The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: psychotech on January 02, 2007, 08:18:53 pm

Title: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: psychotech on January 02, 2007, 08:18:53 pm
DONE (14072007 (DDMMYYYY) ).

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/143.jpg)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hello there :)

After building the Tomatocade, my first MAME-controller ever, I've repeatedly found myself thinking of something other arcade related to build .. Well, you all know how it is, I quess..

So, here I am, RK'd again. Have to do something. As I don't really have the space or the tools needed to build anything too big or complicated, I've once again settled on a basic solution.. It will not be anything groundbreaking but at least I'll have something to do.. This time around I'll just try to make a (too big) two player bartop machine.

At the moment I have an 19" monitor (CRT) - too big (deep) - but at only 20E I couldn't help myself.. Also, a MB with a Pentium 3 500 Mhz with 512 Megs of RAM and integrated audio and (ATI RAGE PRO - AGP) VGA ..for about 6E! In addition, I've bought some 5/8" (16mm) MDF and yes, an old trackball mouse (about 1,5"), which I'm actually planning to use on this machine for some Centipede & Marble Madness etc.

So far I've only managed to set the monitor on it's side to figure out the minimum dimensions to make something resembling an arcade cabinet's top half around it (wish I had a spare TFT ;(

I've also found that my old reliable HPC912 camera won't for some reason work. So, no pictures of the "plans" now. I'll add pix soon, I promise, even if they were to be taken with my neighbors' camera ?

----------------------------------

Anyway, compared 2 Tomatocade:

1) The monitor only will weight about three times as much as the final Tomatocade!

2) I've no idea of a theme, let alone the graphics for the machine.

3) It'll be a two player solution.

4) I'll include a miniature (serial mouse) trackball!

5) I'll go by intuition mostly. (So there most probably will be problems enough..)

6) I'll try and document the build, not only the end product ...


Updates coming ..sooner or later ;)

Yours, Psychotech
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: leapinlew on January 02, 2007, 10:50:06 pm
if you can - spring for the LCD and wait on the controls. Check out my bartop or TheCoders partybox, we used LCD's and they came out pretty thin and stylish.

Sounds like your CP will be around 24" wide and about 8-10" deep?
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: leapinlew on January 02, 2007, 10:51:01 pm
oh, I forgot to mention...

What games do you plan on running on that? I'd be worried about it being able to handle any street fighter and definetly no MK.
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: MaMeNnO on January 03, 2007, 05:02:55 am
...

6) I'll try and document the build, not only the end product ...

Updates coming ..sooner or later ;)

Yours, Psychotech
Trying? Just do it. ;) ;)
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: psychotech on January 03, 2007, 11:24:39 am
A very minor no pix update :(

I forgot to mention in the first post but this is going to be yet another budget project. So, I'll be using old parts I have lying around and stuff I'm able to easily buy cheap ..IE. the monitor. For that reason I'll go with the big and ugly option :)

At the moment I have the cab profile sketched on a 70x80cm piece of MDF and yes, it'll be a tight fit with that CRT. So, the machine's dimensions are going to be: depth 70cm (27,5"), height 80cm (31,5") and width 58cm (22,85"). If I can't fit the monitor inside, I also have a 17" CRT that I got from a local PC-store for free. But that's the absolutely last option!

leapinlew:

About a slim design with an LCD screen...
check out the Tomatocade @ http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/index.html
or here on the forums @ http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=56653.0

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=56653.0;attach=54674;image)

On the CP front you're close (but no cigar ,)
I'm actually trying to fit all the controls into a 55cm wide and 23cm deep (about 21,5 by 9 inches) control panel ..trying to keep the box as narrow as possible. And so..


HELP NEEDED!
While trying to keep the costs to a minimum and because I happen to like short throw joysticks I think I'll be using a couple of OMNI-Stik BASICs this time around. Only I'd need to know...

what's the OMNI-Stik BASIC's footprint? How much of the CP surface they'd eat up..?


The games on this machine will yet again be mostly the old classics, no MK, SF or the likes. The main thing is to be able to play some two player games also. Or maybe I'll upgrade someday..


MaMeNnO: ..well :) Your documentation sure looks good ..as does the cab too.

I'll be back.........................................
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: psychotech on January 03, 2007, 07:11:42 pm
Another minor update. This time with pix :)

Well, the camera is almost dead; Won't work with batteries or the original accu, F! Anyway, with the charger it still comes alive .. Should I make my next project a HP PocketBoxArcade? (At least DOOM runs on it) ;)

Anyway, some progress on the "BIG & UGLY". I was not able to take pictures of my plans before I cut the first side panel, but here they are anyway ;) After cutting the panel I just glued & screwed in the support strips for the cabinet's bottom and the monitor.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/003.jpg)

As I've probably already mentioned, this time around I didn't bother with a PC or a sheet of paper but just designed the cabinet profile straight to a piece of MDF. IMHO it looks good (so far) and yes, I know that I'm just begging for trouble with my approach.. On the other hand, problems just need to be solved?

Anyway, two more pictures of the machine's (probable) innards and stuff.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/001.jpg)

The integrated audio works fine in Windows98SE but in DOS I couldn't get it working no matter what I tried (No sound with various versions of Mame/doom/duke3d and then it works with wolfenstein..go figure), so I bought an ISA Soundblaster card for 1€!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/002.jpg)

So, I'm off to cut the other side and get to gluing & screwing the supports in place. Just wish that someone with Omnistik Basics could help with the dimensions...?

Later
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: leapinlew on January 03, 2007, 07:25:46 pm
Loving it!

Looks like a tight fit. Should look great.
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: psychotech on January 03, 2007, 08:35:02 pm
I'll try and keep the monitor's front casing in place as it looks quite nice as it is - at least with some black paint. The back cover I'll most likely take off regardless... (Probably have to, anyway ..)

Updates as soon as anything new happens  :-\
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: IG-88 on January 03, 2007, 09:52:09 pm
Looks like this will be really cool. Few questions tho. How are you planning on fitting the MB w/sound card and the power supply in there? Doesn't look like alot of space between the monitor and bottom of the cab.  :)

Also, what kinda software you going to put on it? Since you said Win98 are you gong to use a FE or what or Mame32 or....?

And did you just freehand the monitor outline and the cab profile? I like that.

You know you could turn that monitor on its side (little late now I see) and run a bunch of vertical only games. (Mr. Do!  ;) ) I think they look sweet that way. I got Vantage to work on a similar set-up but I'm not sure if it's supported anymore.
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: psychotech on January 04, 2007, 12:20:15 pm
Not a real update but..

I've rough cut the other sidepanel now and will soon make sure they're identical - so sanding etc. on the menu :()

Next I'll try to hack the trackball to see if it could be installed to the CP. If that goes wrong ..well, so be it - I'll need all the space available on that panel anyway.

No pix now as the other sidepanel really is not that interesting. Updates coming as soon as I'm through tinkering with the trackball mouse.


IG-88:

The ATX power supply is about 83mm and the clearance in the back is just about 90mm ..should fit just fine! The MB & soundcard need about 115mm at the highest point ..and I intend to place the MB near the front of the machine where there is about 135mm of space between the bottom and monitor shelf.

I have Win98SE installed, but only for maintenance needs as at the moment I'm using plain old DOS with Game Launcher for a basic MAME frontend (as with Tomatocade earlier). There's also DosCab installed for the machine to serve as a jukebox. Come to think of it, I could just remove the soundcard as the integrated sound works just fine in Win98 ..Not really an option at this time as the DOS software works fine and gives more FPS etc. without all the unnecessary stuff going on in the background.

I thought about making this a vertical only machine, as vertical games naturally look good/awesome that way, but well, 19" should suite this project just fine with horizontal as well as vertical games..?

On the design, I placed the monitor on its side on a piece of MDF and more or less just duplicated the profile on the wood. The actual cab profile is done freehand around the monitor drawing..

what's the OMNI-Stik BASIC's footprint?
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: leapinlew on January 04, 2007, 12:29:49 pm
This is my kinda build! Do a couple preliminary measuring and start cutting! Figure things out as they come up.

Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: psychotech on January 05, 2007, 07:39:52 pm
Here again?

The trackball hack is (half) done and it seems that it might even work..

Before that, though, I've already made sure the cabinet's sidepanels are (more or less) identical and have attached the support strips to the "design" panel (see above)..

Not too interesting but here it is anyway ..first sidepanel being glued :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/004.jpg)

So very interesting ...

So, back to the trackball again..

While searching for more info & ideas I happened to find this site (Tom's MAME Cabinet) using the forum's search, but forgot to bookmark the actual thread where it was mentioned. Anyway, check out Project Lunchbox :)

Here's a link to the main site: http://www.fathertom.net/ and the Trackball Hack can be found @ http://fathertom.net/mame/trackball.html

A Very Big Thank You for the inspiration!

Anyway, I couldn't do it quite the same way as he did as in my case the cup that the ball rests on is built into the bottom half of the plastic cover, not on top the circuit board. The machine screw idea, and with it, the option to fine tune the ball's depth with them still sure looks handy ..;)

After all the spying and stuff, what I actually did (after decasing the contraption) was to cut roughly half of the TB casing's bottom part off and then remove as much plastic as possible from the front part of the casing, to be able to install it as low on the CP as possible. The trackball's hacked width is just about 80mm (3.15"),so.. Seems that I'll have to add it to the design :)

A couple of pix of the hacked trackball mouse:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/005.jpg)

Focus?
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/006.jpg)

Focus!

-

That's all for now. Back in a few days.

--------------------------------------

Comments, questions, ???

The more feedback, the more accurate the documentation will be !!
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: theCoder on January 05, 2007, 11:55:31 pm
You are taking a gutsy approach.  You know how tight the space was on your last project.  But as you said, problems just need to be solved.

I love your trackball hack.  Take lots of pictures of how you mount it.

One Euro for a sound card.  Nice.

Good luck with the build.
Title: Re: RK'd ...again!
Post by: psychotech on January 10, 2007, 08:25:40 pm
And now, a few days later:

theCoder: Well..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/006b.jpg)

No Guts, No Glory (Molly Hatchet, 1983)

;)

Some progress on the "Big & Ugly", though. I've actually (well, almost) decided on the color scheme and theme of the build ..something blue, something borrowed.. something Jack?

Control panel: With "55 centimeters = 21.6535433 inches" (Google) of width I'll, more or less along the original idea, make a two player panel with a small trackball in the center. As the panel also has to double as a jukebox controller I'll need at least 4 buttons per player? In addition, to be able to play Defender (MUST!), player 1 will need 2 more buttons (don't want to spread the controls too far apart..), so.. six (6) buttons there?  Guess I'll need a couple more days to fit all that into the space available while still making the CP anything near playable.. And no, nothing more on the trackball hack at this time.

So far: I've actually assembled the box/top/cab/whatever! First, though, a couple of pics of the machine's insides, in their place but still unattached.

Front view

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/007.jpg)

Back view

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/008.jpg)

Soundcard in place, with room to spare :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/009.jpg)

And.. 1st assembly! The horizontal support doubles (again) as both a structural support and the back of the "marquee box".

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/010.jpg)

Another view of the same. Here you can see the whole structure.. as it was. The panel on top of the CRT is not attached to anything, but there just for "design" purposes, in case I'd need it to secure the monitor better to the cab..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/011.jpg)

Booty ..Too big!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/012.jpg)

The CRT with the plastic cover had no chance, it had to go. So here's the next try: Same CRT without the cover.. and another 13mm - 1/2" saved!!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/013.jpg)

Not enough! Forgot to take pictures of the front but still. No way to install the CP or any kind of bezel with that S. Not even tight.... Anyway. And I really thought I'd get away with this.. ;)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/014.jpg)

1mm to spare & no CP..

So, I had to lose the metal covering also.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/015.jpg)

And here we have it! It's NOT EVEN TIGHT!!!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/016.jpg)

Is it? :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/017.jpg)

Anyway, There seems to be room enough for the CRT and the CP -simultaneously,even- so all hope is not (yet) lost. Next I'll most probably have to hack the soundcard's circuit board to have my own way with the volume knob..

Another pic of the Creative speakers I'm using:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/018.jpg)

And yes, painted (sprayed) the CRT front black. Kept the front plastic cover in place as it doesn't look that bad?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/019.jpg)

Thanks for your patience, anyway

Updates. Updates?

What do you think?
Title: Re: RK'd - Control panel sacrilege ;)
Post by: psychotech on January 11, 2007, 09:13:07 pm
Control panel update :)

The pix suck I know, but I think I've managed to find a layout that looks like it might even work given the narrow space available. See for yourself ..ALL ideas appreciated!

First off, here's a picture of the "design panel" where you can see the original CP idea(?) - really, there's only about 17cm (6,7") of usable vertical surface with the support panels in place. Well..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/020.jpg)

Anyway, I'll still try and make a two player panel with the miniature serial trackball in the (almost) middle. So, here's my design for a multipurpose CP..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/021.gif)

WHY, you ask?

Well,

- 3 main buttons/player to be able to play virtually all the classics.. 1player & 2player games alike!

- 4 buttons/player to have all the basic DosCab functionality.. ABCD-1234 (Works best on 640x480, IMHO) and the few games with 4 buttons..

- 6 buttons for player 1 to be able to play Defender & Stargate ..and scores of others, CPU permitting?

- No other explanations at this time ;)

- (Mental problems, maybe?)

So, the layout..

The joysticks, trackball and the player's A/1 buttons are all horizontally aligned. In addition; player 1 buttons are rotated 15 degrees CW and player 2 buttons 15 degrees CCW along the A/1 axis to (hopefully) make more room for two player gaming. (See the picture above.) I'll also change my design to add more space under the trackball - so, another 4cm (1,5") to the CP. A curved front it'll be ;)

Here's a picture of the first 1:1 print of the CP.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/022.jpg)

And another picture of the same prototype, this time attached to the actual CP panel to be. Might work.. Whaddya say?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/023.jpg)

So far I've been only designing the panel, so, do comment on the layout while there's still time :) So far I haven't touched the wood in any way. The design is still subject to change (without prior notice, of course ..) for a few days, at least.

And if (as) you're wondering how in the ?*? I'm gonna play Defender & Stargate with that P1 layout, here's my idea of a space saving & playable layout for those classics:

I know, sacrilege/blasphemy/... Blah, blah ;)!!


Defender / Stargate layout:

A - thrust...............forefinger
B - hyperspace...........middle finger (little finger/thumb ...choose your weapon..)
C - inviso (stargate)....thumb
D - reverse..............thumb
E - fire.................middle finger
F - smart bomb...........little finger


Comments, ideas, harsh words.. ?!!

----------------------------------

In a few days, again.
Title: Re: RK'd - Control panel sacrilege ;)
Post by: leapinlew on January 11, 2007, 09:59:35 pm

A - thrust...............forefinger
B - hyperspace...........middle finger (little finger/thumb ...choose your weapon..)
C - inviso (stargate)....thumb
D - reverse..............thumb
E - fire.................middle finger
F - smart bomb...........little finger


The layout looks like it'll work, maybe a tad confusing for your average person using player 1.

As for defender/stargate -

2 thrust
3 fire
1 smartbomb
4 Inviso
A reverse
C Hyperspace

But! Thats how I'd do it and my highscore is just over 70k - so I don't think I have much room to talk.

I love how the build is coming along. Great pics. It's inspiring me to build another cab! While I think 21" is tight for 2 adults to play for too long - it'll be comfortable enough.
Title: Re: RK'd - Control panel sacrilege ;)
Post by: theCoder on January 11, 2007, 10:40:35 pm
Molly Hatchet... boy that brings me back.

Did you get a discount and buy 2 kilo's of those screws?  With a couple of boxes of different sized wood screws, used from the inside, you can avoid having to deal with the screw heads on the outside.

Great progress, and, thanks for the pics.
Title: Re: RK'd - Who Made Who, Who Screwed What ;)
Post by: psychotech on January 12, 2007, 09:46:48 pm
Me again..

More progress on the Big & Ugly, or should I just call it the RK'd ?

Anyway..

leapinlew:

- "The layout looks like it'll work, .." & ".. I think 21" is tight for 2 adults to play for too long.."

I was hoping someone said just that. And yes, there's not too much space for two adults, that's too true, but with the 15 degree rotation (assuming the players are also situated accordingly) I'd like to think there is still just enough room for the occasional two player game?

- ".. maybe a tad confusing for your average person using player 1."

Yeah, I know. If I'll go with that layout I'll definitely have to use colors.. As in the above proto, I'd use red buttons for the main controls (ABC & 123) and black ones for the rest. And some kind of instruction sheet might also be helpful..? Or, what the Ef, I'll just tell the people to "Just use the RED buttons" ..? ;)

Well, so far no layout changes.. Point out the obvious flaws, please! ;) / :(

As to the Defender/Stargate layout, your proposition really makes sense. Configured that way the panel could at least remotely resemble a Defender layout. Sure to try that config out, as soon as the panel (and the machine) is ready. Then again, it depends on the player's references; If they want to use their right hand to control for even the hyperspace function then the player 2 joystick would be in the way .. What I personally had in mind was to forget the original Defender/Stargate layout and control it all using just my right hand..? Vision yourself playing the game(s) situated at the center of the panel/screen ..I think that the prototyped fingering then would make more sense? One hand to cover all the button controls  on Defender, that's the sacrilege I meant before.


theCoder:

"Did you get a discount.."

Almost funny ;)

Had to do a double take on the pix above.. So, you are referring to my use of the machine screws/bolts as shown in the pictures above.. Well, I do have quite an assortment of screws available.. In addition to the trackball hack there are only ten (10) machine screws in this machine's carcass; Six of them are situated at the top keeping in place the pine panel doing double duty as both the marquee light's base and as an additional structural support. The last four are at the lower back to likewise lend some rigidity to the whole structure.

In addition, the monitor and control panel supports and the bottom plate guides are screwed in place the same way. As the monitor itself weights about 20Kg/44 pounds, I'd think that the "in from the outside" approach justifies itself with it being the stronger solution of the two alternatives?  All the other supports etc. are glued/screwed in place from the inside. Actually, there are 14 screw/bolt heads per side on the outside. Shouldn't be that big a problem to hide them..

What do you think?


Anyway, a couple more pics again.

Here's the newly cut curved control panel and the support/admin panel to go under it. And, the battery on my drill died halfway through on the volume knob, of course!

What's all that white stuff, anyway?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/024.jpg)

On another note altogether, after I managed to recharge the batteries I drilled the holes for the main administration buttons. These will be situated under the newly designed & cut CP's "lip". The admin buttons will all be black as will be the panel under the CP. This way no-one will (probably/hopefully) be interested in them..?! The buttons are, from left to right: delete, power & backspace.

And why?..

Delete, to be able to ctrl-alt-del the machine, in case.. ;)

Power, to power up the RK'd after it being altogether off-power

Backspace, to power ON/OFF the machine

The power button will be recessed a few mm's to prevent accidental use. Like the reset buttons on PC's are/used to be.

Next picture shows the admin panel fully drilled. The hole on the right is for the volume knob, yet to be hacked.. And under that is the 2,5mm hardboard (fibreboard?) panel that'll go between the admin and bottom panels. The hole in the center is for the air intake fan ..We'll get to that later, maybe?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/025.jpg)

That's all for now. Back soon(er or later).
Title: Re: RK'd - Who Made Who, Who Screwed What ;)
Post by: leapinlew on January 13, 2007, 02:10:50 am
Looking great! I look forward to the next update.

Did I miss the part where you said what the surface was going to be? Paint? More shiny?
Title: Re: RK'd - Who Made Who, Who Screwed What ;)
Post by: psychotech on January 13, 2007, 06:40:21 am
Well, you know.. Paint ..or vinyl ..or paint.. etc. etc.

Paint on the sides & black self adhesive vinyl elsewhere ..if all goes well, that is. Along with the paint option I have an side art idea that includes some paper, lacquer and water...

Then again, after buying the blue paint a few days ago it just happened that a local store had an assortment of the vinyls on sale... and yes, this time they had some blue also.. 1.99 Euros per sheet/roll (45cm x 145cm), so less than 4 euros to cover the cabinet sides - had to buy the stuff, just in case :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/026.jpg)

It really isn't that great looking, compared to the red on Tomatocade, but now I at least have a plan-B in case I'm not satisfied with the results..

We'll see..
Title: RK'd: More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: psychotech on January 18, 2007, 10:39:57 pm
Another day, another week, another update..

I've actually taken about 150 pictures of this abomination so far.. So, a few for the fellow builders.

I'll make a website later if anyone's interested ?

After the last update on the B&U / RK'd, quite a lot of has happened;

1st - I've decided that the main colors will be blue and black (nothing new here, really)
2nd - The cab's sides will not be painted or covered with vinyl/laminate.. Something else it'll be.. :)
3rd - The marquee has to be re-designed ..More info as soon as I'll get to it. More problems surely..
4th - The theme will be Bombjack!

.................................

First things first: Swiss cheese?

I've actually added two more buttons for player two, therefore adding the number of "player buttons" to 12. Not much, but then again, it's quite a small CP. Still not sure if I'll actually drill those additional holes.. What do you think?

Well, anyway, even though the current PC (P3-500MHz) is way under the requirements of Visual Pinball and the like, I've still added all the necessary pinball buttons to the sides to be able to at least play the old Pinball Fantasies etc.. while waiting for the necessary motherboard/CPU updates to happen ;)

While the machine is no way near operational, It's at least assembled and standing on its own. More pix & stuff to follow.

.....

Volume control hack:

Just waiting to be zapped!
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/028.jpg)

Off, eventually!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/029.jpg)

New wires soldered in place
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/030.jpg)

And the other end..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/031.jpg)

The hacked volume pot, along with the speakers & a bottle of local beer :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/032.jpg)

The volume knob's head/top reaches just 4mm over the admin panel's front. Accessible & out of the way..?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/033.jpg)

Say what you want, but this time (what ever you want) favored me!! 55cm inside width with a 19" PC CRT ...Just take a look?!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/034.jpg)

That was too easy, too lucky, so after a while trying to get as lucky with the CRT bottom I gave up and made the CRT a kind of duck's feet ;)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/035.jpg)

Not anything to write home about but that hack works! Don't even ask if they're strong enough ..I've already both dragged & lifted the whole contraption by holding only to the plastic on the CRT.. Seems to be robust enough..?!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/036.jpg)

The monitor hack (bottom left) ..Yes, that one won't win no beauty contests, but it does its job more than adequately!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/038.jpg)

Flipper buttons.. The main buttons are your usual arcade button while the tilt buttons will all be miniatures.. I don't have a router of any kind, so all the "routing" seen in any of these pics is either done by hand or, as in the flipper button case, by using two different size drill bits from opposing sides...

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/039.jpg)

The CP to be.. Just waiting to be drilled.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/040.jpg)

So, the drillmarks are in place and I've decided to make the machine more or less blue. What's next?


Here comes .............


JACK!

Three options. I've played with them too much already .. What do YOU think?

Jack (First version, ..well?)
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/oneJack.gif)

Jack mirrored (Now he'd be at least centered..)
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/oneJackMirrored.gif)

Two Jacks (personal favourite ..after all the editing...)
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/twoJacks.gif)

Come on! Opinions!

-----------------------------

More to come. Like it or not!

Psychotech
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: leapinlew on January 18, 2007, 10:50:21 pm
This is infuriating.

 :'(

Nothing negative to say!  ;D  It's really looking great. That theme is awesome! You put any kind of timeline on this?  Let me think about which CP design I like more - they are all 3 really well done.
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: psychotech on January 18, 2007, 11:19:27 pm
Heh :)

leapinlew:

Quote
This is infuriating. / Nothing negative to say!
Thanks!

NO timeline. So far (not counting the time I've "designed the machine on my mind") I've been on it a couple of weeks (2 and a half..) ..But, the more I get done the slower the going will be. Then again, I knew that when I started to build a bartop/tabletop cab with no real design/blueprints !!

Well, I asked for trouble..

My photo editing software seems to have developed some kind of machine epilepsy, so not half the pictures I would have otherwise included are available at the moment. Maybe later..

Please, do comment on the best CPO version as I'm all undecided between the versions above. Well, maybe No2 ..or then again No3 with 2Jacks as there's more room for the background.. Oh well..?!

And ..it's ? o'clock here..


Back in a ?
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: steveh on January 19, 2007, 09:35:42 am
I like the concept of your cp.  If i had to pick i would say 3 just so you get to see his face clearly.  Its disappointing how all the buttons are positioned over his face, basically ruining the picture.
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: arcadefever on January 19, 2007, 09:47:05 am
very nice...i just read the all post ...

i like the way you attached the monitor ...

great design  :o
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: Kaytrim on January 19, 2007, 10:25:16 am
I like the concept of your cp.  If i had to pick i would say 3 just so you get to see his face clearly.  Its disappointing how all the buttons are positioned over his face, basically ruining the picture.

I have to agree here with one additional comment.  Have both bombjacks at an angle like player two.  You could even mirror them.  That way you have room to move things around a bit.  You can use a bomb for the trackball in the middle, the ball is blue anyway.
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: leapinlew on January 20, 2007, 02:02:27 pm
OK! I thought about it.

The problems with 1 and 2 is that so much of his face is covered with the buttons. A few of them would be ok, but it really does hide too much. I do like how the joysticks are in each of his hands - thats cool. Are you a dust washer over or under kind of guy?

Of the 3 you presented, I like #3 the best also. The only thing that bothers me about it is 2 bomber jacks. Do you think an explosion or a bomb with a fuse would be out of place?

By the way, very good artwork. In truth, any of them would look good on the cabinet. What about the marquee?
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: psychotech on January 20, 2007, 05:50:59 pm
Hello again, and thank you all very much for the feedback!

No pictures this time as I'm away from my PC, sorry. Still..

arcadefever:
Thanks, got really lucky on the top monitor supports :) They're just a perfect fit and now the monitor is at least centered!

-----------

Control panel graphics and layout..

I've been trying to come up with a better graphic solution than the v3 above ..but seem to be coming back to it no matter what...

steveh & Kaytrim:
Yes, I was worried of the same thing, but while the player 1 buttons do obscure Jack's face the second Jack in my opinion, everything considered, more than makes up for it!?

Kaytrim: The problem is, I really don't have room to move things (physically) around (See above posts, it really is a small panel ..) Another thing; as the control panel's button layout is nowhere near symmetric, the idea of making it work by mirroring (or horizontally/vertically flipping) the Jack image ain't as easy as said.. Believe me, I've tried "a few" solutions.. And after the idea of making Jack hold the controls in his hands I really don't like "an unused hand" on the CP ...

I'm the first to admit that I'm no graphic designer, but still ..the third option seems to be the best (I'll post a couple of others in a few days ..) and after some time trying out options you suggested even I did recognize the reason; Look at the CP as a whole... Even with the versions 1 & 2 the CP seems at least a little left or right heavy, etc.. But, the v3 seems to help make that asymmetric layout a balanced one?

On the other hand, using a bomb for the trackball is a really good idea, thanks! Gotta try and see if I'd be able to come up with anything usable with the cherry... If I'll keep the v3 graphics though, Jack would have to be holding the bomb in his hand?... Maybe he just catched it..

leapinlew:
You're absolutely right on the problems with the v1 & v2 layouts. Jack holding the controls was the initial idea I had... And to answer the "Two Jack Dilemma" ..three main controllers, one jack with only two hands ..well, maybe it's the evil twin brother (and with twin brother I'll get away without even coloring them differently ..) Do NOT even suggest I should try differing color schemes on the twins ;) Been there, done that, no go ;(

Then again.., there is a Bomb Jack Twin (see http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=B&game_id=7181 ) and so - even though that one doesn't come even close to the original Bombjack - two Jacks ;)

On the marquee front I'll have to quote myself:

Quote
3rd - The marquee has to be re-designed ..More info as soon as I'll get to it. More problems surely..

Another day, another update....
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: leapinlew on January 20, 2007, 06:01:24 pm
while the player 1 buttons do obscure Jack's face the second Jack in my opinion, everything considered, more than makes up for it!?
Yeah - I think the 2nd jack makes up for the 1st one being covered by buttons. The more I look at it, the more I think it'll look great once the buttons are in place.
Title: Re: RK'd - More progress, another hack ..and Jack
Post by: psychotech on January 20, 2007, 06:14:14 pm
That was quick :)

I've still got to try out the bomb option.. Maybe I'll only add the fuse part to end at the trackball? We'll see..

Over & out for now.
Title: Re: RK'd - Have you ever seen the rain, dear?
Post by: psychotech on January 29, 2007, 08:19:48 pm
Well ...

Updates coming soon.

Sorry ;)
Title: RK'd - Major update, no reindeers :)
Post by: psychotech on January 30, 2007, 04:59:13 pm
Hello again!

Not a reindeer in sight this time ;) but a major update with quite a few pictures.

I've now actually reached a point where I'm not sure whether to start designing the final graphics for the bezel and marquee or to just go on and finish (detail work) that dusty pile of wood & metal I've got grinning at me. Both? Well..

Anyway, to the RK'd:

The woodworking part of the build is at least 95% done and the cab needs some detail work done before it's time to get it sanded/painted/sanded/painted/san...

The marquee is "a bit" different from what I initially had in mind and will most likely become a problem when designing the final graphics..

Well, the pix:

Control panel drilled and waiting for the trackball.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/043.jpg)

Trackball installation. Not much of a hack otherwise as I'll just need to solder a couple of wires to buttons on the CP to make it work..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/044.jpg)

Installing the trackball..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/045.jpg)

The trackball in place..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/046.jpg)

Same thing seen from above the CP

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/047.jpg)

And with the ball and a couple of buttons in place..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/048.jpg)

Another angle..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/049.jpg)

No power tools? No router? F! it, I did this groove (bezel retainer) with the knife in picture while watching yet another rerun of some old sitcom..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/050.jpg)

And here it is in place ..after a good fifteen minutes of rounding it ..manually with a 6mm drill bit's base-end..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/051.jpg)

Supporting the bezel glass.. Two 3mm sheets of clear acrylic actually.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/052.jpg)

Another angle with a printed @ home gfx to try out the bezel size..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/053.jpg)

Tight fit? Had to shave/tear about 2mm off the bezel support to fit the CRT in it's place ;()

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/054.jpg)

No router.. Meant to make a round 90mm opening for the exhaust fan but while doing it with a 25mm drill bit the following shape just had to be left there.. Ie. I'm lazy, couldn't be bothered to file/grind/sand it down :) Also in the picture; the part of the Creative speakers that I'll recycle as a finger guard for the fan.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/055.jpg)

1st shape ..2nd shape! It's the "hole" for the PSU fan. Yes, it's in the back and no one will ever see it.. So?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/056.jpg)

Angles, anyone? Marquee ..!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/057.jpg)

Them angles were made not with any fancy power tools but with...

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/058.jpg)

And finally the speaker panel I've yet to do with the tools I have at hand..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/059.jpg)

Well? Questions? Comments?

Back in a few days.

Jump!
Title: Re: RK'd - Major update, no reindeers :)
Post by: leapinlew on January 30, 2007, 05:06:02 pm
Comment:

Nice work! You said this was a budget bartop, but I didn't realize you meant you weren't using many tools!

the trackball looks great! I hope it works great after all the work you've put into it.
Title: Re: RK'd - Major update, no reindeers :)
Post by: psychotech on January 30, 2007, 05:28:47 pm
Thanks!

Well, budget is budget is budget.. as in recycling stuff at hand and not buying any, not really necessary, gadgets I wouldn't need otherwise :)

I've never, so far, really needed too many power tools.. and while it would really make things easier I don't really think that to build a working bartop, or to play one.., anyone needs but good eye-hand coordination  ;D

Actually, in my opinion/experience, the build process is more or less equal to playing the finished cab. And yes, I really like the tinkering..

More to come.

Title: Re: RK'd - Major update, no reindeers :)
Post by: psychotech on February 09, 2007, 08:38:44 pm
Well...

Here's my marquee. No name, no color coordination... But, the bombs are here at last! The space between the black borders is the actual "viewable" area. At the center it's about 1" ... Might be too much!? ;)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/marquee_01.gif)

Maybe later ..
Title: Re: RK'd - Marquee update
Post by: johnperkins21 on February 09, 2007, 10:47:35 pm
I admire your frugality, and it's defintely looking good. I like that marquee. It's simple, yet fun.
Title: Re: RK'd - Anything worth doing is worth overdoing ..Marquee update
Post by: psychotech on February 10, 2007, 12:01:16 pm
Thanks.

...still, I've already done a couple more versions of the marquee.

Here's the second draft:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/marquee_02.gif)

.. overdoing.

And here's a picture of the cab's marquee area w.i.p. :

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/060.jpg)

A convex grin..

Might have overemphasized the "no fancy power tools" part in earlier posts for I do have/use all the usual equipment, ie. jigsaw, powerdrill, a dremel set etc. It's just that I don't have a router :) Then again, MDF is such soft material that I've been able to do everything without one.. It's actually quite rewarding to successfully finish a piece or a detail by hand..

l8r
Title: Re: RK'd - Anything worth doing is worth overdoing ..Marquee update
Post by: leapinlew on February 10, 2007, 12:18:35 pm
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/marquee_02.gif)

I love it! Very clever.
Title: Re: RK'd - Anything worth doing is worth overdoing ..Marquee update
Post by: spacies on February 10, 2007, 07:41:47 pm

Dude,

That design rocks. Use it!
Title: Re: RK'd - Anything worth doing is worth overdoing ..Marquee update
Post by: notaburger on February 12, 2007, 03:14:25 pm
wow, look at the dedication
i've spent a few years on my arcade and you pop something out that's further along (albeit, much smaller) in a couple weeks
there isn't a mall in the world that would keep my girlfriend occupied enough for me to get that much done
Title: Re: RK'd - Bezel update ?
Post by: psychotech on February 14, 2007, 09:30:56 pm
W(/H)ell..

You're too kind. What can I say ..thanks ;)


leapinlew & spacies:

I'll most probably go with that marquee, but ..I'll have to remove the cherry. It just seems to be the odd one out.. I couldn't integrate it into he CP and now ..well?

notaburger:

Thanks?! Hey, this won't be finished in the next two weeks.. of that I'm at least sure :) - :(

--------------------------

Anyway, yet another update

I've cut 2 pieces of 1mm plexi for the marquee to shape and have ascertained that the marquee works, at least physically, that is.. Still have to make my mind up about the graphics (F)!

Have also done some painting.. Water based (?) acrylics using a foam roller with no base paint on MDF ;) Back to that as soon as I get some additional detailing done on the bezel support area..

The actual progress:

A homebrew, and most probably the final bezel!

My cheap (no surprise here..) HP printer is able to produce a 210mm x 600mm print maximum. So, as the bezel I'd need is 380mm x 550mm there'd be no way to do it with it. ? Why not? I'll at least have to try ..?

1st
Print the actual bezel in two pieces (190x550) ..then figure out how to hide the fact that they are ..two pieces. Yes, add an instruction card ..Bombjack, of course..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/061.jpg)

2nd
Cut the bezel & the instruction card to size and try them on.. Not too bad?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/062.jpg)

3rd
Add a couple more cards to the other side and I'm done ..?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/063.jpg)

...as it can be seen, I more or less followed the Bombjack card style doing these two additional instruction cards.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/064.jpg)

leapinlew: As you can see, I used the fingering you suggested on the Defender/Stargate instruction card. Yeah, after all, it is the version that most closely resembles the original layout ..and what the "accidental defender" might remember.. Might have to add the version I originally was going with (player 1 controls only) to the start-up options. More of that too ..later.

Back in a ?.
Title: Re: RK'd - Bezel update ?
Post by: leapinlew on February 14, 2007, 10:00:43 pm
leapinlew: As you can see, I used the fingering you suggested on the Defender/Stargate instruction card.

Whoa... hey now. I thought we agreed on the kissing and telling?

It's looking real good. Keep up the good work! Because of your thread I just started playing Bombjack. It's pretty good! I don't recall seeing it at the arcade. I'm still getting a hang of the game though - I can't seem to jump from the floor all the way to the ceiling so level 5 is where I die. :( No worries - I'll figure it out.  :)
Title: Re: RK'd - Bezel update ?
Post by: javeryh on February 14, 2007, 10:09:12 pm
I love this cabinet.  The trackball is a nice touch and I think the artwork is really going to make it unique - just like your other one!   :cheers:

I need to try Bomb Jack now - I don't recall playing that back in the day...
Title: Re: RK'd - Bezel update ?
Post by: psychotech on February 14, 2007, 10:19:48 pm
Quote
Whoa... hey now. I thought we agreed on the kissing and telling?

Oh s.h.i.t.e, I forgot :) Don't tell anyone..

(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091052/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091052/))

Yep, anyway ..Bombjack was popular here at the time... Just guess whose initials were on the top of the list most of the time.. Now, I just can't get more than 1.24x.xxx points or through more than 18-24 levels with Tomatocade). So far..

JUMP!
Title: Re: RK'd - Bezel update ?
Post by: psychotech on February 14, 2007, 10:30:54 pm
javeryh, thanks ;D

Stage fright approaching..

Trying to do my best. Don't really know how or about what, though ;) We'll see..

leapinlew:
-> Push joystick up, press the jump button and hold the button until you're at the "desired height"...

Exit stage left..
Title: Re: RK'd - Bartop sides done
Post by: psychotech on March 06, 2007, 05:38:18 pm
Hey there !

Just a MINOR update..

The RK'd is about 95% done at the moment. The controls should arrive before the weekend ..and I might even be able to start drilling the joystick holes and installing the stuff sometime next week..?!

Here're the sides at least. More detailed info later, assuming anyone's interested ? Everything was done with water dilutable acrylics, self adhesive vinyl, "painter's tape", cheap foam rollers & one really sharp knife..

Comments welcome. The really good ideas are kinda useless at this point ;)

Anyway:

Player's left on left...

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/065.jpg)

That's all for now. Come again :)
Title: Re: BOMBJACK/RK'd BARTOP - Bartop Sides & Speaker Panel
Post by: psychotech on March 06, 2007, 06:38:36 pm
Well, yeah.. Speaker panel:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/066.jpg)

Sucks?
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Side Art & Speaker Panel
Post by: NIVO on March 06, 2007, 08:16:06 pm
heh I was thinkin red bomb shaped speaker covers with a faux wick  :timebomb: :)
I think you've done a fine job here pyscho, very neat and uniform, everything seems to work well together.
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Side Art & Speaker Panel
Post by: psychotech on March 07, 2007, 05:56:28 am
! The controls just arrived !

..and the speaker covers.. well

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/067.jpg)

Better  ???  :D
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Side Art & Speaker Panel
Post by: NIVO on March 07, 2007, 06:41:54 am
absolutely. Another idea would be to take that exact graphic and stencil spray them onto some mesh grills even. But much better indeed  :cheers:
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Side Art & Speaker Panel
Post by: KenToad on March 07, 2007, 10:34:09 am
Psychotech,

I gotta say that I love this project so far and can't wait to see the finished pics.  Great job documenting everything.  Makes me want to make another bartop.

Cheers,
KenToad
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Side Art & Speaker Panel
Post by: moloch on March 07, 2007, 05:12:27 pm
I am a little late to this post, but wanted to add. Since you went to the trouble of desodering the volume knob, did you do the same for the headphone jack.

I did this on the cabinet I am building so that people can play with headphones and it will cut the sound to the speakers then.

Just a thought......
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63362.msg631328#msg631328
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Side Art & Speaker Panel
Post by: spriggy on March 07, 2007, 07:32:43 pm
Well Done pt.  Sides look great...  in fact, your artwork layouts look very cool!
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - MORE Side Art Stuff :)
Post by: psychotech on March 07, 2007, 07:52:02 pm
Thanks :)

Well, I can make a photoshopped version of the cab for you NIVO .. ;)

Ken, thanks and here's more info on the build..

moloch: I only desoldered the volume. I thought about doing the headphone jack but... Anyways, the Creative (whatever model it is) set won't be used after all ..in this cab. It works nice but as I had the option to use another set of powered speakers with tone controls etc. I just had to alter my "plans" accordingly :)

The original Creative/Soundblaster stuff:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/068.jpg)

New admin panel with the new sound system's controls on the right..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/069.jpg)

Come on, it's still WIP ... ;)

spriggy: thanks!

------------------------------

On another note .. Cab's left side after deep blue (well, in the real life ..without the flash) acrylic layer over a thick layer of off-white primer ..and the see through pink adhesive :) Almost done here?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/070.jpg)

Printed some A4´s and taped them over the adhesive..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/071.jpg)

Used a really sharp knife and cut all the unnecessary stuff off ..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/072.jpg)

Same treatment for the, not so easy, right side:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/073.jpg)

And after cutting the excess tape/adhesive/paper off..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/074.jpg)

Whatever it is ..it's one of a kind and yeah, ..it's mine :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/065.jpg)

Anteeksi vaan :)

Thank you and .. Well, comments?

Yours, again:

Psychotech :)
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - MORE Side Art Stuff :)
Post by: psychotech on March 07, 2007, 08:20:22 pm
Well, sorry.

I'll try and not to use them smileys anymore .. or at least not so much.

One for the road :)
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - MORE Side Art Stuff :)
Post by: leapinlew on March 08, 2007, 05:46:49 pm
it's B to the ADASS.

Nice. That game is still pissing me off though.
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - MORE Side Art Stuff :)
Post by: spacies on March 08, 2007, 07:29:19 pm

Yeah baby.

This is looking great!!!!!

I was feared in the Bombjack circles in the 80s.  :laugh2:
In fact my highest score is higher than the one at the Twin Galaxies site by 2 million.

It would have been higher but they wanted to close the store the machine was in.

I had a game last week on a new cocktail I built and at 9 million, I got bored and turned it off. Looks like I still got it.
Once you learn the sequences/patterns it becomes pretty easy. I reckon I could take that score at Twin Galaxies. How do I prove it?

Again, nice work on this bartop.

And great to see you dedicated it to Bombjack!!!
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - MORE Side Art Stuff :)
Post by: javeryh on March 08, 2007, 09:37:03 pm
Oh. meh. gawd. that is freaking awesome side art!!!  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Everything wrong is right!
Post by: psychotech on March 19, 2007, 09:58:51 pm
Hello again!

And thank you very much for the comments! ..Still, I'm building a horizontal screen bartop with a vertical game theme .. No comments on that, so far..?

-------------------

Time for another update ..even though 'the cab remains the same'. So, N.O.S. as in new old stuff - and something more..

Everything wrong is right: I've already told you I'll be using one of the Creative speaker's front pieces as the finger guard for the top exhaust fan. And so, naturally, for the actual speaker grilles I'm using finger guards for a pair of 10cm (4") fans.. (See pictures on above posts.)

PHOTO(SUR)REAL: Yes, everything wrong.. After some web surfing etc. I decided to not 'print' my CP overlay but to order a photo of it thru web; 9.95€ for a 50x70cm print? Not too bad? Actually, two copies of the CPO on that area. About the quality, who knows..

And now I'm still waiting for the photo to arrive  ??? ::)

In the meanwhile, some new old stuff:

Speaker panel / marquee - 1st test. Well?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/075.jpg)

Speaker panel inside. RCA connectors for easy removal. That Tomatocade marquee retainer (white) plastic (L-molding?) sure came handy..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/076.jpg)

CamCade!

Now that I'm more or less just waiting for the CPO to arrive, I've had time for other activities also:

Playing Bombjack, Scramble, Doom etc. on my old digital camera (HP C912 Photosmart) .. Digita OS! A CamCade? 288x216 screen? Miniature tabletop? Take a look: http://digita.mame.net/
 (http://digita.mame.net/)
..Well, I also decided to complicate things by adding another control panel to the equation. One digital 8-way, one analog trigger stick, one spinner and 2 (3?) buttons. The HackPanel.

And the main ingredients: A 3€ Amiga/Atari/C64 joystick with microswitches along with a 7€ analog trigger stick and the bearings from a 4€ Western Digital HD. ...?!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/077.jpg)

And the WIP CP overlay for the above:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/cp2.gif)

It is a b.s.tard.ised version of the Tron CPO with another edit of the Bombjack CPO underneath. And no, it's not centered. Just hoping it's playable...

Another time,
               Psycho.
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Everything wrong is right!
Post by: psychotech on March 20, 2007, 09:13:20 pm
Gen.Italia !!!

Just my luck: Ordered t-molding, waited a couple of weeks, emailed the firm, got no response, finally an answer, "..not able to fill your order now..full refund..", not funny.

And the other t-mold firm's web shop won't work with international payments, Visa or otherwise.. Perkele kuitenkin!  :angry:

Well, I'll build a spinner ...

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/079.jpg)

F the t-molding for now! :timebomb:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/080.jpg)

Psycho.

PS. Nothing against Italia/Italy ;)
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Everything wrong is right!
Post by: theCoder on March 21, 2007, 02:46:12 am
Back on your first page, you mentioned you were using mini buttons for the tilt buttons.  Where are you getting these from?  Do they use Cherry switches?

Love the sound card hack.  Nice.

I'm soooooo glad you did not go with the blue shinny metallic contact paper.  Your first one looks nice, but another might be too much.  Great job on the paint.

How did it go cramming that stuff inside that small package?  Do you have and/or could you take some pics of the tight squeeze. 

Does it run hot?

Sorry for the list of questions, been out of the loop for a while.  Great progress.
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Everything wrong is right!
Post by: KenToad on March 21, 2007, 11:31:14 am
This is a great thread.  Also, I just noticed that you hid the seam between the two printed out parts of the bezel by covering those parts with instruction cards. 

Brilliant!  I have a similar issue and think I will just borrow your idea, if I may.   :cheers:
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Everything wrong is right!
Post by: psychotech on March 21, 2007, 08:26:17 pm
Well, hello!

And welcome back theCoder!

To answer your questions:

1. Mini buttons: Just ordinary momentary ON-OFF buttons. About 18mm diameter (12mm to install). No microswitches. The same I used on Tomatocade for admin buttons. I bought them here for 1.20€ a piece. Local (FI) link: http://www.spelektroniikka.fi/kuvat/51.pdf (No idea on their policy on international orders though.. If they'll accept them, it'd be 22% off..)

Pictures:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/084.jpg)

...

And the innards..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/085.jpg)

2. Sound card hack: It works ..and WAS quite nice. Now it's waiting for another project. I'm actually using another set of powered speakers now (at least one pic on above posts).. free pair with tone controls and at least a couple of Watts more..

3. Shiny metallic contact paper: Yeah, well..  That was the absolutely last option anyway. From the start I knew it had to be blue, just had no idea how or what kind of.. and now the cab is just the opposite of Tomatocade; Not metallic, not generic, not shiny ..

4. .. "inside that small package". This is still very much a W.I.P. project. Not enough time etc. But anyway, I don't know! At the moment the CRT is in another room, CP is "somewhere" (see below..) etc. Someone once asked about the timeline/deadline ..there is none. I'll take pix.. and I'll post them, inside/outside, as soon as I get there.

5. Hot? It is, but I really don't know.. (See above)

And thanks. (How's the Xcelerator?)

..

Hello, Kentoad!

By all means, if it's usefull in your case. Couldn't think of a better solution for the problem. Still, it does the job! How many people, beside yourself, you really think would notice the fact that it is actually two prints after you've covered the seam ..?

Anyway, I'm here just to show you what NOT TO DO!

Just keep on reading...

-------------

A BIG mistake!

Don't do this @ home!

Long story.., I had the CP layout (joystick/trackball/button placement, etc.) designed but had no real idea of the graphics.. So I just followed my "plans" and drilled everything ready for assembly. Oh, well..

After a few B&W test prints with my HP inkjet I thought the printer was "special", one way or another? Almost everything seemed to be off; maybe just a few millimeters here and there ..and then something was off by almost 13 mm (half an inch) !!! WTF!?

Must be the cheap effing printer, right?! No such luck. Must be some kind of international conspiracy... Come on, I had (and have) measured everything more than just a few times.  My (legit) Photoshop CS2 seemingly just doesn't like arcade CP overlays? Everything else prints perfectly, but try an CPO.... F! So, I won't be able to do the CP on the HP printer.

Add an internet photoservice:

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/082.jpg)

Great quality! Awesome colours! And.. the final print is 558 millimeters wide instead of the needed (and finally, after at least three additional measurements, ordered) 550! ..Just imagine the alignment. Add another F! (A really LOUD one!)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/083.jpg)

Not everything is lost, though. I have enough scrap MDF to make another CP and the plexi/lexan won't be much more than about 3€. And I've got to go and buy some more anyway for the second, analog panel. Well, a few more hours of manual labor. It's just too frustrating..

And what's the lesson here.. F! Yes, print your graphics first, easier to compensate that way..

Just how did I do the Tomatocade? Can't actually even remember anymore.. Dementia? Dementia 13? Anyway, I think I've learned my lesson :)

And so, everything wrong is right: Player ONE will have only four buttons after all. No need for them just now actually (Maybe I'll just play Defender (almost) the original way..). Etc. etc.


Well, live and learn..

Back again.., Psycho.
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Everything wrong is right!
Post by: psychotech on March 22, 2007, 09:55:34 am
..NOT!

Won't have to start from scratch after all.

I'll just fill the player one joystick holes and the credits & P1/P2 start button holes on the upper right -> drill 8 new holes, add new plexi glass and I'm done. Everything else seems to be "close enough". Jacks "palms" aren't exactly round, anyway.. (And the second overlay is still untouched..)

Maybe...
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Wrong is right?
Post by: leapinlew on April 12, 2007, 10:19:51 pm
 :'(

update?
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Getting there..
Post by: psychotech on April 15, 2007, 07:44:38 pm
Well..

Not a real update, just a teaser. More PIX (& text too) in the near future.


Still W.I.P. ..The CP's not even wired at this point :(

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/086.jpg)

And, in all its simplicity the spinner really works!

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/087.jpg)

Better pictures of everything soon..

Back soon,
   Psycho.
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Getting there..
Post by: blueznl on April 17, 2007, 11:04:03 am
I like that spinner idea. Fourty-odd bucks for a spinner hurts a bit...
Title: Re: Bombjack Bartop (Rk'd) - Getting there..
Post by: psychotech on April 17, 2007, 07:16:43 pm
Heh!

Wait a moment and I'll show you a FOUR (4) euro spinner.. With about a seven second spin* "straight outta box". You'll just need to find a suitable HD to make one. Then again, these old WD's are CHEAP or even FREE nowadays :)

I'll just get thru my pictures.

A real update within a couple of hours it is.

Maybe?

* How long does it actually have to spin? What for? I've never had "even" seven seconds "free time" in Tempest :)
Title: Re: Bombjack - SPINNER update
Post by: psychotech on April 17, 2007, 08:38:43 pm
So, a SPINNER update.

First of all, my spinner is nothing new in itself but another take on the Arcade Stupidity spinner of Dhansen - http://www.doughansen.net/arcade/spinner.htm (http://www.doughansen.net/arcade/spinner.htm)  :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

A few pictures of the steps I made following DHansen's example:

According to the plan, an old Western Digital HD (4€) - After some tinkering..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/089.jpg)

And another angle..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/087.jpg)

This is the part I'm almost proud of .. (Dhansen never showed the actual mouse sensor installation on the website.)

So, I had design my own and if you'd take your time with the picture you'd see that.. This simple solution not only isolates the components and enables sideways movement of the mouse mechanism but also gives you the option to fine tune the mouse wheel both horizontally and vertically..

Someone somewhere mentioned "millimeter tuning" to be almost beyond home realm.. Why!? :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/090.jpg)

And if someone else wants to do this.. a couple more pictures. (Still, I'll bow to dhansen !)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/091.jpg)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/092.jpg)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/093.jpg)

Too easy actually :) Thanks to the pioneers  :notworthy:


And hey, wait a minute or better yet, come back again.

The 1st real picture of Jack
..as soon as I've re-tarred my lungs.. (Summer's coming - got to stay afloat :) )

Psycho
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: psychotech on April 17, 2007, 09:39:45 pm
Jack's here ..

I won't defend it more than ..all the pix were taken with flash, and come on, it's not meant to be flashed :) In normal (no flash / a dim room / an almost dark room (as long as the beers are are still easy to find ...) ) conditions the "screen an inch behind the glass" works quite great :) With flash and the camera off-center the screen just seems to be off.. Well, it wasn't meant to be viewed from a 160 angle :)

And, it's all dirty :)

Enough, already  ::)

Had an idea that the bezel graphics could be expanded to the speaker panel without actually carrying on the bombjack theme per se, and it actually (almost) matches? A bit of Eddie Van Halen there, maybe :)

What do you think?

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/094.jpg)

Jack

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/095.jpg)

Unplugged..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/096.jpg)


Yours still,
      Psychotech.

PS. Something missing?
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: Knievel on April 17, 2007, 09:44:19 pm

Somehow overlooked this entire thread, very nice work!

Best bartop design I think I've seen, love the curves. :)
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: psychotech on April 17, 2007, 09:51:12 pm
 :notworthy:

Thanks, I really mean that !!

Still, just noticed that my latest pictures seem to be too big.. Pix were 500xsomething and the forum software scales them to 480. So the jagged edges .. I'll fix them after another tar-out :)

Still Psychotech..
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: leapinlew on April 17, 2007, 10:20:25 pm
PS. Something missing?

T-molding... and don't go on and on about how you don't use power tools.  :blah:

This cabinet deserves t-molding, what would Jack say? He'd say he's not fully dressed - thats what he'd say.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: leapinlew on April 17, 2007, 10:21:19 pm
Oh yeah... it looks great.

It's currently a 9 out of 10. I'm sure you can figure out a way to get that last poinT.  ;)
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: psychotech on April 17, 2007, 10:50:33 pm
Lew, You're the Sherlock  :P

Come on! Thanks a lot for the kind words...

And yes, this time I'm sure Jack needs something to wear. Can't go on jumping around with his (....)

I'll add the molding as soon as I find a company that isn't going belly up just as I place an order (t-moulding.com) or that has too much problems with overseas orders (t-mold.com). Not much luck lately with those two. I ordered yellow from both and got nothing.. Opinions? Yellow t-molding? Black. Blue I won't do. Orange? Yellow (again)? What..? The European source has only black as far as I know..

And come on, you really think I'd use power tools or anything for t-molding? Let's just call it molding....

Heh!

I'll update this thread with more pictures of the build (and better pix of the cab) soon ..but in the meanwhile..

Guess what I used for marquee retainers this time around? (Nothing to do with arcades ..afaik)

Back again,
                     Psychotech.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: leapinlew on April 17, 2007, 10:58:26 pm
Guess what I used for marquee retainers this time around? (Nothing to do with arcades ..afaik)

Well... it looks like some sort of soft plastic/rubber molding. It's L shaped and it appears to have been made in an L shape - perhaps you melted some harder plastic. Sounds like something you'd do. You put screws in it ... like nearly every inch. Not sure if thats for looks or structure.

I checked the websites www.Lmodling.com, www.L-molding.com and www.L-moulding.com, none of which exist. Hmm... I'll say - you found it at the hardware store and it's meant to be insulation type material. Such as you would screw it to the bottom of the door to form a more tight seal to the door frame.

Am I close?
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: leapinlew on April 17, 2007, 11:01:07 pm
Oh, as for color -

I suggest black if you want it to blend in or white if you want to give it that Tron look. If it were mine, it would be black and it would be t-molding.  ;D
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: psychotech on April 17, 2007, 11:26:20 pm
Close but ... :)

It is rubber molding indeed ..don't actually know for what - probably for trucks'/buses' sides. But the point is, it's about 2" wide ..with an  L-shape .. See the picture (Quite a graphic designer here :) ). Couldn't find anything else that would do with the curved (x2) marquee I was planning, but ..This stuff works! Elastic & hard/stiff enough at the same time.

So, I cut the "main thing" right off and used just a piece of the L-shaped part that actually made a really nice retainer :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/molding.gif)

Maybe I'll go with the black (t-)molding.. Might really work..?

Back sooner / later / ?

Psychotech.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: IG-88 on April 18, 2007, 06:43:11 am
Very nice work! How did you get that mouse pcb board to mount to the block of wood by the way?
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: psychotech on April 18, 2007, 11:41:31 am
Back again.

Thanks IG-88!

The spinner / mouse pcb is mounted with yet another small screw.

Actually, the whole mechanism consists of just an L-bracket, a piece of scrap MDF and three screws.

One screw to hold the L-bracket in place under the CP allowing sideways fine-tuning..

Second screw to keep the piece of MDF in place ..simultaneously allowing one to adjust both the height and (if needed) tilt of the mouse pcb.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/090.jpg)

The third screw on the opposite side of the MDF goes through (in this case an already existing hole in) the mouse pcb.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/097.jpg)

And another picture to illustrate the solution..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/098.jpg)

It was a regular PS2 mouse.. and that's all there is to it, really. Hope this helps :)

Later, Psycho.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop)
Post by: ChadTower on April 18, 2007, 02:01:03 pm

You may need a second secure point for that mouse PCB... over time I could see it loosening up and starting to pivot just a bit on that one screw.  In an optical assembly that 1mm is all it takes.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Sir Spin A Lot :)
Post by: psychotech on April 18, 2007, 03:56:37 pm
Hi there Chad!

Good point! I considered that too while building the contraption, but as it went the mounting solved that potential problem by itself...

Anyway, the spinner will be on a secondary panel (the Hackpanel - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=61679.msg645962#msg645962) and should be easily tweakable if need be.

Still, thank you for the comment, made me take a few more pictures. Hope these will clarify the mounting fully for all interested - and make it clear why I do not think the PCB would pivot even half a millimeter in the foreseeable future :)

Here's the PCB (quite tightly) mounted to the MDF..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/104.jpg)

As the components & the solder points (?) extend through the PCB, this "flush to the MDF" mounting didn't actually happen without any additional tinkering..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/099.jpg)

I "routed" about 1 millimeter off the MDF where the component feet were going

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/101.jpg)

More than that, I was able to mount the PCB so that the PCB components itself help support and keep it in place.. :)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/103.jpg)

And that really does it! It won't budge. Though I'm pretty sure it would stay in place even with only the one screw, that additional help really makes it a working solution.

And hey, you could always use glue to hold it in place. After the PCB is in place the fine tuning can easily be done with the other two screws; and those you can screw really tight without fear of damaging anything?

Another update - coming soon to a computer near you

Yours,

Psychotech.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Sir Spin A Lot :)
Post by: ChadTower on April 18, 2007, 04:03:01 pm


That will definitely stop it from pivoting, though it is placing the mechanical stress on a solder joint.  That may not be better as solder joints are fragile and can very easily crack off the through hole causing intermittent performance you don't notice on a spinner.   :-\
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Sir Spin A Lot :)
Post by: psychotech on April 18, 2007, 04:45:11 pm
..or maybe not?!

The main solder joints additionally securing the PCB (which in reality does not weigh more than a few grams, and so would easily stay in place with the abovementioned single screw..) in position are the actual mouse button feet/joints ..I was actually going to remove those ..before I realised they'd serve a better purpose if left in place ..

Still, there is the glue option.. And these PS2 mouses are nowadays either free or at most about 1€ / $1 a piece just about everywhere..

Oh, what the ..ll, I'll just go and torch Jack! ;)

Back soon...
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Sir Spin A Lot :)
Post by: leapinlew on April 18, 2007, 05:06:14 pm
Brilliant!
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Sir Spin A Lot :)
Post by: psychotech on April 18, 2007, 07:04:19 pm
Thank you very much Lew!

Just what the doctor ordered; a second opinion!

Not too many comments or anything otherwise..

Excuse me while I pour some gasoline on Jack ..I'll be back as soon as I've found my matches.

Psycho.

Just a moment..
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Picture overload! You have been warned..
Post by: psychotech on April 18, 2007, 07:13:02 pm
So,

Machine specs and config along with a bunch of unsorted pix.

All comments etc. appreciated

-----------------------------

The Machine Inside:
PIII slot-1 CPU, 500MHz
Integrated 8MB AGP graphics adapter (SIS 620)
448 Megs memory
30 Gig HD, IBM
Soundblaster Vibra 16S soundcard, ISA bus
19" CRT, Viewsonic (LG)
Hama powered speakers with Vol/Tone/3D controls
KeyWiz Eco2, solder version

Control Panel:
2 Omnistick Basic/Suzo 500 Joysticks
1,5" (serial mouse) Trackball
4 buttons/player
Pinball buttons with l/r/f tilt
Admin panel with USB connector etc.

Operating systems:
DOS 7.0
Win98SE

Front-ends/Emulators at the moment:
DOS:
Game launcher with MAME 0.61 running MAME and NEO-GEO games
DOSCAB Jukebox

WIN98SE:
MALA 1.08 with MAME 0.85 & Visual Pinball

-----------------------------

More pix, in no particular order:

wip..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/105.jpg)

..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/106.jpg)

Marquee retainers, the MacGyver way.. :)
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/107.jpg)
Fingerguards for speaker grilles
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/108.jpg)

Trackball hack, buttons off, wires in place
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/109.jpg)

Inside view with the USB connector in front..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/110.jpg)

Another angle of the mess
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/111.jpg)

Inside ..yeah, I might have cut those wires shorter instead..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/112.jpg)

DB25 ..and a few more wires..along with a working CP
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/113.jpg)

Another angle
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/114.jpg)

There is a monitor, actually
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/115.jpg)

Even though it does not have too much spare room in his cab..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/116.jpg)

What else is new ;)
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/117.jpg)

KeyWiz, could be awesome if it worked as supposed with the setup I have ...
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/118.jpg)

The Soundblaster speaker sets' grille used as a fingerguard for the top exhaust fan
actually looks black without the flash .. ;)
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/119.jpg)

Speaker panel
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/120.jpg)

Hey, there's a towel
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/121.jpg)

Wizard of Wor ..2500 points
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/122.jpg)

Brothers in arms..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/123.jpg)

Such an ugly puppy
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/124.jpg)

Over and out.

COMMENTS? Questions? More pictures :)

Maybe later,

Psychotech.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Picture overload! You have been warned..
Post by: Donkey_Kong on April 18, 2007, 08:58:11 pm
Definitely in the top 5 nicest bartops ever!  :notworthy:

Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Picture overload! You have been warned..
Post by: leapinlew on April 18, 2007, 09:20:50 pm
So... maybe I missed it. Whats the deal with the spinner?

Hows the trackball?

And whats this mean? "
KeyWiz, could be awesome if it worked as supposed with the setup I have ..."
Did you have problems with the keywiz?
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - Picture overload! You have been warned..
Post by: KenToad on April 19, 2007, 12:21:42 am
Wow, truly incredible attention to design detail.  Great work!
Title: Re: BOMBJACK (Bartop) - The Hackpanel and other Groovy stuff ..
Post by: psychotech on April 19, 2007, 07:43:25 pm
Here again..

Thank you very much guys :)

I'm doing my best to please at least the harshest critic around; that psychotic type lurking around and about these forums..  ;D

And, I forgot something.

The specs/config on the PC on an above post should have been like this:

Control Panel 1:
2 Omnistick Basic/Suzo 500 Joysticks
1,5" (serial mouse) Trackball
4 buttons/player

Control Panel 2 (The Hackpanel):
1 8-way joystick
1 Analog trigger stick
1 spinner
2 player buttons

Additionally:
Pinball buttons with l/r/f tilt
Admin panel with USB2 connector etc.

Lew, you missed something: Page two on this thread -
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=61679.msg645962#msg645962

So, answers..

"Hows the trackball?"
- Great, the picture is there just to show that I removed the original buttons/contacts and soldered wires in place ..

"Did you have problems with the keywiz?"
- No, the Keywiz had problems with me, probably because it ain't groovy enough :)

Actually the KeyWiz Eco 2 works awesome ..in Windows (Win98SE & XP SP2) that is.. Everything works on every front. And even the DOS loader works. Kinda..

The DOS updater starts up normally (I have another KW in the Tomatocade, so this DOS stuff is no problem) ..but it just does not see the KeyWiz.. Just asks me to switch to KeyWiz etc. Either my PC's DOS boot sequence is too fast for the KW or it has a bad case of split personality..

That wouldn't be a big a problem with an Win only setup, but with my DOS & Win98SE setup it just won't do.  F! If I set up my controls manually in DOS and then use the (Working) setup/launcher program in Win98SE I'm all done? NOT! The KW retains the last programmed setup until power off and as it happens ..that's just not what I need.. ;)

So, a KeyWiz ..Working but not programmable.

Anyway, I set up my controls for all programs manually. Took a couple more hours to figure it all out but well, it's done and everything works great! (So far - let's see what'll happen when I add more emulators..)

-----------------------------------------------

On another note again, here's a picture of the Hackpanel WIP.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/125.jpg)

Later,

Psycho.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: psychotech on April 20, 2007, 07:00:00 pm
Hackpanel..

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/126.jpg)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/127.jpg)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/128.jpg)

..lenapkcaH

 ;D
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: leapinlew on April 20, 2007, 08:27:18 pm
You hoping for Tron to work?
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: psychotech on April 20, 2007, 09:15:33 pm
Heh!

Thanks for the comment / question..

Not my primary concern actually.

The original Tron CP overlay looks great ..and seemed awesome for this combination of controls with just a little tweaking? ..?

Above all, I'm building this second panel to play Tempest* and STAR WARS** ..ever tried to play SW or ESB with a digital stick..

If it'd actually work with Tron would be an added bonus  ;D

* Spinner with 2 buttons

** Analog trigger stick with two additional fire buttons ..so, analog controls with 4 fire buttons in all. And Gorf works (and looks) great with the stick..  :laugh:

I'll post more info as soon as I've tested it  ..with Tron also  :o

Yours,
Psychotech (read: If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't even try it ::) )
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: psychotech on April 20, 2007, 09:30:22 pm
Yeah, no *hit,

Bad English (.. the band :) )

Back in a few days..

Psycho.

(Karjalan murteella: sykkoottinen piaestaeinen)
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: arcadefever on April 20, 2007, 10:14:23 pm
 :dizzy:

just read the all progress again ..... :o  man...this as to be one of the best mini cab i ever saw ...

 :cheers: all of hack you have done  :applaud:


 :notworthy: A MASTER PIECE .....
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: Loki on April 21, 2007, 06:27:46 am
Wow! this cab is great!!  :applaud:
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: BobA on April 21, 2007, 07:49:32 am
Just caught up by reading the whole thread again.   Beautiful work and attention to detail.  The lines of the bartop are great and lmake it look furturistic and unique.  Your work with hand tools shows what a craftsman can do.

Your mouse/spinner hack will get alot to try it again.  The detail provided is valuable info.  The hackpanel looks like a really nice additon.

The only negative is that now I have to get my act together and build another bartop.  Spring is comming and I have to get out there and make some MDF dust.

Thanks for the motivation.

BobA
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: psychotech on April 27, 2007, 07:45:00 pm
Come on now, you ...

::) :-[ :dunno

Well, guess it could have been worse.. What can I say, thanks!  :notworthy:

As of now, Jack is almost done, just waiting for the t-molding to arrive...

Updates with pix of the two CP's as soon as the t-molding is in place.

..unless there are more comments and/or questions.. anyone?

Later, Psycho.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: psychotech on April 27, 2007, 08:24:18 pm
Still no pix...

To Lew's question/comment earlier: Tron is quite playable with the analog stick*.., kinda: It's just that the spinner is not too accurate in WIN98SE.. Works AWESOME in DOS! ..So, has to be (yet another) WinDoze thing??

(DOS) Just how many years ago did I play Tempest ... 20? More? Dementia?
(WIN) Just how many years ago did I play Star Wars ...

Later, again.

PS. Zaxxon, while a "digital" originally? (can't really remember anymore..), is quite good with an analog trigger stick :)

PPS. Spinner knobs? Average diameter? I remembered they were bigger?..Should I go with a 2" hack, again..? :)

* Yes, NOT arcade authentic.. playable.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK - Hackpanel pix
Post by: Timoe on April 27, 2007, 09:27:51 pm
What a cool way to make a panel with all those fun controls (tron style, etc) Without spending the $350.

Looks tight.  :cheers:
Title: Re: BOMBJACK
Post by: psychotech on April 28, 2007, 07:58:49 pm
Back again.

arcadefever: I really find the design (or in this case, the no design..)/building/problem solving/hacking stages the  most fun parts of the BYO process ..and of course, being able to play & actually playing all the games is great fun too  ;)

Loki: Thanks !!

BobA: Thanks a lot! Well, details..Dunno. Craftsman? Not me, just trying to do my best... I'll post more details on the hacks as soon as (if) there is any interest in them..? Bartop? -> BUILD IT! And hey, pix!

Timoe: Thank you. Might not be arcade authentic, but the two panels really are fun :)

If anyone wants to know more, please do comment/ask questions about any details of interest. I'll do my best to answer & illustrate the things you'd like to know.

Updates as soon as ..?!

Still ..Psycho.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK
Post by: theCoder on April 29, 2007, 01:36:12 am
I love the hackpanel.  Great job on the artwork.  I'll take the geometric lines & shapes over cartoon characters any day.  Top notch job.
Title: Re: BOMBJACK
Post by: psychotech on April 29, 2007, 08:37:51 pm
Thanks!

Well, the hackpanel "just happened" while I couldn't work on the cab itself.. I'll post more details later on everything. Still, Tempest & Star Wars!!

I'll take the geometric lines & shapes over cartoon characters any day.

Well, two panels -> something for everyone? Can't really say which one I like the best..
Title: Re: BOMBJACK
Post by: dhansen on May 30, 2007, 10:27:30 pm
Yessss!  The hard drive spinner lives!!!  All hail the hard drive spinner!! :applaud:
Title: Re: BOMBJACK
Post by: psychotech on June 16, 2007, 06:22:27 pm
Well...

Quote
Yessss!  The hard drive spinner lives!!!  All hail the hard drive spinner!!

Actually, it goes like Yessss! All hail the spinnerking Hansen!!

Thank you very much for all the info  :notworthy:

psychotech

PS. The bartop was finished about a month and a half ago.. "Final" updates on Bombjack in the near future. More pics with t-molding in place, some info on the CPs & the autoexec etc. (in case there are people still using DOS 6.22 or the W98 equivalent in their cabs)..
Title: Re: BOMBJACK
Post by: Kaytrim on June 16, 2007, 09:07:06 pm
I could use some help with mouse drivers.  The trackball in Dad's Bartop is acting haywire at times.  See my thread in the Main Forum. 

Thanks,
Kaytrim
Title: Bombjack - NOT XP/VISTA Certified :)
Post by: psychotech on June 29, 2007, 08:59:59 pm
It's a command line update :)

With absolutely NO PICTURES.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRIKTLY OLDSKOOL | NOT FOR THE  XP/VISTA  orientated .. ;0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTOEXEC, The front-end to front the front-ends?

Someone on the forums, might have been @ Main, maybe a couple of weeks ago told he wrote a Perl program allowing him to select the preferred function (IE. MAME/Jukebox/??) pushing just one button....... Can't really remember who, where or when ..but come on:

As long as we have autoexec.bat...

Tomatocade has DOS 6.22 & WIN95B and Bombjack runs WIN98SE with DOS jukebox, DOS MAME, WINDOWS pinball & WINDOWS MAME.. switching between the two OS's I'm using variations of the following on both builds.

To manage all the options on Bombjack - IE. selecting operation modes within DOS and/or WIN98SE and switching back and forth between the OS's I'm using the plain old DOS autoexec.bat, with one button selection.. Hey, it comes built in on every PC with DOS/WIN :)

Just blame me if it doesn't make any sense..

Bombjack's autoexec.bat logic (see below) goes like this (screen formatting (echo, echo., space) omitted, pics on the next/final(?) update:


- After the boot sequence the machine starts up in Win98SE version of DOS and gives the user three basic options centered on a otherwise black screen:


I
---
CHOOSE YOUR PLEASURE
 
LOADING ARCADE MODE IN 10 SECONDS


JUKEBOX .................................Credits Button

PINBALL ARCADE / ANALOG ACTION .........Player 1 Button

ADVANCED OPTIONS ...........Shazaaam! + Player 2 Button
---


Default is MAME (ARCADE MODE) and the 10 second delay can be bypassed with the right flipper button.


- Advanced options screen gives you these additional options:


II
---
************************************** ADVANCED OPTIONS
 
(BACK TO MAIN MENU IN 10 SECONDS)


BACK TO MAIN MENU .......................Credits Button

MAINTENANCE - DOS ......................Player 1 Button

SHUTDOWN ...................Shazaaam! + Player 2 Button
---


The beauty of the autoexec is that it allows for easy switching between different programs within the DOS and to some extent between the DOS & WIN98SE (also WIN95/ME?) environments. With the menu & option settings in the autoexec the machine starts the preferred program/front-end with one button press and after quitting returns to the original menu, always. Always. No wrappers or like needed so far..


So, where's that WIN98SE autoexec.bat part?

Couple of places:

1st: It's at the screen I: PINBALL ARCADE / ANALOG ACTION .........Player 1 Button

Select that and the machine tells you to "wait a week" ;) and loads WIN98SE with MALA. The MALA front-end hosts Visual Pinball & the Windows version of MAME.

After torturing the controls on Windows one might want to return to the jukebox or to just shut down that infernal machine? Yes ..!

Setup for both DOS and WINDOWS use and to be easily switched between them, the MALA options of (just) shutting down aren't necessarily what is needed?

2nd: Add another .bat - In the MALA GUI shutdown options Bombjack uses another DOS based solution.. a batch file that on execution does not shutdown the machine but restarts it ..to the DOS menu I already shown above. This way you can always keep on abusing the machine or shut it down through the DOS "advanced options" screen.

And yes, the machine shutdown is done with yet another DOS program, the ATXOFF.COM. WIN98SE shuts down nicely if needed, but as that's not needed in this case...


Here's the autoexec.bat logic along with Bombjack's basic DOS setup...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

CLS
@ECHO OFF
LH /L:2,38208 c:\mouse.com
PROMPT $p$g
PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\DOS
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
SET TMP=C:\TEMP
mode con codepage prepare=((850) C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\ega.cpi)
cls
mode con codepage select=850
cls
keyb su,,C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\keyboard.sys
path=c:\windows\command;c:\windows
LH /L:0;2,41344 /S C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE
SET SOUND=C:\SB16
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6

:MENU
CLS
@ECHO OFF
CHOOSE YOUR PLEASURE
 
LOADING ARCADE MODE IN 10 SECONDS


JUKEBOX .................................Credits Button

PINBALL ARCADE / ANALOG ACTION .........Player 1 Button

ADVANCED OPTIONS ...........Shazaaam! + Player 2 Button

CHOICE /C:aj10 /N /T:a,10
IF ERRORLEVEL 4 GOTO ADVANCED
IF ERRORLEVEL 3 GOTO WIN98
IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO JUKEBOX
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO ARCADE

:SHUTDOWN
CLS
C:
CD..
SMARTDRV /C
ATXOFF.COM

:DOS
CLS
C:
CD..
CLS
C:
GOTO END

:ARCADE
CLS
@ECHO OFF
C:
CD\gl
gl
GOTO MENU

:JUKEBOX
CLS
@ECHO OFF
C:
CD\dc
doscab
GOTO MENU

:WIN98
CLS
@ECHO OFF

PINBALL ARCADE / ANALOG ACTION
   
 
LOADING
 
 
.. WAIT A WEEK ..
WIN
CLS

:ADVANCED
CLS
@ECHO OFF
************************************** ADVANCED OPTIONS
 
(BACK TO MAIN MENU IN 10 SECONDS)


BACK TO MAIN MENU .......................Credits Button

MAINTENANCE - DOS ......................Player 1 Button

SHUTDOWN ...................Shazaaam! + Player 2 Button


CHOICE /C:j10 /N /T:j,15
IF ERRORLEVEL 3 GOTO SHUTDOWN
IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO DOS
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO MENU

:END


---------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions / comments? Feel free to..

L8r. Got a PinBox to build ;)

psychotech
Title: Re: Bombjack - NOT XP/VISTA Certified :)
Post by: psychotech on July 13, 2007, 05:40:41 pm
Worst first.

Bad freehand pics without a flash, but still.. The main autoexec.bat menu screens as described earlier.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/132.jpg)

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/133.jpg)

And the DB25 female connector for the control panels.

(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/130.jpg)

Final pics of the finished bartop coming soon.
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping BombJack Flash!
Post by: psychotech on July 13, 2007, 08:00:30 pm
Jumping Jack Flash!

IT IS DONE :)
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/134.jpg)

Actually, Bombjack was finished about two months ago; Maybe I'm just bone idle..

More bad pictures (taken freehand without flash) to start this post:

Probably no surprise on a Bombjack dedicated bartop - Made the MaLa FE to suit the concept..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/135.jpg)

And after you've selected your game and wait for it to load:
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/136.jpg)
Noticed the odd spinner knob? Just replaced the "normal" knob with yet another hack gaining another 3 seconds of spin time :) It's made of a "lock-screw" from a DB25 connector and an unused 2 inch caster wheel; a perfect pair ..Feels much better; IE. have better grip & the hard drive spinner now easily spins for 10 seconds, not bad. Tempest rocks!

...Better pictures.

Sometime in the past I mentioned "a convex grin".. Well, here's a picture that shows a part of the machine that I'm actually quite pleased with. It's maybe not that easy to see on the other pictures, but that really came out quite nicely (even if I say myself).. Some 3D to it? The marquee is dusty etc. but still, ignore everything but the topmost four centimeters of the picture..

Bombjack side & marquee:
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/137.jpg)


Another view of the bartop. Maybe that marquee "bulge" happened when Jack jumped a bit too fast & far..?
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/138.jpg)

The "Hackpanel" in place:
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/139.jpg)

If I was 27 years younger & a good 100cm shorter, that might be the view of the Hackpanel ..and it just might look good ..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/140.jpg)

For even this view I'd have to get a really low seat..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/141.jpg)

Just how did I end down here..
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/142.jpg)

BOMBJACK
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/143.jpg)

Took about 600 pictures during the building process. Even with at least half of them being less than perfect I'm ready to post more if you want to know something not discussed/pictured here..

Well, here it is.

You'll be the judge & the jury.

Thank You. Everyone. I'll go grab a beer :)

Yours,
psychotech
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping BombJack Flash!
Post by: bfauska on July 13, 2007, 09:02:04 pm
Congratulations on a very professional looking concept and execution.  Good work... what's next?
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping BombJack Flash!
Post by: psychotech on July 13, 2007, 09:31:10 pm
Thank You very much  :)

Next.., well, a jukebox/pinball/mame bartop/wallmount?!

Check it out @ http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=67842.0

psychotech
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: stephenp1983 on July 14, 2007, 04:04:49 pm
I would really be interested in seeing some more pictures of how you did the DB25 female connector for the control panels.
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: psychotech on July 14, 2007, 06:55:44 pm
I would really be interested in seeing some more pictures of how you did the DB25 female connector for the control panels.


Me too :)

But as it is, it's really simple (and just for that reason I didn't take pictures..) operation.

Actually, all you need is a DB25 cable (female-male) ..or two to really take advantage of them. Just make sure the wire colors on the cables (if more than one) match.. and cut them in half, remove the outer shell and solder the wires you'll need in place.. (I used GGG's KeyWiz Eco 2, solder version). At this point you should already know what wire color goes where on your control panel(s)...

Pictures:

Bartop side, female connector side wires soldered to the Keywiz:
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/144.jpg)

Control panel side, male connector from the same cable:
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/145.jpg)

And another CP picture:
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/146.jpg)

One more:
(http://www.telemail.fi/psychotech/big_ugly/147.jpg)

Hope this helps?!

psychotech
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: stephenp1983 on July 14, 2007, 07:02:02 pm
Very neat idea!
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: theCoder on July 15, 2007, 02:23:18 am
Congratulations on another completed build.  Looks great.  As bfauska asked, "What's next?"  I know you are hurting for space, but how about a full sized upright?  Or perhaps a sit-down driving cab? 
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: psychotech on July 15, 2007, 10:46:40 am
 ;D

Congratulations on another completed build.  Looks great.  As bfauska asked, "What's next?"  I know you are hurting for space, but how about a full sized upright?  Or perhaps a sit-down driving cab? 

Thanks!

And to quote my answer to bfauska:

Thank You very much  :)

Next.., well, a jukebox/pinball/mame bartop/wallmount?!

Check it out @ http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=67842.0

psychotech

I do (unfortunately?) have some ideas for a future project ..but now I really should build the jukebox/pinball machine first. Well see...

psychotech
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: dhansen on September 09, 2007, 01:55:51 pm
Whoo hoo, nice to see the harddrive spinner live on.  I come back once in a while and lurk around and it's good to see this still being used!  :applaud:

Here's a close up that I never posted... my website is so outdated...

(http://www.doughansen.net/hdspinnersm.JPG)

(http://www.doughansen.net/hdspinnersmclose.jpg)
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: psychotech on September 09, 2007, 06:26:53 pm
!!!

That looks great! I did my L-bracket & MDF version just because your mouse PCB mounting solution was "only a drawing", and therefore I couldn't be sure it would actually work in the long run ;) Well, seems that it turned out to be a working solution  :applaud:

Thanks for all the info & inspiration. Of all the BYO spinner ideas I'd still go with your "Arcade Stupidity" version! :notworthy:

My version has the "optical wheel" (whatever) spinning freely, but is that wheel on the picture actually connected to that white bracket? Once I got mine aligned right I just used a drop of super glue and it works like a charm ..no perceptible swing then or now.

Great stuff :cheers:

psychotech
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: Kangum on September 09, 2007, 08:24:29 pm

Your attention to detail has paid off. Brilliant!
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: ARTIFACT on September 09, 2007, 09:40:51 pm
I LOVE IT!
Title: Re: Bombjack - Jumping Jack Flash!
Post by: psychotech on September 09, 2007, 10:05:00 pm
I love Tempest and DIY HD spinners..

Wish I knew what you're all talking about  :dizzy:

 ;D

psychotech

PS. Now, if someone were to comment on Tomatocade (TC) soon, I'd get all my builds back to page one  ::)

PPS.  :laugh2: