The Fieldhouse - Complete and ready for delivery

[Le Chuck]

Also, I am excited to show off some new prototype hardware from Groovy Game Gear.  I would like to present the Omni2 ROBO!



The Omni2 ROBO is a great solution for those looking to automate their OMNI2 but were put off by or too busy for the servo mounting and actuating arm fabrication.  The two ROBOs came with servos and a Micro Maestro servo controller.  From there I just added a 6v power supply and used a super simple script in conjunction with DaOld Man's joychoose to automate the switch.  Ideally I'd say these would be mounted on a metal CP but you can see how I did on wood.  Hopefully long handles will be available so one could just do a super simple bottom mount with threaded inserts and call it good.  There is a slight overhang where the servo isn't covered by the mounting plate but this is a minor issue to a really fantastic solution. I have no clue if Randy is going to market these as a stand alone project or make them available as kits but he's got a really good product here and what's great is that the micro controller can run up to 6 of them at once. 

Here's a video with me narrating like a moron but you can check out the motion:

http://s479.photobucket.com/user/vonjett/media/Fieldhouse/316E3A99-E513-4DF3-95C9-C848B9005CF9-5083-00000E21566A6AD7_zps6b6169f4.mp4.html

Sorry it's not embedded.

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Original Post

I've accepted a commission from a friend to build him a cab.  Project has to be complete by end of April.  I'll be focusing on this from the time being so the NRFT will collect some dust for a bit.

Input from client thus far: 

Two auto switching joys
6 buttons each player
Trackball
Arcade guns
LCD okay
He really liked JAHilton's Space Invader cab shape and details so I'll be taking a few pages out of that build's book 
St. Pauli Girl theme'd

Where I'm at:  I'm working parts list tonight.  I just got done doing a proof of concept for side art and based on his feedback we'll go from there.  I really would appreciate all of your feedback as well.  It's always nice to get another set of eyes on my art.  The St. Pauli girl stuff is all low res but I found some nice vector art so I started modifying until I had something I thought looked reminiscent.  I'm trying to give the look of the brand while harkening to some ICB styling as well. 

I have a hankering to do a black and white cab and mixed with the bavarian blue I figure that would make a good palette.  Plan on having the front and back done in black with the sides in white.  Some other touches will occur to me as I flesh out the design. 


 

[Le Chuck]

Rough Estimate of costs attached - labor not included

BLUF:  Client is providing the computer.  This accounts for (most) everything else excluding labor and shipping. Estimate arrives at $918. There are much more expensive ways and much cheaper as well but I think this is a nice middle ground that will provide the supplies necessary to build a great cab.   

[griffindodd]

Didn't see a molex/switched socket in your parts list, in case you were planning to install one. Also feet/wheels ?

[Le Chuck]

Concept met with approval.  There will be some updates.  I did up a marquee based on Taper that should match the theme pretty well.



Suggestions and comments welcome!

Didn't see a molex/switched socket in your parts list, in case you were planning to install one. Also feet/wheels ?

Wasn't planning on molex, I usually just solder everything together.  Feet/wheels are something that I'll need to figure out how I want to incorporate for this build and then find the right style.  You're right tho, they're missing from the estimate.  Good catch.

[harveybirdman]

I'm sure this guy may not have the approval for something so risque  but...

this is what I might do for side art on a theme like this....

http://images.postling.com/a/aa4/g_fullxfull.46631.jpg

[Nephasth]

Love the marquee! I think this machine could benefit from some ICBish side art though.

[yotsuya]

Love the marquee, Chuck!

[CoryBee]

I'm sure this guy may not have the approval for something so risque  but...

this is what I might do for side art on a theme like this....

http://images.postling.com/a/aa4/g_fullxfull.46631.jpg

I approve of this message 

[Le Chuck]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Hentai barmaid is certainly um interesting.   

Love the marquee! I think this machine could benefit from some ICBish side art though.

Exactly where I'm headed. Just need to build on what I have. 

[dandro]

Didn't see a molex/switched socket in your parts list, in case you were planning to install one. Also feet/wheels ?

When I went to Home Depot to look for wheels on my build, wow,.. I did not know they where so spendy!!!! So, I did what any ol, cheap bastard would do, go home and dissamble the piano dolly and take it's wheels!   

[kahlid74]

I like the design, simple and to the point.  I'm not sure if it would fit but try to work the Blue Bavarian Lion in there somewhere, that thing is the bomb.

Parts list looks good and costs also look good.  Good machines cost a few dollars to build so it makes sense.  By the name/sound I'm assuming this will be in a public bar?  Have you started considering how to lock the computer down?  You're going to spend close to equal amounts of time on the build as you are on streamlining the computer if it's fit for a public local.  Have you thought about instruction manuals/binders for operation?  I don't think you want to be called at 1 AM cause a drunk customer wants to play Robotron right?

If this isn't a public place then scratch all of that above lol.

[Le Chuck]

I like the design, simple and to the point.  I'm not sure if it would fit but try to work the Blue Bavarian Lion in there somewhere, that thing is the bomb.

Parts list looks good and costs also look good.  Good machines cost a few dollars to build so it makes sense.  By the name/sound I'm assuming this will be in a public bar?  Have you started considering how to lock the computer down?  You're going to spend close to equal amounts of time on the build as you are on streamlining the computer if it's fit for a public local.  Have you thought about instruction manuals/binders for operation?  I don't think you want to be called at 1 AM cause a drunk customer wants to play Robotron right?

If this isn't a public place then scratch all of that above lol.

All good advice, but nope   Just going in a beer lover's man cave. 

When I went to Home Depot to look for wheels on my build, wow,.. I did not know they where so spendy!!!! So, I did what any ol, cheap bastard would do, go home and dissamble the piano dolly and take it's wheels!   

Yeah, I've used old roller skates before    Any way to meet the need and save a buck

[Le Chuck]

V1 on left.  V2 on right.  Took Nep's advice to add some stain glass effects and it really makes it pop.  Adjusted the banner text to look better as well. 

[Nephasth]

I like it. Any chance you could swap out that white/blue checkerboard for something that looks a little more like stained glass? I think that would tie it to the marquee a little better.

[Le Chuck]

It wouldn't be too much hassle.  It would lose that Bavarian charm tho.  I might try doing a stain glass checkerboard and see how that looks. 

[Le Chuck]

I like it. Any chance you could swap out that white/blue checkerboard for something that looks a little more like stained glass? I think that would tie it to the marquee a little better.

Good advice     Check it out:

[Nephasth]

I dig it!

[Le Chuck]

I have some ideas for the CPO but I'd like to open it up for suggestions first and see what shakes out. 

Layout will be a simple SFII with a TB in the middle on a rounded front CP similar to the ones that Yaksplat does but not as deep.  Thoughts? 

[yaksplat]

You using cad? If so I can pass some files on.

[Le Chuck]

You using cad? If so I can pass some files on.

Ha, I wish. I just pound my face against photoshop until something nice comes out. Got a vector I can work from?

[yaksplat]

ygm

[dandro]

an arcade with a bar theme,.. come on!!!!! this one def screams cup holders!!!! or

[Vigo]

Haha, it would also be awesome to get beer mugs with that logo printed on em.

[mcseforsale]

Subscribed.  For wheels, check out harbor freight.  Not sure if you have one local, but I have one down the street and they have bins of good qauality wheels.

Love the art.  Man, I wish I was good at the art.

AJ

[z-kun]

an arcade with a bar theme,.. come on!!!!! this one def screams cup holders!!!! or

Agreed. Especially because the side art is encouraging you to enjoy a drink while you game.

Looking good so far!

[dandro]

for wheels, something like this would be fitting for a pub/bar theme, non marking wood. Actually pretty inexpensive too..



found here: http://www.dlawlesshardware.com/setoffo75dic2.html

[yaksplat]

I've got a pair of happ rollers on the back of my cabinet and then a pair of adjustable sliders/levelers on the front.  Easy to move around and won't mar the surface.

[Le Chuck]

Initial infusion of cash has been received and the computer is on hand.  Online orders have been placed for everything except the art.  I need to get the art done this weekend.  I'm getting ready to head to the hardware store and will see how far I can get over this Easter three day.  Wish me luck!

ygm

Thanks mate, you're a peach! 

BTW, those wheels are hot.  I should do something like that. 

[Le Chuck]

Scored the TV off craigs for $20.  It worked fine at the seller's house, got it home and it started showing classic signs of needing a cap job on the vertical.  I'll crack it open and see if one is bulged, if not I'll probably just replace the lot.  I toyed with decasing but its a slim case on as far as width goes so I'm not really gaining any space by doing it.  Makes it easier to replace for the user later on down the road like this anyway. 

I wasted an afternoon building a super sturdy awesome 5" base only to determine it was a bit too narrow to feel stable and about two inches too tall to be comfortable.  Was able to make use of 80% of the wood from the effort but was kicking myself for not stacking some wood up just to test height first.  Live and learn. 

The build can be dismantled as I'm using threaded inserts throughout.  It ran about $50 in hardware to do it that way but I like it better than screws, it's rock solid, and it can always be flat packed and put in a conex to take to afghanistan or something 

Still to do:

remake the base - shorter and fatter
mount marquee light
fab marquee retainers
fab CP box
route for t-moulding
glue in guides for bezel glass
complete art
disassemble
paint
reassemble
do all that other arcadey stuff that always happens

[Le Chuck]

Got a fair amount done after work today.  Fixed the base, did some more on the monitor mount, cut the top of the CP, wired and mounted the marquee light, cut and formed the marquee retainers, routed for T-molding, fell asleep at the wheel and totally borked an 8 inch section on the front while routing, did all the sanding and patch work, filled the borked area with wood filler so I can retrain on routing. 


Top down detail of the CP.  I'm trying something a bit out of left field with this one but think it will blend well and have nice curves.  I need to cut the front and bottom pieces but can't put it all together until I get in my parts to route and test fit all the components.  I've got my dimensions sorted in my head tho so I can start on the art finally. 

Still to do:
complete CP construction
get glass cut
glue in guides for bezel glass
complete art
disassemble
paint
reassemble
cap the tv

Anyway, let me know what you think! 

[rablack97]

do you want constructive criticism or kiss ass comments?

It may be the camera, but the top of that thing doesnt' look proportional.  It's like you modified it to fit those humongous speakears.

Dunno man, I'm sure you'll make it look pretty in the end, otherwise good start....

Trackball should be in you hands by the end of the week....

[mcseforsale]

Can you closeup the TV mount?  I'm sitting on several TVs and I'd like to convert The Blue Pill when it's moved.  I just have no experience with TVs.

You da man.  Looks good so far.  Love the fact that it can be brought on deployment.

AJ

[Le Chuck]

do you want constructive criticism or kiss ass comments?

It may be the camera, but the top of that thing doesnt' look proportional.  It's like you modified it to fit those humongous speakears.

Dunno man, I'm sure you'll make it look pretty in the end, otherwise good start....

Depends, was that the kiss ass comment? 

Seriously tho, that's good feedback.  I used the Centipede cab design as a heavy influence and I have a pechant for large marquees but I may have missed the mark.  We'll have to get it all put together and see how it fits.  I think the bezel will help balance everything out but it might have to be addressed.  I don't see an imbalance myself but I'll be looking for it now. 

Can you closeup the TV mount?  I'm sitting on several TVs and I'd like to convert The Blue Pill when it's moved.  I just have no experience with TVs.

You da man.  Looks good so far.  Love the fact that it can be brought on deployment.

AJ

Thanks.  I will post up some more, I have one more support peice to make and then I'll post pics of the mount with TV and w/out.  What you're looking at is a heavy duty shelf on carriage bolts at a 30^o angle.  The client is tall so I wanted to give him the best viewing angle I could based on his other goals for the cab. 

[rablack97]

 Ha, that was the constructive critcism.....

You get kiss ass when you work your magic and make it look pretty so i can see your total overall vision......

Until then, you know how we roll, you get ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- until you show me the pretty.....

In seriousness.....



I like the inserts idea, but I'm a bit confused, are those the screw heads protruding on the side?

Are they recessed, and if not, if you cover those up with graphics how did you plan on the disassembly?

Can you post some photos of how you used them?


Oh and you might want to snag a scanline generator from craftymech if you want more authenticity....

[Le Chuck]

I like the inserts idea, but I'm a bit confused, are those the screw heads protruding on the side?

Are they recessed, and if not, if you cover those up with graphics how did you plan on the disassembly?

Can you post some photos of how you used them?

Oh and you might want to snag a scanline generator from craftymech if you want more authenticity....

I've already got an extra SLG from crafty, I'll have to do some testing to see how it looks but the big ass CRT should provide some good lines on its own. 

There are two sets of bolts that will show on the sides, the base support bolts and the CRT support bolts.  All the panels are done with the threaded inserts.  I'll post pics.  I went with the through bolts on the two big support pieces because I need to maximize stability while preserve the ability to disassemble.  The side art isn't a full skin so it won't be an issue.     Once I get everything painted I'll do a fully assembly set of pics so folks can learn what to do and what not to do as they see fit 

[rablack97]

 

[Le Chuck]

Rough draft CPO.  I'm not 100% happy with this I think.  It's headed in the right direction but it's not quite there yet, or maybe I've been working on it for too long at one stretch.  My design eye is shot for the evening. 



edit:  Just for reference the bend will be about at the lions' necks-ish. 

[mcseforsale]

Phew.  I though you'd just rest your elbows on the CP while you played.

AJ

Rough draft CPO.  I'm not 100% happy with this I think.  It's headed in the right direction but it's not quite there yet, or maybe I've been working on it for too long at one stretch.  My design eye is shot for the evening. 



edit:  Just for reference the bend will be about at the lions' necks-ish.

[Vigo]

Have you tried outlining the lions like you do with the little ones?

[Le Chuck]

Have you tried outlining the lions like you do with the little ones?

Yeah, I'll play around with it some more tho.  It's hard finding the balance between the text overlays and the outline to keep it from becoming visually muddled.  The client is pleased, I'll try a few more things tho.  I did the lions as stained glass but it felt cliparty and I didn't like it.  I think this is pretty close unless somebody has a wizbang idea.