Arcade Bones (Marquee & Dashboard graphics finalised)

[Dire Radiant]

Yeah I think now we're moving past the point of common sense and into the area where the cost of tools is going to triple the cost of the whole project.

On the other hand I'm not one to scoff at an excuse to buy more power tools! I'm just curious as to how much you've already blown your budget by before the CP is together...

[walls83]

You could have just put the sides together and used wood filler.Leave it on overnight and sand the excess..thats how I make all the angles.Works great !

He could unless he uses the excuse I use with my wife.

"But babe I really need this tool to get this project done!"

Man Ive got so many tools blaming the arcade cabinet.  Works great.

[markrvp]

No one should be without a mitre saw

[Bones]

Yeah I think now we're moving past the point of common sense and into the area where the cost of tools is going to triple the cost of the whole project.

I always knew a circular saw was a necessity so this purchase was not unexpected. The drop saw was a luxury I could afford after having troubles so I brought it.

No big deal and I never had much common sense to start with.

[armax]

Neither did any of us.  I started out building my first cab last year with a jigsaw and a router(both bought at a pawn shop).  Since then, I've bought a new jigsaw, circular saw, table saw, router table, new router, drill press, belt sander, orbital sander, power miter saw, forstner bit set, etc... 

Tools become an addiction. I think I'm not the only one that fell into the realm of "Tool Time" with Tim Allen.

[Bones]

Been doing some more thinking about side-art and marquee and the general theme to go with my CP.

There was a classic Australian band hopefully most have heard of named Cold Chisel. Their last concert which is legendary (before they made a brief comeback a few years ago), was called "The last Stand".

The writing is instantly recognisable to most Australians that were around in the 80's.

I am considering naming the cab "Invaders last stand". The word "Invaders" would appear in the same style as the Cold Chisel writing and "Last stand" would be identical to the yellow writing.

I am thinking of side art featuring the Invader guy holding a can of VB with the cab name appearing underneath.

Aussies will probably appreciate the potential for this theme more than most. Very open to suggestions but perhaps I shouldn't have opened my mouth until testing if I am up to the task in Illustrator......

[Dire Radiant]

Nice theme idea!

[Bones]

Saturday night update.

During the week I acquired a 10mm drill bit and some 10mm screws and bolts to hold down my new saw. Went to do this last night only to find my drill wouldn

[Bones]

Saturday night update continued

[Bones]

Saturday night update continued

[spriggy]

Damn that's BIG!!

Have to admit... will save you on buying yourself a coffin in 50+ years time.

[Bones]

Damn that's BIG!!

Have to admit... will save you on buying yourself a coffin in 50+ years time.

Yeah it looks goofier than my mind had imagined before the sides went up....

It's big enough to fit four average people comfortably, no bigger and no smaller.

[spriggy]

Damn that's BIG!!

Have to admit... will save you on buying yourself a coffin in 50+ years time.

Yeah it looks goofier than my mind had imagined before the sides went up....

It's big enough to fit four average people comfortably, no bigger and no smaller.

Don't read me wrong, I'm definately not having a dig at your project... just linking the size of the panel to some coffin humour! (Back Pedal Back Pedal  )

Love
spriggy 

[Bones]

Don't read me wrong, I'm definately not having a dig at your project... just linking the size of the panel to some coffin humour! (Back Pedal Back Pedal

[Dire Radiant]

Well it'll be handy if there's a flash flood. Your whole family will be able to row to safety in it.

[markrvp]

Hey guys, show some respect.  Do you realize how many trees gave their lives so BrokenBones could practice woodworking on this project?

[DrewKaree]

Hey Bones, is that a 4x4 in there?  I can't tell cuz I don't know the scale, but that looks like a square piece rather than a 2x4 or whatever your funny measurements equate that to be.  What made you decide to do it that way instead of screwing it together? 

For future screwings and glueings, try this.....arrange your pieces to where you want them to be, drive one screw in there halfway, glue up everything, drive that screw all the way in now, and clamp/screw the rest in. 

The first screw holds it where you originally wanted it to be, the clamps hold the rest in place like you want, and the rest of the screws secure it and pull the pieces together.  Waiting for the glue to tack up like that makes it harder to flow and you may not get the coverage you were intending

Just how wide is that thing, because I may have to make my CP smaller in order to stay under your record there

[markrvp]

BB:

On a serious note, it looks like the top is going to be perfectly level.  Is that what you wanted, or did you want the control top to angle down as it gets closer to the player?

[Bones]

OK.... Yeah it's a big bastard. Here are the actual sizes. I have rounded to the nearest inch for those Yanks that don't understand our superior metric system. 

[Bones]

Regarding the wood sizes

The CP frame support ("A") is 70mm x 45mm or 2.75" X 1.75".

The piece of wood that will attach to the CP underneath ("B") is 90mm x 45mm or 3.5" X 1.75". I chose this size due to it's height as when everything is assembled I can place it down and it leaves enough clearance so nothing touches the ground. This was mostly for when it comes time for assembly. It will create a little table for me to work on.

When assembled it will fit together as per "C" making everything flush with velcro going between A & B.



 

[Bones]

BB:

On a serious note, it looks like the top is going to be perfectly level.

[Bones]

Sunday night update.

One of the things I had put off was the trackball hole. I had drilled the correct size hole but it remained unfinished and I wanted to put a smooth edge on it.

To do this I drilled the identical size trackball hole into some scrap MDF. I placed another scrap piece of MDF the same thickness as the Lexan on top. I than ran a few tests using the router with a curvy bit and a bearing to guide it. When I was happy with the result I lined up my Lexan on top of the scrap wood with the hole, clamped it down and used the same router depth settings.

I am happy with the result and again the

[Bones]

Sunday night update continued

[Bones]

Sunday night update continued....

Once assembled you can see the space between the legs and the CP box frame. I guessed this gap and I hope it doesn't bite me on the ass. In this gap I will attach the velcro which will hold everything down snugly.

It actually worked out a pretty good fit. I fluked the combination of a snug fit, but it's not difficult to remove or put the CP back in.

[Bones]

Sunday night update continued

[tommy]

Ill be watching to see that cp on the main cab soon?

[Bones]

Ill be watching to see that cp on the main cab soon?

Eventually.... At this point in time there is no cab. I elected to build the CP first. When the CP is finished I will begin cabinet construction almost immediately.

[Bones]

Sunday update

[Bones]

Sunday update continued

[Bones]

Sunday update continued

[Bones]

Sunday update continued

[Bones]

Sunday update continued

[Bones]

Sunday night update continued.....

It has been rewarding finally seeing some results for the time I have invested. Looking forward to finalising this stage and moving forward.

Sunday night update complete with one final pic.

[TOK]

Thats one of the best looking 4 player panels I've seen. There is a fine balance on the 4 player panels... If the art is to "busy", it makes the panel look really cluttered since there are already a lot of controls. If the art is too spartan, it really makes the panel look huge and barren. You found the sweet spot between looking bare and looking cluttered. Nice work!

[ras2a]

W O W...I mean, just,  WOW !!!!

Craig

[Bones]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I am happy with it so far but like anything else, you look at it for so long you loose the ability to constructively criticise your own work.

[tommy]

Starting to look like an arcade cab soon, looking good.

How about a couple of translucent buttons?

[Bones]

How about a couple of translucent buttons?

Would definitely look cool but I have done all my CP shopping now. Maybe on the next one!

[HoopstarsGarage]

1. Australian
2. Loves Cold Chisel (as any good aussie should)
3. Loves speed.. the really illegal kind that loses licenses and motor vehciles
4. Loves Mame
5. Loves (and quotes) from Pulp Fiction


btw, nice work son..!!


Hoops

[Bones]

btw, nice work son..!!

Thanks Dad.....