So i want to build a "mini" Arcade

[NightScreams]

First off, I've never built an arcade before. I build computers and have played emulators on them for years, so i have some spare stuff laying around and thought about using them to build a small arcade unit.
I'm not sure if i have a specific question as doing this seems pretty simple, guess i'm just here for general input from those that do this sort of thing. I'm not an arcade enthusiast so i don't need perfection or the highest quality stuff. Just something for nostalgia.

Here is what i have.

1. 15" Laptop Powerful enough for the majority of MAME games
2. HAPPA? competition joysticks and about 14 HAPPA buttons...not sure how good they are but they feel solid
3. Licensed copy of GameEx and a custom Windows 7 basic (32bit) that i created which has an install size of only 2.5 GB footprint. super fast and light platform to use a frontend on. I used this on my HTPC that had a weak Atom processor and it performed better than Linux Mint or Ubuntu did.
4. 12 volt cold cathode tubes

So i want to use the laptop inside a small cab. I'm not sure how i would mount it as the screen placement is obvious which leaves the Keyboard in the way of the joysticks inside. I guess i should take it apart and fold the motherboard back so its out of the way? I would like to do something with the cathode lights, maybe one to light up Marquee and another in rear to light up behind the cab?

I want the cab to look like the real thing, just smaller...not some box with a screen on it as some Neo Geo themed ones i have seen, i would also like to have coin slot buttons, not real coin slots, just some visual look.
What kind of paint should i use? something with texture?

I plan to get Marquee and CP overlay from here: http://www.gameongrafix.com/products/multicade-cpo
Good site or is there better selection elsewhere?
I considered printing the side art myself using sticker paper for printers.

I guess i'm just looking for input and general advice, can't think of any other questions yet. Measuring and cutting the cab will likely be my hardest part, i would like a texture paint that kinda feels similar to arcade, maybe a light gritty feel? and i'm not sure how i'll power the Cathode lights cause they are meant to be used internally inside a computer case, so not sure about a laptop where a 12 volt source would be.

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, NightScreams.

2. HAPPA? competition joysticks and about 14 HAPPA buttons...not sure how good they are but they feel solid

The Happ Competition stick is a common choice for playing a wide variety of 8-way games.

It won't do as well on 4-way games like Donkey Kong or Pac-Man, but you're not shooting for the world record.

As long as the buttons have the terminals pointing horizontal instead of vertical, you're good.

      Good                    Bad
 

So i want to use the laptop inside a small cab. I'm not sure how i would mount it as the screen placement is obvious which leaves the Keyboard in the way of the joysticks inside. I guess i should take it apart and fold the motherboard back so its out of the way?

If you're not doing a bartop/weecade style build, why not open it up all the way so it is straight instead of leaving it in the "L" configuration?

I would like to do something with the cathode lights, maybe one to light up Marquee and another in rear to light up behind the cab?

Sounds like a good idea.

I want the cab to look like the real thing, just smaller...not some box with a screen on it as some Neo Geo themed ones i have seen, i would also like to have coin slot buttons, not real coin slots, just some visual look.

The product you're looking for is the Novagem CDR from GroovyGameGear.

I plan to get Marquee and CP overlay from here: http://www.gameongrafix.com/products/multicade-cpo
Good site or is there better selection elsewhere?
I considered printing the side art myself using sticker paper for printers.

GoG is a great choice. (Hint: Use the "BYOAC" code for 10% off.  )

GoG control panel overlays use a polycarbonate laminate.

The ink will rub off sticker paper on the control panel, but the lamination protects the GoG overlay.

Some people use plexi to cover the CP -- not my chosen method, but to each their own.

If you decide to do that, you can just print your overlay on photo paper and sandwich it between the plexi and the MDF.

If you're looking for art sources and vendors, this post should give you a solid foundation.


Scott

[NightScreams]

Thanks, lot of good info there. I purchased my wood today and i'll definitely be getting those Insert Coin buttons....However the problem again like with the Cathodes, it's a laptop power supply, so i'm not sure where i can splice it in or even if i can, actually i don't think i can, looks mostly discreet. Any ideas?

As long as the buttons have the terminals pointing horizontal instead of vertical, you're good.

They're horizontal, but why is vertical bad?
     

If you're not doing a bartop/weecade style build, why not open it up all the way so it is straight instead of leaving it in the "L" configuration?

I'm not sure how i could mount it like that. I'll likely seperate the monitor and L brackets to hold it in, other than that i'm not sure what i could do. Surely someone has done this before?
I'm also not sure if i want to use both joysticks since i'll likely be the only player or mount them for alternative uses which would mean i'd never have the option for proper 2 player as the mounting would be different...what do most people do?

btw, am i the only one that has a hard time making out some of the Verification letters? I really hate those things.

[CoryBee]

My $0.02

I always de-case the laptop completely down to the bare screen and bare motherboard.



Build a wood mount for the screen to fit on



Mount the motherboard to the backside of it



Basically an open laptop hyper-extended, de-cased and mounted

[NightScreams]

thanks, that's a good idea. I take it you built a mini arcade cab with that? do you have more pics? I want to get better visual ideas before i start.

[CoryBee]

thanks, that's a good idea. I take it you built a mini arcade cab with that? do you have more pics? I want to get better visual ideas before i start.

I built quite a few bartops from laptops since January 2012 and have gotten much better ever since

Check my signature for more links

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123359.msg1310228.html#msg1310228

[PL1]

As long as the buttons have the terminals pointing horizontal instead of vertical, you're good.

They're horizontal, but why is vertical bad?

     
If you look at the flat plunger "foot" that presses against the "nub" on the horizontal microswitch, it presses straight down.

For the vertical "Ultimate" Pushbutton, the plunger leg presses the nub sideways.

btw, am i the only one that has a hard time making out some of the Verification letters? I really hate those things.

Keep on posting, you won't have to deal with them much longer.

There have been over 13,000 new accounts opened so far this year and, unfortunately, most of them are spambots.

Saint's had his hands full, but he keeps them from overrunning the site.      


Scott

[NightScreams]

Considering maybe i should use my ITX mobo and buy a 4:3 LCD monitor instead of the laptop. I'm worried i'll want a bigger screen plus the Widescreen is mostly useless when most arcade games use 4:3. the ITX board has a AMD e350 APU...so i think it maybe equal in power to the Celeron based Laptop. I could add my 280gtx video card or the Geforce 210, not sure how much GPU power emulators use.

So if i go that route, are there any places that sell 4:3 LCD's reasobaly priced? VGA input would work fine.

thanks, that's a good idea. I take it you built a mini arcade cab with that? do you have more pics? I want to get better visual ideas before i start.

I built quite a few bartops from laptops since January 2012 and have gotten much better ever since

Check my signature for more links

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123359.msg1310228.html#msg1310228

Very nice, i love the "Red vs Blue" one. For mine i'd like to add a bottom section, so basically it's shaped just like the full sized ones. I guess my idea is that i'll be playing it sitting on the floor, squated on the bed or on a gamechair, so i'll have to measure for proper height so it's not too uncomfortable. I just don't have the room for a full size one.

[ark_ader]

I'm working on an android mini, so I am very interested in your project.  I have done other projects with 10" displays and I always find it better to keep the board in plastics, especially the LCD as the inverters are always delicate and prone to break.

I would look at creating a mini weecade as 15" is pretty much enough room for a solo player.

Enjoy the build!   

[PL1]

I always find it better to keep the board in plastics, especially the LCD as the inverters are always delicate and prone to break.

Good idea and easier to do than de-casing, especially since you mention adding a "bottom section" . . .

Very nice, i love the "Red vs Blue" one. For mine i'd like to add a bottom section, so basically it's shaped just like the full sized ones.

. . . which leads me back to this question:

So i want to use the laptop inside a small cab. I'm not sure how i would mount it as the screen placement is obvious which leaves the Keyboard in the way of the joysticks inside. I guess i should take it apart and fold the motherboard back so its out of the way?

If you're not doing a bartop/weecade style build, why not open it up all the way so it is straight instead of leaving it in the "L" configuration?

If the screen is mostly vertical and the keyboard continues along the same line, there should be plenty of room for the buttons and joysticks in front of the keyboard.


Scott

[gtxjoe]

Here are my two Work in Progress bartop arcades - one vertical and one horizontal.  I used two old Dell laptops I had collecting dust in the closet.

I simply removed the display hinges as you can see in the pic below and folded the laptop in half and used velcro to hold it together.   I created a small shelf for the laptop to sit on.  Hook up is very simple - laptop power cable, keyboard encoder and the 2 wires shown are soldered to the laptop power button to turn it on/off via an arcade button.