Rebuilding a Neo Geo 6 Slot as a Retropie Machine need some advice

[ItchyD]

So I have a Neo Geo arcade sitting in my living room.  I bought a Sanwa JLF joystick and some 24mm buttons based on the recommendations on focusattack.com 

Sadly, because I stupidly did not measure carefully first none of the parts fit...
.

• I need a plate for my JLF to mount it to the fixed (happ 3" x 2.5") studs on my control panel.  Does anyone know what plate that would be, and where I can get it?
• My button holes are about 28.65 mm will Sanwa OBSN 30 buttons fit in those holes?
• What type of bit should I use to drill through my metal CP to add some buttons?
• How do I layout button positions with mathematical accuracy before I drill the holes?

Thanks for any help!!

[Mike A]

Can the NEO Geo be restored?

[Slippyblade]

A full size arcade cab...  and a Pi?

This is gonna sound harsh, but that's dumb.  I am a Pi advocate, but with that much room not using a full PC is asking for pain and difficulty you don't need.

[yotsuya]

I pretty much stay out of any Pi thread, but if SLIPPYBLADE is telling you not to do it, you should listen to the man.

And what about Mike A's question?

[ItchyD]

Can the NEO Geo be restored?

Not the topic at hand

[ItchyD]

A full size arcade cab...  and a Pi?

This is gonna sound harsh, but that's dumb.  I am a Pi advocate, but with that much room not using a full PC is asking for pain and difficulty you don't need.

Duly noted.  Are you able to answer my questions?

[Mike A]

Sorry. Won't help you. You can't even answer a simple question without being a 
You could do both. Not that you are interested in input.

[Titchgamer]

1) dunno

2) The OSBN 30's are a 30mm button and require a 30mm hole I believe.

You could get some standard 30mm Happ buttons (which were originals in neo cabs I think) that will drop straight in a standard 28mm hole

3) Centre punch the centre of the hole, pre drill with a small diameter HSS jobber drill and then open them up with a 28mm hole saw.

4) do a layout on paper first, get everything right and then transfer it to the CP.
You can also get proper layouts with dimensions online for original layouts etc.
Depends what you want really but take your time with this step.
Remember to consider the underside of the pannel, proximity to edges etc.
Also size of the stick base, microswitches etc etc.

[leapinlew]

I've cut a piece of wood to mount under metal panels, glued it to the panel, used bondo to fill all the holes, and then drilled new holes. You'll want to use a hole saw. Use printed templates to ensure you get the layout you want.

Now, about that pi.... the reason you don't really want to use a pi in a full size machine is because computers are plentiful, free and provide many more options for a good front end.

[ItchyD]

Sorry. Won't help you. You can't even answer a simple question without being a 
You could do both. Not that you are interested in input.

What did I say that was nasty?  Neither you, nor Slippyblade, nor yotsuya offered anything constructive.  I am not in a position financially to restore the Neo Geo.  I don't have a 6 slot pcb, I don't have a 25" monitor, and I don't have an extra PC to dedicate to this.  What I do have is a gutted cab that is already running a Pi with some zero delay encoders.  I'm just trying to get the CP set up to my liking.  I am only able to get this far because I got the cab and the hdtv I'm using as a monitor for $90 total so far, and I already had the buttons and the pi. 

[ItchyD]

3) Centre punch the centre of the hole, pre drill with a small diameter HSS jobber drill and then open them up with a 28mm hole saw.

Thanks for the helpful response!  A regular hole saw will go through the metal without a problem?

[yotsuya]

Slippyblade's advice was very constructive. It's just not what you wanted to hear.

[leapinlew]

What did I say that was nasty?

Not sure if how I read it is how you meant it, but you sounded short and curt with the "Not the topic at hand" and "Duly noted" comment. The reason I didn't mind replying was that you start off with the pi and easily swap it out down the road when you can justify it. For example, lets imagine you want to use Hyperspin, or need more horespower for a specific game.

Either way, the members on this board are good people and quickly dismissing questions/comments is a sure fire way to not get the help you are looking for. When Mike A. asked if it could be restored? You could have responded to his question instead of shooing him away.

[Titchgamer]

Yeah a quality hole saw will go through the CP no prob.

But I do agree with the others, Ditch the Pi and use a PC.
It will give you much for power and flexibility.

[paigeoliver]

Problem is that you are taking a really desirably cabinet that came with great hardware and populating it with garbage, not a lot of people are going to be that interested in helping.

It is like coming into a car forum and saying "found this 1968 427 Camaro and I am having trouble fitting the the 49cc Chinese moped engine I bought into it, and the lawnchairs don't sit right inside, and the hand truck wheels I bought at Harbor Freight don't match up to the car".

[Mike A]

My question was constructive. You dismissed it immediately. Don't ask for help and then act like a jerk when someone offers it. On top of that, don't act surprised when you are called out for it.

[ItchyD]

I cannot afford to restore the Neo Geo.  I am trying to get more buttons into my control panel so I can play Marvel vs. Capcom with my daughter.  This agenda everyone is coming in with of telling me that I'm a) wrong to do so, and b) dumb is not going to change a single thing I do with my property.  I came here looking for help.  The advice I was given was that I should go buy another part (when I already have one that is working). 

I suppose it is no surprise that insular communities of dedicated hobbyists will never be satisfied with someone who isn't as invested as they are. 

[ed12]

u were given some solid advice on how to go about doing what u want
what u are seeing is group of restores saying hey wait a second
that is a rare enough game not to butcher for a pi.
if u go to the pie fourm and read up
u could build what u want for less then it will cost u to say the course u are on and destory a machine.
i know it is gutted,perty much,but hey we have a buy/sell/trade thread here
i would think u would have a better go if u save what u have sell it off and start a new.
if that makes to much sense to u or u think i am beening an ---uvula--- ? then on the ---uvula--- part u would be 100 % wrong
as i will do (with what i own when and if i want and what i want)but  to that is the answer
so go buy your self a hole saw and cut away my bud

ed

[Titchgamer]

My friend I think you should take a step back and think over the advice people have given you and why they may have given it.

Its nothing to do with being an elitist!

I answered your q's up above as everyone else had pointed out the flaws of doing so.

Firstly the Neo Geo Cab is a very much sought after cabinet, fully restored it will be worth a pretty penny and and a real centre piece of your living room.
It can also be a fun project to last you the next 12 months!
Dont rush anything in this hobby as it will backfire on you and you will regret it later!

As for the Pi.
Well personally I like the Pi, its a handy and versatile little device BUT its is pants compared to a well set up PC.
I use Pi's for small projects but if you go ahead turning this cab into a multi machine PLEASE use a PC!

You have the room for it, they can be brought for the same price as a Pi (remember you dont need a new one!) and you will have more power and versatility to do WHAT YOU WANT.

I wish you luck with your project and I hope you stay around to share it with us.

But dont be so hostile towards critique, This place is full of it but also has every resource you will ever need to rebuild that thing!

[leapinlew]

I've used the method I told you many times and it works well. Use a piece of wood, glued to the bottom of your CP. Fill the holes and then you can drill out any new  configuration you want. A holesaw will go through both the wood and metal CP.

[Mike A]

Nothing like doubling down on the insulting jerkitude. Now we are elitists. This is an insular community. 

I just started posting recently. Everyone here has been cool. I have been encouraged, and have been given sound advice. I am hardly part of a secret arcade cult bent on destroying the hopes and dreams of aspiring arcade builders. Although that does sound pretty cool. Do we have one of those here? How do I join?

[Mike A]

Upon reading my responses I have decided to take a breath and refrain from further comment. I don't know why this riled me up.

[BadMouth]

• I need a plate for my JLF to mount it to the fixed (happ 3" x 2.5") studs on my control panel.  Does anyone know what plate that would be, and where I can get it?

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/mounting-plates/1175-universal-arcade-joystick-adapter-plate.html

2.My button holes are about 28.65 mm will Sanwa OBSN 30 buttons fit in those holes?

You could use a step bit to widen the holes if you can find a 30mm one

3.What type of bit should I use to drill through my metal CP to add some buttons?

Either a good ($$) bimetal hole saw or step bit.  Either way, use a center punch then drill a smaller pilot hole first to keep the bit centered.

4.How do I layout button positions with mathematical accuracy before I drill the holes?

Measure.  Make a template first.  The nuts on the back of the Sanwa & semitsu buttons have a larger diameter than the flange on the front.
I always space them so the nuts on the back just barely touch.  This keeps them evenly spaced even if my drilling is slightly off.
These template from Slagcoin might help: http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html

Here is the deal with the pi...
Most derivatives of MAME that run on pi are based on extremely old versions of MAME cira v0.37 (from 16 years ago)
I was running versions that old on my Symbian phone before android phones existed.
Most of us can usually find a free computer capable of running a newer version of MAME which has more options, better emulation and supports more games.
Also there are other emulators out there like Model 2 and Zinc which will run 3D games like Tekken and Virtua Figher on even crappy computers.

I'm starting my first pi project soon, but it's going in a 5.75" tall cabinet with a 2.5" screen.

[keilmillerjr]

I have a neo geo mvs. Here is my advice:

• Dont cut any extra button holes in the control panel. There is more than enough buttons to operate mame with most games. Neo geo has lots of fun 4 button fighters. You should have gotten a different cabinet if you wanted otherwise.
• 30mm buttons will fit in the 29 control panel hole. You might have to twist them in a bit as they slightly catch on the threads. No big deal.
• Paradise arcade jlf adapter plates work for the neo geo.
• The rpi will work. It can output 240p. It will be stuck at a single modeline. Perfectly fine if you stick to emulating a single platform like only neo geo games.
• A pc can output multiple mode lines with crt emudriver.