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Author Topic: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade (Finished)  (Read 9580 times)

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Locke141

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Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade (Finished)
« on: December 08, 2017, 06:57:07 pm »
Planning this project as a gift for my cousin's wedding reception. He lives in a small NYC apartment, so it needs to be small.

  • This project will be built into an old wooden wine crate.
  • Use an R-pi running retro Pi or a 60-in-1 board. Need to do some testing with my first 60-in-1 to see if its the way to go.
  • Keeping it clean and simple. The earlier art done for this project may just become a start up screen. If I go with the R-pi.

I just got a Arcade classics. Would this be a good fit for a two player cocktail cabinet?

Any thought on this plexiglass?

Here is where I'm at.




Here are some idea's.





Earlier thread here
« Last Edit: July 01, 2019, 01:27:12 pm by Locke141 »

JDFan

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Re: Box-O-Cade, a working title.
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2017, 08:23:09 pm »
How close does the cousin live to you and how good/bad is he with electronics ? IF he's not good at troubleshooting etc. then the 60 in 1 is probably the best way to go as the pi can take some tinkering with the setup - so depends on if you feel like troubleshooting   :cheers:

Also - have you checked the viewing angle of the monitor when set up as a cocktail unit -- the Hp l1502 spec sheet shows only a 130 degree viewing angle so it might have some pretty bad color shift when laid flat - so might want to check it before you get too far into the build !
« Last Edit: December 10, 2017, 08:34:40 pm by JDFan »

Locke141

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Re: Box-O-Cade, a working title.
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2017, 09:16:44 pm »
Good points,

He lives close but I would like it to finish it and then never have to do support.

Originally I was thinking of doing mostly puzzle games in an horizontal orientation, but then picked up the 60-in-1 to try it out. 
« Last Edit: December 14, 2017, 09:47:12 pm by Locke141 »

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Re: Box-O-Cade, a working title.
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2017, 10:10:23 pm »
One of my cocktail cabinets had a 60 in 1. Simple, straightforward and easy to use. I've never messed with a Pi, but I have heard it can become corrupt when shutting down via power switch, etc. So I would personally stick with a 60 in 1.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk


Mike A

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Re: Box-O-Cade, a working title.
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2017, 02:16:29 am »
You are going to want to ventilate that thing somehow. I don't see anywhere for the heat to escape. The 60 in 1 is garbage. The front end sucks and the emulation is terrible. Use a Pi. It is a little better. The corruption issue is totally overblown. If you are worried about it, just make a backup card. If the original gets corrupted they can just slap in the copy.

Locke141

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Re: Box-O-Cade, a working title.
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2017, 06:29:40 am »
You are going to want to ventilate that thing somehow. I don't see anywhere for the heat to escape. The 60 in 1 is garbage. The front end sucks and the emulation is terrible. Use a Pi. It is a little better. The corruption issue is totally overblown. If you are worried about it, just make a backup card. If the original gets corrupted they can just slap in the copy.

I'v been using retro pi for years and am a big fan and I can always add a dedicated shout down switch. I'll play around and see. I want he box to look as original as posable but there will be ventilation holes and fan added to the bottom.

Im debating making the top one pease of plexi of rooting the cover for real tinted class. I think the real glass my look better but there would be more detail work that I no longer have the tools for since my move back to the US.   

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2017, 09:22:05 pm »
Been thinking a lot on how to keep it simple and clean. Here is a mock up on what I have in mind.


I have also been giving a lot of thought on how to improve the viewable angle of the monitor and thought of tilting it torts the player camera stile.


In this configuration risers would be added to the bottom a long with a hole for a fan and a second for a speaker. The wine crate will other wise be left alone. I'm also thinking about using a J-Stik Ball-Top so the player can adjust between 4 and 8 way.

What do you think? 
« Last Edit: December 14, 2017, 09:45:35 pm by Locke141 »

Mike A

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2017, 12:14:33 am »
If it is going to sit flat, it would seem natural to make a cocktail configuration with another set of controls.

opt2not

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2017, 12:58:17 am »
You’re welcome for the name. :D  :cheers:

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2017, 12:53:38 pm »
You’re welcome for the name. :D  :cheers:

Thanks man.

Mike A, I may do it that way. I need to think about who will be playing it and when. When my JAMMA harness arrives, I'll do some testing with the 60-in-1 and test how the monitor should be set. I like the look above but the whole build is still a work in progress.

Thinking abut ordering a trackball for the 60-in-1. But they seem a little bit pricy for what you get. Thoughts?
« Last Edit: December 16, 2017, 08:06:13 am by Locke141 »


Mike A

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #11 on: December 18, 2017, 05:32:33 am »
How many games use a trackball on the 60 in 1? After you answer that, are they games that will actually get played? It may or may not be worth it to you.

JDFan

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2017, 06:43:50 am »
How many games use a trackball on the 60 in 1? After you answer that, are they games that will actually get played? It may or may not be worth it to you.

IIRC there are only 4 games of the 60 that use a trackball ( 2 actually use a spinner originally but work with a trackball )
1.    Centipede
2.    Millipede
3.    Arkanoid
4.    Super Breakout

YMMV but if you like those 4 games the trackball is worth the $ - as playing them with an 8-way joystick pretty much ruins them !

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #13 on: December 18, 2017, 06:44:00 am »
Thanks JDFan. {edit: You hit post just before my reply. Yup, I'm just going to cut the 4 games. I think 30 games will make the final list to keep boot times down.}

MikeA, there are 4 games two of which is really a spinner game, its also the only game that is making me think about adding a track ball. I have learned that is is usually better to cut from a build rather then add, so I probably won't add a spinner.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2017, 07:29:28 pm by Locke141 »

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #14 on: December 18, 2017, 08:36:25 pm »
Now that the track ball is out, I'm trying to decide on a joy stick.

Am leaning on trying the J-Stik Ball-Top from ultimarc because its 4/8way switchable from the top of the control panel, but it will be over $60 shipped. I'm not against spending the money but I'm not sure the 8 way game's on a 60-in-1 are worth the premium.

If I go with only the 4 way games, I could get the 4-way Leaf-Pro True Leaf-Switch Joystick or even the Pac-Pro™ Leaf Switch 4-way Arcade Joystick form Groovy Game Gear for less. Honestly my cousin would love it even with zippy sticks locked in 8 way, but I would prefer to go a little more high end then that.

Thoughts?
« Last Edit: December 18, 2017, 08:38:21 pm by Locke141 »

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #15 on: January 12, 2018, 05:23:43 pm »
I settled on using cheep zippy joysticks because I don't think my consent will know the difference.

With this last order from of  Groovy game gear, the gray tinted Perspex, a scan line generator, power supply, and a power jack I think I have every thing I'll need for this, my first cocktail build.


Mike A

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #16 on: January 12, 2018, 10:34:51 pm »
Why go cheap on the most important part of the build?

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #17 on: January 13, 2018, 12:40:30 am »
I was going to go higher end but I don't think he would even know the difference.

I'm still thinking about swiping the zippy's out for J-Stik Ball-Top from ultimarc as I'm having second thoughts.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2018, 12:46:46 am by Locke141 »

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #18 on: January 13, 2018, 01:09:35 pm »
Why go cheap on the most important part of the build?

It’s a bideo gamez machine in a wine box. I somehow don’t think his cousin is going to care. ;)

Don’t spend the extra money unless asked, Locke.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

Mike A

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #19 on: January 13, 2018, 01:23:27 pm »
I guess its just me. I wouldn't hand it over to someone with garbage controls in it. It would bug me.

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #20 on: January 13, 2018, 01:38:16 pm »
Yeah I’m with Mike on this one. Playability is the most important aspect to any build. If it controls like crap, people won’t use it.

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Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #21 on: January 13, 2018, 02:10:07 pm »
It’s a 60-1 and LCD in a wine box. Zippys are the least of its problems.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #22 on: January 13, 2018, 02:55:54 pm »
Here, I’ll offer something constructive. For a good all-around stick, go with the Happ Supers.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #23 on: January 13, 2018, 05:55:02 pm »
Zippys are fine once you burn off the nubs on the 4 way restrictor.  Takes like 10 seconds with a soldering iron.


Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #24 on: January 13, 2018, 10:34:52 pm »
I'm of both minds on this one.

If it was for me or someone who was into classic arcade games I would have gone with a high quality dedicated 4-way. He loved my quick and dirty Vigolix build and that uses zippy. Thats how the conversation for this build started. He wanted something similar but much smaller so it would fit into his very small west village NYC apartment.

For I'm going to build with the Zippy's. If after play testing I don't like it then I'll upgrade.

Mike A

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #25 on: January 14, 2018, 04:19:54 am »
I look forward to seeing this completed. :cheers:

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #26 on: January 14, 2018, 08:30:39 am »
I'm of both minds on this one.

If it was for me or someone who was into classic arcade games I would have gone with a high quality dedicated 4-way. He loved my quick and dirty Vigolix build and that uses zippy. Thats how the conversation for this build started. He wanted something similar but much smaller so it would fit into his very small west village NYC apartment.

For I'm going to build with the Zippy's. If after play testing I don't like it then I'll upgrade.

Good, it sounds like you’ll be fine with what you have.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #27 on: January 30, 2018, 03:40:55 pm »
What are you going with the x in 1 or the pi?  I build a cocktail arcade machine every year for my kids school auction.  It's always a hit.  Been using the 412 in 1 but thought about using PI.  I know the 412/60 in 1 get some neg press but for this purpose they just work.  Once you set in cocktail mode you are done..  I love my PIs but would have to find the games that support a cocktail configuration or look up an image thats already done.  Just havent found one.

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #28 on: January 30, 2018, 03:46:40 pm »
Stick with the PCBs.


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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #29 on: February 11, 2018, 07:02:31 pm »
Looking forward to seeing this put together.

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #30 on: April 24, 2019, 09:47:46 pm »
Progress made. This one has been on hold for the past year but finally got some time to work on it.

I picked up a speaker at a good will, installed a scan line generator and got it working and roughly assembled. Need to pick up tinted glass and will probably stain the top black and do some light touches, like replacing and better sinking the top screws. I'm also thinking about using my laser engraver to add super thanks for asking.

You can see a hole in the bottom that was going to be for a pc fan but is now going to be covered with a filter and act as an air intake. There is a small 5v fan powered of the JAMA ,on the same side as the power plug. That hole needs some cleaning up in the finishing touches.

It's not done and it will never be anything special by BYOAC standards, but I like it. It's a fun little cocktail that I had some fun building and I think will get lots of use.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2019, 10:17:03 pm by Locke141 »

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #31 on: April 24, 2019, 09:57:00 pm »
Side shots.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2019, 10:19:40 pm by Locke141 »

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade.
« Reply #32 on: June 29, 2019, 02:29:13 pm »
Finished and gifted.

I didn’t want the top to be stained formed hands so I used India ink to stain the top, various, then poly with sanding between each steep. 


Added a filter for the air intakes


Here it is after I added a frame for the plexi.







They loved it.

Just found out yesterday that they were in town for the Pride parade so needed to get it done in a hurry. I was going to use a black silicons to install the plexi and fill the gap but didn’t have any on hand. Just added a small drop of wood glue to each corner to keep it in. They have expressed  interest in doing it osI sent them a link.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2019, 06:17:50 am by Locke141 »

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade (Finished)
« Reply #33 on: June 29, 2019, 03:41:50 pm »
This came out really nice.  Definitely a unique gift.  I'm sure they appreciated it.

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade (Finished)
« Reply #34 on: June 30, 2019, 03:08:11 am »
That India ink is pretty nice  :cheers:

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade (Finished)
« Reply #35 on: June 30, 2019, 07:11:47 am »
This came out really nice.  Definitely a unique gift.  I'm sure they appreciated it.

Thanks, I wanted it to keep its original look so didn’t want to refine the wine box to much. I did make some structural improvements internally. Most of the external modifications to the lower box are to the bottom, such as speaker holes and air intake. The only two external modifications that aren’t on the bottom are the button hole sized fan hole lined up in the center of the “O” in CARO and the power jack/switch.


That India ink is pretty nice  :cheers:

Thanks, I wanted to keep the top as original as possible, wood gran and all. At the same time, I didn’t want the wood top to hold the discoloring form hands on the CP. Also, I think the India ink matched the plexi much better. I highly recommend India ink.

I may be taking what I learn in this process  to build a second (as a lesbian cousins wedding gift) but with a R-pi with the SD card set to read only, a plexi top end to end to, and in a shorter time line. I started this one in 2017 but life kept getting in the way. Probably only had 3-4 session where I spent a reasonable amount of time on it.
« Last Edit: August 09, 2019, 09:13:29 pm by Locke141 »

Locke141

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Re: Super thanks for asking! a Box-O-Cade (Finished)
« Reply #36 on: August 09, 2019, 09:11:56 pm »
I got these two photo's from the happy couple. They were getting it set up before having friends over. Enjoyed this silly build. It's nothing fancy just a fun little guy.