Mission Control Project: 5 years on, what to do with the leftovers?

[Pixelhugger]

  There are probably plenty of members here who would say that's the way to see the thread... without having to wait for all the updates. Like watching the full seasons of LOST on DVD instead of cable. 

[RetroGreg]

I don't post much, but I had to log in and tell you how disgustingly awesome your cab is. The wood is just gorgeous! OUTSTANDING WORK! Love the video, too 

[Epyx]

Pixelhugger,

You are most certainly on a momentum roll...keep it up! Amazing to see it actually standing assembled after all these years! 

Question,

Where did you source that perforated aluminium from?  I'm thinking that would make a nice vent square for my cab (painted black!).

[Pixelhugger]

Pixelhugger,

You are most certainly on a momentum roll...keep it up! Amazing to see it actually standing assembled after all these years!  

Question,

Where did you source that perforated aluminium from?  I'm thinking that would make a nice vent square for my cab (painted black!).

I got it from mcmaster-carr.com - an industrial supply place. I don't know if they ship to the UK. Let me know if you have trouble getting it... I may be able to send a piece. How big is your vent?

[Epyx]

I haven't sized the vent yet but it will likely be 18"x12" or so...

Now that you have the link I at least know what to call it and can look around here in Canada and they do ship here if I can't, so thanks!

[javeryh]

Just incredible.  I can't believe it actually has been worth the wait!  Are you planning to finish the wood?  I wouldn't stain it but maybe give it a nice rubbing with some tung oil or something and then seal it with some poly to bring out the grain.  Keep up the great work!   

[Pixelhugger]

I've been debating the finish for a while.

Trying to decide between oil and wax or a wipe on oil/poly blend. It's cherry so absolutely NO STAIN. 

[nostrebor]

I just logged in simply to say congrats on the momentum. Even us non-current guys are still watching this project.

As much as I would say wax that Cherry, I would probably go with the poly, just for maintenance reasons. LOTS of hands end up on those cabinet sides.

[Pixelhugger]

Hey Dave! Great to hear from you again. All this stuff from the past coming together.... It's like a high school reunion.

Yeah, the maintenance is a real issue. My two year old son... yep the twins that brought the project to a screeching halt are two now... has discovered ball point pens and is drawing on everything from the kitchen hutch (I had refinished when they were born) to the wainscotting. So I'm left wondering.... poly for the stain protection or wax for the ease of *oh god* sanding down and retouching. Probably the poly, since I'm afraid at some point he'll discover *shudders* Sharpies.

[nostrebor]

Somehow my boy never was inclined to draw on stuff. He pounds on items with swords/hammers/guns/cars instead.   The only way to be completely sure of no damage is to sell your children.

[Nada]

Probably the poly, since I'm afraid at some point he'll discover *shudders* Sharpies.

You need to know about this.  It saved my kids a lot of grief.. mostly my son.  Works great on wood and has successfully removed sharpie.  However; no guarantees on the Cherry but you still probably need these with twin two year olds.

(Link to a page about Mr Clean Magic Erasers)
http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do?gclid=CM-36b2Hw5wCFRMhnAoduAcLoA


Good job on the progress!  Are you still on track to use 3d Arcade as the front end?  I hope so!  I'm a huge 3DFE fan.  Will you use a skin or do a whole 3d arcade for the project?

[Pixelhugger]

Thanks for that link, Nada.

Yeah, 3DFE. It'll be completed skinned and ultimately there will be several arcades (if I can ever get to them). I want the FE experience to play like a game. Hopefully to those not familiar with MAME (people at my work where I'll keep the cab initially) will mistake the FE for an actual game created for the cabinet.

As far as the skins go once I'm done with construction I'll move into artwork mode which is more my comfort zone. Everything will be provided for download on )p('s site. I want to have various themed collections which can be selected from within the FE (like the different courses on a racing game, or different characters in a fighter.) One of those themes will be "80's videogame magazine" with "articles" for each game genre. Here are a couple of very early/rough works in progress. So as seen below, the game list would be dynamic and the screenshots, marquees, and info would update beneath the wrinkled page texture as games are selected. Anyhow... yes. 3DFE absolutely. For the arcades I've been toying with the idea of creating a mall like environment with themed arcades....

Sorry if I've already posted/discussed these. It's been a while.  

[emphatic]

Wow, that's a really cool frontend idea. 

[Pixelhugger]

While we're on the subject.... here is a work in progress to integrate the FE into the feel of the cabinet, particularly to match the bezel.




Not sure if it's possible to have a game list functioning in conjunction with an arcade simultaneously, but this is more an experiment in layout not function. Nowhere near that point yet. I guess the better example would be a list of arcades to choose from on the left, with the preview of the arcade on the right. Whatever.

[AmericanDemon]

Although that would be really cool of you moved down the list and the avatar moved to stand in front of said machine

[Pixelhugger]

I know 3dfe lets you jump from a list to the matching game in an arcade like that. 

[Pixelhugger]

With the glue up done it's on to the speaker panel. Nothing groundbreaking here, but it's a nice finishing detail as an alternative to surface mounted speakers.

I cut the shape out of 3/8" thick MDF to match the bottom of the marquee box, inset a few inches.


I used an inlay bit to cut the shape into the bottom of the marquee box before glue up, so the speaker panel is actually inlaid into the panel with only the bluenosed edge protruding.
This was the same process as used to inlay the NavPanel plexi as seen here. This keeps the speaker panel much less visible when viewing the cab from most angles, and gives it a clean and inlaid/integrated feel.

Before stretching the fabric I bullnosed the edge with a roundover bit.



Then used a rabbeting bit to cut a notch into the back of the panel. The rabbet was probably unnecessary in hindsight, the idea was to give the speaker fabric a place to sit while allowing the panel to sit flush against the marquee box. The fabric is so thin I doubt this made a difference.

[imghttp://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=90051.0;attach=14383[/img]http://

Next I painted it black to keep it from showing through once the fabric is on.



Then I put the panel into the recession in the marquee box and drilled pilot holes through the panel and into the marquee box panel. I used these pilot holes to position my drill holes used to install the speaker retainers seen below. These are fantastic. Available at woodworker.com along with the fabric.



I attached the fabric with contact cement from home depot. Seems to work the same as regular old elementary school rubber cement, only it smells much more toxic and is probably far stronger. I stretched the fabric diagonally from corner to corner… much easier than I thought it would be. No puckering or funny stretch marks. Super easy.









The speaker brackets give the panel a nice positive "kerchunk" when it snaps into place. I may post a superfluous video of that since it can't be conveyed in pictures.

[Epyx]

Very nice Pixelhugger...I know we all rib you about the oft delayed timeline but I bet it must feel great to see your plans/vision actually standing and mostly assembled...I can only imagine the impetus this has given to boosting your drive for the final stretch! 

[Pixelhugger]

I've lived so long with the images in my 3D app and the renders in Photoshop, it's surreal to see the actual thing looming up in front of me. And yep, it's a HUGE motivation.  I've also learned a bit about how to actually get work done considering my family and schedule. I used to work exclusively during the kids nap time on weekends, but have found now I can actually get as much or more done using small increments of time during the week, before and after work.

[thatitalian]

OMG! I just showed a colleague at work and REALLY loudly said "NO ---smurfing--- WAY!". My boss is now staring at me...

Man, that looks unbelievable. Will you be oiling the wood? ()

[Kurt]

Amazing work, every home should have one of these.. care to make a few billion more?

Do you work with wood for a living? cant get over your skills.

[drventure]

Wow. Very cool. I love that 3d fe. I'm guessing it's emulaxian (i think that's the name anyway). I was never able to figure out how to set that thing up. Kinda of got a little ways with it, but Mala was so much easier.....

Anyway, nice work on the cab. You're on my kind of project schedule 

[Santoro]

That is just beautiful.

[Pixelhugger]

Will you be oiling the wood?

The more I think about it the more I think I'll go with one of those wipe on oil/urethane blends. My boss finished some consoles at work with this stuff and they look amazing.

Do you work with wood for a living?

No. It really just comes down to patience. And obsession with the project.

I'm guessing it's emulaxian (i think that's the name anyway). I was never able to figure out how to set that thing up. Kinda of got a little ways with it, but Mala was so much easier.....

Yeah, Emulaxian-which I think is now officially referred to as 3DFE with Emulaxian now being a skin. The ability to load the 3D arcades is a really big deal for me.

That is just beautiful.

Thanks man. Should just keep gettin better as the finish is applied!

[Pinball Wizard]

Thanks for that link, Nada.

Yeah, 3DFE. It'll be completed skinned and ultimately there will be several arcades (if I can ever get to them). I want the FE experience to play like a game. Hopefully to those not familiar with MAME (people at my work where I'll keep the cab initially) will mistake the FE for an actual game created for the cabinet.

As far as the skins go once I'm done with construction I'll move into artwork mode which is more my comfort zone. Everything will be provided for download on )p('s site. I want to have various themed collections which can be selected from within the FE (like the different courses on a racing game, or different characters in a fighter.) One of those themes will be "80's videogame magazine" with "articles" for each game genre. Here are a couple of very early/rough works in progress. So as seen below, the game list would be dynamic and the screenshots, marquees, and info would update beneath the wrinkled page texture as games are selected. Anyhow... yes. 3DFE absolutely. For the arcades I've been toying with the idea of creating a mall like environment with themed arcades....

Sorry if I've already posted/discussed these. It's been a while.  

Do you have the files for these to where I could adapt them? Or is this a signature trademark to your project that you don't want to give up? Or are these just mockups that aren't really adaptable.

[shmokes]

I don't mean to speak for Pixelhugger, but from the same post you quoted:

Everything will be provided for download on )p('s site.

[mpm32]

Pixel,

may I suggest this for the finishing of your wood;

http://www.sutherlandwelles.com/

I have built and refinished antique furniture and there is nothing better in my opinion.  It's the only thing I will put on wood. I even did my wood floors with it.

You don't want to put plastic (poly) on that.

Advantages:

Wipe on.

Builds to a nice sheen - what ever sheen you like depending on which you used.

Very hard finish that doesn't look like plastic.

Penetrates into the grain and really brings out the depth and make the grain pop.  Plastic sits on the surface.

Easy repairs - let say you get a scratch, all you do is lightly sand the area and wipe on some more.

Don't need to worry about a clean room for application, you sand lightly between applications.

[kizer]

I was trying to solve a problem with building speaker grills and your design of the external frame that snaps in side is brilliant. You said you had a video that shows it snapping into place I'd be curious to see that unless of course work blocked it and I just cant see it.

Great work.

[wilno45]

Jeeez that looks like a high end speaker that costs £$£$£$£$!

Certainly making up for lost time....

+1 on some form of oil.

Cheers

[Pixelhugger]

Forgot to post the brackets. The little arm thingie moves freely under the rectangular thingie to allow some flexibility in positioning the panel. The rectangular thing is exactly 1 1/8" long, so it countersinks perfectly with the same bit you drill button holes with.

I got them at woodworker.com



@kizer: glad it helped. I wasn't sure posting the speaker panel build was going to be relevant to anyone, so that's good to hear. I'll get a video up soon.

[Pixelhugger]

@mpm and wilno- Awright you guys have me thinking again. Tung oil was my original plan before seeing the console finish at work. The "plastic" comparison puts the fear of god in me.

[Pixelhugger]

OK, here's a video showing the snaptastic function of the brackets. Pretty superflous, but worth the upload IMO

[Nada]

^^^ Oh SNAP!

So.. are you ready to post some pics of the whole cab as it is right now?  I'd like to see how the wood looks.

[Pixelhugger]

^^^ Oh SNAP!

So.. are you ready to post some pics of the whole cab as it is right now?  I'd like to see how the wood looks.

It's damn near impossible to get good pictures of the wood since it's in the garage with only florescent lighting and work lamps. I'll try tho'. I need to secure the bezel in it's final position, then attach the CP in it's final position. At that point I'll post some "State of The Project" pics.

[korbitz]

Dang, every time i view this thread and all its updates, it kinda puts my little build its in place, namely the trash heap   .

All i can say is 

Seriously though, excellent workmanship on this beauty. 

[HoopstarsGarage]

WOW - 6+ years and you're posting videos of speaker grilles snapping in place..   

[Felsir]

WOW - 6+ years and you're posting videos of speaker grilles snapping in place..   

...and we're loving it because it is so damn well done.

[kizer]

Yeah no kidding. I have to solve that issue with my Jukebox project that some day I might actually build. hahaha

I keep designing things in my head, but then I look at issues and well some are magically solved. Thanks for the link too.

[Pixelhugger]

WOW - 6+ years and you're posting videos of speaker grilles snapping in place..   

That's nothin'. You should see the video of me standing in line at the McMaster-Carr will call desk.

[mpm32]

@mpm and wilno- Awright you guys have me thinking again. Tung oil was my original plan before seeing the console finish at work. The "plastic" comparison puts the fear of god in me.

With the sutherland wells products, it's not just tung oil, it's polymerized to harden so it def won't look like just an oil finish, it will build.