homemade sideart and Star Wars yoke

[metzer]

Since I know this board isn't shy, critique away on the sideart and Star Wars yoke ...

http://members.surfbest.net/jmetz@surfbest.net/mamecab.htm

Oh, and thanks to this board for all of the ideas and assistance.  I'm checking out of the cabinet building hobby.

[RetroBorg]

Looks OK to me, I would be happy with that. how does it handle?

[GroovyTuesdaY]

for myself i wouldn't want that kind of layout for the CP, but hey,  its all about YOU baby! lol

i really like the side art , what did you do to get that effect?  Did you have it ran off at a shop or all on your printer?   I would love to have something like that on mine

Nice job over all!   Congrats!

groovy~

[Generic Eric]

If you have some more close up pics of your yoke, I'd like to see them.

[nighthawk2099]

Can't seem to get there... Problems with the link? or just me.

[nighthawk2099]

Never mind.... my bad .  Got it..

Very nice....

[Hoagie_one]

I dig the side art, you got a Download for the high res version of that?

[Zakk]

I dig the side art, you got a Download for the high res version of that?

I second that...or even the original file, hi res or not, I really like the looks of that graphic

[GroovyTuesdaY]

It is definatley SHARP!    Its basic but  just looks TUFF as hell!!

g~

[metzer]

Thanks guys, for not ripping it too hard.

The sideart was just a slow and tedious process of collecting images from various places on the web, cleaning them up in a paint package, and adding them to the collage in MS Powerpoint.  It's just 8 slides total, each letter size.  I printed them on letter size labels on an HP Color LaserJet 4550, cut them at the borders, then stuck them together at the seams.  That's why the seams show a little.  

What can I say, I'm basic and cheap.  It sure was fun designing and building, even though it has flaws and doesn't look completely professional.  It handles great.  The key is definitely getting the exact controls the game used back in the hey day.  That's why I went with the leaf switch sticks and buttons.  

The sideart file is 18 MB, so I'm not sure where to post it.  My ISP gives me 10 MB on their ftp site, and I use most of it to post pictures of the kids to keep the inlaws away .  I may be able to temporarily borrow an ftp server from work.  I'll have to get back to you.  I'd like to contribute any of my hard work to the community, especially since I received so much help and so many ideas from the community.

As far as more pictures of the yoke, unfortunately I didn't take any during construction.  It really was a simple and cheap design.  A wooden dowel in the handlebar is held in place by a nail, with a slot in the pipe for the nail to slide through (just like Twisty's). The slot restricts movement to about 180 degrees. The dowel connects to one of the Dual Strike pots in the right handle, which is wired to the original circuit board at the base of the yoke.  The other pot is at the base and connects directly to the original circuit board, which already restricts it to about 180 degrees , but I added some screws to act as stoppers for strength and security in stopping at 180 degrees.   I just picked up basic pipe parts at Home Depot for the rest, including the electrical gray box where the logo is stuck.  

[Zakk]

If you can get it to me, I can host it off my site.  I could see that one being a pretty popular download...haybe your claim to fame!    

 Let me know, it's not often I see a custom graphic that's just sooo damn good!!

Oh and I love that over the top control panel  Can you take that yoke off, and if not how do you get to the trackball?

[metzer]

I'll see what I can do to share the file, even if temporarily so you can grab it.

The white portion of the control panel is removable.  It just attaches using standard shelving brackets.  I just latch it into place when I want to play some Ikari Warriors, Food Fight, or Star Wars.  Also, when it is attached, the yoke is only velcroed on.  It can be easily removed and reveals a couple of push buttons to be used with the left side LS-30 stick or the analog ball top stick.  Typically the attachable panel is removed and the ttrackballl is within easy reach (for some serious Marble Madness or Crystal Castles).

[rampy]

I'll see what I can do to share the file, even if temporarily so you can grab it.

The white portion of the control panel is removable.  It just attaches using standard shelving brackets.  I just latch it into place when I want to play some Ikari Warriors, Food Fight, or Star Wars.  Also, when it is attached, the yoke is only velcroed on.  It can be easily removed and reveals a couple of push buttons to be used with the left side LS-30 stick or the analog ball top stick.  Typically the attachable panel is removed and the ttrackballl is within easy reach (for some serious Marble Madness or Crystal Castles).

Can we get some more pics as to how the "white" add-on control panel latches? A real blow-by-blow description / pics?

Thanks!

Rampy

[metzer]

I updated the web page with more pics.  I was walking through a hardware store one day agonizing over how to easily connect another cp to the current one (which is too heavy to be removing all the time).  Then it hit me as I walked through some closet items ... use standard shelving brackets.  Hopefully the pictures give you a better idea.  I mounted the bracket holders along the sides of the face of the cabinet (not too obtrusive and blend in quite nicely).  Merely snap the attachable panel in at whatever height you desire, connect the molex and/or joystick cables, and away you go.  It beats the heck out of screwing the panel on, etc.  Those brackets are strong and sturdy and can support quite a bit of weight.

I also posted more pics of the Star Wars yoke, and added some verbage on the construction.   I hope it sparks some ideas for anyone wanting to build their own.  Remember, I never received an "A" in wood shop, so my designs are very simple and somewhat sloppy, but they do work pretty well.

Finally, I added some pictures of a user's guide of sorts I created for novice players on the cab.

Still trying to figure out how to post the sideart somewhere.  My ftp site at work may be too risky.

[rampy]

ah... now I see...  

One last question:

How did you get the bracket to fasten to the add on piece?  i.e. how is it secured?

rampy

[metzer]

Yea, I should have taken a picture of the underside.  Maybe I'll do that tonoght.  I drilled two holes onto the bracket and secured it via screws to a piece of wood on the inside.  Nice and sturdy.  I also cut out slots for the cp to rest on the brackets themselves.   The screws just keep it secure.  

[rampy]

Yea, I should have taken a picture of the underside.  Maybe I'll do that tonoght.  I drilled two holes onto the bracket and secured it via screws to a piece of wood on the inside.  Nice and sturdy.  I also cut out slots for the cp to rest on the brackets themselves.   The screws just keep it secure.  

Thanks for taking / posting the extra shots... I'm giving serious consideration to using this method for my star wars yoke adjunct panel...

I've been also thinking of using those mirror hangie clips .. hard to describe if you aren't envisioning what I'm envisioning.... it's this nearly flat metal piece with little tongues and there's a mating/matching piece with corresponding grooves... I think anyways...


rampy.

[metzer]

I really like how the shelving brackets worked out, especially since you can adjust the height.  My little guy sure appreciates it since he can play some Ikari Warriors without standing on a stool.

I also made my control panels on my cocktail table removable so you can rotate them 90 degrees to play horizontal games.  Of course, I did this before I stumbled upon the brackets.  For those I drilled holes and put plastic screws with wing nuts (yes, the same ones that hold your toilet seat down ), but it's a pain to have to tighten them down.  I'll probably convert those to the brackets as well.

Good luck.   Seems like the mirror clips might be less obtrusive since you don't have a whole strip of slots on which to hang the clips.