Author Topic: mmmCentipede - update: kill me (trying to finish up - finally) (Read 15348 times)

mmmPeanutButter · « **on:** July 02, 2004, 05:34:19 pm »

Well, I've been around since December 06, 2002. It's taken me quite a while to get started, and now I'm going full force. I can't tell you how excited I am to have my first (hopefully not my last) project announcements post. This is my story:

I got the original cab from Jon (micro571) back in November. It was a Centipede converted to a Growl. At first, I thought I should restore it to it's full Growl splendor... actually, I didn't.

The cabinet is in my ex-girlfriend's mothers garage, so I had to wait until it got warmer to work on it. I'm not done yet, but I do have a site posted with my WIP.

I'll be mounting the rotating monitor this weekend and I'll also be choping off the bottom 6" of the cab and replacing it (because of water damage). Then I should be ready for the painting and the artwork.... I feel like its all coming together.

I'll post some pics here as a little teaser, but you should check out the site.

Things to note about my cabinet:
- I'm having a 21" rotating monitor (I think it's the largest that you can rotate in a centipede cab
- I'll have 2 control panels, one original and one all hacked up (both metal)

I guess that's it... I thought I had more to say before I posted.. as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here goes... and check out the site.

Also, I would like to thank everybody on this board for all of your help. I would especially like to thank Micro571 for the cabinet and Lance for the leaf switch PAL nut... oh yea, and for helping me out with web space!)

Before shot of cab:

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2004, 05:36:44 pm »

My painted coin door (it was exciting to actually get something done!)

edit: I probably should have made this more clear. When I say "I'll make it alright", I should have said "I'll buy another one." I stripped the one I got with the cab, but I couldn't get the dents out. It was kind of a nightmare. Also, all of the rear components (except the mechs) were completely rusted out (like something had leaked on them), so it needed to be replaced anyways. Just watched ebay and got in at the right time.

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2004, 05:37:52 pm »

Test run with monitor on disk (before custom bezel constructed) in cab.

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2004, 05:39:43 pm »

Disk with custom monitor bezel. The track around the outside is for wheels to mount it on. Take a look at the site for some additional pics on how I built this.

dmsuchy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2004, 09:32:04 am »

Lookin great! Cool web site.

Lance · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2004, 03:21:01 pm »

Wow that looks awesome so far. Do you have any pictures of your side art yet? If you haven't yet installed it make sure you take some pics of the install process

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2004, 03:41:31 pm »

Quote from: Lance on July 03, 2004, 03:21:01 pm

Wow that looks awesome so far. Do you have any pictures of your side art yet? If you haven't yet installed it make sure you take some pics of the install process

Haven't installed it yet. I'm planning on doing all of the contruction and painting first. Then I'm bringing the cabinet to my apartment to do all of the artwork (that way I can ensure that the artwork doesn't get damaged in transit).

I'll be sure to take lots of pics...

Hoopstar · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2004, 06:49:11 am »

Nice one..!!

What front end are you using to control the roatation of the monitor??

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2004, 11:23:37 pm »

Quote from: Hoopstar on July 04, 2004, 06:49:11 am

What front end are you using to control the roatation of the monitor??

short answer: don't know yet.

The other day I was working on the rotating monitor and let's just say "it took a little longer than I expected" and "didn't get it done" oh and "whatever I did do has to be re-done."

You can take a look at the pics. It looks pretty good (despite the photo quality being bad) and in theory, it's a really good way to do it.

The problem: cheaped out when buying my wheels.

I bought them at the hardware store based on their small size and load capacity. They are simply a rubber wheel on a shaft. No good. When I finally got my monitor in and tried to give it a spin (sort of like the final showcase showdown spin) and nothing happened. So... what's the moral of this rotating monitor fable... (hint: it's not "don't build a rotating monitor"). It's "get wheels with bearings."

I'll be picking up a set of 4 rollerblade wheels this weekend... hopefully my next progress update will be a little better.

RayB · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2004, 08:30:12 pm »

OK if that is a centipede, why aren't you scrubbing off the black paint? Collectors love Centipede.

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:48:20 pm »

Quote from: RayB on July 09, 2004, 08:30:12 pm

OK if that is a centipede, why aren't you scrubbing off the black paint? Collectors love Centipede.

The side art must have been removed or stripped beforehand, cause there's nothing there.

So since my last update, things have been progressing. I cut about 4" off the bottom. The bottom and the bottom of the sides were in rough shape. I made a new bottom and cut and replaced the bottom of each side. I decided in the end to add an additional ~1.5" to the height. I'm pretty tall and I think this would help out a lot. I figured, if I'm replacing the bottom anyways, why not? I was careful to check how much I could increase it on the side art. I was ultimately limited by those little black marks on the side art for allignment. I guess I woundn't have wanted it any taller anyways.

The wheels kicked my --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- before. I got a pair of kids rollerblades (smaller wheeles) and hacked them up to use them. They actually worked really well. Once I had it all in place, it rolls pretty well. And because my monitor disk had a track around the perimeter, I'll be putting some sort of cord in it so that the disk acts like a big pully so I can rotate the monitor by opening the coin door and pulling on some cord (I plan on getting everything else done before I tackle a motorized monitor).

Anyways, I'll be working hard this weekend, cause I want to get this thing done.

Things to still do:
-make new back.
-build control panel - I think this is going to take a while.
-sand and prep sides, front and back.
-paint cab (white primer on sides, flat black on the insides of the sides).
-transport cab to my apartment
-apply parts express vinyl to front, top, and back.
-apply side art (I will take lots of pictures of this)
-assemble coin door, light, marquee, speakers, etc.
-party real hard.

Wow, that's a lot more than I thought. Looks like I'll have a bunch of long days ahead of me.

If anybody has any questions, let me know. Also, check out the updated photos on the website.

This post will likely die again, but I thought somebody might want to see the bottom and the new monitor pics... I was told over the weekend that I'll be getting a lot more responses once I post some pictures with the artwork on... in time my friends.. in time.

menace · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2004, 07:20:47 am »

Looks good so far! Just out of curiosity , how does the rotating monitor handle being moved--for instance if you had to tip it on its back to relocate it--would everything stay where it should? I was thinking about this the other day and wondered how that worked...

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2004, 08:19:18 am »

Quote from: menace on July 30, 2004, 07:20:47 am

Looks good so far! Just out of curiosity , how does the rotating monitor handle being moved--for instance if you had to tip it on its back to relocate it--would everything stay where it should? I was thinking about this the other day and wondered how that worked...

I'll be taking the monitor out to transport it. In fact, I'll be taking whaterver I can off before I transport it (coin door, marquee, back, etc...). I figure it's heavy enough as it is.

Now, I ran into the problem where the wood where the speaker is mounted will interfere with putting the monitor in or bringing it out. Because I can't screw it from the bottom (with the vinyl in place), I'm going to use a set of quick release panel clamps to hold it on from the top. That way, when it's time to transport it, I'll remove the marquee, the light, and then just release the speaker board to take out the monitor.

If anybody has an extra set of panel clamps or knows where to get them in Canada (Toronto), let me know).

I don't plan on transporting it very often.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2004, 10:29:14 am »

...you avitar animation is neat but pretty violent.

Any other ones you could use?

....

?

Great cab by the way though.

MameMaster!

danny_galaga · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2004, 11:44:58 am »

keep up the good work. you'll be glad of a rotating monitor when its done. i know i was.
mine just uses a two way toggle for switching and microswitches to stop it in the right orientation. once you have it motorised, will it rotate through software? and if so, keep us posted. i know nothing of program design so the more info i can give to my geek friends, the better (",)

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2004, 10:31:04 am »

Quote from: danny_galaga on August 03, 2004, 11:44:58 am

keep up the good work. you'll be glad of a rotating monitor when its done. i know i was.
mine just uses a two way toggle for switching and microswitches to stop it in the right orientation. once you have it motorised, will it rotate through software? and if so, keep us posted. i know nothing of program design so the more info i can give to my geek friends, the better (",)

I've seen your cab before... looks really good. Doubt if I'd eved do a rotating monitor again, but eventually I would like a cocktail. The plan for now is to have the monitor rotate manually... then, go motor driven, and the ultimate (pipe dream) is to go computer controlled. Will it ever happen? I don't know. I don't know much about programming the computer to control anything throught the ports, so we'll see.

With regards to the circuit you used for your motorized monitor, did you follow Lillypad's design?

danny_galaga · « **Reply #16 on:** August 05, 2004, 08:23:31 am »

nah, just used my head. which means its good for something!! i used to be an auto sparky so i have some experience in wacky switching circuits like 12/24v series/parallel switches and forward/reverse switching on winches...

Pixelhugger · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2004, 08:47:05 pm »

Not sure if this helps but there's always the Basic Stamp... of course this assumes your FE can communicate via serial...

http://www.wd5gnr.com/stampfaq.htm

and

http://www.parallax.com

danny_galaga · « **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2004, 09:35:58 am »

also, someone guided me to this somewhere else here:

http://phidgets.com

all these would be good for rotating monitors. the big prob with me is im no programmer so even though these devices are easy to program, they still have to interface with the FE. i could, in a pinch just have a macro that tells it if ive selected from the horizontal folder or the vertical but thats messy- i want all the games in one list so they are in afferbeck lauder from 1941 to zero wing.

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2004, 05:37:05 pm »

Oh boy, its been a while.

Anyways, I'll tell you what I've done and what still needs to be done:

Done:
I painted the cab and brought it to my place. Picked up tinted plexi. Got a marquee light and installed it. Applied side art (only to one side so far). Got custom bezel printed and installed.

To Do:
Finish making control panels. Apply side art to other side. Apply t-molding (it's under my bed waiting patiently). Install switch and real plug (it will be black and not running along the floor like the one in the pic, that's tempory). Install exhaust fan. Install monitor (simple, disk is already in place). Install computer. Computer set-up.

Right now I'm working on the control panels. I'm hoping to have one done very soon. The other may take a little longer.

I used a greenlee punch for the first time today... AMAZING.

Anyways... it's good to finally post some progress!! any comments are welcome!

RayB · « **Reply #20 on:** December 04, 2004, 05:27:25 pm »

Looking MUCH nicer than when I saw it in person! ;-)

menace · « **Reply #21 on:** December 05, 2004, 07:39:27 am »

yeah man that thing is looking pretty sweet--does it work yet?

And maybe i missed it somewhere else but are you doing more controls than just a trackball?

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 05, 2004, 01:03:56 pm »

Quote from: menace on December 05, 2004, 07:39:27 am

yeah man that thing is looking pretty sweet--does it work yet? And maybe i missed it somewhere else but are you doing more controls than just a trackball?

Doesn't work yet. I've heard plenty of people who get theirs working and then the completion of the cab is delayed cause they're too busy playing. I really want to get this done.

I will have two control panels. I thought I would have one original with the trackball. The other will have the standard 2-joystick, 6-button each layout. (pics to be posted soon)

I would like to make some sort of selector switch (I know it can be done, I just don't know how) with different boot sequences. One would be for the joystick cp, one would be for the trackball cp (all of the trackball games would be available), and a third just for Centipede. That way I could just turn it on and be running it the way it was meant to be.

My joystick cp is metal, so I've been using the beloved greenlee punch. I've got half of the holes done and when I finish the rest, I'll post the pics. I need to pick up some lubricant (oops).

danny_galaga · « **Reply #23 on:** December 06, 2004, 03:03:33 am »

well, i bet water-based lube works

Wade · « **Reply #24 on:** December 14, 2004, 02:01:31 pm »

You could use a Parallel port relay interface to control the rotation of the monitor easily by batch files. Or, you could patch in a small program or batch file into your Mame command line so it rotates the monitor properly each time you launch an individual game. I have thought about using the same board to make the correct buttons light up on my CP depending on the game:

http://electronickits.com/kit/complete/elec/ck1601.htm

You could also determine which panel is being used by trying to load a mouse driver in DOS, and using the errorlevel to determine if the trackball is found (most DOS mouse drivers will return an error level for failure if it can't find a mouse/trackball). If you aren't using DOS you still might be able to do this same sort of thing in Windows, but I'm not sure.

Looks good, good luck on finishing it! All these nice looking Centipede projects really make me want a Centipede for myself, just because they look so darned nice!

Hope this helps,
Wade

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #25 on:** January 17, 2005, 10:31:55 am »

Ok. I hate seeing other people's posts where I hear them talking about the planning of their cabs and then, before I know it, its all done.

Mine has been a very s l o w process.

So I put the other side art on. Last time I used the windex technique, but some people said it wasn't the greatest. So for the second side, I used another technique (see photo). I put the sideart where I wanted it and put a large weight on it so it wouldn't move. Then I removed the masking off the top half. I had my friend (4 hands in total required, 6 if you want pictures of the hole process (sorry guys)) hold up the sticker and I removed the backing up intil the weight. I slowly used a small plastic baking scraper to adhere the sticker. Once we had the top half on, we removed the weight and did the same for the bottom half. And it worked!! It was much more stressfull than the windex technique for sure.

Then I put on the t-molding.

And I completed one of the cps. I painted it black and applied the cpo. Applying artwork is stressful. I don't like it. But it looks awesome when it's done. That's the trade-off I guess.

I'm having people over on Friday so the plan is to have (just) Centipede running by then. I have a feeling it'll be close cause I have a lot of other things I need to do too. I'll keep you posted.

questions or feedback are welcome.

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #26 on:** January 17, 2005, 10:32:18 am »

one more

RayB · « **Reply #27 on:** January 17, 2005, 01:39:15 pm »

Perrrty!!
(weird how the fire button looks like it should be lower in the red shape!)

danny_galaga · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2005, 12:21:38 am »

and the monitor- she rotates? did you and up using an electric motor?

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #29 on:** January 18, 2005, 08:36:32 am »

Quote from: danny_galaga on January 18, 2005, 12:21:38 am

and the monitor- she rotates? did you and up using an electric motor?

ultimately... yes. I hope it will. For now, definately not. Baby steps.

daywane · « **Reply #30 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:48:01 am »

My advice is not to make a mess

We used to have messages on our fridge when our kids were young.

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #31 on:** January 18, 2005, 10:47:59 am »

And remember... "might" means "will!"

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #32 on:** May 17, 2005, 06:17:12 pm »

this is the s l o w e s t project I've ever had. But I'm still chugging along.

I have finally completed the 2-player cp (special thanks to Knievel for sending me a couple Super parts that I had lost). I am *really* happy with the way it turned out. I hope you all like it... any comments are greatly appreciated.

Did OSCAR do the original Centipede CP vector file?? Cause I would like to thank him greatly for that (if somebody else did it, please let me know). I couldn't have done any of this without that original file.

I will make this file available in the archive if you'd like.

<gypsy voice>"comments comments, I love comments"</gypsy voice>

RayB · « **Reply #33 on:** May 17, 2005, 07:10:23 pm »

Looks great! And the art on the dustwashers: Great idea!

spriggy · « **Reply #34 on:** May 17, 2005, 07:41:25 pm »

Good to see another classic original restoration disguising Mame internals. Great Job!

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #35 on:** May 17, 2005, 07:56:23 pm »

Wow ... that is gorgeous ... I love the CP ...

Cheers.

rchadd · « **Reply #36 on:** May 17, 2005, 08:33:01 pm »

thats awesome!

what trackball did you use? happ?

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #37 on:** May 18, 2005, 12:00:50 am »

Quote from: rchadd on May 17, 2005, 08:33:01 pm

thats awesome!

what trackball did you use? happ?

of course.

Thanks for all the kind words.

Cosmetically I am done... now to tackle the insides. Kill me.

teetu · « **Reply #38 on:** May 18, 2005, 12:25:25 am »

theres nothing like the centipede side art

HoopstarsGarage · « **Reply #39 on:** May 18, 2005, 12:28:36 am »

How scary is this...??

I am also building a Centipede MAME cabinet - from scratch... and this is my completely independent effort for my own CPO... Here is a quick picture showing the marking out of the control panel for button/joystick locations

I am also using the Atari volcano buttons in the same location, although my control panel is much deeper, hence the reason I went for a scratch built cab.

Obviously great minds think alike


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