Recommendations on Arcade Cabinet Kits?

[DashRendar]

Not sure if there's a price difference on a 2-player control panel, but for the 4-player the plexiglass cost $75.

It's clear, and designed to help protect your controls and control panel surface.  If you get a control panel overlay (the artwork), that goes underneath the plexiglass.

These control panels do have a lip around the outer edge, designed so that if you put plexiglass in there, it will be flush.   If you don't get plexi, then it might be a little uncomfortable if you rest your wrists on the edge.

I wanted to be sure to get the plexi as well (it has the button/joystick holes cut so it lines up perfectly with the control panel).  Had to save up a bit before I placed my order, since I couldn't order it separately.

[shateredsoul]

Yeah I think I'll have to save a bit longer than I thought.  I would never have known to ask about the plexiglass before you mentioned it.  So thanks for the heads up. So I'll have to order the t-modling, lexi, control panel, and customized layout.  Hmm maybe I cna put it on lay away ,  hah!

Not sure if there's a price difference on a 2-player control panel, but for the 4-player the plexiglass cost $75.

It's clear, and designed to help protect your controls and control panel surface.  If you get a control panel overlay (the artwork), that goes underneath the plexiglass.

These control panels do have a lip around the outer edge, designed so that if you put plexiglass in there, it will be flush.   If you don't get plexi, then it might be a little uncomfortable if you rest your wrists on the edge.

I wanted to be sure to get the plexi as well (it has the button/joystick holes cut so it lines up perfectly with the control panel).  Had to save up a bit before I placed my order, since I couldn't order it separately.

[shateredsoul]

D:

I just did my taxes and it doesn't look good.  But it sure does explain why my monthly checks were so big. I technically work for a University and receive our statements online. I don't bother to read them usually, I just check to see that it gets deposited and I guess they didn't take out federal or state taxes.  Usually, as a grad student, this wouldn't be an issue because I would file single and my income was usually exempt... but this year it's the first time we file jointly and man does that make a difference.

So it looks like the the soulcade (get it!) controllers will have to wait a while, I already ordered the buttons and joysticks.. but will probably have to wait on the controller kit if I want to order it with the plexiglass. Oh well, such is life, new project start date for controllers = june.

-Shatered

[DashRendar]

I've done the same thing with my taxes- it's quite the surprise when you get your W2!

The boat I'm in is that I'm saving up for my wedding and honeymoon, which is this summer.  My fiance and I are paying for most of it ourselves, and it's not exactly cheap!

So, to avoid any trouble on the home front, I'm buying the pieces needed little by little.  I *did* order my control panel and plexi all at once, but this was with cash I got from Christmas (so it's sort of justified).  Anyway, I might buy buttons this month, then my cables next month, etc.  Spread out, it obviously takes longer to put together, but it's better economically.

Slow and steady wins the race.   

[shateredsoul]

Congrats Dash Render!

I just wanted to update this tread just incase anyone used it as a guide.. the FDV1-2 quick connects were too big for the e-switches, i'd suggest going with the smaller ones (hopefully those work)

[DeLuSioNal29]

OK,

I did some more research for you on the differences of the switches:

The Cherry brand uses .187 connectors.  Buy the connectors here
The E-Switch brand is slightly bigger and uses .250 connectors.  Buy the connectors here
The GGG Microleaf switch (and Sanwa or Seimitsu buttons) uses even smaller .110 connectors!  Buy the connectors here

I've pictured them all below for comparison.  The Cherry is on the left, the E-switch on the right and the microleaf on the bottom.  It's a shame they changed the size of the connectors on the Cherry vs. E-switch.  All of the connectors I own are for the original Cherry switch, which is .187.  Now I'll have to buy new ones from here on.   

DeLuSioNaL29

[shateredsoul]

Thanks Delusional,  any idea what the others might be useful for? So I can keep that in mind for the future in case I ever need them or find someone who might need them.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I don't follow you.  Do you mean the microleaf switch?  If so, it's just a hybrid switch the GGG came out with.  It's a microswitch the FEELS like a leaf switch.  No clicky noises or anything.  Great for shoot-em-ups (shmups).  I plan to put them in my new shmup vertical cab I am working on.

D

[shateredsoul]

the FDV1-2 quick connects

[Charlie97L]

i totally relate to the build vs buy conundrum.  i suck at woodworking, and by the time i bought all the tools necessary to build my own, i could just have ordered a put together cab.

as an alternative to a full size cab, have you considered a bartop?  that's what i'm doing, more as a dry run for a full size later this year, but in all seriousness, if you're going to be moving, i wouldn't even consider a full size cab, until you're settled in a house.

i've wanted to build a fullsize for the past 5 years, but waited until I had a house.    it was worth it.

just my .02 cents.  emdkay also has a great 2p bartop kit.

good luck!  trust me, the wiring is easy, you won't need months to do it.  maybe 2 afternoons if you've never worked with any type of wires before.

[shateredsoul]

i totally relate to the build vs buy conundrum.  i suck at woodworking, and by the time i bought all the tools necessary to build my own, i could just have ordered a put together cab.

as an alternative to a full size cab, have you considered a bartop?  that's what i'm doing, more as a dry run for a full size later this year, but in all seriousness, if you're going to be moving, i wouldn't even consider a full size cab, until you're settled in a house.

i've wanted to build a fullsize for the past 5 years, but waited until I had a house.    it was worth it.

just my .02 cents.  emdkay also has a great 2p bartop kit.

good luck!  trust me, the wiring is easy, you won't need months to do it.  maybe 2 afternoons if you've never worked with any type of wires before.

Yeah very good points you made there (many of which my wife has already made ha ha).  I guess sometimes I get overtaken with excitement and don't consider other things.. like moving.  I have looked at the bartops, but it just doesn't feel the same for me.  I guess it's because I never actually played a bartop arcade.  I have seen a few at some of the bars we go to, but they never attracted my attention.

The plan right now is to build a control panel and control stand and mount the tv on the wall.  I have also been designing a Marquee just for the fun of it, and yes it's one of those cheezy character cutout mame ones, but I like it! I was considering names for it, but the best I could come up with was "The Way Back Machine" So mame it is! http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100065.0

[shateredsoul]

*update*

So I am in the process of designing my control panel layout and control panel overlay art.  I ordered a 2p control panel from arcadesrfun. I also have some decals I bought from pongo.  Very nice quality I must say.

So I do have one stupid question and one opinion quesiton.

1. First the stupid question, you guys are going to kill me for asking, but...

What kind of screws did you use to install your joystick? I want to buy those now, so I can have them later. I see them on the arcade store websites, but I have a feeling they will be cheaper to buy from home depot or ace hadware.

2. I have asked around to see what buttons people think are best to have on the control panel, you probably saw my thread, any suggestions on what buttons are needed other than the p1, p2, coin, and player buttons?

I asked Jack, from arcadesrfun, to see if the jukebox buttons would work on the front.  I also want the side buttons for pinball.

I'm using Maximus Arcade, in case that's ueful in thinking about what buttons may be needed

[DeLuSioNal29]

My panel is from Arcadesrfun as well.  They do a great job.  The ONLY complaint that I have about them is that they don't pre-drill the holes for the joystick screws from underneath.  Mameroom.com does do this, so the joysticks line up perfectly with the hole when mounted.

That said however, I found a perfect little tool that does the job nicely at Bob Roberts' store.  http://www.therealbobroberts.net/joyaid.jpg

So from underneath, you lay this metal template over the hole and then mark where the screws would go.  Then drill small holes (not all the way through of course) from underneath.  Then mount the joystick with screws.  Perfectly aligned!

To order, you simply e-mail the guy (don't forget to include your mailing address) and he will give you a price with shipping.  It only costs $2 + shipping and it's totally worth it.

D

[shateredsoul]

Thanks for the heads up on that, I'm actually still waiting to see a draft of the control panel. I happened to place my order right before he went on vacation (doh!), but Jack has been very nice about keeping me updated and getting back to me about questions.

I sent him an e-mail asking him if he could do this for me, so I can avoid buying a drill.  Would you have any recommendations on what screws work best for mounting the joystick? If he says he can do this, I might then be able to give him more specific details.  So far I just asked him if he could do screw holes so that the joystick can be centered, and that I would not want the screw holes to go all the way through the panel. I'm assuming the trackball also needs screws? so I asked him if he could do that too.

Also what do you think about this idead? I thought of mounting an ipac underneath the control panel.  I really like how it looks when people do that, because it makes it easier to be neat about things.  I'll probably drill those holes on my own. So I can decide where everything goes.

also another update about the cp design, I really like this button layout (combined snk and capcom design)



I'm taking out the slot that's cut for a flight stick.  I won't really need that. I'm trying to figure out where I can place some jukebox buttons and how many I will need (add, next,)

These are the buttons other than the ones used to play with I will be adding. Player 1, 2, coin 1, coin 2, pause, exit.  I think that's good right?

And i'm still looking for an overlay.  Delusional, Would you mind sharing the art you used for your space invader cab? I might do something like that.. but blue? I was hoping to see if I could make my cab stylish, and since I'm starting with the control panel this will influence how the whole cab will look. I've been having a hard time finding images or user made control panels that look stylish.  

I tried a wood patter.. looks funny, marble, looks cheap, so maybe I should just keep it black with button labels as part of the overlay?


*edit* I also forgot to mention that I've narrowed my design for the rest of the "cab" to either building a stand for the cp and mounting an lcd tv, or making one of those new custom made slim arcades.  I think Taz designed one, but I also saw another one that was really fancy and made out of metal. I think that same guy that designed this won some kind of award for his previous arcade cabinet, can anyone remember his name? I can't find his design anymore.   if I can figure that out then i'll probably be doing something alone those lines.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Funny, I asked Jack the exact same questions when I was building mine.  Here's how he responded:

"Your blank panel comes with the trackball mounting kit which has it's own hardware to mount your trackball from underneath. It's just 4 thin small machine screws and washers. Be very careful to only hand tightne and not use a drill with a screw bit as the screws are of soft steel and I have stripped off the heads using a drill driver.
 
Install the joystick bases from underneath the panel by first drilling a shallow pilot hole smaller than the actual screw. We use 1" long zinc plated wood screws from Home depot or Lowes at about $4 per 100.
The size is #10. The box would then be marked 10 X 1.
 
The screw does not come through the top of the 3/4" panel as the joystick base is thick enough. We use only the outside corners of the joystick bases for the screws. You can test on a piece of scrap wood to feel confident about using that size."

As for the Green Invader cab CPO, I created them in several colors (shown below), so you're in luck.  PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you the .psd (Photoshop) file for the blue one.  As for the marquee:  I created different color variations for Emdkay so that he can offer them in his store.  So you can simply order one from them in the color that you need.  http://emdkay.net/catalog/invader-marquee-p-176.html

Good luck!

DeLuSioNaL29

[DeLuSioNal29]

Here's how the Invader CPO would look in blue.

Of course, I'm assuming you would move the small little invaders out of the way.  I made those for the player 1 and 2 start buttons.  But they can easily be removed since they are on a separate layer.

D

[t3design]

also another update about the cp design, I really like this button layout (combined snk and capcom design)

Glad you like it!

I have a better drawing of that layout now. Not to be picky but it is really closer to the Hybdrid layout on www.slagcoin.com without the right two buttons, and then the seventh button added in much lower on the left. Also, the joystick is closer. I can't give SlagCoin enough credit on this, I read everything on that site and made a lot of decisions based on his info.

[shateredsoul]

thanks t3 and delusional!  Sorry I didn't credit you for the button layout t3, was in a rush and I didn't bookmark the thread. I'll send this updated layout to Jack.. he's gonna hate me when he gets back from his vacation and finds all my e-mails.

Delusional, so maybe you can clarify this for me, so did you ask him if he could drill the holes for you? or just how to make the install the trackball and joysticks?  From the response it seems like you found out that that it was not pre-drilled after receiving the cp, so i'm assuming you asked him how to install them. I asked him if he could drill the holes for me. I hope he says yes.

If not I can just borrow a drill. Also, the description of the cp says it comes with t-molding.. did he let you choose the color?

My e-mail has been sent. I appreciate the help!

Now i'm kicking my self for having bought my buttons ahead of time, I have the street fighter colors, when all black would have worked nicely... and I bought decals in black (because I was planning on putting them on white buttons). I should have stuck to white.. Hmm, but black would be okay on blue buttons.

[shateredsoul]

Delusional, I also noticed you made those little square effects differently for green and blue cp layouts. In the green one they're more concentrated in the middle, do you think I would be able to modify the blue file to look more like this? there's something about that green one that really catches my eye. Also, would you mind sending me the green one as well? In case I decide to go with that one? They both look great

[DeLuSioNal29]

Delusional, I also noticed you made those little square effects differently for green and blue cp layouts. In the green one they're more concentrated in the middle, do you think I would be able to modify the blue file to look more like this? there's something about that green one that really catches my eye. Also, would you mind sending me the green one as well? In case I decide to go with that one? They both look great

The blue I posted earlier was not as accurate since it was just a quick mock-up.  I worked on all of the colors today to make them match the layout perfectly.  I've attached the blue one below (it's a lo res sample).

I have your e-mail so I will send you the .psd file (it's huge).  It includes all the colored background that match the original green invader design.

DeLuSioNaL29

[shateredsoul]

Wow! That looks great!  I'm in the midst of configuring my control panel.  It will be franken panelish... but it seems to be the case with everyones first cab.  

I really like how you've designed cabs for specific types of games (like your space invaders arcade and shmup arcade).

 Here's the layout I started with



I'm asking him to move the trackballs button to the left of the trackball and add a third one.  I'm pretty happy with everything else.

Does anyone have any ideas how many side buttons I would need for pinball?  The player 2 pause I'm probably going to make a reset buttons instead.  I don't think I need two pause buttons.

The trackball and spinner will be added at a later date.  I didn't expect them to be as expensive as they are. I also have some lightguns.  I'm going to try and find a holster for them.  I've seen a bunch of people using bike rack pieces.

[shateredsoul]

Oh... maybe instead of a reset buttons I'll make it a favorites buttons.  This would work really well for Maximus arcade.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I would get rid of the left and mouse buttons next to the trackball.  Instead, you can put them next to the 4-way joystick.  That way in Windows, they would work as mouse buttons, but in MAME (here's the stroke of genius) you simply reassign them to be buttons 1 and 2.  So, for example, in MAME you would see:  Button 1:  CTRL and Mouse button 1 and Button 2:  ALT and Mouse button 2.  What that would do is allow your mouse buttons to be use in games.  That's what I did on my panel.  Works perfectly.

If you plan to use Maximus Arcade, you'd probably want the following buttons:  Select, Exit, Favs and Back.  The back button will get you back to the main screen so that you can choose which emulator to use.

D

[DeLuSioNal29]

Here is a sample of all the colors.

[shateredsoul]

Genius! What about the trackballs that use 3 buttons? How did you configure that?

[DeLuSioNal29]

I never use the middle button, so I don't have it on my panel.

I have the capability to wire it up, but didn't even bother.

[shateredsoul]

cool thanks for the info! Oh and I tried the link you sent me, but there was an error with unzipping the control panel.  Also, if you'd like to share it with others I can host it for you on megaupload if you'd like. I think these are too good not too share.

-shatered

[shateredsoul]

Considering my setup

pinball puttons
4 frontend buttons
trackball with no butttons
4way joystick + 2 buttons
2 8 way joysticks + 7 buttons
and 6 admin buttons

do i need an ipac 2 or ipac 4?


I also bought this sanwa 4 and 8 way joysticks.  I want to use it as a 4 way, how can I adjust for this? I noticed there's a round plate on the bottom.. is that what I need to adjust?