A first build named Retroclash - DONE

[opt2not]

Here came ARTIFACT. Absolutely loved the curves on that one so I decided to give it a try.

Great choice of cabinet to model yours after. 
Will be keeping an eye on this one. 

[Brouhaha]

This cab is looking great.
I love the shape of the cabinet

Here came ARTIFACT. Absolutely loved the curves on that one so I decided to give it a try.

Great choice of cabinet to model yours after. 
Will be keeping an eye on this one. 

Thanks guys ARTIFACT really is a stunner! So glad he gave the community his plans. The build thread is also an epic read!

Small question for you pros: I've come to think that the seventh button, well, annoys me. Would Bondo be the way to go to fill it up without having to start the panel over?

Don't start over. Bondo or wood-filler will work.

Thanks for reassuring me Seems to have worked great with wood filler. Probably gonna have to sand and reapply a bit more but the result should be perfect.

[Alejo I]

This forum continues to impress me with the dedication and attention to detail displayed by some first time builders.

I generally prefer the chunky look of most CRT-based cabs, but I think you version of Artifact improves the original Artifact design, which was already a looker. Brilliant proportions for an LCD cabinet. I'm taking notes for my first full size project (which is taking forever).

[Brouhaha]

This forum continues to impress me with the dedication and attention to detail displayed by some first time builders.

I generally prefer the chunky look of most CRT-based cabs, but I think you version of Artifact improves the original Artifact design, which was already a looker. Brilliant proportions for an LCD cabinet. I'm taking notes for my first full size project (which is taking forever).

Woah! Thanks a lot for the compliments! But without ARTIFACT, there would be no Retroclash really... As for improving the design, well, my doors and stairs that lead to the basement kinda dictated the maximum size I like "non-slim" cabs better too (although some slim builds, specially that Slimtendo, are pretty freakin' awesome). Anyway, thanks to my doors for the proportions 

As per Token's suggestion, I filled the seventh button holes on the panel using wood filler. Turned out good!


Will wait a few days to make sure it's dry all the way through 3/4'' before applying a bit more and sanding again. Feels good to get rid of that button 

Also noticed the wood filler I had used to patch screw holes sunk during the six months it sat in the unfinished part of the basement:


So... back to sanding a bit. Will be applying Bondo so that crap doesn't happen again 

[Brouhaha]

Used Bondo for the first time this weekend. Really wasn't so bad mixing and applying. Really like how this stuff applies! Better than wood filler to work with IMO.

So I sanded all the sunken wood filler holes with 80 grit (forgot to take a picture). I then applied a light coat of Bondo over each holes, just so it would cover.


And I sanded it with 120 grit and my orbital sander. Put on a mask cause this was dusty!


After a nice wipe, it is smoooooth 


And ready to prime... yet again. Hopefully this thing will finally be painted by the end of the week! 

[Brouhaha]

Another noob question: should I prime or go straight back to enamel? It didn't sand through the primer coats...

[johnrt]

Another noob question: should I prime or go straight back to enamel? It didn't sand through the primer coats...

Yes, you should prime. If there's imperfections they will be revelaed if you do.

[Brouhaha]

Good point thanks! I really don't trust my sense of touch either now  Guess third time's a charm!!!

I have to admit, I really hate this part of the build haha! Next time, I'm definitly laminating...

[Brouhaha]

So this thing is finally painted. Today I installed the t-molding and applied the CPO. Then came the "OMFG I built this?!?!" moment:


Now, let's look closer shall we? There are a few things I should've done differently.


First, notice the hole without the button. As johnrt mentioned early in the thread, I cut the holes before applying the CPO vinyl. No biggie, but it was an unnecessary pain to cut out each holes with a blade. Next time, I'm drilling after applying the artwork.

Also notice near the joystick. When undermounting the joysticks, my t-nuts sank while tightening. I'm pissed at myself, but can live with this. Maybe I'll fix it later on. But next time: screw tightly so the t-nuts sink, THEN apply wood filler or Bondo prior to applying the art.

Still very happy to have moved on from painting. I'll just keep calm and carry on! 

[Token]

I am a huge fan of the Artifact build, so what can I say but...

I love the shape. I love the colors. I love the artwork. 

There is something so right about a control panel embedded between the sides of the cabinet, especially when the CPO rolls over the front like this.

[Brouhaha]

There is something so right about a control panel embedded between the sides of the cabinet, especially when the CPO rolls over the front like this.

I have to agree on this 

BTW, love the artwork on Moonshot 

So, CP is wired and working but I won't post any picture because I would be a TERRIBLE example. I'm setting up MaLa with a custom Retroclash theme right now as I am waiting on some PCB standoffs from gameroomdesigns.ca (did I mention I was Canadian?). Once they're here, I'll blitz to finish everything off.

On a side note, my 5 year old played on it for the first time yesterday 

[Brouhaha]

Installed the missing panels today and test fitted the marquee.


Bought some 1/2'' plastic molding as seen better here:


Sprayed it black and will be refitting tomorrow.

So it seems it's only missing speaker covers after that and I'll call it done 

Already started sketchupin' Retroclash v2... Lots of things I'd like to try on a second build. But that's a few months away 

[fablog]

Very good job Brouhaha! Artifact was one of my favorite cab but I needed a smaller one for my condo. By the way I'm from Montreal

[Brouhaha]

Thanks fablog! Nice to see someone else from around here  I'm also from Montreal, but living in Quebec City for over ten years now.

I actually shaved 3 inches from the original width of Artifact and 5 inch from the depth. So while I wouldn't call this a slim cab at all, it's actually quite smaller. Really happy aboit how it all turned out.

Cheers!

[harveybirdman]

Great cab man, love it.

[vwalbridge]

Nice! Another great example of "less is more"     

Have you thought about some bezel art?  It just looks a little naked around the monitor.

(Sorry if I missed that somewhere)

[Brouhaha]

Thanks guys! Really means a lot coming from veterans/master builders! 

I totally agree vwalbridge! This thing definitely needs bezel art. Probably will happen in the next few weeks. Not sure what though. Suggestions are welcome  I also really wanted to add button label stickers like Yotsuya did. But I'm not convinced it would look "natural" with so many generic buttons. Maybe the exit button at the top-left of the CP though. It would kinda feel alone though haha!

Man, all the way through the build I couldn't wait to play on it and now that I can, I'm kinda sad that it's practically over... This cab is far from perfect but it was such an awesome experience! Now that I've got the basics in check, two more projects are already on my mind.

This build is not the best one documented, but I tried to mention some of my noob mistakes for others to do better on their first build. Next one will be better documented, and before Retroclash Rev. 2, I think I'm gonna design/build/document one for the kids, think 5-9 year olds since I've got two kids myself

[Brouhaha]

Now THAT, to me, is priceless... History lesson!


Also notice how it matches the desk. Spousal approval trick 

[Brouhaha]

Got what I was missing from Rick today. Calling this one DONE!  On to the next project!

Money Shot:


CP close up:


Running SF Alpha 3:

[mgb]

Very nicely done

[Frank Drebin]

Tastefully done.

[ARTIFACT]

Wooooooo nicely done!! Makes me happy, as the creator of ARTIFACT Game Museum

 

I miss this forum!!!

ARTIFACT

[ARTIFACT]

Woah! Thanks a lot for the compliments! But without ARTIFACT, there would be no Retroclash really...

 

Exciting to see all this work here!!

ARTIFACT

[Brouhaha]

Woah! Thanks a lot for the compliments! But without ARTIFACT, there would be no Retroclash really...

 

Exciting to see all this work here!!

ARTIFACT

Gotta give respect where respect is due 

Thanks a lot for everything dude! My older son is totally nuts over this project. It's been a few weeks now, and he's blown my mind off at Sunset Riders! Beating bosses by himself is quite impresive (still kicking his butt at SF though)...

[Laythe]

Nice cab!  I like the proportions.