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

[swaffar]

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.

Thanks
I'm not getting siderails for two reasons.  The dimensions are too long to have them shipped to my APO address here in Germany, and I'd feel like I was wasting them by chopping them down so far.  I'm using black T-molding on the siderails and it looks just fine.  Still working on hinges.

[swaffar]

[yotsuya]

Is the plunger just for show, or are you going make it functional?

[swaffar]

It's functional.  It's an actual plunger but the shaft is enclosed in a tube with an optical sensor installed in the back.

[Santoro]

Superb router skills.. can't wait to see this done!

[Pinball Wizard]

I think this just hit my list of projects to do....

[lcmgadgets]

SWEET! I discovered vr pinball only a few months ago, but, amazingly, didn't realize anyone was building cabs for it until only a couple weeks ago. Now I want one. Yours looks fantastic, & the build seems to have gone very well. Good luck, & keep us posted.

[swaffar]

As always, thanks for all the comments.  I'd properly respond, but I'm about to leave for work.

Sadly, the coin door is a bit larger than the site advertised (I think.)    I should be able to cut a new front panel and move buttons/plunger around just enough to make it fit.

[GIZMOGAMES]

WoW nice additions
where did you get the coindoor from ?

[Woodshop Flunky]

I think this just hit my list of projects to do....

+1 This this is just outstanding!!  

Love the size!  I'm definitely going to want one of these!

Now... how to convince the wife!?   

[swaffar]

WoW nice additions
where did you get the coindoor from ?

I got it from ultimarc.com
I just checked the site out and now I see my problem... "COIN DOOR: Finished in black Hammerite. fits an aperture 8.5 inches wide X 7.5 inches tall."
That's the measurement for the hole, not for then entire coin door and frame.

I'll just get a new sheet of MDF for the front, move the plunger and start/extra ball buttons further out, and it should squeeze in there.  I started to move things around in sketchup, and I'm pretty sure it'll work, but I might have to route the insides of the side panels so that the plastic nuts for the pushbuttons fit.

[swaffar]

WoW nice additions
where did you get the coindoor from ?

I got it from ultimarc.com
I just checked the site out and now I see my problem... "COIN DOOR: Finished in black Hammerite. fits an aperture 8.5 inches wide X 7.5 inches tall."
That's the measurement for the hole, not for then entire coin door and frame.

I'll just get a new sheet of MDF for the front, move the plunger and start/extra ball buttons further out, and it should squeeze in there.  I started to move things around in sketchup, and I'm pretty sure it'll work, but I might have to route the insides of the side panels so that the plastic nuts for the pushbuttons fit.

Thanks.  As for the wife, I'm not sure, but you might try jewelry?

[emphatic]

Wow, this is incredibly well thought out and executed! 

[swaffar]

[Le Chuck]

This is going together beautifully.  Keep it up 

[Santoro]

^What he said.

[swaffar]

I try.

[Woodshop Flunky]

Thanks.  As for the wife, I'm not sure, but you might try jewelry?

I showed my wife your build, and she loves it!  She said she wants me to make one for our youngest boy... he's only two now, so it may take a year or two.

Anyhow, can't wait to see this one done. 

[swaffar]

I showed my wife your build, and she loves it!  She said she wants me to make one for our youngest boy... he's only two now, so it may take a year or two.

Anyhow, can't wait to see this one done. 

Glad to hear I could help persuade her.  And I loved your build.  I remember following it back when it was still active.  It's a great build, but I mostly liked your original artwork.

[swaffar]

The smallest bit of progress before work today.

[swaffar]

I've been thinking about my theme/artwork and as much as I love the Big Bag Bar artwork, I've put too much effort into this cab to simply copy some else's work.  Here's what I've come up with over the last two days.  It's only my first version, but I'm pretty happy with it.  Let me know what you guys think.

My five pieces of art total 1.27 GB.... It's too bad I don't know Illustrator at all.  Gotta stick to what you know. 

[swaffar]

Wow... no responses on the artwork? 

Time to figure out the back of the playfield...  I don't want to mount the LED domes on the front so I'll take the time to make it pretty.
I had to cut this piece twice as I screwed the first one up.  I had to drill almost all the way down using a 35mm forstner, then the last bit with a 30mm, then sand.  Otherwise there was too much of a gap around my domes.






An hour into work I realized I have a problem.  If I ever want to slide the playfield out, I'll need to make disconnects for my LEDs and backbox... This was a major oversight on my part.  The backbox will be easy enough; I'll just get DVI, USB, audio, and Molex extensions for a quick disconnect behind the playfield screen.  For the RGBs I can either wait a week to receive some sub-D connectors from allelectronics or I can simply make them removable...  I'll make them removable.  To keep the RGB LEDs from getting too hot I'll take the advice of some other folk here and use a strip of aluminum.  I cut a slot so the bar could just hold itself in.




But now I also have to trim my domes.






Some thermal grease should keep the LEDs cool, and some plastic washers should keep them from shorting out.








I'm glad I took my time with this piece.






I also cut some holes for my fans.  I deviated a bit from my plans as far as the fan placement goes, but only to allow for a few more if need be. What do you guys think? Will these four fans move enough air through my cab? How about my backbox?  I still need to cut exhaust holes along the top of the backbox, but I ran out of daylight. 

[DrArcade]

I personally love the art, and like the explination of the steps on how you got there.! 

What are the three domes for?

Dr Arcade

[swaffar]

They house the LEDs.  They'll be scripted to flash in sync with the pinball tables.

[AlienInferno]

Nice job man.  Think I'm going to have to make me a pin as a project next year.  As much as I would like a full size the smaller size just might make the wife happier.  Plus it will be cheaper on TV screens.  That's my biggest hurdle is dropping the cash on either three TV's/Monitors or two TV's and a DMD.  That is unless they drop a little more in price by then.

Keep it up.    

[swaffar]

Just FYI... the Mimo screen looks great, but the model I got doesn't like to work with Windows 7.  It's a UM-710S I found on ebay for $85.  I had to try several different driver versions til I found one that worked, but then I discovered my tables ran too slow in 7 so I installed XP.  I understand that all the newer models work just fine in win 7.

[Drnick]

Very nice job.  As for the artwork, also a good job, but I am not sure about the rendered Pin/Flippers.  To be honest I would have gone with number 6 or number 7.  Probably number 6.   There is something about the angling/positioning of the Pin & Flippers that just looks off to me, it doesn't look flat like the topper art, In fact it looks like it creates an outward bulge.   

[swaffar]

Well, I originally had the inlanes and slingshots in positioned like they would be, but that didn't leave any space for my DigiPin logo.  Without the flippers it looked too naked.

[lcmgadgets]

Wow... no responses on the artwork?

Probably because there's nothing to criticize. I think it looks great.

Are those goldleaf push buttons I c? I've bought a mess of them, but haven't tried them yet (no cab, & I  don't want to build something temporary to test them out--I suspect I'd never get the cab built after that).

Great work. Keep up the posting!

[swaffar]

Wow... no responses on the artwork?

Probably because there's nothing to criticize. I think it looks great.

Are those goldleaf push buttons I c? I've bought a mess of them, but haven't tried them yet (no cab, & I  don't want to build something temporary to test them out--I suspect I'd never get the cab built after that).

Great work. Keep up the posting!

Thanks.  I'll probably come up with a second idea anyway... just to see if I like it.  Maybe "PinHead"?   Son of PinBOT?  PinBOT Jr.

Yeah, they're goldleaf buttons.  They feel right and are pretty quite.  I couldn’t have used microswitch buttons even if I wanted to because they would have intersected with my plunger.

[yotsuya]

I'm not sure I'm digging the pin on the side showing the inside of the cab. If that were the case, why not put an acrylic window on the side and show the real insides? 

[swaffar]

I thought about that before I even began the build.  It seemed really cool in my head, but looked too crazy in sketchup.

[swaffar]

I was asked for these a few days ago, but got sidetracked.  Hope these can be of some help.

Full size backbox plans


Full size cabinet plans

[wol-nz]

hey there swaffar - i'm very much loving this build... can you let me know what buttons you have.
I'm trying to keep my build similar to yours but i'm unsure of the buttons to add.

Currently i have
Left/right paddle - mapping shift keys
left/right tilt - mapping z and /


launch ball mapping ENTER (or can this be the same as start button)
start - mapping 1??
coin - mapping 5

I see you have an extra ball button and space for one other. (what's that going to be)
Is there any other hidden buttons for other pinball needs?
Cheers

[swaffar]

I haven't started mapping anything yet, but that's the least of my worries.  As far as physical buttons go...  I'll have left/right flipper, left/right tilt, launch ball, start game, extra ball, and i'll have a button for menu.  I'm also installing an old microsoft controller that has accelerometers so I can physically nudge.

I'll be using FPLaunch so I don't need separate buttons for all the other in-menu features.

I'm not too knowledgeable on all the pinball machines out there, but a few do have more buttons than just flipper buttons.... Some games have a magna save button and I know the Shadow has a second side button to control an object on the playfield.  But this should be able to play most games.  River Boat Gambler is probably the only one that I won't be able to play because it has red, black, green, and pass buttons on the lockdown bar.  But I'll figure out a way to play that one as well because that table looks interesting.

[Dawgz Rule]

Awesome build.  Nice attention to detail.

[PL1]

I'll have left/right flipper, left/right tilt, launch ball, start game, extra ball, and i'll have a button for menu.  I'm also installing an old microsoft controller that has accelerometers so I can physically nudge.
...
Some games have a magna save button and I know the Shadow has a second side button to control an object on the playfield. 

In addition to the standard L/R flippers and L/R Magnasave you mentioned, some tables have separate upper L/R flipper controls like the Family Guy table with Stewie's playfield.  The good news is that I can't think of any tables that use both the upper flippers and Magnasave.  You could probably just wire left-upper-flipper and left-Magnasave together and trigger both keypresses ("A" and "L-Ctrl") with one button. Same on the right. (Apostrophe and "R-Ctrl")

I understand why you might want both left/right tilt nudge buttons and a controller with accelerometers for nudging.  Some people find that the accelerometers can be a real pain to use for nudging due to sensitivity or calibration issues. (UHID-G fine-tuning can be quite the experience.)  A plumb-bob nudge might be a good alternative.

Instead of the usual 3 nudge buttons (L/R/Up), you take the lower bracket, cut it into 3 pieces (left, right, and front), wire them to the button inputs and mount them on a piece of wood or plexi.  Upper bracket is tied to ground so when you nudge the cab, the bob swings and closes the circuit.  You can adjust sensitivity by adjusting the height of the bob.

Here are several examples of plumb bob nudge assemblies:
http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?10895-Cab-nudging-with-tilt-bobs-filter-double-presses-with-ahk-script&p=112149#post112149

http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=19365&hl=plumb (First post, second pic)


Scott

EDIT: Just realized that when I posted in this thread, I forgot to attach the diagram for how to wire P1B1 and P2B1 in parallel to one button for left upper flipper/Magnasave while still allowing them to operate independently.



My apologies if this has caused any frustration or difficulties.   

[drventure]

I used mercury switches slightly angled for nudge switches. They seem to work pretty good for that, and they take up a lot less space that a plumb bob. But the plumb is pretty cool looking

[swaffar]

After waiting six weeks I finally received my Sears.com order and now I can bevel with my router.  I decided to redo my speaker/DMD grill from scratch.  It's only a small update, but I'm still waiting on my custom lockdown bar.  I have to wait on the bar before I can place my glass over the playfield.  After I route the tracks for the glass I can paint, then wire everything up, and I'll be more or less finished.  I still haven't decided on the art.  I'll probably redo that from scratch as well... totally different theme/design.

The hole I cut for the DMD on the first grill was a little too tall.  This one is closer to the DMD size of more current machines.



Nice and beveled.



I moved the speakers in a few millimeters.  Now the speakers hold the DMD monitor in place.  I know it doesn't look like it, but it's very snug.

[swaffar]

I'll have left/right flipper, left/right tilt, launch ball, start game, extra ball, and i'll have a button for menu.  I'm also installing an old microsoft controller that has accelerometers so I can physically nudge.
...
Some games have a magna save button and I know the Shadow has a second side button to control an object on the playfield. 

In addition to the standard L/R flippers and L/R Magnasave you mentioned, some tables have separate upper L/R flipper controls like the Family Guy table with Stewie's playfield.  The good news is that I can't think of any tables that use both the upper flippers and Magnasave.  You could probably just wire left-upper-flipper and left-Magnasave together and trigger both keypresses ("A" and "L-Ctrl") with one button. Same on the right. (Apostrophe and "R-Ctrl")

I understand why you might want both left/right tilt nudge buttons and a controller with accelerometers for nudging.  Some people find that the accelerometers can be a real pain to use for nudging due to sensitivity or calibration issues. (UHID-G fine-tuning can be quite the experience.)  A plumb-bob nudge might be a good alternative.

Instead of the usual 3 nudge buttons (L/R/Up), you take the lower bracket, cut it into 3 pieces (left, right, and front), wire them to the button inputs and mount them on a piece of wood or plexi.  Upper bracket is tied to ground so when you nudge the cab, the bob swings and closes the circuit.  You can adjust sensitivity by adjusting the height of the bob.

Here are several examples of plumb bob nudge assemblies:
http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?10895-Cab-nudging-with-tilt-bobs-filter-double-presses-with-ahk-script&p=112149#post112149

http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=19365&hl=plumb (First post, second pic)


Scott

Thanks for the input, but I decided against a plum bob or mercury switches a long time ago.  Many people agree that the old microsoft sidewinder controller works best.