The Vewlix Fighter Cabinet - WIP. The cab is dead my friends.

[Gatsu]

Whats going on cats & kittens. A couple of years ago I built a stand-up cabinet that ran pretty decently. It was something my father and I did during the summer while I was on break from college. We both had a good time putting it together.

A few months later, I put the cabinet in my little flea market shop I was running with a friend and alot of the other flea market booth runners kids loved to come over and play the thing. So it was good.

Well after that flea market got shut down, that cabinet ended up getting the guts removed and the cab was left outside under some tarp. The wood got wet and it warped horribly. Nothing from it could be saved. The TV that was in it is sitting in my bedroom, and I still have the coin door. The rest was either sold or thrown away. A sad sad story.

After a year or so of craziness, moving into a new place away from my parents, lots of projects....I've come back to my gaming roots. And I want another arcade cabinet. One that I can be proud of...and won't get left out in the rain to be destroyed.

My ULTIMATE goal for this cabinet, is to have it be a dedicated 2-player sit down Street Fighter IV cabinet. But for right now $6,000 for the Taito X2 kit is way out of my price range. So I'm starting to save up for it little by little. I'm hoping the cost comes down once the game hits home consoles next year. But we'll see.

So until I can afford the SFIV kit, I'm slapping a custom PC I built for a past Arcade Console project in there. Just gotta add some RAM.

This cabinet is gonna be a little more modern in its design, and have some newer tech. Not gonna be going with the traditional monitor. Gonna be using a 30" LCD 720p HDTV I have in my game room currently.

It took me a while to decide on a cabinet style. There's so many of the candy styles that I like...and a few other sit-down cabs that caught my eye. Even the VeWlix cab that SFIV is currently in was an option. But that was probably a little too complicated for me to make myself...and I have zero measurements to go by.

So...I decided upon the Lindberg style cabinet. With a few modifications of course.


The cabinet that really caught my eye though was this one: (modified Lindberg)


The guy who made that cabinet thankfully has all of the measurements and some building details. So I'm gonna follow that and modify as I see fit.

The 2 biggest changes will be actually building a box for the LCD TV to sit in (to cover the speakers and make it match the rest of the cab), and adding a lighted marquee box above the monitor. And both players will be on the same side for now. Later on once I can afford the SFIV kit, I'll move the 2nd player to the opposite side and mount a 2nd monitor, then just use a HDMI splitter to go to both screens. But for now both players will be on the same side.

This cabinet will be pulling double duty. Since I would be out a game TV for my Xbox & dreamcast, I'm going to leave the inputs open on the back of the cab so I can still use it for a game center. Just gonna have the 360 & dreamcast off to the side of the cabinet.

I'm gonna go different in the controls area as well. Gonna try a set of Sanwa sticks and buttons. I've grown up on Happ...but I've heard Sanwa lasts longer and is alot more precise for fighters. So I'm gonna give it a try. If I don't like it I can always swap them out for Happ later.

The specs for the PC are:
Pentium 4 2.4ghz CPU
1GB of RAM
60 GB Hard Drive
DVD-RW Combo Drive
Windows XP Pro SP1

Nothing special, but decent enough to play what I wanna play mostly. (just gotta get Chankast working on it and I'll be golden). Right now its running Mame with MaLa as a frontend. Just got some tweaking to add a bucket of awesome to it.

For Audio, I'm looking at a 2.1 Surround Sound system. The speakers would be mounted on the sides of the LCD mounting box, the sub would remain in the cab. Volume controls would also be inside the cab.

Also a standard 2-player coin door that I salvaged from my last cabinet project. I might upgrade to a newer one though. Its kinda fugly and old.

As for color scheme of the cabinet....I'm not sure. I like dark colors. Nothing shiny. I prefer Satin finish, but smooth. Probably Red and Black. But mostly Black. Only artwork will be on Marquee unless I just happen to design something so badass it needs to be on the cabinet somewhere else. We'll see.

Just gonna have fighters on the cabinet. Nothing else. I use my desktop pc for other Mame stuff. This is a fighters paradise cab.

To come with some extra funds to kick-start this project, I sold my Nintendo Wii. That'll get me the MDF and the joystick parts, the rest of that has to go to bills.  :'(

But at least the majority of the electronics I already have.

My first question for input from you all. What kind of sound system should I slam into this thing? Don't wanna blast the house down, but a little shaky in the pants won't hurt my feelings any.  

Im working on a mock up of the marquee right now. I'll post it once Im done.

[javeryh]

Sounds like a cool project.  I like the look of that sit down cabinet (if you can call it that) but I prefer playing fighters next to someone.  I can't wait to see this one get going...   

[Gatsu]

player 1 & 2 will be next to each other for now. I'm gonna make an extra control panel for when the upgrade happens next year. 

[Franco B]

Cool project.

It shouldnt be too hard to build a monitor enclosure and get it to match the rest of your cab. You could always face it in acyrlic (like mountains juke) for a smooooth finish.

I guess you want to either use fairly thin MDF for the monitor enclosure or use a more standard thickness and then route reliefs for the monitor, depending on the form of the monitor. The last thing you want is a nice thin flat panel cased in a bulky box IMO.

Good luck

[Martijn]

he, good luck with your project, 30 inch LCD is great 

The cab gives me a modern arcade style type of idea, when street fighter iv for PC/console comes out. i will definitely will play it are your machine 

will you intergrate the controls of the consoles somehow to the control panel?

[Gatsu]

he, good luck with your project, 30 inch LCD is great 

The cab gives me a modern arcade style type of idea, when street fighter iv for PC/console comes out. i will definitely will play it are your machine 

will you intergrate the controls of the consoles somehow to the control panel?

Not sure how Im gonna do that yet. I can probably rig some adapters for the older consoles like the dreamcast & PS2....but I'd have to wire directly for the 360 controllers. Not sure yet.

Got a question for you guys about the type of cabinet. I'm leaning towards the Lindbergh style still.....but then I found this:



Its....so......pretty....

As for building a box for the monitor/tv. I think I might be able to just take the television apart, then sand and paint the casing to match the rest of the cab. Would be alot easier than building another box for it....and will save on heating/cooling issues for the TV. LCDs get warm quick. All I'd have to do then is mount the Marquee box to the back of the case instead of the monitor box.

[Gatsu]

I think I found the speakers Im gonna use in the cab.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122



$105.99 on newegg. But I know walmart down the road from me has it for much cheaper. Around $50 or so.

Not gonna have any sound running into the LCD television. Just gonna have the PC go straight to the 2.1 speakers.

The 2 speakers will be mounted on the front of the cab just above the control panel, and the sub will be in the base of the cab.

[Gatsu]

Thinking about it...

Should I get a set of PC speakers like the ones i posted above? Or should I go all out and get a full 2.1 system with amp?

I was thinking that if I did get the SFIV kit later on, would it work with PC speakers, or with a home theater system?

I haven't messed with the hardware yet so I have no clue....I'd figure it would work on either one since the Taito X2 is just a PC with embedded XP Pro.

[Martijn]

i think you can never have it pefectly set for the future, you should build like you want it now, a simple sound system upgrade can always be applied. Any sound for an amp can also be used on this logitech system.

can this logitechspeaker set play digital input? thats maybe the only point

[Gatsu]

Its just has output for the speakers, and a plug to go to the PC speaker plug.

I might see if I can get a decent 200W 2.1 system somewhere for sale. X-mas is coming up...so lots of sales soon.

[ivwshane]

I like this style more than the other one!

he, good luck with your project, 30 inch LCD is great 

The cab gives me a modern arcade style type of idea, when street fighter iv for PC/console comes out. i will definitely will play it are your machine 

will you intergrate the controls of the consoles somehow to the control panel?

Not sure how Im gonna do that yet. I can probably rig some adapters for the older consoles like the dreamcast & PS2....but I'd have to wire directly for the 360 controllers. Not sure yet.

Got a question for you guys about the type of cabinet. I'm leaning towards the Lindbergh style still.....but then I found this:



Its....so......pretty....

As for building a box for the monitor/tv. I think I might be able to just take the television apart, then sand and paint the casing to match the rest of the cab. Would be alot easier than building another box for it....and will save on heating/cooling issues for the TV. LCDs get warm quick. All I'd have to do then is mount the Marquee box to the back of the case instead of the monitor box.

[Gatsu]

Yeah I'm kinda leaning towards the Vewlix as well....because I found a set of PDF plans for it. There's a guy in france I believe whose building one out of wood and he posted his plans up in their forum. So I snagged them.

Gonna take a while to convert all those measurements to standard english.

[Gatsu]

jeez...I am so torn on choosing a design for the cabinet.

I like the sit down ones.....but I saw a Mortal Kombat 1 cabinet that just made me drool.

I've got a 27" color tv that could go into an MK cab, and the joysticks and whatnot already. Just need the wood and the artwork.

Would anyone happen to have a set of plans for an MK 1 cabinet that they'd be willing to share? And what size screen goes into it?

[ivwshane]

jeez...I am so torn on choosing a design for the cabinet.

I like the sit down ones.....but I saw a Mortal Kombat 1 cabinet that just made me drool.

I've got a 27" color tv that could go into an MK cab, and the joysticks and whatnot already. Just need the wood and the artwork.

Would anyone happen to have a set of plans for an MK 1 cabinet that they'd be willing to share? And what size screen goes into it?

http://www.jakobud.com/

[Gatsu]

Oh friggin sweet! Thanks man.

I got one more question for anyone thats put together or owns an MK cabinet. Is there any way I can squeeze a 27" television into it?

I've been looking around in the iwanta ads and in a few stores....and I haven't really found a 25" tv anywhere.

Maybe see if I can find a 25" lcd....although that would be hellaciously expensive. And hard to get one thats not widescreen.

[leapinlew]

http://www.happcontrols.com/monitors/49072600.htm

[leapinlew]

I think I found the speakers Im gonna use in the cab.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122
$105.99 on newegg. But I know walmart down the road from me has it for much cheaper. Around $50 or so.

If you can find the Z 2300's for $50 "or so" at Walmart let me know. $100 is a good price for them.

[Martijn]

jeez...I am so torn on choosing a design for the cabinet.

I like the sit down ones.....but I saw a Mortal Kombat 1 cabinet that just made me drool.

I've got a 27" color tv that could go into an MK cab, and the joysticks and whatnot already. Just need the wood and the artwork.

Would anyone happen to have a set of plans for an MK 1 cabinet that they'd be willing to share? And what size screen goes into it?

go with mk1 i dont really like these high end cabs. Makes me feel like sitting in front of a hd tv with a ps3 or 360

[Todd H]

Oh friggin sweet! Thanks man.

I got one more question for anyone thats put together or owns an MK cabinet. Is there any way I can squeeze a 27" television into it?

I've been looking around in the iwanta ads and in a few stores....and I haven't really found a 25" tv anywhere.

Maybe see if I can find a 25" lcd....although that would be hellaciously expensive. And hard to get one thats not widescreen.

Try Billabs. According to Ummon, they are supposedly going to be selling a 26" LCD (model # BL26C0T) that is a replacement for 25" and 27" CRT monitors.

1-770-912-5853

[Gatsu]

I was looking at some of the "arcade LCDs" and they are even more ungodly expensive than the originals.

Can't really do the $600+ for a monitor. Thats more than I can really justify right now. Unless I found a cab with a new monitor already in it for a good price.

And I've already got a 27" tube TV and a 27" LCD tv at my disposal. So....I dunno. I may just have to go with what I've already got and add 2" to all the middle boards for the MK cabinet.

I'm gonna go cabinet hunting this weekend. Gonna take a measuring tape and notebook incase theres none for sale. At least I can get measurments.

But I know a guy that has a Killer Instinct 2 cab that he MIGHT let go if I give him a good number. Just gotta make sure the board works so I can sell it.

[Martijn]

I think I found the speakers Im gonna use in the cab.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122



$105.99 on newegg. But I know walmart down the road from me has it for much cheaper. Around $50 or so.

Not gonna have any sound running into the LCD television. Just gonna have the PC go straight to the 2.1 speakers.

The 2 speakers will be mounted on the front of the cab just above the control panel, and the sub will be in the base of the cab.

Now my cab is coming along, i am thinking about upgrading the sound, the satellite speakers are OK, but the bass is missing..

i found this set on the 2nd hand market not used for 90usd

maybe ill buy it and implement it

[Gatsu]

alright. I'm going with the Mortal Kombat 1 cabinet.

I just really love the artwork on it, and it just encompasses all of the time I spent in arcades and brings back so many good memories.

I know I can get the control panel and marquee art easily enough. But the side art has yet to be readily available at sites like mamemarquees.com. Any suggestions for getting that? Because if I can't get the art....theres not really much point in the project at all. lol.

Theres also gonna be 2 slight modifications. Gonna have to make the cabinet a tad wider to fit a 27" viewable monitor, and add a sixth button under the block in the control panel.

But other than that....its gonna be as close as possible to the original.

So if anyone can possibly shoot me some neato reference photos, that would rock!

Thanky!

[brock.sampson]

I used a gutted blitz cabinets for my last two projects.  That is essentially the same cabinet except the portion where the coin door is just extended straight out instead of at an angle.  I used 27" sharp tvs in both.  I was a little concerned with uncasing a tv so I simply took a saw and cut down the sides to make it fit without modifying the cabinet.  Also fits the factory bezel pretty well.

[Gatsu]

cool. thanks for the info.

I'm confident about building the majority of the cab. Its just mounting the tv, making the bezel, and placing all the artwork that has me a little shaky. lol.

[Gatsu]

a great opportunity presented itself....then went all FUBAR on me.

I go to a local flea market...low and behold I see a Killer Instinct 2 machine. Out of Order. I do some asking around, and get the owners phone number.

I call and ask him whats wrong with it, he doesn't know, but $50 and its mine. I'm talking a KI2 machine thats in really good cosmetic condition. Easy conversion to MKII and/or Mame for $50.

I say I'll take it, when can I meet you? Todays fine, before the flea market closes at 6. So I say around 5:00 and he says sure.

I get there at 5:00, wait till 6. He never shows.

So....damn. A great opportunity lost.

[Gatsu]

A small update. But an update none the less.

I can't seem to find any good cabinets in my area to gut for Mame purposes. So...I guess I shall build one.

For the past few weeks I've been going back and forth about designs and finally finally decided on one.

Gonna go with a mix of classic and newer LCD-based fighter cab. Gonna have a ton of artwork on it with t-molding and all that. But the basic look will be very tekken/lindberg style.

I wish there was a way to get mame to take more advantage of the LCD screen...but oh well.

I'm gonna need some help/input for a few things though. I wanna put a PS2 and an Xbox 360 in it as well for newer fighters. How would I wire the joysticks so I wouldn't need to do alot of wire swapping every time I wanted to play a different console? And I'd like to wire the whole cabinet so the PC & monitor come on when I hit one button.

I'll post my little google sketchup design later tonight when I get out of the x-mas party I'm stuck going to. 

[HaRuMaN]

Your best bet on the controls is to wire everything to DB-25 connectors, and then use a DB-25 data switch.  Turn the switch one way, PS2 controls are active, turn it the other way, Xbox 360 controls would be active.  I think you can get DB-25 4-way switches, for a possible total of 4 different systems to be hooked up at the same time.

[Gatsu]

would there be a way I could rig that switch to the outside of the case so I can switch controls without having to open the cab up?

[Epyx]

Gatsu, I have a 3 way DB25 switch. I happen to be using all the ports as external ports for up to 3 player via modular CPs (DB25 cables).  However, it wouldn't be that difficult to take the dial switch and flush mount it externally. The biggest hassle would be just ensuring you have enough wire length as all the DB25s go to the switch dial and that makes for 100 wires...a lot of soddering

The other option would be to cut a custom cut out consisting of slots for the 4 DB25 ports and a hole for the dial switch. That way you can use the existing wire length. This would work if you don't want to hack the existing switch box.  Either way you will still have to wire to your IPAC or whatever you are using...

[HaRuMaN]

Also, depending on your budget, you can use DB-25 breakout boards to avoid having to solder mutliple DB-25 connectors.  (That would be the way I would do it)

[ivwshane]

A small update. But an update none the less.

I can't seem to find any good cabinets in my area to gut for Mame purposes. So...I guess I shall build one.

For the past few weeks I've been going back and forth about designs and finally finally decided on one.

Gonna go with a mix of classic and newer LCD-based fighter cab. Gonna have a ton of artwork on it with t-molding and all that. But the basic look will be very tekken/lindberg style.

I wish there was a way to get mame to take more advantage of the LCD screen...but oh well.

I'm gonna need some help/input for a few things though. I wanna put a PS2 and an Xbox 360 in it as well for newer fighters. How would I wire the joysticks so I wouldn't need to do alot of wire swapping every time I wanted to play a different console? And I'd like to wire the whole cabinet so the PC & monitor come on when I hit one button.

I'll post my little google sketchup design later tonight when I get out of the x-mas party I'm stuck going to. 

Wheres the pics? Or examples?

[Gatsu]

I've been tweaking the design before I post it. I get out of work early today so I'll post some mock-up images this afternoon.

also have the marquee and control panel artwork done already.

[Gatsu]

well...here be a google sketchup mock cabinet design. there's gonna be a bit more to it than this....but thats the basics.

[mako72]

my 2 cents: I have those logitech speakers and they will blow you away. If you are going to incase the screen, then I would reccomend building the marquee into the casing so its flush. kinda like the vewlix. another thing you might want to consider. If you want to play your xbox on another TV with a vga input for regular gaming, then get a VGA splitter and run a cable to the other tv . Thats what im going to do for my arcade cabinet and just wire a wireless controller to the joystick in the cab. here is my ghetto version of a sit down street fighter cab. just pull up a chair to the dresser.
p.s. ill be posting some pics of my sit down candy cab soon.

[Gatsu]

I dont think Im gonna encase the screen....it might cause alot of extra heat which will cause the set to die alot sooner. So I'll probably just mount the screen right to the cab and make some case mounts for the speakers instead.

Also...I don't think I'm gonna have my 360 in the case. It'll be on its own shelf, but still hooked up to the monitor at least. I don't wanna risk screwing up my Elite 360 just to play SF IV in the cab. So Im gonna be snagging SFIV on PC instead. Since it has online functionality I can have the cab hooked up on my network. Means Im gonna need to seriously upgrade my mame pc though....new motherboard, cpu, video card...time to hit up newegg!

[Gatsu]

Did a little more research on newegg for some PC parts.

Here's what I got.

Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual-Core Processor - Retail
$119.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132


---------------------
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$54.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357


----------------------
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
$39.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

----------------------
Recertified: EVGA 320-P2-N811-RX GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$79.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130410


----------------------
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$49.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261

----------------------
COOLMAX RM-750B 750W ATX12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$69.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159094
----------------------

TOTAL: $414.94

Not bad for a dedicated Mame PC with an Nvidia 8800 GTS card. And perfect for Street Fighter IV when it drops.
It'll be running XP Pro since I hate vista.

watcha think? Is that power supply enough for what I've got? or do I need more? I wont be using the SLI feature or anything on the motherboard.

[bgspot]

Can't wait to see your project take off. Your cab is exactly how i was gonna do mine. An all in one fighter cab with the look of those new japanese fighter cabs except i was gonna use a ps3 instead of a 360. Now i think i may just build a show case control panel and have a 32" lcd mounted to a wall. Who knows your project may motivate me to go with my original plans. Good luck with your project and keep us posted!

[Gatsu]

go with your original plans man! don't cheap out and slap the monitor on a wall! thats no fun....you can't put coins in the wall! lol. 

It took me a while to decide on a design, and I'm still tweaking it as I go to make it more stream-lined and functional. Gonna stick with just a PC in it for now since I can run Dreamcast and most PS2 fighters through an emulator.

Thankfully Street Fighter IV will be on PC and 360...so I can install it on my mame pc and not have to worry about messing up my 360 in the cab. It'll have USB ports/PS2 controller adapters so that people can plug their controllers in instead of having to use the joysticks if they don't want. (that might be tricky to configure...).

But seriously...you've gotta go with a full cabinet man. There's nothing like owning your own cab.

This forum has reignited my love of the arcade...and driving around my town makes me sad... to see all the older arcades I used to hang out at are either now closed, or just barely hanging on. The home consoles have pretty much killed arcades.

If I had the money to toss around, I'd start an arcade of my own. But I know it wouldn't survive unless it was in a major city and focussed on just fighting games.

[Gatsu]

posted these in the artwork forum. figured I'd post them here too since its a bit of an update. Lemme know what you guys think.
Its the marquee, CPO & sideart.

[thatitalian]

Awesome!!! My only suggestion is that you reduce the shine or the alpha level on the capcom logo as it looks a little out of place. Other than that, WOW!!! It looks SOOOOO good!

I hope you making this available for download! (well, for me at least! )

[dkssprs]

Very nice pro-tech cabinet. I havent seen something like that before. It looks like a cab from the future.
Very nice artwork (the marquee is awosome) but i think you sould make more visible the words next to the buttons.

[Franco B]

Looking good to me. 

Im torn on what to make for my next upright. Im very tempted for a slim design like this, I think I would base the whole thing of a pair of polished 4" angled tubes.

[Gatsu]

that'd be sweet. I wanted to make it alot more rounded and more of a candy-cab style. But I just don't have the tools or know-how yet to pull that off.

Maybe later on down the road.

I'll probably start cutting all the pieces out this weekend since I have no work....and plenty of wood. The PC parts will probably be the VERY last thing to go into it.

[Gatsu]

ok. I've got a coin door question.

I don't want a traditional coin door on this box. I want the actual coin slot to be on the control panel. If you look at the Viewlix cab picture below:



Not sure how I would rig that. Anyone out there know?

[HaRuMaN]

That looks like a candy cab coin slot.  If you could get you hands on a candy cab coin mech, you could rig something like that up.

[Gatsu]

Ah. So I'd have to find some replacements parts for a candy cab. hmm.....I think coinopexpress might have something. Lemme go check them out.

Thanks

[Gatsu]

they've got what I need.....problem is they make you order 20+ of the smaller parts. So Im gonna have to go another route I guess.....unless someone happens to have some extra parts they'd be willing to sell.

[Gatsu]

I decided to redesign the bottom section of the cabinet to make it look more interesting.

Lemme know what you guys think. I hope to start actually cutting the pieces out and beginning construction next weekend since I have off for New Years. I can probably get alot of if done then.

[Gatsu]

Ok. I need some input.

Being a designer...I'm never pleased with my own work. So I need some help deciding on the final cab design.

They are both similar, but one has larger white panels, the other does not. I've decided to not put full panel side-art on the cab, but I definitely wanna get some decals made. Probably the Taito and Capcom logos to put in various places.

So here are the two designs. Which one should I go for?

Option 1:


or

Option 2:


The final colors are gonna be black, white and a dark red for a section of the control panel.

[Martijn]

i like option 1

but maybe you should make more space for the legs

[Blanka]

If I see the last image I ask myself "What is the big box under the controls doing there? It will end up 80% empty" and "Why is the white side panel not the same one as the side panel of the controls". Either clone the Lindbergh, or redesign it completely.

[Blanka]

And slim down the marquee. It can be more in line with the monitor (wider and shallower).

[Gatsu]

If I see the last image I ask myself "What is the big box under the controls doing there? It will end up 80% empty" and "Why is the white side panel not the same one as the side panel of the controls". Either clone the Lindbergh, or redesign it completely.

I would if I had all the measurements. But I do not....so I'm doing a mix and match kind of deal. I'll slim down the bottom and see how it looks then.

Thanks for the input though. It is appreciated. What I'll probably do is keep the side panels, but slim down the bottom case some to add more leg room.

[RetroGreg]

I've been watching this thread because I really like the fighter cabinets and can't wait to see what you end up building. Personally, I like your very first sketch up the best followed by the rounded version as a DISTANT second. I don't like the side panels on the last drawing at all. 

[Gatsu]

Thanks Retro.

After really looking them over....I think I agree with you about the very first one. The design is ALOT simpler to implement and overall just looks better.

I do need to add one piece to the sides of the cab though to make it look more like the true Lindberg cabinet.

But thanks to everyone for your input and criticism.

[Gatsu]

Ok. I reworked the very first design a bit to look more like a real Lindberg cab. I still need to redo the marquee...but I dont need to redraw it in Sketchup. I have an idea of what I wanna do with that.

But anyway....here's the design.

What do you guys think? Better than the last 2?

[thatitalian]

That looks WAY better! It looks like the base is supposed to be there! Is the marquee width the same as the monitor? If not it definitely should be.

Love the design, very different and definitely has a modern touch!

[Gatsu]

rock on. I really like this design as well. I liked the last 2, but they weren't settling 100% with me.

there's a section between the control panel and the monitor thats gonna have 4 USB plugs, 2 Playstation 2 plugs, maybe volume controls....not sure what else. But I wanted something to be there. Any suggestions?

my main controls for player 1 & 2 are gonna be wired through a PS/2 iPac. But I'm gonna have those USB plugs and Playstation plugs incase someone doesn't like to use the joysticks. Kinda like the newer tekken machines.

How would I need to wire up my controls so that when no controllers are plugged in, the joysticks work, but when a controller is plugged in, that takes priority?
That could take some hellacious wiring couldn't it? Would there be a way to maybe have a switch that I could flip to turn the controls over to the USB plugs instead of the iPac?

I'm also trying to decide between Happ concave buttons, a Happ comp joystick, or all Sanwa parts. After finishing that last stick with all sanwa parts....I really dig them now. But they are SOOOOOO much more expensive. And I heard they don't last as long. But I could make the control panel so much thinner if I used Sanwa..... I dunno.

[RetroGreg]

I LOVE the new design as well! Great job with the sketch up.

I wouldn't know about the wiring, but would definately put my vote in for the Sanwa parts. That's a serious fighting cab and it needs the japanese sticks! And like you said, the contol panel could be slimmer.

Awesome. Can't wait to see you start. 

[bgspot]

Thats awesome!! I really like that last design. You've definitely inspired me to build another cab!

[Gatsu]

I'm glad you guys are digging the new design though.

I'll probably have Happ parts in it to begin with. But as I save up I'll replace them with Sanwa. Unless I can find a bulk deal for 18 buttons and 2 joysticks for less than $100. Sanwas expensive. lol.

$2.95 per button and $25 for the joysticks....ouch.

[ivwshane]

I like the last design as well, just be sure to include a marquee.

Where will the speakers go?

[Franco B]

Looking great Gatsu. 

If I was you I would wait and buy your controls when you need them rather than buy them now. I don't know how fast your build is going to be but buying them later will give you more time to save up for the Sanwa's, especially as these things have a tendency to take longer than expected. 

[Gatsu]

Sadly no progress on the wood working phase.....I did draw out the plans and will be printing some example templates tomorrow at work.

Spent most of today configuring my system and recompiling mame to get rid of the nag screens. Worked the first time thankfully.

I've got a coin door left over from my first cabinet project. But one of the mechs is missing some pieces. So thats gonna get replaced. This week I hope to at least get the components of the cabinet cut out. My girlfriend is gonna be out of town tomorrow night, so I'll probably head over to my parents place and test out my new router! muwahahaha.

Im not sure where to order my marquee from. Its a custom job....still only 26"x8", but I want it within a week or so if thats possible. Mamemarquees? or Emdkay?

EDIT/ADD:
Here's another little update. Didnt think it was worth posting in a new reply.
Here's what my MaLa front end looks like. I'm only using Mame, a few PC Games and NullDC....so I didnt bother doing a whole tree.

[Gatsu]

I like the last design as well, just be sure to include a marquee.

Where will the speakers go?

Haven't figured that in 100% yet. Im thinking that if I go for a 2.1 system...the 2 speakers will go right above the control panel in the little slanted plate. I plan on putting a couple of USB plugs go there as well.  I would put coin slots there...but I have no idea what kind of coin mechs I'd need for that.

I'm torn between using 2 hacked Xbox 360 controllers for my control panel....or using an iPac. The iPac is much easier....but the PS/2 port vs the USB port....

What do you guys think?

I was also teasing the idea of having a swappable control panel. One with a 2 player Sanwa set....the other with Happ. Just so anyone who comes over will have their stick of preference.

I'd do the Sanwa panel first just to get it completed and add the happ later...but theres alot more electronics to buy if I go with the swappable control panels...

what do you guys think?

Just kinda doing a brain dump. So If i go from my control panel....to a db-25(or however many slots I need) panel like this: http://www.winfordeng.com/products/brk25.php
then from that panel to a terminal strip, from the terminal strip to a 360 controller....would that be logical? I know its probably not very cost effective. But I don't have the patience to make my own cables.

[HaRuMaN]

I like those DB25 breakout boards, I've recommended them before...  but why not go straight from the breakout to the controller?  Seems like there would be no need for a terminal strip in between the two.

Also, using 360 controllers gives you the option of hooking up an Xbox 360 or PC...

[somunny]

Nice job with the sketchup! 

I like the latest re-design but I'm wondering where the speakers go.

[Gatsu]

yeah. thats true HarumaN. less wires to cut that way too. Will have to get a bigger breakout board than 25 though. 8 buttons per player and the 8 for the joysticks + grounds.

somunny - I'm not 100% on that. I was thinking if I go with a 2.1 sound system....I can maybe build boxes to either mount on the sides of the monitor, or...see if they will fit on that slanted area between the control panel and monitor.

Thats one of those things that'll come last I think. If I can find a 5.1 system (which'll be too much for this kind of cab...) I'd mount some around the front of the cab where the coin door will be.

I'll most likely end up building boxes for the sides of the monitor though. Easiest and I know it'll fit.    Or if I can find some snazzy looking speakers...I wont have to modify them. Just mount them to the monitor.

[Kabukiman]

weird just today I was checking out some pics of the Viewlx cab on another forum and thought hey this would be a great idea for a home built cab and I stumble across this thread, This will definitely be a nice cab. Any chance you have that pdf from the lindberg cab?

[Sprucemoose]

I'm diggin' the designs.  Love to see new ideas on the forum.  My only suggestion is that the control panel feels a bit to rectangular, especially in the first couple options.  Good luck with the build.

[Gatsu]

thanky. I'm gonna be adding a few angles to the control panel to make it look more like the Taito Vewlix cabinet. I just couldn't get those drawn out right in google sketchup. I'm still a newbie at it. lol.

I hope to have some progress this weekend. I've just been busy working on arcade sticks for other people this week.

[tbg_96]

Very nice plans !
Im also in the process of building my own cab in anticipation for Street Fighter Iv ..
I really like the vewlix cab , and was wondering if you had the link for the PDF of the plans ?!
That would be awsome ...
Can't wait to see how your project unfolds
Looks like a Great start ! 

[Gatsu]

Yeah I'm just tweaking the plans measurements a tad because some of them were really odd. I started learning Google Sketchup as I made the design...so by the end of it alot of the parts fit better than when I started.

Took a bit for me to find the pdf file. I've got so much crap on my desktop.

EDIT/ADD:
Found a forum thread the guy that made those plans started. I has some nice build pics and finished photos of his custom Vewlix style cab.

http://www.gamoover.net/Forums/index.php?topic=16976.0

[Necroticart]

thanks for the Pdf and link that machine is amazing and Good Luck on your machine can't wait to see it finished

[Gatsu]

Me either. Its just that whenever I decide to start...the weather changes my plans...then I work on a stick order....weather......so I'm glad I finished these last stick orders.

Now I can work on the cabinet. If I focus and get the main pieces cut out over the weekend...it'd take about a weeks worth to get it done since its not a huge cab.

[Gatsu]

w00t for updates!!

I'll be getting my tax return next week (Im hoping this friday though), so I'll actually have money to work on this project again!

The woods been sitting in the garage...just itching to be cut.

I've had to modify the design a bit, adding some size to it, for more leg room and to provide easier access to the guts of the control panel...and just to make the damn thing easier to cut out.

I've got the artwork for the control panel close to finished. And I'm gonna go with all sanwa parts in this one. I'm gonna keep it japanese-based as much as I can. The ONLY real american cab giveaways are the marquee box and the coin door...but only because I can't find the right parts to fit the coin slots close to the control panel. Oh well.

I need to get a metal plate cut out and drilled for the control panel though. Does anyone on here offer that service?

Anyway. here's the new CP artwork.



Gonna order the PC parts to go into it next week. The case is going to be black and white, with the dark red control panel sections. Buttons & joysticks will be white. Gonna stick with Windows XP and MaLa for my interface. They are the easiest to setup for me.

Gonna use a iPac I had in my old cabinet for now for all the CP wiring, since I know it works well. The cab will have a 5.1 surround sound, and the front panel of the case that sits between the CP and the monitor will have a volume control knob, headset plug, usb ports for easier PC upgrades (or if someone wants to use a controller instead of the joysticks). Still gotta figure out how to swap those around easily enough.

This weekend if I can't start cutting, I'm gonna at least clean and repaint the front of the coin door, probably print out some new labels and wire up new lights to go in it.

Will probably need to get new mechs for it though...they are pretty ragged.

Anyway. That's it for now. I'm glad to finally be able to start working on this again.

[Gatsu]

Finally got started this past weekend. Didn't get a lot of cutting, but did some plan modifying to make sure I have enough leg space, the cabs the right height...all that.
I also modified the design a little to make it easier to cut out.

Took apart the old coin door and I think I can get them all working again. It'll save me some money. Only part i'll have to buy is a bulb for the coin return button.

But I need some assistance with some metal work. I have zero metal working tools and can't really afford them right now. So if someone would be willing to help me out and cut out a metal control panel for me and drill the button holes, I'd greatly appreciate it.

PM me if you are willing to help. I'll pay for the materials and whatever you need for labor, and shipping.

I'm gonna start all the major cutting this weekend. I forgot my camera so I haven't gotten any shots yet. But I will next time Im working on it.

[Gatsu]

FINALLY some real progress.

The cutting has officially begun. So far I've got the bottom, top, front, back and 1 side of the lower portion of the case completed. Though sadly no pictures because I forgot my camera......

Now a question to all the builders out there. What should I use to put this thing together?
I was thinking of building up a frame out of 2x4's and just screw or glue the cut out pieces to that. I think that'd be pretty stable wouldn't you say?

I've gotta say once I got the pieces cut out....it looks a little on the short side. When I post pics you'll see. I might have to add some caster wheels just to give it a little extra height.

So next weekend I've gotta go buy another sheet of MDF, finish cutting the control panel, spine piece, side and marquee box out. Once thats done I can begin assembly.

I decided to stick with Happ parts for now. I'm getting Franco B to make me some custom Happ competition replacement shafts that will take the Sanwa balltops. So it will have a japanese look, but play how I like it. hehe.

I'll be sure to post pictures up next weekend when I get my camera out there.

[ivwshane]

Sadly no progress on the wood working phase.....I did draw out the plans and will be printing some example templates tomorrow at work.

Spent most of today configuring my system and recompiling mame to get rid of the nag screens. Worked the first time thankfully.

I've got a coin door left over from my first cabinet project. But one of the mechs is missing some pieces. So thats gonna get replaced. This week I hope to at least get the components of the cabinet cut out. My girlfriend is gonna be out of town tomorrow night, so I'll probably head over to my parents place and test out my new router! muwahahaha.

Im not sure where to order my marquee from. Its a custom job....still only 26"x8", but I want it within a week or so if thats possible. Mamemarquees? or Emdkay?

EDIT/ADD:
Here's another little update. Didnt think it was worth posting in a new reply.
Here's what my MaLa front end looks like. I'm only using Mame, a few PC Games and NullDC....so I didnt bother doing a whole tree.

How or where do you get that font in your layout?

[Martijn]

wow gatsu, nice to see you got to the real building 

Good luck with it. i think you will do a excellent job seeing your joystick builds

I constructed my panels with 2x4 and glued and screws from the inside

[Gatsu]

How or where do you get that font in your layout?

Oddly enough I think its just a standard system font. I'll check and let you know.

[Bender]

Can't wait to see this
 

[Gatsu]

yeah. I wanted to post some last night...but I forgot my camera. So I'll post some as soon as I can get my camera out there to take some pics.

[Gatsu]

The fun never stops.

Sadly I'm going to have to scrap this cabinet project for a couple of weeks. Some unexpected bills have come up and I need to put together some sticks from the cabinet pieces I've cut out to help pay the bills.

Its sucks....but thats about about all life's been these past few weeks for me. A big bowl of suck.

Anyway. I wanted to change the direction I was going with the cab anyway. Necroticart posted a really cool cab design a buddy of his used. And I'm gonna go for that design and start working on a Astro-style candy cab.

So with the death of this lindberg cab....2 better cabs will be born from it. I'll post again once I get the materials gathered. But for now its dead.

[Gatsu]

Well....in another odd turn of events....the bills got paid. And I have some extra money left over. I love family.

Anyway. The project is back on full steam. I'll have some photos tonight for sure.

I'm going with the taito vewlix cabinet that I really wanted to begin with. I'm going with the plans from http://www.donovanmyers.com

He's got a ton of good info on that particular cab and answers questions pretty quickly.

I have 1 issue that needs to be worked out though.

I am going to have a PC and a Xbox 360 in the cabinet. The PC will run the classics via mame. And the 360 will run newer 3D titles like SFIV and whatnot.

My problem....if I use 2 Xbox 360 controllers hacked in the cabinet...I know I can just unplug one and into the other. But thats too much work.

How would I wire it up so that the 360 AND the PC can be hooked up to the same control panel and be able to switch between the 2 easily?

I thought maybe.... the 2 xbox controllers plugged into a USB hub. That hub plugged into a USB Y cable like this [ LINK

and from that Y cable go to the PC and the xbox 360.

I know it'll work to the PC....but Im not 100% on how it'll work on the 360...and there might be some input lag? possibly?

Not really sure how to tackle this one. I wanna try to avoid having to hack up cables or make my own.

[Bender]

From your controls you just have one set of wires going to the 360 hack and a duplicate set going to an Ipac (or whatever PC interface) and bingo controls work for both all the time

[Gatsu]

Damn. Wish I had of thought of that. lol. Much easier than rigging up a bunch of adapters and extenders.

That simplifies it a lot since I've got an ipac already. Thanks man.

Not 100% sure if Im gonna add a coin door or not. I'll have to get the cab together first and see how that'll look.

a japanese style cab with a front coin door will probably look odd. hehe.

[Gatsu]

alright. here's some pics finally. Im sure some of you were like "yeah keep posting guy...you ain't got nothing going on!".

Well humbug on that. lol

From the sketchup design, the side panels require 2 3/4" boards glued together. Since those 4 pieces are the ones with all the weird angles, Decided to get those out of the way first.


Those are the 4 side pieces clamped together. Got a lot of sanding to do to even them all out. I'm tempted to just go buy a flush trim bit and give them all a once over with the template piece.


These be the car speakers I got for the sound bar along the top of the cab. I figured anything over 100 watts would be overkill really...especially in my small apartment. And if I need more punch later, I can always upgrade without it costing much.



Close up of the 4 sides clamped. Got A LOT of sanding to get that all even. Scared to use a belt sander though. I might sand a dip in the wood. I've done it before. lol



The coin door I might....use in my cab. Not 100% sold on using it yet. If I do...its getting painted black so the red coin lights stand out more.


Closeup of the coin mech. They need some love for sure. They are from 1981, the manufacture sticker said.

Anyway. Thats all I got done this weekend sadly. Might be able to work on it this week...but we'll see.

Here's what the cab will look like when its finished hopefully. (minus the control panel, Im still tweaking that.)

[Bender]

looking good so far!

How come you don't use a flush trim bit on a router to match the sides up?
I know you'd still have a tiny bit on the inside corners to clean up but not much at all really just the diameter of the bit

be very, very, carefull with the evil belt sander, I always use a much finer grit belt than I think I need I'd go with 220 or 320 for that

put an 80 on there and you have a dent in a millisecond


oh yeah, I'm really psyched that this project is moving forward, I was really sad when you said it was dead

[Franco B]

Glad to see your back on it 

I would definitely invest in a flush trim or pattern bit (or both!), It will make your life 1000x easier, faster and neater to boot. Bearing guided bits are so handy and make your router even more versatile. I hardly use anything but flush trim and pattern bits now.

[Gatsu]

Thanks guys.

I'm gonna have to get a couple of bits this week then before i crack back on it this weekend. Thanks for the support. I really didnt want to kill the project either. But thanks to some family help the bills got paid and my cab project didn't have to die.

[bgspot]

I'm excited to see the actual building too. Luv the design

[Gatsu]

A small update. I got the 2 sides for the bottom box cut out.....but sadly that was it today. I got side-tracked helping a buddy put a new door on his truck. Fun fun.....

So tomorrow I'll hopefully have EVERYTHING cut out and ready to assemble.... But I'm really hoping I can get most of the cab assembled and ready to paint tomorrow.

I'll post more pics tomorrow evening when I am done.

Also....I tried the flush trim bit....and the bearing dented the top pattern piece pretty badly, also didn't like going through that MDF. It was making all kinds of horrible noises that it probably shouldnt be making. So I'm just gonna trim it with the jig saw as close as I can and just hand sand the rest. It'll take a little more time....but I can keep a better eye on it so I don't go too far. I really wished that had of worked though.

[Bender]

something is seriously wrong there with the router situation
your removing maybe 1/8 in of material or less
should go through that like butter
you should bearly even feel like your removing any material at all
and I never dented a pattern piece, man you must have been fighting that thing hard
was this a really old bit? does the bearing spin freely? and are you moving the router in the right direction (you should only run it against the rotation of the bit)

Can't wait to see the Pics!

[Gatsu]

the bearing oddly was spinning ok. I think the bit I got was too big for the job and did more damage than it was supposed to. I'll have to take it back tomorrow and get a smaller bit.

[Gatsu]

I'm a total idiot for sure.

Saturday night when I got home I started hacking and coughing so much it gave me a huge migraine.

I forgot to wear a mask while I was sanding. Stupid stupid. And I paid for it.

So Sunday I spent all day feeling like total garbage, hacking up dusty loogies and trying not to pass out from coughing so hard I started to black out. Lesson learned.

So important safety tip for anyone working with MDF...or any wood for that matter. WEAR A DUST MASK.

So nothing got done Sunday. Which really sucks.

[Namco]

I'm a total idiot for sure.

Saturday night when I got home I started hacking and coughing so much it gave me a huge migraine.

I forgot to wear a mask while I was sanding. Stupid stupid. And I paid for it.

So Sunday I spent all day feeling like total garbage, hacking up dusty loogies and trying not to pass out from coughing so hard I started to black out. Lesson learned.

So important safety tip for anyone working with MDF...or any wood for that matter. WEAR A DUST MASK.

So nothing got done Sunday. Which really sucks.

Screw the masks, a respirator is the way to go. They're $20 and well worth the price when you think about the alternative... black lung. Hope you're feeling better today, man.

[Gatsu]

thats what I meant...a respirator. drat..

thanks man. I feel better today. still coughing, but I dont feel like hammered dog $%&*#$.

Anyway....I hope to get some work done this week...but more than likely it'll be the weekend before I can really start up again.

[Bender]

yeah MDF is really bad most brands still use Formaldehyde, so your beatheing that stuff in,  BAD BAD BAD!!!!

Respirator all the way!!!!!

[SNAAKE]

why even use mdf? I learned by lesson long time ago. now a days I just the smooth "laminate friendly" pine wood. its about 5x lighter and the least dust build up. ive been working on a smaller sit down cabinet made with all pine wood. its a lot lighter than anything I build before.

[Gatsu]

Because I can't find just plane black laminate anywhere here locally....so I've gotta paint whatever projects I build. Ordering it online is out because of the retarded shipping costs.

And MDF is the easiest to shape and paint that I've dealt with, and relatively inexpensive. Aroun $18-$25 a sheet depending on the thickness.

[Franco B]

MDF is awesome in some respects, not so much in others. It's easy to work, a little too easy though as if you make templates/straight tedges from MDF and use them to guide/template route you can expect the bearing to compress the MDF slightly and you wont end up with the true profile/dimention that you are routing. I've learnt the hard way and am now making my precise templates from polycarb, ally or brass. I really need to play with some harder woods, I know a fair bit about metal but next to nothing about wood (oo-er)!

I'm deffo going to try some Pine or other lighter/harder material for my Video Pin.

Are your Happ sticks on route to me Gatsu?

[Gatsu]

They will be next week. I haven't had a chance to get them in the mail yet. But they will go out first thing Monday.

[Gatsu]

Alright. About to head over to my parents place to work on the cab some more. I should have some more progress photos this evening for sure.

[Gatsu]

Sorry I don't have any pictures tonight. (I forgot the damn camera again....). But Im going back over tomorrow afternoon so I packed the camera in my side bag so Im good to go.

But some progress updates.

Got most of the pieces for the bottom box cut out and ready to go. Just some slight sanding to make them all flush and I can start putting it together tomorrow.

After that will be cutting out the control panel and finishing up sanding down the side pieces so they are all flush. Thats really gotten to be a huge pain in the ass since that flush trim bit didn't work out. But the jig saw has helped a considerable amount.

Also, priced some parts for a new computer since the PC specs for SFIV have been announced. I can put together a great system that'll run SFIV and anything else for under $400 through newegg.

So gonna sell the few arcade sticks I've got laying around and hopefully that'll help go towards funding that.

I'll post more pics tomorrow.

- Gat

[Gatsu]

Didn't get anything done on Sunday. But its looking like today's gonna be a short day at work. So I'll be spending most of the day working on the cab. I'm gonna have the bottom box done and the sides finished today for sure.

Pictures are in the works.

[Gatsu]

Just a quick update while I'm taking a break from routering. 

I got a different flush trim bit (the one I was using for the plexi), and tried that on the 4 side pieces and its working like a charm. I am sooooo friggin happy that I don't have to use that belt sander any more.

Now all 4 side pieces are flush and I can go back to cutting pieces out and getting those all flush and neat.

Next update will be later on this evening. I've still got 2-3 more hours of daylight so Im gonna take advantage of it.

I've got the camera set up as well. And I'm snapping lots of shots.

 

[drventure]

About the laminate. I found some at a kitchen remodelling place, it was fairly cheap (I guess there's not a lot of demand for remodelling a kitchen with black formica  ), and it went on very easily.

And the stuff is tough as rock.

It's a textured, almost leather like look, so it's not glossy or anything, but, at least for my purposes, it worked out well.

[ivwshane]

About the laminate. I found some at a kitchen remodelling place, it was fairly cheap (I guess there's not a lot of demand for remodelling a kitchen with black formica  ), and it went on very easily.

And the stuff is tough as rock.

It's a textured, almost leather like look, so it's not glossy or anything, but, at least for my purposes, it worked out well.

When you say cheap, how cheap are we talking? When I looked into the stuff it was about $80 a sheet!

[Namco]

I don't know how I missed it, but you mentioned earlier that you had 2 xbox 360 controllers hooked up and was thinking of having both connected to the pc and xbox? I have that same setup. The way I have it is that I have the xbox controllers hooked up to a KVM switch that does USB switching (works kind of like a usb hub, with only 1 usb cable running to the PC and Xbox. So at the push of a button, I swtich the monitor signal and controls between the xbox and PC. It works very well except:

• Sometimes after having the system off for awhile, the xbox controllers don't turn on when the xbox turns on, however they ALWAYS are on when the PC is on and the signal is switched to the PC. If I wake them up while connected to the Xbox, they will always seem to wake up correctly with the xbox. This stuff wasn't a problem until I introduced the KVM/USB hub.
• On the PC the sticks get reversed. Xbox 1up controller becomes controller 2 in windows, and xbox 2up controller becomes controller 1 in windows. I don't know why, but I"ve just configured MAME to compensate
• The KVM draws power from PC1's USB line, so it better have juice all the time. Not necessarily on, but plugged in.

... ---Cleveland steamer---, just wire it up like to both the ipac and xbox like Bender said lol

[Gatsu]

I'm having some issues uploading my photos anywhere....flickr, photobucket, and its not giving me the option to attach anything to my forum posts like it usually does.

Any idea how I can fix this?

[Ond]

I'm having some issues uploading my photos anywhere....flickr, photobucket, and its not giving me the option to attach anything to my forum posts like it usually does.

Any idea how I can fix this?

That's weird, you haven't reached your limit (access bandwidth) for photobucket?  If you can't attach does that mean you can't see the 'insert image' tag?

seems to work for me...

[Gatsu]

I can insert the IMG tag....but the option to attach photos to the post is gone.

I tried a completely new/fresh photobucket account and its not letting me upload. Same with Flickr.

I dunno whats up. Something with my upload is screwing up. Im gonna fiddle with my router and see if that fixes it.

[Gatsu]

ok I figured it out. Any flash or java uploader for some reason isn't working on my system. But if I try a standard uploader, it works fine. Dunno...might have to re-install flash for firefox and java.
 
So anyway...here are some progress photos.











I did a clamp assembly test to see how the bottom box and the sides fit. Im pretty pleased with it so far. Tomorrow Im gonna glue & screw the side pieces together and cut out the side holes for the television to sit in.

Also gonna start working on the control panel.

Not a ton of progress....but you can see how its shaping up.

[Sosetsuken]

Looking sweet Gats! Some nice woodworking there!


I might try my hand at one of these Vewlix cabs someday...

...if I could only finish my Wooden Candy Cab 

[Gatsu]

keep workin on that candy cab man. Its lookin sweet.

You're farther along on yours than I am on mine so....get back to work! lol.

Once I get everything done, I'll make a "how-to" pdf for everyone to have and share.

After I get the vewlix done, if I can manage to find any more room in my apartment, I'm gonna start on a candy cab like yours.

So keep it up!

[Gatsu]

A few more progress photos from this evenings routering adventure.

Added the 45 degree bevel around the front edges of the side pieces, made the side pieces for the bottom box flush. And cut out the control panel mounting panel.

Tomorrow I'll have some more done. Hopefully the speaker bar and the holes the TV will sit in on the sides.








(closeup of the bevel)


(lower left side)


(my sister sitting at the helm)


(she approves)

[Gatsu]

Ok. A small update.

I got the access door cut out on the front of the box (will post pics of it later). But hit kind of a snag with a certain part.

across the top of the cab are 4 bars that make up 1 solid piece. They have rounded edges as you can see in the sketchup photo.


I've tried using a jig-saw to cut those rounded areas out.....a router....I just cant keep the cuts clean enough or I end up sanding too much off or cutting too much off. Any suggestions? I probably wasted 3 hours on these things. Re-drawing the template, cutting the piece out, sanding, *&^#%$ it up then start over again.

Sucks. I even tried just cutting the rounded edges first as seperate pieces then cut the middle straight bars. Cannot get those rounded corners. 

[Franco B]

If I was you I would make a round template with the same radius as the corners you ant to cut and use that to template route the corners.

You could make an adjustable circle Jigs like Javs, you could make a quick one use jig by attaching the router to a piece of MDF and then bolting to the piece you want to cut.

You could even use something like a tin can with the same/similar radius as the piece you want to cut. Remove most of the material from the can leaving the bottom + 1/2" of the sides and then screw that to your material and use a flush trim bit to template route it.

Either way I would make a master template with both radii's and the straight length and then use this again to template route the four pieces.

[Gatsu]

The problem is there isn't enough material to clamp the piece down once its been cut free of the main board for the router to sit on.

I'll try a few other things this afternoon and we'll see how it goes. Also gonna be trying to get the control panel built and the bottom box assembled.

Photos to come later.

[Bender]

The problem is there isn't enough material to clamp the piece down once its been cut free of the main board for the router to sit on.

I'll try a few other things this afternoon and we'll see how it goes. Also gonna be trying to get the control panel built and the bottom box assembled.

Photos to come later.

if you have a template you can use double sided tape or even screw the template down, also I have had to use scraps of wood the same width laid all out on a flat surface to support the router

does that make any sense?

[Franco B]

Either buy or build yourself a router table. If you thought routers were versitle a router table will at least quadruple that. I'm routing things less than 1/2" diameter at the moment, something you couldnt do with a router on its own.

[Gatsu]

I've got a router table...its kinda small but should do the trick I guess.

Managed to get the base control panel box built. Just gotta add the sides and front decorative white pieces, and then route out the sections for the move list art and the plexi.

Gonna take a break for a couple of days to work on some artwork I've promised for other people here on the forum. Don't want to keep them waiting.

I'll get back on it Thursday.

[Gatsu]

alright here's another update. (with photos)

Put the bottom box together. Thats where all the guts will go obviously. Also started putting the control panel together.


Base of the case




front of the case...minus the front piece...that I dropped and broke by accident. so I gotta re-cut that piece tomorrow.


The control panel baseboard with the sides attached. Thats not all of it. There are some angled pieces that need to be cut out and mounted as well.


Test fit of the control panel on the base box.


Test fit with the top of the CP on. I'm also testing a theory on how to may the CP stable, but easily swappable.

Anyway. Any questions or input feel free.

[Gatsu]

Yet another update, quite a bit of progress today.

Recut the front of the main box and screwed it in place. I haven't cut the access door out yet, Im gonna wait to do that just before I permanently put the box together. Right now its just screwed together, no glue. When its all finalized and assembled, I'll be putting some wood glue on the screws to help solidify the hold.

Glued the side pieces together and routed out the television resting holes. Did a test clamp fit of the sides on the box, slapped the monitor in place and set the control panel up. Its looking mighty fine right now.















Might take a break tomorrow...not sure yet. Theres still so much I need to do.
The speaker box along the top of the television needs to be done. The side pieces & front of the control panel need to be cut out and glued in place. The top bars need to be cut out and glued together....and then the painting can begin.

Thats just before I can start priming and painting....

Also gotta build the interior shelves for all the PC components to mount to, and the 360.

What do you guys think of it so far?

[Sosetsuken]

Holy crap Gats!

That looks amazing dude!  Can't wait to see the frame finished and assembled, although I feel for you as you still have to paint it

Keep it up man!

[Gatsu]

glad you dig it. I must admit I was scared for the first few weeks that none of it would come together right, I'd screw up the tv mounting or something. So yesterday was a real huge relief for me when we test fit the tv and it sat all nice and pretty. So all the clencher work is done. Now I can relax a little and take care of the rest which won't be so bad.

I've got a couple more things to buy (including artwork) which I forgot to include in my budget so Im having to scrape some extra cash together for that. Hopefully I won't have to cheap out on it. Most of its gonna be vinyl decal type stuff....but I wanna get the control panel done through mame marquees if possible. Just gotta get a quote from them.

There are gonna be some holes in the side panels that will need to be covered up. But instead of puttying them up, I wanna leave them functional so I can take the cabinet apart incase I have to move again. So I need to find some white and black screw hole covers. Do those even exist? I need a good many of them Im sure.

[thatitalian]

DUDE! That is crazy! I really like that! A LOT!

Would one mind if one built a cab similar to ones cab?

[drventure]

I like it! Nice and slim with good lines and proportions.

And that's a great use for that big flat screen! 

[Gatsu]

Thanks for the kind words guys. Im really happy with how its turning out as well.

@ thatitalian - be my guest. Im basing my design off of someone elses. PM me your email and I can send you the google sketchup file.

@ drventure - yeah Im glad I decided on the Vewlix design instead of the Lindberg. The Vewlix is just so much sexy.

[thatitalian]

@ thatitalian - be my guest. Im basing my design off of someone elses. PM me your email and I can send you the google sketchup file.

NO FRIGGING WAY! PM SENT!

[Gatsu]

cool. I'll email it to you this evening when I get home from work.

This week Im hoping to get it to the point where its ready to prime. But gonna be taking a day off today to chill out and catch up on some episodes of True Blood.

[CthulhuLuke]

That cabinet is looking really slick Gatsu. I've always been a fan of the japanese arcades. Are you going to go with sanwa's or seimitsu's to match the cab and everything?

Also is there any problems so far with the tippy-ness of the cabinet? I know a lot of Japanese cabinets get away with not tipping during intense SF4 by being so damn heavy, and MDF should be heavy enough but I could imagine someone with a little muscle could have that thing topple on them.

I think another very cool thing about that cabinet is you'll definitely be able to fit it in the doorway. Cabinet designs like the UAII are really beefy and I've seen a lot of people here have troubles just getting the arcade into their basement.

Great job so far!

[Gatsu]

Thanks for the kind words Cthulhu.

I am still debating on the style joysticks to go in the cab. I can order Sanwas and wait 2-3 weeks to get them in, or modify the happ sticks I've got to have balltops instead of teardrop. I know I want ball top sticks...just not sure on happ or sanwa. Because I like both. So cost and availability are the only factors.

But for buttons Im going with Happ for now. I can always widen the holes and use Sanwa buttons later. But all the colors will be white to match the original Vewlix.

With the tippy-ness. None whatsoever. Once the control panel is bolted down this bad boy will not move. Like you said, the MDF makes it heavy.

As for the size and moving it around, I'm not puttying up the screw holes for the major components of the cab so it is easily taken apart for moving purposes. So I've gotta find some white and black screw hole covers to take care of that.

*EDIT/UPDATE:
Actually...I just ordered 2 Sanwa JLW sticks from LizardLick. So it'll be sanwa sticks & happ buttons. So not 100% accurate. But I'll probably upgrade to sanwa buttons later on after I finish paying for the other parts.

[Gatsu]

I ordered some sanwa white buttons as well for the control panel. Dunno what came over me....just felt the insane urge to order some...so I did.

So my cab will be more accurate to the official vewlix.

[Kaytrim]

Looking good there buddy.  Keep cracking you'll get it done soon.

Michael

[Sosetsuken]

cool. I'll email it to you this evening when I get home from work.

This week Im hoping to get it to the point where its ready to prime. But gonna be taking a day off today to chill out and catch up on some episodes of True Blood.

Zomg, Sam's the man eh!  Can't wait to see what Season 2 brings

[Gatsu]

Yeah the shows awesome. I've watched the whole first season in like 2 nights.

[Sosetsuken]

nice move on the Joysticks and Buttons.  I was a bit worried about the happ controls on the cab, not to say that happ controls aren't great, just saying that you're trying to recreate the vewlix cab (and doing a sweet job if i do say so!) so you need the sanwas

Oh btw I figured out the joysticks in my Astro City panel are Seimitsu's not sanwas?  But they still feel great so i'm not too worried.  I just thought the astro control panel used sanwa sticks.

Anyways, this post needs more 

please?

[Gatsu]

yeah that decision had been tormenting me since I started working on the cab. So much in fact that I have 2 sets of controls for the cabinet. One set of happ, one set of sanwa. lol. I already had the happ parts ordered and waiting....but then I got the urge to buy the sanwa parts. so....lol.

Sanwa is going in it for sure though.

Thats interesting about your CP though. I think Sanwa & Seimitsu are pretty much the same thing as far as look and feel. The more options the merrier I guess. Since arcades are still money makers in japan 2 companies can thrive over there selling arcade parts. Too bad the american arcades are all but dead.

And I promise I'll get more pics this weekend when I get back working on it again.

[Gatsu]

Sadly no progress this weekend. I've been feeling under the weather. So i've been figuring out how all the guts are going to be wired and whatnot. But I hit a snag.

I've got 2 100watt car speakers. And the 2 main audio sources will be an Xbox 360 and a PC. I need at least a 2.1 system in the cab so it'll have some bass. So the 2 speakers (a sub I havent gotten yet) wired to the 360 and PC.

Getting a full stereo receiver is out of the question because of cost and ease of use. It'd be a pain to turn it on and off and all that in the cab.

So I need a small 2.1 audio amp that has its own power supply...and can hook up to 100watt speakers.

Looking around on ebay I found this:
LINK

But I don't know if that will be ideal for those speakers and the subwoofer. Or will I even need a subwoofer If I have a good set of speakers?
 
What do I need to get? And what kind of cost am I looking at?

[Gatsu]

nevermind. I looked around and found another thread that answered my speaker questions.

I decided that I will wait on building a New PC to run SFIV until later on when I can really afford it. Since Ive got a 360 going in the cab, that'll run SFIV just as well. So Im gonna use my mini-pc for Mame to run 3rd Strike and the Mortal Kombat games.

[Kaytrim]

Get feeling better buddy.  There is a lot of weird stuff flying around.

[SNAAKE]

is the control panel gonna be square box? could be more "stylish". cabinet itself looking good and accurate. not digging the panel. add some angles or something. [/constructive criticism]

[Gatsu]

the the front and side angle pieces haven't been cut out yet for the control panel. Thats just the base box. So no worries. The control panel will look like the vewlix original...not just a square box.

It ain't done yet.

here's an example image of what it'll hopefully look like when its done.

[Ond]

But I don't know if that will be ideal for those speakers and the subwoofer. Or will I even need a subwoofer If I have a good set of speakers?
 
What do I need to get? And what kind of cost am I looking at?

Speakers with good cone travel, even smaller ones can produce quite acceptable bass (in a good enclosure).  You can pair quality home speakers with a decent car amp even though home speakers are rated at about 8 ohms and car stuff is rated at about 4 ohms - no problem.  The main issue is supplying power to a car amp - you need to source a power supply that's noise free and can put out 12volts at high enough amperage (at least 5 ampere) to drive those quality speakers.

There are quite a few good car speakers with pretty good bass as well, sounds like you might already have found some.

I'm replying to this one because that is exactly what I 'll be doing in my cab. I haven't picked out my parts yet but I can let you know when I do.  Subbies are great but not always convenient, same with home audio gear.  Just so you know, I have used the combo I've described before and I do run a home subby as well (for home cinema).  My home subby runs a plate amp custom built for it (powered by mains supply) and rated at 1100W continuous.

[Sosetsuken]

Hey Gats,  you feeling better mate?

Will ya be working on the Vewy this weekend?

[Gatsu]

feeling somewhat better. Now its dealing with the southern weather. lol.

Yeah I'm gonna be working on it for the next 4 days. Hopefully will get the rest of it cut out, glued together and puttied up...then will hopefully (crosses fingers) start painting it this weekend.

Gonna have to wait on drilling the control panel holes and whatnot until I can get the art printed. So that may be one of the last steps.

[Gatsu]

Control Panel update! Angles mutha f$&^@cka! Do you speak it! 


rear of the control panel, sitting on the bottom box.


underside of the control panel.....thats basically the board that mounts to the main box.


Front shot of the box and control panel. Lookin sexy with its angles. And notice the access door hole has been cut out too.


closer shot of the angled sexy.


Oh look....the top and front come off in one nice piece so that swapping panels or making repairs is easier! w00t.

Now all thats left is the speaker box, pieces to cover the outer edges of the television and the marquee holder top. Then it shall be 100% cut out and assembled. And priming can begin. MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

So close now.....so close.

That control panel is damn heavy though....I will probably use bolts to mount it instead of wood screws because I don't think the screws would hold well enough.

Only thing really left to do to the CP now is rout out the mounting area for the control plate, and the area for the move list artwork. Sand a few edges to make it smooth and then its ready to get primed.

[Bender]

Looking great Gatsu

love the angles on that cp

[Gatsu]

thanks man.

I was really worried that the angles wouldn't meet up at all. Even though they aren't 100%....they are a lot better than I thought they would be. Some light sanding will make it perfect. Just as long as I don't go too crazy with the belt sander. lol.

[Sosetsuken]

very nice Gats!

I used bolts in the side of my cab to hold the giant monitor, I was a bit worried they'd look bad but I found the shiny round looking ones and they fit right in.  I was like you thinking that wood screws might not be strong enough.

Nearly there mate, keep it up, GO FOR BROKE!

[Gatsu]

hehe. Oh Im going for broke alright. Cuz I'm gonna be damn broke by the time I finish this thing.

But I came to some realizations about what my choices of hardware are and what that will limit me to.

Ultimately....what do I expect out of this cabinet and what it can really deliver. And sadly I'm going to have to cut the mame pc out of the equation for now. Running Mame on an LCD to me just doesn't yield the true-arcade results I want. So until I can afford a 2nd cab, its gonna have to wait.

So all that PC hardware I just bought is gonna collect dust. lol. I can get some use out of it. But not what I was expecting.

Anyway. So what IS going in my cabinet. For right now just an Xbox 360. With that, I can cover a lot of the newer fighters (and some of the older ones) through Live Arcade, and the newer titles like Street Fighter IV and Dead or Alive.

And because Im a stickler for punishment...and am never content with 1 thing. I'm looking into getting a Naomi & GD-Rom system so I can run Capcom vs. SNK 2 and some of the other sweet-ass fighters on that system.

[Sosetsuken]

Don't forget Marvel Vs Capcom 2 is coming to xbox live, and Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.  Theres also a handful of arcade classics that have HD upgrades, like Gauntlet and Double Dragon that would look nice on an LCD.  Not to mention that Tekken 6 and Kof XII are coming out fairly soon .

Either a naomi or a dreamcast with a VGA cable?  Which ever is cheaper is suppose but I agree you need Capcom Vs SNK 2 on that bad boy.  One of my mates came over last night and we played Cvs2 for about 3 hours straight haha.

[Gatsu]

did they make capcom vs. snk 2 for the dreamcast? If so Im gonna have to find that and slap a dreamcast in my cab for now till I can afford a Naomi kit.

[Namco]

Wow Gatsu, the wood working is coming along great! You did a great job with all those angles and pieces. TV fits beautifully.

[Gatsu]

thanks for the kind words Namco.

The angles were the most difficult part. They aren't perfect, but some sanding will make them look better.

[Sosetsuken]

did they make capcom vs. snk 2 for the dreamcast? If so Im gonna have to find that and slap a dreamcast in my cab for now till I can afford a Naomi kit.

Yeah Gats, "Capcom Vs. SNK 2 - Millionaire Fighting 2001" it was only ever released in Japan on Dreamcast.  The US/PAL version was only released on Xbox / PS2 and Gamecube. [ Xbox & Gamecube versions were EO, which sucked, cause when you select your character, you also have to select EO or AO Mode.  EO was the mode where all specials could be done with like Fwd+P, and supers done by D,DF,F+P ] It was subtitled "Mark of the Millenium 2001" instead of millionaire fighting.

Anyways, get a Dreamcast+VGA Cable, and Cvs1/pro & Cvs2, Guilty Gear XX, and a few of the other dreamcast games.  Probably a lot cheaper than a naomi kit + gd's/carts.

[HaRuMaN]

Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 is on the Dreamcast...  and the best part is, if you have the know-how, you can edit the disk and use your own custom music, and get rid of that "Take you for a ride" crap.  I have a few custom rock mixes for mine.

[Gatsu]

I've got MVSC 2 and 3rd Strike. Just need CvSNK2 and Guilty Gear and I'll be set. And I know where I can find those. 

so now all I need are 2 more controllers and a vga cable. w00t.

[Epyx]

Are you going to get Street Fighter IV for PC in July? I will be scooping this up as it seems like a perfect cabinet ready pc game

[Gatsu]

I've got it pre-ordered....but right now Im close to cancelling my preorder.

I already have it on Xbox 360 and there won't be a PC in my cabinet since all the mame games don't look arcade true on a LCD monitor.

I'll have to wait and see really.

[Epyx]

Ya if you have an Xbox 360 and aren't going with a pc in the cab the pc version is pretty much a moot point.

[Gatsu]

yeah after running the benchmark software last night on my desktop....which can run Unreal Tournament 3 at full spec.....can't run SFIV unless I set it to 1024x768 and the fx to low.

sad.

so yeah....SFIV in the arcades is only 720p on the 360 anyways. So my LCD tv does that. So I'm happy.

[Sosetsuken]

[Gatsu]

ok...I've got a better processor, same video card and 4 GB of ram. Why was I not getting a good grade?

[Sosetsuken]

If I put on any AA or AF it halves my FPS which is weird.  No AA/AF and i get like 120fps :/  Maybe a driver bug (used 185 & 186 beta too).

[Gatsu]

just another reason to stick with a console for this cab. lol.

[RetroGreg]

This is looking great. Good job with the angles and I really like how you slotted the sides for the tv. Awesome!

P.S. - I'm sticking with the 360 version of SF4 as well. Plus you can always play some 360 arcade titles on your cab now that you'll have it in there anyway. The JLW's you ordered will work great for Pac Man Championship Edition in 4 way mode. That's what I'm using right now as well.

[Gatsu]

Thanks for the kind words Retro.
Yeah to run SFIV right now the 360 is the easiest especially for this monitor. Since it only displays 1080i max, the pc version is overkill. 720p looks nice enough for me....and since the Vewlix cab SFIV ran on only goes up to 720p....Im not complaining.

No real building progress sadly. Its been way too hot the past week. In the hundreds with high humidity. Getting covered in sawdust is just not comfortable. Once it rains I'll probably make some progress.

But I did manage to get the speakers hooked up to the amp to test it out. Works decently enough. It may need more bass but I'll have to get everything together first in order to really give it a yay or nay.

Still waiting on my order from Lizardlick for my buttons and sticks. I figure probably another week or so hopefully. But we'll see.

Also debating on how to get the artwork for the CP and the move lists printed. Mamemarquees I might go with for the CP....since its durable. But I'm not sure about the move lists. There are 3 spots on the cab that will have moves/instructions on them. (going by the original design Im copying anyway.)

Here's a shot to see what I mean.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donovanmyers/3426290323/sizes/l/in/set-72157615957035070/

2 of them would need to be adhesive backed....the other thats on the CP would just be sitting under plexi.....so.....I dunno.

What do you guys think?

[Sosetsuken]

Thanks for the kind words Retro.
Yeah to run SFIV right now the 360 is the easiest especially for this monitor. Since it only displays 1080i max, the pc version is overkill. 720p looks nice enough for me....and since the Vewlix cab SFIV ran on only goes up to 720p....Im not complaining.

No real building progress sadly. Its been way too hot the past week. In the hundreds with high humidity. Getting covered in sawdust is just not comfortable. Once it rains I'll probably make some progress.

But I did manage to get the speakers hooked up to the amp to test it out. Works decently enough. It may need more bass but I'll have to get everything together first in order to really give it a yay or nay.

Still waiting on my order from Lizardlick for my buttons and sticks. I figure probably another week or so hopefully. But we'll see.

Also debating on how to get the artwork for the CP and the move lists printed. Mamemarquees I might go with for the CP....since its durable. But I'm not sure about the move lists. There are 3 spots on the cab that will have moves/instructions on them. (going by the original design Im copying anyway.)

Here's a shot to see what I mean.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donovanmyers/3426290323/sizes/l/in/set-72157615957035070/

2 of them would need to be adhesive backed....the other thats on the CP would just be sitting under plexi.....so.....I dunno.

What do you guys think?

Gats depends on whether you'll have Plexiglas over the top of them.

I Reckon;

The Movelist on the CP:  Route out an indentation in the cp that fits a piece of Plexi and just whack the CP list under it, no need for adhesive.

The Movelist under the monitor: Make that whole length under the monitor a sort of pull out marquee style bit of plexi so you can just drop new move lists in or take others out.

The Marquee;  Just do it like a traditional marquee with it sandwiched between two pieces of plexi.

I'm not sure you'll want any of the 3 Adhesive backed, since its a Vewlix Cab and when you get KOFXII in that bad boy you might wanna change the signage around for at least a few weeks after KOF XII comes out

I'm not too worried about the PC version of Street Fighter IV either, after i've realised i'll need the 360 for KOF XII.  I'm actually looking forward to KOF XII more than I was for Street Fighter IV.

Anyways Gats, if it were my cab I'd just make all 3 non-adhesive and whack some plexi in front of them.

[Gatsu]

ya know...thinking about it....none of that artwork is on the original vewlix....except the one on the control panel.

So I may do some tweaking in photoshop to get all the moves on 1 sheet to fit the control panel.

It'll be cheaper as well.

[Gatsu]

Some good news. Its looking like I have all of next week off for the 4th of July. So this will be perfect crunch time to get the cabinet done.

My goal is to have the cabinet fully assembled and painted, then everything mounted and wired up before the 4th. Then on the 4th....have a big reveal party and play SFIV and other fighters until everyone gets bored and goes home. lol.

So tomorrow after work (payday...w00t!), I'll deposit my moneys and head to gamestop to pick up some 360 controllers to hack up for the CP. Friday afternoon I'll go to the local sign shop and get the vinyl decal made for the main marquee so it should be ready by the time the cab is painted and ready.

Also got some confirmation emails from Lizardlick saying all my parts are on the way. w00t!

[Franco B]

Keep us posted bud!

[Gatsu]

Well look what came in the mail today. 



This makes me happy.

[Gatsu]

Alrighty....a bit of an update. Got all the front panels cut out and placed infront of the television to see how they fit. Got the speaker "box" cut and put in place.
Not sure if I'm digging how the front panels look right now....I'll have to see how they are painted.

I do have photos....but I won't be able to post them till tomorrow afternoon. They are on my sisters camera....and she still has it and hasn't emailed them to me yet.

So......

tomorrow I shall bring photos.

Also...doesn't look like I'll be finished when I want to be. Hit a snag financially and have to wait for this weeks pay before I can buy the rest of the stuff I need to mount the CP, the board the buttons & sticks are gonna be mounted on.....and the artwork. I might have it playable by the 4th...but not 100% done.

[Sosetsuken]

Ah sorry to hear about ya financial snag mate, keep up the great work tho gats!


(And pics ASAP )

[Sosetsuken]

Oh and forgot to say, sorry gats I stole your Sig Bar idea

EDIT: Also, Gats I got KOF XI, KOF Neowave, KOF 98 Unlimited Match, KOF 2002 Unlimited Match and Street Fighter EX3 working on my arcade cab.  Theres a build of PCSX2 out there (Can't link to it as it has roms etc, just google "PCSX2 Maetel") thats compiled with speed hacks that allows all these to play 100% speed flawlessly.

[Gatsu]

PM me the links if you don't mind. the force is not with me today. lol.

[evitagen]

I'm digging this project quite a bit.  I've been wanting to make this kind of cabinet myself lately and the Donovan Myers plans are only for the 2 TE sticks kind of CP, and I wanted a CP more like yours.  Why build an entire cab if you're just putting in 2 TE's you know?  I have a few questions though.  Do you have the plans for this that include the way you did the CP, because I'd love to use them.

Also, is the CP thick enough to accomodate a happs joystick?  I'm sure I could make it a bit thicker if I needed when I start my build, but by the looks of it it might just have enough room for a happs stick.

Love the project man.

[Gatsu]

yep I've got the plans that incorporate the full control panel. I've got it in google sketchup.

I agree...why spend all that time and money if you're not gonna all the way and make the cab as authentic as possible. But different strokes for different folks.

I was originally gonna use happ controls....so when I cut all the pieces out they were for happ. I think I increased the pieces to be around 3inches tall.

Glad you dig it.

I'll have more pictures as soon as my sister decides to send me the pics off her camera. I've asked her about 8 times today...

[Sosetsuken]

why spend all that time and money if you're not gonna all the way and make the cab as authentic as possible

EXACTLY!  Yours will be the definitive version mate!   

[evitagen]

yep I've got the plans that incorporate the full control panel. I've got it in google sketchup.

So awesome.  Is there any way you could allow me to snag a copy of those sketch-up files?  It's awesome you built it with happs in mind.  Most people would probably think that was blasphemy but I prefer the happs over sanwa.

When I start this build you might just have a few PMs when I run into a problem.  Cutting those angles for the CP seems like it's going to be kind of tough.

[Gatsu]

the sides were cake. it was the 2 angles on that front piece that were the toughest. But if you have access to a table saw that can angle the blade you'll be ok.

[Gatsu]

why spend all that time and money if you're not gonna all the way and make the cab as authentic as possible

EXACTLY!  Yours will be the definitive version mate!   

dunno about that....I just hope I don't screw up all this work with a poor paintjob.

[mj147]

Keeping an eye on your progress Gatsu as a viewlix style cab will be my next build.

Nice choice on the Sanwa sticks. I made me a fighting stick using Sanwas JLW's  for SF 4 and I wont go back to happs.



On a different note................get them pics from your sister 



mj147

[Gatsu]

Finally she decided to send me the photos....so here they are. All thats left to cut out are those annoying top rounded pieces that are still kicking ---my bottom---. And the plexi. So I might just go ahead and paint the cab and do those last.




(that thin board under the front of the CP box is just to hold it up....its not a part of the cab.)


Front of the speaker box board...holes aren't perfect...but Im gonna sand the rough edges and hopefully when they are painted the imperfections will disappear.


Case with no CP on it.


rear of the case. Yeah...Im gonna leave it that open so the tv gets good ventilation.

Feel free to ask any questions.

[HaRuMaN]

Oh man... that's gonna look so sweet when it's done...

You can deliver to Arizona, right?

[Sosetsuken]

Man that looks amazing Gats!  Good job buddy.  If your gonna use a roller for the paint, go for the disposable foam rollers, they leave the best finish imo.

[Gatsu]

thanks guys. I'm glad you dig it. I can't wait to get this thing playable....but its gonna have to be next week before I can do anything else sadly. Ran out of cash and wasn't able to get my paycheck this week.

So Im gonna have to sit on it for a few days. 

But thankfully there's not really a whole lot left to do.

[evitagen]

Very nice.

For the top piece, you could do something like this guy did:  http://forums.shoryuken.com/showpost.php?p=6365113&postcount=37

Still looks really cool to me and a hell out of a lot easier, imo.

[Gatsu]

O_O I didnt even think of that. hell to the yeah. thanks for that link man. That is just friggin sweet.

[evitagen]

No problem.  I almost like it more.  It's angular just like the rest of the cab.

[langdonx]

Great work so far... very inspiring.  I have a quick question: What are the dimensions of the full unit?  Especially as far as depth is concerned?

I saw you mentioned you'd be able to take it apart for moving, but it would of course be more ideal if you didn't have to do that.  I built a cabinet a few years ago with mameroom.com plans and decided on making a thinner cabinet so that it could fit through all the doors in my house.  I think I ended up taking off 2" or so.

[Gatsu]

Im not sure about the depth or height...but I remember the width of the cab being 32 inches. I'll have to check the plans when I get home and get back to you.

Really Im reconsidering being able to break down the entire cabinet....because taking it apart and putting it back together too many times can cause issues. So I'm probably just gonna have the control panel be removable via some bolts. That way it can fit through any door sideways.

[Gatsu]

Priming has begun.

Photos shall come once I have more done.

[Gatsu]

Probably not a good sign....but as I was priming....I started looking at all the pieces drying.
I heard a little voice in my head say "I don't wanna do this anymore..."

I guess I am losing steam with the project. Probably because I missed my deadline and its now going into the 2nd week past deadline, and still no real progress.

I'm close to finishing, but there's still so much left to do. And I can only do a little at a time. Or I have to buy this to finish that.

Maybe I need to step back, make a list of whats left to do....and as I do it, mark it off or something.

Suggestions?

[Kaytrim]

Check lists are always good to keep track of progress.  Once you finish painting this case things aught to move along at a quicker pace.  Also have a plan in place so you know what is next.

Keep at it buddy,
Michael

[langdonx]

I know how you feel as well... a friend and I started making 2 cabinets on February 6th, 2006 and the summer really killed our momentum.  We ended up finishing on August 10th.

A checklist is a must... not only to give you a good sense of progress, but also to avoid future "now i need to buy this" moments.  Come up with a good plan, buy everything now, and then just push through!

Good luck.

[Namco]

I know how you feel. I hit that mark somewhere between wood working and painting on my project. But it all becomes worth it once you get the artwork and can finally do the control panel. Then you bolt it all on and step back, man it's magic at that point!

I will all be worth it once you get done with the painting and start wiring. It helps to have an outlet of some sort, like another cab in the corner to play so you don't rush through your current project. 

[Gatsu]

Just a small update. Got everything thats been cut out and together primed. I'm gonna wait on the top rounded pieces and the marquee until it starts to get cooler. So the project will sit at 95% complete for a while.

But I got the main box actually painted, along with some of the front panels. Today I'm hoping to get the white side piece all painted up and the rest of the control panel done. Depends on how hot it gets.

I hate South Carolina and its retarded heat & humidity. It can be 93 degrees....and feel like its 104 and wet. Ridiculous.

So after painting and letting it sit for a couple of days to let the clear coat set, I'll be moving it to the apartment to get it all wired up and whatnot. Then once everything starts to cool down (and I can save some money). I'll take on the top pieces and marquee.

No pictures sadly.

[Gatsu]

Some sad news.

After 3 days of painting, I hit a huge setback and that has driven me to the point of putting the entire thing on hold for a while.

I share the garage space with my father. And apparently a buddy of his came over and used some tools for a project. What he didn't realize was that leaving greasy tools and garbage ontop of my painted project would ruin the paint and stain the unpainted pieces.

3 days of painting wasted. It must all be re-sanded and 3 coats re-applied. Fun.

Its too damn hot outside most of the time...and the humidity is a nightmare. So I will be moving the pieces to my apartment so they won't get any more damaged. And just finish painting there.

Probably won't touch it again until October or November.

Sorry guys & gals. I know a few of you were looking forward to seeing this get done soon. So was I. But my level of frustration has hit a point where if it never gets finished I really wouldn't care. So its time to put it away for a few months.

Probably won't see much of me around until then. So...until then.

[javeryh]

Boo!!!  C'mon Gatsu - your cabinet is looking awesome - try not to get discouraged (as hard as it may be).  We've all been there - take a deep breath and a few weeks off if you have to but not 4 months!!!  We can't wait that long! 

That totally blows though.  I've noticed that people aren't careful around my cabs (finished or not) and I don't know what the deal is.

[Bender]

hey, man that sucks, so sorry that happened

people that borrow or use other peoples tools should have a little respect!

I second Javeryh take a little time off, but we can't wait four months!

I do know how you feel, had a few major setbacks with some projects too (though none that quite as bad as yours)

Time heals all wounds

are you still making fighter sticks? might be a good way to get back into it with a smaller project

anyway, all best and we hope to hear from you sooner than later

[Kaytrim]

Hey Buddy if you want to save a little time sanding get some shalac from Home Depot.  Thin down the shalac with denatured alcohol about 50%.  Use a real hair brush and brush it on the entire cab.  Because it is alcohol based it will dry quickly.  Also don't go back over the area once you apply the shalac until it is completely dry it gets sticky quickly and you'll do more harm than good. 

This stuff will seal in the stains, grease and everything else with one or two coats.  You can even use it to seal bare MDF and use less primer.  There is no need to sand between coats unless you want to smooth things out.  Give it a day to cure before you sand it smooth.  Then you can add one or two more coats.  Once the final coat is cured you can scuff sand and paint. 

TTFN 
Michael

[Pixelhugger]

GOD How I hate redoing work. I'd rather do 3X the work on something new than to retrace my steps and redo something I already did and lost. Javeryh is right tho, most of us have been there. I've rebuilt almost every single part of my cab twice due to stupid mistakes or unforseen issues. It's cost me tons of time and hundreds of dollars, but in the end it's worth every minute and every penny. Step away from it for a few days or weeks until you can see straight and start again. 

[Namco]

GOD How I hate redoing work. I'd rather do 3X the work on something new than to retrace my steps and redo something I already did and lost. Javeryh is right tho, most of us have been there. I've rebuilt almost every single part of my cab twice due to stupid mistakes or unforseen issues. It's cost me tons of time and hundreds of dollars, but in the end it's worth every minute and every penny. Step away from it for a few days or weeks until you can see straight and start again. 

There's some things about my cab that are not perfect. They diminish the value of my cab in my mind. I've redone the wiring inside about 4 times already and the front end about 3 times. I do not want to work on them any more and am willing to just move on and start another project sadly.

I see Gatsu's perspective about the loss of enthusiasm over a setback. Sucks to have to redo something tedious like that. The only way to get over a setback is to take a step back or work through it and get to the next level. Gatsu hasn't seen the motivating light at the end of the tunnel yet.

[Gatsu]

I was sure motivated to back over my dads buddy with a forklift......

[severdhed]

that sucks dude, i was really looking forward to seeing this cabinet finished.  i'd be laying a guilt trip on your dad and his friend, maybe try to get some help with the sanding process or something

[Gatsu]

I would talk to my dad about it. But he doesn't really see it as a worthwhile project to invest in to begin with so....thats a conversation I wanna avoid really.

thanks for the support and comments guys. But for now its on hold until I at least get it to the apartment. Then I can paint a piece at my leisure instead of having to make a trip to my parents place.

[jeef]

my condolences for your loss

[Gatsu]

alrighty. Been trolling the forum for the past few weeks....waiting and watching. And I've seen some candy & vewlix style projects that got my fire burning to finish my cab again.

I've moved all the components to my apartment and out of my dads garage. It seemed to be getting more & more hazardous for it there.

Steps to finish:
Finish cutting out the top bar pieces for the marquee area
Finish sanding and puttying the top piece of the control panel
Cut out joystick & button holes
Mount the control panel plate onto the full panel.
Re-paint the entire base & front pieces (thanks to all the crud that got on it from my dad & his buddies slapping tools all over it).
Wire controls & PC in base

There won't be a coin door for now. But I might add one later.

Here's a picture of everything in its new temp resting place until I start working on it this week.



You can see close to the center of the image the brown stain thats on the side of that piece. Yeah....thats the ruined paint-job I was talking about earlier. The base isn't too bad. Just needs to be sanded down to the primer and 2 new coats applied. Good thing I've got a spray gun otherwise I'd be pissed to have to use more rollers.

Im also working on 3 new sticks. 2 will be twin sticks for the Wii when Tatsunoko vs Capcom drops. The other will be a 360 Dan SFIV themed stick. All pink. Buttons, balltop....everything.

[emphatic]

Great to see you back on track Gatsu! 

[Gatsu]

thanky. you don't know how much it took to get me to even look at the cab again.

But after all the forum trolling and my friend bitchin at me about getting it done....then the weather got a little cooler. So I can tolerate being outside for a long time now.

Still got a lot to do. But its the "home stretch" to me. So it won't be too bad.

[bgspot]

Glad you're back and ready to finish your vewlix! You got me motivated to build my vewlix in the first place

[SpaceHedgehog]

Excellent news Gatsu! Now get to it, that's an order

[BurgerKingDiamond]

This is really cool. If I ever do another project (when I graduate and actually have a job ) I want to do sth similar to this. I would want to somehow figure out a way to have a rotating screen. I'm dying to play Dodonpachi on a big vertical screen.

[blackwatchplad]

I'm looking forward to seeing this bad boy complete.  good luck with everything. you're doing a killer job.
I think the next cab i make, if its not a huge old school upright, may be a vewlix.
you're at the home stretch, just imagine yourself playing some street fighter on it  when it's completed... that always motivates me.

[malelanct]

This is really cool. If I ever do another project (when I graduate and actually have a job ) I want to do sth similar to this. I would want to somehow figure out a way to have a rotating screen. I'm dying to play Dodonpachi on a big vertical screen.

the original vewlix, and a replica that matches the measurements allows the monitor to rotate, although its not easy to do.   if you stayed true to the design though, its very possible. 

[Gatsu]

with the plans I used for this cab its not possible. But if you were to modify how the tv fit into the case then its totally doable.

with this cab though the tv rests in slots cut in the 2 large white side pieces.

[BurgerKingDiamond]

Yeah, it's just an idea at the moment. I'm still finishing up my current one.

[VewlixKid]

Looks great so far Gatsu. I have been following the project on your blog. Cant wait to see the finished product. 

[Gatsu]

me either. Its sucked the past week. Been raining on and off. So the work area has been wet all week. So no updates yet.

I'm hoping its clear all next week. If so I should have it pretty close to being done. At least playable. That top rounded section is my only headache piece left.

[opt2not]

I'm so jealous of all you guys making Vewlix cabinets! I'm following this project for sure, and I know being the fighting-game connoisseur you are, I know you won't disappoint!

Hopefully the weather will be better for you to finish before x-mas, it would be awesome for you to have during the long break.   

[Gatsu]

If the weather doesn't clear up....I just might take it and some tools with me to the beach to work on in November.

That sounds like a nice beach vacation. Have some rum, sit on the deck a bit by the ocean....go downstairs and work on the cabinet.

[SpaceHedgehog]

That sucks about the weather. I got lucky and managed to get mine completed just before the weather turned. Keep going when you can and don't go drinking too much rum before you work on it 

[Epyx]

Hopefully it will turn around for you

Least you are down to just one headache piece

 

[Gatsu]

That sucks about the weather. I got lucky and managed to get mine completed just before the weather turned. Keep going when you can and don't go drinking too much rum before you work on it 

ah don't worry about it. I never operate power tools while intoxicated. Safety first. Especially when it comes to routers.

[Gatsu]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand its still raining. 

[Gatsu]

Small update. No painting or woodworking done yet thanks to a combo of crappy weather and some personal issues.

I started searching for a real candy cab a few weeks ago. Found a few deals here and there....had some offers from people which I appreciated. But then I got reminded of my current unfinished project by my girlfriend. She didnt say I couldnt get a cab....she just stated that "why would you need another cab when this one isn't finished yet? This one might be enough if you're happy with it."

Tis true. Though I will still get a candy-cab after new years with my tax return hopefully. got my eye on an Egret 2 and a Cybersled.

So. Im starting to put my energy and research time into getting my Vewlix done this year. Because if I don't get it done now....I might as well throw away everything I've done so far and give up the arcade love. lol. I've put too much time and energy to do that. So I gotta finish this.

Since the hiatus I've seen a few cool ideas in some other guys vewlix cabs that I think I wanna incorporate. Means I'll need to recut some pieces. But ultimately that doesn't bother me too badly.

Add-on #1 is a keyboard drawer built into the control panel. I need to make the front piece removable via magnets or some kind of locks so that the keyboard tray can just slide out. Problem is I dunno how bad this will interfere with the button wiring. I'll have to come up with some ideas and post some photos as I experiment. Keyboard and mouse can be wireless....so I may not even need a tray. Just a way to remove the top of the control panel easily and set it to the side. Think I can manage that.

Add-on #2 Better speaker system. I want my baby to yell. It can't do that with the crappy car speakers and little cheapo-chinese amp I got. So....I'm gonna go with this setup:
Pixxo SH-8606 5.1 Multimedia Speaker System

5.1 speakers with enough oomph to make my cab shake a tad. lol. Though this means I'll need to recut the speaker bars and find some 10" circular speaker grills to fit overtop of the holes. Will have to check the local car audio stores. Again not a huge setback. Easy cuts so it shouldn't take too long to do.

Add-on #3 LED lightbar under the move list on the control panel. Check out SpaceHedgehog's Vewlix project for that idea. Its in the original cab design too....so I need to add it.

Add-on #4 Headset jacks on the control panels underside so that I can play over Xbox Live and actually talk to people. Problem is....I can't seem to find the right audio cable extender for the 360 Headsets. If anyones got an idea or knows where I can find some....please lemme know.

Ok. So now I've got some more work to do. I'll post during the next week as I get these kinks worked out.

Here's the hardware & software going into the cab (finally):

PC running MaLa & Mame with all Street Fighter games, MK games and a few KOF goodies and Guilty Gear X2 Reload
Xbox 360 running Tekken 6, Soul Calibur 4, Street Fighter 4, DOA 4, BlazBlue, Battle Fantasia,
Sega Dreamcast running Marvel vs. Capcom 2 & Capcom vs. SNK 2

Its finally moving along gentlemen. Its only a matter of time now.

[emphatic]

Nice to see your girlfriend got you back on the build. It's really nice to have a factory made cabinet to play on while you build, because if you get your cabinet built so that it's playable yet not finished, it can get hard to turn it "off" to finish it.

I have some ideas how you can lock it down and also for how to incorporate a keyboard without interfering too much with your CPO. But now it's dinner time here. I'll be back.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Really looking forward to seeing some of those design ideas implemented Gatsu. I may put a headphone port in mine at some point. The Madcatz arcade stick headphone port seems fairly straight forward to extend to make it more accessible. It might be worthwhile looking at using the PCB from that.

[emphatic]

If you look at this Vewlix, it has a look beneath the panel:



My idea is that you do the same with yours, just add a metal bracket that hangs down from your top part of the panel that the lock goes into when engaged.

My poor sketch shows it a bit better:



You could use a fingerboard connector inside your main panel (the bottom part) so you just open the lock, lift the panel up and unplug the one connector. Now you could have another panel stashed near your cabinet holding your keyboard (if you don't want to use a wireless one, you could have the cabel going through that panel top into a hub or whatever inside the main panel)

On my EGRET II, there are two locks under the panel that I unlock (I usually have these unlocked though as the top part is on hinges) when I want to adjust the volume or switch between my 1 lever or 2 lever panels.

[opt2not]

Yay Gatsu!  Glad to see you're going to follow-through on this puppy!
It's going to be a beauty, I know it!
Reading your post reminded me of an old proverb I used to remind myself of re: following-through with things:  "in a 100 mile march, 99 miles is only half way there". I don't know if it was Confucius that said that, but it stuck with me.
It's hard to keep motivations up when there's a lot going on in your personal life, or if there path is difficult, or there's lots to do...but stick with it man. You got the passion, you got the need, and you got tons of resources here to draw on. Just keep up the motivation and you'll be happy with the results!

As for the keyboard drawer: The lock idea that Emphatic posted looks cool. I was thinking about an idea I had for my cocktail cabinet, I wanted to add small Lift cylinders to my cabinet top, so that I can just unfasten the latches, and have it hold up by itself. Lift cylinders are commonly used for propping up car hoods, and truck hatches, but I'm sure if we did a bit of searching, we could probably find some small project ones that don't use too much force.
Just an idea, it would a good alternative to having a sliding drawer, it would be so cool to have a "hood" for your cp you can just lift. Perhaps a combination of piano latches and small pressure life cylinders...just an idea...

Also, I've got to add headphone jacks to my Galaxbox at some point down the line. It's a nice feature to have, and every-time I school a scrubby Ken player in SF4 online, being able to talk back to their smack is definitely a plus!

Keep up the progress my man, even if it's small steps! 

[Gatsu]

If you look at this Vewlix, it has a look beneath the panel:



My idea is that you do the same with yours, just add a metal bracket that hangs down from your top part of the panel that the lock goes into when engaged.

My poor sketch shows it a bit better:



You could use a fingerboard connector inside your main panel (the bottom part) so you just open the lock, lift the panel up and unplug the one connector. Now you could have another panel stashed near your cabinet holding your keyboard (if you don't want to use a wireless one, you could have the cable going through that panel top into a hub or whatever inside the main panel)

On my EGRET II, there are two locks under the panel that I unlock (I usually have these unlocked though as the top part is on hinges) when I want to adjust the volume or switch between my 1 lever or 2 lever panels.

@emphatic - That is a great idea. And a lot easier than what I was gonna do. Thanks for that. I'm gonna try to implement it.

Sucks though because after really taking a good look at my current control panel....its too heavy and there are some eye sore spots that will take more than putty to fix. I'm using wood filler putty but its not quite doing what I need. Its too soft after it sets. Might need to get some bondo. But I've never really worked with it.

@opt2not - thanks for the inspiration and kind words.

[Gatsu]

Ok here are some photos of what I'm working with. I can probably salvage the CP I have right now. I just really need to clean up my shoddy router work and get some better filler. Never used bondo so Im not sure what all is involved in that.



Heres the whole control panel (minus the 2 side angled pieces, those still need some love...).

You can see the shoddy non-straight router work. Because I didnt take the time to rig up a straight edge. I just drew a line and tried to eyeball it. Impossible when dust & debri is flying everywhere. So I need to rig up a straight-edge and clean up those routered areas. Once I actually finish routing out those 2 sections it might end up being a lot lighter.



Closeup of the putty. Not quite doing what I want. I've filled that area probably 3 times and it still sinks in. So i probably need to sand it all off and try something better. Suggestions?



Underside & front of the control panel. So you can see how those angled pieces are fit together. It needs more love and filler. But its sturdy.



Base/mounting section of the CP. Yeah...that cable hole needs to be a lot bigger too. Its probably the only part of the control panel Im happy with actually....



Back of the CP base. Those 3 holes running a long the bottom are for bolting it to the main base of the cab. There are 3 more on the inside lip running parallel.

Overall what do you guys think? Salvageable? I'd hate to rebuild the whole thing again. But I will if it needs it. Its mostly cleaning up the routering and then getting a better filler and a smoother finish before I re-prime it.

[emphatic]

If you have someone that can do a metal control panel top piece for you, that's what I would do. Having a base where you can fit a metal plate on will give you an option to add a single player, a two player, or perhaps a spinner panel, or a trackball panel later on. The best thing is if you can get one plate made, you know the price should you want to further your "collection" of panels.

Let me know if you want some pictures of how the panel is done in my EGRET II. You can't really see details in this picture, but the locking mechanism is kinda visible on this picture (there are two on EGRET II):

[SpaceHedgehog]

You can try P38 car body filler. I used that and it came out great; it dries hard and sands smooth.

http://www.thesitebox.com/Store/Product.aspx?ProductId=182588&src=google-base.

Apply in a well ventilated area though, preferably outside.

Not tried Bondo.

[opt2not]

You can salvage this for sure.  I love wood filler, it hides all my shoddy woodworking skills!
 
Bondo is good, but if you want to give the wood putty/filler another try, I'd say this time cake it right on there. You don't need to sand away what you already have there, just add it on top. I've had to layer applications of putty all the time because of the shrinking/sinking. It's normal and it'll bond together even if the first app is dry. While you're caking it on there, tape or nail some boards on the sides so when it sinks, it has a barrier stopping it from "seeping" away.  Don't worry about it being flush right away, in fact, be generous and "mound" it in there...be sure to spread it onto the top of the wood surface so it has something to cling to and dry. Wait for a day or two for it to fully dry solid through, then sand it down to even it out.

[Gatsu]

If you have someone that can do a metal control panel top piece for you, that's what I would do. Having a base where you can fit a metal plate on will give you an option to add a single player, a two player, or perhaps a spinner panel, or a trackball panel later on. The best thing is if you can get one plate made, you know the price should you want to further your "collection" of panels.

Let me know if you want some pictures of how the panel is done in my EGRET II. You can't really see details in this picture, but the locking mechanism is kinda visible on this picture (there are two on EGRET II):

do you mean the entire CP or just the plate that fits the joysticks and buttons? If so I could ask my father to do that. He's got some metal working stuff.

[emphatic]

Yes, keep the wooden part and just have the controls + lock mechanism sit in a metal sheet.



If I was to do this myself, I would also use a couple of these:



to hold the top of the wood part to the box (one of each side) and once you open the lock underneath the panel, you can remove the metal sheet, thus be able to reach these and open the top up completely. Perhaps you could even store the extra panel + keyboard inside (I don't know how much room that control box has, so I'm just guessing).

[Gatsu]

The entire top section of the cabinet slides right off and wont be bolted down so that I can get to the wiring quickly if need be.

So the way I've got the CP cut and fitted....I dunno if that would really work. I understand what you mean I think with the metal plate, but to have those hinges in there probably wouldn't work the way the pieces fit. I will give it a try though and see if it works because that'd make things a bit easier to manage.

[emphatic]

The entire top section of the cabinet slides right off and wont be bolted down so that I can get to the wiring quickly if need be.

So the way I've got the CP cut and fitted....I dunno if that would really work. I understand what you mean I think with the metal plate, but to have those hinges in there probably wouldn't work the way the pieces fit. I will give it a try though and see if it works because that'd make things a bit easier to manage.

Yep, I just wanted to put the idea out there for grabs. If possible, it's a really convenient way to go.

[evitagen]

So glad you're back on this project!

I'm working on a custom Vewlix myself at the moment, but I'm taking my sweet ass time with the whole thing.  Basically I'm admitedly stealing most of the neat ideas I've seen from other custom projects as I go.  I'm interested to see how your CP turns out because that is what I am going to build next(well, after the top rounded piece).  I'm probably going to recreate something similiar to how this works: 

I ended up going with trying to recreate the actual Vewlix design and not donovon myers redesign so the sides on mine are slightly slimmer.

Oh and I've heard a lot of people ask about the metal base.  A friend of mine does metal work and he's going to build me those metal legs from stainless for only about $50.  I know I'm getting a deal but apparently it's pretty easy to make in case any of you other guys with these projects want to see about someone local making it for you.

Keep us updated on your progress!  I wanna see more pics!

[Necroticart]

Gatsu I was able to get ahold of the vewlix manuals I contacted saint to see If he would host them on the file repository seeing as it is a newer machine and the files are abit on the large side and I figured they might give you a better idea of how the actual cab is assembled.

[malelanct]

how big are we talking for the manuals?

i might be able to help hosting them.  if not, i'd definitely be interested in getting a copy of them for sure!

[Gatsu]

oh they were kinda big if I remember. One was like 80mb.

[SpaceHedgehog]

If it's of any use:

Vewlix owner's manual (link to pdf's containing some dimensions of the Vewlix cabinet):

http://forum.arcadeotaku.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=862

[Gatsu]

yep. I believe thats where I downloaded them from.

[Necroticart]

yep that's them could not remember where I got them. Definitely usefull since they show how the actual machine is put together and it would nice if saint could mirror these files in case they become unobtainable in the future

[evitagen]

That is a huge manual!  Hadn't seen it before so thanks for posting it.

Gatsu you created your top rounded piece yet?  I think I'm going to try tackling it next but I know it's going to be a ---smurfette---.

[Gatsu]

my 1 regret is that I wish I had of known about these manuals when I started the project. I would have tried to make it more accurate.

Guess thats what happens when you base your design off of someone elses.

As long as it looks close to a Vewlix in the end...I guess thats what matters.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Any updates on this one Gatsu?

[Gatsu]

got the new speakers in the mail. decided to get rid of the car speakers and go with a full 5.1 set.

I've been out of town all this past week so no woodworking yet. But I'll start back on that this weekend for sure.

I've recently aquired 2 Tournament sticks that I'm really tempted to mount as the control panel like Donovan's original design. One's all black though. So I dunno if thats gonna fly. I'd hate to throw away all the control panel work I've done so far. But I dunno if it'd turn out as nice as using 2 TE sticks like the original designer used....

hmm.

[bgspot]

 ...2 tournament sticks mounted together instead of a full cp will leave the cab with a cheap and unfinished look. Not cool

[Gatsu]

yeah I agree....Im gonna stick with the CP I've built. I just have to add a few things to it.

[blackwatchplad]

Ive been away for quite a while from an accident     but i decided to stop by the forums and the first page i went to was here lol.
I really like the sound of how your cabs taking shape with the lighted move list and the new speakers.  Keep adding in the little things that really make something great and you will have a masterpiece.  I feel for you on still wanting a candycab and also you custom vewlix. I got an astro recently and i still want to make 2-3 more cabs but ive only got but so much space to spare.  Something about building something as crazy as a arcade cabinet captivates me for some reason.  Ive said it before and i will say it again, i cant wait to see this thing complete! lol
Good work sir.

[Gatsu]

I can't wait to see it finished either.

I've been out of the loop for a couple of weeks due to x-mas, new years.....and now with my wife and I both being sick. Just hasn't been a kosher time for cab construction.

[Gatsu]

Alright. After a longer break than I anticipated...I'm ready to get back into this project and get this puppy finished.

My biggest drawback has been myself really. I'll make a choice and then 20 minutes later 2nd guess myself and think of about 10 reasons not to go that route. So after much deliberation, and input from friends and family....I've got all the details set in stone now. There will no longer be any changes in the design after this.

Control Panel:
Even though I'm probably gonna get booed for this, I've decided to go with using 2 Madcatz TE sticks. Why? My electrical engineer buddy is going to japan for a whole month, and I told him I'd have the cab done by the time he got back. So...I'd be doing all of the wiring myself. Which I cannot do. I've tried and killed about 3 controllers. I can't afford to mess up more. I don't want to rebuild the CP either. I also want the control panel to be easily removable so that I can use the space for a keyboard and mouse.

I can also still remove and easily use the joysticks over at a friends house or wherever. Its not stuck at home attached to the machine.

And the madcatz sticks work with both PC and Xbox 360.....so...a quick cable swap and I'm good to go for 2 systems.
And headset jacks won't be an issue since they are built in to the sticks.

Gonna go with my original control panel, but will have swappable control sets for different style games. Its easier and I don't have to throw away all my work.

PC & Xbox 360:
Gonna be using a Xbox 360 and a PC. The PC for mame and naomi emulation, and the 360 for Super Street Fighter IV, Tekken 6 and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 whenever it drops.

Stuff to finish:
------------------
1.) taking all the parts out of storage.
2.) add a larger entrance door to the front of the cab.
3.) add cooling fans to the back of the cab.
4.) figure out how the new speakers will fit, and how best to mount them in.
5.) covers for speaker bars.
6.) ethernet port
7.) hole for power cable
8.) finish the top rounded piece, control panel modifications and marquee
9.) paint the cab
10.) print artwork
11.) PC setup
12.) final cable setup

[opt2not]

Just in time for SSF4.
Welcome back.

So...I'd be doing all of the wiring myself. Which I cannot do. I've tried and killed about 3 controllers. I can't afford to mess up more.

With the cost of those controllers, you could have just sent them to HarumaN to get hacked. Makes the wiring step 10x easier.

Personally, I'm not a fan of keyboard and mice connections,  I like to set it all before-hand without having to rely on those controls.  Unless of course you're using this as an actual computer station, then nvm.

Anyways, hope it all turns out for you. 

[Gatsu]

Yeah I could have sent them to HarumaN. But at the time I had some extra controllers laying around from other projects and decided to try my hand at it. Its not for me. And the way the control panel is looking now, I don't think i could make it look how I want. And its way too heavy.

I figure I'm spending the money on a dual-core system with a nice graphics card, I wanna use it for more than just Mame. And it makes updating and installing new software that much easier. I'll probably have a usb plug somewhere near the keyboard as well for thumb drives and whatnot.

[HaRuMaN]

Thanks for the plug, opt2not! 

I do like this cab...   

[Gatsu]

thanks for the support.

My biggest worry is getting the finished product to look really good, let a lone playable. And even now as I sit here typing this....I'm having 2nd thoughts about the decisions I've set in stone. lol.

I'll just be glad to finish it so my mind can rest and I can play SF the way it was meant to be played.

[HaRuMaN]

I'll just be glad to finish it so my mind can rest

Cab's are never finished, just more / less playable...   

[Gatsu]

very true. Finished enough then so as to consider it a fully-functioning and good looking machine.

[emphatic]

Great to see you back at it! 

[blackwatchplad]

I see a powered up cab!!  It looks great.  Just in time for all the great fighters coming out soon. 
Even if you used 2 fight sticks for it..doesn't mean you cant opt in a custom panel one day.
Keep it up man, you are almost there!!

[SpaceHedgehog]

Great that you're starting up on this again. I'm sure SSF4 and your mates will give you the incentive to complete it soon.....

Go to it team Gatsu!

[Franco B]

Great to see you back at it! 

+1   

[Sosetsuken]

Good to see you're still at it Gats, take ya time

[donnie1979]

WOW! fantastic work, it looks great! nice graftmenship there  , the vewlix cab is going to be my next build love to have one of these baby's(and my will let me place it in the livingroom).

[Gatsu]

thanks donnie.

Nothing really solid has been done to the cab. Been working on cleaning out my dads garage so i can move the pieces back in there to finish up the wood working and then repaint.

Reconsidered on ditching my original control panel idea. Too much work went into it and it won't be much work to make it usable and nice looking. So i will not be using the 2 madcatz te sticks as I am selling them to help fund the last few parts I need to order for the cab.

If I had a scanner I'd have some design ideas to show off. But I'll try to explain them as best as I can.

For the Vewlix style control panel, the section where the sticks & buttons go is removable. So I decided to do the same for my cab. Originally I was gonna have just 1 set of controls permanently mounted. Won't need to be the case anymore. I want to have a couple different control panel for different style games. Sanwa stuff for Street Fighter, Happ for Mortal Kombat (with mk art), neo geo will have its own control panel...etc. And it gives people who come over to play some options if they prefer one over the other. I personally dont care as long as I can play.

The main control panel section is gonna be bolted to the main body of the cab. But the actual player panel section will be mounted with magnets. That way they won't shift around as we play, but a good tug will remove it easily. And I won't have to worry about unscrewing and screwing down a control panel a lot, wearing out grip of the screw holes.

For the main body, I'm gonna buy an access panel door. There's a website I found that had some different styles and were pretty cost effective. I'm also gonna have a coin door. Just because I want one. I know its not on the original vewlix design....but I want one so....yeah. And there will be xbox 360 and PC in the cab. I only have room for 1 cab in the apartment, so I need to make this bad boy do everything I can for now. Otherwise I'd be starting a MK 1 style cab also.

Here's the site for the access door I'm thinking about:
http://www.proproductssales.com/

Not sure I can build an access panel door properly, but I may have to with the hole already cut in the front of the cab for it. Didn't plan properly for it. 

Its gonna be a week or so before I can really start the wood working. But in the mean time Im gonna try to get my designs scanned and show what I plan on doing. See if you guys think its a good idea or not.

[donnie1979]

Think its a great idea! all my friends played mk,ki so i just can use the HAPP controls but i like the idea that you have on changing cp's so people can play with controls that they preffer, i will keep my eye on this thread love to see how it comes out.

[Gatsu]

So I had a talk with my father about the condition may cabinet parts were in after I left them in his garage for a while last year. Didn't end well. Keep in mind they were wrapped up in a tarp, and placed in a corner of his shop out of the way. Its a pretty big shop. Its a tarp that I paid for, and all of tools & bits I purchased were placed inside the cab for safe keeping.

Since the weather was cooling down, I decided to go back out to my dad's place and start some prep work to begin working on the cab again. So I peek in the garage.

Tarp was removed, my tools & bits scattered all over the place, and oil/grease covered parts and tools were laying all over my cab parts. Some parts of the control panel were being used to hold up parts of board he was cutting for something else. And to top it all off, the tarp I had bought was ripped and tossed in the garbage.

So being the level-headed individual I am, I dumped every container, toolbox and whatever else I could find all around the garage. A hurricane hit that place. All I asked was that he respected my parts and if he needed anything, feel free to use it, just put it back how you found it. I extended far beyond the same courtesy when I was using the space for building. Vacuumed up all the sawdust, organized tools and keep the floors cleared. Why is it so hard to not put sh#t on my cabinet? He has shelves ontop of shelves in there.

Needless to say. The parts are beyond saving now. And the project is dead. I might start another project in a year or so. But all the time and effort put into this project, to have it treated like garbage. Just couldn't take it.

[opt2not]

:'(

[Nephasth]

Sorry for your loss.

[SNAAKE]

http://www.kraylixarcade.com/

[taylormadelv]

   Wow that is really, really sad. I am sorry for your loss.

[emphatic]

RIP poor cabinet.