INVADER - Finished?!?!

[jfunk]

Thanx for the compliments!  As you can imagine, going with something so "different" took quite a bit of thought..  Didn't want it to turn out badly.  But, I could always just paint the bottom black if it looked bad, so I thought I'd just go for it 

Bones, your project is one that inspired me to keep going with the bold colors!    My green cab's got nothing on your orange!!

And NOW, my initial design is becoming reality.  ARTWORK IS APPLIED!!  First the marquee:



And the obligatory 'lit' shot...



The marquee was printed by emdkay..  Besides the lengthy delay, I COULD NOT be happier with the marquee.  It's EXCELLENT QUALITY!

(Hard to get good pics in a dark basement..  Either the flash causes bright spots or it's too dark to see    )

I have to say, even my wife said "Wow" when she first saw the marquee installed.  I think it finally hit her that I was building a "real" arcade machine, not just a big hunk of wood that would be taking up space in the basement.  I don't know whether she was just being nice or not, but she seemed genuinely impressed.  Funny how different people are impressed by different things... 

Pics of sideart coming up!!

[babydickonboard]

thats a sick marquee, i really like the green and black theme.

[jfunk]

The sideart was printed by MAMEMarquees.  Not only did they do a fantastic job (the quality is GREAT!), they were EXTREMELY fast.  Sent it to them on a Friday, they printed it on Saturday (even with having to repair some issues they were having with their printer), shipped it on Monday, and I got it on Wednesday.  SERVICE!!  THANX SCOTT!!

Here's the full-on sideart view.  I like the 'simple' approach.  A very iconic and bold image without much clutter.  I love how it turned out 



And here's a shot showing everything!  (Including my messy basement and cluttered workspace):



(Again, sorry about the picture quality.  I'm not a professional *cough*markrvp*cough*    )

I think for the control panel artwork, I'm just going to cut some green overlay material I have into outlining shapes.  I think the CP is going to be the first thing I change after I'm all done to incorporate 49-ways rather than the T-Stik Pluses I have right now..  Now I just need to find black balltops for Midway 49-ways 

Anyways, let me know what you think!

[markrvp]

Don't worry, you're pics are fine.  That's a real nice pinball restoration.




Just kidding.  Really nice looking cab.  Congrats!  The marquee design is superb.

[jfunk]

Thanx!  I'm particularly happy with the marquee..  I had additional ideas and input on it from my artwork forum thread, but decided to stick with what I had.  And I'm glad I did.  Couldn't be happier! 

Now, if I can just figure out where the plunger is, I can put a ball in play and test 'er out... 

THANX!

[missioncontrol]

that thing is looking awesome...

I like those inserts... the marquee looks fantastic

[RetroJames]

Looks great, that sideart is begging for a dropping invader missle.

[emdkay]

The marquee was printed by emdkay..  Besides the lengthy delay, I COULD NOT be happier with the marquee.  It's EXCELLENT QUALITY!

(Hard to get good pics in a dark basement..  Either the flash causes bright spots or it's too dark to see    )

I have to say, even my wife said "Wow" when she first saw the marquee installed.  I think it finally hit her that I was building a "real" arcade machine, not just a big hunk of wood that would be taking up space in the basement.  I don't know whether she was just being nice or not, but she seemed genuinely impressed.  Funny how different people are impressed by different things... 

Pics of sideart coming up!!

Looking good!  I'm glad you really enjoy the marquee! 

[missioncontrol]

That marquee looks good can't wait to see mine mounted. Now if it would only warm up outside so I can get it done..........

[Bones]

Bones, your project is one that inspired me to keep going with the bold colors! 

Mwwahhhhaaaha..... Everything is going as I have forseen.

Put me down as another fan or your marquee.

[jfunk]

Well, the control panel isn't as nice as the other artwork, but I'm pretty please with how it came out.  Besides, the issues I have with it will just keep driving me to upgrading it with my 49-ways 



It's not a full piece of artwork.  All of the pieces are cut to size and placed over the painted black surface.  With plexi over it all for good measure.  It actually looks good in person, as well, which kinda surprised me 

The only problem I have is this:  I installed the artwork and controls and plexi and THEN decided to put my t-molding on.  Easy enough.  But apparently, the slot wasn't deep enough in one spot.  While trying to tap it in with my rubber mallet, the thinner side of the slot apparently busted.  You can BARELY see the crack under the plexi, so it's not a huge deal.  HOWEVER, it caused several small wood chips to also come out under the plexi which are VERY obvious..  to me..  I'm not sure they're a big deal, but I have no desire to remove all the controls to take the plexi out to clean it off.  So, I'm going to live with it for a while. 

Everything's wired, as well.  Now, I need to install it on the cabinet, which shouldn't be a big deal 

Thanx!

[jfunk]

Oh, and the trackball isn't NEARLY as yellow in person as it looks in the pics 

[jfunk]

Lots of little stuff done this weekend..

- Wired the "admin panel"
- Wired the coin door
- Wired a switch to turn on/off credit buttons
- Created "coin chutes" for coin door
- Installed control panel
- Installed monitor

There's VERY little I still want to do to call it complete (for now). 

- Create monitor bezel
- Install bezel/plexiglass
- Install computer
- 'Fix' keyboard drawer (it sticks a BUNCH now that the cp is installed, so I need to sand it down and fix the lock..)
- Paint keyboard drawer

We're putting our house on the market, again, in January.  Once we sell, we'll be moving someplace with a bigger basement.  At that point, I'll have to disassemble it to move it, so I'm waiting on final work until after the move.  At that point, I'll do things like making the control panel easily removable, tidying up the wiring, making the computer more secure, etc, etc.  But since I'll be (HOPEFULLY!) pulling it all apart again in a couple of months, I just want it playable! 

No pics this time, unfortunately.  I'll try to get pics as soon as I figure out how to do a bezel.  Not sure if I want to go the easy route and just cut a big hole in some foam board or if I want to create a $2 bezel...  We'll see.

Tomorrow my goal is to hook up the computer and play some games!!!

Thanx.

[dmsuchy]

I likes it!

[jfunk]

w00t!!

IT LIVES!  I plugged everything in, and with the press of ONE BUTTON, it all came to life!

I have to tell you, after all this time, it almost brought a tear to my eye 

Everything worked right from the start (actually, I _did_ have to tweak an IPAC setting to register pause and escape, but...)

My admin panel wiring works, trackball was installed in the right orientation, coin door works, and my coin switch (to turn off the credit buttons) works, too!

Played a little Marvel vs. Capcom, Centipede, Dragon's Lair, and Donkey Kong!

Can't WAIT until someone visits to join in the fun!!

I should probably get some pics up with the monitor in place, but that can wait..

Now I'm just hoping I finish what still needs done    Too much playing, not enough working 

Maybe I don't NEED a bezel and a painted keyboard drawer..  Hrm...



OK, now for REAL work..  *sigh*  Real life keeps getting in the way...

THANX!

[jfunk]

Here are a few pics as requested by some friends watching my thread:

First, the monitor installed!



Here, you can see my makeshift coin chutes.  Hey, they do their jobs!!  I just cut apart and taped together some of the clear plastic packaging from one of my daughter's Christmas gifts    It's worked on every quarter and token I've tossed in it!



Here's my credit switch.  Flip it, and no more coin buttons! 



And finally, here's INVADER next to my dedicated Alien Syndrome.  I think they look nice together! 



I'm thinking about converting my Alien Syndrome into a MAME monstrosity...  Thoughts?

J/K!!!  Just happened to stumble upon this today LINK and shed a little tear.  At least it looks like nothing was destroyed...

Anyways, thanx for looking!  Hope to get that darned keyboard drawer painted soon, as well as make the bezel.  Until then, at least I'm having fun playing it!!

Thanx.

[arcadefever]

  really nice cab, well done . if i was you i will keep alien syndrome as a dedicated cab. 

[MPTech]

Great cabinet, you did a nice job!
That Green is a BOLD statement, but really sets off the Invader theme, good choice.

I may have missed it, but can you attach a shot of the "Admin panel" and explain it (sorry I'm a newbie).

[Bones]

Looks good but I find the white section on your keyboard draw a little distracting. The CP looks great though!

[jfunk]

...
I may have missed it, but can you attach a shot of the "Admin panel" and explain it (sorry I'm a newbie).  Is it the 1 & 2 player buttons and credits?

Again, great job! Looks Awesome.

THANX!



It contains escape, pause, start buttons, coin buttons...

The "admin panel" (for lack of a better name) is good for me for several reasons:

- Doesn't clutter up the CP.  Let's me add instructions and gives me a place for my pile of tokens 
- IMHO, it looks nice    Adds something 'interesting' under the monitor where there was just going to be a blank space..  Also, since it's only a 21" monitor, it 'takes up' some of that area making the monitor look a bit bigger 
- I was _thinking_ of making swappable control panels.  Still might.  This meant 6 less buttons I'd have to duplicate between panels    Even if I don't make swappable panels, I am planning on redoing my panel, so this still makes it easier..
- I LIKE it!  It's a little bit different (not a LOT different..  Others have done it, too) and I think it looks great 

I especially love that I was able to get away with no white buttons.  Peale's black start buttons look awesome.  I'm debating on whether I should 'highlight' them with some green paint behind them rather than the black, but for now, I'm leaving it as is...

Oddly, the only thing that's awkward for me right now is selecting games in MAMEWAH.  Reaching up to hit P1 start to start the game just doesn't feel natural, for some reason.  However, hitting it WHILE playing a game to continue is fine..?  I'm sure I'll get used to it 

Looks good but I find the white section on your keyboard draw a little distracting. The CP looks great though!

Yeah, yeah    If it would stop raining so I could get outside to do some sanding, I could paint it that lovely shade of green!!  Also, it's grey primer, not white   

Thanx, all!!

[jfunk]

Wow..  Been a while..

Finally installed a bezel..  It's only temporary, but since people have been playing it more, lately, I want to give it a more finished appearance...



It's just black poster board sitting in the same groove as the plexi..  Had to trim down the plexi a bit to make it fit..  Apparently, was a bit off when measuring for the cut.

Overall, it looks fine, but I defintely will want something different, eventually.

Also, hot-glued the speaker grills on..  They're the kind that snap onto a base so there are no visible screws.  Unfortunately, when jostled, they'd fall off    The hot glue should help 

Another pic...



All that's left to do, appearance-wise:

- Paint the keyboard drawer door green
- Paint some silver screw-heads black
- EVENTUALLY, new bezel
- Mount some black strips across the top/bottom of the plexi to keep it in place and tidy it up a bit.

Someday, I'll redo my control panel, but it's fun to play and looks fine, for now, so it'll be this way for a while..  Besides, my next project is starting    See my Galaxian/Classics project for details.

Thanx, all!

[jfunk]

Am I done?!?! 



I took the day off work today to try to do some things I haven't had a chance to do over the weekends or in the evenings.  I'd been working on painting the last pieces, and today got the chance to assemble them!



I think it looks nice!  I finally painted the keyboard drawer and the scratches that were on the outside.

Speaking of the scratches, I noticed this thread hasn't been updated in like 6 months?!?  Yikes!  We moved this summer, and the scratches are from that.  I've now got a nice bonus room upstairs holding my arcade games.  SOMEDAY, I'll be able to finish the new, big basement and make a nice game room.  Until then, the bonus room is good    The move doesn't explain the lull in progress, but it's part of it 

After the move, the 21" monitor I HAD in INVADER went out.  Started having issues.  I just recently picked up a new monitor.  A 21" Dell.  My old, haphazard bezel wasn't working, so I "created" a new one.  I taped off and painted my plexiglass and then used the old bezel, taped to the monitor, behind it.  It looks nice on the outside and hides the insides quite well.  I'm very pleased for now 



Anyways, it _IS_ done, but there are some future enhancements I'd like to make:

1) Replace T-Stik Pluses with UltraStiks.
2) Install one or 2 of the new GGG TurboTwist2 spinners
3) Get Dragon's Lair II installed and running through Daphne
4) Clean up game lists

But, it's completely playable right now and looks great!  I need to finish up my webpage at:

HomeArcade.US

But plan on submitting my project for the news section, soon.

Please let me know what you think!

THANX!!!

[needlesmcgirk]

That looks fantastic.  you did a great job with it!

[Crafty]

Is it ever really finished

Looks fantastic, and it a unique cabinet....

[allanon]

Looking at your own work and the nice custom pieces you made, I'm afraid to even start my own monstrosity. 

Great job!

[jfunk]

Thanx!  It's a relief to have it presentable.  You're probably right, it's never REALLY done..  But I've had an old crappy monitor just sitting in it uncovered for SOOO long..  Now I'm not embarrassed to show it off 

As far as 'custom pieces' and 'monstrosities' go..  I figured mine would be a monstrosity, too..  And some may still consider it such.  But _I_ like how it turned out    And people that play it do, too    I'm fortunate in that my dad is a mechanical engineer and has skills and access to some pretty cool stuff    I was mostly just art and software 

All I can say is be patient and don't rush.  There's a couple of places I DEFINITELY wish I'd slowed down on.

Thanx, again, for the compliments!

[Level42]

I like it very much, great work !! I agree with the guy who mentioned that the invader on the side should be releasing a missile.....would make it more "action" like

(not sure if still possible of course)

But I really like the shape and colors...theme well applied to all parts !!

[(+_+)]

Well, the control panel isn't as nice as the other artwork, but I'm pretty please with how it came out. 

I think your wrong. Negative, yet positive praise. 
The artwork goes very well with the rest of your theme.

Also, Is that a jar of tokens on the control panel in one of your pics? If so, nice touch.

[danny_galaga]

sweet! and colour co ordinated 

[Jdurg]

Awesome looking cab!  I'm really now considering making one myself now that I'm getting closer to finally having a house to call my own!  (Though I'm sure with everything else I need to get done the cabinet will be on the back-burner).

I really like how the artwork is simple, yet not too simple.  Nice combination of items there.  Must be a blast to play one!

[jfunk]

INVADER has its final home    After many years, a move, and FINALLY finishing our basement!  Was a REALLY tight fit getting both games down our stairwell, but worth it!

Sorry that build pictures have disappeared..  The website those were on is long gone.  I may try to re-link them at some point.  Until then, I've attached a pic of it in the basement game room 

[Zakk]

Looks good!    You guys aren't really drinkers too much eh?  That looks like one of those "gets used once a year" bar setups instead of the "I passed out there 2 times this week" setups like I have

It needs a bar rail along that back wall so you can rest your drink while you play

[jfunk]

Looks good!    You guys aren't really drinkers too much eh?  That looks like one of those "gets used once a year" bar setups instead of the "I passed out there 2 times this week" setups like I have

It needs a bar rail along that back wall so you can rest your drink while you play

The basement was just finished so I don't know how often the bar will get used, yet    I guess we'll see..  We're still doing finishing touches (bar rail! good idea!) but it's MOSTLy done for now 

INVADER got quite a bit of playtime this week when my brother and nephews were here.  So much more than it did in our upstairs bonus room.  ALMOST makes me want to build another!  (I've got a cocktail shell in my office that I'm slowly piecing together..  VERY SLOWLY...)

[Santoro]

I like it!  Enjoy....

[jfunk]

I like it!  Enjoy....

Not sure if you can make out that big bowl of tokens on the back right corner of the bar, there..  I miss those design contests 

[Santoro]

Hmmm. It has been a while hasn't it?  Maybe I will look into that this spring - things are personally crazy right now however.