Author Topic: Showcase Cabinets - Taz's Plans (Read 4070 times)

Lanman · « **on:** February 07, 2004, 05:35:20 pm »

Please note: Rambling at the begining, actual question at the end.

Well, after lurking here for some time I successfully managed to "Mame" a cabinet I picked up from a distributor ... new CP, repaired the monitor, all of the good stuff.

Of course, no sooner was it done ... the first few games played ... that I was already salivating over my next "would-be" project. (Is it normal to become more obsessed with building/converting/maming cabinets than actually playing the games?)

At any rate, I decided that I had to have a showcase cabinet. However, I want to "build" this one rather than just do a conversion.

To that end, I scoured the internet looking for examples and/or plans. Unfortunately, there isn't much out there in the way of examples and even fewer sets of plans. In fact, the only set I found belonged to "Taz". I should have downloaded them immediately but, alas, I didn't. (Shame on me!

)

Now it seems that his site is gone and his plans, which would have been a great starting place for my cabinet. Is there a chance anyone knows either 1) Where I can get the plans now or 2) How to get in touch with Taz?

If you see this Taz ... great plans and nice cab. Hook a newish mame-junkie up!

Thank you!

NoOne=NBA= · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2004, 05:56:46 pm »

Quote from: Lanman on February 07, 2004, 05:35:20 pm

Is it normal to become more obsessed with building/converting/maming cabinets than actually playing the games?

It is an obsession like any other.
The thrill lies in knowing that you are "going to have such and such soon".
Once you actually HAVE whatever it was you wanted originally, you suddenly develop this incessant need to have "insert next project here" as soon as possible.

My swappable control panels work perfectly--but NOW I need to change them to a modular system.
Once I get that, I think I'm going to need another cabinet (so I don't have to swap the modules as much), some really proprietary controllers (Major Havoc Spinner, notably), and on an on.

It becomes such a part of you, that it is very hard to stop.
I'm sure there are people out there for whom this isn't a lifestyle; but, in general, if you've got the desire/know-how/means to create an arcade cabinet in your house, you probably have an obsessive personality as well.

Welcome to the club.

Sorry I can't help you with the plans, but at least I can make you feel better about yourself.
You aren't alone.

Lanman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2004, 07:19:23 pm »

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I even attended my first "auction" today to see what kind of prices/machines you see there. I had to keep from bidding on a couple of items knowing that I was going to "build" my next cabinet.

Can't wait to get going on the showcase cabinet!

NoOne=NBA= · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2004, 07:44:10 pm »

You might try pmailley@comcast.net
His webpage is a comcast one, and that is probably his username there.

TheTick · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2004, 08:29:06 pm »

Was it called Thorncab or something?

The main pics are still on this site... looks like I still have a local copy of his JPG plans in my old archive directory. Assuming this is the one you're referring too. I don't like the shape of it myself, but to each their own.

TheTick · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2004, 08:46:04 pm »

Actually... this doesn't look like the same one. I think the other one had the plans zipped up, but I can't find them locally. Either way, they are pretty simple designs... you shouldn't need any plans.

TheTick · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2004, 08:47:23 pm »

side shot

TheTick · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2004, 08:53:10 pm »

I don't know... I've seen plenty of samples, but I based mine off of this picture. I like the shape, its less rectangular than what everyone else has been building. And the control panel width is not ridiculously huge.

Lanman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2004, 09:38:57 pm »

Tick:

Yep ... the blueish/purple cab you have a pic of is the one I was looking for. He had his plans zipped up on his site and, for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't DL them.

I am going to be building a cabinet with a 32-34 inch monitor (size depending on whether I go flat screen tv or monitor), so his plans would not have fit to spec. What I was hoping though, is that they would give me a good starting point for developing my own plans.

The Thorncab drawings you have I had never seen before. They will certainly be helpful too.

I appreciate your help!

hulkster · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2004, 08:18:43 pm »

looking at the pics you posted Tick....im building a showcase cab as well

....and do you think i should make a speaker panel right there hooked on to the cp pedestal? i mean, i have a set of 4 speakers with sub, should i have two speakers on the cp, and 2 on the tv part as well?

TheTick · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2004, 09:41:01 pm »

Mine is sometimes hooked to the Home Theatre system, in which case it can take advantage of my JBL tower speakers.

I recently added an extension to the back of the podium so it could hold an opened laptop. This way it can be used stand-along against the wall (or anywhere else). The laptop speakers suck! I'm in the middle of adding my old computer speakers (excellent bass) into the top, like in the picture (Problem is I can't find a long enough screw driver to open them up). I have no intension of using them while hooked to the home theatre... would be too overwhelming. (Can't wait till the lease is up, and I get the bigger laptop

)

Looked like you were adding speakers to the side of the TV. If you're playing PC games with Dolby encoded sound, it might sound a bit more imersive. The additional two are supposed to be rear speakers, so I'm not sure how that would help having all four infront of you.

hulkster · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2004, 09:48:03 pm »

well it wouldnt hurt to have 2 speakers in the front, and 2 by the tv would it?

TheTick · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2004, 09:52:27 pm »

Depends how loud they are

Like I said with mine, it would be too overwhelming.

If you don't like them in the panel after you install them, you may be able to pull them out and turn the holes into cup holders

hulkster · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2004, 10:15:59 pm »

hmm, well the speaker set that i have, has a volume control for the front speakers and rear speakers. so if it was too loud i could always turn them down in the front. also, i could use the speaker panel on the cp to house some art of some kind showing how to use the admin buttons, etc. thoughts?

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:58:44 am »

Heya,

For those planning to build podium type panels.. or even large panels with many controls... this may be a better solution:

Basically, the panel would have 2 sides... and you could rig it to rotate and lock in place... or just unlock, manually turn it, then lock it back down (using control panel latches).

The reason.. is that 'frank-en-panels' become a pain in the but when you try to 'reach' controls that are too far away. Its unconfortable... and youll fatigue quite fast because of it.

Btw: The panel was just slapped together to show a point. Its controls and placements wernt deeply thought out.

You will also note another idea on the cab version: A locking pullout trackball drawer. This would help free up a ton of CP space... as well as giving you Lots of room to roll dual trackballs and not hit any joysticks on accident : ) You could also use it to control the mouse for game selections...ect.

hulkster · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2004, 10:40:35 am »

well that wont work for me cuz im playing golden tee. and slamming on that trackball requires support for the TB. also, im not a big rotating panel guy, so ill just be sticking with the single panel. plus ive already drilled holes for mine

Nailz · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2004, 11:01:40 am »

Quote from: Lanman on February 07, 2004, 05:35:20 pm

To that end, I scoured the internet looking for examples and/or plans. Unfortunately, there isn't much out there in the way of examples and even fewer sets of plans. In fact, the only set I found belonged to "Taz". I should have downloaded them immediately but, alas, I didn't. (Shame on me! )

No EXAMPLES??!?!?!?!?!!?!? Did you happen to try clicking that thing to your left that says examples? There are more than a few in there...... Holy Cow.

By the way, welcome, and yes, this stuff if very addicting.

TheTick · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2004, 11:02:06 am »

Yeah... I don't know about a pullout trackball. That would have to be pretty damn sturdy or it would crack during missile command. If you're gonna bother to make a rotatable panel, you may as well put the trackball on one of the panels. Nothing new there, those ideas have been done before.

That four player panel looks uncomfortably close

Come to think of it... did you just crosspost this? WTF! There are too many hijackers on this board!

WonderMellon · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:09:17 pm »

Lanman,
Check your hotmail account.

-WonderMellon

WonderMellon · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:10:49 pm »

Actually,

I just noticed that you can attach PDF files. I will post them here.

I think Taz's only request was, if you use his plans to send him a pic and let him know he was helpful.

WonderMellon · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:11:09 pm »

2 of 4

WonderMellon · « **Reply #21 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:11:25 pm »

3 of 4

WonderMellon · « **Reply #22 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:11:45 pm »

4 of 4

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 09, 2004, 05:14:29 pm »

Quote from: TheTick on February 09, 2004, 11:02:06 am

Yeah... I don't know about a pullout trackball. That would have to be pretty damn sturdy or it would crack during missile command. If you're gonna bother to make a rotatable panel, you may as well put the trackball on one of the panels. Nothing new there, those ideas have been done before.

That four player panel looks uncomfortably close

Come to think of it... did you just crosspost this? WTF! There are too many hijackers on this board!

A) The panel dosnt rotate. You unhook it and flip it arround, then re-latch it so that its opposite side faces you.

B) Of course the drawer would have to be strong!!! Its not hard to make sturdy things ya know!

C) Who the hell are you to critisize me!??!!??!!!!!! These ideas are a combination of ideas that have been done... yet this exact design has Not been done. Also... many ideas that have been discussed here I came up with many years before anyone thought of them. Not to say that someone didnt also think the same... but rather nobody discussed them here. So are you saying its not good to express ideas here!?!?!? I have no use for this design personally... its rather just for people that may want EASIER TO REACH CONTROLS!!! (my first panel was a frank-n-panel ... and so i know how much they sucked)

D) Cross Posted cause someone might have not have seen this post... so put under its own heading. Spare me the Bandwidth waste post - as you yourself are wasting bandwidth on not saying anything positive or constructive. Rather... you feel its better to critisize, judge, and cut people down... How sad.

E) 4 player design is a PROOVEN design that Ive built. Its Not uncomfortable. If your uncertain... build a mock up yourself.

F) If you dont have anything good to say... go away.

TheTick · « **Reply #24 on:** February 09, 2004, 05:36:53 pm »

If you don't want criticism... don't post. One's opinion does not have to be positive in order to be constuctive.

Cross posting is considered rude, just like hijacking a thread. Has nothing to do with bandwidth.

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 09, 2004, 06:14:29 pm »

Not sure why you say i cross posted - not even sure what that means. I merely saw many panels here that could use the design. Just trying to help...

On the other hand...

Bashing people who are trying to help others is much more RUDE imop.

hulkster · « **Reply #26 on:** February 09, 2004, 06:40:34 pm »

geez guys, chill. i mean, i get pissed every now and then, but its usually only at Howard

, but just um....chill out. yeah

Lanman · « **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2004, 07:08:03 pm »

Quote

No EXAMPLES??!?!?!?!?!!?!? Did you happen to try clicking that thing to your left that says examples? There are more than a few in there...... Holy Cow.

By the way, welcome, and yes, this stuff if very addicting.

Quote

Hey there! Thanks for the welcome!

I found tons of cabinet examples, but *not* showcase cabinet examples. I have gone through quite a few of the pages, but don't see many showcase cabinets.

But, I am slowly getting some plans put together.

Lanman · « **Reply #28 on:** February 09, 2004, 07:12:15 pm »

Quote from: WonderMellon on February 09, 2004, 01:09:17 pm

Lanman,
Check your hotmail account.

-WonderMellon

THANK YOU! I got them in e-mail and saw them here. I really appreciate your help!

Lanman · « **Reply #29 on:** February 09, 2004, 07:17:51 pm »

Actually, I thought that was an interesting CP idea. I don't think it ultimately fits my plans, but it is definitely different and could be a good solution to rotating CPs.

TheTick · « **Reply #30 on:** February 09, 2004, 08:05:50 pm »

I dunno, would've seemed easier to me to post a link to the other thread , like others do???

hulkster · « **Reply #31 on:** February 09, 2004, 11:03:58 pm »

how far away do you think the cp should be from the monitor? im trying to measure the distance from the cp pedestal to the monitor. what do you think?

TheTick · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2004, 11:16:00 pm »

Quote from: hulkster081 on February 09, 2004, 11:03:58 pm

how far away do you think the cp should be from the monitor? im trying to measure the distance from the cp pedestal to the monitor. what do you think?

I'm not sure the exact amount, but I think the ones at the arcade are about 3 feet back? I would say try standing infront of the TV and see what the closest "comfortable" position is. (i.e. to avoid eye strain). My TV is 42" and 3 feet doesn't cut it.... hell, 6 feet doesn't cut it.

hulkster · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2004, 11:19:37 pm »

well my tv is no 42", its a 27" tv. so im thinking 3 feet will be good.

Lanman · « **Reply #34 on:** February 11, 2004, 07:19:52 pm »

I am looking to do 32-34 inches ... so I was thinking 3 or 3.5 feet.

Quote from: hulkster081 on February 09, 2004, 11:19:37 pm

well my tv is no 42", its a 27" tv. so im thinking 3 feet will be good.


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