An introduction, a freebie, and a request for opinions...

[ChoiceStriker]

Hi everyone, I've been browsing the forums for a little while now, but only signed up with an account after I recently took the first steps of undertaking a MAME cabinet project - something I've been excited about trying for years. I'm really grateful to have such a fantastic resource in all of you - you can be sure I'll have lots of questions for you.

Anyway, what finally got me started was my acquisition of a converted Donkey Kong cabinet from a local individual who services and deals in arcade machines.  For $100 I got the DK cabinet (TKG4-UP-US), a single-slot Neo-Geo MVS (MV-1F), and a Samurai Shodown III cart.  I plan on replacing the monitor (WG 19K4901) - it has some burn-in (but it's invisible when the monitor's on) and probably needs vertical realignment, but for now it's fine. 

Speaking of components, I'm thinking of selling the MVS and SSIII (can't see myself starting a cart collection and don't want to mess with a dual MAME and MVS config), so if anyone's interested, let me know!  Also, if anyone wants the monitor, it's yours for free if you're willing to come pick it up (and maybe help me remove it from the cabinet - I'm a bit paranoid about touching any part of it, after reading all the warnings about implosions, electrocutions and "mini-bombs).

Anyway, my request for opinions is this: I'm interested in putting a larger monitor in - probably a 25" TV, but noticed that the depth and shape of the DK's side panels might obscure part of the screen when standing slightly to one side (like when playing a 2-player game) if I did so.  Is it possible (practical) to cut into the side panels of the cabinet to increase viewing angles from the sides (without disassembling the entire thing)? 

Also, single-player play is fine and comfortable enough, but when my GF and I played a two-player game, we were literally shoulder-to-shoulder on the DK's narrow CP.  I'm planning on building an entirely new CP, but thinking of substantially increasing the width - perhaps also creating the need to cut into the side panels to accommodate the extra width.

To help you visualize what I'm talking about with the current shape of the cabinet, pictures are visible here: http://www.ericeickhorst.com/arcade .

I ask these questions maybe sidestepping the issue of the potential heresy of modifying an original cabinet.  I figure since it's already been gutted and modified anyway, and I don't intend to track down DK PCBs and do a full restoration, it's OK to do what I want with it... but if someone desperately tries to convince me otherwise I'm still open to different points of view - which is why I'm asking.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading this whole post!  I'm looking forward to hearing any advice you may have, and meeting more of you as I continue this project...

Eric
Overland Park, KS

[Ginsu Victim]

Sorry for not answering your questions, but this picture deserves to be on Hellcade:

[ChoiceStriker]

Well, don't look at me, I'm not the one who put the cab in that condition!

My goal is to turn it into something with a little more class... 

[Ginsu Victim]

Oh, I wasn't pointing the finger at you.
That cabinet deserves better, so hopefully you'll treat it better than the last guy.

[ChoiceStriker]

Thanks Ginsu, that's my intention.   Basically, I don't have the tools, woodworking skills or time to construct an entire cabinet myself from the ground up, so I decided to buy a used cab and modify it to what I wanted.  The guy I bought it from suggested this one because it already had a monitor shelf built in, and because it's marginally smaller and lighter than other cabinets. 

I'll definitely be making updates as the work progresses.  Until I really know exactly how I want to proceed, I'm just doing minor cosmetic things like polishing coin doors, etc. 

[TelcoLou]

What's the deal with these Neo-Geo butcher-jobs? 

I got a similar converted cab for $50:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=76724.0

[ChoiceStriker]

Telco: Your Neo cab at least looks SOMETHING like a Neo cab.   Mine just makes me laugh.

This morning I disconnected the monitor without killing myself, so, yay for me.  I should let everyone know, just in case you were interested... unless I hear from someone that they want the monitor, it'll be disposed of on Wednesday May 7 at an electronics recycling drive.  I just don't want to go through the hassle of trying to sell it, and since I really don't have any other use for it, I'm going to get rid of it when I have the chance to do so responsibly.  So if you live in the Kansas City metro area and want a free monitor, please let me know before next Wednesday!  Again, it's a WG 19K4901, minor burn-in and needs a little tweaking to realign the picture, otherwise it's fine. 

And I have another question for anyone who might have been through this same experience... I'm trying to remove the coin door from this cabinet so that I can clean and repaint it, and I've removed all the nuts from the back of the bolts, but since the bolts are rounded off on the front of the coin door, what's the best / easiest way to remove them?  I've tried just tugging on the door, but it's reaaaallllly stuck. The bolts don't even seem to want to move with a tap of the hammer.   Maybe some WD-40 to loosen things up?  Thanks in advance for any advice...

[Ginsu Victim]

tap the sides of the bolt with the hammer to try to loosen it first.
If that doesn't do it, try a WD-40 / Hammer combo.

[ChoiceStriker]

Thanks again Ginsu. I'll try that when I get home tonight. 

[AwesomeAlbert]

sell the cab, and buy another one. you can not do the things you want to this one, a 25 in tv wont fit in this cab.  bigger control panel wont look right in this style of cab. best bet if you want to mame it is to put a 21 inch computer monitor and modifiy the cp for what ever game you want to play.

look at these project

http://mariobrosarcade.blogspot.com/

i have a donkey kong cab too, if i cant retore it, im thinking of putting mame dk on it (few other 4 way one button games to take advantage of the computer), or do something similar to what the guys on the page i posted did.

arcade art has the cp made, i dowloaded and took out the trackball.

http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/details.php?image_id=1035&mode=search

[ChoiceStriker]

Thanks a lot for your input, Albert!  Your opinion is exactly the kind of advice I was hoping to get when I asked my original questions.  The link to the DK CPO is great and definitely something I'll consider when I get a little deeper into this project.  Considering I'll likely be the only one playing on the cabinet about 98% of the time, I don't think the width will be too much of a problem. 

Looking around for TVs/monitors and taking more detailed measurements of the cab, I came to the same realization about the monitor size.  It just won't be practical to try to put in something that large - the width would be too much.  Now I'm thinking about putting a 21" PC monitor or 20" TV in instead. 

Maybe I'll keep working on this one as my "training wheels" project, get some good woodworking/finishing/wiring experience under my belt, and in the future if I get the urge to try a bigger project I can swap out the PC and other components for something else.

Thanks again for your advice, and keep the good ideas coming!!

Eric

[paigeoliver]

Monitors do not kill you just for looking at them. Provided they are OFF a monitor will only hurt you if you pull the suction cup off the tube and stick your finger inside the hole underneath it AND the monitor has a faulty auto discharge circuit.

That sort of thing doesn't happen on accident.

Your machine looks like it will clean up just fine.

[AwesomeAlbert]

If your monitor works just get an arcadevga card (double check with someone if its compatable), if its not, go with the tv or monitor. the control panel on nintendo cabs is just a piece of wood with a slit and clamps, no major woodworking skills to make one. get an ipac or keywiz to wire the controls.  get any bezel and marquee of any nintendo cab, or make a custom bezel and marquee and your good to go. your cab looks like its in better condition than mine.

[ChoiceStriker]

Thanks again for the advice, Albert.  I found someone selling a very nice 21" Trinitron monitor for $25 in my area, so I'm jumping on it.  I know, I know, it's a flat screen, but for the price I think it'll be great for my needs.  What kind of cab are you working on at the moment? 

Paige: You're right, I'm sure if you're careful a monitor is nothing to be afraid of... I've just read so many warnings about handling them that it made me a little paranoid

[dislikedword]

I just got a trinitron too. Im interested to see how you mount it up.

[paigeoliver]

I'd just go with that then, I prefer using 21" PC monitors in classic 19" cabinets (they only differ by a fraction of an inch). It is easier, cheaper and more versatile then using the original arcade monitor. I basically only use an original monitor if it is a BIG one that is in top shape.

Thanks again for the advice, Albert.  I found someone selling a very nice 21" Trinitron monitor for $25 in my area, so I'm jumping on it.  I know, I know, it's a flat screen, but for the price I think it'll be great for my needs.  What kind of cab are you working on at the moment? 

Paige: You're right, I'm sure if you're careful a monitor is nothing to be afraid of... I've just read so many warnings about handling them that it made me a little paranoid

[ChoiceStriker]

Hey guys, I just wanted to let everyone know that I found a taker for the monitor, so it's no longer available (just in case anyone else was interested).  I have a bunch of updates on my project, but I think I'll start a new thread in Project Announcements rather than continuing here. 

Thanks!
Eric

[abzman2000]

if nothing else but archival purposes could you link between this thread and your new one