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

[Pixelhugger]

Workmanship, workmanship, workmanship! I have been fabricating things from wood and metal and concrete since I could walk, have worked with many an artisan along the way, been a part of building incredible things... and I stand in awe of your workmanship.

Congratulations Pixel on a job well done. Your gramps would be very proud.

Thanks man, I really appreciate that.  

[Pixelhugger]

By the way, that cabinet I started before yours all those years ago... it's still not finished. So don't worry when life gets in your way. It happens to all of us.

Although you had the good sense not to start hyping it before that point. 

[DaOld Man]

Great job man.
On both the cab and the video!
 

[Malenko]

you forgot me in the credits. I look forward to the final countdown video version 2.0

Oh, you were kidding. DOH!

Going through 41 pages to check, at least I found YVAN.   

I voted for version 1


srsly though, what the hell did Chad help with? Is that what caused the 8 year delay?

[Bender]

God DAAAAAAAAAAAMMN!!!

That video was just about the funniest thing I've ever seen!!!!!!!

oh and the cab's not bad either!!!!!

[Pixelhugger]

God DAAAAAAAAAAAMMN!!!

That video was just about the funniest thing I've ever seen!!!!!!!

oh and the cab's not bad either!!!!!

...makes the video project worth the 3 x 3am nights! I'm still a bit sleep deprived from it. 

[GreenKnight37]

It's been ages since I've posted anything, but I have to come back to say CONGRATS on completing this build!  It's been really cool to watch this progress over the years, and I'm glad to have seen it come out as amazing as expected.  The plasma/water jet cut pieces still blow me away.

Awesome build!  Hopefully you get more playtime and enjoyment out of the cab, then the amount of time it took to build it

[Pixelhugger]

Thanks for coming out of hibernation to post!

It's awesome to hear from people that've followed the thread from way back.
Since people drop in and out activity on the site as they complete their projects I was a little bummed thinking people who watched it in its formative stages would never see it done.  It's a blast to see that's not the case.

[menace]

Count me in as another hibernator coming in from the cold to say--it was worth the wait and that video was awesome!!! 

When you finish a big project, you really really go for the big finish! 

Its funny too, cause after doing a project like that, the people that most appreciate it--are all right here...so thanks for sharing!

[technomane]

Italy loves you !

Are you an alien ? 

[pointdablame]

Holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---!  Is it really done?!?!?   

Congrats Pixel, its stunning.  Truly a work of art, and better than I think any of us could expect.  That said, we're really running out of long time jokes now.... Duke Nukem Forever is a real thing... .and Mission Control is done.

What do we do now? 

[BadMouth]

That video is amazing.  I watched it twice more today (avoiding work).
Each time I spot something new. 

Just picked up on the part where you hit left and right to get past the nag screen. 

[Bloinkxp]

Wow...simply amazing.  I remember when you started this thread...I never knew the outgrowth would be so awesome.  It's saying that 8 years is worth the wait!

[thatpurplestuff]

WOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly your craftsmanship and attention to detail on this thing is absolutely legendary.  I'm honored to have been able to donate a few buttons to the cause, and even more honored that you took the time to thank me in the video.  I just showed my wife and she wanted me to tell you how awesome it was too (although she may have been talking about the pixelated pants shots... not entirely sure).

I freakin LOVE the footprint on this thing.  I'm a big fan of massive cabs and Mission Control's size and profile just demands attention.  Hopefully at some point you will go into more detail about getting your marquee shaped like that... I'm designing a cab right now that uses a lot of octagonal shapes and I have been flirting with the idea of a octagon-shaped bent marquee but thought it might look like crap.  Your cab has completely changed my mind!  Anyway don't want to stray off topic but I just wanted to say that you should be incredibly proud of this thing.  It's obvious that it was a true labor of love, and like others I actually got a bit choked up towards the end (don't tell anyone).  Great job!

Oh yeah, what's next on the project list?  Hahaha

[Pixelhugger]

Hopefully at some point you will go into more detail about getting your marquee shaped like that... I'm designing a cab right now that uses a lot of octagonal shapes and I have been flirting with the idea of a octagon-shaped bent marquee but thought it might look like crap.

Not sure if you've seen the write up on the bending which starts one this page of the thread.

Bending was pretty easy. Building the jig to ensure symetrical angles was the more time consuming part. Blow torches are the cheapest way, but if you need two faces to join flush, you'll need a strip heater (one more shout out to Nostrebor   )

[Pixelhugger]

Its funny too, cause after doing a project like that, the people that most appreciate it--are all right here...so thanks for sharing!

[Pixelhugger]

Just picked up on the part where you hit left and right to get past the nag screen. 

I was hoping that wasn't too obscure.  Glad somebody caught it!

[Pixelhugger]

@technomane: Molte grazie!

@pointdablame: Thanks! I think it snowballed into more than I had expected as well.

PS  My 3 year old saw your avatar and got a big mischievous smile and said "Who's THAT??"

@boinkxp:  Thanks for hanging in all these years!

[Rick]

Awesome, awesome, AWESOME!!!  If anyone can come even HALF WAY to the quality, and HEART, that you have put into this gift to your Family, then they have come close to perfection.

Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your work, for giving us the opportunity to give our thoughts, and a huge thank you (you didn't have to do it!) for putting all of us into your credits!  I kicked myself for changing my username to "Rick" rather than "RWElphinstone" when I saw your credits roll, as this is the only site I've EVER done it on, but it's a testament to what how personal this site really is to most of us. (I'll just have to be extra convincing when I show this to my friends.  "Yeah, yeah! That's me riiiiiigggghhhhtttt THERE!" LOL.)

Seriously, Sir. Thank you.  Your work is amazing.

[GibsonRiddler]

That was the coolest presentation I've seen done. Great work you are truly an inspiration for the rest of us.

[Rick]

That was the coolest presentation I've seen done. Great work you are truly an inspiration for the rest of us.

I agree.  I'm going to have to open the actual gates of Hell, to even come close.

 

[Benevolance]

The video was pure genius. Can we get some still shots of the finished cab? And when are you starting on the matching cocktail cabinet?

[Pinball Wizard]

Great job man! The only down side is that now we need a new project to track like this. It might be 8 years for start to finish, but it was really worth it.

I will start the bidding off at $10 dollars

[drawfull]

Phenomenal. I started reading this thread when you decided it would be a good idea to polish concrete in your garage? Long time ago, but very well done. Finished product and vid are superb. 

[BlasterMaster]

Beautiful!

Congratulations of finally getting it done and with such amazing quality and attention to detail.

I bet your other half is glad this "little" project is over...

[wilno45]

No words left......


 

[SNAAKE]

nice..very nice

godlike presentation.

[Pixelhugger]

To make the link easier to find, I put a copy of it on the first page.
 

[nostrebor]

....wait...wait....

Hmmmmm..... what about Mission Control...... bedspread and sheet set....


     .....matching pajamas.....

...pillowcases.....

                    .....electric toothbrush maybe........

Hey Pixel! Don't forget these fancy accessories!

Also, dibs on the toothbrush prototype.

[Donkey_Kong]

What's better than a master designer/builder? A master designer/builder with an awesome sense of humor!

It's hard to compare a 3 day video shoot & edit to a decade long cab build, but they both kick ass!

[smalltownguy]

Pixel, YOU are the reason I am in this hobby. Your work leaves me with a feeling of awesome I can't describe.

The 2012 BYOAC Token MUST include this cab in the design somehow. Cripes the BYOAC FORUM needs to include this game in its benchmarks.

As far as standards go, this is as good as it gets. All others may strive, none will match.

p.s. Thanks for including me in the credits. I feel somewhat validated now

[nipsmg]

The video was hilarious, but I'm really looking forward to some stills highlighting the completed cabinet from every possible angle, and I'm DEFINITELY interested in the FE as well.

I honestly never thought I'd see the day that this project was finished.  Now that I have.     BRAVO.

Incredible workmanship.  Incredible detail.  Incredible 80's hair.  What more could you ask for?

You're an inspiration.  I eagerly await any future competition, but I don't think we'll see anything of this magnitude for a long time, if ever.  Incredible job.

[Pixelhugger]

Hey Pixel! Don't forget these fancy accessories!

Also, dibs on the toothbrush prototype.

HAH! I had forgotten about those. Gimme another 8 years for the toothbrush.

I'm really looking forward to some stills highlighting the completed cabinet from every possible angle, and I'm DEFINITELY interested in the FE as well.

Couple people have asked for that, so I'll get stills started tonight. Still have to work out alignment kinks in the FE before another video.  

The 2012 BYOAC Token MUST include this cab in the design somehow.

Ah the days when an annual token run was a foregone conclusion.   :'(  As far as the design goes... I already accidentally included it in the dragon artwork for Saint's PAII cabinet.  

What's better than a master designer/builder?

Maybe a builder who acutally finishes within the same calendar year he starts? But I definitely appreciate the compliment!!


@ Rick, GibsonRiddler, Benevolance, Pinball Wizard, drawfull, BlasterMaster, wilno45, Donkey_Kong, smalltownguy, nipsmg:

Thanks guys.  The last few years have been a watershed of great inpiration from "new" builders here. I think it really started ramping up for me with Franco's machining work. And Mountain. Now we've got people like Ond doing similar industrial fabrications... only without the actual industrial machines.

[Generic Eric]

Now that I am unflabbergasted, I can finally post.

Thanks for the mention in the credits of your video.  What a cool cabinet!  The bar is set folks!



*edit for spelling*

[Kaytrim]

OMG, I finally feel like getting back into the swing of things and the first thread I view is this one.  I am glad I did.

  Pixel that cab is a long time coming and worth every bit.

Kaytrim.

p.s. thanks for the mention in the credits, you must have gone through this thread from start to finish to get all those names.

[kizer]

Wow and wow....... I had to take a triple take to make sure I was reading it right. Its Done...... Of course I had to flip back sevaral pages to catch up where I left off, but man that video was crazy funny. LOL

Thanks for the mention in the credits. All I ever did was flip you crap and call you slow. LOL. I guess all that patience paid off in the end because that is amazing.

[psychotech]

Oh, Holy S!

 

That's just too awesome! Can't even find the words to try and compliment you on the finalized MCP. It's just beyond incredible!

And yeah, thanks for the amazing reveal video too! You've really set the bar high on future cab reveals..

Thanks!

[mpm32]

Awesome just awesome.

The only thing sadder than seeing it done is the fact that I've been around here since the first post.    Where has my life gone - lol

Did you end up using the Sutherland Wells tung oil?  It was hard to see in the kick --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- vid.

Can we have some still pics?   

[Pixelhugger]

Yes 4 coats of their med. lustre polymerized tung oil for the everything but the curved panels, which they recommmended finishing with their tung oil wiping varnish.

The tung oil is ridiculously easy to use. And the result was exactly the hand rubbed soft glow I had hoped for. Thanks again for pointing me to Sutherland Welles. Great company. The individual who takes your call knows the product and can offer great advice...it felt like a family company. It's definitely more expensive, but worth it, I did get a lot more coverage than I had expected but it's still probably about 50% more expensive than a typical polyurethane.

You were right about touch up and refinishing. Since I had applied it long before finishing the curved panels, rear door and front of the CP, the sides had gotten pretty banged up after the finishing from being in the garage and from test fitting panels. I just had to random orbit sand with 220 to remove gouges and rub some more oil on and you can't tell. It's exactly what I need with the kids around. I'll gladly sacrifice a little bit of scratch resistance from not using poly for the flexibility of rubbing in a little more oil if I ever need to spot sand. It's awesome stuff.

[Santoro]

Ah the days when an annual token run was a foregone conclusion.    

Tokens are back on - see the stickies in the main forum.  You have less than a week dude, hurry up!