Should I MAME a Tempest Cab?

[Magnet_Eye]

Hi all. I have had this damn cabinet for several years. It is a Tempest cab that was converted to a Shadow Dancer. The side art was painted over with gray paint...some of which has flaked/chipped off and you can see the tempest sideart underneath. The original control panel, monitor glass, etc is all there.  

I don't know what to do! I thought about ripping out the Shadow Dancer stuff and MAME it.  

The monitor in it is a 19" that isnt working. I will probably trash that, then sell the pcb/jamma harness stuff.

Please give some input. If I had the resources I would try to restore it to tempest...even if it meant using MAME and an Oscar spinner instead of actual parts.

Thoughts?

[Brad Lee]

Here are pics of this very conversion
http://www.sixsixsix.com (if it's pictures of my damn cat, come back inna few minutes, I gotta change it back)

One of the drawbacks is that with no cutting of the cabinet side, the control panel can be somewhat restricting- the width from inside edge to inside edge is 23-3/4", and if you keep it to where the monitor glass would go, it can only be about 7" deep

I've got 2 sticks, 4 buttons on the left side, 2 on the right, coin/start buttons on each side, and a spinner in the middle, which all fit comfortably.

For a monitor Ive got a 15" pc monitor currently but I'm looking at 24-25" tv's which is about the widest the cab will allow

Plenty of room in the marquee area for a light and speakers

[1UP]

No for godsakes!  Find someone who does arcade restorations, and see if they'll trade it for a generic empty jamma cab, then MAME that!

Tempest is one of my faves, and if I was anywhere near you and had the room to store it until I had the parts to restore it, I'd buy it!

[SirPoonga]

No for godsakes!  Find someone who does arcade restorations, and see if they'll trade it for a generic empty jamma cab, then MAME that!

Tempest is one of my faves, and if I was anywhere near you and had the room to store it until I had the parts to restore it, I'd buy it!

I'd restor the graphics and such and mame it.  I plan on maming my double dragon.

As long as you don;t destroy the CP also:)  

[Brad Lee]

I've found repro'd side artwork for about 100bucks, but I would still need all the original parts in order to restore it- CP, glass, marquee, all the retainer tracks, etc not to mention the monitor, frame, chassis, boards, none of which were included

I'd love to eventually build a mame cab from scratch and restore this one but that's a little ways off.. fr that reason Ive made sure not to stray too much from the original design

[Magnet_Eye]

Here are pics of this very conversion
http://www.sixsixsix.com (if it's pictures of my damn cat, come back inna few minutes, I gotta change it back)

One of the drawbacks is that with no cutting of the cabinet side, the control panel can be somewhat restricting- the width from inside edge to inside edge is 23-3/4", and if you keep it to where the monitor glass would go, it can only be about 7" deep

I've got 2 sticks, 4 buttons on the left side, 2 on the right, coin/start buttons on each side, and a spinner in the middle, which all fit comfortably.

For a monitor Ive got a 15" pc monitor currently but I'm looking at 24-25" tv's which is about the widest the cab will allow

Plenty of room in the marquee area for a light and speakers

Yeah i know, the space is limited. I would remove the original CP and build one out of wood I think...and make it a bit wider to accomodate my layout. For a monitor, i thought about a 19" wells gardner VGA type to hook directly to pc. It would just mount right in the cab since it already has a 19" monitor in there.

Really i need a bigger cab. I want a 25" monitor and I have 2 joys, spinner, and trackball.

PS- put up your info about your cab! i wanna see it!  

[Nailz]

Please do not Mame this cab, it sounds as though you want something bigger anyways.  Find someone who wants to restore it, or maybe even make it a project of your own.  Tempest is a classic, and if it could be brought back, that's what should be done.

[Xphile]

i've heard talk in the newsgroups of people actually removeing paint to get to the original sideart...any ideas how this is done or what products they would have used?

(yeah, my next step is actually asking one of them, but since I was here, and the topic came up..:-)

(btw, double dragon...isn't that a little newer than bronze age? and tempest was silver age? you could prolley burn the DD cab, and folks wouldn't flip out like they will when they see a tempest gets maimed.)

[anthony691]

Yeah, it is no crime to destroy a DD cab. The real crime is, I got a busted up, but still working standup racer called badlands. It was a conversion of DD; the crime is that a piece was apparntly smashed when it was in a bar and part of the cabinet was replaced with Star Wars Wood! The inside of the cabinet has the Star Wars paint on it. How sad is that? Oh, and please don't destroy the tempest cab

[Dav]

MAME it.  There's no shortage of tempest cabs.  The last auction I went to had 3 of them.  The problem with tempests is the monitor, not the cab.   Besides you can mame it without damaging the cab.  I'd try to make it look like a tempest though, I'd put a spinner in it and just have spinner games only.  You could likely do that cheaper than buying a vector monitor and tempest boardset, and you can be sure it will last longer.

Some of the weaker strippers will take off paint w/o damaging the side art.  I don't recommend this for safety reasons but I use gasoline.  Of course you have to leave it outside for 6 months to get the smell out of it.  

Dave

[Magnet_Eye]

thanks for replies so far...

speaking of Tempest..check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3213294777&category=13718

Check his other auctions...this guy seems to have ripped apart a complete Tempest  machine and is "parting it out" now. WTH?

-----I still haven't made  a decision yet for my Tempest Cabinet.

More input please!

[Chris]

One of the drawbacks is that with no cutting of the cabinet side, the control panel can be somewhat restricting- the width from inside edge to inside edge is 23-3/4", and if you keep it to where the monitor glass would go, it can only be about 7" deep

This is actually slightly larger than my control panel (23"x7").


So you can fit a 2-player CP in a Tempest cab.... I've never cared for cabinets with oversized control panels anyway, arcade or MAME... I prefer the classic look of a cabinet with a control panel no wider than the machine.  But that's just me....

I would experiment with a light stripper to see if you can expose and preserve the original art, and then go ahead and MAME it, but without modifying the cab so it can be restored later if you have the money and inclination.

--Chris

[Smittydc]

Chris: I too like the smaller control panels that keep the original shape of the cabinets.

I mame'd a space invaders deluxe cabinet. BUT! it had no electronics, no monitor, somebody had scrapped the art off of the front glass, and the cabinet was going to be thrown out if I didn't take it.

[Brax]

My vote is NO.
It's never ok to Mame a classic.

Here's a few of the top excuses I hear:

"Oh there's lots of this game though" There quickly won't be if everyone has this attitude.

"The sideart is destroyed." You should see what lengths collectors go to restore a cab. I guarantee somewhere, somehow a collector restored a machine in even worse shape than yours.

"It was just going to be thrown out if I didn't Mame it." Good for you for rescueing it. That doesn't mean you have to Mame it though. Trade to a collector for a generic.

These cabinets are a dying resource. I don't know about you, but in 10 years if I had a hacked up Tempest cabinet in my basement I wouldn't be too proud of myself.
But looking around..... That's just me.

[)p(]

i have no problems with mameing an empty classic cab as long as you don't change anything that can not be changed back...ie don't  cut or drill holes through the existing wood. Replace th cp with a new one.

I got my galaxian cab pretty much empty and without a monitor glass. I now got all parts to convert the cab back to a galaxian within an hour...not that I will ever do that..but it feels right that I can  

peter

[Nailz]

thanks for replies so far...

speaking of Tempest..check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3213294777&category=13718

Check his other auctions...this guy seems to have ripped apart a complete Tempest  machine and is "parting it out" now. What a bastard!

-----I still haven't made  a decision yet for my Tempest Cabinet.

More input please!

You're calling this guy a bastard and then you tell us you haven't decided what to do with the cab?    Huh?

Peter's last comments are right as well.  If you can change things on this cab without hurting the original material and be able to put it all back, then cool.

As for the comment that there is no shortage of Tempest cabs.....  so what?  There are still PacMan cabs out there too, that doesn't mean you should rip them apart.  It's really not that hard to build one from the ground up.  If my all thumbs self can build one, then I guarantee anyone else in here could do the same.  

I'll be back, going to go shred my original PacMan cab.  

[Auntie MAME]

MAME it.  From what I understand Tempest monitors are big bucks.  It would be cool if you stripped the paint to show the original sideart.

[Bill_S]

I would vote don't mame it.
My perspective: A friend of mine has an original space invaders in his garage collecting dust.  I've slowly been working on getting it from him.  If he ever gives it up, I wouldn't feel right doing anything other than restore it.

[RacerX]

I am one of those folks who says MAME it as long as you don't change anything that can not be changed back.

I own what was once a Defender, but it had been converted at least twice before.  Once it was a Ghouls 'n Ghosts, and when I rescued it from being thrown away, it was Aurail.  The control panel had already been ruined by having several different configurations of buttons and joysticks in it over the years (holes everywhere).  The side art had been covered by light blue formica (I assume it is still under there).  The monitor was crap.  It had no marquee.

I removed the Aurail PCB, which I still have.  I made two new control panels for it (swappable).  I put a Centipede marquee in it (did not damage the cabinet in doing so).  I put a 19 inch VGA monitor in it (just sits on the shelf that was already in the cab).  I covered the formica with the ever popular black marble contact paper.  Someday I hope to remove the formica and restore the original artwork and put a Defender marquee in it.

The point is, I didn't do anything wrong by MAME-ing this Defender cab.

As long as you do your Tempest cab this way, you are not doing anything wrong either.

Have fun!  

[Larry Smith]

Let me start by saying that I believe in preserving the classics and that tempest is my all time favorite game. And one of the coolest most distintive cabinets too. However you will probably not have much sucess getting someone to trade you a generic cab in decent condition in order to restore it (allthough if if has a few salvageable parts like the monitor glass that they can sell they might be willing). As Dav pointed out the severe shortage of color XY monitors makes your cab an unlikely candidate for a TRUE restoration. Unlike space invaders, or pacman, or defender etc, it will be difficult to get this cab into the hands of someone who will restore it. I would suggest that you mame it. Keep things as close to the original as resonably possible but if you HAVE to make irreversable changes to the cab DO IT. I tried to keep my classic cab as close to original as possible but I couldn't avoid cutting the ab to make things fit (you probably wouldn't notice the changes if you didn't know where to look). RarerX and )p( have the right idea; his 'conversion' is almost a restoration. Mine is similar although it will never be 100% authentic. remember the purpose of preservation is for people to be able to PLAY the classics. It's better to see hacked up mame conversion that WORKS than a classic cab collecting dust because no one has the parts/time/money to fix it.

Ok rant over i'll get off my soapbox. Here is some more practical advice.
If you want a two player cab you will be happier with a standard jamma cab. You can put two sets of controls on there but it will be a tight sqeeze (for the controls and the players). Even if you don't want a two player cab consider using swappable control panels; it gives you more control options and makes the cab look better. You could even have a tempest only panel for a restored look.

[Magnet_Eye]

Lots of interesting POV's thus far!

What a dillema! I am leaning towards MAME'ing it. I think I would like to restore the sideart, and marquee to Tempest again. I would remove the metal CP and save it. I think I can MAME it without making any drastic changes to the cab itself.

Of course I wish I could get all the parts and restore it to original. It would be badass to have Tempest in my livingroom! But finding the parts is tough. Especially the XY Monitor. Also, I wouldn't know how to build the darn thing.

Thanks for all the replies!!! More thoughts welcome!  

-M

[johnpurs]

My Mame cab is a tempest. I also overcame the control panel problems without cutting the sides. This control panel design plays very well by the way. The Tempest side art is very cool so I keep it. THe only mod to the cabinet was I tool out the monitor holder and installed a shelf for 19" vga monitor.

Links to pics in my signature I may make new control panel soon. If I do it will be a very similar design to what I have now.

John

[Magnet_Eye]

My Mame cab is a tempest. I also overcame the control panel problems without cutting the sides. This control panel design plays very well by the way. The Tempest side art is very cool so I keep it. THe only mod to the cabinet was I tool out the monitor holder and installed a shelf for 19" vga monitor

John

John, would it be possible to get some more images of your CP? Perhaps I can do something similar.

Thanks!

[Distortion]

I say MAME it, but keep it as close to the original as possible.  Try and keep any non-tempest artwork off it.

[johnpurs]

John, would it be possible to get some more images of your CP? Perhaps I can do something similar.

Thanks!

Yeah I just snapped some new pics and posted them on a web page. http://pennsauken.net/tech_beta/pursglove/cp/

I am still planning on making a stronger nicer looking (I have a compound mitre saw now so free hand mitre cuts will not be required for this one which made it so ugly) one. I just threw this together and never got around to finishing it.  

Also I mounted some large 12 inch shelf brackets underneath to add some support.

When I make the next nicer panel I will probably not use hinges, but use some sort of peg and hole system with dowels so I can build other panels and swap them out. Though the hinges made for easy access to the wiring and keyboard encoder. I would also remove the buttons from the corners and move them back farther. Big mistake putting escape button on side where beer gut can hit it and quit in middle of two palyer gaming. I will also try to eliminate the need for the brackets. I hope this helps you.

[Magnet_Eye]

Yeah I just snapped some new pics and posted them on a web page. http://pennsauken.net/tech_beta/pursglove/cp/

John, how is the gameplay? Is there enough room around the left joystick? right buttons?

Those sides on the cab seem to be an issue when it comes to the layout.

PS- Thanks for the pics!!!! Much Appreciated!!!

[dhansen]

You can Mame it with out destroying it...make it reversible in case parts come available.  It kinda make you sick thinking of the arcade operator slopping laminate adhesive on this beautiful sideart.

[)p(]

You can Mame it with out destroying it...make it reversible in case parts come available.  It kinda make you sick thinking of the arcade operator slopping laminate adhesive on this beautiful sideart.

great job...really keeps the spirit of the orginal...

peter

[johnpurs]

Yeah I just snapped some new pics and posted them on a web page. http://pennsauken.net/tech_beta/pursglove/cp/

It plays fine I've had people over playing two on two fighting style games and there have not been any complaints. I've never hit the sides when using the joysticks or buttons.


John, how is the gameplay? Is there enough room around the left joystick? right buttons?

Those sides on the cab seem to be an issue when it comes to the layout.

PS- Thanks for the pics!!!! Much Appreciated!!!

[Distortion]

great job...really keeps the spirit of the orginal...

Yeah I'll agree with that except for the trigger joystick thing...it seems to detract from the cabinet as well as block the screen.

[brandon]

You can Mame it with out destroying it...make it reversible in case parts come available.  It kinda make you sick thinking of the arcade operator slopping laminate adhesive on this beautiful sideart.

great job...really keeps the spirit of the orginal...

peter

Hey dhansen what did you use to get that glue off?  I have a Stargate cab with they same stuff on it and get this... It was converted to Tetris    oh BTW, great job on your cab...

As far as Mameing Tempest I would say go for it as long as your dont hack it all up.  Keep it as original as possible and don't do any undoable things to it.  

[eightbit]

I just threw this together and never got around to finishing it.  

The downfall of every cabinet builder. Gettting it to the point of play testing and never getting back to working on it because the play testing isn't complete...

[dhansen]

great job...really keeps the spirit of the orginal...

Thanks Peter...that was the idea..

Hey dhansen what did you use to get that glue off?  I have a Stargate cab with they same stuff on it and get this... It was converted to Tetris    oh BTW, great job on your cab...

Thanks again! I used Goof Off and Paint Thinner.  Make sure you work in a well ventilated area Goof Off is strong smelling stuff.  I soaked a rag in Goof Off and rubbed it on the adhesive this really softened it up, I then went over it with a rag soaked with paint thinner and the goo came right off.  No paint was removed during this process (which suprised the hell out of me).

Yeah I'll agree with that except for the trigger joystick thing...it seems to detract from the cabinet as well as block the screen.

Yeah, this was one of those "point of no return" things, I had already made the stick hack, and had my CP all cut out so I couldn't start over again.  Actually when you are standing at the game, it only covers a very small portion of the screen.

Doug

[Brax]

http://arcaderenovations.com/catalog/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=72&reviews_id=4&osCsid=aad9cf0c6f52b4a99457f944bc7e19d6

[Kilgore]

I don't know what to do! I thought about ripping out the Shadow Dancer stuff and MAME it.  

Please give some input. If I had the resources I would try to restore it to tempest...even if it meant using MAME and an Oscar spinner instead of actual parts.

Do what you want to do.   To many of us any classic cabinet is a valuable commodity, but to the majority of the world a classic with a crappy game in it, is a crappy game.  

I have one MAME cabinet made from a Super Cobra cabinet, and a converted Gaunlet and Ms. Pac-Man cabinet waiting for their MAME day.  Do I feel guilty?  No.    I have even recently offered the Ms. Pac-Man to someone on this board who was trying to recreate a Ms. Pac-Man.    If anyone is interested let me know and I would happy to work out something.  

The person I got all of these games from has a warehouse full and he is slowly but surely parting them out and selling the parts on Ebay.  At least someone gets use of them.   Any cabinets that I don't take or get my friends to take eventually gets dumped.  Sad, but true.  Arcade cabinets are expensive to store.  I have ten cabinets and am looking for more places to put more.   This also includes a Asteroids slated for restoration.  Anyone want a Superman cabinet?  The same guy says its mine or it is trash.

If anyone is in the Oklahoma City area looking for cabinets let me know.

- Kilgore

[EricDeLee]

This is my first post ... but this caught my eye:

_____________________________________________
If anyone is in the Oklahoma City area looking for cabinets let me know.

- Kilgore
_____________________________________________


Kilgore...

I live in Tulsa and I'm interested in ANYTHING to do with Arcade games.  I've got room in my garage for stuff as well.  So...

What do you have that you are parting with???  That Mrs. Pacman cab sounds very nice!  


I currently have a Tempest cab and a Astro Blaster cab that were recently given to me.  The Tempest has been gutted... but the control panel, marquee, and coin door are still there.  The artwork is in GREAT shape.  I had thought about MAMEing the cab... but still haven't been able to talk myself into doing that.  I love that cab though!!!

The Astro Blaster cab has water damage on the bottom part... but all (or most) of the guts are still there.  The PCBs are there.. but I don't know if they work or not.  The monitor broke during pick-up.    


Send me an email sometime!!!  I haven't found many people in this area that deals with arcade games.  

[planetjay]

No. You should send it to me and let ME DO IT!  

[paigeoliver]

Almost any cabinet you find will have originally either been a sought ofter classic, or a RARE game. Mainly because that is pretty much all that is out there.

I have seen very few truly generic cabinets (most of which are either those 19" ones with the fiberglass control panels, or the deluxe ones that are everywhere now). Sure you see them from time to time, but the vast majority of cabs out there were originally either a Midway cabinet, an Atari one, a Williams one, or a Stern one (with a few Q*Berts, Segas, and Dragon's Lairs thrown in for fun).

If it isn't one of those really common games, then chances are good that it is a pretty rare one. I have owned over 20 cabinets since I got into this, and the only generic one I ever had was a generic gambling game cabinet. Everything else had rolled out of the factory as a dedicated game at one point.