Main > Main Forum
Feedback Req on cocktail plans please
(1/3) > >>
Blakey:
Hi,
I've been lurking and reading for a while, as well as googling until my fingers bled looking at all the many and varied interpretations of cocktail MAME cabs.

cocktail.loungespot.com was a design I quite liked, being able to play vertical games facing each other, but also horizontal games side by side. I don't really like the US MsPac style cabinet though, with the Australian LAI style being a bit more ergo, but short on interior space.

So here's what I've drafted so far, it all fits on one 2440x1220mm sheet of 18mm MDF (just have to find a CNC router to cut it, don't trust myself with a jigsaw on that many curves) with black laminate on both sides.

I'm just chasing some feedback on the design, mainly on dimensions and such but I'm open to any and all suggestions and criticism. The end CP's will have 1 J-stick and 4 buttons, the long CP will have 2 J-sticks, 6 buttons each and an Ultimarc trackball between them with mouse buttons above. P1P2 start will probably be on P1's end CP, above the coin door (wired to both '5' and '6')

I plan on folding the sheet metal for the CP's myself, and sandblasting clear perspex with classic arcade characters/MAME logo to put behind the CP's with lighting behind.

I still need to finalise the monitor support, at the moment it will probably be 2 brackets underneath to bear the weight, and some sort of bracing up the top to stop it from moving at all.

I'm also considering whether or not to make the panel under the long CP hinged at the bottom for easy access to PC/speakers etc. The coin door is large enough to put a wireless keyboard through and fiddle with some bits, plus the top will obviously be hinged.

Here are the files, dwg (Cad2000), emf and gif. Press proceed to see the file after clicking the link. Some hidden lines aren't in the hidden colour, and not all dimensions are shown, but there should be enough to get the gist.
http://student.uq.edu.au/~s369258/orthoproj.dwg
http://student.uq.edu.au/~s369258/orthoproj.emf
http://student.uq.edu.au/~s369258/orthoproj.gif
http://student.uq.edu.au/~s369258/cutlayout.dwg
http://student.uq.edu.au/~s369258/cutlayout.emf
http://student.uq.edu.au/~s369258/cutlayout.gif

Looking forward to all the things I've missed/glossed over being pointed out so I can get to the building and playing instead of drafting and planning.

Thanks,
Blakey.
Blakey:
Anyone? 38 views and no opinions? Come on guys, speak up and tell me what's ugly/wrong/right... I'd prefer to make my mistakes on paper rather than timber.
Lilwolf:
It really wont be complete...

until you attach a pole position steering wheel or two on the back side!

I like it.  The sides have a nice look to it.  I think the vertical sides control panel could be a touch bigger myself... but hard to tell from just the gif file.

As for the monitor.... is it an arcade monitor?  If so, just put some plywood or mdf around it and mount that.  The monitor will hold from the 4 post on the edges... And if you cut a piece to fit over that and mount to it... that piece can be mounted easier (in some cases).
Blakey:
Whilst a steering wheel would be nice, I think controller overkill would be reached there (One cab to play them all...). Besides, I plan on panel mounting a couple of USB ports either underneath a CP or underneath the cabinet, so I can hook up WiFi adaptors, PS2 controllers (for 3&4 player games), steering wheels...

I'm not entirely set on the CP dimensions yet, I have a test panel I've made, but I'll probably make another one with 1 stick and 4 buttons to test it out, and one with the trackball between 2 sticks/buttons to make sure it all fits ok. I can always stretch them a little in both directions.

If you want to view the images properly and don't have CAD, open Word (or Powerpoint etc) make the page size very large, then insert the .emf files, they're vector based, so you can enlarge them and they won't get blocky.

Unfortunately the monitor is a PC monitor, arcade monitors are hard to get in Oz (at least that's what I've found so far, if someone can hook me up with a 19" for a reasonable price let me know!), and a refurbed Wells Gardener would cost more in shipping than the monitor itself. The plan is to replace with a proper one eventually though.
bloodyviking77:
Wow - plans look great!

I am the "planning stage" for my next project, which will be a cocktail along very similar lines to yours, though I am going to get a mate to weld me up some steel legs in an inverted "T" for each end rather than the "feet" approach . . .

re monitors:

bumper action in melbourne are selling some new standard res monitors pretty cheap (around $250 AUD)
www.bumper.com.au

and looks like they have cga chassis for $65 (might be used??)

zax amusements www.zax.com.au sells second hand tubes and chassis (but a little on the steep side if you ask me and shipping to queensland would be expensive).

There's been a few monitors on ebay lately - including a few "untested" chassis for virtually nothing.

I bought a gutted upright cab on ebay for $65 that came with an "unworking" 20" monitor  (fried chassis) that I got repaired by Joey at www.jomac.net.au for $80AUD plus shipping.

IMO, it is worth the extra hassle to try to sort out a standard res screen. - even if you have to get a bit creative!
 Good luck!
Navigation
Message Index
Next page

Go to full version