Rapture, a Bioshock Themed Terminus Clone (Time to pick Joysticks)

[ViriiGuy]

Well, I ran into a slight issue. My MagStick Plus's handles are too short for underside mounting. So, I have to order longer handles. I also have a stripped keyway on one of them. So I will have to order some parts too. I can't put the stick too deep into the MDF, or I won't have room for any screw inserts. So far I have only found some half inch hammer in ones. But I am going to look again locally.. as they are closer to 3/4 inch than half, with the lip on them.

Hmm... I wonder if I could find the appropriate size SS tubing locally. I could easily thread it to take any ball top I want... And run LEDs to it.

[eds1275]

I just put bolts through, it looks more arcade authentic to me. But if I were going to try to be sneaky, I would use coutnersunk t-nuts flush with the top and cover them with art.

[ViriiGuy]

Yea, I prefer not to put bolts thru. Ideally I want to keep from drilling thru the top at all But it is looking like Tnuts are the most feasible solution for a SECURE mount.

[PL1]

My MagStick Plus's handles are too short for underside mounting. So, I have to order longer handles. I also have a stripped keyway on one of them. So I will have to order some parts too. I can't put the stick too deep into the MDF, or I won't have room for any screw inserts.

See "Under mount (support blocks)" here in the FAQ -- includes pics from EMDB's build thread.


Scott

[EMDB]

My MagStick Plus's handles are too short for underside mounting. So, I have to order longer handles. I also have a stripped keyway on one of them. So I will have to order some parts too. I can't put the stick too deep into the MDF, or I won't have room for any screw inserts.

See "Under mount (support blocks)" here in the FAQ -- includes pics from EMDB's build thread.


Scott

Another huge advantage of under mount with support blocks is that you can replace your sticks from the bottom without having to touch the artwork...

[ViriiGuy]

Well, I had to go to 5 Ace Hardware's to get 8 half inch coarse Screw inserts.
I have considered going the support block route.. And I might still. Those are a pretty good idea... I MIGHT even have some aluminum flat stock I could use.

Thanks.

[ViriiGuy]

Ok, I did a bit more playing around and thinking. I recessed the Joysticks as much as I can and still be able to use the half inch inserts I got... That has the stick at a workable height. And since I want ball tops anyway, I will get their 3/4" longer balltop. Which should make it perfect. I may also go with Paradise Arcades, Light up replacement balltop. Depending on how tall it is. Either should help witht he short throw on this stick anyway. I am not real fond of that aspect.

Here are the results... Not my cleanest lines, but I was working freehand. The one on the right, I had crooked the first time I routed it out, so I had to go back and straighten it up. I blame the Guinnesses.

Plenty of Trackball room left.




I spent the rest of the day ripping some of the back panels. However, none of my wood that is left and wide enough, has a single straight edge on it. So, I will either have to buy another sheet of MDF, or deal with some blemishes on the back. I am probably going to deal with some blemishes

I am working on figuring out how I will mount my LCD. Mine is a Decased TV that USED to look like a basketball. So no Vesa mount. I have mount holes on each corner, But will have to fab up some mounting bolts, as I can't lay the back of the TV against anything. There are sensitive connections on every edge.

That will probably be all I accomplish today... But we shall see


*Edit*
Ok, Well I went back out to the garage. I installed some cabinet door hinges on the CP. Unfortunately, now I can't seem to get it straight. It fits perfectly all but one spot on the P1 front corner. So I am giving up for the night. Also, it looks like I WILL have to buy another sheet of MDF to complete the back. So I guess it will get fresh straight edged sides.

[ViriiGuy]

Well, I got the CP straight. More or less. I still have some tweaking to do. I will post pictures later. But I will NEVER use these hinges again. They are flimsy under the weight of this CP. With them being flush mount Cabinet hinges, I thought they would work perfectly for this project. Boy was I wrong.

But, they will have to do for now, as I have already drilled the holes for them and do not feel like cutting another CP again. Fortunately, Once this is complete.. I do not forsee the CP getting opened much. I would like to figure out a way to lock it closed from the underside.

[ChanceKJ]

Got a picture of the hinges?

[ViriiGuy]

Here you go. Just ignore the paint runs. It was the end of the can. I will sand it out later.

[ViriiGuy]

Screen mounts are finished!!

[Slippyblade]

Well, I had to go to 5 Ace Hardware's to get 8 half inch coarse Screw inserts.

I love T-Nuts myself.  Not sure what kinda metal they are made from, maybe aluminum, but the one time I needed to shorten one it sanded down nice and easy.  Not to mention that I've seen tons of them every time I've been to the hardware store.

[ViriiGuy]

I would have gone TNuts. But I don't want any holes on the top of the CP. This way, there are no screw holes to cover up. I will be using them for the feet.

*edit* I decided to put another coat of black on, so I could get an idea of how bad the finish is atm. I have a hard time seeing depth in Matte colors. It makes mowing the lawn a bit of a pain.. Anyway, there are some really bad looking spots. Tomorrow I will work on knocking that down to smooth again. I need to pick up another color for painting the rest of the cabinet. I will probably stick with white for now, until we have a color scheme decided on.


I also need to pick up some aluminum channel for the Plexi and Marquee. Just a few more pieces of wood and a couple more holes.. and the wood working will be pretty much done. Then I can start the wiring.

On the Computer front, I decided to give GrooveyMame a shot. Just for giggles. We will see how that goes. I may go back to Ubuntu.

[ChanceKJ]

mmm, in hindsight im kinda glad i didn't use euro hinges myself.

[ViriiGuy]

Yea, these really suck. They are workable... just not ideal.


Ok, MAME wise, I have been living under a rock for a while. I just found out about Wiimotes as guns!! This I am looking into further! A slight design change may be in store.

Thinking these would make some nice Rapture style Wii Guns...


*edit*
Hmm... After much more reading, I am seeing that Wiimotes do not triangulate properly to be able to actually AIM, due to the Wii only using 2 IR LEDs. Guess that will be a scratch.

[ViriiGuy]

PAINT!!! We have paint!!!

Ok, so I am at a standstill until some supplies come in. So, I decided to paint it. As you can probably tell... I am one of THOSE guys... I am only painting what is visible. For the most part anyway. I am not worrying about painting the entire inside of the cabinet, nor the underside of the CP.

This CP will either be getting cut on again, or replaced when I eventually put in a Trackball. And the cabinet will likely be decaled from head to toe in the end. But, the first coat is on for the white.

[ViriiGuy]

I am having one of those dang I am bright moments!

I typically suck at painting. I mean I am HORRIBLE at it. I can get a descent job, but nothing brag worthy. And probably still won't.
However, this Velspar paint I am using.. is just not sandable. Not matter what I do, on this and other projects.. It just gums up on the paper and itself.. and makes a huge mess.

So, as I was spreading Dap filler on one such mess, to clean it up.. I had an idea. I wonder if I can shave the paint? Seemed logical to me. I shave on a regular basis. Run a sharp blade at the right angle and removing the high spots.. And hey! This putty knife looks to be prefect.

The results? In about 15 minutes I had shaved one entire side. My wife came out to check on me and saw the wood almost showing thru in a couple spots. She went to give me a hard time about them, until she touched it. "WOW!! That is silky smooth!" She said.

I will call that a success.




And with my sinus troubles... This is just awesome! No dust!


*Edit* Note of what I still need and need to do, so I can remember
I still have to cut the holes for my speakers. I have a couple of different Logitech Computer speaker sets. A 2 speaker setup, really small but nice sounds for an Arcade authentic feel. Or a 2.1 setup with a sub. Great for Music. However, my Pinball Cab has a 400W sound system in it. It makes a NICE jukebox.

My point is, likely going with the small 2 speaker setup. Considering making small Nintendo style speaker slots. Volume knob will be on the back up at the top.

Once that is done, install The light and that board properly.
Need 1 inch Aluminum channel, 4 pieces at 27 inches each. To make the Bezel and Marquee holders.
Need Plexi for those.
Need to install boards to support upper and lower bezel mounts.
Need to Install the feet I have for it. (When paint is finished)
Need to finish the Paint. 2 more coats of each black and white. Plus priming and painting the back panels Black.
Also need to paint the top of the cabinet... It has gotten missed thus far
Route hole for Power cord socket.
Install Power Strip
Get buttons for hidden Admin buttons. Install said buttons.
Reassemble and wire up coin door.

Then once the ZD Arcades get here, I can start installing the hardware.
I am still working on the software, but I am really liking GroovyMame thus far.
I will probably use Meh!Cade for the front end.

[ViriiGuy]

Well, I decided that Linux was not worth the headaches. So XP Pro went back on. I just finished transferring the 200 GB of ROM files back to the machine and will spend the next couple of days getting it set back up. The cabinet itself is waiting on parts to come in the mail and a paycheck

More updates should be forthcoming by Thursday.

[ViriiGuy]

Well, My encoders came in today Good news!!!

Bad News, Work decided that my schedule has to change for this month.. starting today. So Instead of working 5 am to 1 pm, I am stuck working noon to 8 pm.

[ViriiGuy]

The white paint is pretty much done. With the exception of the speaker panel. So I started putting the CP together. The button colors are just temporary, until we decide on the art work. Then I will buy better suited buttons.

[lamprey]

Yea, these really suck. They are workable... just not ideal.


Ok, MAME wise, I have been living under a rock for a while. I just found out about Wiimotes as guns!! This I am looking into further! A slight design change may be in store.

Thinking these would make some nice Rapture style Wii Guns...


*edit*
Hmm... After much more reading, I am seeing that Wiimotes do not triangulate properly to be able to actually AIM, due to the Wii only using 2 IR LEDs. Guess that will be a scratch.

They look pretty bio-shock themed. I'm not sure how workable it would be, but Ultimarc sells an AimTrak Light Gun Module that you might be able to swap in if you wanted to use those:
http://www.ultimarc.com/aimtrak_module.html

[ViriiGuy]

It's like Christmas at the Walker house! It is time to put the final coats of black on the front of the cab.. and Christmas paper seemed to be the most appropriate.

[ViriiGuy]

Ok, Well.. It seems like all my builds, no matter what.. contain some lessons learned.

Christmas wrapping paper makes a nice wrap for painting. So long as you don't put the printed side against the paint AT ALL.
Also, Never leave you garage door open over night. No amount of security, or privacy helps, when it comes to Feral cats.

So with those two statements, the paint is trashed. Fortunately, it was not pee'd on. But there are scratches and hair everywhere. It looks a bit like a battleground. Fortunately, my house cat seems to have either not been involved.. or was the victor. So, instead of starting from scratch on the paint, I am going to smooth it out and cover it in vinyl. But, not until I move it inside, which MAY be today. It is just too hot out there to work on it at this point.

[ViriiGuy]

Well, with my new schedule, it is going to be a while before I can do much work to the cabinet. So I have drug it inside to work on the software side for a bit.

[ViriiGuy]

Last night we achieved that oh so dangerous... Testing Phase!!!

[ViriiGuy]

Well, it is fairly obvious that my next purchase needs to be joysticks. I forgot just how much I hated these Mag Sticks. I want a 4/8way switchable joystick. I REALLY liked the ability to be able to switch these without raising the CP. But that is all I liked about them.

I would like to have a 4/8 way Joystick that I can light up with an LED, and maybe use an RC Servo to switch it on command. But I REALLY do not want to pay U360 prices.

These look promising.. Has anyone tried them out?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade-4-8-Way-Joystick-Blue-Red-Illuminate-LED-MAME-JAMMA-Pacman-Happ-Sanwa-/151338928376?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233c80c8f8

[Rick]

These look promising.. Has anyone tried them out?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade-4-8-Way-Joystick-Blue-Red-Illuminate-LED-MAME-JAMMA-Pacman-Happ-Sanwa-/151338928376?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233c80c8f8

I have a few of these from my supplier in China. They seem to be good quality. I've attached them to the PS, and they light up well. (They'll be in my shop, if I ever get the damn site up and running.)

[ViriiGuy]

Thanks Rick!
They look a lot like a Sanwa. Do you know if they are long enough to mount under a 3/4 inch CP? Also is the LED changeable? Or is it a PCB mount?

P.S. If you need help getting your storefront up. I may be able to assist you there. If you need it.

[Rick]

They look a lot like a Sanwa. Do you know if they are long enough to mount under a 3/4 inch CP? Also is the LED changeable? Or is it a PCB mount?

Here's a pic with some 3/4" MDF:



They look like there may be just enough for the stick, but I would recommend routing out the interior  for "more". As for the LED, I can't tell - it's buried inside the plexi mid-section somewhat.

P.S. If you need help getting your storefront up. I may be able to assist you there. If you need it.

I appreciate the offer! It's not the skills I lack - it's the time. (But if you have a time machine, I'll gladly take it!) Thanks!

[ViriiGuy]

Awesome! Thanks! It looks like they will work with what I have currently. I routed mine out about 1/4 inch, so I would have a bit more shaft with my current mag plus sticks.

Worst case on the LED, I am pretty handy with a dremel and solder gun... I can add an RGB later is I so desire.

And I know all about no time to do anything! Thank goodness I go back to my 5 am to 1 pm shift next week!! This noon to 8 is killing me!

Looking at those, I MAY or may not be able to get a longer shaft. It just is going to depend on how the light gets tot he ball. In some of the pics, it looks like the shaft itself has a clear tube over it and transfers the light that way, rather than via a hollow shaft.

[ViriiGuy]

I have not given up I am FINALLY off of that weird ass 12-8 shift. 3 more days and I will have my yard work caught back up. Then it is back to work!!!