Pole Position driver bartop - Finished!

[johnrt]

My driver bartop is by far the arcade machine I'm using the most. And I couldn't completely forget my Pole Position style bartop side panel I did when creating my Sega Outrun bartop (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,139895.0.html). So tonight I made this cardboard model of it. I even have a new spinner and a 6" wheel for it if I decide to go on with it. So what do you guys think? Probably the CP needs a little more work. Maybe make it more alike the original. And on this one i want a real gear stick, so the wheel may be placed a little to the left as it is on the original cabinet. This one will also be a lot easier to build since it's not that curvy as the Sega OutRun.

Well, any ideas and thoughts guys?

[ChanceKJ]

This must happen.

it's the only answer i think we're going to give you.

[johnrt]

I rebuilt the cardboard model. I also made it a little smaller. Now I'm playing around with some CP-layouts. I added a admin-button panel between screen bezel and CP. The buttons turned out a little misplaced, but it's just cardboard. I reallly have to finish this one, and sell it afterwards. I have almost all the parts so the investments will be kept to a minimum.



Malenkos diamond shaped control layout turned out to be a great success, so why change that?

[yotsuya]

You're building it to sell it?

[johnrt]

You're building it to sell it?

What can I say. I like building. 

[Minwah]

You're building it to sell it?

What can I say. I like building. 

I would keep it and put a pot based ~270 degree wheel on your Outrun one

[jennifer]

        That little wheel looks all cute, But doesn't that make it hard to play?

[johnrt]

        That little wheel looks all cute, But doesn't that make it hard to play?

Well, no. I'm using that wheel on my OutRun bartop (actually it's one inch smaller), and it's fantastic to play with. 

[Malenko]

I see that diamond button layout is serving you well 

[johnrt]

I see that diamond button layout is serving you well 

Yes, that was a genious suggestion, made by someone in here...  I think you know who? 

[johnrt]

Experimenting with side artwork for the Pole Position bartop. Staying as true as possible to the original. Although some modifications has to be made. At least when it comes to placement of logos.

[johnrt]

It was a nice day outside today, so I took the opportunity to cut the side panels for the bartop.

First I printed the template in real size:


Taped the template onto som cheap chipboard, marked around the paper, and roughly cut the side panel template.


To make sure the straight lines are straight I screwed an old furniture shelf on the template:


And routed it. The result: A 100% straight line. I repeated that on every straight line.


For the inner curves I wrapped some sandpaper around a maglite:


And sanded the curves.


The finished template:


And here's both my driver bartop templates:


Testing the curves with a pencil:


Based on the finished template I roughly cut the side panels, screwed the template onto the panels and routed them:


And the result:


Finally, testing the printed template with the real one. Now I have side panels that 100% matches my file! :-)

[johnrt]

I really hope this project will be finished:

http://ppclone.blogspot.no/

 In that case I want one for this bartop.

[johnrt]

There's no way I can do anything outside, so today I've only made some of the battens. I haven't glued them on yet in case I have to change something.


And regarding the CP area. I have to experiment on my cardboard model to figure out how I want it.

[Rick]

You are seriously inspiring me to put designs like these in my shop. Seriously, these are amazing.

[johnrt]

You are seriously inspiring me to put designs like these in my shop. Seriously, these are amazing.

Go ahead! If you want any photoshop files or whatever, just let me know. 

[johnrt]

I have made a CP overlay for test purpose. Be gentle, this is version 1. I'm using smaller buttons for View, Radio, P1, P2, and enter, exit.
So, what do you think?


And here's a test mock-up: (note: the CP will be 2 cm wider than this)

[ChanceKJ]

So if you can't get your hands on one of those Pole Possition repro PCB's would you just toss a Pi2 in it instead?

And I'm not sure why, but this build just screams to me that it needs one of those black open cell foam covered race wheels. Or something Like a mini replica from a McLaren MP4/2, Ferrari 126CK or an Arrows-Ford A3. (Call me bias )

[johnrt]

So if you can't get your hands on one of those Pole Possition repro PCB's would you just toss a Pi2 in it instead?

And I'm not sure why, but this build just screams to me that it needs one of those black open cell foam covered race wheels. Or something Like a mini replica from a McLaren MP4/2, Ferrari 126CK or an Arrows-Ford A3. (Call me bias )

Well, no Pi! If I can get a repro PCB I will immediately build a new CP! And I will make it easy to replace the whole CP when that time comes! :-) Until then I'll put in a real PC motherboard and make this a MAME build with the possibility to play any spinner game. (as usual)

[floriske.nl]

Really looking forward to seeing this one progress. ..

... literally unfortunately ...

Your pictures take ages to load over here  at least 5 minutes for this page alone. (Same goes for your outrun topic)

Don't know what type of image hosting you are using but i'd like to suggest finding a better spot for them 

The part I did see so far looks promising though!

[johnrt]

Made som panels today. Damn, I now have two projects going on at the same time. This hobby is really addictive! When it comes to cab-building I'm starting to get the hang of it. This is my 4th bartop. I've learned a lot, and I'm still learning. This cab is the most accurate one I've done so far. But I probably need a brake when I'm done with the 2 cabs I'm building right now. Time will tell. 

Here's today's pictures:

[jdbailey1206]

Love these bartops you're making john.  I would be afraid to play your Out Run or Pole Position.  I get a little crazy with driving games.  I might take a turn to hard and the wheel would come with me but the cab wouldn't.   

[johnrt]

Love these bartops you're making john.  I would be afraid to play your Out Run or Pole Position.  I get a little crazy with driving games.  I might take a turn to hard and the wheel would come with me but the cab wouldn't.   

I wish you all had a driver arcade cab. It's super fun! It's the only cab I'm actually playing on. And I'm starting to get the hang of the Seaside track in Pole Position. I really have to make a gameplay video soon! 

[jennifer]

 

Love these bartops you're making john.  I would be afraid to play your Out Run or Pole Position.  I get a little crazy with driving games.  I might take a turn to hard and the wheel would come with me but the cab wouldn't.   

That might actually be a thing, The handlebars on my Enduro racer were not only bent but the back plate was broke from stress...Apparently that whole cab has gotten to rocken in its past.

[johnrt]

That might actually be a thing, The handlebars on my Enduro racer were not only bent but the back plate was broke from stress...Apparently that whole cab has gotten to rocken in its past.

Well, you know. There's a difference between a full size cab and a bartop with a 5" wheel. 

[jennifer]

     The excitement wont stop at the 5"wheel. Some lead bars in the bottom of that cab might give some weight to that AWESOME build however. ... Or possibly a weighted sub base pedestal.

[johnrt]

     The excitement wont stop at the 5"wheel. Some lead bars in the bottom of that cab might give some weight to that AWESOME build however. ... Or possibly a weighted sub base pedestal.

Ohhh! *Blush* 

[yotsuya]

Apparently that whole cab has gotten to rocken in its past.

If the racing cab's a rockin'...don't bother knockin'! 

[johnrt]

BTW people: How is my english? Is it OK? Do you understand everything I write?

[jennifer]

BTW people: How is my english? Is it OK? Do you understand everything I write?

  A+, You even tricked Jenn with the fact that might be an issue.

[ChanceKJ]

BTW people: How is my english? Is it OK? Do you understand everything I write?

i think we can all agree that mines worse. 

[johnrt]

A+, You even tricked Jenn with the fact that might be an issue.

A+? Well, thanks!! I didn't expect that! 

[johnrt]

.

[Rick]

The view is way more fantastic than this picture shows.

I beg to differ.

[johnrt]

I made more panels today. And also the bottom base. You also see a detail on how the front bezel plexi will be mounted. So here's today's pictures:

[BorgDog]

Nice work, looks great.  I like the bevel detail on the boards behind the marquee.

[Malenko]

no rear shots








































of the cab?


Also, how much for you to make one of those view select circuits for me? I'll pay international shipping, no ---smurfs--- given 

[johnrt]

no rear shots

You funny man! 

Well, here you go: This is a shot from the rear showing the power intake:

Also, how much for you to make one of those view select circuits for me? I'll pay international shipping, no ---saint's minions--- given 

Well. Why don't you make it yourself? It's all there out on the internet. I can help you with links to parts and so on.

[johnrt]

I found some very cute aluminium profiles today. These will be perfect for marquee holders. I also cut holes for the speakers. I'm using the same speakers and grills as I did on my OutRun bartop.

[ChanceKJ]

-1, design does not contain an exhaust pipe.