Pac-Man Cocktail Build

[pacmandude]

I visited the Pac-Man PCB and even got to give it a test drive. Everything looked good during testing and there were no signs of damage, modification, leaking or 'pregnant' caps, or any other signs of abuse. I also got a marquee and operating manual. The manual has a schematic and harness diagram, so that should really help with the wiring. It looks like I will need seven fuses.

Anyway, I began the woodworking this evening. I decided to take a more (but not completely) traditional approach to building the cabinet. I chose against making it look like furniture because it needs to scream "fun, fun, play me, play me!" Here are a few pictures:

 

Those marks on the base piece in the first picture are actually steeply angled holes for countersunk screws. The screws will aid in 'clamping' the wood together when gluing and add extra strength after the glue dries. You won't even see them when I'm finished. When using a tablesaw, always-always-always make sure the stock has perfect 90 degree angles before you cut. Remember, the fence on the saw only makes sure your cut is parallel to the side against the fence. There are no guarantees of a perfectly square piece at the end, even with a perfectly calibrated saw if care is not taken.

 

If, at any point during the build, you see something that looks bad or 'wrong' please let me know. I will not be offended or upset by genuine constructive criticism. I'm a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, so I'm surprised how excited I am about this project!

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Right on, man!  Keep the pics coming!  I'm building my own cocktail based (somewhat loosely) on the pac-man machine.  Seeing other people do the same thing really helps to motivate me and get me jazzed for my own machine (which school and work are preventing me from completing).

The main differences on mine are that one of the head-to-head controls are for traditional vertical games, and on the other end, those controls are for trackball and spinner games.

and on one of the long sides, I'll have two-player 'street fighter' controls, because I have a fair amount of horizontal co-op type games on my system.

[pacmandude]

Neat. This will be noticably different considering that it will be a dedicated cabinet, so I won't have as many bells and whistles. The controls will essentially amount to one four-way joystick per side. The cabinet is of my own design NOT a Pac-Man replica, as you can tell already.

[shardian]

Just curious, but what was your motivation for a custom build for a dedicated pac? Is it going to be a different shape/layout?

I don't know if you are aware, but there are awesome detailed plans at Mikesarcade.com for building a midway cocktail with original spec cutouts and such.

[pacmandude]

Just curious, but what was your motivation for a custom build for a dedicated pac? Is it going to be a different shape/layout?

I don't know if you are aware, but there are awesome detailed plans at Mikesarcade.com for building a midway cocktail with original spec cutouts and such.

I found those plans a few weeks ago. They're really good plans, but I want to use a different layout. Mine will also be easier to service since it's not going in an arcade.  The control panel wiring will be connected with molex connectors. Board swapping will be easier if I decide to get other Pac-Man boards (Ms. Pac, etc). The look will be similar, and I've been referencing those plans.

I suppose the purists are going to start adopting mafia style ploys to get me to cease this build now. Mabye I'll wake up with a slashed PCB in my bed and lead galoshes in my closet. 

[shardian]

hehe, its cool. You can do whatever you want.

Are you still hinging the top of the cabinet, or is there gonna be a drawer, or what?

[pacmandude]

The plan is to have the back side be removable via a hinge (sans a piece on the bottom). This way everything can be reached without reaching around the monitor or getting near the flyback. I've also fudged some of the heights/widths an inch or so to make it more comfortable to sit at. I don't know about you, but I always felt I had to 'lean in' a little when playing. For example, it will be 27 inches tall instead of 26 1/2".

[pacmandude]

Newbie question here.

The Pac board has four ground tabs followed by six +5 tabs (parts and solder sides). The same thing happens on the other side with 12 volts and more grounds. Since each of these need to be connected, why didn't they just connect all pins of the same type together? There must be some reason. Heat?

[pacmandude]

Another boring progress report. After taking out the router and cutting the slots for T-molding I was able to attach the third side. I also made a control panel frame. It's not finished and isn't yet attached (no cord hole yet either). I still can't get over how new the Pac-Man board looks! The rest of the supplies are on the way. Working with this MDF is a good break from solid hardwoods. MDF is SO much easier to work with.

I know the coin door is low, but that's because I am going to have a large piece of original artwork on the front!

[pacmandude]

There's no mistaking what it is now. The two bright ovals on the side of the control panel are dowels that were trimmed flush  to cover the screw cavities. One coat of primer and they'll vanish. I need the speaker and fans to make the other side of the cabinet since I need to cut out the correct size slots for them! They should be here by the end of next week, and I'm in no hurry anyway. I'm just enjoying living in the moment. I'll be busy at work next week and won't have much time anyway.

P.S. I had a friend and his wife over Friday evening. He saw it and couldn't stop asking questions about it! He really got a kick out of seeing the PCB too. Meanwhile, his wife was standing there with her arms crossed rolling her eyes! He told his wife that I'll have to help him make one. That's when his wife promptly jabbed him in the side and said "NEVER!" 

[javeryh]

It really looks great so far - any chance of getting some higher resolution pics?   

[pacmandude]

I bought that camera soon after digitals first came out. The basement light doesn't help either. I *may* be able to get some good high-resolution shots of the build. I'll definitely get some toward the end. Thanks for the compliment. I like your web page and your projects. You do very good work. It's very comfortable to sit at the table with the slightly modified dimensions. It's amazing what a half inch here and there can do for comfort. This project is really turning out to be much more rewarding than I first thought. It's almost addictive! I'm not sure if that's good or bad. 

[leapinlew]

I bought that camera soon after digitals first came out. The basement light doesn't help either. I *may* be able to get some good high-resolution shots of the build. I'll definitely get some toward the end. Thanks for the compliment. I like your web page and your projects. You do very good work. It's very comfortable to sit at the table with the slightly modified dimensions. It's amazing what a half inch here and there can do for comfort. This project is really turning out to be much more rewarding than I first thought. It's almost addictive! I'm not sure if that's good or bad. 

Congratulations on a nice looking cabinet. Also, good luck with the bug it sounds like you caught...

Make sure to splurge on the art. The art really adds a level of professionalism that no amount of quality wood working can compensate for. I'll be watching. 

[pacmandude]

The player 1 control panel is finished for now, and I think everything fits well. The joystick is secured with countersunk t-nuts, so the panel will look clean with just the artwork, joystick, and buttons. The second panel will of course be done the same way without the buttons. The panel top can be removed with a forceful tug straight up. I used magnets along with a naturally tight fitting joint and lip to make it stay put during play. I can't wait until the other packages come so that I can add the other side, install the monitor rails, and make the top! Then it will be in paint for an automotive  finish! 

I'm personally a fan of the textured 'bat' style joystick tops.

[leapinlew]

The player 1 control panel is finished for now

Looks good.

Have you considered taking a roundover bit to the edge of the CP?  Your artwork could then extend down the front portion of it. It would also match the sides of the CP. Here are some pics which better show what I'm trying to describe:

[pacmandude]

The player 1 control panel is finished for now

Looks good.

Have you considered taking a roundover bit to the edge of the CP?  Your artwork could then extend down the front portion of it. It would also match the sides of the CP...

Yes, I am planning on rounding that edge; however, I didn't think of continuing the artwork. That really looks sharp. I'll have to try that on a piece of scrap and see how it works. If all goes well, I'll probably incorporate something like that into it. Speaking of overlays, what material is that made out of? It's durable enough to take hundreds of hours of hands resting on it, yet pliable enough to round a tight corner.

Thanks for the idea!

[leapinlew]

The player 1 control panel is finished for now

Looks good.

Have you considered taking a roundover bit to the edge of the CP?  Your artwork could then extend down the front portion of it. It would also match the sides of the CP...

Yes, I am planning on rounding that edge; however, I didn't think of continuing the artwork. That really looks sharp. I'll have to try that on a piece of scrap and see how it works. If all goes well, I'll probably incorporate something like that into it. Speaking of overlays, what material is that made out of? It's durable enough to take hundreds of hours of hands resting on it, yet pliable enough to round a tight corner.

Thanks for the idea!

The material is polycarbonite. Check out mamemarquees.com

[pacmandude]

Very nice, thanks. According to my plans there is only one cooling fan mounted in the cabinet. It doesn't seem like enough considering that it's a cramped enclosed space with a hot monitor, power supply, coin door lights, etc. Is one fan really adequate for a cocktail, or should I mount two?

[shardian]

I am not sure of the CFM's of a stock pac cocktail fan. The original fan was a pretty good sized fan. A 120mm case fan isn't quite as big, but still should be comparable - it moves a good amount of air at 12 volts. 2 120mm fans at 9 volts would definitely move enough air, and would operate more quietly.

[leapinlew]

Very nice, thanks. According to my plans there is only one cooling fan mounted in the cabinet. It doesn't seem like enough considering that it's a cramped enclosed space with a hot monitor, power supply, coin door lights, etc. Is one fan really adequate for a cocktail, or should I mount two?

I use these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185005


Nearly 50CFM and silent. A little pricey - but well worth it.

[pacmandude]

Getting closer...

It's extremely exciting! I'm going to borrow a better camera from a friend. Every time I walk past it I insert a coin just to hear the satisfying clicks followed by the thud.

[pacmandude]

I am currently working on the AC wiring. Looking at the schematic there is a 2 amp fuse as the line comes in the cabinet. Downstream of that, the lines coming off the DC supply are fused with 5 amp fuses. The Bob Roberts site makes mention of the first fuse as the line comes in the cabinet but not the fuses downstream of that. Is this because the modern switching power supply doesn't need them or because he figured nobody was dumb enough to forget them? Five amp fuses downstream of a three amp fuse doesn't really make sense to me. If the first fuse was working there's no way for the other to get tripped, right?

If no more than three amps can get into the cabinet, then it stands to reason that the five amp fuse can never blow.

[spacies]

Nice work mate!

Pacman cabs are cool.

You don't need the 2nd lot of fuses. Forget them.
The Switchmode PSU has (should have) fuses inside. The AC connection that is fused should have some writing below the connector. Its usually AC2/input 2 or similar.

Look forward to more pics.

[pacmandude]

Here's the latest. I didn't order T-molding because I figured it would be an easy item to get locally. Boy was I wrong! I've ordered T-molding, so I might get that applied next weekend if it arrives in time. My monitor and bezel still haven't been shipped either. Oh well, I just sat there for a good ten minutes wiggling the joystick saying "wakka wakka wakka!" 

I sprayed the paint, but went for a semi-flat finish. I muted the yellow a bit so that the marquee would stand out more. The paint job came out very smooth and even. I went with a heat activated adhesive backed/shrink plastic material for the control panel tops. I already had some since I work with it often, and the yellow roll just happened to match the paint (dumb luck). I used a heat gun and roller to apply the material. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't have experience with the material because there's a very fine line between enough heat to put it down and enough to blow a hole in the material. It should stand up for years, I've had corrosive liquids (fuel, etc) sitting on swatches of that stuff and no color was even lost. I don't know about you, but I think it looks like fun!

[DaOld Man]

This is looking real good!!!!!!!!
I would like to build a cocktail cabinet some day..

[pacmandude]

I've been looking at the Pac-Man pinout and have a question. What's the difference between the credit/test switch and the service switch? If the credit/test switch just adds credits then I won't be using it.

The table mode wire is just supposed to be grounded for cocktail mode right?

[pacmandude]

The fan + speaker came in this weekend, so I was able to finish the back. Here's a shot of it. It still looks sloppy because of the lack of t-molding. The T-Molding will come in this week, so that will be next weekends project. I have no clue when the monitor and bezel will ship, but everything else is wired up and ready to go! The fan is QUIET, and I won't have to worry about cooling. That fan could double for a leaf blower! 

I can't position the monitor supports yet since I don't know how deep the monitor will need to be mounted for the bezel to be flush.  

[pacmandude]

Well, I got impatient waiting for the monitor, so I thought I would briefly test this baby out. I turned it on and the coin door lights lit up. I inserted a coin and sure enough that familiar sound escaped the speaker and reverberated throughout the room! I hit the start button and sure enough the music began. I could hear Pac-Man munching the dots and control it!

Anyway, I'm REALLY excited now! Apparently I know what I'm doing.

[pacmandude]

Out of curiosity, how difficult is it to replace pins on the daughterboard connector? Two of the outside pins on one side look like they've been bent a few times.

[pacmandude]

T-Molding is on.  Still waiting on that darn monitor!

[javeryh]

Looks great!   

[SithMaster]

Is that a real marquee on there or just one you printed yourself?

Also it looks nice.

[pacmandude]

Is that a real marquee on there or just one you printed yourself?

Also it looks nice.

No, it's a real marquee. I used mirror brackets with felt pads to keep it attached and free from scratches.

[Jerry Seinfeld]

Looking good man. I need to do one of those soon.

[pcb]

I've been looking at the Pac-Man pinout and have a question. What's the difference between the credit switch and the service switch? If the credit switch just adds credits then I won't be using it.

The table mode wire is just supposed to be grounded for cocktail mode right?

Credit switch is a momentary switch that adds credits.
Service switch puts the board into test mode.

Yes, ground the table pin for cocktail mode.