The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: DeeDub76 on April 09, 2018, 09:47:45 am
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Well as like the most of us, I learned some things of what not to do on my first build. With that out of the way, I am starting to piece together the next one. This is going to reside in our living room as it will be played frequently.
I am planning a mid-century inspired low boy named "Elektro"
-2 player six button set up
-volume control
-32" LCD 27" CRT 21" CRT
-Tolex wrapped front panels
-Wilsonart laminate "sprout green" sides
-Custom polished aluminum name plate
Now the CP layout will obviously not be like what is shown in the pic. It be at a much more comfortable angle.
There are still a few things that are still up in the air, but the pic below should give you a rough idea.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/887/40446251475_a88a4619c7_c.jpg)
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Nothing says mid century like an LCD. :banghead:
If any build screams for a CRT it is this one.
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I worked on a concept for a Philco Predicta build a few years ago but I just couldn't pull off a design I liked. Your design looks more doable and still has that retro 50's furniture look. That green is fantastic and so is the front grill. :cheers:
Having said that a CRT would better match the era you are going for. An LCD is going to clash with that retro look.
Good luck with your build.
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Having said that a CRT would better match the era you are going for. An LCD is going to clash with that retro look.
I agree. I think I have a lead on a 27" CRT for free!! I will know more in the following days.
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Progress Update
I'm not sure why I wanted to start on the name plate first, but I did. This part will mount on the lower left of the front panel. Well, That is the plan anyways.
I started with tracing a paper cutout on to some 3/16" aluminum plate.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/893/40459787505_425e2627aa_c.jpg)
After a lot of time with a coping saw, files, and sandpaper this is the result. There are still some fine scratches I still need to work out, but it is taking shape.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/803/40445682865_fbd36d8130_c.jpg)
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That aluminum is a nice touch. Good move on the CRT as well. I understand that some people don't want to deal with their bulk, but this particular build really needs one.
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Don't angle the control panel like that unless you never intend to play it.
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After a lot of time with a coping saw, files, and sandpaper this is the result. There are still some fine scratches I still need to work out, but it is taking shape.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/803/40445682865_fbd36d8130_c.jpg)
That turned out nice. :cheers:
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There are still some fine scratches I still need to work out, but it is taking shape.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/803/40445682865_fbd36d8130_c.jpg)
You missed the center hole on the L also ( not sure if you noticed or not as it's easy to miss those things and you only mentioned a few fine scratches to work out ! )
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You missed the center hole on the L also ( not sure if you noticed or not as it's easy to miss those things and you only mentioned a few fine scratches to work out ! )
Yeah, I thought about adding it in, but it was going to end up really thin, so I opted to leave it out.
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In an effort to stay consistent with the retro theme, this power cord with braided cloth cover and vintage plug showed up yesterday.
Hopefully I can manage getting the majority of materials this coming weekend.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/900/40445683925_49aa752129_c.jpg)
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That cord is a great touch. I'm curious how this is going to turn out.
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I’d like to see a mock up of your actual control panel. Because the one you have there in your render isn’t physically possible. The joysticks wouldn’t sit straight up, they would stick straight out unless you made some kind of jig, but then you’re gonna lose height. The controls should be sitting on the top part if you want them to stick straight up.
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I’d like to see a mock up of your actual control panel. Because the one you have there in your render isn’t physically possible. The joysticks wouldn’t sit straight up, they would stick straight out unless you made some kind of jig, but then you’re gonna lose height. The controls should be sitting on the top part if you want them to stick straight up.
My first thoughts were who cares how it plays, the cool factor will compensate, Yots brings up a good point however, and to square it off you lose the old cool....If one was to come out of the panel @45deg you could then clean it up with a custom built stick, or build a steel underpanel wedge structure, extend the stick, and use a rubber boot on top. (love the "Elektro" plate, that's hard core dedication considering it was done with a cope saw? OMG, you should get yourself a scroll saw dude. ;)
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Could you etch the hole partway into the L and add black enamel? That's how a lot of this vintage stuffed looked....
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That is a good idea PBJ.
I would offer to CNC that logo for you, but I have zero time in April. If you are unhappy with it a couple months from now, hit me up on the forum and I can take a whack at it for you.
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I’d like to see a mock up of your actual control panel. Because the one you have there in your render isn’t physically possible. The joysticks wouldn’t sit straight up, they would stick straight out unless you made some kind of jig, but then you’re gonna lose height. The controls should be sitting on the top part if you want them to stick straight up.
I didn't really care for the layout in the original sketch up as I knew it would be very uncomfortable to play.
I'm leaning more towards something like this. I want to try kerfing some plywood and see if I can create the bend.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/872/41347695302_a0ac62c5f9.jpg)
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would offer to CNC that logo for you, but I have zero time in April. If you are unhappy with it a couple months from now, hit me up on the forum and I can take a whack at it for you.]
MikeA thank you for the very generous offer!! Very kind of you sir.
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Bringing BYOAC back to its roots! :applaud: I love original concepts like this one!
I agree with moving the CP. The other thing you need to consider if you decide to go with CRT is the back of the tube. At that angle I don't think even a 19" will fit. The slope needs to come down more so the back of the tube does not protrude out of the back.
That said, if you are dead set on an LCD due to space. I have a 21" LCD I could give you. It has a 4:3 aspect ratio which is way better than widescreen for that vintage look. You can probably throw on a $20 SLG for the scanlines. If you're local to NY or CT you can pick it up. But I can ship one out to you if you pay for shipping. Also, if you're local I have tons of computer CRTs to go through... 19" or 21". IMHO 25" would be too big for that cabinet.
Good Luck!
DeL
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I’d like to see a mock up of your actual control panel. Because the one you have there in your render isn’t physically possible. The joysticks wouldn’t sit straight up, they would stick straight out unless you made some kind of jig, but then you’re gonna lose height. The controls should be sitting on the top part if you want them to stick straight up.
I didn't really care for the layout in the original sketch up as I knew it would be very uncomfortable to play.
I'm leaning more towards something like this. I want to try kerfing some plywood and see if I can create the bend.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/872/41347695302_a0ac62c5f9.jpg)
Much better.
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This design has potential to be a great cabinet! Very nice!
+1 on the CRT. How wide will this be? I wonder if 27" is going to be too big. If I were you I wouldn't cover the monitor with glass. Leave it open and emphasize the curvature with a bezel, maybe something like this:
(https://ebth-com-production.imgix.net/2017/06/19/03/27/02/05bec062-6ec5-4a14-9f9c-c4c3c4db2d5e/IMG_5458.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&w=1400&h=2100&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
You might even be able to repurpose one from an old tv, but that could be difficult to find. Oh, and great work with the coping saw! :applaud:
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I wouldn't worry about the LCD if you go that route. There are some decent scanline generators to give you the look you want. Let's be real here, this is designed to look like furniture long before video games, so I wouldn't get hung up trying to get an old CRT to work.
A CRT would be nice, but I wouldn't change the design to compensate.
Loving the logo.
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This is awesome. I envy your courage.
Please use a CRT if possible. It will be so worth it. While it may seem more complicated, it's really not - so long as your design can accommodate it. LCD is not horrible, just much nicer on a CRT IMO.
But it's great regardless.
Looking forward to your progress.
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So after some measuring and calculations a 27" CRT was going to create some issues with fit. Back to searching and I managed to snag a 21" CRT for the build. This is going to be much easier to build around and pull off the look I am wanting to create. I saved the original bezel from the monitor to use as a template when building the bezel for the cabinet.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/894/41440396772_1fc0da0115_z.jpg/)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/814/39674122840_67da599e69_z.jpg)
The Tolex cloth I ordered also arrived. The front panels of the cabinet will be covered in this. The speakers will be mounted behind the front panels as well. The silver thread in the cloth really goes well with the Elektro cut out. What do you guys think?
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/869/39674121670_c4328ff3d8_z.jpg)
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Yeah. That looks good. Like a vintage guitar amp.
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Nice project.
I like the emblem, I bet it took a very steady hand and some time.
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The machine's name is "Elektro"....but that metal cutout reads like "Elektra" to me. (The little cursive line coming off the letter "o" should release from the top not the bottom. Like this:
(https://klovimg.com/images/2018/04/16/font.jpg)
Or even better, remove the "curl" altogether and it will look like this:
(https://klovimg.com/images/2018/04/16/font-v2.jpg)
Otherwise, I love what you are doing here.
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I can't unsee Elektra now.
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I thought it was always Elektra...
I say you run with it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electra_complex (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electra_complex)
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:applaud: Fabulous design. Great envisioning and use of materials. Jealous!
As for the Elektra/Elektro blah - I say leave it ambiguous - both are equally cool. Although if you did have to decide on one, I'd go with Elektra as a play on "Alexa"
Will watch with interest. + Yeah - this so had to be a CRT.
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This thing is great! My workbench and hoarding room is full of 50's/60's radio and hifi parts and gear - happy to salvage stuff and donate to this project as needed.
What if you built a radio dial into the front of it, and turned one of the controls into a continuous potentiometer and wired it like a spinner, to scroll through menus? The other could be a volume pot.
(http://www.grammofoon.com/Grundig/images/Grundig_SO162_Dial.jpg)
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Does the CRT have VGA?
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Making any progress?
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Very cool idea and design. CRT would look awesome. Can't wait to see more.
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I love the original and odd designs here, so this has the potential being one of my favorites :cheers:
Regarding the cp/joystick angle. A lot of cocktail cabinets have weird orientation for the joysticks, but they get away with it. Some are even playable ::) For this kind of build I would let design/looks go before usability.
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A machine that plays video games should never be designed with game play secondary.
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A machine that plays video games should never be designed with game play secondary.
Agreed. If it doesn’t feel “right” right off the bat, most guests aren’t going to take the time and effort to learn it. Playability should ALWAYS come first.
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Is this project still alive? I want to see this one get finished.