Author Topic: My second Cab attempt, semi slim (upd 8/5 .... marquee) (Read 13046 times)

mj147 · « **on:** June 21, 2009, 10:00:42 pm »

OK folks its been a while since my last build. Built this lil guy back in 05 and hes a bit lonely

I now have a garage and a few more tools at my disposal this time around. This guys shape is heavily inspired by Martijn's SF cab and Valiant's Build .

Progress will be slow as parts trickle in, I have yet to find online shops with Sanwa or Seimitsu joys without a long delay on ship dates

Lemme know what you folks think , all comments appreciated

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2009, 10:08:00 pm »

I will be using a 22" lcd so I was able to go slim ish

Cut one side out and just used a pattern bit to trace the other.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2009, 10:15:07 pm »

Just added some support rails

Still experimenting with uploading pics, I guess my earlier attempts gave me file too big errors

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2009, 10:35:07 pm »

Glued and screwed some 3" casters

m147

mj147 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2009, 06:55:04 pm »

Just a few more pics

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2009, 06:56:55 pm »

mj147 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2009, 06:58:18 pm »

last one for today

mj147

Gatsu · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:57:08 pm »

lookin good. what kind of art theme are you going with?

mj147 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2009, 11:12:21 pm »

Undesided on a theme or name for the cab

More than likely go the black cab blue t mold route and some matching cp and marquee.

Still a few things to work out, just not trying to rush things

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2009, 10:00:06 pm »

Two more for the log,

Cut out bottom of marquee bezel and control panel. They are "rough" at the moment. The cp will have the corners rounded and the back beveled (not sure the proper term) to fit flush against the bezel.

Lemme know what ya guys think so far.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2009, 10:01:05 pm »

Second pic;

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2009, 09:48:12 am »

Looks good.... these slim cabs are starting to grow on me.

Gatsu · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2009, 11:09:40 am »

damn thats lookin nice. can't wait to see it finished.

RayB · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:15:17 pm »

Looks nice. Are you going to hinge that control panel?

mj147 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2009, 02:29:56 pm »

Quote from: RayB on June 24, 2009, 01:15:17 pm

Looks nice. Are you going to hinge that control panel?

Was hopping I can make it swing back, pivot from the front of the control panel. Currently looking up what others have used in the past. I'm leaning towards a hidden , no gap type of hinge.... any suggestions?

mj147

PeteDiak · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2009, 08:08:57 pm »

Wow looks great.. take your time and you will be happy with the end results. What are the benefits of a "slim" cab?

RayB · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2009, 11:55:22 am »

Quote from: mj147 on June 24, 2009, 02:29:56 pm

Was hopping I can make it swing back, pivot from the front of the control panel. Currently looking up what others have used in the past. I'm leaning towards a hidden , no gap type of hinge.... any suggestions?

I don't have any suggestions as to what's best. A front or back-mounted piano hinge might be most stable for that size, but then the panel won't be removable to be taken to a work bench. For that, you either go with the standard "clamps" (which if are not mounted perfectly might end up with some "play" and vibration), or you can bolt with easily removable wing-nuts (but I find that one annoying, as it takes time to unscrew wing-nuts whenever you need to get in and fix something).

Keep in mind that clamps or wingnut solution assumes your design will have room for you to reach in with your arm.

mj147 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2009, 02:48:01 pm »

Quote from: PeteDiak on June 24, 2009, 08:08:57 pm

Wow looks great.. take your time and you will be happy with the end results. What are the benefits of a "slim" cab?

I would say weight, lcd panels hardly weigh(sp?) anything, allowing to get away with out having to build a frame around a crt . Also not having a tube you dont have to build a deep cab ( both a size and weight saver)

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2009, 09:20:58 pm »

Slow going the last few days

So a small ish update. Had to figure a way to mount and hide the lcd casing.

mj147 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2009, 09:22:55 pm »

Used a rabbet bit (sp?) so the monitor could be held and hide some of the bezel. Dont laugh at my cuts its basically my first time using my router.

mj147 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2009, 09:23:55 pm »

Not the prettiest but it fit

mj147 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2009, 09:25:45 pm »

The final result isn't too bad, least not for me. Still have to clean it up a bit and bevel the inside edge a bit.

mj147

johnmartin · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2009, 08:36:54 am »

Looks pretty good. I am surprised though that you did not make the hole a bit smaller to match the screen size a bit closer, but that is neither here nor there. I like and and a bit of bevel will help a lot.

John

mj147 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:24:32 pm »

Well its been a few days and what johnmarttin said kept bugging me..why didnt I cut the monitor hole smaller..

So I re did it since i knew it would bug me later as well.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:28:40 pm »

I also cut out the speaker grill area. Gonna a try a mesh type material I stumbled across at the hardware dept at wally world.

Covered the back of the cab and will recycle the old monitor bezel so I wont have any heating problems. This area will also be covered with the mesh, hopefully it will look decent.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:33:04 pm »

Instead of painting Im gonna try to cover it with vinyl. Wasnt too happy with the fist attempt as I had to peel off and re apply

but that was my fault as I rushed it. Looks great from 6 inches or further.

My cab is 27" when it angles to cp area and the roll is 24" wide...I think I can make it work and not look too bad as the seem will be minimal.

Lemme know what you guys think so far.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:33:57 pm »

One more

Gatsu · « **Reply #27 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:37:34 pm »

that looks pretty good to me.

where did you get the vinyl by the way? I can never find any locally.

mj147 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 01, 2009, 03:45:35 pm »

Quote from: Gatsu on July 01, 2009, 03:37:34 pm

that looks pretty good to me.

where did you get the vinyl by the way? I can never find any locally.

I ordered it through Amazon to save on shipping but its through Parts Express 24" X 18'

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 01, 2009, 06:09:21 pm »

Ok a couple more

Figured Ill try the sides..... man it went on nice

Was very pleased with end results. Very small seam , more noticeable in pics tho.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 01, 2009, 06:10:12 pm »

mj147 · « **Reply #31 on:** July 01, 2009, 06:11:27 pm »

Sorry for the spam but I can only fit one pic at a time.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 01, 2009, 06:12:09 pm »

Last one for today

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #33 on:** July 03, 2009, 04:05:31 pm »

Well still thinking of a way to hinge the cp. For those who have used piano hinges, do you have to recess the hinge area so no gap is visible?

Thinking I can can get away with just using 2 panel clamps to secure it. Will this be enough? My cp has a slight angle, almost horizontal and more than likely folks wont be hanging from the sticks.

mj147

drventure · « **Reply #34 on:** July 03, 2009, 07:08:14 pm »

Very nice.

I wouldn't do a piano hinge unless you want the hinge to be a visible part of the cab (in my case, that's what I wanted, but mine is FAR from a normal cab).

I'd go with one of those cup and socket cabinet hinges that have been mentioned on the boards here..

Well, I can't find the thread now, but here's the hinge i'm talking about.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21315&filter=hinge

mj147 · « **Reply #35 on:** July 07, 2009, 08:50:53 pm »

OK got some more work in just a few more pics.

Added pictures of the new bezel, this time I managed to get the opening closer to the actual monitor screen.

I also cut a groove into the speaker panel so the plexi can be inserted and held by both the control panel and the groove.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #36 on:** July 07, 2009, 08:52:10 pm »

Installed back vent grill and did my first coat of paint on back of cab.

mj147 · « **Reply #37 on:** July 07, 2009, 08:54:27 pm »

Installed the monitor, used some blocks along with zip ties to hold it in place, just in case...

mj147 · « **Reply #38 on:** July 07, 2009, 08:56:52 pm »

The plexi fit just fine.
Added some more T molding aswell.

Currently how she stands

mj147

jfh2112 · « **Reply #39 on:** July 12, 2009, 11:16:57 pm »

Wow, that's nice. I'm going to steal about six of your ideas for my slim cab.

How's the weight distribution? Does it seem top-heavy? I'd imagine not, with the LCD and all.

Gatsu · « **Reply #40 on:** July 13, 2009, 01:13:59 pm »

thats coming together very nicely. Thats one I might need to put away for a future project.

mj147 · « **Reply #41 on:** July 13, 2009, 10:14:53 pm »

Quote from: jfh2112 on July 12, 2009, 11:16:57 pm

Wow, that's nice. I'm going to steal about six of your ideas for my slim cab.

How's the weight distribution? Does it seem top-heavy? I'd imagine not, with the LCD and all.

Not at all, as it has a wide base.

Just got my control order in. Expect a new updates soon, as Im dreading top mounting my Sanwa JLF's on my mdf cp

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #42 on:** July 14, 2009, 10:01:18 pm »

OK small ish update.

Went out to garage to try and work on the cp

Wanted to figure out how everything was gonna fit and in what orientation. I kept going and ended up setting the puter and hooking up the sound and the on off button

So of course I had to fire it all up and see if it worked

Sure enough....man that screen looks nice, dont mean to toot my own horn but I was pleasantly surprised.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 14, 2009, 10:12:24 pm »

Did manage to cut the plexi and button holes. Gonna go with a very clean basic layout.
The sticks are off centered to accommodate player two better. It always seamed like player 2 was to far to the right and didnt get to see the screen as good....maybe it was just me .... Oh well, my cab

Well shes comming along, maybe be done this weekend..... cept for the grafx scheme.

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #44 on:** July 14, 2009, 10:19:02 pm »

Not sure if that SF4 benchmark was too accurate. My mame puter scored a "C" and didnt expect to run it well. I loaded it up anyways and it plays very well. A small hickup on the ultras but hardly noticeable. Very happy

Just hope I can map out my buttons to a Keywiz

Forgot to mention what a pain those Sanwa sticks are to top mount if you dont have a template already

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #45 on:** July 15, 2009, 01:08:21 pm »

Only had a few hours to work on my cab today.

Wired the cp.... OK not the neatest or best work but thats all had at the time

Gonna leave the cp blank for now while I work on the art.

mj147

Gatsu · « **Reply #46 on:** July 15, 2009, 03:02:31 pm »

Damn man. that looks really good. Clean and smooth. Looks damn good.

Blanka · « **Reply #47 on:** July 15, 2009, 03:56:09 pm »

LOL those tie-raps to hold the screen. Always wondered what the VESA mount was meant for

Hope you gave the screen a good cleaning before it went behind the glass. There's a lot of fingers on it.

mj147 · « **Reply #48 on:** July 16, 2009, 12:13:53 pm »

Quote from: Blanka on July 15, 2009, 03:56:09 pm

LOL those tie-raps to hold the screen. Always wondered what the VESA mount was meant for
Hope you gave the screen a good cleaning before it went behind the glass. There's a lot of fingers on it.

That will be more than enough to hold the monitor. Remember the bezel is routed and recessed (sp?) and there is a real tight fit, along with added support of the 1x2 blocks...these where hot glued to the monitor. This thing isnt going anywhere

I need to tidy up the internal wiring and and wire up the coin door and get her done in a few

mj147

Gatsu · « **Reply #49 on:** July 16, 2009, 12:15:59 pm »

this project actually kind makes me wanna put a Mame PC in the cabinet again. I wasn't going to before....since its an LCD tv....but I dunno...

great project though man.

any previews on the artwork yet?

mj147 · « **Reply #50 on:** July 16, 2009, 12:50:56 pm »

No thoughts on art yet.... Maybe go with a basic Fusion layout for cp and marquee area while I can work on my own

Was more into getting my build going, as often I see folks taking longer on rendering/art than the actual build.

mj147

jfh2112 · « **Reply #51 on:** July 16, 2009, 05:33:17 pm »

Couple more questions:

How wide and deep is it?

Why did you choose not to decase the monitor?

mj147 · « **Reply #52 on:** July 18, 2009, 05:51:41 pm »

Quote from: jfh2112 on July 16, 2009, 05:33:17 pm

Couple more questions:

How wide and deep is it?

Why did you choose not to decase the monitor?

I didnt find a need to decase it. It has hard corners and kinda blocky making for an easy install.

At the base its 24" X 24", at its thinnest its only 13.5 " deep

Its 26.5" wide

Sorry on the delayed response. Ive been working on the frontend and its very playable so its getting "tested"

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #53 on:** July 20, 2009, 01:55:58 am »

Small update as Ive been"testing"

Added the cp and moved the cab into my "gameroom" (only 2 mame cabs...but its coming along)

Just tidied up the cords and cables....went thru a few sticks of hot glue, before I close er up

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #54 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:39:05 pm »

Did some playing around with some front ends and ended up using MaLa. Very nice, easy yet does just about anything I want it.

As with my cp I want my FE to be basic, clutter free, and easy to navigate.....some folks might call it boring.

Was working with FoxM1 to extract game sound fx to use as my navigation sounds but seems a bit outdated as is only supports about 700 roms from my list.
Any one know any other program that can do this as well?

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #55 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:40:28 pm »

Front view

mj147 · « **Reply #56 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:44:56 pm »

OK shes done...errm least playable....... just waiting on the art to get finished and printed.

Just re sized some Fusion art to use as my cp and marquee. Nothing too fancy ...again I like simple designs.

Lemme know what you folks think about my cab.

mj147

Talonluck · « **Reply #57 on:** July 21, 2009, 05:46:48 pm »

That's outstanding!

I've got a large cab in my garage I'm attempting to Mame out but I've been thinking of making a slim one so I can use an LCD monitor also to save some space since my house doesn't have much.

Do you have a template for all the different dimensions? That seems just the perfect size.

mj147 · « **Reply #58 on:** July 22, 2009, 02:24:54 pm »

Quote from: Talonluck on July 21, 2009, 05:46:48 pm

That's outstanding!

Do you have a template for all the different dimensions? That seems just the perfect size.

Sorry Talon I didnt have a template. I just hand sketched to what looked good to me.
I was inspired by Martijn's SF cab and just modified it to fit my needs. Its a bit tall as I didnt want the marquee at eye level.

I can get some dimensions up in a few days if folks are interested.

mj147

retrofuture · « **Reply #59 on:** July 22, 2009, 02:28:43 pm »

Quote from: mj147 on July 16, 2009, 12:50:56 pm

...often I see folks taking longer on rendering/art than the actual build

Damn. Been found out

Nice cab mj

mj147 · « **Reply #60 on:** July 22, 2009, 03:16:06 pm »

Quote from: retrofuture on July 22, 2009, 02:28:43 pm

Quote from: mj147 on July 16, 2009, 12:50:56 pm
...often I see folks taking longer on rendering/art than the actual build

Damn. Been found out

Nice cab mj

.....well I didnt wanna point any fingers

Thanks for the compliment Retro

mj147

retrofuture · « **Reply #61 on:** July 22, 2009, 03:55:17 pm »

Sassafrassarassum Rick Rastardly!

Talonluck · « **Reply #62 on:** July 22, 2009, 03:56:41 pm »

Quote from: mj147 on July 22, 2009, 02:24:54 pm

Quote from: Talonluck on July 21, 2009, 05:46:48 pm
That's outstanding!

Do you have a template for all the different dimensions? That seems just the perfect size.

Sorry Talon I didnt have a template. I just hand sketched to what looked good to me.
I was inspired by Martijn's SF cab and just modified it to fit my needs. Its a bit tall as I didnt want the marquee at eye level.

I can get some dimensions up in a few days if folks are interested.

mj147

I'd definitely be interested in the dimensions. Not to copy but to use as a guide for building a slim one. I've got my own ideas on certain aspects but since this will be my first full build, I just want to make sure I'm not going to short change myself!

mj147 · « **Reply #63 on:** August 05, 2009, 04:43:25 pm »

Nother small update. Ordered my graphics (basic on atm) but a minor issue came up on the cp overlay and Scott at MM is taking care of it atm

Got the marquee on and it looks nice. Not sure how you folks do it but its very tough to get a good picture light marquee.

Updates will be slowish from now on as the attract sounds do their job

mj147

mj147 · « **Reply #64 on:** August 05, 2009, 04:44:38 pm »

Closer marquee pic

mj147 · « **Reply #65 on:** August 05, 2009, 04:45:28 pm »

Last one


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