Be gentle, it's my first time.

[Malenko]

Does anyone know the largest (CRT) screen I can fit in this cabinet?

Measure the distance across the opening, then use the Pythagorean Theorem?

[Raktageno]

Does anyone know the largest (CRT) screen I can fit in this cabinet?

Measure the distance across the opening, then use the Pythagorean Theorem?

I've done that, but I'm hoping someone will already have experience with this type of Williams cabinet. I just want to be sure before I pull the trigger.

[Generic Eric]

Does anyone know the largest (CRT) screen I can fit in this cabinet?

Measure the distance across the opening, then use the Pythagorean Theorem?

I've done that, but I'm hoping someone will already have experience with this type of Williams cabinet. I just want to be sure before I pull the trigger.

Its been several times that someone measured, thought it was big enough, decided it wasn't and de-cased it so it would fit.

[Raktageno]

Its been several times that someone measured, thought it was big enough, decided it wasn't and de-cased it so it would fit.

I don't mind decasing. That might actually give me more screen room.

[markc74]

Measure the width between the sides. I'm fitting a 25" tv in a gap that is 62cm (24.5") wide and there's probably about 2" of leeway. Ymmv.

[Malenko]

Measure the width between the sides. I'm fitting a 25" tv in a gap that is 62cm (24.5") wide and there's probably about 2" of leeway. Ymmv.

a 19 or 20" will fit for sure.  a 25 will prolly be impossibru! unless you mount it vertically, like how I mounted a 32" CRT into a KI2 cab.

[opt2not]

Two things to consider:

1. With that type of cabinet, and the angle of which the monitor is mounted, it'll be tough on the eyes to have anything bigger than 19".  Williams cabs have such upright angled monitors, and with a smaller CP you stand closer to the cab than that of say a Dynamo or Midway cab. It's a much more intimate distance.

2. You'll have to fabricate a new shroud to fit a bigger monitor.  (Shrouds are the things that hide the back of the cabinet -- made of plastic in this case, but sometimes cardboard, Bezels are the framing around the monitor, most of the time being populated with artwork).

But #1 is the main concern for comfortable play.

Good job on the hand-painting.  If you can, use a circle template to assist you with the Williams logo. Find a something big enough (like a big can of tomatoes), or perhaps fabricate one.

[Raktageno]

Thank you! I hadn't even thought about the angle.

[Generic Eric]

Thank you! I hadn't even thought about the angle.

I agree

5 years to the day since I saw this picture I thought a test set up like this would be a great idea.

[mgb]

I agree with Malenko. Pretty sure your not gonna fit something like a 25" in there, even deceased.
My cab is 24" wide between the sides and I was unable to fit a 25" arcade monitor horizontally in it.
I ended up doing a 27" vertically so verticals are great and horizontal games are equivalent to a 19 or 20" monitor. 
At largest, you'll be able to do something like a 21" or something

Remember typical monitor sizes will be 19", 25" or 27" but there are some other sizes of PC VGA monitors like 20 or 21" but you'll will definitely need to make a custom bezel.

[Raktageno]

I'm going to scour for a CRT. My painting is almost completely done!

[Raktageno]

I finished painting today, and have moved it into my office where it will live. And so, pictures!

[opt2not]

It looks friggin' great. 

Even though the Williams logos could use a bit more touching up to get 'em rounder, I really think this has turned out superbly. Stencils-shmencils! 

[Raktageno]

Has it really been two months? Maybe I should make an update! I FINALLY went to Dave & Buster's last night to do some research on control panel layouts to find out how I want mine. That trip was USELESS! There was only one cabinet there, and it was some Pacman machine that's been redone several times, so it had one stick and four buttons total in strange places. I feel like I've been dragging my feet too long, and haven't gone out to get a CRT, but I just swapped my second monitor for a projector so I'm using that screen for this cab. I have a printout of what I think will work for the CP, but I'm going to a local arcade tonight to see my options.

[RetroGreg]

That paint job looks amazing. I love Williams cabs   

[Raktageno]

GUYS. Guys, guys, guys, guise, big news.

It's been a while since I posted, and in that time some big things have come about. I have a friend with access to metal cutting/bending technology who made my control panel, it's beautiful! We put a hinge on the bottom, and I used magnets I cannibalized from old kitchen cabinets to keep it attached. That was the major breakthrough this project needed to finish the ball rolling.

I already had everything else I needed: a Dell Insprion 1525 laptop, a separate monitor, some speakers, a keyboard, a mouse, all necessary arcade buttons/joysticks, and a minipac controller for the buttons. Yes, I listed a lot of extraneous parts, and some may ask "why all the external parts that laptops already have?" Well, I already had those items and wouldn't prefer to open up the laptop unless it was absolutely necessary.

The nice long weekend gave me the opportunity to put it all together, and run every diagnostic/renaming protocol needed to make my Hyperspin frontend run smoothly. Right now, NES and SNES titles run well with only a few rough edges that can be ironed out.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you've been with me through this project and the long time it's taken to get here. I am now calling this arcade cabinet fully functional! I can move on to making final touches (plexiglass for mounting the monitor, a marquee, etc.)

Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

Pictures!

[Raktageno]

You'll notice the wires are kind of everywhere. I'm going to go back through them to smooth things out in the final stages. I believe I'll also put another button on the under side of the control panel as Hyperspin makes pretty common use of an "escape" command. Other final touches may include lit coin buttons possibly attached to the "coin" command in MAME emulation, a power button for all of it after commanding hyperspin to run on startup if I decide to move it out when we're entertaining. On that same note, adding casters to the bottom is a possibility. The speaker in the cabinet isn't currently attached to anything, so I may wire it to the computer in addition to the speakers I'm already using if I really want to, but it's not a must right now.

Overall, it works. I even had my wife play a fighting game with me while we both button-mashed as much as possible with no problems. I can finally stop stressing about "finishing" it, and enjoy playing it!

[Rick]

I LOVE that this was an original Joust, and was also completely offended that a) someone painted over a classic like that, and b) would ever consider just throwing it away!

You've worked hard to bring the old girl back to life. Good on you, sir. I can't wait to see everything done!

[Raktageno]

I'm doing my best. I think I'll glam it up a bit as the metal control panel would go with more of a silver T-molding. For the marquee, I'm thinking of finding a way to honor my friend who found it and also happens to be the same guy who made the control panel.

[yotsuya]

I LOVE that this was an original Joust, and was also completely offended that a) someone painted over a classic like that, and b) would ever consider just throwing it away!

You've worked hard to bring the old girl back to life. Good on you, sir. I can't wait to see everything done!

Love the panel. I have access to fab my own. Much better than working with wood.

Oh, and that igloo is HELLA BIG!

[Raktageno]

So as to not overload with new stuff once my T-molding comes in today, I have an update! I went to a local plastics place and got them to cut some smoked plexi for my screen and marquee. I haven't come up with a marquee design just yet, but this is a nice place holder. Apologies for the potato quality.

You may notice that my monitor is not mounted directly up to the plexi. It's currently on its own stand, and isn't really a problem. I'll be moving the whole thing out to the living room for a party this weekend to see how it can handle abuse.

[Raktageno]

And now for a further update! I just got the T-molding in tonight, and it looks AWESOME! This chrome looks so great, oh man. The first two are before I took off the blue coating, and the final is the masterpiece that it now is.

[Mordwaffe]

I have always loved the Joust side art, love the resto work you've done.

[mgb]

looking good.
Chrome T-molding looks great.
I love the metal control panel

[Raktageno]

The metal control panel is great, but now seems a little bland in comparison to this shiny t-molding. Would it be worth painting/coating it? Maybe putting vinyl or artwork over it? In that case, would it make sense to match the coin door with the control panel?

[dkersten]

At the minimum I would clear coat it.  But wouldn't it be cool to get it dipped in chrome..?  Fingerprint mayhem but damn cool when shined up..

[yotsuya]

Wait, you weren't planning to put a control panel overlay on it? 

[Raktageno]

Wait, you weren't planning to put a control panel overlay on it? 

Still thinking about it. What do you think, just vinyl? Where, oh where would someone around here find control panel overlays?

[yotsuya]

Wait, you weren't planning to put a control panel overlay on it? 

Still thinking about it. What do you think, just vinyl? Where, oh where would someone around here find control panel overlays?

This stuff is great and very durable:

http://www.twistedquarter.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=219_223&products_id=513&zenid=5rhf3v42u8l9g0922gq196s8e1

[mgb]

yes, cover it.
go to gameongrafix.com

[AzureKnight]

Looking good, I have to say it makes me really happy a cabinet like this finds a home where it is truly loved.  For this thing to find it's way to a guy who wanted to do a Joust theme....incredible.  Nice work on the paint job!

[Raktageno]

Looking good, I have to say it makes me really happy a cabinet like this finds a home where it is truly loved.  For this thing to find it's way to a guy who wanted to do a Joust theme....incredible.  Nice work on the paint job!

Thanks! It is a big source of pride for me. I'm no carpenter or electrical engineer, but I know a few things. This project hasn't been too daunting, and I've learned a lot along the way. I'm certain this cabinet will be the source of many exciting moments and headaches to come (hopefully more of the former). One thing I'm certain of, this will definitely not be my last.