Author Topic: Project #2: Pac-man from scratch (Read 20238 times)

amadama · « **on:** June 04, 2007, 11:01:25 pm »

Hi everyone,
As I finish up work on my mini Dragon's Lair cabinet I am going to start work on my #2 home built cab. A full size Pac-man.
For this one I can really use everyone's help here as I want this to be just like the real thing.
So far I have the following parts:
Marquee (I made it myself)
Control Panel (complete but needs restoration)
Coin door (complete but needs restoration)
Front glass bezel (in pretty good shape)
plastic monitor bezel with smoked plexi
Side and front art (full size, did it myself on self-adhesive vinyl)

I am basing it on Jacobud's plans from his site and have printed out a full size of the side panel to make a template for future use.
The biggest help I can use is in the positioning of the monitor and internal wood parts.
Thanks,
Alex
(Here's a sample of my artwork (taken mostly from localarcade with some minor modifications by me)

rockin_rick · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2007, 11:28:50 pm »

Here's some pics I've gathered from the internet. I can't say for certain that they all are unmodded cabs, but FWIW....

Rick

rockin_rick · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2007, 11:30:35 pm »

More.... The last one is obviously modded, but it shows the difference in monitor mounting angle vs bezel mounting angle.

Rick

amadama · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2007, 11:35:18 pm »

Hi Rick,
Thanks for posting these pics! The one showing the monitor angle is particularly good as it is this sort of thing that I am looking for!!
I wonder if anyone out there has made a template of the inside side panel of the Pac cab?
If anyone has please post it or let me know where to find it. I will happily update Jacobud's files with it!
Thanks again,
Alex

usedelectronics · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2007, 12:20:11 am »

I took that inside monitor angle picture!
I still have the broken down cab in storage, but no time to measure!
I'll try to drag it home this weekend.

BobA · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2007, 09:23:33 am »

This pic may help with inside bezel angle and position.

amadama · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2007, 09:57:33 am »

BobA that picture is great! Thanks for posting!
usedelectronics, if you ever get a chance to measure the insides of the broken down cab that would be great (and thanks for taking those original shots too)! Measurements of any of the pieces would be fantastic too (like the front showing exact positioning of the coin door too.
(I know this stuff is time consuming but the more measurements we can have the better. I would like to make a set of blueprints that anyone can then use to make their own).
Thanks again guys,
Alex

BobA · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2007, 12:16:12 pm »

Just another back view from the pac manual

amadama · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2007, 12:21:40 pm »

Thanks BobA.
Hmm, metal monitor brackets. The guy I picked up my original monitors from took those out and I have not seen them for sale (even at TwoBits.com). I will have to use wood for this.
Thanks again!
Alex

knave · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2007, 12:56:13 pm »

Quote from: amadama on June 05, 2007, 12:21:40 pm

Thanks BobA.
Hmm, metal monitor brackets. The guy I picked up my original monitors from took those out and I have not seen them for sale (even at TwoBits.com). I will have to use wood for this.
Thanks again!
Alex

If you want I can take some closer photo's of the monitor brackets. Lucky for me they were on the floor of the Ms. Pac I just took home. I'l pretty sure wood would work, or L shaped brackets could be made like in my Galaxian.

amadama · « **Reply #10 on:** June 05, 2007, 01:21:00 pm »

Hi knave!
Thanks! any help would be greatly appreciated!
Alex

Nostalgia · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2007, 03:48:27 pm »

Quote from: rockin_rick on June 04, 2007, 11:30:35 pm

More.... The last one is obviously modded, but it shows the difference in monitor mounting angle vs bezel mounting angle.

Rick

That last one is mine. The only reason its modded is because when I got the cab, it didnt have the monitor brackets in it, so I had to make them.

amadama · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2007, 04:10:52 pm »

Hi Rick,
Are those L brackets strong enough to hold the weight of the monitor? What other adhesion method are you using?
Thanks,
Alex

rockin_rick · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2007, 05:36:29 pm »

None of those pics are of my cabs. Thanks to those who did take them and post them!

What I'd do is cut some pieces of 3/4" plywood, say 4" x 24" and glue them flat to the side of the cab to provide ledges for the boards that the L-brackets are holding up. IOW, these boards would replace the L-brackets. To help explain, this would create a ledge on each side of the cab that is 3/4" x 24" for supporting the monitor. If the metal cross bars are long enough to sit on and fasten securely to the ply ledge, then no other boards would be required.

Lots of glue area... and glue holds wood better than screws. However, the L-brackets may be sufficient... (nostalgia hasn't complained of a broken monitor, so that must mean something - beauty, eh)

Rick

Nostalgia · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2007, 09:08:26 pm »

Quote from: rockin_rick on June 05, 2007, 05:36:29 pm

Lots of glue area... and glue holds wood better than screws. However, the L-brackets may be sufficient... (nostalgia hasn't complained of a broken monitor, so that must mean something - beauty, eh)

Rick

Yeh, it may look a little nasty, but you wont see it and the bracket hold very strong. Just make sure you get the right size screws so you dont pop out the other side.

amadama · « **Reply #15 on:** June 05, 2007, 10:22:41 pm »

Ok,
Now I realize that was Nostalgia's cab.
I will try the large piece of ply (I'll use MDF actually since I have lots of it).
Thanks for the tips!
Now I need to figure out how far below the monitor should be from the glass bezel.
Thanks!
Alex

rockin_rick · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2007, 05:17:53 pm »

I'm not sure about this, but if you are gluing the face of MDF, then I think that it may be recommended to sand/scuff up the face to give the glue more bite. (I think I remember reading that somewhere, sometime)

Rick

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2007, 06:30:45 pm »

Aren't Pac and Ms Pac cabs the same? If so, I can take a few pics of my Ms Pac if it will help. What about Galaga/Galaxian? If so, you might check out Level42's project thread Galaxian No. 815. Lots of pics in there.

Nostalgia · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2007, 07:25:18 pm »

Actually Ms Pacs and Galaga are the same, regular Pacs are slightly different.

amadama · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2007, 09:21:55 pm »

Hi guys,
Rick, I will scuff up both sides of the MDF before applying glue (good tip, thanks!)
Jeepmonkey,
Please take the pics of the Ms. Pac if you get a chance. I will end up building one of those too!
Here's one of my goals in this project, fully document the from scratch build of a Pac/Galaxian and then make blueprints for the community.
Thanks guys,
Alex

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #20 on:** June 07, 2007, 10:36:47 pm »

Here is a pic to measure distance from monitor to bezel glass.

The "crest" of the monitor to the bottom of the bezel glass is 1 3/4". The bezel glass is 1/4".

Here is a pic.

amadama · « **Reply #21 on:** June 08, 2007, 09:01:03 pm »

Thanks Jeepmonkey.
I think I have figured it out based on one of the other pics posted earlier.
I have a full size template of the side panel now created in paper. This weekend I will cut a 1/4" piece of hardboard to have a (semi) permanent template.
Based on some other cabs that people have built I am going to pick up a small compressor and nail gun (on sale at Lowe's) to use for this project.
Alex

BobA · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2007, 11:26:48 pm »

Another link showing some cabinet dimensions and part placement

http://www.retro.co.za/arcade/cabinet.html

amadama · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2007, 11:33:46 pm »

Hi BobA,
Fantastic! Thanks so much. Let the cutting begin!
Alex

amadama · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2007, 10:16:38 pm »

Minor updates here:
Full size template on paper and then traced on the hardboard.
Also cut the hardboard to size. (pics of this to follow, need to recharge camera battery).
Color matched paint obtained.
Bought air compressor and brad nailer (very slick!!)
Alex

knave · « **Reply #25 on:** June 13, 2007, 04:35:20 pm »

As promised here's a picture of the monitor brackets. They are "c" chanel steel. Didn't get a chance to measure them but it's safe to assume they are the same length as the inner cabinet width.

In the pict one is facing out and one is facing in.

amadama · « **Reply #26 on:** June 13, 2007, 10:11:01 pm »

Thanks knave,
I'll try to make something like that. If not, I'll use a piece of MDF and cutout the space for the monitor.
I started my cutting today. Side panels are cut and I started putting in the wood blocks. I am beat!

Alex

Kaytrim · « **Reply #27 on:** June 13, 2007, 10:23:09 pm »

I used a piece of MDF but I also gave the monitor a shelf to sit on. To be on the safe side I'd suggest you go with what Knave used. It will be more secure.

TTFN

Kaytrim

amadama · « **Reply #28 on:** June 13, 2007, 10:31:26 pm »

A shelf would be tough to put in on a Pacman machine. How big of a monitor is that in your tabletop machine?

Kaytrim · « **Reply #29 on:** June 14, 2007, 09:22:16 am »

Quote from: amadama on June 13, 2007, 10:31:26 pm

A shelf would be tough to put in on a Pacman machine. How big of a monitor is that in your tabletop machine?

17" PC monitor in vertical mode.

amadama · « **Reply #30 on:** June 16, 2007, 11:59:14 pm »

Today I de-cased a 21" Sony Trinitron PC monitor. Wow, this thing is heavy! I hope my mounts are strong enough to hold this beast. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow after I finish assembly of the cabinet (hopefully!!).

amadama · « **Reply #31 on:** June 17, 2007, 10:04:15 pm »

Here's some pics from last week when I was cutting the sides.

amadama · « **Reply #32 on:** June 17, 2007, 10:07:26 pm »

Ok,
Today I finished the base cabinet.
The last pic shows it with an old Galaxian glass bezel and Ms. Pac Control panel (just to make sure they fit ok!!)

amadama · « **Reply #33 on:** June 17, 2007, 10:11:14 pm »

Here's the monitor I am going to use.
This is going to be tough to get mounted. I need some suggestions here.
I cut a 23" x 24" piece of 3/4" MDF. I am planning on cutting out an opening for the tube and then bolting the monitor to the MDF.
(it must weigh 50-60lbs!!)

Nostalgia · « **Reply #34 on:** June 19, 2007, 04:02:09 pm »

Looks great so far. Keep up the good work! And keep us posted.

amadama · « **Reply #35 on:** June 19, 2007, 08:23:02 pm »

Thanks. It looks like it will be a slow week for me as far as this project is concerned. I am getting home too late from work to really do anything with this.
I did order a bunch of parts for this and my mini Dragon's Lair project (joysticks, buttons, encoders, etc...) I even ordered a spinner (gotta make a multi PC as well as the stock one, must play Arkanoid!! (and Tron too!!)

Any thoughts on my monitor dilemma (wicked heavy monitor!!)
Alex

BobA · « **Reply #36 on:** June 19, 2007, 09:35:32 pm »

With the weight of that monitor you might want to support it at the top with the frame. The MDF with a cutout and some 1x2 to add strength both at the sides and where the mdf is resting. You could add extra support under the monitor to support it from the bottom too. Another shelf might be warranted.

amadama · « **Reply #37 on:** June 19, 2007, 10:07:14 pm »

I'm starting to think 20" lcd for this build now....
(saw a used one that does 1600x1200 resolution for under $100)

amadama · « **Reply #38 on:** June 23, 2007, 10:06:20 pm »

Wow, I go away for a few days and my not even finished yet Pac-man has a girlfriend!

WunderCade · « **Reply #39 on:** June 24, 2007, 12:52:06 pm »

Perhaps it's just the angle at which the cabinets are sitting. But to me, it looks like you used the Mrs. Pac-man cabinet specs on your Pac-Man (form scratch) cabinet. Am I wrong?

*Edit In looking at it more closely, it does appear that it is angle that of the photo throwing me off.


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