Author Topic: My biggest arcade project so far: The building of gameroom "Level 42" (Read 88803 times)

Level42 · « **Reply #240 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:07:03 am »

You haven't played it, until you played it on the real hardware my friend

Bruno did an amazing job on his cockpit, which he bought completely empty. I'm sure running it with a VGA monitor and that new vector optimized MAME will make the experience very close........but nothing beats playing it on the full 25 inches of Amplifone beauty.

I wonder how many of these are now working in Europe. I know there's at least one completely original (so with Amplifone) in the UK. My friend Luc's will be running again pretty soon (if I get the WG6100 converged). Andreas in Germany has one completely disassembled but he now has all the parts (including a brand new mid-res CRT) to get it running which he plans doing this summer.

I wonder how many still have all the original boards (with matching serial numbers) and Amplifone PCBs and CRT in the world.......

P.S. Flue struck two days ago, getting better now.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #241 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:46:12 am »

Yes....authentic hardware + 25" Amplifone FTW!

Level42 · « **Reply #242 on:** January 23, 2009, 06:11:43 pm »

Well. Since I had the flu this week (still not great) I figured to do something simple and not requiring much effort.

I had received the very nice Blik set of DK decals.

However, I thought it wouldn't be too handy to arrange the real decals on the wall without a plan.

So I printed this picture as large as possible on a A4 sheet:

and took some scissors:

Next, I needed to have a sheet the size of the wall. I measured the width of DK and compared it with the width of the real decal. That allowed me to calculate the right scale and thus how large the sheet needed to be. Had to tape two pieces of A4 together and fold one end back.

Then it was puzzling time. It will also depend on how I will put the machines of course. There will also be a heating radiator on this wall, but the size and shape is not decided yet.

Came up with these two "designs". The first is rather narrow and tries to get as many "levels" of girders.

Pretty easy to shift this design left or right. Main advantage is that the oil-barrel is there, I like it

These are the "left overs" with this design. There are some examples where more Mario's are put in on Blik's site, but somehow that feels wrong.

2nd option:

Tried to stick to the original as much as possible here. Put the oil-barrel in there, but I guess I wouldn't do that for real. Just leave the ladders hanging from the lower girder and that's it.
Really depends on the machines. I am thinking of putting the pinball alongside to this wall so it won't be so bad that the lower part is "empty". I also have to think about the switchboxes which are also on this wall (to the right).

I also left a bit of room on the top as there wil be the red neon installed there.

Left overs:

I wonder why they put the umbrella and purse in this set, as those are not in the girder level...

The Blick decals are so that they can be re-arranged time and time again, but I doubt I will do that a lot.

This also gives an idea what you can do with a single set. If you want more, you'll need more sets.

Level42 · « **Reply #243 on:** January 23, 2009, 06:30:24 pm »

By the way, the guy who built the structure will do the tiling next friday (30th). I can get the cabs here on sunday 1st from their current storage place.

In the mean time (when I get a bit better) I can work on finishing the wall-outlets and connectors on the switchboxes, all the other electrical stuff and put an extra layer of black and red on two walls.

polaris · « **Reply #244 on:** January 23, 2009, 06:36:31 pm »

should be all done by the 8th of march then?

Level42 · « **Reply #245 on:** January 24, 2009, 03:07:40 am »

O yeah, sure, the gameroom will be finished by then. Still will have to redo the yard at that time but that wouldn't stop a visit, as I presume you don't mention that date "just like that" ?

polaris · « **Reply #246 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:37:18 pm »

i think i'm in the Ahoy for two days from the 8th , close yes?

i found a neon sign thing today where you just buy letters/ numbers to make up a sign, could make a level42's gameroom sign

i'll find the link

EDIT found the link

Level42 · « **Reply #247 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:44:18 pm »

Quote from: polaris on January 24, 2009, 06:37:18 pm

i think i'm in the Ahoy for two days from the 8th , close yes?

i found a neon sign thing today where you just buy letters/ numbers to make up a sign, could make a level42's gameroom sign

i'll find the link

Close ? Talk about close ! The Ahoy' is "around the corner" from where I live (ok, let's say a 15 minute drive). Bring the SI mat plus the Mac 24", I'll arange all the beer

!!

Who's gigging there that date ? Closest I see is Il Divo (march 11).

polaris · « **Reply #248 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:57:46 pm »

yeah i had a quick look on a map

i can almost feel the yoke in my hands

i was gonna say i might as well just bring the mat with me, save the postage, im not bringing you the mac i'll just smoke outside the gameroom

are you serious about the mac?

it is indeed il divo

i obviously got the dates mixed up

Spyridon · « **Reply #249 on:** January 26, 2009, 09:40:16 am »

Quote from: Level42 on January 23, 2009, 06:11:43 pm

Came up with these two "designs". The first is rather narrow and tries to get as many "levels" of girders.

2nd option:

Tried to stick to the original as much as possible here. Put the oil-barrel in there, but I guess I wouldn't do that for real. Just leave the ladders hanging from the lower girder and that's it.

I like the first option better as it gives you a sense of the whole board. I think it depends on how much free wall space you have. The second option will work best if you are just doing the top wall and will have games below it.

Either option you go with should look pretty cool.

Level42 · « **Reply #250 on:** January 28, 2009, 10:52:22 am »

Yeah, we'll see how the cabs turn out first. Did a 2nd layer of black on the wall and it looks tight

!

Installed the blue neon tube, but I'm not entirely happy with it... Need a better way to mount it. But it's nice to be able to switch the star-lights and neon on and off with the switch box.

And the Star Wars.

Level42 · « **Reply #251 on:** January 28, 2009, 06:08:26 pm »

Grumble.....tomorrow I will have to clear the floor of the gameroom so I will have to move the SW into the home for 24 hours, Mrs. Level 42 not happy with that, but I'm NOT going to leave it outside for that time.

Friday: Tiling

Saturday morning: move in the cabs !!!!

@Polaris, yes I'm serious, but gotta have a "go" from the Mrs..........

Level42 · « **Reply #252 on:** January 29, 2009, 04:47:40 pm »

"DK" wall:

Almost there. Imagine black tiles on the floor, the top of the neon covered, the SW poster on the wall, and you get the picture....

Cleared the floor, the SW cockpit is in the living room now. Will move out the Konami GT cockpit early tomorrow.

Let the tiling begin !!!

patrickl · « **Reply #253 on:** January 29, 2009, 04:56:23 pm »

Nice progress. It's starting to look better and better.

Level42 · « **Reply #254 on:** January 30, 2009, 10:21:28 am »

Thanks Patrick.....yes the end is near

Or should I say, the beginning is near

Tiles:

Will need to clean the floor tomorrow. Have to keep the heater on all the time until tomorrow or else it will be too cold to dry well.....

shilmover · « **Reply #255 on:** January 30, 2009, 10:47:07 am »

Nice work, my friend. I am totally jealous!

Blanka · « **Reply #256 on:** January 30, 2009, 10:57:16 am »

Good busy! (loose translation from the Lullo's)
You even did one "plintje" yet. Those nasty pieces of wood are always delayed in construction projects.

Level42 · « **Reply #257 on:** January 30, 2009, 11:04:17 am »

Didn't do this myself...this was a professional tiler. He was ready in about half a day !

Wouldn't have been able to do that in that time, plus not as tight looking.....

Blanka, yeah that "plintje" was already there when I had the vinyl in place, and since I tacked it.... it's still there.

Bad thing is that the Konami GT cockpit is going to have to stay out for the night....and it's going to be freezing....o well, that cab wasn't much of a looker anyway....poor thing.....

Blanka · « **Reply #258 on:** January 30, 2009, 11:36:00 am »

Maybe you can put him in a sleeping bag. And keep it out of the socket for 48 hours when you put it back inside. The cold machine will attract a lot of waterdamp back inside.

Level42 · « **Reply #259 on:** January 30, 2009, 11:41:41 am »

Haha, wel it's properly covered.

Actually, I have not ever plugged this one in yet !
It looks too scary inside

I did clean the PCB set (which works) before....but the monitor looks uhm.......

I wouldn't be surprised if it would work though.

Level42 · « **Reply #260 on:** January 31, 2009, 01:42:03 pm »

Can't start young enough to teach the young padawans....

[youtube]http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=T2nluqIwhzw[/youtube]

polaris · « **Reply #261 on:** January 31, 2009, 01:52:43 pm »

amazing , you've taught them to speak ewok too

Level42 · « **Reply #262 on:** February 01, 2009, 03:30:30 pm »

Quote from: polaris on January 31, 2009, 01:52:43 pm

amazing , you've taught them to speak ewok too

Bwaahhhh, if we would have held on a little longer to New-Amsterdam, the whole world would talk Dutch now

Anyway, succesfully picked up the Puckman, Centi, Playscene, Galaxian and Getaway and they're inside now. Fired up the Galaxian, runs fine. Fired up the Centi, everything fine but monitor/tv not starting, seems like it doesn't get any mains power....will have to check that.
Didn't test the Playscene and the Puckman is as dead as it was before.

I didn't take any pictures because I was in an extreme rush to get it all done since I had another important thing to do in the afternoon, barely made it in time.

Star Wars lost left-right control, just after I heard a "tock" sound inside. Turns out the small gear had come loose, I hope I have the right imbus key to lock it again.

Anyway, plenty of work to do. Still need to get the red wall painted one more time, fix the mains sockets, get the edging installed around the floor/walls and put up the neon's and main lighting.

Level42 · « **Reply #263 on:** February 07, 2009, 09:00:35 am »

Ok, every project has it's ups and downs and this one hasn't been any different. I could live with me messing up with the wrong type of floor and blowing some good money on it.

However. I was just installing my Neon game-room signs. I was pretty excited to finally get these down from the attick where they had been carefully stored for all the time I got them, patiently waiting to show them off.

I was in the flow (had just installed the remaining wall-outlets) and installed the pinball neon when my parents came around to see how the gameroom was coming along. Very nice, but it did break my flow.

So after some chatting and looking they left and I went on with the "Pac Man" neon sign. I was carefully handling it, but made a mistake and grabbed it at a wrong spot. I heart a dull snap and pop of the gas coming free. Bye bye neon !

100 euro's out the window. And not just that, but Patrick had been so kind to pick it up for me in Frankfurt and bring it to my home so many months ago......I'm sorry man. I feel totally sick by it.

I know compared to other things it might be just something minor, but I really could have slapped myself for ---smurfing--- up light that.

Damn !

On the positive side: I'm sure Luc still has some left......

Mauzy · « **Reply #264 on:** February 07, 2009, 09:56:44 am »

Quote from: Level42 on February 01, 2009, 03:30:30 pm

Star Wars lost left-right control, just after I heard a "tock" sound inside. Turns out the small gear had come loose, I hope I have the right imbus key to lock it again.

Wow that confused me. Last night I read about this on your Star Wars cocktail thread, then today I saw this here. I had forgotten it was your machine I read about last night and thought something was very weird about two different people's yokes falling apart at the same time in the same manner. Thought maybe a rip had occurred in the space/time continuum somewhere.

patrickl · « **Reply #265 on:** February 07, 2009, 11:30:10 am »

Quote from: Level42 on February 07, 2009, 09:00:35 am

100 euro's out the window. And not just that, but Patrick had been so kind to pick it up for me in Frankfurt and bring it to my home so many months ago......I'm sorry man. I feel totally sick by it.

Holy cow! That's a shame. You're not getting mine

Level42 · « **Reply #266 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:11:48 pm »

The good news is that Luc will bring (if he can find one) a new one to this fair which I will visit tomorrow:

http://www.collector-fantasies.com/en.html

So what does it look like now.....well like this:

"Main" lighting. Doesn't give as much light as I expected but it looks very nice. Might have these off or on during game play, we'll see...

Cabs are still in a random order. I think I will move the pinball to the left side of the SW cockpit (with the back against the short blue wall. That way the great SW marquee will still be visible and it will get my two biggest cabinets in the back of the room, which is nice for moving around cabs.

I do think it's safe to say now that I won't be able to fit all my cabs inside the room. Means I will have to let go of one or two......we'll see about that....

Finally time to install the brand new perspex canopy. It looks TIGHT ! (Check out my SW cockpit restoration thread):

patrickl · « **Reply #267 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:16:47 pm »

Oh wow, that's almost finished?

Level42 · « **Reply #268 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:21:29 pm »

Quote from: patrickl on February 07, 2009, 06:16:47 pm

Oh wow, that's almost finished?

Yes sir, the room itself is almost finished. Need to install one set of wall outlets still because apparently I bought too few of them.... still need to install the red neon tube, smoke detector, DK decals and some nice finish around the power switches. Will roll in the MB and Meteor tomorrow. And the Joust of course !

Seeing al lthe things still needed to be done on the cabs themselves did make me feel a bit overwhelmed really. A good number is up and running but all but the Galaxian and Centipede still need some work in any way....

At least I will have the room and the cabs around to work on them

Question for people with game rooms: How do you pull a cab from a row ? Normally I put a cart at the back of the cab but can't do it when they're all next to eachother.

I think I've seen some kind of furniture movers that you can slide under a cabinet and the roll it away. I'd prefer that much compared to sliding the cabs (with often metal feet)......any suggestions ?

Mauzy · « **Reply #269 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:21:46 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on February 07, 2009, 06:21:29 pm

Question for people with game rooms: How do you pull a cab from a row ? Normally I put a cart at the back of the cab but can't do it when they're all next to eachother.

I think I've seen some kind of furniture movers that you can slide under a cabinet and the roll it away. I'd prefer that much compared to sliding the cabs (with often metal feet)......any suggestions ?

+1 for furniture sliders. Now that we have carpet, these things are a life saver. I actually have to take out the front two because the cab moves too easily while playing.

Level42 · « **Reply #270 on:** February 08, 2009, 02:28:11 am »

Do you have a pic of the one's you use ?

Level42 · « **Reply #271 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:57:44 am »

These are the one's I was thinking off.

Probably will need to equip all my cabs with feet to make it work though, some are on some wood strips..

orion · « **Reply #272 on:** February 09, 2009, 03:57:08 pm »

These are the type I see the most over here, they are really cheap and work great on the bottoms of leg levelers.

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=283822&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Shopping%20Comp-_-Datafeed-_-Furniture

Level42 · « **Reply #273 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:05:00 pm »

Cheap ? Well the problem with those is that I would have to equip each game with a set.....I'd need at least thirteen sets which makes over 200 bucks.....

I'm sure they are a good solution though. Thanks for the suggestion and thinking with me !

That set of movers I showed are €5.99 next saturday at Aldi...and I only need one set

Kevin Mullins · « **Reply #274 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:13:17 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on February 09, 2009, 04:05:00 pm

That set of movers I showed are €5.99 next saturday at Aldi...and I only need one set

So do those like slide under a cabinet and then raise it up a bit in order to move it ?
How much clearance is needed under a cabinet in order for those to fit?

patrickl · « **Reply #275 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:23:23 pm »

I wonder how those Aldi things will hold up. I see they are rated for 250kg, but that's "Aldi specs". Still for 6 euro you can give it a try.

Level42 · « **Reply #276 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:31:00 pm »

Well, the worst thing that could happen is that they would "collapse" and make the cab "fall" a couple of centimeters. Usually Aldi stuff is not that bad.

A regular upright is about 100-120 kg. I think only my Playscene is reaching towards the 180 kg's.

Level42 · « **Reply #277 on:** February 09, 2009, 05:30:03 pm »

Well, thanks to the unbelievable kindness of my friend Luc, I now have the proud "Pac Man" neon installed and working:

patrickl · « **Reply #278 on:** February 10, 2009, 04:20:13 am »

Ha, cool. It's a shame they put so many metal parts on it though.

Blanka · « **Reply #279 on:** February 10, 2009, 04:26:04 am »

Are the smurfs playing the Centipede? I won't fit behind the CP of that machine


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