Finally!!! Ready to show The Blue Dragon

[bsellers100]

I first discovered MAME around 2001, and wanted a cabinet soon after that. Unfortunately, I didn't have room for a cab in my last house.  Then came the kids and we moved, and finally I had the room, but not the time(go figure).  Well, the wife liked the idea as well, and kept pushing, so about 2 years ago I started my cab, after seeing the slim woody cab that Knievel came out with.  Perfect size for a small gameroom.  (Many thanks to Knievel for sending me rough dimensions of his cab).  Sadly, I am fairly slow when it comes to projects, so it took about 6 months to complete (and thanks to Andy at Ultimarc for helping out with a botched order-at no cost to me).  But, I didn't really like the control panel I had made, and the computer I was using just wasn't up to snuff either, so the thing sat there not getting much use.  So a few months ago I finally put my thinking cap on, came up with a new plan for the control panel, ordered a few new parts, rebuilt it, and finally have a cab I am fairly happy with.  I wanted a cab that could play as many games as possible, and since I never have much liked the 2 player games, made the cab a single player cab.  I know some of you guys don't like the "frankenpanel" types, but so far it plays better than expected, and works great for us.  I themed the cab from a dart board cabinet that my brother painted for me about 20 years ago.  So, here it is:

[Ginsu Victim]

I'm at a loss here.

[Namco]

It's unconventional looking, but looks really functional. Great job incorporating all those controls into the panel. I like how a raised trackball will prevent you from slamming into the joystick like I always hear about when some people put their 4-ways in the path of the trackball.

Looks like a ton of fun!

Few things I'm noticing, I think the blue is bleeding through the red in the dragon crest that you painted. Perhaps primer or a couple extra coats would've helped it. Plus I think a dark colored semi-gloss applied with a roller would go a long way with the finish. Navy with bright blue trim and nobody would be thinking "frankenpanel" 

[Ginsu Victim]

I like how a raised trackball will prevent you from slamming into the joystick like I always hear about when some people put their 4-ways in the path of the trackball.

Though slamming the monitor is fine, right?

[KDOG]

Maybe he doesn't like to play Golden Tee or bowling games.

[bsellers100]

no problems with Golden Tee, and I haven't tried any bowling games yet.  You just have to roll with your thumbs on either side of the trackball.  With the 2 joysticks, I can play games like Battlezone and Robotron. With the spinner positioned where it is, Tron works fine, and the joystick works as a shifter on racing games.  And yeah, I did have some bleedthrough on the side stickers, but they actually look ok in real life.

[Ginsu Victim]

The button spacing is a tad much.

[severdhed]

looks good...you have a nice variety of controls there, without it being too cluttered.

[MrMojoZ]

Just wondering, why the 6 buttons for the 8 way if you wanted a button layout that made fighting games un-playable?

[severdhed]

fighting games are playable on that...just not for 2 players.  i have a 2 player cabinet, but the only time the fighting games get played is when i am playing by myself against the computer.

[ark_ader]

I always say that showing your creation will either generate interest or criticism.  We all tap our childhood (if you are old enough to remember playing in video arcades) to get ideas on how we would build our cabinets in a different style.

I look at your cabinet, and I see hard work.  I see the dedication and time it took to design and build, and the there is another generation around to enjoy your handiwork.  If you get satisfaction from your design, then it was worth the time and effort.

Personally I like it, and the design looks to have future room for improvement, which as we all know, always never ends.  I think the controls could be a bit more plug and play, than attached, but again it is YOUR cab. 

Thanks for sharing your photos, and keep us informed on the changes that you make, after playing with it awhile.

 

[ChadTower]

Uh... could you put some damn pants on your little girl next time you post pictures of her on the net?   

[Ginsu Victim]

Uh... could you put some damn pants on your little girl next time you post pictures of her on the net?  

Weirded you out too, huh?

[javeryh]

Uh... could you put some damn pants on your little girl next time you post pictures of her on the net?  

Weirded you out too, huh?

Add me to that list.  I'll never post a pic of my kid on the internet - with or without pants!

[MAME TIME]

I'm not a fan of these type of cabs, but look how much fun she's having, isn't that all that matters?. Be aware when you post, be ready for some criticism good or bad

[Namco]

Okay you guys are creeping me out. I'm a dad and i didn't notice that she's in her shorts.

[Ginsu Victim]

I'm not a fan of these type of cabs, but look how much fun she's having, isn't that all that matters?

Shouldn't you have a sign in your yard?

[MrMojoZ]

fighting games are playable on that...just not for 2 players.  i have a 2 player cabinet, but the only time the fighting games get played is when i am playing by myself against the computer.

I'll disagree, some fighters would be un-playable with that button lay out at anything above the random mashing level of play.

[Ginsu Victim]

fighting games are playable on that...just not for 2 players.  i have a 2 player cabinet, but the only time the fighting games get played is when i am playing by myself against the computer.

I'll disagree, some fighters would be un-playable with that button lay out at anything above the random mashing level of play.

That's why I mentioned the button spacing earlier.

[clok]

looks alot like my first project. I think they are even the same color. Many of the same ideas (you got a steering wheel, i couldnt fit mine in). I'm a member of the frankenpanel club, i have a 4player with a trackball, spinner (oscers old DOT one) and a PC flightstick (tron DD is one of my all time favorites) and a 4 way. I am not sure I like the raised part, but as a builder I do understand sometimes useability is a major factor, you where going small and your design takes that into account. Not sure how many cabs you built, but looks like a nice "first one" and I only say that as I built one and was proud as heck of it, but after loooking at all the cabs here (how do you guys find the time?) I alwasy have a new idea.. I may never do it, cuz mine is 100% functional and works the way i want.

So i say pretty nice..

as for child.. umm... when you have kids you will soon understand that picture is just the way it is.. and when you are used to it, its not a strange thing. But with the Internet, and its so sad to say this, you may want to crop it or it will show up in strange places for sad reason.  But she does look like she is having FUN!

[bsellers100]

Sorry about the underwear shot.  I didn't even notice it until my wife said something, and then I just figured no one would notice(after reading all these posts for years, I should have realized).
In regards to fighting games, I just don't play them.  Never have really liked them.  And 2 players can play at the same time if they really wanted to.  The steering wheel has controls on top like a game pad, but it is very awkward to play that way.
And yes, this is my first cab, and I do already have ideas that can be improved, but so far I am having a blast with it, so I will just ignore the criticisms and welcome the compliments.  After all, if every bodies cabs looked alike, why would we have this web site.

[HaRuMaN]

Why ignore the criticism?  Some people may have valid points that could help you improve your machine. 

[mayhem]

as for child.. umm... when you have kids you will soon understand that picture is just the way it is.. and when you are used to it, its not a strange thing. But with the Internet, and its so sad to say this, you may want to crop it or it will show up in strange places for sad reason.  But she does look like she is having FUN!

Totally true.....

[ChadTower]

Why ignore the criticism?  Some people may have valid points that could help you improve your machine. 

He doesn't appear to want to improve his machine.   

[Ginsu Victim]

Sorry about the underwear shot.  I didn't even notice it until my wife said something, and then I just figured no one would notice(after reading all these posts for years, I should have realized).

Meanwhile, the pic is still there....

[MrMojoZ]

In regards to fighting games, I just don't play them. 

Well we know that, but what else uses 6 buttons? I'm sure there are things that aren't fighters I just don't know what they are.

[Nemss316]

Yeah, please take that pic down. I just had to explain to my g/f why that picture was up on my computer. Creepy uncles everywhere are rejoicing.

As for the cab, its a good first build. Makes me want to build a cabinet w/ a larger control panel.

[Ginsu Victim]

A new member just joined called KiddieDiddler15, which means there were already 14 others. Come on, man....

[Namco]

Where are the gas and brake pedals?

[bsellers100]

the steering wheel comes with 2 sets of pedals, one that is built in as paddles under the steering wheel and actual foot pedals that go on the floor.  There is a switch on the back of the steering wheel that switches between the 2.  Since I have a large door on the bottom of the cabinet, I use the paddles that are under the steering wheel.  I may at some point in the future add the foot pedals to the cab, but for now the hand paddles work fine.