Author Topic: Chris G's Lair (Read 6421 times)

Chris G · « **on:** March 01, 2008, 06:11:25 pm »

At long last, I'm forcing myself to sit down and document my first arcade project. I will be writing it in sections, so it will take me some time to get it all posted. I'll include as many pictures as possible along the way. The project is a conversion - nothing ground-breaking (sorry McCoy!) - but I hope that it will prompt me to finally complete it, and perhaps offer something to others considering or working on similar projects.

Chris G

Chris G · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2008, 06:24:45 pm »

Background

Mid to late 2006, I was at Costco and saw an arcade for sale. I had never really considered the possibility of owning my own arcade game, since I thought they would be ridiculously expensive. So I got very excited about the prospect of playing all the games from my youth, and seriously considered buying it. Soon after, a friend told me there were "other" ways to play all those old games, so I started researching and discovered MAME. One thing led to another and I found my way to BYOAC. I was immediately hooked, but had very little in the way of tools or woodworking experience, plus I was extremely impatient and anxious to get playing. So I decided that buying and converting a used cabinet was the way for me to go.

I looked and looked for a non-classic that was in good shape at a reasonable price. Finally in November I went to look at a Pit Fighter. It was in good condition, everything worked, and it was close to my house. The people were asking $300. I tried valiantly to talk them down a bit, but they were firm and I was dying to get something, so I grabbed it. With the help of a friend, we loaded it, back-down, in the bed of my pickup (PM’d Chad for pointers

) and away I went.

Pics from Day 0:

leapinlew · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2008, 06:32:54 pm »

Awesome! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

oneknightr · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2008, 06:42:08 pm »

Very nice! I can't wait to read about your project as I am deciding on purchasing a Pit Fighter to convert or not.

Sir Auros · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2008, 06:45:21 pm »

Wow, it looks like you were able to just peel that sticker off the side, so if you can save the other one, you should be able to just remove all the Pit Fighter stuff cleanly and be able to turn it back into the dedicated cabinet at some point in the future. You know, if you lose your mind.

bfauska · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2008, 12:03:14 am »

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE DESTROYING A CLASSIC LIKE PIT FIGHTER.

Seriously though, while the cabinets are nothing special, I did enjoy the game as a kid. Maybe I was dropped in my childhood or something.

Looking forward to see how this turns out.

Chris G · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2008, 12:18:37 am »

Tear down and clean up

During the first week, I took pictures, disassembled the entire cabinet (making sure to mark the electrical connections well), and cleaned it inside and out. It was the first time I’d ever seen the inside of one, so I had no idea what to expect and was pretty stoked. The rear panel was locked, and even though the owner had given me the key, I couldn’t open it. I tried some powdered graphite lubricant, but it wouldn’t budge, so I had to drill it out. The inside of the cab was surprisingly clean, just a few cobwebs and a slightly funky scent – no big surprises. Around this time, my copy of Project Arcade arrived and I read it cover-to-cover. Awesome book!

Chris G · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2008, 12:21:32 am »

Chris G · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2008, 12:22:15 am »

ark_ader · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2008, 12:40:22 am »

WOW!

Looks great so far. I think you got a good deal for $300.00.

Can't wait to see your finished project!

Havok · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2008, 12:54:17 am »

If ever a game screamed out "Mame me!" it's Pit Fighter...

Looks clean - I can't wait to see where you take this one, the cabinet looks to be in great shape!

ac3 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2008, 05:12:51 am »

Any updates? I got one of these yesterday and don't know what to do with it.

Chris G · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2008, 05:21:32 pm »

Ya, I need to finish updating this thread. It's on my to-do list... slacker!!!

Santoro · « **Reply #13 on:** May 24, 2008, 07:34:15 pm »

Freaking slackers, what kind of company do you keep anyway?

ablizno · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2008, 11:11:07 am »

Quote from: Havok on March 06, 2008, 12:54:17 am

If ever a game screamed out "Mame me!" it's Pit Fighter...

Looks clean - I can't wait to see where you take this one, the cabinet looks to be in great shape!

I totally agree. Also i seriously thought it was the worst fighting game of all time.

rcoltrane · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2009, 10:30:19 am »

I can't believe you destroyed a classic!!!!! Pit-Fighter is the best game ever made and I love it!!!!!!

Restore this cabinet and take a generic one for MAMEfy.

Roger.

leapinlew · « **Reply #16 on:** August 08, 2009, 01:00:47 pm »

Quote from: rcoltrane on August 07, 2009, 10:30:19 am

I can't believe you destroyed a classic!!!!! Pit-Fighter is the best game ever made and I love it!!!!!!

Restore this cabinet and take a generic one for MAMEfy.

Roger.

Oh, your serious?

Chris's thread is almost a year and a half old. Let it go. Pit fighter is FAR from a classic. Some would go so far as to say it's a clunker. You got an uphill fight if you plan on trying to convince people that pit fighter is a classic.

Billy_Goatfeet · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2009, 11:25:46 am »

I hope he wasn't serious! I would agree Lew, it is a bit of a clunker. If we can thank Pit Fighter for anything it might be considered one of the pioneers that led to the classic fighters like MK & SF.

Quote from: leapinlew on August 08, 2009, 01:00:47 pm

Quote from: rcoltrane on August 07, 2009, 10:30:19 am
I can't believe you destroyed a classic!!!!! Pit-Fighter is the best game ever made and I love it!!!!!!

Restore this cabinet and take a generic one for MAMEfy.

Roger.

Oh, your serious?

leapinlew · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:03:10 pm »

Why haven't there been any updates on this?

allroy1975 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:06:52 pm »

Quote from: leapinlew on January 27, 2010, 02:03:10 pm

Why haven't there been any updates on this?

yeah....Chris G....what's his deal?

Zakk · « **Reply #20 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:31:33 pm »

Yeah, what's it with him anyway, ego?

Kevin Bacon would post updates if he was here.....

Chris G · « **Reply #21 on:** January 27, 2010, 05:11:13 pm »

No kidding... hasn't this guy been banned yet?

mccoy178 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 27, 2010, 06:24:44 pm »

This better be Earth shattering!


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