ECHO BASE - (11/28/12 Complete, Files Available)

[DrChek]

After doing two small scale builds to get my feet wet (see my MiniCade and The Spike) I'm ready to jump in with a full-sized, two player upright cabinet.

ECHO BASE Features:

• Classic cabinet shape based on a modified Williams design
• 3/4" MDF construction
• Dimensions:
• Control Panel Width: 25"
• Overall Height: 70"
• Overall Depth: 31 1/2"
• 24" Sony WEGA TV tube fed via component input
• Painted white sides and black interior
• Light blue t-molding
• TinyXP system running:
• Frontend: Mala with custom layout
• Emulators:
• MAME
• Daphne
• Possibly NES, SNES, and Genesis
• Two player controls:
• Ultra Stik 360 joystick
• Six Gold Leaf player buttons each
• 3" U-Trac Trackball
• Coin door modified to accept quarters or give credits via the reject buttons

Artwork Preview:

The main design idea is to keep everything as classic looking as possible. I want this machine to look like it could have actually been a real arcade machine from the early 80's. I've always loved the look of the Moon Patrol cabinet; to me it is the epitome of the classic arcade look. I modified the measurements to allow the use of the 24" TV, while trying to minimize the width of the cabinet so that it would fit through a standard 30" door easily.

The artwork was all hand done by me. Again, I wanted the classic look of flat fills that typifies the artwork of the golden age games. My main inspiration for the side art was the fantastic Xevious art. The control panel overlay was inspired by the Asteroids Deluxe control panel and the marquee is obviously a variation of the classic Star Wars marquee.

EDIT: The sketchup file for the cabinet is available here. Artwork files are attached to this post (links below).

[DrChek]

Materials & Price List:

Item                   Price   QTY Total   
3/4" MDF               $33.00  3   $99.00   
2x4                    $3.00   1   $3.00   
2x2                    $1.50   2   $3.00   
T-Molding              $0.49   40  $19.60   
Spray Paint            $3.67   1   $3.67   
Control Panel Clamps   $1.25   2   $2.50   
Casters                $4.99   2   $9.98   
Coin Door              $28.39  1   $28.39   
Coin Door Bolts        $2.79   1   $2.79   
Barrel Lock            $1.89   2   $3.78   
Handles                $1.69   2   $3.38   
Piano Hinge            $9.00   1   $9.00   
Pushbuttons            $1.95   17  $33.15   
Joysticks              $59.00  2   $118.00     
Wiring Harness         $8.00   2   $16.00   
Mounting Hardware      $8.00   2   $16.00   
3" U-Trak Trackball    $79.00  1   $79.00   
3" Trackball USB       $14.00  1   $14.00   
Black Ball Tops        $2.75   2   $5.50   
Connectors             $6.19   1   $6.19   
Wire                   $8.29   1   $8.29   
Cable Ties             $3.97   1   $3.97   
Standoffs              $1.76   1   $1.76   
Coin Reject Buttons    $4.99   2   $9.98   
LED Holders            $1.29   2   $2.58   
Coin LEDs              $1.49   2   $2.98   
24" TV                 $60.00  1   $60.00   
Computer*              $0.00   1   $0.00   
Video Card             $30.00  1   $30.00   
Audio*                 $0.00   1   $0.00   
Vent Mesh*             $0.00   1   $0.00   
Smart Strip            $21.00  1   $21.00   
Art - Marquee          $42.00  1   $42.00   
Art - Sides            $31.00  1   $31.00   
Art - CPO              $43.00  1   $43.00   
Marquee Light*         $0.00   1   $0.00   
Marquee Retainers      $8.00   1   $8.00   
Slot Cutter  *         $0.00   1   $0.00   
Flush Cutter*          $0.00   1   $0.00   
Roundover Bits         $20.00  1   $20.00   
3 1/4" Hole Saw        $16.00  1   $16.00
Paint                  $76.00  1   $76.00
Smoked Plexi           $41.17  1   $41.17
Matteboard             $9.00   1   $9.00
Connectors             $6.29   1   $6.19
Wire                   $8.29   1   $8.29
AC Power Jack          $1.59   1   $1.59
Smart Strip            $21.00  1   $21.00

Grand Total             $906.75
* Item was free through either donation, salvage, or gift card purchase.

[DrChek]

[Nephasth]

I like the Asteroids inspired CP art!

[Le Chuck]

I've been waiting for this to kick off ever since your art thread. Good deal! 

[DrChek]

I've been waiting for this to kick off ever since your art thread.

Well, I haven't gotten wood yet ( ) so I guess some would say it hasn't yet kicked off, but I have started buying parts and since I got my coin door in yesterday I can start dropping quarters and there's no turning back now! 

[mgb]

I like what I'm seeing so far.

[wp34]

The main design idea is to keep everything as classic looking as possible. I want this machine to look like it could have actually been a real arcade machine from the early 80's.

You have done it.  This looks absolutely awesome and authentic.  Love the similarities to Asteroids.

[TGov]

That is all kinds of awesome.  I love the Williams cabinets too and considered a similar design....I may have to revisit it.   The artwork is stunning!  Would you consider making it available to other people to use on their build? 

[DrChek]

That is all kinds of awesome.  I love the Williams cabinets too and considered a similar design....I may have to revisit it.   The artwork is stunning!  Would you consider making it available to other people to use on their build?

Once I'm done I do plan on making the Sketchup plans and art assets available.

[TGov]

Awesome, thanks for that!  You might have changed my mind on what I want to do with my next build.

[lordnacho]

The main design idea is to keep everything as classic looking as possible. I want this machine to look like it could have actually been a real arcade machine from the early 80's.

This is the first thing I thought when I saw the photos before reading.  I like.

[vanrose72]

The main design idea is to keep everything as classic looking as possible. I want this machine to look like it could have actually been a real arcade machine from the early 80's.

This is the first thing I thought when I saw the photos before reading.  I like.

I thought exactly the same thing before I read about the main design idea. This hits the mark. Great artwork!

[DrChek]

In keeping with the "actual arcade game" design theme I wanted to have an operational coin door. After some searching and waiting I found a two player door on eBay for $28 shipped. It is a Coin Controls/Wells-Gardner door and has two functioning mechs. The only issues were a few scrapes on the face, missing lock and lamp holders, and the reject buttons being two different colors and labeled for 50¢.

This is what it looked like when it arrived a few days ago:

Replacement coin rejects, LED lights, lamp holders, a barrel lock and a set of new mounting bolts have been ordered and are on their way. Last night I stripped the door down and applied a few coats of black spray paint to cover the scratches and it looks great.

A buddy of mine is an elevator mechanic and is bringing me two microswitches to allow the coin rejects to be used to get credits in MAME. Now I just need to figure out how to mount the switches to the existing mechs.

[Gaaargh]

Love it!

[javeryh]

A buddy of mine is an elevator mechanic and is bringing me two microswitches to allow the coin rejects to be used to get credits in MAME. Now I just need to figure out how to mount the switches to the existing mechs.

There are a couple of ways to do this.  Here's my solution:

[DrChek]

Is that hot glue? That was the first idea that came to mind. That or Gorilla Glue.

A buddy of mine is an elevator mechanic and is bringing me two microswitches to allow the coin rejects to be used to get credits in MAME. Now I just need to figure out how to mount the switches to the existing mechs.

There are a couple of ways to do this.  Here's my solution:
...

[javeryh]

It's gorilla glue.  It's rock solid.

[TGov]

After heading down to our classic arcade here in town this evening and playing several Williams games, I have decided that they are about the most comfortable cab to play on.  I like the CP being higher up and I didn't tire out playing a solid hour of Moon Patrol and Joust back to back  

I am definitely leaning toward this design but I might extend the CP out a little bit towards the player to give some more room for a spinner.

Keep it up, I am really anxious to see how this one turns out.

[ChadTower]

It's gorilla glue.  It's rock solid.

Hopefully that switch will stand up in home use.  They're consumable parts that do wear out. 


Love this project.  The theme and art are awesome.

[javeryh]

It's gorilla glue.  It's rock solid.

Hopefully that switch will stand up in home use.  They're consumable parts that do wear out. 

It should... I think.  In hindsight I should have screwed the switch in place and only used the glue on the spacer.  I'm pretty sure if I had to do anything to fix it I'd be able to work something out though...

[Le Chuck]

Depends on how you glued it but you should be able to open the case and change the worn out components out with a donor switch.  I wouldn't worry about it.  The worst that happens is you take a chisel to it and glue a new one on.  This isn't brain rocketry. 

[Sparkolicious]

This is an AWESOME project!! 

[DrChek]

Got my replacement parts in for the coin door and put it all back together.

I also got the reject switches placed for adding credits in MAME. On my mechs the best way to do it was to mount the switch up against the reject mech arm so that the switch is normally pressed. As you press the reject button the arm swings down and away from the switch, unpressing it. Because of this reverse action of the switch I will need to wire these switches using the the NC or "Normally Closed" post instead of the usual way of using the NO or "Normally Open" post.

I also got my LED lamps mounted in place.

[ChadTower]

Let us know how that works out once it's in regular use.  Most of the time open switches like that have an arm that is pressed by the button and then the arm presses the switch.  It gives you more tolerance for movement of the parts over time, wear and tear, etc.

[DrChek]

So the button being in the default pressed state my lead to shorter life?

Let us know how that works out once it's in regular use.  Most of the time open switches like that have an arm that is pressed by the button and then the arm presses the switch.  It gives you more tolerance for movement of the parts over time, wear and tear, etc.

[ChadTower]

So the button being in the default pressed state my lead to shorter life?

Let us know how that works out once it's in regular use.  Most of the time open switches like that have an arm that is pressed by the button and then the arm presses the switch.  It gives you more tolerance for movement of the parts over time, wear and tear, etc.

Heh, that's not what I was saying.  I mean a microswitch that is mounted outside of a dedicated housing.  The depth of the button on that switch is so tiny that once there is a little wear on that return slide, or the glue gives a little bit on the switch mount, there is very little margin for slop.  A short hinged armature like this might buy him more forgiveness in the mechanism.

[DrChek]

Small update: Wired up the coin door and hooked it up temporarily to my mini cabinet, The Spike, to test. LED's are lit and I can add credits by either dropping a coin or pressing the reject button!

Now that that mini project is done I can't really do anything else until I start cutting wood so the next update should be a significant one.

[DrChek]

While I'm waiting for my controls to come in and construction to start I'm toying around with MaLa layout ideas. Both center around the idea of making the front end look like a classic game itself.

Option #1: 8-Bit Style

For this one I'd put the screenshot in the large display area of the X-Wing cockpit with basic operation instructions in the empty block above it. I have this one set up so that the star field in the background slowly pans down, adding a bit of motion.

Option #2: Classic Star Wars Vector Style

This one is less developed at this point, but since it has the vector style I won't be able to do screenshots. I was thinking of putting the basic instructions as text at the top in the same why that the original arcade game does with the "INSERT COIN" and "PULL TRIGGER..." messages.

Opinions on which I should pursue?

[yotsuya]

They're both actually really good, but my preference is for the second one, by just a bit.

[Le Chuck]

Change the background of Option 1 to an 8 bit Hoth and throw some AT-ATs coming over the hill like you have on the side art to tie it all together. 

[DrChek]

One thing that bothers me about #1 is that there were no x-wings in the Battle of Hoth. Unfortunately I don't have an 8-bit snowspeeder cockpit image.

[DrChek]

Change the background of Option 1 to an 8 bit Hoth and throw some AT-ATs coming over the hill like you have on the side art to tie it all together.

Not completely happy with it yet, but here is what I've got.

[shponglefan]

I'd probably go with the original Option #1.  IMHO, the Hoth background is too distracting.

Btw, nice project.  Will be keeping an eye on this one.

[Le Chuck]

I kinda like it.  The lettering seems to be throwing me off a bit, but you're on the right track I'd say

[PL1]

Looks like it will tie in very well with the sideart.

Maybe tweak the selected game color to red instead of green?

(I assume you already plan to have the DK screenshot area set to reflect the selected game screenshot.  )


Scott

[dfmaverick]

Maybe a mashup of the two?

[Le Chuck]

Maybe a mashup of the two?

Yech.  Vectorize the cockpit and you're onto something but as is I no likey. 

[harveybirdman]

Check out these fonts

http://cooltext.com/Download-Font-Back+To+1982

http://cooltext.com/Download-Font-Joystix

http://cooltext.com/Download-Font-Han+Solo

[yotsuya]

#2 still looks more arcade-authentic to me.