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Bella's Arcade [FINISHED]
javeryh:
In the tradition of arcade cab builders everywhere I have begun work on my second cab and my first one is only 90% done (playable but there is a bit of work left on the cab and configuring everything).
This cab will be an 80% mini-cab following the Ms. Pac-man plans on Jakobud's site. I am not going for 100% accuracy and I will be taking a few liberties in the details and especially the color scheme but the shape is definitely Ms. Pac-man. I'm building this for my daughter so it's got to be super simple to operate and it's definitely going to be girly! ;D
Details:
I'm not sure what type of joystick I'm going to use (Mag-Stik or Ultimarc 360) but I'm definitely settled on 3 action buttons and 4 admin buttons (start, coin, pause and exit to front end). I'm going to use a 17" Dell LCD monitor and my somewhat old junker computer (Gateway PIII, 40GB HDD, 256MB RAM). I'll be painting the entire thing a light pink on the outside and black on the interior. I'm also going for a real shiny finish so it can be protected from juice spills and easy to clean but I don't know how to go about doing that yet. The buttons and t-molding will be a darker pink from Dream Arcades. As for artwork, right now I'm just planning on a bright colorful marquee - the CP will be black vinyl and I don't know what to put on the sides yet, if anything.
The entire cab is made out of MDF. I've got a 18" flourescent light for the marquee and I'll be hooking everything into a Smart Strip for one-button power on and power off. I'm undecided on a coin door but I'm leaning towards including a mini one. Happs has one for $65 that's only 10" x 7-3/8" and it would really look nice. The only issue is that I'm planning on hinging the panel that the coin door will be on for easy access to the computer so there might be a little problem with the wires.
Now for the good stuff - Pics!
So far I've just cut out the sides and routed the slots for the t-molding. I also cut all of the interior support pieces so I can assemble everything next weekend. Not a bad start for a few hours this weekend!
johnm160:
Looks like a good start to me.
Hinging the panel with the coin door should present zero problems. Put the wires into some wire loom and attach it to the cab on the side and on the front panel. the loom should keep anything from getting pinched.
If you can't find wire loom at the auto parts store, bundle with tape.....not as pretty though.
Good luck.
John
Crafty:
I found at Dick Smiths Electronics (Australia) a 7 core wire sheath. Used for wiring alarms/ electronics. It was very useful for a Joystick and 2 buttons. Will hunt out the photo I took at the time..From memory it was less than $1 per metre..There must be something similar in a shop close to you.
theCoder:
You could also go with phone wire. It comes in 4, 10, and 50 conductor (2, 5, and 25 pair) cables. In a previous life, my family had an electrical contractor business. We had tons of wire scrap lying around.
Good luck with the build.
javeryh:
Thanks for the suggestions on the coin door wires! One of those methods is bound to work...
OK, I've taken the plunge and ordered some parts - there's no turning back! Here's what's coming:
I ordered the following, all from Dream Arcades:
3 pink pushbuttons (for the action buttons)
A pink balltop joystick - I am only ordering this for the actual pink balltop which I am going to switch out for the Ultimarc 360 (which only comes in red or black)
30 feet of pink t-molding:
I'm pretty psyched to get going - I can probably have a mock CP finished in a few hours once everything arrives!! This thing is going to be pink!
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