Quick bit of help from anyone??

[Jellyman_4eva]

Hi everyone,

I am sure these are real bread and butter questions to you guys and am sorry if you have had to answer these a million times before!! I posted some questions in an ultimarc forum, but got pointed here so I shall re-post them!!

Hi,

I was looking at purchasing some of the Ultimarc controls, in particular the 4 player IPAC and some T Stick Plus controllers. I am however not too sure of how to mount them (In wood), does someone know of a MAME Arcade Machine Builders website which has extensive information on this (With pics preferably??!!).

As I want the ball top units, I was also wondering whether to get the longer shaft units or not?? (I think the answer to this is related to the first question!!)

My final question is easy I guess. When I went away on holiday, I saw a custom built machine (It is this that got me interested), which had a translucent blue trackball? I remember the guy telling me it was from HAPPS? I have since found this item on HAPPS website but was wondering how I mount this (What other bits from HAPPS do I need basically?) and how to light it and where to get the power for its light?? (As my control panel is a seperate unit which is not near enough to the PSU of a PC) Also how does it wire into an IPAC??

I intend for my panel to have 1-4 player buttons, 1 credit button, an escape button (To exit games), possibly two volume buttons (Up and down) 6 buttons per player and 2 trackballs and 2 spinners. From anyone who has experience in building these machines, do you think that I will have enough buttons to use (I intend on regular 4 player gaming!) Are there games that use 2 trackballs and 2 spinners not necessarily at the same time, I just do not want anything wasted!!

Please help!!

also

Hi,

I have been looking online at the possibility of using a Matrix Orbital LCD display to show what game I am currently in, in MAME and stats about the PC etc...

I followed many references to this possbility, however they all seemed to drop off to nothing in the end.. Does anyone have any information about this?

Thanks

OK, so thats that!! I was also wondering how thick the wood should be to build this, and how wide to drill the holes in my control panel for the buttons and T-Stick controllers etc...

Please help!

[paigeoliver]

Just start reading the forum, you asked about 50 questions, it would take me an hour to answer them all, and they are pretty much the same 50 questions everyone else asks on a daily basis.

[mahuti]

A good place to start would be the Project Arcade book available on amazon.

You can also check out the main page of BYOAC.

The FAQ & list of links at the top of the forum is a good place to start.

I'll answer a few questions specifically.

1. Joysticks in wood... use screws.
2. Trackball mounted in wood. Needs a mounting plate.
3. I think it's overkill to mount 2 spinners & 2 trackballs in one panel. If you really want to have the ability to have specialized controls for 2 players, you might look into modular control panels.
4. 1 1/8 spade drill bit for the joysticks / buttons.
5. Player 3 & 4 don't need & won't use 6 buttons. Use 3 tops.
6. Spystyle has written a faq / cabinet building walkthru... it's linked somewhere in the faq. (you know.. the read first thing at the top of the page.)

Anyway, welcome to the board.

[Nannuu]

Ok, I'll try to answer a couple.  I don't own a T-stick so I can't speak for that.


which had a translucent blue trackball? I remember the guy telling me it was from HAPPS? I have since found this item on HAPPS website but was wondering how I mount this (What other bits from HAPPS do I need basically?)

- You can get them on Ebay as well, or www.therealbobroberts.com.  You can get the mounting plate at either place too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6158656903&rd=1


and how to light it and where to get the power for its light?? (As my control panel is a seperate unit which is not near enough to the PSU of a PC) Also how does it wire into an IPAC??

- You can light it with any of the LED kits you buy online, or just wire it up to the +5V on the Ipac.  Not sure how to wire to the Ipac, I think it has info on the Ultimarc site.


I intend for my panel to have 1-4 player buttons, 1 credit button, an escape button (To exit games), possibly two volume buttons (Up and down) 6 buttons per player and 2 trackballs and 2 spinners. From anyone who has experience in building these machines, do you think that I will have enough buttons to use (I intend on regular 4 player gaming!) Are there games that use 2 trackballs and 2 spinners not necessarily at the same time, I just do not want anything wasted!!

- Get an Ipac4 for the controls.  If you want two TBs and two spinners I would suggest the Optipac from Ultimarc.  Few games use both.  I think Marble Madness can play two player TBs and Warlords will play 4 player Spinner.  You could even use the two other TBs as spnners for Warlords and play all 4 people.


I was also wondering how thick the wood should be to build this, and how wide to drill the holes in my control panel for the buttons and T-Stick controllers etc...

- Most of us use 3/4" plywood (birch is nice).  holes should be 1 1/8".  Some sticks can use a smaller hole, maybe 3/4"-1 1/8", but you'd have to test that to verify.

[Nannuu]

Oh, you only really want a PS2 or USB trackball if you are using one trackball.  If you want multiple TBs and Spinners, you'll need the Optipac and the standard TB and Spinner as you won't need the PS2 wiring for that, you'll wire directly to the Optipac.
It also depends on your computer, if you have enough USB inputs.  You can have one PS2 TB, one USB spinner and one USB or PS2 Ipac4.  I'm not sure if anyone has tried to hook up 2 USB TBs and 2 USB spinners instead of one Optipac.

[Fat_Trucker]

Definitely pick yourself up a copy of Project Arcade. With regard to stick lengths and CP configurations etc it is really a personal choice as to what you prefer.

The T-Sticks are great but do have an incredibly short throw. If you prefer sticks with a longer throw you might want to look at some of the alternatives.

Ball top length is really up to you whether you prefer your sticks short and stubby or long. I prefer short sticks so I can rest my hands on the CP and control with finger and thumb.

Your CP thickness is again dependent on how/where you want to mount it. You need to bear in mind though that it needs to be thick enough to maintain rigity throughout the punishment they generally take. I wouldn't go below half-inch at the very smallest.

With regard to an optical interface I'm only mounting one TB and spinner but went for the Opti-Pac so if I decide to change/upgrade later I'm already pre-wired. You need a mounting plate to mount the trackball housing in wood. However you can bend the rules by removing the top of the trackball housing and mounting it higher up or routing out a narrower section under your CP for it to sit in (its all about getting it high enough).

Once again get Project Arcade - it will tell you everything you need to know then hold your hand while you do it.

[SideShow Rob]

Hi,

I use a pair of T-Stick Plus 'sticks..so I will try and give you some info.

I used 18mm (3/4") MDF, covered with a layer of Maplin Buffalo speaker cloth. I used the same spade drill-bit to cut both 'stick and button holes - 28mm (1 1/8"). No routing was used to mount the sticks...

The first pic...DSC00012.jpg, shows the T-Sticks with the 4 black oxidised bolts - used to firmly attatch the 'sticks...mainly for additional strength (me & brother are v.sore losers and take it out on the 'sticks...). These black oxidised bolts were pinched from a X-Arcade 2 player unit...not sure on the size.

The second pic...DSC00014.jpg shows the internal mounting. You should be able to see the nuts that hold the bolts secure, and I also supplemented the bolts with 2 x 15mm wood-screws, top and bottom...just in-case - you can just see the top wood-screw, central, obscured by the blue-wire...

For spacing, I measured centrally from the 28mm hole. The distance between buttons, is 4 cm. The distance between 'stick and buttons is 7cm. (I'll attach another pic to illustrate, in a separate reply...DSC00013.jpg)

I would make a mock-up of your control panel in cardboard first, so you can test the layout of all your controls in advance...it will save time, money and frustration later.

[SideShow Rob]

And here's the other picture...

I would make the buttons go straight next time, rather than raised in the middle (thought it would be more comfortable, but it is not (not for me & brother anyway..). Like I said in the first reply...make a cardboard mock up first...

[SideShow Rob]

Just had another squint at your post...

Personally, I would not bother with 2 spinners and 2 trackballs...especially if you intend to make a 4 player panel - either it will be incredibly cramped, or big enough to wind surf on...and I believe vanilla Mame does not support more than 1 spinner and trackball...(someone correct me if I am wrong...)

If you are going to play Street Fighter style beat-em ups...chances are you will need 2 players to have 6 buttons, rather than 4.

I'd go for the 2 central players as a 6 button config. and the outer 2 players as a 4 button config.

If you decide that a 4 player control panel is not needed...and can do with a 2 player control panel, check out the minipac from Ultimarc, rather than the ipac. It is sufficient for hooking up 2 'sticks, a spinner, a trackball (with left/right mouse buttons), and 20 buttons... and has a wiring harness with pre-crimped quick disconnects - just something else to think about