Vigolix Green Invader Cabinet

[DeLuSioNal29]

Hi all,

Some of you may be familiar with my prior two Green Invader Cabinets (Never posted a thread yet, but I did document them on my You tube channel here.  After building a "Frankenpanel" years ago, I wanted something simpler in design.  My design has evolved over time and I think it finally found the perfect fit with the Vigolix design.  That said, I also wanted something that I could sell locally to friends and family.  First thing I did of course, was to check with Vigo since it was his original design that inspired me.  He gave me the thumbs up to sell them if I wished.  I also was inspired by DrChek's "The Spike" which had a couple of improvements as well.  Dr Chek's Sketchup model was a ton of help!

Vigo's original design (with blueprints):  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=119533.0
DrCheck's modified plans (which I based the majority of my design on) in Sketchup format:  Download it here.

I give you:  Vigolix Invader







Here are some additional ones that I built in blue and orange:





I decided to build mine with MDF as opposed to plywood since I wanted a more "solid" feel (MDF is heavier).  I'm glad I did.  I started by measuring all of my cut lines.  Although I used a jigsaw, I was able to cut them fairly straight with the help of a clamping straight edge guide.  However, for the smaller pieces I ended up doing those freehand and they turned out well.   




I then clamped the pieces together and used an orbital sander to even them out.  (I used 80 grit to make them even and then 220 grit to smooth them out).  I've since invested in a router with a straight edge bit for my future projects which should work much better.




Originally, I had mounted the kickplate piece at an angle, but then I later changed the design to be flush with the 2 x 6 piece that I mounted at the bottom.  It worked out great in the end with more leg room for adults.


I also had wanted to try to squeeze my 20" 4:3 LCD in there (I had cut the center piece to be 18" instead of 16") but it needed to be taller for that.  So I ended up saving the 20" for a future build.  The 17" screen ended up working nicely and I stuck with Vigo's original plans of the 16" width.   



I assembled a "prototype version" of the cabinet with Happ controls.  My son is in the pic testing it out.  It worked great, but it didn't look right to me.  I decided the Viewlix Japanese style deserved Japanese hardware.   

[DeLuSioNal29]

Now that everything was assembled and tested, I broke it down to prime it.  I used latex paint for the first time.  I usually use Satin Rustoleum Black on my cabs, but I wanted to paint the edges Galaxian Green and I couldn't find any oil based white paint to mix.  (It's not good to mix water based and oil based paints - It will end up peeling over time).  So latex it was.  I had the primer dyed with a grey hue to make the black go on easier.  The Galaxian green (to mimic T-molding) was color matched at Home Depot from the original T-molding scraps I had left over from my prior projects.



For the marquee, I originally printed out a color version on 11" x 17" paper, but the colors weren't as vibrant as I wanted.  So I bit the bullet and ordered it from GameOnGrafix.com, along with the CPO graphics.  I'm glad I did.  They did a great job as usual.  I ordered multiple sets since I plan on making others.  I plan to make a pink version for my God Daughter as well in the future with a bright pink Sanwa balltop and "painted" T-molding trim to match. 


To keep both the marquee, clear plexi and tinted plexi bezel in place, I got creative and bought a drop ceiling cross piece, cut it down to size, spray painted it black and attached it to the upper marquee piece of MDF.  The tinted plexi (from TAPP plastics) fit right into the groove that I cut on the CP and is held in place by the bracket.  To top off the marquee, I bought clear edge guards for a couple of dollars and sprayed and cut those as well.





Here is a pic with the monitor mounted and marquee in place.  You can see the notch that I cut in the CP there as well.


As for the bezel, the posterboard was not cutting it (seen in the pic above with my son using Happ controls), so I decided to use tinted plexi.  Since you could see through it around the edges, I sprayed the edges black on the back side.  First I mounted it and marked the edges of the monitor with painter's tape.  Then I flipped it to the back and put the painter's tape on the INSIDE of those markings.  Then I filled the rest with newspaper.  the result was a perfect bezel.

[DeLuSioNal29]

For the Control Panel, I wanted to do something similar to my 2 player vertical "Green Invader Re-boot" cabinet.  But I needed to make it  A) 1 Player  B) 4-way.


I had tried only having 2 buttons, since I had a 60 in 1 PCB in there.  But I wanted it to "look" like a Japanese arcade with the curved layout.  With only 2 buttons it didn't look the same.  Also, I wanted to be able to use the 3rd button when in the service menu.  Last but not least, if I ever want to upgrade the 60 in 1 to an 8-way shmup multiboard, the extra button would be already cut.  (The joystick is currently in 4 way mode for the classics games).

I installed a 4-way vinyl decal for the joystick (Thanks to SlammedNiss who does GREAT work).  He custom designed a 4-way decal from the 8-way version.  If I ever upgrade to an 8-way I can always switch the decal out, which is why I chose to not incorporate it in to the CPO artwork.   




Here is the 60-in1 PCB mounted in the back.  I cut all unused wires from the Jamma harness, including the power wires, since I was powering it up from a Molex power adapter.  In the third pic, I cleaned up the exposed end with electrical tape.  Looks nice and tidy.




Here is the Molex power adapter that I used.  I chose going this route to power the PCB for two reasons.   1)  I didn't want 110v screw terminals from a switching power supply exposed for kids/adults to touch and get shocked (back of Vigolix is exposed).  2)  I originally used a PC ATX power supply but I hated the sound of the fan.  This new molex power adapter was completely silent.  Paired with the 60-in-1, the Vigolix Invader cab is COMPLETELY SILENT.   


I crimped .110 connectors to the controls and then soldered the wires to those crimps.  I then decided to solder the crimps to the joystick and buttons since the underside of the panel was exposed.  I didn't want anything knocked loose while playing.




Here is a pic of my son playing the Vigolix Invader with the new Sanwa controls (GameOnGrafix.com artwork had not been applied yet and the tinted plexi had not been spray painted from the back just yet).

[DeLuSioNal29]

I'll eventually post a video the Vigolix Invader in action, but in the meantime here are the finished pics (I also plan on adding a white Space Invader decal to the black start button on top, it's on it's way via shipment.  I will update this thread once it's applied).  Also, not shown is CraftyMech's SLG device which creates scanlines and looks beautiful on the LCD.  I'll try to update pics of that later as well.





Hope you like it!

DeLuSioNaL29

[Generic Eric]

Nice and clean!

[BobA]

Looks great. Nice clean lines and produced with a minimum of materials.

[pbj]

Yet another BYOAC moderator profiting off blatantly illegal products.

 

[ed12]

i have 1 question for u pbj..what part this is illegal?
69-in-1 board's are sold all day long
same with 39-in-1 board's
so my point stand's what part of the is illegal ?
seem's to me he asked for permision from the cab designer and origanl builder
both said go for gold,i am sure in them covo's u we were not prev to was the word i am going to try this on my fam and bud's
again please answer this time with some clearity what part is illegal ?

ed

[Nephasth]

It's like the ZD Invader's big brother...

[ed12]

i think its a cool build
never thought of a build that way...
saw the mane pop up welp the build was getting tested
but can clearly see the 69 board in there

ed

[DeLuSioNal29]

Thanks for the kind words all!

It's like the ZD Invader's big brother...

LOL.  Hey you're right.  Loved your build too!  Technically ZD Invader's BIG brothers are my original cabs:



D

[Vigo]

Such a top notch build. One of the best, if not the best Vigolix I have seen. You have such good attention to detail. I love the whole themed family of machines you have going on.

And I agree with you. Having a silent running machine is an amazing perk. I was thinking of going with a hacked Jakks TV plug and play on my next vigolix build, but this route makes much more sense. Thanks again for keeping me in the loop on your project. I love it!

[Cobolisdead]

Great job! That looks like an awesome little machine!

[JDFan]

i have 1 question for u pbj..what part this is illegal?

The 60 in 1s are running unlicensed roms on a hacked version of MAME, so illegal.
I'm lost on what Delusional is profiting on though.


PBJs gotta PBJ.

Think he was referring to :

That said, I also wanted something that I could sell locally to friends and family.

[pbj]

PBJs gotta PBJ.

And Delusional nuked my explanation post, so Delusional's clearly gotta Delusional, too.

Think he was referring to :

That said, I also wanted something that I could sell locally to friends and family.

Correct.  I know reading can be hard, but stick with it and it'll get easier, Malenko.

[pbj]

I took it as sell the cabs, that doesn't exactly mean sell cabs with 60 in 1s in it. He could sell it wired for jamma with a video converter in it, or with an IPAC ready for a PC.

Right.  Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.  Got it.

 

[Rick]

Correct.  I know reading can be hard, but stick with it and it'll get easier, Malenko.

I know comprehension can be hard, but stick with it and it'll get easier, pbj.

Interesting looking cab, Delusional29. Not my cup of tea, but quality workmanship nonetheless!

[Vigo]

I've been in contact with D since day 1 on this, he is not trying to churn these out to profit off his family. This is on the level of making a machine for your brother, and him paying for the parts and giving you a case a beer for the labor and expertise.

Am I the only one with family, friends and random co-workers that get envious and ask for me to build them a machine?

[Rick]

Am I the only one with family, friends and random co-workers that get envious and ask for me to build them a machine?

No.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!  My friends are already fighting over who will get this one.  I may actually keep it though, my son is in love with it.  He plays it more than any of my other machines.  I haven't really considered selling them publicly yet, and if I did go that route I'd definitely let them supply their own 60 in 1 board.  They are easily found by the average person and with this set up it will be Plug and Play!

Such a top notch build. One of the best, if not the best Vigolix I have seen.

That means a lot!  Especially when coming from the guy who invented the style! 

And Delusional nuked my explanation post, so Delusional's clearly gotta Delusional, too.

I didn't nuke anything.  I even double-checked the moderator logs to see if anyone other mod killed it.  Nada.

I've been in contact with D since day 1 on this, he is not trying to churn these out to profit off his family. This is on the level of making a machine for your brother, and him paying for the parts and giving you a case a beer for the labor and expertise.

Am I the only one with family, friends and random co-workers that get envious and ask for me to build them a machine?

THIS.

Again, thanks everyone!

DeLuSioNaL29

[DeLuSioNal29]

saw the mane pop up welp the build was getting tested
but can clearly see the 69 board in there

ed

Ed, to clarify:  The MAME logo you see is from my dual stand up vertical machine "Green Invader Reboot".  It's a completely different machine, which has MAME and emus installed.

[pbj]

Anyway, all that other crap aside, I have to say I it's the only 'Vigolix' I've thought looked well executed.  Very clean and I like the contrasting colors.

 

[DeLuSioNal29]

For those looking for the silent Molex Power supply that I used:  I got it for $10 on FleaBay (with Free Shipping).  Works great and has a lifetime warranty.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310660854818?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

DeLuSioNaL29

[firedance]

Great work 

[j1345]

What percent tint did you order from TAPP plastic?  Also what width and style did you order?  I'm not seeing tinted on the site I just see Transparent Gray (which looks pretty dark?)

[DeLuSioNal29]

Here's exactly what I ordered:

Transparent Acrylic Sheet (Cut-to-Size)
Transparent Smoke
1/8 (.118) inches Thick, 16 inches Wide, 17-3/8 inches Long

I've ordered from Tapp plastics before.  Their customer service is great.  This past order the plexi had a scratch from a cutting knife made at the factory, they replaced it, no questions asked at their expense, I didn't even have to ship the defective one back.  BTW, their previous product was called "Solar Grey" but they just changed the name of it.  Same product.  This is my go to place for tinted plexi.

DeLuSioNaL29

[Locke141]

Wow,

I did my Vigolix clone for a family party in two days for less then $100, and it showed.

Yours looks much better. So much better I am now thinking about given it another go next summer.

How do you like the 60 in 1? I used a NAMCO plug and play in mine. Was thinking about trying an Raspberry pie running pi-play so I could add some consul emulators. All three options would be completely silent.

Again Wow!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Loved your project too!  (Yellow Fever Hybrid)  I was amazed as to how fast you got it all together.  My project took most of the summer, but only because I had no time to work on it.  That and the crazy weather delays (it happened to always rain on the weekends.  I'm in the coastal CT area).  I also experimented a lot with the "faux" T-molding color scheme which "ate up" afternoons I had to work on it.  But I finally got it done.   

The 60 in 1 is OK for a starter board.  (My son loves it so that's all that matters - but he's only 6).  But I would LOVE to upgrade to the ArcadeSD in the future.  I can't justify spending $325 on that board though!  Maybe one day...

DeLuSioNaL29

[Locke141]

Thanks DeLuSioNal29,

I had three goals for my clone. To build in the spanned of a weekend, spend less then $100, and to end up with something I could be proud of. It came out OK but I think your Vigolix build came out the best.
 
That ArcadeSD looks cool but I think the price is a bit high for a Vigolix build. My favorite part of the Vigolix is how cheep it is.

[DeLuSioNal29]

That ArcadeSD looks cool but I think the price is a bit high for a Vigolix build. My favorite part of the Vigolix is how cheep it is.

Agreed.  I'd probably want the Arcade SD in a bigger cab (or a cocktail).

D

[yotsuya]

I dunno - an ArcadeSD in a Vigolix is like dropping a Ferrari engine into a SmartCar. 

[DeLuSioNal29]

Upon reflection, I think I'd want one in there to try out the board, but it would not live there permanently.  Especially if people were to mess around with the exposed board in the back.  Replacing a 60 in 1 is one thing but an Arcade SD board...  Ouch.

[wp34]

Very clean build.  This is one of my favorite Vigolix cabinets.  I love that it matches the theme of your other cabinets as well.

Props for pulling that off with a jigsaw.  That is no mean feat.   

[ballboff]

Loving this build, a simple 3 button layout on the control panel too.  You see too many with like a hundred buttons, keep it simple I say.  I have 2 player with 6 buttons on mine, and I did think I would benefit from just having 3 buttons, maybe even just 1 player.  Most of the games I have bar some of the fighting ones only use 2 buttons, 3 if you have neo geo games.

[dkersten]

I dunno - an ArcadeSD in a Vigolix is like dropping a Ferrari engine into a SmartCar. 

I don't know about you, but a high powered smart car would be FRIGGIN AWESOME as hell..

Kinda like this golf cart with a hyabusa motor...

Am I the only one with family, friends and random co-workers that get envious and ask for me to build them a machine?

Hell no, am I the only one who has these same people offer up thousands of dollars to get it done?  Is it still illegal if you are doing it for a friend or family AND making a few dollars for your time?  lol, I never sold the games, I just loaded them on the cabinet I built for a friend, for their convenience...  haha..   

Nice build, I like it!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Updated pics.     I also took more shots of the rear of the machine since I had moved it outside to pack it up.  I recently traveled with it (it fit nicely in my trunk by flipping down one of the seats.).  Loving the portability!

I updated the start button with a space invader decal:


Everything is nice and tidy!


The power strip is screwed in using the mounting holes it comes with and the power brick from the molex connector is held in with heavy duty velcro.  It's not going anywhere.


Here's a shot of the power button and volume for the speakers.  It's accessible but not too convenient that people will be constantly messing with it.


I used double-sided tape to secure Crafty Mech's SLG to the LCD monitor.  The VGA plug then connected snugly without it wiggling around.


People had asked how an adult would fit sitting down.  I'm 6'2" and it's comfortable to play.  I use a standard folding chair.



DeLuSioNaL29

[Louis Tully]

.

[Generic Eric]

can you just re-purpose something to act as a cage over the PCB?  Some CPU case scraps or even tupper wear with a couple of vent holes drilled in it?

Are you referencing this pic?



If so, I would consider a method mounting that allowed standoffs to be used, and then another set on top securing a plexiglass fit to size.  You could even cover it with ESD tags (or etchings) Danger, Do not touch, high voltage, etch.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Yeah, I had thought about covering it up, but honestly, it's always up against the wall so no one ever messes with it.  It's only an issue if it gets transported (which I've done so I may consider covering it).

I do like the idea of the plexi and standoffs.  But to make it simpler, I may just put some dowels on the sides and then simply screw in a slab of wood over it to minimize the chance of it being touched.  I'd paint it all to match of course.

Thanks for the suggestions!

DeLuSioNaL29

[Generic Eric]

Yeah, I had thought about covering it up, but honestly, it's always up against the wall so no one ever messes with it.  It's only an issue if it gets transported (which I've done so I may consider covering it).

I do like the idea of the plexi and standoffs.  But to make it simpler, I may just put some dowels on the sides and then simply screw in a slab of wood over it to minimize the chance of it being touched.  I'd paint it all to match of course.

Thanks for the suggestions!

DeLuSioNaL29

How about dowels and a larger piece of plexi?  If someone is displaying a board where you can access test points for voltage, or potentiometers they could could drill holes to access those.  Anyway, its moot, but for another project maybe...