Ball Buster - A Gingerballs Tribute

[thomas_surles]

So the time has come to begin my mini pin build.
Inspired by Malenko's build http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150902.0.html

















Parts and cost

Pc - $47.42
Buttons - $15.99 (for 10)
Encoder - $16.99
Playfield monitor - $28
Backbox monitor - $24
Some screws and liquid nails - $7
Bondo and sandpaper - 9$
Coin access door - $11.85
Coin reject button - $8.98
Straight wire micro switch - $7.45
Coin return bezel - $4.84
Coin entry bezel - $4.64
L brackets  (×50) - $14.00
Misc. Power/vga from goodwill - $6
Dvi to vga adapter - $2.68
Sheet of blondewood - $38
Paint, more sandpaper and hinge pins - $17
Coin door lock - $4.70
Micro leaf x2 - $9.18
Namco Tokens - $18
More paint and magnet catches - $10
Black felt - $0.25
Aluminium. - $14.50
Button labels - $6
Plexi - $17 (I broke these)
Sheet of steel - $5
New speaker amp - $5
Top secret - $42
Power inlet - $5.90
Pc fan - $1.78
Fuse and quick disconnects - $7
Solenoids - $34.93
Relay board - $14.50
Diodes - $1.49

Total cost - $475.07

[thomas_surles]

So I found this 22" (I think) at goodwill


Picked up a cheap 19" for the backglass on ebay


Ordered some Cheap led pushbuttons. And a cheapo encoder on ebay.



Also the pc (don't be hating it does what it needs to)

[thomas_surles]

First thing was to decase the monitor.




Got a sheet of 1/2" blondewood from lowes. I was going to go with mdf but this lowes didn't carry it. But this word seemed pretty cool. I guess it's like plywood but sanded and primed.




Got to love my sloppy lines. Post production will fix that.



Coin door measurement (I'm making a small coin door)


More sloppy lines. ( Couldn't find my jig so I winged it)







I decided to not go with a removable lock down bar. Instead just a palm rest.

[n3wt0n]

Good start! It didn't take very long for a Gingerballs inspired build.

[thomas_surles]

Good start! It didn't take very long for a Gingerballs inspired build.

But we all knew they were coming. Might as well start early

[Malenko]

palm rest is a great idea!

Love the name too, cant wait to see the progress     

[n3wt0n]

But we all knew they were coming. Might as well start early

Oh, I totally agree. These are so much more obtainable than a fullsize virtual pin.

[thomas_surles]

The backbox 17" x 14" x 4.5"
Still planning on making some hinges.
(The front L brackets have been removed once the liquid nails dried)

[thomas_surles]

Got some bondo. First time using the stuff. Nobody  told me how fast this stuff hardens.





Also cut a hole for the power and video cables from the backbox.


Sanded a bit.




Flipper button placement. Buttons came out a little closer together  than I hoped, but it's fine.




The side rails should cover that slight curve in the side. (I can't cut straight)

[thomas_surles]

Got some more done today.




 

My backdoor




The hinges

[Malenko]

wow you work fast! Looks great, people are going to be making ball buster clones not gingerball clones.

[thomas_surles]

wow you work fast! Looks great, people are going to be making ball buster clones not gingerball clones.

Thank you. A clone of a clone. I got the next couple days off. I'm planning  on painting tomorrow. I got some artwork put together also. Just need  to find someone to print them.

[thomas_surles]

So I went to ace and got some pins for my hinges and it only closes half way. So I am having to rework that and patch the holes i already drilled. Minor setback, but lesson learned. Always test before drilling.

[Malenko]

I got some artwork put together also. Just need  to find someone to print them.

Ken does all my prints, byoacrequests@gmail.com 
And now you know why I went with a simple metal hinge =)

[HaRuMaN]

Always test before drilling.

That's what she said!

[thomas_surles]

Always test before drilling.

That's what she said!

Best 45 seconds of her life though.

[thomas_surles]

I got the hinges sorted out.

[thomas_surles]

So I've been kicking around the idea of a pedestal. Legs would obviously looks stupid on this little thing.

I drew a doodle. Bad idea?

[yotsuya]

I don't like the pedestal. I think scale sized legs would look better.

But honestly, why would you build a small size machine and then go to put it on a pedestal? You might as well just gone full sized.

[thomas_surles]

I don't like the pedestal. I think scale sized legs would look better.

But honestly, why would you build a small size machine and then go to put it on a pedestal? You might as well just gone full sized.

I would like to have gone full sized as space isn't a big issue, but we're talking at least 300 for a good sized monitor as opposed to 28 for a small one.
I have been considering scale legs, or levelers.

[Malenko]

When I get gingerballs back from my buddy's house I'll take some pix of the adjustable leg levelers I got.

I thought about building a removable base/legs but I think its the perfect height on one of my tables, which is where I built it to go. Of course mines was just a proof of concept for Haruman's kits and just something different to make to try and get people building mini pins (it worked!) I might eventually build a full sized but it wouldnt be for a LONG time.

[Richie_jones]

Do your monitors remember there power state after you've removed the plug.
I don't see this mentioned much but it's a real issue for me. If you hide your monitor controls hoe do you access the power switch???

[thomas_surles]

Do your monitors remember there power state after you've removed the plug.
I don't see this mentioned much but it's a real issue for me. If you hide your monitor controls hoe do you access the power switch???

I know my Playfield does. Haven't  tried my backbox. Worse case I would just wire a button to the monitor  power button.

[thomas_surles]

So I got a coat of paint on. That's right I'm a sprayer.


I was going to buy some speakers and an amp on ebay until I saw my old motorcycle speakers and amp while working out in the shed.




So I finally figured out where I was going to mount them. Under the backbox.



I bought a small coin access door on ebay that was the perfect size. Since no actual coin door was small enough. Unless I went with a roll down.



I then cut out and drilled holes for the coin entry and coin reject bezels. I don't have the proper tools, so I drilled a bunch of holes and used a steel file.

[Malenko]

you are going to make me do a Gingerballs 2.0 arent you?

Love the speaker idea, still like my hinge method better. I have other better ideas I'll update in my thread.   That coin door is awesome, but I'd never use it 

[thomas_surles]

you are going to make me do a Gingerballs 2.0 arent you?

Love the speaker idea, still like my hinge method better. I have other better ideas I'll update in my thread.   That coin door is awesome, but I'd never use it 

The coin door was just an idea I had to fill the middle space. My original intention was to just put that little access door there and be done with it. But then I got creative and decided to make it look more like a coin door, so I added the bezels and reject button. I do plan on adding a little functionality  to it just because I recently bought a lot of namco tokens on ebay.

[thomas_surles]

I put some magnets on the back door.




Sprayed the coin door to cover my scratches.



Attached the door.



Monitors in place.








Stuff to do:
- Add side rails
- add art
- install pc
- wire buttons
- glass
- make power button
- cooling

[thomas_surles]

So I made another poor planning mistake. The side rails I was planning on using need to be a 1" L to reach the edge of the screen, but if I do one across the front it will overlap the coin door and top buttons..
I could get smaller ones but then John might get mad at the gap to the monitor. Or I can move the buttons and coin door a little lower and screw everything up.. any thoughts?

[Malenko]

Just rail the opening part, not the entire top box?

[thomas_surles]

That could work. I've also considered doing a black poster board frame inside around the edges of the monitors behind the glass.

[Malenko]

I thought you were either going to just paint on rails (based on the "lock down bar") or just not have any at all

[thomas_surles]

I wanted to do the L rails the way you did it. On the sides and one on the front, and a piece of metal on my lock down area.

[cj138]

This is looking good!  I built one similar a few months ago and wound up using some old adjustable school desk legs so it didn't look like a baby giraffe.  I got them for $10 on ebay. Keep up the good work!

[Malenko]

any new picture porn?

[thomas_surles]

Not really. Still waiting on the art. I haven't done a whole lot in a while. I can share the art if you are ready to start hating this project. But I will attach a couple.

[Malenko]

Not really. Still waiting on the art. I haven't done a whole lot in a while. I can share the art if you are ready to start hating this project. But I will attach a couple.

Waiting on Ken?    And I love everything about this project so far. Any issues with the rear door and those USB ports?

[thomas_surles]

Not really. Still waiting on the art. I haven't done a whole lot in a while. I can share the art if you are ready to start hating this project. But I will attach a couple.

Waiting on Ken?    And I love everything about this project so far. Any issues with the rear door and those USB ports?

Yeah. I plan on putting an upper fan on the rear door as well. And remember painting it. The usb ports aren't attached to
Really just kinda dangling from the motherboard.

[thomas_surles]

Alright so I know there is a general hatred for collage art, But i did it anyway. So feel free to hit the dislike button.

[Malenko]

I like it, at least it's a mash up of pinball art. Hard edges? Thats.........BALLSY 

[thomas_surles]

Let's just hope I measured it right. It's been 2 weeks and still haven't got them though.