The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: shrunkenmaster on May 26, 2010, 03:46:01 pm
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Thought I'd share the construction on my Tron Mini/Cabaret (aka TMC). Firstly I'd like to point out that I wasn't aiming for a 100% accurate TMC here, before anyone rips me to pieces! Secondly I'd like to thank Triangel7D, HarumaN, Hoopz and particularly Encryptor for help along the way.
Many moons ago I picked up a Xenophobe stick with the intention of making a TMC at some stage. I grabbed a Tron restrictor from Encryptor (Restryptor?) soon after and it all got forgotten about until recently. Encryptor provided some handy measurements which I scaled down slightly - my room has a stupidly small door and I wanted the option of moving the TMC out.
Anyway, got the sides cut out and primed:
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Next my Midway coin door turned up, extremely battered. After some heavy filler action and several coats of spray primer and paint, I'm pleased with the outcome. I got a replacement Midway badge from arcadeshop.com too. Still have to get the coin insert artwork printed and applied though.
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Got to work on the CP next. Some time ago I got a full-size Tron control panel complete with spinner, one player button and a Wico joystick. Encryptor kindly supplied another play button and the metal control panel was then donated to Ninten-doh for his project.
I got to work routing some MDF to accept the spinner and Xenophobe stick. I had to mount the two player buttons onto some plexi as I couldn't route the MDF thin enough while giving enough strength (I hope this makes sense).
I then glued the two parts of the CP and routed the join with my roundover bit for a nice curve.
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I've always liked your projects shrunkenmaster, looking forward to seeing this one completed to the quality of your other cabinets! Keep up the good stuff! :cheers:
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Back to the cab. Got the structure together and did the usual filling and sanding.
Moved on to the speaker panel. I found some BMW car speaker grilles which looked close enough to the originals - only a couple of pounds from the 'bay.
Sanded and painted the panel, attached the speakers, then had a (sort of) brainwave. I thought it would be cool to have a UB blacklight on the cab, just like a full-size Tron. I realised i could have it on the speaker panel, shining down onto the CP, so I cut a slot and returned to the 'bay for some UV goodness.
I also got the marquee light attached - more of that later once my camera is charged again so I can take some pics.
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Keeping in line with the original cabaret, I went for the woodgrain look. Being born in 1970, everything I grew up with was covered with this, so I don't mind it! I used self-adhesive vinyl as laminate in the UK is a ---smurfette--- to find and expensive.
I began with the coin door panel, then moved onto the sides of the cab. This stuff goes on SO easily, so long as the surface is clean and smooth. Trimming and folding the edges over takes a little time though.
Got the t-molding on too. I didn't bother with castors on this build, but the t-molding lets me slide it around quite easily. Mind you, there's no computer or screen in here yet.
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At this point I couldn't resist a test fit of the replacement Tron handle from GroovyGameGear. It really is very nice - I must thank RandyT here for a great niche product :)
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I was going to use this old laptop (seen here testing my MALA layout) but I managed to kill it trying to extend the power switch. I have a cheap £20 'bay PC that will do the job instead.
Next time - The "How the hell am I going to vertical-mount the PC CRT monitor without decasing it" issue.........
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I've always liked your projects shrunkenmaster, looking forward to seeing this one completed to the quality of your other cabinets! Keep up the good stuff! :cheers:
Thanks, my man. This would have been finished a short while ago, but I can't get the damn monitor mounted right. It wouldn't be a problem if it was a horizontal mount, but the casing is proving a real challenge when it's vertical. I have no intention of decasing this myself (I'll happily dissect anything else electronic), so I'm thinking of taking it to a local TV repair man for a discharge. Then I only have to get the marquee & bezel printed and we're done-ish.
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Just noticed my "itch with a capital B" got replaced with a "---smurfette---" - I had no idea this was automatic, I always thought it was the poster that chose to type that!!! You learn something new every day, eh? ;D
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It's very nice looking dude! In one picture the vinyl looks like the original and in another one it looks darker. Guess I'll have to see what it looks like against the original when I get the scrap piece you're sending me. Looks sweet though! Great job! :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
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Guess I'll have to see what it looks like against the original when I get the scrap piece you're sending me.
The vinyl looks different in every photo I have! Yours is now at the mercy of the postal system again, hope it arrives this time.
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Nice Job on the Coin Door :) :applaud:
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The vinyl looks different in every photo I have! Yours is now at the mercy of the postal system again, hope it arrives this time.
I got it today! It's a little darker than the original. I taped it to the side of my cab and took the picture below.
Encryptor
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Any updates?
Encryptor
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Bump!
Encryptor
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Gonna be a week or before I get back on this. Real life and work are getting in the way, but hopefully I will have a monitor for the cab real soon.
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Decided not to use the PC monitor? What size are you going to go with?
Encryptor
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Finally got a monitor for the TMC !!! It's a Kortek 14" open frame CRT, brand new:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=150053;image)
Should be with me in a day or two. Will be needing help working out how to interface this, for sure...
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Monitor arrived today, I've never seen a brand new open frame monitor before - very exciting - the temptation to plug it in, wet both my hands and touch every component is.... :timebomb: :lol
I've posted some details in the Monitor forum as I have no idea how to connect this - please have a look if you think you can help:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104158.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104158.0)
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Franco B has kindly explained connection of the monitor, so I'll build the monitor mount while I await the ArcadeVGA and breakout cable from Ultimarc. Can't wait to get a picture on the monitor - being 14" it looks just like a larger monitor that's been shrunk in the wash. Cute, if a CRT can be called that :)
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Finished work a bit earlier today and got the monitor mounted. I used a few strips of hardwood left over from doing my garden - working with an open frame monitor is SO easy!
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=150416;image)
I've finished the rest of the graphics too - hopefully by the end of the week I'll have everything ready to finish the job.
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It's looking great dude! What angle do you have the monitor mounted at? From that last picture it looks like it's almost laying flat.
Encryptor
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Hopefully this pic will show the angle better:
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looking great. Would be great when you get completed if you could do a laundry list of what was used to build it and where to get it... for those of us itching to build one now :)
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looking great. Would be great when you get completed if you could do a laundry list of what was used to build it and where to get it... for those of us itching to build one now :)
My sentiments exactly. This is shaping up great, would also like to see a parts list with prices if possible
Cheers!
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Got the ArcadeVGA card today, all installed, no problems. Cheers Andy!
Now I can't seem to get the spinner working in MAME. I have a MiniPac Opti and the spinner moves the mouse cursor along the x-axis in Windows ok. I can't work out how to assign it in the WiniPac setup software.
I have the Analog Dial in MAME set to mouse X. I tried checking/unchecking the "use mouse" in MALA. Let me know if you need any more info.
Anyone?
(Also posted request for help in main forum : http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104327.msg1103740#msg1103740 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104327.msg1103740#msg1103740) )
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Hopefully this pic will show the angle better:
The angle is close to mine. I looked at mine and now I know what the difference I was seeing was. On mine the monitor is raised about 2 inches higher than the control panel.
Encryptor
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What a nincompoop, I was editing the mame.ini of a test version of MAME I had previously installed. NOW the spinner works.
Anyway, here's a shot of the beast all fired up.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=150836;image)
I have installed some tinted acrylic over the screen, which will eventually have the bezel artwork on top, followed by another layer of clear acrylic. Still need to get the marquee printed, but at least it's all up and running. I will be posting some more construction pics as time allows, being busy with real life at present.
I must say this is the first time I've enjoyed playing Tron since I first played it in the arcade back in 1982. It was my friend Nigel's birthday and we went to the local cinema to see the film. Our local arcade was 2 minutes away and afterwards we went to play the machine that had been delivered that same day. What an experience!
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So sexy.
I love this build! :applaud:
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Gotta stop playing the damn thing now - the Midway coin door keeps saying it's still hungry, even though I've just fed it £4.60 (46 credits)! At least I can get my money back...
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Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh :applaud:
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Dude! It looks very nice! Great Job!
Encryptor
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Had a BBQ the other day, the TMC got a good 'beta testing'...
Dom was pleased with his first game of Tron since the 80's:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=151900;image)
Mark The 1942 King:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=151902;image)
Giselle The Xevious Queen
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=151904;image)
Young Luke said "This is MUCH better than my Wii":
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=151906;image)
"Seasoned arcade pro's" getting whipped by young Luke:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=151908;image)
Progress has slowed on the TMC due to me being knee deep in home improvements, plus my wife is now pregnant with first child - happy days!
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"Seasoned arcade pro's" getting whipped by young Luke:
The force is strong in this one...
As you have already found out it is very hard to complete the cab with the control panel working. The cab looks awesome by the way.
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Behold! ;D
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=153390)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=153396)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=153400)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=153398)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=153392)
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Parts List
Midway coin door - eBay
Kortek 13" CGA monitor - eBay
ArcadeVGA card (AGP version) - Ultimarc
Dirt cheap PC - eBay
Spinner from a full size Tron CPO - QuarterArcade
Xenophobe joystick - eBay
Tron joystick restrictor - Encryptor
Tron repro joystick handle - GroovyGameGear
CPO Overlay and spinner decal - arcadeshop.com
Marquee, bezel, coin insert graphics - weezagraphics.co.uk
Wood effect vinyl - eBay (vinyldepot-retail)
Acrylic sheet for marquee & bezel - Plastic Merchants, Brighton, UK
Fluorescent light fitting - local electrical store
UV blacklight tube - eBay
Mame with Mala frontend
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I really enjoyed making the TMC. Tron's a good little game with the proper controls. I really love the size of cabaret/mini cabs and I'm planning my next - a famous vector game that wasn't made in cabaret form. What could it be, I wonder? ;D
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Very nice dude! Looks like an original. :cheers:
Encryptor
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Now you have done it!!! Everyone is going to want one (the Tron cabinet, NOT the curtains!).
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Thanks Encryptor, looking forward to seeing your build too (you certainly don't want pics of the inside of THIS one)
Everyone is going to want one (the Tron cabinet, NOT the curtains!).
Thanks JustMichael, but show some respect man, curtains have feelings too! Believe it or not, they look a lot better in real life ;D
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Great work here!
The cabinet looks amazing!
I really enjoyed making the TMC. Tron's a good little game with the proper controls. I really love the size of cabaret/mini cabs and I'm planning my next - a famous vector game that wasn't made in cabaret form. What could it be, I wonder? ;D
I hear ya about the cabaret sizes, I'm really digging the smaller cabinets these due to space restrictions.
Let me guess, are you planning a Star Wars mini??
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Let me guess, are you planning a Star Wars mini??
For the Jedi it is time to wait for Ram Controls ;)
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Let me guess, are you planning a Star Wars mini??
For the Jedi it is time to wait for Ram Controls ;)
Haha! I've thought about the exact same project! :applaud:
Though, the thing that was keeping me from committing was that I'd want to have the display be an actual vector monitor with a Star Wars +ESB multi-board.
Are you planning on going with a CRT + mame?
The problem I see with going with actual vector hardware is getting your hands on a working monitor, especially one that would fit a cabaret size properly. What's the smallest colour vector monitor available, 19"? 19" could still work for a cabaret...
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Looks great, very clean and authentic looking!
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Thanks Santoro. Opt2Not, I'm going for a CRT monitor with Mame, yes. I've been testing a couple of monitors at their highest resolution with the gamma settings bumped and it looks good so far.
Gonna be called The Vector Trilogy, running SW/ESB plus UrbanInteractive's ROTJ vector game. That's a long way from finished, but I'm in no rush to play raster ROTJ, I hate it!
My wife is pregnant and I need to finish a whole load of home improvements before really cracking on with this.
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:applaud: Love it!!!! :applaud:
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:)