Author Topic: Mr. Feldman, your table is ready... (Read 11281 times)

ButeLegz · « **on:** May 09, 2004, 09:30:31 am »

That's right... break out the absinthe & throw your little pink umbrellas in the air - cocktails are served! Unbelievable. Looking back at the first post on my site, I started this project around a year & three months ago & probably starting thinking about it months before... now, it's done. Thanks to anyone who replied to my posts & all the positive feedback. Before stumbling upon this site I was hesitant to start this whole mess, but seeing how active & informative the forum was, my mind was made. To any one contemplating taking the plunge... DO IT! I've had a blast cutting, gluing, routering, loading, playing & buying all the related jumbo that came with it. No doubt I'll continue to tweak & upgrade ( I smell a spinner coming! ) for years to come, but for now I'm gonna sit back, beer in one hand, joystick in the other & soak up the arcade bliss. Here's a few pics pulled from the site.

Now where'd that bartender go...

dmsuchy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2004, 11:42:32 am »

Really cool lookin, has that 70's clockwork orange feeling to it! Specially like the artwork on the CPs and wild matching chair, Great job!

Minwah · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2004, 02:26:02 pm »

Excellent, probably the best done custom cocktail I've seen

SaiNRuB · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2004, 03:28:06 pm »

Quote from: ButeLegz on May 09, 2004, 09:30:31 am

Now where'd that bartender go...

I dunno but when you fine em have him send me one of those cocktails. Thats a very nice modular desing and beautiful choice of wood laminate, simply bitching for lack of a better word.

Great job ButeLegz

Mr. Dude · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2004, 03:33:16 pm »

very cool indeed!

ButeLegz · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2004, 01:39:05 am »

Cheers all! I was pushing for the whole retro chic 70's kinda feel from the start - good to know it shows. As for those chairs... would you believe I found them on the side of the road about a block from my house! Couldn't believe my luck. Here's a before & after pic to show off the new screen. It's a 51cm de-cased tv. The only real structural modification was extending the base by a few centimeters.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2004, 04:51:18 pm »

...very nice. The retro look is very cool.

Great job!

MameMaster!

Magnet_Eye · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2004, 09:38:34 pm »

that thing kicks ass! great work with the detachable controls, man!

I want one!

Question: can you attach the control panels to the sides for vertical gameplay? that would be cool!

ButeLegz · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2004, 02:19:15 am »

Answer: In a word... hell yes!

It's a kinda undocumented feature... I haven't set up the software side of things to run it yet but I will most definitely be playing Galaga on 51cms of vengeance. Now you mention it, that is pretty handy. Thanks!

Magnet_Eye · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2004, 05:47:40 am »

Quote from: ButeLegz on May 12, 2004, 02:19:15 am

Answer: In a word... hell yes!

It's a kinda undocumented feature... I haven't set up the software side of things to run it yet but I will most definitely be playing Galaga on 51cms of vengeance. Now you mention it, that is pretty handy. Thanks!

AWESOME! but i dont see where/how you connect the CP's....give some more revealing pics please!

fredster · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2004, 11:55:16 am »

How did you fix the wood grain finish? In the pic it looks new!

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2004, 12:35:44 pm »

ButeLegz, I love your cab. I keep checking it out. I'd like to see more detailed pics too. (edit: nevermind, found your website)

Year and three months ago? Sounds about right.

(oh, and BTW, I historically never reply to project announcements, but for this project, I couldn't resist!)

maraxle · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2004, 01:17:15 pm »

That's a really nice cabinet. I really like the moveable control panels. Very slick.

ButeLegz · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2004, 09:55:43 pm »

Killer diller. It's cool to get feedback from people who know what it takes to get these things going! The control panels hang over the edge of the cab with custom made metal hooks. This way they can pretty much be positioned anywhere on the cab. The cabling just tucks up behind them & into the cab & the lid has an overhang which hides it all.

I'm working on putting all this in more detail on my site. As for the woodgrain I just when at the hacked up bits with brown boot polish, came up a treat. Majority of it was in pretty good condition & the control panels are finished with new cherry wood vinyl. Mmmm, cherry wood vinyl...

pathdoc2 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2004, 09:45:51 am »

Excellent job. Removable control panels, great idea. Very nice work.

Tilzs · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2004, 11:28:30 am »

Wow, that design is really cool. I really like how the control pannels turned out.

rchadd · « **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2004, 11:57:11 am »

awesome work...

It looks like something out of "Space 1999" - the 70's sci-fi programme!

i was also thinking about removable CP's for my cocktail cab, so would like you to explain more about how they attach.

looks like you ned to remove the table top to change the configuration?

what do the custom hooks look like? how were the fabricated?

is the hook solution stable when subjected to vigorous button bashing?

any recommendations or observations on how you would do it better next time?

i am planning on having 2 CP's with 8way joystick + 6 buttons and 1 CP with 3" trackball + spinner + 3 buttons

i want to make my CP's moveable without having to remove the table top. also need an elegant solution for connecting the CP wires to the cab (maybe fit D21 sockets on the cab).

hmmm...need to put my thinking cap on...

ButeLegz · « **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2004, 10:17:26 pm »

Space 1999... thanks, I think. The removable panels have been a hit with my mates too so it's thumbs up all round.

Yes, you do have to raise the lid to change the configuration. When I first started this I was hell bent on not altering the cab beyond it's original form. This meant no extra holes, no permanent ports for the cables & no permanent damage. This also kinda limited me in how I could approach the whole removable panel idea.

The hooks do exactly that, hook on to the cab. They're made of flat aluminum rods, bent to shape with a vice then screwed on to the back of the panels with counter sunk screws & the whole lot just hangs there. The ultimate test of strength for the whole concept was a late night gaming session with no less than 5 drunks... 4 drunks who had no idea how much time I had spent on this thing so it was open season. I'm happy to report the cab is no worse for it... the 5 drunks (4 + me) on the other hand, were another story. It's by no means a super super efficient streamline system, but it works. Eventually when I feel less bad about hacking up an original cab I'll probably consider another solution, actually I'm more than happy with it now so I probably just stick with what I've got.

As I was narrowing down my options I did come up with a couple of other solutions. The best of these was to use a method similar to how clocks hang on walls. The CP has 4 keyhole shaped slots kinda like those slidey chain door latches but shorter. Wherever you want the CP to sit on the cab you screw in 4 appropriately sized screws/knobs in the corresponding position to the keyhole slots. It would then sorta slide lock into place. You could mount permanent female ports into the cab so they'd just click in. I didn't like this idea so much because when I'm not using the cab in 2 player side by side mode, there'd be ports & latch knobs visible. But if I were building a permanent side by sider - all good. It's hard to explain with my even fading vocabulary. Hope this rambling helped some.

rchadd · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2004, 06:25:04 am »

thanks for the info - possible fixing options are currently being considered. if anybody else has any ideas, they are very welcome!

also interested in the CP graphics - has it been printed on vinyl? is it under thin plexi?

can you post the graphics file you used (.AI format if possible)?

ButeLegz · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2004, 08:19:01 am »

I've posted it up the Illustrator artwork in the control panel section of my site if you want it. Can't remember if it's to size or even the final final so don't use it for measurements etc. I got it printed on card then matt laminated. It's held down by the buttons & four screws & is still in A1 shape after hours of sweaty gaming palms. I'm interested to see what solution you settle on for your panels, good luck!

ButeLegz · « **Reply #20 on:** May 27, 2004, 11:50:58 pm »

This pic is from a curent eBay auction ( http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3945&item=3294416385&rd=1 ). It's listed as on original vintage machine... check those panels! Sure they're a little smaller but they're pretty much the exact shape as the ones I've built for my cab. I never knew control panels like this even existed on school desks. Wow.

rchadd · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2004, 06:38:13 am »

also love the shape of the CPs. would like to have similar on my custom cocktail cab. but not sure of the angles you have used. do you have any plans for them?

tips/info/photos on their construction would also be good?

i am wondering if was it necessary to mitre the joints to get the angles correct? any routing to round over the joints?

ButeLegz · « **Reply #22 on:** June 06, 2004, 09:51:32 pm »

Thanks. I adapted the shape for the panels from a Hankin table top at my local pub. I have no idea how to properly draw up plans nor do I have the tools to do it. My sloppy attempt is attached. Certain angles would differ depending on the shape of your cab. There are 4 separate pieces of wood that make up the housing - two sides & two parts for the control section. There is no bottom to these panels for three reasons.

1. lighter 2. easier to construct 3. Allow access to the J-stick joysticks.

The angles I have used ensure you never see the gut unless your lying on the floor. It is all held together with small brackets & glue. I think the key to why these have worked are the plastic inserts that the controls are mounted on. They were the original parts from the cabinet. Photos of these are on the website.

No need to mitre or route any angles really. I only used the router for the t-moulding. It's all made for MDF and finished with 2 different types of vinyl - woodgrain for the sides & a thickish, padded textured material for the fronts. Hope this helps. Anyone who could be bothered making up plans I'd be happy to send through all the required measurements.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #23 on:** June 06, 2004, 10:06:41 pm »

Once again: NICE JOB!

How is the glass attached to the top? I don't see any clips.

hunky_artist · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2004, 05:12:04 am »

I'll keep this short and sweet.

LOVE your cab, LOVE the 70's feel to it.. and LOVE! your website. the whole 'old-school' green feel to it... outstanding!

EDIT: just so ya can fix it, in the 'project' section of your site, the 'Op. sys' page doesnt work

ButeLegz · « **Reply #25 on:** June 07, 2004, 09:48:44 am »

At the minute the glass is attached via the magical powers of gravity. When I bought the cab it only came with one clip... I left this clip with the shop to try & find a match for me... turns out they instead took it upon themselves to either sell my clip at auction or use it to repair another cab for auction. It's a story with a not so happy ending. Hunky, the Op.Sys page doesn't work mainly because it doesn't exist yet... that is until now! I'm glad you dig the site, it probably makes it harder to use & read but there's nothing wrong with a bit of form before function every now & then. I've been too busy to write up that section for so long I'd just gotten used to not having it. I've just rattled off what I remember off the top of my dome & thrown it up until I write up something more concrete. Thanks again for all the feedback.

rchadd · « **Reply #26 on:** August 22, 2004, 08:50:09 pm »

is the glass grey tinted, or clear with smoky plexy over the monitor?

i like how you cant see the monitor.

PS. my cocktail cab is coming along - also with movable CPs inspired by your cab! will post pics when project has progressed

NIVO · « **Reply #27 on:** August 22, 2004, 10:50:41 pm »

absolutely brilliant! Fantastic craftsmanship, and the panels are spot on. I am very big on a clean smooth look for a panel. 2 thumbs up my friend

danny_galaga · « **Reply #28 on:** August 23, 2004, 09:29:01 am »

tres bien, mon ami!! love the look, love the removable control panels. love that another aussie has a cocktail

.

but tell me, do they sell absynthe in australia? ive never noticed it...

danny_galaga · « **Reply #29 on:** August 23, 2004, 09:40:16 am »

oh and beaut legs, butelegz!!

ButeLegz-II · « **Reply #30 on:** August 28, 2004, 09:30:35 am »

More praise, woo! Cheers. I'm a little annoyed I've lost my old login... damn free email... guess I'm back to looking like I know less than I already do... but it is me I promise! The cab's still going strong, & if Mickey gets back to me with some flicks of his old plastic control panel bits we might have a second set of removable panels... nice.

rchadd: The smoked perspex is sitting flush with the wood top ( kinda sitting on the black plastic bezel ) & the glass goes over the top of both & makes for a clean finish. I did it like that for authenticity

SirPeale · « **Reply #31 on:** August 28, 2004, 10:12:43 am »

Quote from: ButeLegz-II on August 28, 2004, 09:30:35 am

More praise, woo! Cheers. I'm a little annoyed I've lost my old login... damn free email...

Contact one of the Admins (Saint or PlanetJay) and they should be able to help.

ButeLegz-II · « **Reply #32 on:** September 14, 2004, 05:41:06 am »

No response from PlanetJay... On a brighter note, a Crayola KidsBall fell into my possession today! My mum was like "At work there's this old mouseball thingy that no-one uses anymore, do you want it?" So I was like "Yeah, free stuff is cool, grab whatever." Turns out it's nice & big, bright yellow & fairly cool for arcading (from what I can tell from a quick search on the forum). Do these machines ever stop evolving!!! The sky is seriously the limit. On a sad note, my website will be shutting down, all my hard earned links, news post on mameworld & bookmarks rendered useless. I don't know why I though it would be good to set it up on my service provider's webspace... now that I'm switching to broadband & subsequently switching providers my space is lost. Doh!

danny_galaga · « **Reply #33 on:** September 14, 2004, 06:09:10 am »

make sure to keep us posted on the new link when its done

rchadd · « **Reply #34 on:** October 11, 2004, 06:23:07 am »

hey, take a look at my cocktail...

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=25687

you might be interested because i borrowed your hooking idea for movable panels. it works like a dream! surprisingly sturdy and the CPs dont move around thanks to the notches i cut in the top edge.

have you thought bout making a trackball CP like me? excellent for playing centipede on vertical screen and missile command on horizontal screen

ButeLegz-II · « **Reply #35 on:** October 22, 2004, 12:17:09 am »

Cornwall... incredible. God bless the net, huh. Nice work! Good to know the concept worked for you too... it's soooo sturdy, I was surprised myself. It's so simple too but really effective, I'm happy to see someone else take advantage of it. As far as a trackball goes, that KidsBall that fell in my lap will most definitely be next project. Thanks for the update!

rchadd · « **Reply #36 on:** October 22, 2004, 04:33:41 am »

Quote from: ButeLegz-II on September 14, 2004, 05:41:06 am

On a sad note, my website will be shutting down, all my hard earned links, news post on mameworld & bookmarks rendered useless. I don't know why I though it would be good to set it up on my service provider's webspace... now that I'm switching to broadband & subsequently switching providers my space is lost. Doh!

you should be able to move the files across to your new provider.

i'm sure there is someone here that can advise on how to do it.

your website has a very unique style - it would be a shame to loose it!

ButeLegz-II · « **Reply #37 on:** October 23, 2004, 02:34:47 am »

Yeah, I got that side of things sorted, it's losing the address that's the problem... any saved links will be useless one I find a new home. I left that provider a while ago now & it's all still there, so fingers crossed it'll just float round in cyberspace indefinitely!

danny_galaga · « **Reply #38 on:** December 11, 2005, 08:04:26 am »

just going through my links on my site. yours seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. and YOU too! i miss that groovy green corey pic!

Mickey Juice · « **Reply #39 on:** January 11, 2006, 11:51:19 pm »

I was just looking for it too... all gone


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Author Topic: Mr. Feldman, your table is ready... (Read 11281 times)

maraxle