Main > Project Announcements
2nd Project - MKII/NFL Blitz 99 - Updated 5/20/09 - Minor Tweaks
cmoses:
Well the cabinet outside is done. All painted and moved into the house. I will begin working on the control panel this week. I will be using the control panel box that came with the NFL Blitz game. I have begun some hole filling and repairing on the bottom box part of the control panel and will be using the control panel top as a template. Time to learn to use the router that I got for Christmas. I am working on the layout for the control panel and you can look in this thread for progress.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88250.msg947777#msg947777
The control panel will be a 2 player version with each player having 7 buttons. A trackball mounted in the middle and I want to have dual spinners with mini racing wheels for racing games.
So making progress slowly but steadily.
cmoses:
Got some work done last weekend on the control panel. First time I used a router, took the old control panel top and attached it to a piece of MDF and cut out the top. Then I laid out my controls, trackball, 2 joysticks with 7 buttons each in a curved layout and some admin buttons. Pay no attention to the current button colors, I was just using buttons I had on hand. The player buttons will all be blue along with blue top joysticks. I think I will have all the admin buttons black. I am just testing out the control panel to make sure it all feels right. I am planning to add two spinners on the far left and right as well. I had to also create a cardboard deflector for my marquee light. The light was shining through the speaker holes, so I made up a deflector and covered it in aluminum foil. I mounted a switch in the top for the whole cabinet's power. It turns on the computer which is plugged into a smart strip. I also had to create a lower glass retainer as the cabinet did not come with one. I found a 'L' shaped piece of metal at Lowes and cut it to length, drilled some holes and painted it black.
cmoses:
Got the panel mounted on the cabinet this weekend. It is not done, but I wanted to see how the controls felt in their current positions. I plan to add (2) TurboTwist 2 spinners with mini racing wheels, but that will come shortly as they are a little pricey.
I also did a lot of maintenance on the cabinet, mostly wire management with cable ties on the walls and zip ties of the cables. Also got the back door painted and put on the cabinet. Locks installed on all the doors, coin doors and back door.
So I will be test driving the control panel for a few weeks to make sure it feels right and can handle all the games without any issues.
cmoses:
It's been a while since I posted an update, no major changes, just a little tweaking here and there. I have moved the cabinet is in the house now. I am still testing the control panel layout while waiting to purchase my spinners. I like the overall layout, but will probably be making a few slight changes. I think I am going to move the joystick and buttons up towards the cabinet a little more so that I have some additional room for my hands. The control panel contains (2) U360 joysticks a Electric Ice-T trackball and all HAPP buttons. I will be flush mounting the joysticks and trackball on the final version. I haven't decided on a theme or artwork for the cabinet as of yet so it has just been painted black and has the Blitz '99 marquee still. I did get all new light blue T-Molding and have installed it on the cabinet. I will also be installing it on the final control panel.
I am still deciding on the placement of admin buttons. The top left button is ESC and the top right button is PAUSE. The buttons above each controller are COIN and START. Any thoughts on the placement of these? I am also considering a UP and DOWN Volume buttons, but not sure about putting them on the control panel. I may put them on the back of the control panel box or sort of hidden on the front panel up high.
As always any thoughts or comments are always appreciated.
spOOf:
Hey cmoses,
Thanks for your reply to my project. I'll be following your progress VERY closely because I am basically in the same exact situation as you. It crossed my mind to also trim the TV and that may still happen if the LCD monitor I bought doesn't work out. I've been debating the mini-racer wheel as well, although I'll probably only go with 1 if I go that route. Did you give any thought to other wheel/pedal combos, like a Logitech? That's where I'm looking right now.
When I say the same situation, I had to chuckle heartily about the painting vs. stripping the vinyl. I finally started stripping and it took quite awhile. Much more work but I think I'll be much happier with it. I didn't do the front though, maybe I shouldn't skip that part?
Anyway, things are looking great for yours! Thanks for sharing and for offering your advice for mine too. Good luck! :cheers:
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version