Author Topic: First MAME Cabinet (Mortal Kombat) - can it be finished within 4 years?!! (Read 29493 times)

beastathon · « **on:** December 04, 2008, 04:03:39 am »

I suppose I'll start with background information.

I'm 16 and the only woodwork I've done is a year of woodwork in school.
I tried another cab before, but I had no plans, no idea, and it was a couple of pieces of wood haphazardly cut and glued together. This time I've got some plans (Jakobud) and I've learnt a lot (and still learning, of course), so I hope this cab will come up okay. I'm not going to be winning any prizes, I'm just aiming to finish it and have an okay (maybe a decent) looking arcade machine.

5 hours today (although the first 2 hours I pretty much did everything wrong) and I've cut the pieces for my control panel. I originally wanted to start on the sides, but I needed to practice with the circular saw (really damn nerve-racking!) first and thought I might as well not waste wood.

Progress...

If anything is looking wrong or you have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

Malenko · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2008, 07:24:26 am »

the shape looks good to me, better then I could do at 16. I look forward to the progress pix

Donkey_Kong · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2008, 09:21:13 am »

A (mame) dedicated scratch build at age 16 is pretty impressive no matter what the result is. To just have the initiative is pretty dang impressive. I'm sure it will be awesome, Good Luck!

Hunk_4TH · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2008, 05:42:22 pm »

Sweet that sure is an awesome idea! Good luck!

beastathon · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2008, 12:59:10 am »

A bit of progress today. I got one side cut and sanded and my control panel sanded.
I cut most of the side with the circular saw, but much to my dismay, I had to use the jigsaw for one cut. I was so scared of messing it up I kept about a mil off the line and sanded it down. Oh yeah, sandpaper is my new best friend, it can fix a lot of mistakes!

Also, since I'm using 1/2" MDF, the only coloured t-molding I can get is black or white. Would I be able to paint the t-molding red, or is this a stupid idea?

ivwshane · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2008, 01:49:36 am »

Painting the t-molding does not sound like a good idea.

Do you have a router?

If you have to use a jig saw (that's what I used as my circular saw is broken) then you should invest in a saw guide.

http://wayneofthewoods.com/circular-saw-cutting-guide.html

beastathon · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2008, 04:32:05 am »

My dad has lent his router to a friend, but I should be able to get a hold of it. Why?

Thanks for the link, I'll do that tomorrow before I cut the other side.

jban4us · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2008, 11:28:50 am »

Quote from: beastathon on December 05, 2008, 04:32:05 am

My dad has lent his router to a friend, but I should be able to get a hold of it. Why?

because if you think sandpaper is cool now, wait until you try the router

You'll need a slot cutting bit for the router to make the slot that the t-molding goes in.

Also if you have a flush trim or pattern bit you can make rough cuts with the jigsaw or circular saw and then use a straight guide to make all your cuts perfect. Not to mention you can make the second side a perfect copy of the first.

brock.sampson · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2008, 11:30:51 am »

If you have a router and template or flush trim bit you can cut the second side close. Clamp the two pieces together and use the router to make them match exactly. My router is my new best friend.

Edit: jban4us jinx your owe me a coke.

beastathon · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2008, 04:37:41 am »

No pics today because all I did was cut the other side, no-one wants to see duplicates (well, I'm not sure if they're duplicate once I cut them!).

Other than that, I decided to make a checklist of things I need to purchase.
* 20c Coin door buttons from OzStick (I opted out of an actual coin door due to price and the fact I could only find a mech that accepted $1, or otherwise I didn't like the look of them)
* Marquee
* Control Panel
* Bat Joysticks
* 12 Buttons
* Wiring Kit from OzStick (ready made for only $20, it's going to save alot of time)
* 3/4 Red T-molding (I decided I'm going to try and trim it, any tips would be appreciated)
* 24" TV
* PC (I'm either going to scrounge around in my caravan for parts or buy a cheap second hand one)

All of this is going to be about $200.

About sideart, I've decided I'm either going to try my hand at stenciling or airbrushing, because if I was to purchase full side art it's going to cost $290, and I'm not really willing to spend that much.

beastathon · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2008, 03:20:01 am »

Not too much done today...I cut and glued supports to one side. I was going to do the second one tonight, but decided I should just keep the clamps on over night.

Plans for tomorrow:

* Glue supports to the other side.
* Glue supports to the control panel.
* Cut the top and bottom, ready for assembly the day after.

I've also ordered everything for my control panel today (excluding art).

leapinlew · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2008, 02:23:36 pm »

Quote from: beastathon on December 07, 2008, 03:20:01 am

I've also ordered everything for my control panel today (excluding art).

Thats a big step! If you don't mind me asking, what all did it cost you.

Whats your plan for the control panel art. Definitely spend some money and time coming up with some quality artwork. Well done art will make a project.

beastathon · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:49:26 pm »

Premium Button Red      4   $11.20
Premium Button Blue      4   $11.20
Premium Button White      4   $11.20
Spare Joystick Bat Top - Black    2   $11.90
Joystick Thread Adaptor       2   $2.00
Coin Button Red        2   $9.00
           SUBTOTAL   $56.50 AUD
        POSTAGE / HANDLING   $12.50 AUD
            TOTAL   $69.00 AUD

Keep in mind, I already have joysticks and I'm just purchasing bat tops.

This is a quick edit, I wanted to stay original as possible, but accommodate six buttons.

More updates tonight.

leapinlew · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2008, 10:22:21 pm »

Cool. You already have an encoder I presume?

beastathon · « **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2008, 05:53:07 am »

Exactly the same as yesterday, but with the other side.

I also cut the control panel supports ready for tomorrow. Also, do you think I should have the top of the control panel on hinges or not?

leapinlew: Yeah, some J-Pac I think? (it was a while ago).

beastathon · « **Reply #15 on:** December 11, 2008, 05:01:55 am »

Well, weather has been wet, I've been lazy and getting frustrated at trying to figure out what to do. Plus, I decided to only clamp for an hour because progress was slow. But I feel like I'm back on the ball!

I've got all the supports on both sides and starting on the control panel. I've tried to find some old TVs and PCs in the paper, but couldn't find any decent priced ones.
I've also decided to have a flat front, not three sided because I simply don't have the tools or the skill.
I figured out what side-art I want, I"m just going to do the original mortal kombat art, without johnny cage. I ordered an airbrush off ebay, so I hope it'll arrive soon and I can get some practice.

Well, I am really stupid. I put the supports on the wrong side. Well, I tried to take the pine off and it's really stuck on good. When I chiseled it, it came out a bit scruffy. I think I'll be able to patch it up. It's just really...really stupid.

cmoses · « **Reply #16 on:** December 11, 2008, 11:46:18 am »

Very nice indeed. Looks like it is coming along well. Don't worry, we all make mistakes, most can be fixed.

Are you working from a set of plans? If so can you share where you got them. Debating between building a second cabinet and buying a shell. I really like the Midway style cabinets that were used for NFL Blitz, NBA Jam, Mortal Kombat, etc. Looks like yours is in that same style.

scottb99 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2008, 12:48:37 pm »

Not too shabby. You will have such a feeling of satisfaction when you are complete. Good job and keep at it.

Gatsu · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2008, 04:30:12 pm »

Quote from: beastathon on December 07, 2008, 08:49:26 pm

Premium Button Red      4   $11.20
Premium Button Blue      4   $11.20
Premium Button White      4   $11.20
Spare Joystick Bat Top - Black    2   $11.90
Joystick Thread Adaptor       2   $2.00
Coin Button Red        2   $9.00
           SUBTOTAL   $56.50 AUD
        POSTAGE / HANDLING   $12.50 AUD
            TOTAL   $69.00 AUD

Keep in mind, I already have joysticks and I'm just purchasing bat tops.

This is a quick edit, I wanted to stay original as possible, but accommodate six buttons.

More updates tonight.

Mind if I get that control panel overlay file from you man? I'm planning on building a MK cabinet with 6 buttons as well. That'll save some time for sure.

beastathon · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2008, 12:48:12 am »

Well, I bought some filler and it turned out pretty good. I sanded once and I missed a few spots, so I just refilled them and will sand it later tonight.

cmoses: I'm using Thorn's plans from his website (http://home.comcast.net/~sugg3d/MAME/CabinetSketch.html) as well as Jakobud's (http://jakobud.com/cabinetPlans/mortalkombat_jpg.zip).
Personally, I find Thorn's easier to work with, but Jakobud's are much more exact.

Gatsu: That was just a rough mspaint job, I'm going to request the .psd (or whatever format) from mamemarques so I can edit it myself. When I do that, I'll be glad to give it you.

More updates Sunday, and hopefully I'll be where I was yesterday. (except actually doing it right this time!)

Gatsu · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2008, 10:47:41 am »

cool man, thanks.

What are you gonna be using for the sideart? Its hard to find the original MK1 sideart anywhere.

cmoses · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2008, 12:00:42 pm »

Thanks for the plan information. I had found those two sets online as well.

So how are you going to do the front of the cab, where it sticks out. I have seen them done with both angled as well as straight edges.

Keep us posted to the progress.

beastathon · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2008, 08:22:50 am »

I've been busy with work recently, so I haven't had much updates. The other side is done and sanded.
I've put the supports on the right side now, so I'm back where I was on the 11th.

Hopefully I can get my top and bottom cut and glued on Friday, if not then, Sunday.

cmoses: I'm going to do a straight edge, I don't have the tools or the skills.

Gatsu: I'll be airbrushing or stenciling just the dragon from the original MKI art. (much cheaper!, although I hope it turns up good results.)

beastathon · « **Reply #23 on:** January 01, 2009, 06:58:54 pm »

Been busy with holidays and work and just being lazy, but I've got back in to the swing of things.

Hopefully getting my TV and PC today.

Hunk_4TH · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2009, 01:37:45 am »

Wow that's really turning out nice! And your doing all of this on your own? I envy you man!

beastathon · « **Reply #25 on:** January 03, 2009, 05:27:01 am »

Hunk_4TH: Thanks. Yeah, but I do have people helping me when I put it all together, and to help hold the wood when I cut it. I much prefer to make a mistake, know it was my fault, instead of having someone else do something and not being happy with it (my last project).

I picked up my controls a while back but never got pictures, and I just recently got the pc.

PC - $120 AUD
P4 2.8ghz
512mb RAM
30gb HDD
It also came with a monitor and new mouse, which I can hopefully sell.

$70 AUD incl postage.

Looks like someone set the camera to a different setting, that's why they look horrible.

bgspot · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2009, 06:52:35 pm »

For someone who doesn't have any wood working experience your cab is coming out good so far.

beastathon · « **Reply #27 on:** January 11, 2009, 09:50:35 am »

Well, my parents have been away for the past few days and no-one else has been around, so I'd rather not use the saw without someone holding the wood or helping me if I accidentally cut myself in half. I have however been busying soldering, creating my SCART to VGA component. When I first got the TV, I thought I was way too hasty and I had picked a TV with some ancient plug. Did some research, so the soldering and thought I would surely mess it up, so I decided to pick up a SCART to S-video adapter, that had horrible results.

This is the 24" TV I got for $40.

Well, after some long hours soldering, it's done. It's quite late, so I need to wait until the morning to figure out if it actually works!

Yes, that's sticky tape. I hope to fix that up when I get the materials.

And this is the workspace. Nice and messy, just the way I like it.

More testing tomorrow and more woodworking, hopefully.

beastathon · « **Reply #28 on:** November 11, 2009, 07:15:14 am »

An update?!!! I guess I should explain. Basically, I put this on an 11 month hiatus because it was my last year of school (although I could have easily made time for it!). Anyway, during this time I've done a lot of thinking about this cabinet and I'm making a few changes that you'll see as I progress further, so the whole plan is pretty sorted out now. I've just finished my final exams and school, I've got much more time for this now, especially since I got fired (it was ridiculous, but lets not get in to that). The only problem now is that I'm running low on funds. Good news is that I've got most materials to be able to finish the cabinet (this doesn't include paint, marquee and control panel overlay). So now that I've got about a month to work on this before I get my license, and then I'll need to find myself a job. Once that's all sorted out, hopefully it'll be finished. Also, that other TV blew up and I picked up another one for free, but it doesn't actually have a button on the TV to switch to AV mode and I've tried many universal remotes. I figured I could sell it for twenty bucks and pick up another free TV which will hopefully be able to go on AV!

So what happened today? A little bit of maintenance, as you can imagine it was pretty dusty and it was stored bad so one of the supports fell off partially (I'll be reinforcing these with screws now too). I removed the bottom panel, fixed the bottom support and added three more supports in to make a bit more rigid. Also, a lot and I mean A LOT of time was spent searching out the front or out the back for pretty much every single tool.

I guess it isn't that messy...

Hopefully (I love this word) more updates to come!

beastathon · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2009, 04:58:37 am »

Two days in a row?

Got a little bit done, a few mishaps with the wood, but I think it's all good now. I got my wheels on, so now I can go extra fast. Plus I got the exterior back on and cut a panel for access to the cabinet. All I need now is some sort of latch, I know what I have in mind, but I don't know what the hell it's called...

Also, does anyone know where you could pick up the type of handles in the back of some machines? Or something that works similar?

Like this.

push2reject · « **Reply #30 on:** November 12, 2009, 12:16:57 pm »

If you can ship from the US Lizard Lick has them:

http://www.lizardlick.com/pages/cabinets_parts.shtml

You can also try car audio/stereo shops, subwoofer boxes use the same type of handle.

This is going to be a great cab. Keep up the nice work!

beastathon · « **Reply #31 on:** November 15, 2009, 05:07:54 am »

Missed a few days because I didn't have the tools that I needed that for the front. For some reason, some time ago I decided not to go with a flat front, but instead the 3 sided front. I knew it was going to be hard, but damn. Damn. It was especially hard since I was doing and pretty much guessing everything along the way. Some how I got it even (actually, I know how, there are big gaps at the bottom of the panels, thank god for bondo). Right now I got all three sides working with each other and I've stuck it in place with some duct tape, but I need to decide how I'm going to join it all.

I've got a few ideas. I'm thinking of joining all the sides with liquid nails or another stronger glue, and reinforcing each join with some bendable brackets. Should get it done tomorrow.

push2reject: Thanks a lot for the link, should order them soon.

DCsegaDH · « **Reply #32 on:** November 15, 2009, 01:09:30 pm »

Good choice, I like the 3 sided front better I wish I thought of doing that on my cabinet.

kjeffery · « **Reply #33 on:** November 15, 2009, 01:22:58 pm »

dang im liking the duct tape

aumameman · « **Reply #34 on:** November 15, 2009, 09:19:37 pm »

Hey Mate,

If your interested in getting a 20c coin mech for your machine Ozstick have one that can be set for 20c for $30.

http://ozstick.com.au/prod_coinmechs.html

beastathon · « **Reply #35 on:** November 21, 2009, 05:52:30 am »

Well, I took a few days off because I had my last exam on Thursday, so I thought I should probably study a little. Plus, the weather suddenly went rainy while the rest of the country had a heatwave (suckers!), plus I couldn't find the right parts I wanted for and didn't have the transport.

Anyway, I got a couple of Make A Brackets from Bunnings, 6 gauge 12mm screws, and some Selley's Liquid Nails. There was a lot of frustration trying to get the panels to stay with the brackets, I eventually screwed some brackets on to the front of the panels to hold the joints together which have seemed to work. The problem is that I don't know how well these joints and going to hold without the brackets in place, I'll have to leave it overnight to set. Plus one of the sides did not get a great hold with the glue, so if it doesn't hold when I take the brackets off, I'll have to sand it down and do it again tomorrow. If it does work, I'll be filling the gaps you can see in the pictures, that turned out better (ha) than I had originally had them.

DCsegaDH: I must admit, it does look cool and when you construct it IT IS SO FUN!

kjeffery: I was planning for an all duct tape cabinet, but gravity was against me. Gravity has done nothing good for anyone, I say we get rid of it.

aumameman: Cheers for the think, I was thinking of a coin cabinet, but I had just ordered the push buttons since a coin mech is out of price range.

beastathon · « **Reply #36 on:** November 23, 2009, 06:59:34 am »

Progress is slow. I'm really hoping to speed things up this week. I hope I can grab a free tv from the paper this week too, that'll really help.

I filled in the gaps once and then went back with a spatula to get it even. I gotta do some final sanding tomorrow, but the dreaded front panel actually turned out alright.

flakeride · « **Reply #37 on:** February 05, 2010, 02:26:45 pm »

Where did you get the artwork for the CPO? I've been working on a new CPO in AI but finding he right font and changing a raster dragon into a vector dragon may be beyond my knowledge level. I have a hacked original MK CPO (Drilled and painted for surf city) but removing the paint in order to get a good scan is proving quite tedious.

bigpete405 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 05, 2010, 07:35:06 pm »

mamemarquees.com

saleem · « **Reply #39 on:** February 06, 2010, 12:18:58 pm »

makes me wander if you could use some fibre glass to reinforce the front you made.if you are not 100% sure it will hold you could just lay a couple of sheets of fibre glass on it at the back (out of sight) then use some of the resin and let it go hard,i would be pretty sure that would definatley hold it.


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