A Mame machine in an antique buffet - USB probs solved (I think!)

[Ryglore]

Awesome DV. Now when are you adding the fog machine? 

[Epyx]

The static shots are great but the youtube really delivers justice to the lighting...looks amazing! 

[Ond]

....Another below decks shot, you can better see the led wiring. I wired the resistors inline right at the led, then wrapped them in heatshrink. Not sure if this is the best way to do it or not, but it keeps the resistors nice and tidy (and keeps the wiring at the LEDWiz neat as well).
No comments on my suboptimal wiring skills, Ond! 

Nothing but praise from me Doc,  as Epyx says the video does justice to your efforts on those inserts.  I’m glad to see you went with the tiny lights next to the buttons rather than the ring lit buttons, it just seems to fit the theme better IMO.

[drventure]

@Ryglore: Oh, I'm right there with ya. I've been doing some looking for something that might work, given the space constraints (and the fact that I don't want to be refilling the dang thing every 5 minutes)! But yeah, there'll likely be something. There's actually a little space behind those brand new "Boiler vents" for some added possibilities 

@Epyx. Thanks, yeah, the static shots don't really convey much for the flicker effect of those leds. It's really pretty nice looking esp with the translucent plastic in place to diffuse the light a little. Thanks!

@OND. Definitely, I'm digging the tiny lights more. They're all yellow (no RGB for this element, besides, you guys that wire up a CP in full RGB have got to be insane!  . I think I ran about 250' of wire for JUST the single color led's I installed, and I didn't put in any LED's for the sticks themselves (really wanted to, to indicate 2-4-8 way stick but it was going to be too tricky to get the stick bases out, and putting the leds far enough out to miss the base would've looked stupid.)

Anyway, once I get the CP reinstalled, I hope to animate the leds with some interesting wipes and fades, and make a few vids of that. It'd be much more interesting than shots of the wires 

[mllkat]

Great Work. This project is another amazing example of attention to detail. The youtube video of the light in action sort of reminds me of the "Neural Neutralizer" light from Star Trek TOS "Dagger of the Mind." Ooops....My inner "Trekker Nerd" Just surfaced again....and after all that therapy too!

[Ryglore]

@Ryglore: Oh, I'm right there with ya. I've been doing some looking for something that might work, given the space constraints (and the fact that I don't want to be refilling the dang thing every 5 minutes)! But yeah, there'll likely be something. There's actually a little space behind those brand new "Boiler vents" for some added possibilities 

Ha sweet, can't wait to see what you come up with. The only thing I can think of would be the need to keep any fog moisture away from PC components, etc.

[drventure]

Most of the smoke machines use a sort of non-toxic oil that is heated to generate the smoke, though there are some "mister" type units that create a water based mist fog.

I'm kinda leaning towards the units used in model railroad engines (maybe the gardenscale type) as opposed to a music club type fogger, but we'll see.

[drventure]

@milkat That neural Neutralizer is cool, in a totally cheezy 60's way 

Found it on some trek site



I love the control panel for the thing

[gryhnd]

Most of the smoke machines use a sort of non-toxic oil that is heated to generate the smoke, though there are some "mister" type units that create a water based mist fog.

I'm kinda leaning towards the units used in model railroad engines (maybe the gardenscale type) as opposed to a music club type fogger, but we'll see.

Weeellll. The fogger we use at Halloween is neither a mister nor an oil based unit, and it's typical of most fog generators of this ilk: they heat up a glycerin/water solution.

Just throwing that out there. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

PS - I hear Warehouse 13's new season starts soon.

[drventure]

Doh. Shows what I know about foggers 

I thought that "Fog Juice" you see in party supply stores was oil based, but maybe I should stand corrected 

If only I could find one that's about 3x5 inches!

Yeah, WH13 is pretty interesting from the gadgets and such, but the acting is just soooo, ugh! At least from the two leads.

Arty's pretty cool (or is his name Arnie, or should I stand corrected again    )

[gryhnd]

Yeah, WH13 is pretty interesting from the gadgets and such, but the acting is just soooo, ugh! At least from the two leads.

100% agreement there.

[mllkat]

@milkat That neural Neutralizer is cool, in a totally cheezy 60's way 

Found it on some trek site



I love the control panel for the thing

  The Scary part is,when I was a kid all those Star Trek Gadgets seemed so high tech...now when I see old episodes I see gaudy wood grained boxes with lights that are WAY way too big on them. Must have been wearing my Trekker glasses....but then again..."I was a Kid! Not an Engineer, Dammit!!"

[likwidtek]

Holy crap this is awesome.

[drventure]

The Scary part is,when I was a kid all those Star Trek Gadgets seemed so high tech...now when I see old episodes I see gaudy wood grained boxes with lights that are WAY way too big on them. Must have been wearing my Trekker glasses....but then again..."I was a Kid! Not an Engineer, Dammit!!"

Yeah, I remember reading an interview with, I think it was Patrick Stewart. He was talking about the set of STNG, and commented that he thought it was funny how, when you see it on TV, everything looks metal and solid and strong, but when you're actually on it, the set guys are constantly saying "don't touch that" and "don't lean on this" because it'll just collapse on you!

@Likwidteck
Thanks, always nice to hear kind words!

[likwidtek]

Do you have a dedicated photo album somewhere that shows all of the progression up until now?

[drventure]

No, not really, got all the photos locally. I plan on putting something together eventually,

but this thread is pretty much it right now....

[likwidtek]

Photobucket and (Google's) Picasa web albums are both great.  Personally I prefer Picasa simply because the Picasa photo program they give you for free is AWESOME.  Both of them have an auto uploady kinda deal that makes it easy.

Anyway, this thing rocks man.  You have some serious talent!

[Benevolance]

Actually, if you choose the 'view all posts' option, and you blink your eyes rapidly just right while scrolling down with your wheel mouse, Dr Venture has cleverly arranged the photos so that the cabinet assembles itself into its final form like a stop-animation transformer in real time. It's very cool. If it doesn't work for you the first time, try blinking faster or slower. You'll get it eventually.

[drventure]

@likwidtek

Yeah, I use Picasa A LOT, but just not to upload photos... Might have to check that out.

@Benevolance
 
You've caught on to my nefarious machinations!  I'd rule the world by surreptitiously hypnotizing all the byoac'ers who happen upon my thread. But not anymore. Thanks to you meddling kids! 

Which reminds me, I gotta put together a stop motion animation of the whole thing opening up at some point in the near future. Wish I'd been able to automate +that+ process <sigh>. Guess there's always the next build 

[drventure]

A little more progress. Finally got time last weekend to get a good start on my "adjustable tilt sensors", and just finished 'em up tonight.

So, here goes.

First, the obligatory workspace shot 


I've been working out of my dining room because it's just too dang hot to do this stuff in the garage!

Here's some of the parts I'm using. Long brass screws. Brass knurled knobs, washers, nuts, etc.


A few interesting bits, some grandfather clock hands I had lying about, what was left of the little numbers I used on my P1-4 buttons. Remember those?







A few tools necessary for the process. Hacksaw, hammer, vice, a jig (basically just a hole in a piece of wood!)
Not pictured, disc sander and grinder


All that is for shaping brass rod into small U shapes to use as "finger guards". Not because your fingers are in danger, but to keep poking fingers away from thin clockworks!

You can see those brass rod "u"s above. I polished them up and sealed them with Future.



and that's it!

No, actually, the rest I'll post in the next post... 

[drventure]

Tilt mechanisms, part II

I'm using those little mercury tilt switches I mentioned several posts back. Actually I got the idea from a different pincab thread around here, can't find it right off though. Great little switches!

The idea is to mount 3, one for left, right and the last for the forward nudge.

But I wanted to be able to adjust them from the OUTSIDE of the cabinet, since my CP doesn't hinge up. Plus I figured it'd be a good way to add some good ol' brass steampunky bling that was functional as well as easy on the eyes! 

Soooo, here's shot of the forward nudge adjuster from the outside. It's the little knob just right of the pinball shooter.


And here it is from the inside, nothing complex just some nuts and toothed washers to give it some friction grip


I did something similar for the left and right adjusters, but mounted them next to my plasma globe. and soldered the clock hands on.
and then countersunk those numbers so everything looks all nice and tidy.


Finally, I drilled holes for my "Finger Guards" and hammered them into place.

All said and done, I ended up with this...










I think it turned out pretty nice, and it's actually functional to boot, so it ain't just "gears glued on for effect" 

Now I can put my CP back in place and finish out the Monitor rotation mech and my nixie tubes!

[Ond]

Ahh man, I'm jealous of your progress which BTW is very inspiring.  I gauge my own progress against more 'longer term' projects like this one and now this is all coming back together.  Standout stuff including the new lustre finish on the CP and functional steam punk additions.  That must be a 1st, externally adjustable tilt switches. 

[shateredsoul]

Wow.. when you make the arcade hall of fame I can say, "He helped me with my graphics card driver once!"

Very nice

[xseoer]

Just wanna to reiterate how cool this is!

 

[drventure]

@Ond Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with the finish that the Future gives. Just hope it holds up on the real thing as nicely as it has on my test piece! I think I speak for everyone around when I say I can't wait till you next installment either!

@Shatteredsoul     Thanks!

@xseor Thanks for the nice words.

Everyone's feedback is a big part of what keeps the gears whirring in my head!

[HaRuMaN]

 

[Ryglore]

Awesome work DV. I hope one day I can sit down and start a long term project like this, but that'll have to wait til I have my own house to mess up.

+1 for the Mich Ultra.

[emphatic]

Spectacular! 

[likwidtek]

Good lord man.

[Benevolance]

Those P1 buttons, etc. on the front are so ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?--- sexy. I like the fact that we're getting some more-finished CP shots. And I especially like the fact that you're making the bling functional. Too many steampunk projects throw gears and gilt everywhere in the hopes it looks like its hi-tech, without really giving thought to funtionality. In short: I think you're doing it right. Good job.

[Epyx]

 

Absolutely droolworthy!

[Bender]

Man I remember way back when you first posted about this thing and I thought, this thing has great potential. Now you just blew past my wildest dreams for this thing, keep it coming, unbelievable!!!!!!!

[Number21]

All said and done, I ended up with this...

Thats not a vacuum tube in the center is it?  I thought those were frowned upon among steam punks. 
I like it but a Dekatron spinner would also be cool.  Let me know if you need a OG-4.

[R0UNDEYEZ]

every time i check back here you have some cool new stuff added!
So you say those mercury switches are for your pinball nudge.. How much do they need adjusting typically?  do those numbers indicate the level they are adjusted?
Great work. its an incredible inspiration especially since I wanted to build myself a steampunk cab ..maybe someday!

[wilno45]

Hi drventure

Been away a while but always glad to see the progress pics on such a great project.

I quote Lethal Weapon.....

"This is real pro stuff. I haven't seen anything like this since the war".
"The CIA used to hire mercs. They used the exact same setup".
"Mercury switches, gaflooey! That's heavy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---". (my edit  )
"Guys"!
"We got something. The detective wants to see you".

Cheers

[gojira26]

Wow, I've been lurking these forums forever just getting ready to start my first cab build, but I had to post in this one.

Drventure your design work is brilliant! my first cab build is going to be a more simple MAME type upright, but my end goal is to be able to create
a steampunk themed cabinet, once I've gotten pretty good with this stuff. I'm so glad I found another person doing the same type of thing! Truly an inspiration! Hopefully in due time when I eventually start planning and building my steamer cab, I could get some feedback from you!

Can't wait to see more!

[Donkey_Kong]

Haven't seen this for awhile, man it's awesome! Congrats DR! :notworthy

Question: Has the name Dr Emmit Brown came up in this thread? (would rather not have to search all 12 pages)

[Ond]

Hey doc, I hope all is well, here's a thread bump with the video I did.... STEAMPUNK ON! 

[Dr Zero]

I was thinking about this machine last night as I played Progear for the first time very cool game that I think would go very well with the theme.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progear

[thecornishhen]

haven't been to the forums in awhile (new baby), and I was happy to see the progress on this machine.. absolutely incredible. Great work!