Back in 2006, I mostly finished up a cab:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,52641.msg516195.html#msg516195I barely knew what I was doing, but in-person, people were pretty impressed with what I had done. It got farther along than the last few pics, but sadly I didn't take any 'finished' pics. Too busy playing the thing or 'never completed syndrome'?
Flash forward, the wife is gone, the cab is gone, a new username, new wife, and now kids...and an itch to build again.
I kept all the joys, buttons, and the KeyWhiz encoder. Should be simple enough to throw something together, right? Well, been spending the last couple weeks browsing the forum here and looks like a lot has changed since then. A number of people I remember are gone, new people have come, new products, new designs. But most of all, lots of questions.
Design - inspired by the Vigo Lix cabs.
Encoder - I-pac Ultimate I/O.
Materials - MDF - buy a shopvac! What a difference that has made!
vs wood. I used MDF on my first cab. It's heavy, cheaper, has the right finish when painted. It's also messy as @#$%. Months later, there was still MDF dust coating the garage. Wood, less messy, easier to screw up.Brains - refurb'd Dell Optiplex
Monitor - Acer 22" 16:10 monitor currently, but looks like I might want something bigger.
nope, I'm not doing the heavyweight monitor this time around. Was a beast to move and takes up too much space. Lighter weight flat panel computer monitor (sorry, purists!) this time.Number of players: 1-2. (option for 3-4 to be brought in with USB game pads)
Controls: 2 joys and 7 buttons, 1 trackball (still debating), 1 Spinner (still debating).
Favorite games: Robotron, Joust, Defender, Dig Dug, Black Tiger, Centipede, Galaga, Phoenix, Ms Pac Man, Xenophobe, Double Dragon, Street Fighter, etc. I find that with most of those games the number of buttons is small. But you can't beat the Street Fighter like games for two-player fun. Still torn on the 'want to have it all' but also 'want to streamline'. Leaning towards streamline.
Paint: Blue/Black (same colors as last time, but using oil based paint).
Art: I managed to find my original vector illustration for the Marquee. I'll re-purpose that. Art was a stopping block for me last time, especially the control panel and side art. This time around, I have the teen helping out with art chores. We will work something up for the control panel, after I've got the controls situated the way I like. I want to get this done sooner, so it's not an after thought that seems to never get finished. Already got a few roughs for the side art.
Other: Polylaminate artwork over control panel.
Plexiglass over control panel? I had that last time, but there are better options. Would like to mimic the rounded front/arcade control panel look. Speakers - Logitech Multimedia 2.1 Speakers Z213 (cheap, but love the sound on them).
Bezel - another unknown. Looking to do what Delusional did with spray painting one side of acrylic sheet.
Coin door - check.
Hopefully will have most of this worked out by by end of Summer.
Humble Beginnings!Moving Right Along