Project RetroCade - FINISHED

[talkgeek]

I finished the whole set of artwork (marquee, CP and both sides). I'm very happy with the result. Especially since I had zero experience with Adobe Illustrator when I started...



 

I will prepare for printing now (adding some bleed, flatten all layers, final check on dimensions) and send it to GameOnGrafics 

Don't know how I missed this - but seriously very cool!  - where did you find the original character artwork ?

[talkgeek]

I was thinking more of the "fold it over the edge and trim at the t-molding slot" method where the t-molding holds down the edge.   


Scott

+1
this process works for me - during the fold over process use a hairdryer to help mould vinyl then when T-molding is added the finish looks amazing - followed this video  

[talkgeek]

  ..ok should have read to the end before commenting  though pretty sure my routing skills wouldn't get the result you have achieved

absolutely stunning looking cab! and the artwork just makes it pop well done 

[EMDB]

I finished the whole set of artwork (marquee, CP and both sides). I'm very happy with the result. Especially since I had zero experience with Adobe Illustrator when I started...

I will prepare for printing now (adding some bleed, flatten all layers, final check on dimensions) and send it to GameOnGrafics 

Don't know how I missed this - but seriously very cool!  - where did you find the original character artwork ?

Google Images:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&authuser=0&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1846&bih=1014&q=metal+slug+typea+characters&oq=metal+slug+typea+characters

[EMDB]

Finally my new router arrived 

Now I can start creating an all new CP based on the print template from GoG. Hopefully the weather will be helpful so I can do some work in my outside workshop coming weekend...

[EMDB]

I cut the outer dimensions and the rounded corners using my new router. I taped the template on it and drilled 4mm holes through the paper as markers.

I used a spade drill bit to make the 28mm holes for the buttons and joysticks. Perfect fit.

 

 

[EMDB]

Nice weather today so time to do some outside work!

First I cut the slot for the t-molding. Then I routed the pockets for the joysticks:

 

 

Then I used the plates which will fixate the joysticks to mark the location of the holes for the inserts. Man, I love inserts 

 



Next up: sanding, priming, sanding and again priming to get a smooth surface to apply the CP artwork 

[EMDB]

After 2 layers of primer and sanding in between it is time to stick the artwork on the CP. I was not sure how to position the artwork exactly on top of the button and joystick holes but when I tried to use a flashlight to light from the bottom I could easily position the artwork and fixate with some clamps.

 

Then I removed the protective back from one third of the artwork and firmly applied it to the CP. Afterwards I removed the rest op the protective back and from left to right pressed the remaining artwork on the CP. As it is quite thick (covered with poly-carbonate) it applied very easy with no air bubbles at all. Perfect fit. 



On one corner I teared off the adhesive layer so I had to use some glue to fixate that.



Next I will roughly cut out the holes with a sharp knife and use my router with flush trim bit to cut all holes and the edges around the CP. I tried one but the knife I used was not very sharp 

[DarakuTenshi]

  Yay, it's looking very nice.

[EMDB]

Borrowed a surgical knife to roughly cut the holes:

 

Then I used my router to cut the holes and edges. Went real smooth just like the sideart 

 

Testfitted some buttons to have a look at the final result. Turned out real nice...

 

[mcseforsale]

Yeah, baby!  That looks nice!

AJ

[EMDB]

Today I re-wired the ipac, button and sticks using the same harness I already used on my first 2 test control panels. I left the micro switched connected when I removed it from the previous panel. It was quite a spaghetti but because I soldered every single  connector it again kept in one piece.

 

 

[emphatic]

Very pretty, but what's up with the joystick washers?

[EMDB]

Very pretty, but what's up with the joystick washers?

Very sharp  They are from my MagStiks I initially used but I changed the main (red) one with an U360 to change from 4 to 8 way automatically. The Mag Stick has a chrome tube around the shaft. I still have to fit the tube from my spare MagStik to fit around the U360 shaft. This will fix the too big hole in the red washer and have them look (almost) identical.

[SkyKapture]

Looks great!
It also looks like the outside half of the outer walls (outside the t-slot) is a different colour. Did you end up opting for the heat and fold method for the side artwork?

[EMDB]

Looks great!
It also looks like the outside half of the outer walls (outside the t-slot) is a different colour. Did you end up opting for the heat and fold method for the side artwork?

No. I used my router to cut the vinyl and it scraped the paint of the edge. As it will be covered by the t-molding this is not a problem though.

[EMDB]

I finally received my t-molding but was very disapointed: The color was completely different than shown on the website of t-molding.com. I already had 15mm red but I decided to get 5/8" (15.87 mm) as the 15mm did not always fully cover the sides (as  paint + vinyl / polycatbonate made the total thickness of the side panels and CP just a bit over the original 15mm MDF).

The 15mm (the top one) is all nice with bright red color and a shiny finish. The 5/8" (at the bottom) is matte and much darker red colored:



I sent them a mail to check what went wrong.

[SpaceHedgehog]

This is looking rather sexy. Great job on the build and the artwork and I love the colours 

[mgb]

Man, this is coming along great.
Sorry to hear about the T-molding issue

[SkyKapture]

I think you'll find the difference between your molding is 'Bright Red' and 'Red', your top one being bright red. T-molding.com don't do a Bright Red in 5/8" I don't think. Only standard red (matt)

[EMDB]

I think you'll find the difference between your molding is 'Bright Red' and 'Red', your top one being bright red. T-molding.com don't do a Bright Red in 5/8" I don't think. Only standard red (matt)

I'm afraid so but their picture for the 5/8" implies differently:

[EMDB]

No luck on the t-molding. I can not find 5/8" in bright red so I decided to use the matte. It did not turn out that bad...

 

[yotsuya]

You'll be fine with the matte. Shiny tends to get scratched and dulled easier.

[SkyKapture]

It looks absolutely stunning! Excellent job.

Only my two cents, but maybe you could paint the marquee trim the same colour as the t-molding. Only if the CP's going to get red t-molding as well.

But what am I saying? You've got a finished arcade and I haven't. Again, Great job!!!

[yotsuya]

I've NEVER seen a marquee retainer look good in any color other than black.

[EMDB]

I've NEVER seen a marquee retainer look good in any color other than black.

That...

PS: The CP gets red t-molding as well.

[mcseforsale]

With the wallpaper edge guards, you can paint them any color you want. 





AJ

[EMDB]

With the wallpaper edge guards, you can paint them any color you want. 
AJ

Thanks but I keep them black (as they are intended).

[yotsuya]

With the wallpaper edge guards, you can paint them any color you want. 
AJ

Thanks but I keep them black (as they are intended).

I think that's a wise choice.

[Xarcade]

Man this is awesome work... very nice good job!

[EMDB]

I had my Mag Stik Plus shaft cover inner side enlarged to fit the U360 stick so now they both match:



I mounted the t-molding on the CP. I'm not sure how to fixate the corners though. There is quite some tension. Maybe I will glue them:



I finaly had some time and good weather to work outside on the keyboard drawer:



It fits like a glove but probably I have to remove a bit from the top / sides as some layers of primer and paint will make it grow...

[Generic Eric]

I mounted the t-molding on the CP. I'm not sure how to fixate the corners though. There is quite some tension. Maybe I will glue them:

Looking great, that is just a minor setback.  I think you know what you have to do though.

[fipoow]

Oh man i just love your cabinet! It's just awesome!
are you going to put plexi on top of your cp? Or you just leave it on the stickers?

[EMDB]

Oh man i just love your cabinet! It's just awesome!
are you going to put plexi on top of your cp? Or you just leave it on the stickers?

No need for plexi. The CP sticker which is from GameOnGrafix is covered with polycarbonate which is very scratch resistant (far more than plexi).

[SkyKapture]

I mounted the t-molding on the CP. I'm not sure how to fixate the corners though. There is quite some tension. Maybe I will glue them:

Thanks for this picture. You've helped me to decide on heating and folding the side art now rather than trimming it with a router.

[Caparo8bit]

Diameter and  Cutting Length on flush bit please.

[EMDB]

Diameter and  Cutting Length on flush bit please.

12.7mm but any diameter will do. Length 30mm but should only be larger than the thickness of your MDF...

[EMDB]

Today was a sunny day so I did some work outside: I made a box to hold my "coinbox". I use a cake baking tin for this. I wanted to be able to remove the tin to collect the coins.

 

 

I love these clamps. I guess the are the most used tools during this build after my router.

[Caparo8bit]

i have one box if ya pay shipping is yours

[EMDB]

i have one box if ya pay shipping is yours