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My first cab - Phase 1 [In my head]
mr_doles:
I have decided to stop hijacking other people's posts to ask my questions and start my own. I have been hesitating doing this as it will be a while before I can even start my build. Maybe I'll win an award for longest time to build.
I have been playing with emulators for a little while now and was frustrated with trying to use the keyboard to play games. I stumbled onto BYOAC and said to myself hey why not. Well besides the fact that I have zero woodworking skills, my electrical skills are lacking, and all I know is the computer part. So why build my own, I guess a sense of accomplishment of playing on something I put together. My father-in-law will be helping (who I my kidding, doing most of the work) with the woodworking, but said he will not help with out plans, makes sense to me.
Computer Specs
[*]Dell OptiPlex GX620
[*]2.66 GHz Celeron* with 1 GB of RAM
[*]80 GB hard drive
[*]20.1 inch LCD monitor
[*]MAME .128 (and some other emulators)
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*Note: I am not a fan of the Celeron but the price was right and everything that I play works for me so far.
CP phase 1:
[*]U360 x2
[*]U-Trak 3" trackball (usb)
[*]HAPP Concave Long Buttons w/ Cherry Switches x14
[*]Player 1/2 start buttons
[*]Pause and ESC buttons
[*]Encoder (MiniPac or U-Hid)
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*Note: Still not sure if I am going to put the coin on the CP or rig the Coin Door to do it. The encoder is for the extra buttons since the U360 will handle the 7 P1/P2 action buttons.
The problem is since I have the monitor I need to design around it. So my first 2 questions are:
1) Do they make bezels for 20” LCD monitors? I have seen one for one for 19” on eBay but here are my measurement problems:
Monitor Monitor Bezel Viewable Bezel Wasted Width 17.48" 1.375" 16.105" 14.5" 1.605" Height 16.02" 1.375" 14.645" 12" 2.645" That just seems like a lot of wasted viewable space.
2) Trying to find the right width to balance the size of the monitor and the size of the CP. I don't want the width to be too small and have the CP stick out 3 feet on each side but I also don't want it to be too wide and have the monitor look tiny. The CP will be 2 player, 7 button NeoGeo layout each and a trackball in center.
I downloaded this sketchup on google that looks about the right width for both CP and monitor, but today was the first time I ever used sketch up and could have done the measurements wrong. I came up with 24.4094 " (620mm). That seems close for the bezel to fit.
Lord what have I got myself into. ???
ivwshane:
I don't know if you are aware but the u360 supports up to 8 buttons by itself, just get the usb harness, no encoder needed unless you plan on having more than 16 buttons. If the u-track supports buttons then you will also be able to have p1/2 coins.
mr_doles:
This is something that I have been struggling with. The U360 supports 8 physical buttons and with Shift supports 15. I started with 6 action/side, P1/P2 start and P1/P2 coins and was going to shift pause and ESC. Now there are many threads discussing the pros and cons on doing this, here's one. I really want a physical ESC button. Here is another that talks about u360 and encoders. Well after working on my FE the other day, I discovered I have more NeoGeo games then I thought, hence button number 7 was added. I wish the U-Trak did support extra buttons but alas they don't. I had a thread here where you chimed in (bet you forgot about that didn't you) with some good advice about the Electric ICE trackball (which is still on my maybe column).
I want out of the planning stage and into the playing stage.
mr_doles:
Had some free time yesterday and took the advice of all and did a quick cardboard mock up of player 1. Just wanted to get a feel for size and what I am in for. I learned A LOT from doing this, like I hate crimping, measure from the inside of the button bolt (as you see from the first button I cut), and did I mention that I hate crimping. Plugged it up to test how it works and ended up playing games for 40 minutes.
Well anyway here she is, the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Franco B:
Wow, you hate crimping? Are you crimpist of something? :P Why exactly do you hate it?
I love crimping/wiring. Not only because its something I enjoy to (try to) do well, it also means I'm near the end of the project.
Maybe your are a master woodworker and want to spend your time on that. Maybe you are a master electrician and wiring bores you as its your day job.
I am a master of neither but I love to try to do both well and enjoy it at the same time.
Good luck with your project :)