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Author Topic: Project: 4-Player Showcase  (Read 8486 times)

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thewisteron

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Project: 4-Player Showcase
« on: March 16, 2014, 06:56:35 pm »
I finally started my first cabinet. Originally it was going to be a pedestal, but ended up being my own take on a showcase style cab.

I'm going to give it a smooth, high-gloss finish. Artwork will be simple.

Details:
  • 4P Showcase (I love Gauntlet, TMNT, etc. and I have 4 kids that all love gaming)
  • Light Gun support (I love Time Crisis, Terminator, etc.)
  • Spinner support (I love Arkanoid, Tempest, Atari paddle games like Kaboom, will also double as a steering wheel)
  • RGB buttons that light per game
  • New PC build - nothing special

Parts include:
  • U-hid, PACLed64 x 2
  • Electric ICE 2 concave buttons w/ RGBDrive LEDs
  • U360 bat top joysticks, not angled :-)
  • Spintrak spinner
  • AimTrak light guns
  • LED 39" Samsung TV
  • PC speakers with sub and separate volume control

CP includes:
  • 7 rgb-lit game buttons for P1 and P2
  • 4 rgb-lit game buttons for P3 and P4
  • Coin/Start for each player
  • U360 for each player
  • Spinner
  • 4 pinball buttons
  • 4 admin buttons (probably pause, esc, menu, favs)
  • 2 light guns
  • 10° slope

Some noticeable omissions include: trackball, coin doors, dedicated 4-ways, flight stick. Here is my progress after two days. I printed out a control template and drilled holes with my drill press. Constructed the CP and cabinet with 2x4s, 2x2s, particle board, glue, brad nails and screws. Next I'll finish framing and sheeting it, bondo it, sand it.

I'd love any feedback or suggestions! This has been a lot of fun so far.



« Last Edit: October 30, 2017, 02:20:16 am by thewisteron »

thomas_surles

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2014, 08:00:43 pm »
Awesome build.  I will be following this one. Any ideas on a theme?

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2014, 08:21:59 pm »
I really want to do something simple and clean. I like how the surface tension machines look. I'm thinking of something like that so my wife will let me put it in our family room.  :)

Maybe not quite this simple, but something similar: http://www.surface-tension.net/external/byoac/st4_panel.jpg

thomas_surles

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2014, 08:25:34 pm »
That would be cool. I agree with you on that.

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2014, 07:20:27 pm »
I had a few hours today to finish the sheeting.

slappyhooper

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2014, 11:56:34 pm »
Why did you reverse the p3 joystick and buttons
buttons?

slappyhooper

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2014, 11:58:22 pm »
Nm. I'm a dummy. Just realized it was the flipside of the cp

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2014, 01:57:38 am »
 ;)

I realized as I was posting that I did that.  That is why I posted the other pic of the CP.

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2014, 02:35:47 pm »
Added rear access panel, rounded all corners with the router, installed piano/safety hinges in CP, ran 12 foot hdmi cable, and first coat of bondo.

Next will be lots of sanding, bondo, more sanding, more bondo, more sanding, spray with primer putty, more sanding,  more primer putty....you get the idea. I want it super smooth since I am giving it a mirror finish.

Ond

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2014, 05:27:59 am »
Good luck mate, remember to cut each coat back to something resembling dull plastic, don't worry about a few rub thrus to primer when you first start.  I have very little time for Arcade building for the time being but I am watching.

cheers

Ond

leapinlew

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2014, 08:36:19 am »
What about a marquee?

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2014, 01:54:34 pm »
Ond, thanks for the tips!  I've watched your videos on finishing but I'm sure I'll have questions for you, so I'm glad your tuning in to my thread!

One question I have now is how you do paint on paint?  I think I will end up putting some simple stencils on my machine and I'm wondering how you do that.  For example, I might paint some Space Invader stencils on the neck of my cab (underneath the TV), but I'm not sure when to paint that during the process, or what the best way is to do that.  Any feedback? 

Or maybe I should just not use paint for that and get some stencils printed out from gameongrafix with adhesive backs and just stick them on.

leapinlew, I am torn on doing a marquee since I don't know if I am going to name my machine.  I know most showcase cabs have them, so I am still undecided.  Penny for your thoughts?


billf1

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2014, 02:35:18 pm »
I am glad I found this.  I am currently in process of designing a 4P Showcase as well!  I am still getting in parts, so you are a good ways ahead of me.

Your design is very similar to what I am planning, except I am excluding the spinner and including a trackball.  I am doing U360s only for player 1 and 2, 3 and 4 will get switchable 4/8 way joysticks.  I am planning 5 admin buttons, In a t (+) shape - Red on the left for exit game, Green on the right for Enter game, center three are all black, Up for Volume up, Down for Volume down, middle is dedicated shift, to access tab menu, save states, favorites list etc.  This way I figure that I don't have to explain to people how the thing works, they can figure it out on their own.  Dedicated start and coin buttons for each player as well. 

Initially, I was thinking of recessed container 'holes' on the face of the CP, between P1 & P3 and P2 & P4, similar to how many games hold their guns on the panel, then I thought it would make what is already going to be ~4' CP even wider - so I am stuck working on a new plan for that.  I am also doing some USB passthroughs in the pedestal for the CP, or on the backside of the CP to add and remove the guns (and keyboard if it were ever needed). 

How are you planning to mount/store your guns? 

Why did you chose MDF over Ply?  Isn't it going to be outrageously heavy in showcase form-factor?

I am still deciding on pinball buttons  - How does pinball look on a horizontally mounted TV (I am planning on a 42-46" TV)? 
  -  I am thinking that I want to find a way to include it, but I was assuming that including pinball means I need rotation, which then brings challenges in bezel due to the drastic difference in width vs height and brings marquee challenges as well.

I am also torn on a marquee in general - I just don't think they are all that important to a MAME/Emulator Machine - since it isn't just one game, or even one system. So I am interested to see how yours looks done without it (assuming it stays sans marquee).  In general - on normal arcade cabs, I don't think a marque looks quite as 'in place' on a showcase as it does on a traditional upright cabinet - but that may just be me.

Looks like a great start, I will be watching your progress for sure! 

Best of luck the rest of the way.
Bill

Slippyblade

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2014, 03:19:52 pm »
Watching as well.  I just started a 4 player pedestal to sit under the TV in the living room, so was very cool to find this thread!

PL1

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2014, 03:59:36 pm »
I am still deciding on pinball buttons  - How does pinball look on a horizontally mounted TV (I am planning on a 42-46" TV)? 
  -  I am thinking that I want to find a way to include it, but I was assuming that including pinball means I need rotation, which then brings challenges in bezel due to the drastic difference in width vs height and brings marquee challenges as well.
There are lots of Desktop Tables (widescreen and 4:3) like this over at vpforums.org.



IMHO they look pretty good on a 46" widescreen.


Scott

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4P Showcase
« Reply #15 on: February 26, 2017, 10:57:25 pm »
Update:

After taking two years off to sell our home and build another, I finally had some time to get back to the fun stuff and make some progress.

  • I learned the hard way that particle board is a horrible choice for sheeting. Ended up trying several different things to fill the imperfections and finally found some wood filler bondo that worked. It's sanded down nice and smooth now. This week I'll be laying down an oil based primer if it warms up.
  • Bought all of my parts as you can see in the pic.
  • Built my PC. It is a modest build but should run the emulators I'm interested in (mame, intellivision, atari 2600, nes, snes, genesis, and maybe N64/PS1)
  • Sent marquee off to local plasma cnc company to be cut. Also sending CP plexi for cutting
  • Bought LaunchBox.BigBox for my front-end and started configuration. I like it so far.

Added a couple of pics. Tried to label the important bits.

Next is a lot of painting and sanding. While I wait for paint to dry I'll be getting my front-end and CP built. Lots and lots of LEDs and buttons to hook up and get working with LEDBlinky.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2017, 12:07:42 am by thewisteron »

leapinlew

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #16 on: February 27, 2017, 09:10:43 pm »
So... you ARE naming it. Good deal, what's the name?

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #17 on: February 28, 2017, 12:04:20 am »
I have the benefit of an...interesting last name, so I didn't have to think too hard :-).  It will be called "Mondragon Arcade".

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #18 on: March 01, 2017, 06:52:43 pm »
Rethinking that name. It is not ONLY an arcade since I'll be playing some pre-32 bit consoles on it.  Maybe Mondragon Game Station? What do you guys think?

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #19 on: March 01, 2017, 07:12:18 pm »
Rethinking that name. It is not ONLY an arcade since I'll be playing some pre-32 bit consoles on it.  Maybe Mondragon Game Station? What do you guys think?
I prefer Game Station to Arcade.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #20 on: March 26, 2017, 02:51:11 am »
Haven't had much time lately, but I've:

  • Crimped all the terminals on my rgb leds. It took an entire night
  • Recut my CP with plywood and cut the plexi to go on top
  • Cut my marquee. I'll glue the loose pieces to the clouded plexi that is going behind the sign. It will be lit. - see pic
  • Cleaned up my Launchbox setup

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #21 on: October 30, 2017, 04:12:56 pm »
Well, it is mostly done. Still needs front/side art, back cover needs to be attached, TV/screen shield need mounted, and some configuration, but it is as done as it is going to get until my marriage recovers :-). I did play 4-player Turtles with my kids last night and it was glorious.

PICTURES:

https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/OsaL6CzBQuemWUFv4Cr33OEwJR1JsimJbDWbTdX5NoJ
« Last Edit: October 31, 2017, 02:09:57 am by thewisteron »

pbj

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #22 on: October 30, 2017, 04:15:41 pm »
Needs a bigger TV.

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #23 on: October 30, 2017, 05:00:02 pm »
Yep. It is what I had. I'll eventually get a bigger one.

skeewirt

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #24 on: October 30, 2017, 11:06:46 pm »
This is quite literally exactly the style I'm looking to build. Thanks for the inspiration.

How are you handling cable management? I don't see any holes for power or HDMI.

When I decide the pull the trigger this is almost certainly the type of build I'll make. I just wish I had some skill in design, because I just don't have the patience to learn it. You don't happen to have any kinds of design specs or plans you'd be willing to share do you?

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #25 on: October 31, 2017, 01:44:37 am »
I've had buddies ask me how I built it, so I created a little YT video where I explain it at a high level:

Although, I don't talk much about cable management. But I routed the HDMI and power down inside the "neck" and then up through the pedestal base so it can't be seen.

I basically built it as I went so I don't have any plans exit except for the control panel layout and graphics. I don't mind sharing those with you if you'd like them.

skeewirt

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #26 on: November 04, 2017, 09:17:09 pm »
This video is gold! Thank you so much for doing that. I'll be sure to follow up in the near future, but in the meantime, I actually would appreciate the control panel layout.

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #27 on: November 08, 2017, 02:21:29 am »
Glad it was helpful to you. I'll get the CP posted soon.

thewisteron

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Re: Project: 4-Player Showcase
« Reply #28 on: December 29, 2017, 07:58:54 pm »
Here is the CP for those that are interested. I didn't really clean it up, but it has all the layers for any tweaking you'd like to do. All I ask is that you don't sell it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xghb8crfxof112z/layout_template2.psd?dl=0