leveler - 2-1/2" E-Z Glider set of 4
Leg bolt 3/8-16 x 2-3/4 set of 8 (marcospecialties.com)
Plunger: VirtuaPin Digital Plunger Kit (http://virtuapin.net)
Buttons: 2" Red Launch Ball Button, Start Button, Extra Ball Button (marcospecialties.com)
Goldleaf Pushbuttons (ultimarc.com)
NovaGemCDR Coin Drop Replacement Pushbutton (groovygamegear.com)
Lights: Vollong 3W RGB High Power LED (superbrightleds.com)
Clear Domes with screw tabs (marcospecialties.com)
DC 24V 10A 250W Switch Power Supply (ebay)
2X 22 LED Car White Flashing Grill Strobe (ebay)
Controllers: I-PAC 2  32-port USB Keyboard Encoder (ultimarc.com)
LED-Wiz 32-port USB Lighting and Output Controller (groovygamegear.com)
LED-Wiz Booster Board (zebulon at vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=18203)

Tools:
Tablesaw
Router (9/16" straight bit  &  1/4'' Radius x 1/2'' High Roundover bit)
Powerdrill (1"  &  3-1/4" forstner bits for pushbutton, fan, and speaker holes, 3/8" bit for leg bot holes)

=========================================================================

After years of trolling various forums (but mostly this one) I've finally decided to build a cab.  I first had this idea many years ago, but VP didn't support fullscreen tables.  That was back in the V6 days.  I sat back and followed the build threads religiously, and now I've finally bit the bullet.  I can't really call this a mini, but it's definitely not a full... more like 3/4.  One reason I'm not going full size is the fact I'm in the Air Force and stationed in Germany.  I'd rather not have to move a huge cabinet.  Also LCD screens are crazy expensive on the local economy (forget about LED) and USPS won't ship anything too big over here.  Then there's the fact that I don't like the idea of using a full sized monitor for the DMD.  It seems wasteful, but mostly I'd rather have a true backbox that I can fold down without half of a third monitor sticking out somewhere.  So I went the USB monitor route.  I picked up a 7" mimo on ebay for $85.  I was a little worried how it would look, but it's great.

First I had to teach myself sketchup... I wish I had this back when I build my arcade!  Photoshop, pen, and paper don't cut it.  I spent a good deal of time tinkering with this before buying MDF and making the first cut.





















Spent some serious cash at Tigerdirect...

...only to immediately void the warranties.







Here's what I accomplished on Saturday.  Too bad I got a late start and Germans aren't very friendly to power tools on Sundays.  Polizei get involved.





While I continue my build I have a few things to sort out:
I'm not sure if/when I'll go the flasher/solenoid route.  I think the Cree LEDs might be too bright for the size of my cab.  The top of the backbox will be more eye-level than a normal cab and I understand those things are ridiculously bright.  I'm still kicking around the idea of using groovygamegear's RGB LEDs.  I know they're weaker, but they might fit my medium cab better.  What do you guys think?

I'd definitely like to put some siemens relays in for flipper/bumper/kicker feedback but we'll see.  I do know that I'm not interested in a shaker or motor.

Lockdown bar... The one thing I don't like about non full-sized cabs is the lockdown bar.  I don't want something that looks cheap or unauthentic.  I might have to try my hand at making one from wood and spend the time to sand, paint, sand, paint it to perfection.  I doubt anyone local could make a metal one that would please me.  I may go with one from ArcadesRFun.  Does anyone know how deep their bars are?  I see 3" on their post, but I think they're talking about depth over the glass, not the face of the cab.  I'll need 1 1/2" over the front of my cab.

I'm also undecided on a theme.  If I could get Big Bang Bar art printed to fit my cab, maybe... but I'm still trying to decide if I wanna Photoshop something original up.

[AlienInferno]

Nice job so far.  I really want to build one of these as well but my wife can't warrent me spending the money for 3 new screens at the moment.  She did say she wants a real pinball machine though so that good I guess.  Keep us updated.

[swaffar]

[kahlid74]

Looks great so far man!  Love the style and pretty straightforward design.

[BobA]

Nice clean build.   You are making great progress.   

[Louis Tully]

.

[swaffar]

Backbox partially finished.  Still waiting on more buttons.

[elkameleon]

I hate you. (read: Jealous)

[swaffar]

don't be... just go out and make yourself one.  i have almost zero woodworking experience; if i can do it, anyone can.

[elkameleon]

Its not the woodworking, its the project cost... I still have two projects unfinished as of right now, and I want to do this one next

[racecar]

Looks GREAT!!

How much would you reckon it would cost to build one of these?

Any there plenty of tables you can get to play on these, Are they hard to resize?

Wouldnt mind having one next to my EM pinball

[wol-nz]

Awesome I love these projects - plenty of pics please

[dams511]

Sehr schone !!!!!
Very nice job !! 

[swaffar]

Looks GREAT!!

How much would you reckon it would cost to build one of these?

Any there plenty of tables you can get to play on these, Are they hard to resize?

Wouldnt mind having one next to my EM pinball

well this is going to end up costing about $2000, but it could be done for about half that.  i'm using three screens, could have used just two.  could have used just buttons instead of a plunger.  could have made my own legs.  could have not spent the $$$ on an LEDWiz.  could have not spent $$$ on a power supply, driver card, and lawn mower solenoids for force feedback....  i'm not sparing many expenses.  and i still have to have artwork printed.  so yeah, it could be done for $1000

also, check this site out
http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?automodule=downloads&req=search&cmd=browse&cat=23&letter=all&sort_key=f_name&sort_by=A-Z&pp=25

[GIZMOGAMES]

REALLY NICE PROJECT SO FAR LOOKING GREAT ARE YOU GOING TO INCORPERATE A BUMPBAR ON THE FRONT ??

sorry for caps had to drag out the philestine kboard the other seems to need a overhaul so ya about the bumpbar lol i would think its on yr to do list   and have you decided on artwork yet ?
ill throw this out there if you havent thought about it
bumpbar idea 3 of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/one-micro-switch-very-small-momentary-off-/160800324524?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item2570723bac
and a lenth of http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Extruded-Angle-20mm-x-20mm-x-1000mm-Offcuts-Clear-/260973389495?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item3cc339e6b7
and some hi sprung springs x 3 that way you could place a momentary switch in the middle and left and right side

I think youve probably thought about that tho lol
keep up the great workmanship m8 and look forward to the updates  

[swaffar]

@GIZMO:  i'm waiting on a reply from a guy who sells custom made "lockdown" bars.  but he seems to be flaky as it's been 2 weeks and nothing back from him.  however he is on ebay with a high rating so i'm hoping he's on vacation (holiday to the rest of the world)
wait... by bumpbar do you mean nudge?  i'm going to use a microsoft sidewinder controller that has accelerometers (much like a wii controller)  i'll use that for nudges.

and i think i'll hold out on hinges until i'm sure i can't have custom ones made.

more progress...






Router bit started to smoke towards the end!

[not_so_handy]

that is looking good!

I cant wait to see this thing finished.

[SteveR]

Wow, very nice. I'd like to build something like this one day. I love to play pinball but don't care a thing for having a room full of original machines.

[swaffar]

Thanks for the comments.  I'm just glad my routing came out as well as it did.  Measure twice, cut once.

@pinballjim: I get moved around more often than most people (I'm active duty Air Force)  so I'd rather have it hinged if I can.

[swaffar]

I know but I'm picky... I might just end up doing that anyway though.  I'll probably just fill in the holes I made, hinge the back and bolt it down.

[swaffar]

More parts in today!!!

[GIZMOGAMES]

yes m8 i was refering to the nudge area will be good to see how you do that now i really need to stop reading and get writing my hello and such for my project announcement ok one more coffee and ooh look updates lol

[swaffar]

Maybe??? I'm still undecided.

[elkameleon]

Why is your playfield so flat?

[Silas (son of Silas)]

Why is your playfield so flat?

It's not a real playfield. It's an LCD computer monitor and they tend to be pretty flat (unlike their CRT counterparts) 

[swaffar]

I think he's asking why don't I keep it at the same angle as the sides of the cabinet.  I'm going to put RGB LED's on the panel between the back of the playfield and the DMD/speaker grill.  I just didn't make them in sketchup.

[swaffar]

Oh... almost forgot.  Progress:
Good progress today... mostly finished my DMD grill.  Everything fit without a millimeter to spare.  Literally.  The speakers are both flush with the sides of the grill, and the DMD display is flush with both speakers.

















I still need to countersink the speakers and bevel the holes in the front, but I'll do that later.  I just needed to make sure everything would fit.  *sight of relief*

[swaffar]

I know, I know... but I have sticktoitivness.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

<English humour>

Why is your playfield so flat?

It's not a real playfield. It's an LCD computer monitor and they tend to be pretty flat (unlike their CRT counterparts) 

</English humour>

Ahhh welll 

[yotsuya]

Your Backbox/DMD = 

[swaffar]

<English humour>

Why is your playfield so flat?

It's not a real playfield. It's an LCD computer monitor and they tend to be pretty flat (unlike their CRT counterparts) 

</English humour>

Ahhh welll 

I'm not dense... I just figured people might not be in the know as this isn't a dedicated pincab forum like the hyperspin-fe forums.  It's an ongoing debate as to which is better looking; inclined or flat.  Although after re-reading it, yes I look the fool.

[swaffar]

It lives...

[elkameleon]

how are you feeding the video signal to the little portable lcd screen?

[GIZMOGAMES]

hey i just had a thought looking at your original plans and such theres a cheaper alternative to $75 for a set of hingebars

go and recut the sidepanels only this time add the angled hingebar into the design ie do it all in one cut then just sand the inside edges so you dont get RUB on your artwork then use coachbolts and washers also you could add some small art to these extra bits
Option 2 : make it so the top box slots into the back part giving you a plug and play back again use some coach bolts wingnuts so you can remove for transport if thats the idea either way you can keep this moving as you are and OMG did i mention how cool the speaker/score lcd looks great router work and the above wouldnt cost more than about 10/20 at worst

[swaffar]

how are you feeding the video signal to the little portable lcd screen?

it's a 7" mimo usb monitor.  it's powered and receives video all over USB.  i'm very impressed with it.

hey i just had a thought looking at your original plans and such theres a cheaper alternative to $75 for a set of hingebars

go and recut the sidepanels only this time add the angled hingebar into the design ie do it all in one cut then just sand the inside edges so you dont get RUB on your artwork then use coachbolts and washers also you could add some small art to these extra bits
Option 2 : make it so the top box slots into the back part giving you a plug and play back again use some coach bolts wingnuts so you can remove for transport if thats the idea either way you can keep this moving as you are and OMG did i mention how cool the speaker/score lcd looks great router work and the above wouldnt cost more than about 10/20 at worst

that's what i planned to do (as you saw in the sketchup) but my crapsman saber saw had other plans.  i was trying to cut the hinge part and the thing kept fighting me.  it REFUSED to cut a straight line.  i clamped down a guide and the blade insisted on veering into the guide, almost to the point of breaking off.  then i realized the chuck held the blade at something like a five degree angle.  it's one of those skill saws with the quick release chuck... nothing could be done about it.  so i smashed it to pieces.  that made me feel a little better.

i live in germany and i'm not gonna drop the coin on a 220v power tool i'll only be able to use for the next year and i'm not going to buy any more power tools online.

[GIZMOGAMES]

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha thanks for my chuckle of the day know it well actually i have a friend in germany works in a steel factory let me make and ask him its gotta be local at least and easier I always had one saying thats always stuck in my mind
In this crazy world we live in ITS not what you know its who you know that gets jobs done
if you can send me some measurements in a PM ill see what he can do

[elkameleon]

how are you feeding the video signal to the little portable lcd screen?

it's a 7" mimo usb monitor.  it's powered and receives video all over USB.  i'm very impressed with it.

This one?
http://www.mimomonitors.com/products/mimo-720-f-flex-screen-mountable-touchscreen-usb-monitor

[rockyrocket]

Nice build buddy.
So I have a more "midi" sized cab  (32" playfield) and was going to make some back box hinges out of black plexi.
The plan was to make a wooded template then cut the pieces with a router and then put the bends in with a heat gun, but down the line i decided that more viewable art work was more important to me than the hinge.
What are you planning to use for side rails?, i went with some small steel L pieces from the local hardware store then just sanded until shiny(need a nice round bend for comfort).
Also as for the custom lockbars on the other forum that is where mine came from, although again it still needs a sand and polish.

[rockyrocket]

how are you feeding the video signal to the little portable lcd screen?

it's a 7" mimo usb monitor.  it's powered and receives video all over USB.  i'm very impressed with it.

This one?
http://www.mimomonitors.com/products/mimo-720-f-flex-screen-mountable-touchscreen-usb-monitor

Ha, you posted this as i was writing the last comment.
So I have one of the mimo screens in a build of mine, and to be honest it was second hand on eBay but at first it worked perfectly then two weeks in it died! no signs of life at all.
Just thought i would add my experience with them, but i have no clue as to the units usual long term reliability.

[swaffar]

how are you feeding the video signal to the little portable lcd screen?

it's a 7" mimo usb monitor.  it's powered and receives video all over USB.  i'm very impressed with it.

This one?
http://www.mimomonitors.com/products/mimo-720-f-flex-screen-mountable-touchscreen-usb-monitor

I have that make, but not that model... They make a non-touch screen version that retails for something like $120, but I found mine on ebay for $85 buy it now.  Like I said, I'm really pleased with it.  I'll post better pics later so you guys can see.  I'll be sure to post pics of something other than an ugly DMD so you have an idea as to color quality.  Back to work.