Renegade Arcade: 19" WeeCade Bartop Clone

[StrikeOne33]

Decided to finally get started on my WeeCade bartop clone project after years of lurking on this forum... I wanted to go with a 19" LCD monitor (since I have one collecting dust) and I also wanted a little bit more room for the players so I decided to widen the original plans to 20".
I made a model in SketchUp.

And then a rough 3d model with cardboard to see how the 19" monitor would look.


Today I finally got some 1/2" MDF and made my first (rough) cuts.


I'm still trying to decide the best way to get the side pieces into the right shape, I have a router that I borrowed from my dad, but I'm not sure if it will help.
Should I use the router to finish the rounding of the side panels and then sand down, or should I just sand them?  I don't have an electric sander, but I can probably get my hands on one for a day if anyone would recommend a particular type of sander and technique.
If you can't tell from reading this my woodworking skills are non-existent.

A big influence of my project is EvilGreenDevil's project seen here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119113.0.html I think I'm going for the same controller layout.
As for the finished project I'm very torn on what kind of artwork I want to have on it if any at all.  Super Mario is probably my earliest memory of video games, and would love to incorporate them in the control panel and marque if possible.  I love the style of this:


I hope you guys have some great tips for me.

[DaveMMR]

Why does that woman keep showing up in Sketchup files? She shows up for me too and I shoo her away. She's standing in the way of business.

Glad someone is going the 19" monitor route with the Weecade, mainly because that's the size monitor I have and I wanted to see how'd it look. (Though I may only go 18" wide.)

The thing will SMB artwork is that you have to be careful not to make it look whimsical and "kiddee". (Unless that's what you're aiming for if it's mainly for the youngins; older guests will give you funny looks.) That panel you had shown seems not to cross that line into "overly cutesy cartoon". I just may advise against doing 8 buttons per person.

[StrikeOne33]

I agree about the artwork, and I've also been looking into a more minimalist approach to the CP and Marquee, but I'm still a ways off from settling on an idea.  I love the brushed aluminum look that EvilGreenDevil achieved, and may go down that road as well.
As for the buttons, I'm only going to have 6 per player.

[leapinlew]

Why does that woman keep showing up in Sketchup files? She shows up for me too and I shoo her away. She's standing in the way of business.

Except for the hair, how do we know it's a she?

[DaveMMR]

Except for the hair, how do we know it's a she?

Damn that's a good question. I judged it solely by the hair style but I see what you're getting at when I look at the shoes and chest.

[Termin8tor]

Subscribed and good luck. 

[dkssprs]

Mario themed weecade will be awesome!!! I was about to make mine Mario themed but Back to the Future "won thee battle".

Keep up the good work!!!

[StrikeOne33]

Thanks, I'll need that luck as this is my first woodworking project.
Some minor progress today, rounded out the edges of the side panels... Will hopefully be able to use a router next weekend to finish the long swooping curve of the monitor opening.

[StrikeOne33]

Progress has been slow (I'm both an accountant in tax season and a guy planning a wedding) but I finally got to get my first experience with the router this weekend, finished rounding out the large curve, and cut the slot for the t-molding. 
It didn't all go so well:

But I think I can make it work, and I'm finally able to move to the next stage as the side panels are prepped and ready for the battens.

[StrikeOne33]

Baby steps.

[mrPiklz]

looking sweet!! cant wait to see more

[DeathDealer]

Are you doing two cabs ??  because you made two left side panels .

[sabreerbasAlpha]

Are you doing two cabs ??  because you made two left side panels .

OOPS!!! Hope you are making two?.

Anyway keep it going mate she's coming on nicely 

[PL1]

Are you doing two cabs ??  because you made two left right side panels .

Minor correction to a good catch.   


Scott

[StrikeOne33]

Are you doing two cabs ??  because you made two left side panels .

OOPS!!! Hope you are making two?.

Anyway keep it going mate she's coming on nicely 

I wasn't planning on it, that's what I get for rushing 
Any ideas on how to save one of the side panels and convert it to a left side?

[PL1]

If you screwed and glued it, separating it is more effort than it is worth.

Get another sheet of MDF.

Make two left sides and set one pair of sides aside for your next build.


Scott

[StrikeOne33]

I do have an extra monitor and PC laying around, looks like I'm making two 

[z-kun]

More options for themes that way!

[PL1]

I do have an extra monitor and PC laying around, looks like I'm making two 

Maybe one vertical and one horizontal -- one with a spinner and one with a trackball.   


Scott

[sabreerbasAlpha]

Are you doing two cabs ??  because you made two left right side panels .

Minor correction to a good catch.   


Scott

Yep from the front. Which is the correct way to judge which side it is.. Also I think the OP has realised and is furiously building another side. 

[StrikeOne33]

Finally got a few couple of free hours this week to work on the cabs.
Painted the inner edges:

Now meet the twins: not identical, the one on the right is 20" wide and the one on the left is 18" wide.

[StrikeOne33]

Progress is slow, but I have been working on the bartop a bit.
Monitor is mounted, control panel and speaker panel are fitted. 

I'm pretty happy with the curve I was able to put on the CP.


I ended up buying this cold cathode tube for the marquee. I hope it works out ok.
http:// [url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IBPIFDA/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_]www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IBPIFDA/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_ i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/url]

I've decided on the standard Japanese button layout found here. (with 6 buttons per player)
http://slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html

But I still can't figure out how to make my printer print it out at a 1:1 ratio, any tips for that?

[Slippyblade]

But I still can't figure out how to make my printer print it out at a 1:1 ratio, any tips for that?

Print it out and measure the button hole.  If it is smaller than 1-1/8" then print again with an enlargement.  Repeat till hole measures 1-1/8"

That's how I did it at least.

[Caparo8bit]

How do you round front of CP?

[matt4949]

How do you round front of CP?

Router.

[StrikeOne33]

How do you round front of CP?

Router.

Correct.

[Caparo8bit]

How do you round front of CP?

Router.

Correct.

OOOH I SEE  . I was checking pics on my cell and looks like one piece  . now checking on pc and i can c the 2 pieces

[matt4949]

It's looking good StrikeOne.

[StrikeOne33]

I'm learning illustrator and Photoshop (friend has an old version of each that hes letting me use).  I'm not very good, but am finding a lot of great tutorials.
Here is my current favorite draft of the marquee art, what do you guy's think.  Its a little dark, but I think it will work out.

Metal Slug is my favorite arcade series, and a forum member was kind enough to share the vector images in the artwork section of this forum.

[yotsuya]

Would look nicer centered and with a stroke around the text.

[EMDB]

I'm learning illustrator and Photoshop (friend has an old version of each that hes letting me use).  I'm not very good, but am finding a lot of great tutorials.
Here is my current favorite draft of the marquee art, what do you guy's think.  Its a little dark, but I think it will work out.

Metal Slug is my favorite arcade series, and a forum member was kind enough to share the vector images in the artwork section of this forum.

You're welcome 

Center the tank, put the title over it but center aligned, a bit larger font and lighter. Move female character to the right.

[StrikeOne33]

Second attempt.

[Malenko]

its better.  My opinions:

The vertical pattern in the background is a bit too much. Maybe just do a 2 color gradient? The color of the pattern in the background too closely matches the color of the text. Its a little off to me to cut the poor girls legs off (and the guy's crotch) instead of just shifting them to the bottom.

[PL1]

The thing that bothers me most is the light/very light/very dark/light gradient on the text.      

Less contrast on the text and more contrast with the background would be an improvement IMHO.


Scott

[SNAAKE]

text needs a glow thats all

then it will stand out. also make the text little brighter.

[EMDB]

Add a white edge (or glow) around the text to make it stand out more. Increase the size of the Tank.

[StrikeOne33]

Found some time to work on the bartop today:
Applied the vinyl and t-molding.


Anyone have a good idea of how to fix this problem?  I was going to buy a clamp (mine are too small) and just glue it while clamped together?

[BobA]

Did you cut slits in the spine to let the t molding hug the curve?   You spine should hold it in place if your slot is the proper width for your t mold.   Careful when tapping it in place as the spline can be deformed if not guided into the slot.  If the slot is too big to hold the spine tightly hot glue in the slot works well to hold loose t molding in place.

[StrikeOne33]

Did you cut slits in the spine to let the t molding hug the curve?   You spine should hold it in place if your slot is the proper width for your t mold.   Careful when tapping it in place as the spline can be deformed if not guided into the slot.  If the slot is too big to hold the spine tightly hot glue in the slot works well to hold loose t molding in place.

Yea, I cut the slits... It actually came out really well everywhere but where pictured.  I'll have to borrow a hot glue gun for these parts.

[StrikeOne33]

So I drilled my CP using this bit(1-3/16")(30mm)


I haven't drilled the joystick holes yet.  From what I've read I should be using a different size bit for that.  But I tested the joystick in the button holes I drilled and there is no issue of clearence, and the dust-washer covers the whole hole.
Is there any reason I shouldn't use this bit for the joysticks?