FINISHED!: Mini Ms. Pac-Man (UPDATE: Galaga) machine (22" Tall) - PICS INSIDE

[Malenko]

excellent work! do you, er, um have a better pic of galaga5? maybe a bit more to the right?

I was waiting to see how long till somethign like that was posted.....

HAHA


so whats the progress on the kit? Im super interested, esp if you can make the slightly more visible

[melarky]

I'm hoping to have some time tomorrow to take a look at the CNC machine and see if I can fix it, if so, I can start cutting kits out pretty soon and then start selling them.  I'll update this thread when I make any progress on it, I'm hoping soon.

[ratzz]

Ok, I have some pics of the finished mini galaga cabinet, this project was a lot of fun to finish.

I don't think you've built a mini-galaga at all. I think you have a giant son! 

Really nice -- love it.

 

[leapinlew]

I'm hoping to have some time tomorrow to take a look at the CNC machine and see if I can fix it, if so, I can start cutting kits out pretty soon and then start selling them.  I'll update this thread when I make any progress on it, I'm hoping soon.

Sign me up for a couple.

[newbee]

Sign me up for two.

[melarky]

I am selling the finished Galaga cabinet, I have the details in the buy sell trade forums:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=75936.0

[melarky]

Just thought I would mention that we got our CNC machine fixed over the weekend.  It ended up being not as bad as we thought.  There was just a bunch of crud and dust that got crammed into one of the bearing, so we took it apart, cleaned everything, shot some more lube into it, and then wiped down all of the other rods and ball screws.

It's actually pretty amazing that it lasted as long as it did without needing to be cleaned out (this is the first time we've had to do that).  We don't realy have any covers over the rods/ball screws, since the gantry has to be able to move back and forth unhindered, there really is no way to make some too, so we'll have to figure out something else to keep the dust etc... off the ball screws in the future (we will probably just have to clean them semi regularly by hand for now until we figure out a more permanent solution).

Anyways, this means I should be able to cut some kits soon.  I took the tool paths and started to edit them (fixed a few problems, and made the control panel and bezel area more generic) and am now trying to figure out how to fit 2 kits on each sheet of wood (I use 2 different thicknesses of wood, the sides and control panel are cut from 3/4", so it was really easy to get 4 sides and 2 control panels from one 24" x 48" of wood, but the middle parts are all cut on 1/4" wood, so fitting 2 sets of middle pieces on one 24" x 48" sheet is kind of tricky.  I am close, but I have to allow enough room between the pieces to fit my endmill that actually cuts the wood.  I would prefer to use my 1/4" endmill, but may have to use the 1/8" so the cuts are smaller...

So, once I finalize those plans, I'll cut one out (2 actually, since I am trying to get 2 kits out of one set of boards), and then I'll probably throw one of them together and document the assembly process, and then start selling them if all goes well.  I bought the wood for the tests, just need to finish the tool paths now.

[Fozzy The Bear]

Anyways, this means I should be able to cut some kits soon.  I took the tool paths and started to edit them (fixed a few problems, and made the control panel and bezel area more generic) and am now trying to figure out how to fit 2 kits on each sheet of wood

Awesome!!!!  I hope the shipping cost to the UK doesn't kill this  I really wanted one of those.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[melarky]

Just thought I would let everyone know that I was able to cut a kit out today after tweaking the tool paths.  I haven't been able to dry fit it to make sure the parts all fit (just had time to cut, and then sand off the tabs and rough edges).

I still think I need to change a few things (on the sides, I think I made the grooves too deep this time, I couldn't remember how deep I made them on my Galaga machine, so I guessed .3", but that is too deep I think.  It will work, but I think it's unnecessary.)

I'll try to grab some pics, and then then I'll try to dry fit it so I can make sure all the pieces fit.  I also need to still cut the plexi for the bezel area, but I thought I would just update this thread with the news.  Should hopefully have this all sorted soon, and start cutting out enough of these to sell them properly.

[Kaytrim]

Nice finished product.  The best way to take care of saw dust is at the source.  Do you have any kind of dust collection around the router portion of the CNC machine?  If not see about making an upside down bowl with a hose going to a cyclone separator with filters.  Make sure to add a few holes in the top of th bowl to improve air flow.  You will also need some kind of collector under the table to catch any dust that falls through.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[billpa]

30 bucks for a kit...definitely interested!

[WikiWiki]

I saw this in the current issue of GameRoom Magazine and had to join the forums here because of it.  Nice project!  I'd love a kit, if you could modify the screen angle so that it would be more playable (albeit less correct from a replica standpoint). 

Also, it seemed from this post that you had trouble getting the graphics printed and your local printer had some size limitations.  Well, I work in advertising & marketing and deal with vendors that can print almost anything any size.  Your best bet would be to contact a sign company and ask them about inkjetted adhesive vinyl.  Someone like a Fast Signs or Signs Now would be able to do it.  Four color process, just like a desktop inkjet printer, but onto white adhesive backed vinyl.  They will also have a plotter than can cut the vinyl to a shape if required for side art.  For long term durablity, ask about UV stable inks that should be very fade resistent if the cabinent is ever in the sun.  And for a marquee, a full service sign shop should be able to handle this as well.  You'll want to ask them for a duratrans or backlit translucent/transparent sign.  These are typically produced on the same machine your side art would be printed on, but printed onto a different material substrate that is then applied to a piece of plexi or lexan.  Same holds true for a control panel, though this you'd want to specify a crystal or lustre laminate be applied over the printed graphic.  It you tell the sales person at the sign shop what you are trying to do, they should be able to lead you in the right direction.  Make sure you get a price quote first, and ask to see a sample of each material before you give the go ahead to have your piece produced.  It would also be best to have your artwork ready to go in a vector format or high-resolution bitmap format.

Anyway, awesome project, sign me up for a kit, and if anyone has a question about graphics, let me know!

[melarky]

I saw this in the current issue of GameRoom Magazine and had to join the forums here because of it.  Nice project!  I'd love a kit, if you could modify the screen angle so that it would be more playable (albeit less correct from a replica standpoint). 

Also, it seemed from this post that you had trouble getting the graphics printed and your local printer had some size limitations.  Well, I work in advertising & marketing and deal with vendors that can print almost anything any size.  Your best bet would be to contact a sign company and ask them about inkjetted adhesive vinyl.  Someone like a Fast Signs or Signs Now would be able to do it.  Four color process, just like a desktop inkjet printer, but onto white adhesive backed vinyl.  They will also have a plotter than can cut the vinyl to a shape if required for side art.  For long term durablity, ask about UV stable inks that should be very fade resistent if the cabinent is ever in the sun.  And for a marquee, a full service sign shop should be able to handle this as well.  You'll want to ask them for a duratrans or backlit translucent/transparent sign.  These are typically produced on the same machine your side art would be printed on, but printed onto a different material substrate that is then applied to a piece of plexi or lexan.  Same holds true for a control panel, though this you'd want to specify a crystal or lustre laminate be applied over the printed graphic.  It you tell the sales person at the sign shop what you are trying to do, they should be able to lead you in the right direction.  Make sure you get a price quote first, and ask to see a sample of each material before you give the go ahead to have your piece produced.  It would also be best to have your artwork ready to go in a vector format or high-resolution bitmap format.

Anyway, awesome project, sign me up for a kit, and if anyone has a question about graphics, let me know!

Thanks for the info, I'll keep it tucked away, but to be clear, the kits will not have any artwork provided (just the wood kit, the buyer will be responsible for painting and artwork).

Also, as an update on this, I was cutting out a few tests a while back (probably about a month ago) and half way through the second side cutout, my machine lost power (I think I tried the circuit it was on by running the vacuum along with the CNC motors, router, and computer etc...).  I was planning on taking the final cut pieces, and making a little assembly guide before I started selling them.  It's gotten pretty busy here the last little while though, so I haven't had a chance to finish any of that up.  I'm also not sure about the $30 price anymore, I may have to bump that $10 or so to make it worth my time, and I don't know if there would still be interest for the kits at a higher price.

I guess I should just ask, would people here still be interested in kits if they were more like $40 - $50 + shipping?  I was hoping to get more kits out of each piece of wood, but as it stands, each kit takes 2 pieces of wood (different thicknesses) and the middle pieces are hard to get multiple kits out of one sheet (the side and control panel fit great on one piece allowing 2 sets out of one piece).  I also hate cutting this MDF, but it's the best for these kits (the stuff turns to fine powder and gets everywhere, not to mention the health hazzard of the glue in that stuff...)

Let me know if there is still interest in these kits.

P.S.  I was suprised to see my son in GameRoom magazine too.  I did the comic and crossword puzzle in last months issue, so I opened this month to see if he used another comic I submitted (he didn't), and stumbled upon that picture of my son playing galaga .

[WikiWiki]

I'd still be interested in the kit at the higher price.  I've not built anything myself yet, and I think a kit would be a good way for me to start. 

[mcfreak]

Yup, I would be in for a kit, and I could probably get 3 others in my office to buy.

[newbee]

 Absolutely be interested in a kit. Would you have an idea, when the kits would be available?

[abefroman]

I just read the article in gameroom magazine and  I WANT ONE !!!!  I'll definately buy a kit from you.  Please let me know if/when you're going to make some and how I can pay you.

cheers !!!

[melarky]

Sounds like there is still sufficient interest (got some PMs from people too who were still interested).  I am not sure when I will have time to cut some more, hopefully a weekend soon.  I'll probably try to cu out 10 or so kits to start and see how they sell.  I may just set up a quick online store on one of my sites to make it easier to sell and track availability etc... (I have never set up my own shopping cart, but have set up some for others in my line of work, so I don't think it would be too hard to throw a quick oscommerce site together or something).

I'll make sure to keep these forums updated with any news on this.

[melarky]

I think I may try to cut some of these out over this nice long weekend.  I have a quick question for the general populace:

Should I cut a t-molding slot for the kits?

I won't be including any t-molding with the kits, and I figured it's possible some people aren't going to want to order t-molding and would rather just paint the edges or something.  If I leave it uncut though, people who would want to put t-molding in theirs would have to track down a slot cutter and a router.  I'm not interested in adding it as an option either, the only way to really make this work for me is to do it assembly line style.  Cut out a few kits at a time all the same and not have to do any custom things to some and not all.  So it's either they all get routed for t-molding or none of them get routed...

[billpa]

T-molding slot already cut for me please....at least that is my vote

[mcfreak]

T-molding slot already cut for me please....at least that is my vote

My vote as well. If you are going to set up a store you could have the option of either.

[bvicarious]

It would be easier for those who don't want t-molding to fill in the slot with putty, than for those who do want t-molding to cut their own slot. So I vote yes to pre-cut slot.

[melarky]

Just a quick update on this for those that are following this.  I planned on getting some of these cut this past long weekend, but wasn't able to.  I bought all of the wood, and got it all down to my CNC machine, but then I couldn't find the tools to switch bits in our router (I tried with 2 pliers, but felt like I was striping the collet).  I will just have to either find the 2 wrenches or go buy some new ones, but when I finally get them we should be aple to cut some out fairly quickly.

I did do some other stuff this weekend instead though, so it wasn't a total waste.  I was able to take one of the test kits I cut that had a few problems with it (but still good enough to test with) and assemble it on camera so that I can post a video on how to put these kits together.  We have most of the editing done on that, will just need to find a video site that allows us to upload it (it's around 20 minutes and youtube has a cap at 10 minutes.  Haven't checked google yet, but I'm sure there is something out there that will let us post it).  Once we have it posted, I'm sure I'll list it here so you guys can see what goes into putting the kits together.

I also started putting the site together for it.  I figured I would use osCommerce as the guts of the site which will also allow us to sell any other items we might have now or in the future.  I have it installed and a new template applied, but there are some problems that are cropping up (from the little research I did, the template I have doesn't seem to like PHP5 or something, so it's throwing errors, I think there is code available that will fix it, I just have to dig into it).  Once I get the error codes fixed, I'll start on getting the images updated and the store populated so I can actually sell kits on it   So far I like osCommerce, seems pretty good and has tons of support and stuff available since it's open source.

I will update this thread with any news...

[mcfreak]

You could split it into Part1/Part2 for youtube since you are already editing...  We can also Paypal you directly while you are working on the site. 

[melarky]

I found the 2 wrenches, so I'll probably cut some of these this weekend (I was going to try to cut one last night, but I would really rather do it assembly line style and get them all cut at the same time, but I will need to wait until a weekend when I have more time to cut them all out).

I think I will probably have the site up and running by the time the kits are cut and ready to send.  If not, then yes, I'll just sell them through these forums and klov or something and accept paypal directly.

[bvicarious]

Just wondering, are you pre-cutting the holes for the control panel, or leaving it up to us? have you decided about the t-molding slot?

[melarky]

Just wondering, are you pre-cutting the holes for the control panel, or leaving it up to us? have you decided about the t-molding slot?

I'm leaving the control panel blank (up to you guys to drill it out for whatever buttons you may or may not want).  It seemed like everyone wanted the t-molding slots routed, so I'll do that for the kits (I don't think I got one person in favor of no slots in the forums or PM).

[melarky]

Just another update on this project.  I was able to cut out all of the middle pieces for 10 kits, and I cut out the side pieces for 2 kits (so 4 sides total) but think I need to figure out a better solution for cutting out the rest of the sides.  The sides I have already cut will work, but I need to redo my tool paths to make it more efficient, and make some sort of jig to make the table exactly even all throughout the cutting (my table is a bit off so the farther right you go on the table, the lower the table is, it's a very small amount and barely noticeable, but it bugs me, so I want to fix it on future kits because I'm anal).

One thing that I've found while working more and more on this project that I definitely can't sell these for the original $30 I thought.  With the rising cost of materials and all the time I have to put into  these kits, it looks like it's going to be $50 + shipping for these kits, hopefully there is still some interest at that price, but even at $50 this is more of a labor of love than a really profitable venture (I know I mentioned this earlier, but this was just reaffirmed while I was working on it this past weekend).  The 2 sides that I already cut are still fine, and I will probably sell them (maybe like $10 cheaper than the final kits).  These kits aren't finished completely yet though, so I probably shouldn't even mention selling them yet (I still need to cut the t-molding slot in the sides and control panel, cut the plexi for the bezel area, and throw together some basic instructions on how to assemble these kits + upload video of assembling...).

I'm hoping I'll have more time next week to work on these some more, we're so close and I'm excited to get some of these shipped and see what you guys do with these (they are really fun to put together and I'm sure you guys will do some awesome and creative things with these kits).

As always, I'll keep this thread updated with news.

[ratzz]

Fantastic -- I'd love to see a full acade of those!

[melarky]

Well, I have another question for the group.  Would people here rather have the kits come with the screen/bezel area laying more flat (horizontal) like a real ms. pac/galaga, thus leaving the LCD that most people will use at a less than ideal viewing angle, or would people want me to edit the kits to use a more upright (vertical) screen/bezel area so that the game is much more playable (albeit much less "authentic" when it comes to the look of the ms. pac/galaga machines)?

I opted for the more authentic in my kit, but others have contacted me and asked if I could make it more viewable/playable by changing the angle.  what are everyones thoughts on this?  Just want to make what the majority wants, and figured I better ask before I cut out any more of the sides (the side pieces are the ones that would need to be changed as it won't affect the middle pieces).

[billpa]

I would vote for more upright as I actually want my kid to play the games. I agree, not authentic...but playable is always good!

[leapinlew]

Well, I have another question for the group.  Would people here rather have the kits come with the screen/bezel area laying more flat (horizontal) like a real ms. pac/galaga, thus leaving the LCD that most people will use at a less than ideal viewing angle, or would people want me to edit the kits to use a more upright (vertical) screen/bezel area so that the game is much more playable (albeit much less "authentic" when it comes to the look of the ms. pac/galaga machines)?

I opted for the more authentic in my kit, but others have contacted me and asked if I could make it more viewable/playable by changing the angle.  what are everyones thoughts on this?  Just want to make what the majority wants, and figured I better ask before I cut out any more of the sides (the side pieces are the ones that would need to be changed as it won't affect the middle pieces).

I'd vote for authentic. It would be easy enough for anyone to modify it to fit more horizontal.

[mcfreak]

authentic. 

[JeepMonkey]

melarky, how did you cut the slots for the speaker on your 2/3 size donkey kong?

Edit: I misread your other thread.  You used a CNC machine.

[Encryptor]

Just found this thread linked from another. Is there any news on these kits?


Encryptor

[melarky]

Oh man, I feel like a major slacker on this, as is always the case, real life got in the way.  Long story short, I have switched jobs and have had a baby in the mean time, and that has held up any work on these.  I still have a few of those test kits just sitting in a tote in my garage, ready for the t-molding slot cut out and then ready to ship (no plexi cut for it, and the screen angle is the flatter more horizontal one, will update it on future ones).

I probably just need to sell these kits off and see how they do before I spend any more time on any other kit cutting etc... I've just been slammed with other stuff I have to do.  My wife found the video we recorded for the assembly the other day and asked if I still wanted it or if she could delete it to make room on our computer  . I asked her to finish editing it when she has some time and stick it up on youtube in 2 parts like was suggested above.

I also have the little cabinet put together that we used in the video just sitting on my dining room floor (has been for a long time).  I kind of wanted to finish it up as a galaga and get more video of how I did that (paint and artwork, and then the wiring of the jakks game etc..., but I wouldn't hold your breath, realisticly I won't be able to do that for a while, too many other projects in the queue).  I started making a new mame machine for the new baby (I made a donkey kong for my last child, so I started making a Joust for this one, and it's close to finished, I just need to find the time, and my wife is pushing me on that for now).  It seems like I haven't even been able to log on here much anymore, I used to be on at least once a day, not the case any more.  I'll try to get these kits going again and will update here with andy news.

[CalixPapi]

Hello I first want to say you made a great looking cabinet. I joined the forums just to try to contact you. Do you happen to still make these kits? I am a college student that has been wanting to make a mame cabinet for a long time and don't have the resources to build my own and no space (two kids, small house). I love the idea of having a mini and wanted to inquire about purchasing one of your kits, if you still have them.

[Malenko]

Hello I first want to say you made a great looking cabinet. I joined the forums just to try to contact you. Do you happen to still make these kits? I am a college student that has been wanting to make a mame cabinet for a long time and don't have the resources to build my own and no space (two kids, small house). I love the idea of having a mini and wanted to inquire about purchasing one of your kits, if you still have them.

check the buy/sell/trade section, there are at least 2 people selling "weecade" type kits.