jikkjacks arcade machine

[jikkjack]

Hello,

I just found this forum and wow!  I wish I had found it sooner.  I am putting together a custom arcade machine and using a couple of designs smashed together, it should look similar to this when I am finished.



There are so many good ideas here...I will definitely try and incorporate some of them in my finishing steps.  I already have a couple of things to change now since I have been reading through some of the threads. 

[DaOld Man]

Hello jikkjack, and welcome to the board!
There is tons of information here and people are more than happy to help out.
Keeps us posted on your progress!

[jikkjack]

Ok.  Here are some construction pics.

Here are the back and sides of the new cabinet:


I am using an old Altec Lansing 5.1 surround system as the audio.  Here is the Subwoofer.  I am using some insulated foam tape to eliminate vibrations.


Sub woofer shelf and tape on the shelf:




The subwoofer feet will give me the perfect off-set from the wall:


In this picture you can see the temporary measurement marks (blue tape) and design that I am *ahemmm* borrowing from:


I am using an old PC case (with plastic removed) as the mounting enclosure:






Here you can see the 19" LCD monitor I will use for display and the 3.5" L/R and Surround Speakers:


Control Panel:


Ignore the overlay as it has been changed a couple of times.

Here is where I am at today:


I am currently wiring up all of the buttons, joysticks and trackball.  I plan on finishing that up this week and will post some shots of the final wiring (front and back).

The next part will be to build the Marquee.  I am doing something a little different with my Marquee.  I am planning to use 4" wooden letters painted silver with 1/2" offset.  I will back light the letters with ice blue LED lights to make it look like the letters are glowing.

Here is the design for the letters:



Once this is all complete, I need to move the electrical outlet and cable outlet down the wall.  This machine will serve as Arcade Machine, Music Jukebox, and Internet TV.

[jikkjack]

Hello jikkjack, and welcome to the board!
There is tons of information here and people are more than happy to help out.
Keeps us posted on your progress!

Thanks DaOld Man!

[javeryh]

Welcome to the forums!  I like your design.  How long did it take to put together - it seems like you are moving at lightning speed!   

[jikkjack]

Thanks javeryh.  I have spent at least 40+ hours working on this.  I am actually moving pretty slow.  I started back in early October and hope to have it finished by the new year.
 

[cmoses]

Got a picture of your CP layout.  Curious if you are mounting it parallel to the monitor or angled.  Also like to see what all you are putting on there.

[leapinlew]

I dig the mix between a showcase and skinny cabinet. Looks good. I'll be watching this one.

[BASS!]

I am totally stoked about this cab! Are you a star trek fan (because of your font)? If you are why not add some bling to it to set it off a bit more.

[jikkjack]

Got a picture of your CP layout.  Curious if you are mounting it parallel to the monitor or angled.  Also like to see what all you are putting on there.

Sure do:


This is just a test panel to ensure that everything functions well in the given location.  My ultimate plan as of today is to have interchangeable tops.

I am planning to do 2 joysticks top (this one), I want a 2 spinners + trackball top, and finally a Golden Tee Dedicated top which will actually be a stand alone.

Currently - just testing out the 2 joystick top.  NOTE:  Ever since I found this site - I am seriously considering a upgrade of the trackball and joystics.  I am pretty impressed by some of the other CP's I have found and it has given me new ideas.

Jason

[jikkjack]

I am totally stoked about this cab! Are you a star trek fan (because of your font)? If you are why not add some bling to it to set it off a bit more.

Thanks leapinlew!

Thanks uprightbass360.  Interesting...I didn't think about that until now.  I am still undecided in how to finish this thing out. 

[bfauska]

That's a pretty slick looking cabinet. Have I seen it and your basement over at AVS? If so let me say that you will likely find that this is just as easy of a forum to get comfortable at, and welcome. If not... welcome anyway, and I'm sure that you'll find this to be a fun and friendly forum.

[jikkjack]

Hey bfauska...thanks and yes you are correct.  Good to hear.

Here is where the cab is at today.  I would like to get some vinyl letters for the buttons (I think there is someone on this board that does that) and will be heading out to Target in a little while to get the ice blue LED lights I am going to use on the Marquee.

I am semi-happy with the temporary control panel.  I already have a couple of ideas for when I build the final top and am glad I made this temporary test top first.

[deepblue]

Very original design - nice job. Are you planning on covering the speakers, or leaving then au natural?

[jikkjack]

Thanks deepblue.  I am going to cover them with speaker grills. 

[JamIt]

Looks great!  Congrats!

I am semi-happy with the temporary control panel.  I already have a couple of ideas for when I build the final top and am glad I made this temporary test top first.

Is is playable as is?  If so, I'd say disconnect it immediately or it will never get done

[jikkjack]

So I am now working on the final CP but did manage to finish the Marquee...here are some pics:

[shardian]

That marquee looks very nice. I was a little skeptical at first of your design plans, but it worked very well.

[XeviouS]

....oh my God - it's full of stars.....   

[(+_+)]

Nice job on the Cab. I like the shape of it and especially like the marquee. 

[ivwshane]

Thanks javeryh.  I have spent at least 40+ hours working on this.  I am actually moving pretty slow.  I started back in early October and hope to have it finished by the new year.
 

If you started in October then I'd say you are moving pretty fast! at least in my book you are.

Looking good! I like the marquee idea.

[DaOld Man]

Bumped for progress report..
I like the marquee. In that one picture I thought, wow, he's lighting it with spot lights! Then I thought, what is the sand bar spelled backwards, then I realized it's a refection, doh!
But it gave me some ideas about using led spotlights to back light a marquee.
Is that highly reflective monitor cover going to mess you up when playing?

[jikkjack]

Thanks guys.

I have been busy working on the adjacent poker room and have not spent too much time on the machine...

I have added speaker covers, installed Mala, and started working on moving the electrical plug and cable outlet down behind the arcade machine.

I will upload a picture when I get home.

Old - I have a friend who has a plexi-glass shop and he is building me a ABS black plastic top for the new CP and also cutting a piece of non-reflective plexi/lexan (can't remember) for the front.  The current piece is a little too reflective but not terrible.

 

[jikkjack]

[somunny]

Great job!  Less than six weeks time, too!  Very impressive. 

[javeryh]

Unreal.  I love the marquee.  I was reading your HT thread over on AVS - now that is some truly sick work.  If you don't mind me asking, how much did the basement conversion cost (ballpark)?  I'm going to be moving in the next year or so and my first order of business will be converting the new basement in a similar fashion.  My wife knows it's coming...

[jikkjack]

Thanks guys.  Basement was about 15k (materials cost).  Be sure to start a thread and ask questions because that sounds exciting.  Congratulations and I will be watching for your thread.

[deoblo85]

Man that is the coolest thing you could actually put that in your living room and it would look like decore WoW great job.... i might have miss it but how did you get the lights like that on your marqee little spots lighting or something ?

[jikkjack]

Thanks deoblo85,

The lights are just a 3 dollar strand of ice blue LED Christmas lights.  I had to drill about 100 holes and hot glued each light in place.  Then I just hot glued the letters to strategically selected LED's and Viola!

I just finished the game room to the right of the new arcade machine and the backboard for the new Winmau dart board so needless to say...I almost have a finished sports bar in the basement now.

[deoblo85]

Once Again Holy Thats a game room looks like it came off an episode of cribs 

[jikkjack]

Thanks man.  I like your Game or Die avatar so for the icing on the cake...here is my 120" on diagonal game or die movie theater.  I love video games and HD sports!!

 

[kizer]

Holly buckets. Can I be your new best friend. hahaha

[Donkey_Kong]

Great design and execution. I love the angles on the control panel. The marquee is sick. Could you tell us how you did that? Are those cnc cut letters, scroll saw maybe?

You have talent! 

[deoblo85]

Man after seeing the theater and the game room i forgot about the arcade 

[BASS!]

Man after seeing the theater and the game room i forgot about the arcade 

Yeah can you say overshadowed........amazing house:-)

[jikkjack]

Thanks guys.

After playing on the test top for a while - I am finally about to build the final top.  I am planning to extend the front for more room on the trackball for golf and angle the joysticks and buttons a little more for comfort.

Here is the final render of the new top and CP layout.

[javeryh]

I wouldn't angle those sticks.  To me, "up" should be towards the screen.  I'd at least test it out before cutting anything.   

[drventure]

I'd agree with Javery about angling the sticks, esp with only two players. 4 Players, you could probably argue either way.

As for the cab and the gameroom. Wowza.        

[MaineEvent]

Such an awesome build! Get a bezel on that thing though....looks a little naked...
Amazing set up you have!
Thanks for showing it off

[jikkjack]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  I thought it looked cool angled but I see what you are saying.  I tried it last night and it didn't feel right with angles so I will make sure they are straightened out on the final top.