New Arcade Cabinet Project: Maximum Tune 2 - MAME/DEMUL/PC/PS4 conversion

[Blackknight2000]

Hello Everyone!

First post. I just purchased the cabinet below thinking of building it into a arcade MAME/PC/PS3 PS4 cabinet. I found myself her while trying to do some research about wheel controllers and emulators. After reading the post by BadMouth ( link here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,105961.0.html ) I have realized that this is gonna be a bit harder than I thought.



I am not an expert when it comes to arcade cabinets but I am learning as I go. This cabinet did come with the original controls but I believe the controls connect to PCB boards which I don't have. I originally was planning to make it an option to play Playstation 3 and 4 games while making the controls compatible with MAME so I was looking to install some Thrustmaster controllers.







I have one arcade cabinet under my belt. I purchased a gutted Gauntlet Legends machine and converted it to a MAME cabinet about a year ago. I just learned about Hyperspin while on this forum about a week or Two ago. I knew about front ends but never thought about them till now. Thinking of installing Hyperspin in the future.



SO here I am now, With a new project and I am looking to learn from you guys. Maybe even start a club here in Los Angeles for MAME and Arcade Cabinet Builders enthusiast. SO my question for you all is, what do you guys thing about the Thrustmaster controller. It does a full 1080. I know that it may pose some serious problems with emulation. I recently found out about the type of wheels used in arcade cabs ( 360° and  270° ). Any feedback from people that have used retail set ups with their emulators would be appreciated. Also if you are in the Los Angeles area, send me a personal message, would love to start a club in these parts, unless one already exists. If so let me know!

[BadMouth]

Hello Everyone!

First post. I just purchased the cabinet below thinking of building it into a arcade MAME/PC/PS3 PS4 cabinet.

Welcome aboard. 

Logitech is coming out with the G29 soon.
It's pretty much just an updated G27 and most of us think it's overpriced...... but it's compatible with all 4 platforms you listed.
http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g29-driving-force

Those of us using Logitech wheels use the Logitech profiler software to reduce the turning radius of the wheel to something that works better with each game.
Usually 270 degrees for arcade games, 150-180 degrees for old PC games or emulated console games.
Not sure if the thrustmaster has that option.

Setting up the software can be a pain.  Just take it one emulator and one game at a time.
Model 2 emulator is pretty easy to set up and doesn't require much tweaking per game like MAME, so it's a good one to start with.
Playing Daytona USA and Sega Rally will motivate you to get Supermodel emulator (model 3) working so you can play the sequels. 

[ryandoesntstress]

Sorry to get a bit off topic here, but that bezel on your Gauntlet Legends cab looks really nice and clean. Did you make this? Got any other photos, build photos, instructions laying around? I wouldnt mind making one like that myself.

[Blackknight2000]

Sorry to get a bit off topic here, but that bezel on your Gauntlet Legends cab looks really nice and clean. Did you make this? Got any other photos, build photos, instructions laying around? I wouldnt mind making one like that myself.

I actually had it made by a plastics company in SanDiego. Here is the link to the company: http://www.eplastics.com/ My contact was a guy named Travis: travis@eplastics.com I purchased the following materials: ABS Textured General Purpose Sheet .060" x 48" x 48" Black Sheet  The textured sheets are very similar to the texture found on an arcade Bezel (almost identical if you ask me). Below are some picture.

I had them cut the sheet for me because I am not that great at tool work and I don't have the proper tools. Way better than buying tools and possibly throwing money away if I screw up the job. They will also send you the left over parts. You can always get a thinner piece of ABS, that should make it way easier to cut it your self, maybe even with an exact blade and a metal ruler. Just remember thinner will warp if you do not have ti supported properly from the back.

Here is a picture of the measurements that I sent them.



THe machine without the Bezel.



With bezel.



Material Comparison, original Gauntlet Bezel and textured ABS.



Materials and the cut cost me $59.93 and with shipping and taxes it came out to $83.04. Can't guarantee what price they will offer you if you decide to go this route.

[Blackknight2000]

Welcome aboard. 

Logitech is coming out with the G29 soon.
It's pretty much just an updated G27 and most of us think it's overpriced...... but it's compatible with all 4 platforms you listed.
http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g29-driving-force

Those of us using Logitech wheels use the Logitech profiler software to reduce the turning radius of the wheel to something that works better with each game.
Usually 270 degrees for arcade games, 150-180 degrees for old PC games or emulated console games.
Not sure if the thrustmaster has that option.

[Blackknight2000]

Welcome aboard. 

Logitech is coming out with the G29 soon.
It's pretty much just an updated G27 and most of us think it's overpriced...... but it's compatible with all 4 platforms you listed.
http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g29-driving-force

Those of us using Logitech wheels use the Logitech profiler software to reduce the turning radius of the wheel to something that works better with each game.
Usually 270 degrees for arcade games, 150-180 degrees for old PC games or emulated console games.
Not sure if the thrustmaster has that option.

Hello BadMouth, thanks for replying! I finally picked up the Thrustmaster wheel. I considered the G29 but I like the quality of the Thrustmaster gear. I am planning on making this build work with modern racing sims for the PC and PS3/4 as well as some old arcade games. I know most people use the logitec equipment but I am hoping that I can figure out a way to make this work. As far as arcade games go I was a huge fan of OutRun2. I don't know how many old arcade games I plan to put in this machine but OutRun2  is one I would love to get to work. I saw that Howard_Casto made a moded version and I know that Steam has the HD remake available so I have options for that game. Crazy Taxi is another one that I would love to get running! According to the box for the Thrustmaster wheel it is supposed to allow you to limit it from 270 degrees to 1080 degrees which is the maximum rotation. Not sure how it does this but I will post updates here and in a Thrustmaster wheel post I started. Sorry for the late reply dude I was waiting to pick up the wheel and just got it this week. Hope to hear from you again!