Author Topic: Rapture, a Bioshock Themed Terminus Clone (Time to pick Joysticks) (Read 22316 times)

Rick · « **Reply #40 on:** June 27, 2014, 09:31:09 am »

Quote from: ViriiGuy on June 27, 2014, 09:25:42 am

Any suggestions?

Bondo. That is the only answer I have for you. I've used wood fillers of various types, and have never had the success that Bondo will give you.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #41 on:** June 27, 2014, 09:37:07 am »

Before I found out how well bondo works, I used to use the stuff that goes on pink and dries white

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #42 on:** June 27, 2014, 10:17:39 am »

Sigh.... I just hate the smell of Bondo sooooo much. Surely there is a wood filler out there that works?
I know with Pine, you could use the saw dust and elmer's glue. It works PERFECT... But on MDf, I dunno. It is so absorbent....

dkersten · « **Reply #43 on:** June 27, 2014, 10:58:37 am »

sawdust and glue will work with MDF, but it takes a long time to harden to where you can sand and shape it. The best part about bondo is that you can mix it hot and be shaping it in 30 minutes, get a second coat on, and a few hours later be sanding to the finish quality. Wood glue and sawdust will fill the seams and cracks, but shrinkage WILL happen, so you will likely need 2 or 3 coats to get it perfect, with 4-6 hour drying times in between.. There are "wood filler" types out there that you mix and will set fast, but they are basically bondo with wood color and sometimes some fine sawdust mixed in so it will hold a stain, but the smell is the same.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #44 on:** June 27, 2014, 11:01:21 am »

Gotcha.... *sigh* So, Bondo it is.

Thanks

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #45 on:** June 27, 2014, 12:34:58 pm »

I used Dap DryDex spackle and it worked fine.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #46 on:** June 27, 2014, 12:39:22 pm »

We have that at Home Depot I think.. Thanks, I will try it out!

BrianAg95 · « **Reply #47 on:** June 27, 2014, 01:33:21 pm »

I just looked up the product sheet on that drydex stuff (have never used it) It's vehicle is an acrylic polymer, which should be fine on mdf. (if it was waterbased more like a drywall plaster/compound then mdf would NOT like it!)

(I looked it up since the usage pic looks like plywood not mdf.. )

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #48 on:** June 27, 2014, 02:54:55 pm »

Cool thanks!

Well, I realized I forgot a few pieces of wood. I decided to make the cab 2.5 inches taller, after I had cut it out and saw how low it would be. So I extended the base. Well, I forgot to cut a skirt for the bottom of the base. Got that got and affixed. Now I have to cut the pedestal top. I think it will be 10x 27, but I have to triple check that. I have to route the curve on the upper and lower CP pieces and I have to attempt to kerf cut the piece of MDF for the front of the CP.

I am putting off routing the t-molding groove, because I forgot to double check the chuck on my router and the bit slipped on my side panel and cut it too wide. So, I am going to have to fill that in and fix it.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #49 on:** June 27, 2014, 03:02:23 pm »

Yeah, I slipped my router and bit into the inside of one of the back panels on my Flynn's build. I was trying to trim the end of a ledger board I had installed so the CPU shelf in my design could fit better. I was pissed. But this DryDex stuff worked well. It's not bondo, but it works.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #50 on:** June 27, 2014, 05:59:08 pm »

Ok, Well I picked up some of the Dap putty you mentioned. I will try it out later. I cut my pieces I need, put the pedestal top on... I have killed as much time s I can with little stuff. Time to break out the router again.

Hopefully... I won't screw it up again this time

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #51 on:** June 27, 2014, 08:38:06 pm »

Surprise surprise.. I went back out to the garage and worked for a few more hours. (I work slowly)
The Base is complete, slot routed and spackled. I just need to sand it, prime it, sand it, paint it, paint it, sand it, paint it, sand it... etc etc etc.

I also routed the sides of the cabinet too. So that hurdle is out of the way. Now, I am working on trying to figure out where to put the furrings for the cabinet sides. For the main body corners, I am using 2 x 2 pine. I figure the extra glueing surface couldn't hurt. Where I can't fit the 2 x 2, I will use 3/4 Oak, like I did in the base.

It is getting there, but I still have some major hurdles to finish before just the cabinet is finished.

Here you can see the rear skirt I built to raise the cabinet up just a tad. I am just 5' 6ish But most of my friends are "Normal" height.

As for the theme, the misses and I have been talking about where to go with it. She thinks the cab shape would have fit in well in Rapture, pre destruction. So she want's it to use some of Ratpure's design elements. So we are still digging around for ideas, but she has an idea of making the side art look like aluminum, steel and brass. We will see where this goes

Thanks for looking!

*Edit*
May I just add, OMG Adjustable feet are EXPENSIVE!!! Am I missing something? It is a bolt with a rubber foot on it... How does that warrant $20 a piece locally? I think I will make my own.

jbenesh · « **Reply #52 on:** June 27, 2014, 11:20:37 pm »

Look around online a bit. 20 bucks each is ridiculous.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003986/9496/Heavy-Duty-Leg-Levelers-Small-Foot-4-pack.aspx

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #53 on:** June 28, 2014, 12:27:55 am »

Once again...

I'm using these:
http://www.arcadeshop.de/Accessories-Leg-Leveler_470.html

And these:
http://www.arcadeshop.de/Accessories-Cabinet-Wheel-3_803.html

Sites in Europe. And that's the vendor I bought them from. It's a little pricey as well, but I really like them. You can by similar ones from arcadeemulator.net but I had a bad experience with them and chose the German shop instead. They're called "Leg Levelers" and "recessed casters". Should be able to find them for a decent price stateside at a hardware shop, or any large music store that sells bass cab/road case parts

rockyrocket · « **Reply #54 on:** June 28, 2014, 01:54:23 am »

Quote from: ChanceKJ on June 28, 2014, 12:27:55 am

Once again...

I'm using these:
http://www.arcadeshop.de/Accessories-Leg-Leveler_470.html

And these:
http://www.arcadeshop.de/Accessories-Cabinet-Wheel-3_803.html

Sites in Europe. And that's the vendor I bought them from. It's a little pricey as well, but I really like them. You can by similar ones from arcadeemulator.net but I had a bad experience with them and chose the German shop instead. They're called "Leg Levelers" and "recessed casters". Should be able to find them for a decent price stateside at a hardware shop, or any large music store that sells bass cab/road case parts

I have bought both those items from them in the past, and probably will again

.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #55 on:** June 28, 2014, 09:57:11 am »

I went to the next city over and found these at Lowe's. Total cost was roughly $6. I will throw a nut on them as well as a lock.
Opps forgot the picture.

I have been making a little progress. I am currently working on sanding a bit. I am going to round the corners on the coin door area. They just don't seem to fit the rest of the build.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #56 on:** June 28, 2014, 03:09:12 pm »

Nice find with the feet.

I'd almost try to round the inner corners as well. Maybe grab some of that metal cornering they use in drywall applications. If you sand and finish it properly you should get a nice effect. Or even take a 1x1 strip of wood and somehow clamp it down and mill out a nice radius. Might be too much work, but it would look cool.

But yeah, I'd definitely take a router to the outer corners along the coin door surface.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #57 on:** June 28, 2014, 03:16:29 pm »

Mind you, now that I think about it a good Art Deco style has a healthy mix of round corners and sharp edges. I'd just google "Art Deco" and surf through everything google images finds for as long as it takes or until it makes you sick.

You might find some inspiration in a number of the old Art Deco style AM radios that were made over the years.

...now I have Bobby Darin stuck in my head.

yotsuya · « **Reply #58 on:** June 28, 2014, 03:26:12 pm »

Quote from: ChanceKJ on June 28, 2014, 03:16:29 pm

Mind you, now that I think about it a good Art Deco style has a healthy mix of round corners and sharp edges. I'd just google "Art Deco" and surf through everything google images finds for as long as it takes or until it makes you sick.

You might find some inspiration in a number of the old Art Deco style AM radios that were made over the years.

...now I have Bobby Darin stuck in my head.

Aptly-titled song...

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #59 on:** June 28, 2014, 03:34:27 pm »

LOL! Love it!
I rounded the edges on the sides of the Coin door front. The inner 90's I am going to leave. I like how they look.
I was doing some googling on MDF Priming... And found a few folks who have used Killz Oil based primer from an spray can and had good results. I am all about not using a brush and roller if I don't have to. So, I grabbed three cans.

Today and tomorrow, I am going to work on curing the edges with Glue and water, Routing out the CP upper and lower and (gulp) Kerfing the front piece of the CP.

We will see how it goes!!

BGoulette · « **Reply #60 on:** June 28, 2014, 03:37:17 pm »

It will go awesome. It. Will. Go awesome. Awesomely, I guess, to get all grammatical up in here... ;-)

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #61 on:** June 28, 2014, 03:41:54 pm »

Well the picture FINALLY uploaded to my PB account..
Here is the cabinet after I gave the edges just a slight radius.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #62 on:** June 28, 2014, 04:12:40 pm »

Well that spray can killz works nice! But it took me three cans to do three outside faces in one light coat.
I will probably finish with a brush and roller.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #63 on:** June 28, 2014, 04:57:45 pm »

yeah, trust me, a rattle can doesn't go very far at all. I'm barely into my paint process and I've already gone through 5 cans. 2 primer and 3 main coat. And that's just the CP and a couple smaller panels.

JDFan · « **Reply #64 on:** June 28, 2014, 05:20:20 pm »

Quote from: ChanceKJ on June 28, 2014, 04:57:45 pm

yeah, trust me, a rattle can doesn't go very far at all. I'm barely into my paint process and I've already gone through 5 cans. 2 primer and 3 main coat. And that's just the CP and a couple smaller panels.

What worked well for me (YMMV) is one of the paint and primer in ones, but they are expensive ( +/- $15 per quart) but look for ones that have been mixed improperly and you can get them fairly cheap (I used Valspar Ultra -- purchased 2 quarts at $2.50 each in the mis colored clearance it was a god aweful orangeish yellow color but was being covered anyway with the spray paint final coat ) rolled on rather than sprayed makes a good base for the final spray of color.

It is thick enough that it takes only 1 layer (seals the MDF very well without a lot of absorption) and dries nice and smooth where just a bit of wet sanding makes a nice surface for the final spray coat.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #65 on:** June 28, 2014, 07:20:52 pm »

I have about 8 cans of Velspar High Gloss Black left over from my Pinball project, Optimus Pin. So I decided to see how it does over one light coat of Killz Primer. WOW!! It went on pretty smooth. It took one complete can to do the lower half of the cabinet. Which really isn't THAT bad.

I decided to stop procrastinating and cut out my Control Panels. I decided the best was was to make a jig. This is a VERY UGLY jig, but it worked perfectly

And this is a general idea of how it will look finished. The CP is just about perfect height now. When I add the feet, they will have to be screwed all the way in.

Still LOTS to do, but at least it LOOKS like an arcade machine now

Lower CP is secured in place and upper cabinet support frame built and put in. I have to buy another 2x2 and another 8 foot piece of 3/4 x 3/4. Then I should be done with wood purchases. I also sprayed a bit more paint, so I could finish off the can and did a bit of sanding.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #66 on:** June 28, 2014, 11:02:10 pm »

Boy, I bet my wife wishes I would tackle the repairs around the house, like I am this cabinet!! I again, just couldn't stay out of the garage. I decided to take on the Kerf cuts.

That was pretty easy! It went perfectly, unless came time to trim it size afterwards. I did not support the end of it and cracked the spine in one spot. Oh well, I will sand it and fix it with filler. Beyond that, I personally think it looks great! I will probably add some supports on the back side tomorrow.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #67 on:** June 29, 2014, 01:21:56 pm »

Today, I have to figure out what speakers I am using, route the holes for them, Cut the pieces for the back, finish Priming and sanding.. And start working on the holes for the buttons and joysticks.

I will add a trackball later on down the road, when I buy LED sticks and buttons. I am going to use my existing buttons and MagSticks for now.
I also ordered two ZD Arcades

*update*
Well, that did not go so well. My math was a bit off and I destroyed my CP top. So now I have to cut another one out.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #68 on:** June 29, 2014, 09:34:28 pm »

I got a new CP cut out finally. It took me two tries. The first one, I grabbed my trusty flush trim bit, started around the original and the new cp.. Then noticed after a bit that something didn't seem right.

Yep, Bearing at the bottom of the bit fell off. Fortunately, this was when I was doing the edge on the back.. as it destroyed the original as well. Second time around went fine. Tomorrow.. IF I can get this button layout pattern to print the proper size... I will try again.

It seems to be printing at about 80% scale, no matter what I do... So I tried to replicate it on my own and screwed up in my math.

On the CP, I plan to add a Trackball, as I said. Later. As for the buttons, I will probably just use 6 buttons per side. I can't think of any MAME games that require more than 6 buttons. If I run PSX or newer EMUs, I will likely use USB controllers for those systems. And that is still a big IF.

markc74 · « **Reply #69 on:** June 30, 2014, 12:29:18 pm »

I'm with you on the controllers thang. My blip cab is arcade only but massive 'if' i put some console games on i would use the original controllers. Keepin' it real (tm).

Looking good so far. I used 3mm wood on the cp bend and countersunk screws to hold it. Your way is much better.

At this rate you're going to finish this cab before mine and i started in January!

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #70 on:** June 30, 2014, 12:55:03 pm »

I hope to have it functional in 3 weeks. It won't be "Finished" for some time. I have to save up my pennies for new buttons, trackball and artwork.

And Thanks

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #71 on:** June 30, 2014, 01:32:46 pm »

The Kerfed panel SEEMS to be pretty solid, but I will likely put some supports behind it anyway. I dan't want to break it loose in an aggressive game.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #72 on:** July 01, 2014, 03:39:52 pm »

Ok, it is 93 outside... The garage, however has been closed up and dark for two days So it is about 72 in there atm. I think I will work on the control panel again. I have a new one cut out, after I ruined the last one. I have my pattern printed the correct size....

I am going to leave room to add a Trackball in the near future. So, I think I will only add a P1 and P2 Start button to the CP top, besides the 6 buttons and sticks. I am not sure what Admin buttons I really need, but I want to maintain that authentic Arcade look and feel. So like I did with My V Pin, I will hide the Admin buttons. Probably under the CP.. Or inside the coin door.

It just depends on how often they will be needed... And what I need.

Since the CP is 3/4 inch MDF, I am planning to route out an area on the underside, to about 1/2 thick. My current tester buttons, barely go all the way thru. My only concern is, Will the MDF be strong enough to handle some abusive button mashing after I thin it.

*Update*
Well, That didn't happen.

Instead, I sat down in my chair and fell asleep again. AllI got accomplished today was some sanding on the main cabinet.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #73 on:** July 02, 2014, 02:48:14 pm »

Well, Since Linux seems to be a SUPER important skill to have at work now... And I am about 10 years rusty... I am redoing the old MAME PC to run Linux.
I think. I still have a bit of research to do, to see if I can still do everything I want.

Zzap · « **Reply #74 on:** July 03, 2014, 04:06:18 am »

Great progress! Good to see more of this style being made

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #75 on:** July 03, 2014, 07:09:24 am »

Thanks

I was hoping to have it functional this weekend, but the Keyboard emulators are not in yet. So I will likely spend the weekend on software and the CP.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #76 on:** July 03, 2014, 07:49:26 pm »

Well, better to find out now, than later. My 500 GB drive died, just after I got linux, MAME and MESS setup. Ah well. I grabbed a 2 TB drive off the media closet shelf and started over. Fortunately, I did just backup all my ROMs.

I picked up some screw inserts for the joysticks and some cabinet hinges for the CP. Once the sun goes down, assuming I stay awake, I will work on the cabinet some more.

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #77 on:** July 03, 2014, 11:51:35 pm »

Ok, I am properly fueled up to do this.. I have measured, double and triple checked.. So We are off!

And it was a success!

I have since also drilled the P1 and P2 buttons. I still need to route out the back a bit, to try to gain some stick height.

BGoulette · « **Reply #78 on:** July 04, 2014, 12:53:20 am »

Nice work! That kerfed front edge looks really nice!

ViriiGuy · « **Reply #79 on:** July 04, 2014, 09:58:31 am »

Thanks! I still have a bit of sanding to do on it, but it turned out a LOT better than I expected! Not too shabby for my first time though


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