My first attempt: Space Invaders Deluxe-to-mame

[dfwpiper1]

First of all, hello to everyone! I've been stalking the forum for awhile. I love the wisdom everybody has to offer here!

Before the purists attack, I want it known that this cabinet is in fairly rough shape, and has been messed with already. It was purchased as a 60-in-1 jamma. But I basically want more games, and console games I grew up with. Not to mention the fact the jammafication of this was preeeeeetty rough-shod.

As far as the look goes... I want to keep it as "Space Invaders-Deluxy" as I can keep it. Sort of a restore without it being dedicated.

My first question is this: Is this side art beyond retouching? Shall I sand it all off and buy a stencil and repaint from scratch? Or do you think some bondo and color-matching paint will do? It looks pretty good...from a distance. Pretty full of dings when ya get closer. There's some good bites out of some edges and corners tho.

The front will have to be replaced. It's pretty horrible. I think the front as well as the top have been replaced in the past, because they're crumbling particle board. I thought I read somewhere here that the original SI Deluxe was all nautical grade plywood. Only the sides and back seem to be on this one.

FYI this project will probably take a decade for 2 reasons: A) My funds are such that I'll have to to things in spread-out increments. And B) A wife and 2 kids see to it that 15 minutes of hobby time is something as rare and amazing as the parting of the Red Sea.

Here's some pics of the cab in it's current state...

[Drnick]

I wouldn't say the side art is beyond just touching up, But if it was mine I would sand down the sides, fill it, fix edges,  prime it and repaint the stencils.  The front looks a little trickier, I would probably Replace that bit. It looks like you will need to cut a new control panel. I would recommend you get a joystick that can switch between 4/8 way easily.  Change up to 4 or more buttons. I would Use Leaf switches if you can get them for that authentic feel. 

Good luck with the build/restore

[Automark]

Better mame it, than trash it.
Most of these cabs are trashed 

i also would sand it and stencil it again, retouch will prob never look as good because it's pretty far gone.

[menace]

When I did my berzerk cabinet and tried my hand at re-stenciling--I had nothing but grief--the stencils are cardboard, don't lay flat and you get bleed through in all sorts of places--While I was probably doing it all wrong it was still pretty frustrating.  I now use full side adhesive vinyl wall decals.  If you go on ebay and look for prints-mart it's .99 a sq. ft. plus shipping for whatever you send them..just maybe an option that will give you a very clean finish for a reasonable price--if you were dreading stenciling and painting...

[dfwpiper1]

I was thinking of using the stencils from http://www.thisoldgame.com/products/space-invaders-deluxe-stencil-set

(Only place I could find it)

It's "low- tack removable vinyl spray mask"

Is that pretty different from the cardboard you used? I'm hoping so now.

[dfmaverick]

Here's an example of a regular Space Invaders restore using stencils from thisoldgame.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,107042.40.html

[dfwpiper1]

That is some beautiful work! Thanks for pointing me to that thread. I'm pretty sure I'll be looking to it for more tips as I go along. I'm a little jealous. I actually like the regular space invaders cab aesthetics a little better! Lol

I'm glad to see those stencils worked out so well. 

[dfwpiper1]

Just ordered a Samsung 213T for the monitor. That's about as good of a size as I can get away with for the price. I know it's not a CRT, but the jamma version has a smaller lcd, and I've been pretty cool with it. The new monitor should give me just about as much verticle display, mounted horizontally. And not be obscured by the fancy bezel!   

[BAMBOO]

Aint no way I would trash it or cover any of that. 

[Drnick]

Aint no way I would trash it or cover any of that. 

So your advice for the OP would be?

Just ordered a Samsung 213T for the monitor. That's about as good of a size as I can get away with for the price. I know it's not a CRT, but the jamma version has a smaller lcd, and I've been pretty cool with it. The new monitor should give me just about as much verticle display, mounted horizontally. And not be obscured by the fancy bezel!   

Good choice, I am sitting in front of one typing this.  Amazingly I had a few to sell around xmas and not one bite 

[Malenko]

I know Im in the minority here but, I'd leave the sides and front as is unless there is a structural issue. Shiny and new looks good, but then again so does aged.

[BAMBOO]

Uh, wood putty and paint man.  C'mon, how could you trash that?  Yeah, I'm sure there are a lot of scratches and dents and it will take a lot of work, but it would be worth every bit of it in the end.

[dfwpiper1]

Good choice, I am sitting in front of one typing this.  Amazingly I had a few to sell around xmas and not one bite 

Bummer. Probably woulda been cheaper!

Yeah I'm still deciding if I wanna sand it all off or just retouch. The front needs all-new any way I slice it. The particle at the bottom is so hamburgered, it leaves wood dust everywhere.

[xefned]

I honestly think the cabinet looks kind of great as is.

The only true eyesore is the previous owners attempt at a control panel. I'd fix up the control panel, and learn to love the imperfections.

[dfwpiper1]

Done with my cab. Except for getting buttons to stay lit in HS, and the years of playing with the mapping....






Power button on top in back. Boots to HS



Those coin return buttons in the coin door were turned into working volume knob and usb port. (Car kits fit perfectly!)