Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: EXPANSE - A wall mount space themed cabinet (5-12, Cabinet Complete)  (Read 50974 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (1-17, LCD Marquee!)
« Reply #80 on: February 02, 2019, 05:28:12 pm »
Today I worked on color sanding, then laying down another coat of paint.

Who likes wet sanding? *crickets*


Next was heating up the paint. This increases pressure and helps the mixing process. It gives you a smoother coat.


I painted another coat. Glamor shots:












I'm pretty happy with the finish right now, but I may color sand one more time then lay down one more coat. Not sure quite yet.
Leaning toward sand + coat one more time just for a *little better finish.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (2-24, more paint, Vinyl wrap, some assembly)
« Reply #81 on: February 24, 2019, 08:45:15 am »
I painted the inside of the cabinet and laid down a strip of the white vinyl accent. I was quite unhappy with the durability of the spraypainted finish.
At this point I decided that I would just wrap the whole damn cabinet in vinyl.


Completed the accents where I could - cant do the top half until the provisions for the cover glass are in place.


I dragged the cabinet inside. Here's the wall just waiting for mounting.


This is the back side with the HDTV mounts in place.


Here is mid wrap on the top surface. I used 3m 1080 satin black


Now THIS is the finish I wanted.


Here are the cabinet doors wrapped in vinyl as well


And mounted on their hinges. This really came out fantastic.


I made some mounting tabs for the speakers


Looking down inside the cabinet you can see a speaker and the amp sitting there.




Getting the height right on the wall.


I'm quite pleased with the progress. Next up is to get the glass figured out and the speaker grill completed. The marquee I'm treating as sort of a separate project for now.

Laythe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 724
  • Last login:March 22, 2024, 11:12:38 pm
  • "-smurfing- delivers." - Yots
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,149109.0.html
Re: Project EXPANSE - (2-24, more paint, Vinyl wrap, some assembly)
« Reply #82 on: February 25, 2019, 12:44:27 am »
Looking good.  I like your color scheme - black with white center accents is classy, and it won't clash with any marquee colors.

The color divisions call attention to the unusual lines of the cabinet in a good way.  What color T-mold is it getting?

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (2-24, more paint, Vinyl wrap, some assembly)
« Reply #83 on: February 25, 2019, 07:35:02 am »
T molding is just black. Nothing special in that department.

Thanks for your feedback.

Arroyo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1558
  • Last login:Yesterday at 11:07:12 pm
  • Budgets are boring
    • newforum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,156267.0.html
Re: Project EXPANSE - (2-24, more paint, Vinyl wrap, some assembly)
« Reply #84 on: February 25, 2019, 09:40:52 am »
Looking good, love the curves on this thing.

Ond

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2267
  • Last login:March 18, 2024, 11:41:19 pm
Re: Project EXPANSE - (2-24, more paint, Vinyl wrap, some assembly)
« Reply #85 on: March 02, 2019, 12:58:41 am »
That vinyl wrap looks great for a smooth pro looking satin finish.  I've never used it, but I'm assuming it's applied using a heat gun?  I plan to use vinyl wrap on part of my Pacman Legion project.  There is a huge variety of textures and colours available. It definitely has a place in this hobby.    BTW, I do enjoy wet sanding paintwork.  Especially 2000 grit work.. Yeah baby!  Very relaxing and therapeutic. But that is preparatory to high gloss work, not smooth satin or low gloss finishes.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (2-24, more paint, Vinyl wrap, some assembly)
« Reply #86 on: March 04, 2019, 12:55:19 pm »
Yep, the vinyl goes on dry and has a crosshatch to allow air escape before you push down on the pressure activated adhesive. A heat gun is used to pull around radiuses as well as to "set" the adhesive at the end of the wrapping.

I highly recommend the 3m 1080 automotive vinyl that I used for this. You'll need a base coat of real paint for it to adhere to though, not a raw MDF panel. It gave me really good results and is quite durable. You can even "heat" out scratches with a heat gun to some extent.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #87 on: March 08, 2019, 07:42:35 pm »
Finalized control panel art. Trackball will be red translucent illuminated.


BGoulette

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 192
  • Last login:March 25, 2024, 05:19:40 pm
    • lazerjoose.com
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #88 on: March 08, 2019, 11:11:44 pm »
Any reason why player 1's buttons are angled and player 2's are not?

Laythe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 724
  • Last login:March 22, 2024, 11:12:38 pm
  • "-smurfing- delivers." - Yots
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,149109.0.html
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #89 on: March 09, 2019, 04:56:07 am »
It swings the players apart a little for the sake of elbow room, would be my guess.  (That doesn't preclude also angling P2 the other way, though.)


javeryh

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7901
  • Last login:March 23, 2024, 11:46:56 am
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #90 on: March 09, 2019, 09:57:05 am »
Any reason why player 1's buttons are angled and player 2's are not?

I would fix this if it isn't too late.  Either mirror P2 controls or straighten P1 controls.  It's looks off this way, IMO... *

* I value aesthetics as much as functionality so maybe don't listen to me if there is a legit reason for the way it is now.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #91 on: March 09, 2019, 10:07:24 am »
It's literally a Sega Astro city layout. It's pitched like that and I will not be changing it.

Arroyo

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1558
  • Last login:Yesterday at 11:07:12 pm
  • Budgets are boring
    • newforum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,156267.0.html
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #92 on: March 09, 2019, 10:14:21 am »
It's literally a Sega Astro city layout. It's pitched like that and I will not be changing it.

I don’t think people are talking about the curve of the buttons, rather the button groups angle relative to the joystick:


meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #93 on: March 09, 2019, 10:45:24 am »
This is not an error. This is a Sega Astro City layout. It is angled like that for P1. P2 is straight.

This is intentional. Yes, really.

Yes, really really really.

Stand with your body in P1 position, your right hand naturally pitches to that angle. Now stand in P2 position and see how it straightens out. 



yamatetsu

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2695
  • Last login:Yesterday at 05:20:22 pm
  • Just because.
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #94 on: March 09, 2019, 01:08:00 pm »
And now for something completely different...



The trackball will cut the ring around Planet Trackball off. Looks a bit odd to me.
                  

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #95 on: March 11, 2019, 11:38:04 am »
Good input. I’m okay with the ring as it is though.


hurricanefan

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 31
  • Last login:December 24, 2020, 10:39:14 am
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #96 on: March 11, 2019, 03:32:38 pm »
What admin buttons are you putting on your control panel?

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #97 on: March 11, 2019, 03:43:26 pm »
There will be two admin buttons, "Abort" (exit) and "Delay" (pause) to keep with my space theme.
That's it.
They will go in the bigger pill shape up and to the right of the P1 position.
The circle up and to the left of P2 is for a spinner.

I've used button combinations in the past to enter Mame's control panel. I'll almost certainly do the same on this machine.


The buttons themselves are triangle red illuminated arcade buttons. The spinner will be a groovy spinner in red as well.

hurricanefan

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 31
  • Last login:December 24, 2020, 10:39:14 am
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #98 on: March 11, 2019, 03:46:51 pm »
Oh that's going to look awesome with the red spinner. Thanks for the quick reply.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-8, glass ordered, finalized artwork)
« Reply #99 on: March 19, 2019, 01:13:35 pm »
Artwork arrived







There IS an error in the print - one of the ships trails got lost in translation. A reprint is on the way to address it. I didn't even notice until I had already installed it.

Bonus, pic of the PC and power strip mounted. They are placed there to leave room for the subwoofer box I have yet to make.

J_K_M_A_N

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 983
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:36:30 pm
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-19, Artwork Install)
« Reply #100 on: March 19, 2019, 02:28:52 pm »
Wow! I love the side art a lot! Very cool for the style of cabinet. CP art is nice also.

J_K_M_A_N

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-19, Artwork Install)
« Reply #101 on: March 19, 2019, 04:07:54 pm »
Thanks!

Hoping for some big progress this weekend.

javeryh

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7901
  • Last login:March 23, 2024, 11:46:56 am
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-19, Artwork Install)
« Reply #102 on: March 19, 2019, 04:18:28 pm »
Looks great!  Very colorful and such an original design.  It's not too late for clip art and changing the name to "MAMEcade" though... ;D

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-19, Artwork Install)
« Reply #103 on: March 19, 2019, 04:23:30 pm »
Looks great!  Very colorful and such an original design.  It's not too late for clip art and changing the name to "MAMEcade" though... ;D

That will be the first thing I do with the LCD marquee.  :laugh2:

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #104 on: March 24, 2019, 09:41:59 am »
Got a new toy in the mail.


Worked on holes. Lots of holes.
Step 1, drill half on the back side.


Step 2, drill the front side


Step 3, make a PERFECT hole for the trackball.


Step 4, screw up your plexiglass  :angry: :angry: :angry:



Ugh, I'll remake the plexi panel. Very frustrating that the drill hooked and cracked all my work.

Oh well. Here's what it looks like. The triangle buttons still need to be inset all the way but since this plexiglass is trash...





I'll go get another piece of plexiglass, maybe today, not sure yet if time will allow.

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #105 on: March 24, 2019, 10:21:30 am »


That red spinner is beautiful.  And those arrow buttons are fun.  Looking good.

J_K_M_A_N

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 983
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:36:30 pm
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #106 on: March 24, 2019, 10:56:19 am »
Looks great! I really like the red spinner also. Bummer on the plexi.

Are you using plexi or lexan? I have been using the lexan from Home Depot and it seems pretty tough. I have heard it is tougher than regular plexi but I am not sure. It is more expensive. :(

Good luck on the redo. Love the progress.

J_K_M_A_N

javeryh

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7901
  • Last login:March 23, 2024, 11:46:56 am
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #107 on: March 24, 2019, 11:31:34 am »
Are you drilling through the plexi???  If you can I recommend you use a router and pattern bit - it will cut through like butter.  Looking good!

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #108 on: March 24, 2019, 12:45:10 pm »
It is acrylic, not lexan. Acrylic is more scratch resistant but brittle. Lexan would have survived.
$30 mistake. I ordered another sheet with enough material for 2 attempts.

I drilled the holes, running the drill backwards. Should have routed them. Oh well, I have a perfect template now for the router.

I still gotta get the glass painted and attached and get a speaker grill crafted but we're getting close now - least the on the hardware side. Well, not counting the LCD marquee project I suppose.



« Last Edit: March 24, 2019, 12:46:56 pm by meltman »

Mike A

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5884
  • Last login:Yesterday at 12:02:56 pm
  • This plan is foolproof
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #109 on: March 24, 2019, 12:55:32 pm »
What are the dimensions of that panel? I can possibly laser cut the acrylic for you.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #110 on: March 24, 2019, 01:41:11 pm »
That's a hell of an offer Mike. The panel is 30"x10".

Let me have a go with the router. If I manage to keep failing I may take you up on laser cutting.


Mike A

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5884
  • Last login:Yesterday at 12:02:56 pm
  • This plan is foolproof
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #111 on: March 24, 2019, 02:35:29 pm »
Sure. Drilling acrylic can be really frustrating.

markc74

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 807
  • Last login:Yesterday at 06:15:53 am
  • Flipping out
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.0.html
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-24, Good news, bad news)
« Reply #112 on: March 24, 2019, 05:36:24 pm »
As others have said it's better to drill a smaller hole and route your plastic but it's not the worst mistake in the world (make sure your router base is clean though- I've ruined a few pieces by having crap collect on the router base) 

Really like the way the cp is integrated into the overall panel. That looks like it was machine cut. V nice.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-25, Glass stuff)
« Reply #113 on: March 25, 2019, 08:35:31 am »
Glass stuff.

The glass sits on a 1/16" thick felt tape which supports it throughout.


These little things hold the bottom edge. There are aluminum "tracks" that hold the glass in along the sides. You can *barely* see one in the pic below


Painted the back side.






Not too shabby.



Now I can make a speaker grill.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2019, 08:40:17 am by meltman »

javeryh

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7901
  • Last login:March 23, 2024, 11:46:56 am
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-25, Glass stuff)
« Reply #114 on: March 25, 2019, 11:57:04 am »
Looks great!  You are almost finished...

hurricanefan

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 31
  • Last login:December 24, 2020, 10:39:14 am
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-25, Glass stuff)
« Reply #115 on: March 25, 2019, 10:15:06 pm »
Are you going to use light guns on this cabinet?  Is that what the small gap in black paint is for the top?

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-25, Glass stuff)
« Reply #116 on: March 26, 2019, 07:49:09 am »
Yup that’s the sensor location.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (3-31, Lots of wiring. Lots.)
« Reply #117 on: March 31, 2019, 06:09:52 pm »
Wiring. Lots.
















I wish I could say I'm done. I'm not. There is more wiring to go.
Servos
Cable routing in the cabinet at large
Rework how the speaker wires are cause I'm not super happy with it.

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (4-11, Status: Playable)
« Reply #118 on: April 11, 2019, 11:28:57 am »
Screen installed, doing some testing here with a youtube video.



Looks really really good!

meltman

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 237
  • Last login:December 17, 2021, 07:45:27 pm
  • Brilliant!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,158544.0.html
    • My arcade gallery
Re: Project EXPANSE - (4-11, Status: Playable)
« Reply #119 on: April 11, 2019, 11:34:22 am »
Next up - PLEXIGLASS.

You're not the boss of me acrylic sheet!
Predrill so I can router these holes.


Now build the worlds craziest setup to use the original cracked one as a template.


That should do it.


Controls Installed. No cracks!


Next, build a speaker grill!
Step 1, make the hardboard.


Step 2, ventilate the hell out of your workspace.


Step 3, wrap it in speaker grill cloth. You must pull the cloth taut when wrapping.


Step 4, let it dry and trim.


Step 5, admire your work