First Arcade Cabinet - Pedestal style?

[freqster]

Started my first build a few weeks ago.  Not exactly sure what style it is.  Just something I came up with in SketchUp that I really liked.  I am using a Tank Stick simply because it was easy.  After I bought it, I discovered that I could have built my own for less, but hind site........

I drew several versions until I settled. 

[freqster]

I designed it to be Modular.  The plan was to build one for a friend too, and I wanted him to be able to transport it fairly easy.  And I have to move mine upstairs when it is complete, so it should be a little easier to move.

[freqster]

Some pics of the build progress.

[pbj]

Hm, this has promise and it's clearly well built.

Continue.

[opt2not]

It's been a while since we've seen a cabinet that will host some bent acrylic/plexi.  Are you going to rig up heater strips?  A while ago guys used to take apart old toasters and mount the heater strips to a rig for bending. You might have your own way of doing it, but a search here would probably give you some ideas if not.

[stigzler]

That's a lovely Tank Stick stand.

[luizw81]

That's a lovely Tank Stick stand.

 

It is a pretty cool design, though.

[freqster]

It's been a while since we've seen a cabinet that will host some bent acrylic/plexi.  Are you going to rig up heater strips?  A while ago guys used to take apart old toasters and mount the heater strips to a rig for bending. You might have your own way of doing it, but a search here would probably give you some ideas if not.

I was thinking that the acrylic would be thin enough to handle the bend.  But if not, I can look into using heat.  I have played around with heating and bending PVC, Acrylic, before.  And I built a Vacuum forming machine a while back that has a custom built heater on it.  Might be time to get that out. 

[barrymossel]

Looks really nice. I would lose the Tank Stick though. Imho it looks like it just doesn't belong there.

But definitely will follow this one!

[pbj]

Also - why is the marquee area so gigantic?

[wp34]

Am I the only one staring past the cabinet at the amazing shop setup?   

[stigzler]

Also - why is the marquee area so gigantic?

It's not a marquee - it's a fog horn.

Seriously though, if a proper CP was built and that fog horn was made a bit more subtle, this would be a nice looking build. Nice standard of woodsmanship too...

[freqster]

Also - why is the marquee area so gigantic?

It's not a marquee - it's a fog horn.

Seriously though, if a proper CP was built and that fog horn was made a bit more subtle, this would be a nice looking build. Nice standard of woodsmanship too...

Ok, I can agree somewhat on the size of the Marquee.  After I built it, I thought that it could be a little shorter, but I didnt think about more narrow.  My thinking was that I wanted it as wide as the display, so I could put the speakers at each end in the box.  Also, since it overhangs the display some, it helps to keep the glare off the screen. 

I would need to do some research on building the cp.  I could even just use the internals of the Tank Stick and just build a custom box for it.  Maybe, I am still deciding.   Maybe with more comments on this forum, I might be persuaded to build one. 

So what is the general consensus on how big the Marquee should be?   Right now it is about 31 inches wide, and 6 inches tall. 

[smass]

The marquee is not too large - if it was on a traditional upright cabinet.  However, I do think it appears large on this particular design and makes it look a bit top heavy.   It might look better once you have paint and art applied.  Everyone has an opinion on design - do you think it looks good?  Its much easier to judge in person, and ultimately if you like it, don't change it.

[freqster]

Tonight, I fabricated how I will bring in electric to the cabinet.  I want a clean look, so I routed the power through the base, and installed a single gang outlet that will be inside the center column. 

[pbj]

I'd cut the depth of the marquee box down.  Height and width are okay.

[Kangum]

This solves the empty box syndrome. Basically when you have this huge cab and its just basically a big wooden box with a tv in it. This design solves that.

[zinger]

Nice shop! Your build is looking good too.

[freqster]

I am going to work on the Marquee box this weekend.  Make it a little shorter, and maybe a little more narrow.  And cut in the grill for the speakers.  I have been working on getting the computer, subwoofer, power components installed.  I tested out the electronics and have it working the way I want. 

I still need to extend the computer power button.  It might be tricky.  I am using a Dell Ultra Small Form Factor PC, and it does not have the standard pins for the power buttons/led lights/reset switch.  It uses a very small IDC connector with a ribbon cable.  I thought I found a break-out board that would work, but it was too big.  I still need to solve that problem.  I could splice the ribbon cable, but I want a more elegant solution.    Everything is just a dry fit for now.  Once I am satisfied with placement, I will disassemble, sand and finish. 

Speaking of finish.  I was originally thinking of a solid color finish, maybe hammered metal paint.  But I do sort of like graphics.   I am great at SketchUp, but I am horrible at graphic design.  Any suggestions on the finish?

[yamatetsu]

Any suggestions on the finish?

I'd either stain it or do some kind of black and white design, something like shiori1425 did:



Also, since you asked for it, get rid of that fugly tankstick. It simply does not fit. At this moment this is a nice build with a plastic box plonked on it. A wooden CP would match MUCH better.

[stigzler]

Any suggestions on the finish?

I'd either stain it or do some kind of black and white design, something like shiori1425 did:

Or, alternatively, don't.

For the love of all things good and right, don't.

[stigzler]

In an attempt to be a little more helpful, I'd say you were doing this the wrong way around. Think of a them for it first and then do your graphic design afterwards.

The more I look at this, the more I like it - as long as a custom CP is placed on the bad boy and that fog horn is altered. I'd even suggest maybe think about loosing the marquee box all together... Maybe too late for that...

Given that there's not a lot of surface area, you could go for a super-duper finish. OND did a build with a high gloss finish - bit like a piano black gloss finish, but in red.. Found the thread, but all his pictures appeared to have disappeared!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,88912.0.html

[yamatetsu]

Seems like Ond has pulled a Tully on that thread. He hasn't been active since. His videos on achieving that mirror finish seem to be gone, too.

[stigzler]

Shame, that. Was an interesting thread..

[freqster]

I am kind of liking the "Inkjet to Wood" thing going on in the pic on Yamatetsu's  signature.   I am going to read up on that some more.

[yamatetsu]

Here's the video that I used to learn how to transfer an inkjet print to wood. It's really simple.

[freqster]

Here's the video that I used to learn how to transfer an inkjet print to wood. It's really simple.

Thanks, I think I am leaning towards doing this to my cabinet.  But I still need to come up with a theme.  Got some thinking to do.

[freqster]

I haven't had much of a chance to work on the Arcade Cabinet due to another project that took priority.  But I did manage to work on the Marquee display a little.  I made it shorter by 2 inches.  It looks a little better in my opinion, but I am still getting used to it.  It went from 6 inches tall to 4 inches tall.  Here are before and after pics for comparison.

[Mike A]

I thought the depth of the marquee area was more of an issue than the height.

[Drnick]

I concur, It is the depth that makes it look like odd.  I see a robot with no arms, I would take it to half the depth if possible. Other than that I like your take on the pedestal.  I once looked to do something similar with a kiosk unit I got. Yours looks a lot more professional though

[stigzler]

Lol. Yeah. Wrong dimension off...

[pbj]

Here, let me do all the thinking around here.  Quick photoshop attached.

[stigzler]

Pbj was close, but no cigar. This:

[pbj]

That looks too much like a movie theater ticket kiosk.

[stigzler]

Maybe. But one without a foghorn on the top. I prefer my kiosks foghornless.

[yamatetsu]

This, minus the tankstick, plus a custom CP box with maybe the same curved front as the marquee.

[Drnick]

This, minus the tankstick, plus a custom CP box with maybe the same curved front as the marquee.

This

[freqster]

This, minus the tankstick, plus a custom CP box with maybe the same curved front as the marquee.

Well, I think its a little too shallow in the Photoshop pics, but maybe I will split the difference with y'all. 

[freqster]

Every time I make a change to the cabinet, I check it out in VR first before I build it.  If you have a HTC Vive or maybe another VR headset, there is a really cool free program on Steam called SYMMETRY.  It allows you to import google SketchUp models and view then in VR. 

Here is a link to a quick video I made today of the different versions of the arcade Cabinet. 

After seeing it in VR, I think I will make the marquee a little more shallow.  I have enough scrap plywood left over to rebuild the marquee all together, but I would rather not if I can avoid it. 

[stigzler]

  Bloody hell. VR cab design. Whutever next...

[Drnick]

Bloody hell. VR cab design. Whutever next...

VR Arcades,  Imagine all the original machines faithfully recreated in Digital form, you walk in (Virtually) and see rows upon rows of machines that you can just walk up to and play

 

[Mike A]

That would suck.

[freqster]

OK, I am done with editing the Marquee.  I made it a little more shallow.  After comparing it to the first version, I like it a lot better.  Not as much as a fog horn now. 

[freqster]

So now I am ready to get the software sorted out.  I have never messed with it yet so I am not looking forward to it.   I am going to just start looking for video guides until I see something that looks easy enough.  I welcome any suggestions.

[Arroyo]

Bloody hell. VR cab design. Whutever next...

VR Arcades,  Imagine all the original machines faithfully recreated in Digital form, you walk in (Virtually) and see rows upon rows of machines that you can just walk up to and play

You seen this?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stigzler]

I'd suggest GameEx as your Font End. Good as it, but a new version (GameEx Evolution) is soon to be released. Been involved in the alpha testing - makes setting up systems a breeze - choose systems - downloads all necessary files and point it towards your roms. Done.

[pbj]

That looks waaaaaay better.

 

[smass]

Yeah - I like that better for sure.  As the owner of a tankstick I can say without prejudice - build your own control panel.  I "deboxed" my tankstick and mounted it to my first mame cab and therefore it looks semi-okay - but knowing what I know now, I would have built a CP for that cab.

[vwalbridge]

To be honest...it's a shame you are putting that ugly tank-stick on an otherwise quality-craftsmanship build.

[freqster]

I agree with all of the comments about the Tank Stick.  I will eventually debox the Tank Stick, or maybe get some back-lit buttons and build my own CP, but I really want to get this thing operational before the middle of next month.  I am having a get together at the house that would be a perfect time to show this off.  Because its modular, it will be fairly easy to just build my own CP and bolt it on. 

[Mike A]

Good idea, but forget the light up buttons. It's an arcade machine, not a Christmas tree.

[freqster]

Good idea, but forget the light up buttons. It's an arcade machine, not a Christmas tree.

Really?  I kind of like the glowing track ball. 

[vwalbridge]

Good idea, but forget the light up buttons. It's an arcade machine, not a Christmas tree.

Really?  I kind of like the glowing track ball.

Generally, I agree with Mike A. Having a bunch of multi-colored buttons just looks obnoxious and distracts from gameplay.

However, there are some cases when I think back-light can work ok. For example, when a trackball is the focal-point (see Centipede or Quantum) then a back-lit trackball looks ok. Or if you keep it simple a do a subtle back-light on buttons that are all the same color. Like white back-light on Asteroids deluxe looks pretty sharp.

So be careful with back-light...it could look really ridiculous really fast. Always safer to just stay away from it, IMO.

[freqster]

Good idea, but forget the light up buttons. It's an arcade machine, not a Christmas tree.

Really?  I kind of like the glowing track ball.

Generally, I agree with Mike A. Having a bunch of multi-colored buttons just looks obnoxious and distracts from gameplay.

However, there are some cases when I think back-light can work ok. For example, when a trackball is the focal-point (see Centipede or Quantum) then a back-lit trackball looks ok. Or if you keep it simple a do a subtle back-light on buttons that are all the same color. Like white back-light on Asteroids deluxe looks pretty sharp.

So be careful with back-light...it could look really ridiculous really fast. Always safer to just stay away from it, IMO.

I defiantly don't like multi color.  If I do back-lit, I am thinking solid color.   Maybe a dim blue.  But that is down the road. 

[smass]

I agree with all of the comments about the Tank Stick.  I will eventually debox the Tank Stick, or maybe get some back-lit buttons and build my own CP, but I really want to get this thing operational before the middle of next month.  I am having a get together at the house that would be a perfect time to show this off.  Because its modular, it will be fairly easy to just build my own CP and bolt it on.

Good approach - get that thing working and then you can always upgrade

[luizw81]

I love you build.  It's a unique take on a cab.  Build that panel ASAP though!

As for lit buttons, I like the LED button look as long as its one color.  I find the RGB rainbow cabs tacky myself.  My cab has red illuminated buttons with red leds on the back and underneath.  My only wish is that I had concave buttons.

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[Mike A]

Order some concave buttons?

[freqster]

So the cabinet is about 85% complete.  I just finished sorting out the software side of things.  Had to learn a lot.  I am using Hyperspin, and MAME.  Took me several days to get the video snaps and bezels working, and figuring out key mapping.  I still haven't made a decision on the finish.  I go back and forth between inkjet to wood transfers, or just painting it. 

I would like to get the Marquee sign done now.  Unless anyone has a suggestion on making my own quality sign, I will just look into ordering one. 

And now that the cabinet is put together, and I have had a chance to play some games standing in front of it, I am in agreement on the comments about the tank stick.  I will soon be making my own controls. 

[SNAAKE]

very cool...and weird

[bperkins01]

Nice concept and build - thanks for posting your progress.

[osujd]

I really love this plan would you be willing to share the schematic?