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Author Topic: First project: RetroMetro  (Read 10611 times)

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dalio

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First project: RetroMetro
« on: March 12, 2014, 05:20:56 pm »
With some prompting from Stigzler, I thought I should put something in the project announcements; now that I've got the bits to start my first ever cab.

Thanks to the awesome thread by OND on his Metropolis designs, I've been able to layout some ideas, and have got going on my build.  :cheers:

I've slightly cheated by getting the parts CNC cut for me, but as I live in an apartment in London, I've not really got the setup to cut this all out myself.  Plus, the quality of the CNC work is brilliant, and I know I wouldn't have been able to do it justice as a beginner.

Now I've just got to put it all together :)

My plan is to build the cab first, paint it, get the electronics working, and then apply some artwork to it to finish it off.  I'll be posting photos on my progress, but let me know if anyone has any suggestions, or requests...
« Last Edit: March 13, 2014, 05:12:41 am by dalio »

eds1275

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2014, 06:24:31 pm »
ROTATE

dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2014, 05:13:05 am »
Whoops - sorry! Rotated now :)

eds1275

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2014, 05:19:25 am »
That metropolis is a nice looking machine. The art theme isn't really my taste but the quality itself is excellent. Are you doing a Metropolis theme or are you giving it your own spin?

dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2014, 05:23:14 am »
Going to be giving it a totally different spin - can't say too much right now, as am still changing my mind every 5 minutes on the artwork, but I know it'll look very different to the other Metro cabs :)

stigzler

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2014, 10:48:16 am »
Looking forward to more pics of this one :)


Raktageno

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2014, 11:00:25 am »
I don't blame you one bit for getting the parts machined. It's guaranteed to come out nicely. In the end it will look good wherever you put it, or sell better if you ever decide to get rid of it. Looking good so far!

dalio

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After the first weekend...
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2014, 04:34:10 pm »
Build now well underway - most of the framework in place - photos attached  :D

MDF is a pleasure to build stuff with isn't it! Like drilling through butter at times.

This week I will be mostly filling, sanding, and painting with primer!  Does anyone have any tips to create a nice curved edge on the top edges of the control panel?

Now to order the joysticks, buttons and all that malarkey...

stigzler

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2014, 07:36:02 pm »
Looking great. Did the machinists also bevel the bezel for you? I've really gotta do the machinist bit for next build!!


dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2014, 04:30:59 am »
Yep - they did a lovely job too.

If I build another one, I'll be sure to get them to do the rebates, the curved edges, and the grills for the speakers & fans too.

stigzler

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2014, 04:23:13 pm »
Not if... when!


dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2014, 08:20:33 am »
Yep - I get the feeling my team at work will want one in the office when I'm done too!

dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2014, 09:08:26 am »
A picture update...

Am nearly there with the build part, and this weekend will be mostly sanding and priming it ready for painting.  The artwork is nearly ready for printing, and all the bits have arrived for the insides.  It's taking a while, but I'm hoping to have it finished in the next couple of weeks :)

What I've learned:

* Always clamp a bit of spare wood behind anything you're drilling - it prevents MDF "blowing out" - take a look at the mess I made of the speak grills the first time.
* Always drill pilot holes batons - I think I went through about 5 that split before finally working that out.
* If you're getting the parts cut with CNC, then get grooves, rebates, and speaker grill holes done by them. They're much better at it than me...
* Standing on the upturned lid of a wood filler tub, then walking around a wooden floor will take a while to clean up :)
* If you're going to be clever and get ServoStik joysticks, at least have the sense to measure how much space they need before getting your button holes CNC'd (you'll notice I've now filled two of the holes - hopefully a 6 button layout will still rock!)

I'll post some more images this weekend, when the dust has settled. Literally :)


Malenko

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2014, 10:24:17 am »
The cab is looking pretty great.  Start working on abetter name.  Retro Metro sounds like you were Metrosexual in the 80s.
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dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2014, 10:26:11 am »
Maybe I was ;)

I'm not actually bothered about the name - I'm leaning towards using the Nintendo logo on the cab, so maybe Nintendon't?

eds1275

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #15 on: April 01, 2014, 11:59:46 am »
I thought it was a Metro 2033 themed cab.

Looking at those servo sticks, any reason you didnt install them flipped the other way so the arm wouldn't catch? Can't you just map it any which way? Looking good BTW!

dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #16 on: April 01, 2014, 12:01:45 pm »
Thanks Eds1275, yup - I'd mounted the joystick hole on the left one a bit too close to the edge, so it was banging against the side panel... Ah well,  you live and learn :)

eds1275

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #17 on: April 01, 2014, 12:04:29 pm »
But what about the arm facing up or down? Or does the arm go around 2 or more sides? Either way, I like this cabinet. I may do one myself with some slight mods to the front for a friend this summer!

dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #18 on: April 01, 2014, 12:06:13 pm »
Haha, I'd not even thought about that! I figured that they had to go one way or t'other.  Will remember that for the next cab.  Was wondering about the 8 button layout as being excessive anyhoo...

stigzler

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #19 on: April 01, 2014, 02:05:00 pm »
On the sanding... one tip....

I filled mine, left a week then sanded, left a week then painted (primer+undercoat combined - 2 coats then 2 topcoats). I noticed later that all the filled holes were raised slightly - resulting in bumpy panels!! Not good especially when taken so much care over the construction and paint job (sprayer).

Not sure where this happened - either I didn't check the holes after sanding them (i.e. after a week) and the filler had expanded, or the paint had somehow caused the filler to expand. I used a good brand wood filler.....

P.S. Wouldn't recommend a paint sprayer in yer living area ;)




dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #20 on: April 07, 2014, 07:57:34 am »
Sanding was made much easier by the addition of a Black & Decker Mouse (electric hand sander) this weekend...

So I managed to get the first coat of primer done :)

« Last Edit: April 07, 2014, 08:00:50 am by dalio »

stigzler

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #21 on: April 10, 2014, 02:35:08 pm »
Coming along nicely...

Looks like some TV pundit's DIY shabby chic at the moment. :)

You doing artwork on the sides?


dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #22 on: May 26, 2014, 12:50:18 pm »
Phew, at last it's done :)

This took a fair amount longer than I thought it would, but am really happy with the results - a bit more tweaking on the software side and all will be fantastic.

Shout out to OND for the initial designs, and Stigzler for the encouraging words  :cheers:


stigzler

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #23 on: May 26, 2014, 01:06:07 pm »
That, my good man, is astounding!

Ultimate kudos for putting this together in record time. Also, with limited workspace.

I've been a year on my version of OND's plans and still not finished!!

You taken about 3 months?

Lovely look too - one possible next cab for me is a Wipeout themed cab - and was thinking that white'd be good - just confirms it.

Great work dalio - another fine UK build :)

On that topic - you got time to put yourself and any resources (CNC'ers, printers, parts suppliers etc) on a map? Hard to get some things in the UK and trying to collate people's experience/knowledge in one place. If you have a min:

https://sites.google.com/site/alienarcade74/Arcadia


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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #24 on: May 26, 2014, 10:34:50 pm »
Nice job on the machine man.  I like that you kept the artwork simple.  Looks great.   :applaud:

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #25 on: May 27, 2014, 05:43:31 pm »
Argh that's really nice artwork. Might have to steal!! I had something in mind but now I'm not so sure...

Malenko

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #26 on: May 30, 2014, 10:35:43 am »
I like it, but theres just something about a white bezel I don't like. I know its probably too late to change, but here's an idea of what it would look like.

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Frank Drebin

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #27 on: May 30, 2014, 01:07:59 pm »
I like it, but theres just something about a white bezel I don't like. I know its probably too late to change, but here's an idea of what it would look like.

I agree, its great work but it was amazing what a tinted plexi bezel does for the appearance of your machine, don't know how tinted would look over white.

Great looking machine dalio!

stigzler

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #28 on: May 30, 2014, 02:27:18 pm »
Kinda see Malenko's point, but the all-black is too much. Too two-tone

Could imagine some nice decals/artwork on the speaker panel though... that's break it up nicely.

Like this....



Or more seriously, like this:



And if yer decalling, some subtle bezel stuff?



Whichever way.. it's a striking machine. White always feels like a bold move.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2014, 04:48:06 pm by stigzler »

Drnick

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #29 on: May 30, 2014, 02:54:26 pm »
Nice work. I would take the striping from the side and add that onto the monitor bezel. Just a little something to break up the white. Whatever you do it's still a nice bit of work  :applaud: :applaud:

thomas_surles

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #30 on: May 30, 2014, 03:36:31 pm »
I want to see a straight down shot of the cp to see how it looks.

Yvan256

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #31 on: May 30, 2014, 03:39:50 pm »
I think all-white looks nice, but if you want to "fill the blank" why not use something more subtle?

How about taking design features from the consoles or the gamepads? Searching for "NES skin" is sure to give you some ideas.

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #32 on: August 26, 2014, 10:37:21 am »
Nice.

Did you have the plans drawn up in a 3D program to send to the CNC?

I ask because I work at a millwork company with a CNC machine.

I'm the IT nerd here, not a designer but I'm sure I could get some plans tweaked the way I would want them and cut out without a problem.

Any chance I could get your plans from you?

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #33 on: August 27, 2014, 11:32:06 pm »
A nes skin on the cp could be awesome. I dont like the red marquee.. Btw very nice cabinet
Space Simpsons cab in progress

wildcat

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #34 on: September 24, 2014, 08:09:34 am »
Really like the speaker hole mod... that had to take a lot of patience.

dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #35 on: January 15, 2015, 12:50:20 pm »
Wow, sorry guys I've not checked back in ages - I must have unsubscribed from here by mistake!

@Lythandra, you can grab the plans I made from here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,118612.msg1428653.html#msg1428653 hopefully they'll help (if you haven't built your own by now.

Thanks for all the suggestions on the bezel, and designs - unfortunately due to a house move, and not enough space in the office for it, I'm going to be selling it :(

I'll put a link to the sale page on here in a bit.


dalio

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Re: First project: RetroMetro
« Reply #36 on: January 15, 2015, 01:20:27 pm »
And here's the link to the sale page: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,143369.0.html

:( doesn't quite cover it. But I will build again in the future - maybe a tabletop one next time :)