Author Topic: Turtle Box - Severdhed inspired pedestal cabinet (Read 40302 times)

Locke141 · « **Reply #40 on:** February 24, 2014, 04:41:45 pm »

Nice poster.

pbj · « **Reply #41 on:** February 24, 2014, 04:45:29 pm »

I stole the images from this guy:

http://capmoreno.deviantart.com/art/TMNT-DONATELLO-HD-WALLPAPER-83349946

Actually, I found them on E-bay, some dude in Russia was selling posters. So, I did a TinEye search and found the source images. I blew them up, cropped them to about 46x20 and I'll try to center the image and trim it out.

The important thing to remember about Donatello is that he does machines and is my favorite turtle.

BAMBOO · « **Reply #42 on:** February 24, 2014, 08:11:09 pm »

My favorite turtle → → →

pbj · « **Reply #43 on:** February 24, 2014, 09:27:54 pm »

Was having trouble lining up the control panel box that has to be removed to get this through a doorway. So I made some "alignment pegs."

Pilot holes slightly larger than the nails. Hammered them into the support 2x2 below.

Snick snick with the angle grinder.

Problem solved.

Slippyblade · « **Reply #44 on:** February 24, 2014, 09:29:56 pm »

MacGuyver would be proud!

pbj · « **Reply #45 on:** March 01, 2014, 05:54:34 pm »

Decided it was time to do the artwork and control panel acrylic.

First, I practiced with some scrap and a control panel that's needed this done for YEARS. Clamped down, flush trim around the edges, small pilot holes, then a large pilot hole, and then the flush trim around the inside of the button holes.

Well, shoot, that came out virtually perfect. Time to go after that $30 piece for the pedestal.

One joystick hole got a little wobbly, but it'll be hidden with a dust washer anyway (and answers the "dust washers?" question). Swept the ground really well and laid down the poster.

And here's what it looks like after my high tech cutting system consisting of standing on the plexiglass and running a razor blade around the edges.

severdhed · « **Reply #46 on:** March 01, 2014, 06:59:14 pm »

Looks great. Good job with the plexiglass. I do have a question though...Are you not going to have any start/coin/pause/exit buttons on the control panel?

pbj · « **Reply #47 on:** March 01, 2014, 08:40:05 pm »

The original intent had been to have Player start buttons along the top edge, and then Insert Coin buttons along the front of the control panel box. As a rule, I don't like or use dedicated admin buttons. Nobody needs in those settings except me, and they can be done with simultaneous button presses (Player 1 Down + Start = Pause).

As I chewed on it, I realized in a 4 player setting I wasn't crazy about the idea of players reaching over each other to hit start.

So, in all honesty, it was an oversight that 1-4 start didn't get drilled out along the top edge but I'm very pleased with my current results and really don't want to risk messing with this further. I've had extraordinarily bad luck with plexiglass in the past. Like nearly getting into fist fights with Lowes employees that can't measure and super glued shut lacerations that should have been stitched after that "score and snap" thing didn't go so well. $:-\$

Current plan is 1-4 start buttons will be on the front of the control box. I will put dedicated Insert Coin buttons along the front of the pedestal and will also map credits to Player Start plus Button 1. That will simulate a coin door and still leave the control box modular if I ever trash the base.

severdhed · « **Reply #48 on:** March 01, 2014, 10:51:02 pm »

excellent. i like to keep the panel as clean as possible too. the front edge of the control panel box is a great space for coin or start buttons. on my first cabinet, i had no coin buttons. i made it so you had to use the coin slots (modified to use washers as tokens) or press the coin reject buttons on the coin door. i did eventually add coin buttons, because is was difficult for my small children to reach down to the coin door while sitting on a stool.

i still like a pause/exit button, since those functions are used very heavily. now that we are talking about it, i wonder what the implications would be of not having start buttons at all? could you just remap mame to use b1 as start without any negative side effects?

pbj · « **Reply #49 on:** March 01, 2014, 11:38:27 pm »

I've done B1 = Start / B1 before and it goofs up games that let you add health when you buy in. Gauntlet springs to mind. Seemed like a lot of NeoGeo games would flash some message in the corner every time you hit start.

On the other hand, I've owned oddball boards like Guardians of the Hood and physically soldered Button 4 to Start and it had no ill effects.

I'll make this work. Or I'll break down and drill start buttons. $:-\$

pbj · « **Reply #50 on:** March 02, 2014, 11:03:38 am »

Yeah, okay, after tossing and turning all night over this, I decided to tempt fate.

pbj · « **Reply #51 on:** March 03, 2014, 11:18:14 pm »

Old poker buttons arrived today that I'm re-purposing to credit buttons. We've all got to make a living but what our forum sponsor charges for these....

Anyway, here's how to make these things for a lot less.

Start with this:

Take it apart, crack it open, and print some artwork on a transparency:

Assemble and shove 555 style LED in it:

Turn off lights and admire:

yotsuya · « **Reply #52 on:** March 03, 2014, 11:22:51 pm »

Looks good, Jimbo.

404 · « **Reply #53 on:** March 04, 2014, 08:52:25 am »

Quote from: pbj on March 03, 2014, 11:18:14 pm

Old poker buttons arrived today that I'm re-purposing to credit buttons. We've all got to make a living but what our forum sponsor charges for these....

Anyway, here's how to make these things for a lot less.

Start with this:

Take it apart, crack it open, and print some artwork on a transparency:

Assemble and shove 555 style LED in it:

Turn off lights and admire:

Really want to do the same for this little crappy bartop im making but so far I've run out of money to finish this turd

the buttons look great though

pbj · « **Reply #54 on:** March 04, 2014, 09:33:52 am »

I paid $14 shipped for 10 assorted color buttons and switches off Ebay. The inserts were a bit of a crapshoot - a couple of the reds had blue inserts in them, and I had to grind DISCARD off of one of them, but between them all I managed 4 red buttons with red inserts. One of the remaining ones will be used as the Pause/Exit button.

Some guy's got a lot of 30 used ones on there right now. Go get you some. These things are (virtually?) identical to what Groovy Game Gear is selling for $8.95/each.

PL1 · « **Reply #55 on:** March 04, 2014, 01:31:59 pm »

Divemaster127 carries some similar buttons here.

If you prefer the HAPP low-profile buttons that you can leave the bezel on for regular height, he has them here.

Scott

wp34 · « **Reply #56 on:** March 04, 2014, 01:44:33 pm »

Nice work on the coin button.

404 · « **Reply #57 on:** March 04, 2014, 01:46:49 pm »

Quote from: pbj on March 04, 2014, 09:33:52 am

I paid $14 shipped for 10 assorted color buttons and switches off Ebay. The inserts were a bit of a crapshoot - a couple of the reds had blue inserts in them, and I had to grind DISCARD off of one of them, but between them all I managed 4 red buttons with red inserts. One of the remaining ones will be used as the Pause/Exit button.

Some guy's got a lot of 30 used ones on there right now. Go get you some. These things are (virtually?) identical to what Groovy Game Gear is selling for $8.95/each.

unfortunately i just had to fork over a few hundred dollars in medical bills and undergo multiple pointless tests just so that the doctor can tell me i have chronic dry eye so I will have to hold off on finishing this bartop. TheNasty also has some in his FS thread that i have been eye-balling (lol). I like the idea of finishing the little bartop i made with just second hand junk laying around.

I also saw someone add them to a blank coin door panel and they look pretty good like that too.

pbj · « **Reply #58 on:** March 08, 2014, 08:55:45 pm »

Tossed a coat of primer on it this morning.

pbj · « **Reply #59 on:** March 09, 2014, 01:23:55 pm »

Stone textured the base and then threw the first of what will be several cans of green paint on it.

404 · « **Reply #60 on:** March 09, 2014, 02:19:19 pm »

Quote from: pbj on March 01, 2014, 11:38:27 pm

I've owned oddball boards like Guardians of the Hood

Guardians of the Hood

how did i miss this before? You have now lost any credibility you had!

pbj · « **Reply #61 on:** March 09, 2014, 07:20:39 pm »

I've done many things to be ashamed of. Buying a then unemulated game for $20, beating it, and dumping it on E-bay for $50+ is not one of them.

Admin button. Used Chlorinar font found here:

http://www.fontspace.com/category/teenage%20mutant%20ninja%20turtles

The forward slash is Impact.

Malenko · « **Reply #62 on:** March 10, 2014, 08:28:10 am »

Quote from: 404 on March 09, 2014, 02:19:19 pm

Quote from: pbj on March 01, 2014, 11:38:27 pm
I've owned oddball boards like Guardians of the Hood

Guardians of the Hood

how did i miss this before? You have now lost any credibility you had!

Just popped over to KLOV and saw this:

seriously.

severdhed · « **Reply #63 on:** March 10, 2014, 10:07:08 am »

i love the green paint. i was so tempted to do that on mine, but my wife shot that idea down pretty quickly. The walls in our family room are a teal color and she said it would look horrible. She already hates this thing enough, i didn't need to give her any more amunition.

i can't wait to see how this turns out.

pbj · « **Reply #64 on:** March 10, 2014, 10:22:03 am »

I just happened to have a new spray can of green laying around. I think I had been planning on putting a green chair next to my red and yellow ones outside. Anyway, it's Luscious Green by Valspar (Lowe's house brand, IIRC). I was horsing around with different paints when I found this one on my shelf. Supposedly you don't need to use primer with it but that ship has sailed.

jongunz · « **Reply #65 on:** March 10, 2014, 03:42:38 pm »

Just my 2 Cents, but seems like you could have put the 1 and 2 player controls closer together allowing the 3 and 4 players to not have to stand sideways to the screen when playing.

pbj · « **Reply #66 on:** March 10, 2014, 04:05:28 pm »

Good point. Here's my thinking on it.

Some day, I may add a trackball. So I wanted the center open.

99% of the time, if not more, this will be played by me alone.

1% of the time, it'll be two players. I want as much space as possible between them.

For the 20 minutes it'll take my friends and I to beat TMNT the exactly one time this thing will be played 4 players, Leonardo and Raphael can tough it out.

If I decide I can't live with it, a control panel is very easily redone.

Malenko · « **Reply #67 on:** March 10, 2014, 04:09:53 pm »

both TMNTs = 40 min.

No Xmen? Welcome to Die!

pbj · « **Reply #68 on:** March 10, 2014, 10:44:12 pm »

Letters shouldn't touch. Looking at that larger than life picture made me realize the Pause / Exit button needed reworking. Here's my compromise between no touching vs looking too gap toothed:

High tech paint shop with rastamon chairs in the background:

Final product closer in sight...

severdhed · « **Reply #69 on:** March 11, 2014, 10:34:29 pm »

looking good

jongunz · « **Reply #70 on:** March 13, 2014, 06:04:27 pm »

With that artwork if you add a trackball to the lower middle Donatello will look like he has only one testicle.

pbj · « **Reply #71 on:** March 22, 2014, 05:02:09 pm »

pbj · « **Reply #72 on:** March 22, 2014, 08:03:19 pm »

Credit buttons added.

severdhed · « **Reply #73 on:** March 23, 2014, 11:18:37 pm »

looks great...i love that green paint job

pbj · « **Reply #74 on:** March 31, 2014, 10:11:27 am »

Picked up a few things this weekend.

This is supposed to be the best gloss black spray paint on the market. Decided I'd give it a test run.

Not too bad. That rusty old cleaver might last another 75 years.

What do I need this for, you ask?

What can I say... the price was right.....

wp34 · « **Reply #75 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:36:56 pm »

Looking good. I wasn't sure what to think of your paint color but it looks great with the artwork.

Did you see these dust covers?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134038.msg1430663.html#msg1430663

pbj · « **Reply #76 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:52:05 pm »

Yes. I supplied the artwork.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,106086.msg1430216.html#msg1430216

(okay, I netswiped it. still counts)

404 · « **Reply #77 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:53:15 pm »

its coming along very very nicely! Have to admit, the coin door really sets it off. Gives it that more serious 4P cab look.

pbj · « **Reply #78 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:02:16 pm »

I'm not thrilled about the redundant coin up buttons plus a coin door, but at $0 for a functional 4 player coin door you don't complain or ask questions. Tonight I'll shoot it with a coat of fresh black paint and get it installed.

404 · « **Reply #79 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:15:20 pm »

Quote from: pbj on March 31, 2014, 01:02:16 pm

I'm not thrilled about the redundant coin up buttons plus a coin door, but at $0 for a functional 4 player coin door you don't complain or ask questions. Tonight I'll shoot it with a coat of fresh black paint and get it installed.

didn't you use texture paint? If so, sand the area down and then just glue in some plugs in there. After that, sand flush and respray with texture paint. nobody will ever know.


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