Has anyone ever made a swapable CP for old Atari cabs?

[Stobe]

I got a old Food Fight, converted to Killer Instinct cabinet.  It the fold out metal CP, with the original center hole for the joystick still there.  Just hidden with the new CPO and plexi.  They added 2 joys with 6 buttons each.  It works out to be an ok setup, but allows no room for any additions (though, I may add pinball buttons on the sides, should be easy enough).

I was wondering if anyone ever came up with a way to swap CPs, or some other type of modular design with this style cab.

Thanks for any insight!

-Stobe

[telengard]

I got a old Food Fight, converted to Killer Instinct cabinet.  It the fold out metal CP, with the original center hole for the joystick still there.  Just hidden with the new CPO and plexi.  They added 2 joys with 6 buttons each.  It works out to be an ok setup, but allows no room for any additions (though, I may add pinball buttons on the sides, should be easy enough).

I was wondering if anyone ever came up with a way to swap CPs, or some other type of modular design with this style cab.

Thanks for any insight!

-Stobe

I have a very similar cabinet (the fold out metal type) and I made swappable panels out of it.  I then converted to modular setup.  You can go to my web site to see how I did the modular stuff.  I have pics of the swappable setup here if you'd like them.  The key was to cut a large rectangle out of the metal cp.  I then installed what are called rivet nuts into the cp around the rectangle.  Blank panels had corresponding holes to put screws through and tighten down.  They were quite large and unwieldly.  My new setup is a lot easier to deal with in just about every respect.

hth,
~telengard

[Stobe]

Holy Cow!

Thanks for the idea.  That's easily the most 'modular' design I've ever seen.  You must have a screw gun charging next to your cab at all times???

I really like how my CP is curved on the front, and the plexi I have on now is already a perfect match for the 2player setup.  Maybe I can figure a way of adding a module or two, instead of swapping anything.  Maybe a simple trackball and spinner that can mount in front of the existing CP?

Oh well, still thinking....

Thanks for the reply, I really like your concept.

-Stobe

[HoopstarsGarage]

Atari's Food fight is extremely similar to Centipede - except the side profile is slightly different.  I am in the process of scratch building my own Centipede with swappable control panels. 

This WIP shot shows the "shelf" area where the control panel resides..  The slides on the bottom and sides of the shelf area help locate and lock the control panel into place.  The square block at the back of the shelf area is the USB interface which "docks" with the rear of the control panel.  Each control panel has a built in Ultimarc interface which utilises the USB connector.


Here is a bottom/back view of the control panel showing the mating guide channels and the USB interface.  This was one of the most difficult parts of the entire build - getting everything square and true while working to tolerances of less the .5mm in total..!!


And this shows how it all works together as the control panel is slides into place.  Once the USB connectors have mated, the control panel does not move in ANY direction.  To remove the control panel requires a very square pull from the front of the CP - because of the angle that the joysticks are pulled on, in operation it can not be pulled free during game play.  It works pretty damn nicely if I do say so myself


This is the semi-finished control panel snugly docked into position.  There is about .7mm clearance on each side of the control panel to the cabinets - the flash actually makes it look a little wider..?!!



And here is the first of the finished control panels with custom artwork - a 2 player, 6 button affair..





There is more of the build up in the Project Announcements Forum..  Hopefully it gives you some ideas for your own cabinet..

Cheers

Hoops

[quarterback]

This WIP shot shows the "shelf" area where the control panel resides..  The slides on the bottom and sides of the shelf area help locate and lock the control panel into place.  The square block at the back of the shelf area is the USB interface which "docks" with the rear of the control panel.  Each control panel has a built in Ultimarc interface which utilises the USB connector.

That is a freakin' awesome setup, HG! 

You wanna come over to my place and build me a cab! 

[HoopstarsGarage]

Yep - if you pay for the plane ticket from OZ to there

[Minwah]

Wow, Hoopstar that control panel is beautiful...in fact your whole cabinet looks great so far

[Stobe]

Great!  Thanks!  That gives me more ideas.

I don't think I will go to the lengths to make a mating USB connection, but I like the 'shelf' idea.  Besides, I don't have a micrometer handy to measure the .5mm tolerances

Ok, bring on some more examples!  I know you're out there!

-Stobe

[AlanS17]

Are you making an effort not to make changes to the original machine or are open to suggestions that involve changes?

[telengard]

Holy Cow!

Thanks for the idea.  That's easily the most 'modular' design I've ever seen.  You must have a screw gun charging next to your cab at all times???

I really like how my CP is curved on the front, and the plexi I have on now is already a perfect match for the 2player setup.  Maybe I can figure a way of adding a module or two, instead of swapping anything.  Maybe a simple trackball and spinner that can mount in front of the existing CP?

Oh well, still thinking....

Thanks for the reply, I really like your concept.

-Stobe

Heh, yeah I do keep an electric screwdriver nearby.  Changing stuff doesn't take that long at all.
One tip I can give you if you end up using metal to do anything is to use aluminum if possible, plate steel is the biggest PITA to cut.  Aluminum is soft but can be re-inforced if needed.

Good luck with your panel!

~telengard

[MameMaster!]

holy c$%P that's BEAUTIFUL!....well done.

MameMaster

[Stobe]

Are you making an effort not to make changes to the original machine or are open to suggestions that involve changes?

I'm open to suggestions.  Since no one has fragged me yet for not restoring it to Food Fight.  (I have read the thread about the Burger Time cabinet). 

-Stobe

[ChadTower]

I love the Centipede panels and may design something based off of it.  How did you do the curve on the control panel edge?  I have no idea how to do that, carpentry wise.

[HoopstarsGarage]

How did you do the curve on the control panel edge?  I have no idea how to do that, carpentry wise.

Lots of time and Patience..    


..oh, plus a file and some sand paper..

[ChadTower]

Ah, so it's not an exact thing, it's eyeballed and ground out.  Gotcha.

[HoopstarsGarage]

Ah, so it's not an exact thing, it's eyeballed and ground out.  Gotcha.

Kinda..  I found out the radius measurements for the top and bottom curves, marked them out on two small pieces of cardboard and then cut them out to use as templates.  As I was nearing the "eyeballed" radius on the control panel, I would use the cardboard templates to continually check the radius.
Finally, I used high gloss paint on the surface and my "above bench mounted" 3" fluro to check the continuity across the length of the panel for "linearity"..

I came out quite nicely indeed.. which it kinda needed to - otherwise the overlay would have puckered up and not sat nice and flat..