The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: fryed_1 on March 20, 2016, 08:15:00 pm

Title: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 20, 2016, 08:15:00 pm
Build from Rogue Synapse plans online... Got everything drafted up and tacked together.  Probably work on the base this week, getting it finished up.  Then tackle the bezel.  Haven't decided on hardware yet, but plenty of 22-24" LCD available for cheap so will probably go that route.  I have a couple dual-core atom mini-pc's that would probably work well for this one.

(http://aoc.pandapub.com/images/sf1.jpg)
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: yotsuya on March 20, 2016, 11:11:03 pm
Are you going to run just the Starfighter game?
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 12:18:04 am
Are you going to run just the Starfighter game?

Yup.  Just starfighter.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: yotsuya on March 21, 2016, 12:18:54 am
Cool. Interested to see how you handle the control scheme. Good luck!
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 04:17:23 pm
I'm thinking I might want to go 24" monitor here. That's a 22" and the extra inch all around might fill it out better. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160321/965e37eefb02fe9aadda96e06ce2a386.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: dmckean on March 21, 2016, 06:35:18 pm
I would measure and use the largest monitor that will fit.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: harveybirdman on March 21, 2016, 06:46:09 pm
You will never defeat Xur and th Kodan Armada on a 22in screen bruh.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 07:30:05 pm
27" samsung has smaller bezel which can hide behind the raised bezel.  27" it is... off to ebay.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: dmckean on March 21, 2016, 07:50:14 pm
That should work great.

A 27" 16:9 screen should give you a 18.5" 4:3 image which is pretty much exactly the same size the original cabinet.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: yotsuya on March 21, 2016, 08:36:29 pm
Alex Rogan saved the universe on a 19" CRT.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: wp34 on March 21, 2016, 09:12:56 pm
Cool build.  I used to play the heck out of The Last Star Fighter on the Atari 800.  What version of the game are you putting on your cabinet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJhu-jycBU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJhu-jycBU)
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 09:14:52 pm
Cool build.  I used to play the heck out of The Last Star Fighter on the Atari 800.  What version of the game are you putting on your cabinet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJhu-jycBU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJhu-jycBU)

The one released by rogue synapse.  Going to work to put together as much as the original [movie] playability as possible, fabricating joystick and t-grip button handle, rocker switches and all that from everything I've researched on it in the last few months.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: wp34 on March 21, 2016, 09:22:36 pm
Awesome!  This should be a fun one to watch.   :cheers:

Cool build.  I used to play the heck out of The Last Star Fighter on the Atari 800.  What version of the game are you putting on your cabinet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJhu-jycBU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJhu-jycBU)

The one released by rogue synapse.  Going to work to put together as much as the original [movie] playability as possible, fabricating joystick and t-grip button handle, rocker switches and all that from everything I've researched on it in the last few months.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: yotsuya on March 21, 2016, 09:43:25 pm
Can't wait to see how you do the t-grip button handle.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 09:46:29 pm
I can't really find anything that would work for it out the box, so my initial thinking of what I'm going to try is maybe a 2" hallowed out wooden dowel and painstaking hours of working it with tabletop sanding wheel - probably screwing it up 3-5 times before I get it right.  Attach it to another hollowed dowel which attaches to the original joystick handle, wires run through the center.

Now the button... I'm sure I'll spend $50 on various $2 buttons online until I find the perfect one that works heh.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: yotsuya on March 21, 2016, 10:24:25 pm
I can't really find anything that would work for it out the box, so my initial thinking of what I'm going to try is maybe a 2" hallowed out wooden dowel and painstaking hours of working it with tabletop sanding wheel - probably screwing it up 3-5 times before I get it right.  Attach it to another hollowed dowel which attaches to the original joystick handle, wires run through the center.

Now the button... I'm sure I'll spend $50 on various $2 buttons online until I find the perfect one that works heh.
I always wondered about maybe adapting a shifter handle like you see in the car.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 10:25:46 pm
If you or anyone has ideas that might work I'm definitely up for trying them.  I also peruse local pawn shops, flea markets and other stuff to see if anything grabs me by sight as well.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: yotsuya on March 21, 2016, 10:26:41 pm
Mount this on top of a digital joystick..

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/f4278af2257ecd181490ed4dec1001de.jpg)
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 10:33:13 pm
hehe that's actually pretty close.  Button is a hair off from the original size, but if I could fabricate/modify/mold a simple cover for it that's a hair larger it would probably be just about spot on!
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 21, 2016, 10:58:54 pm
I realized that I didn't account for the 4" height of the casters. That's why there's a gap in the top of the base there. Going to have to remove the top and cut some out.

Rounded out some of the cabinet edges and CP as well.

As I stand here covered in sawdust, building one cab with a second unfinished next to it and watching X-Files reruns on a third, it occurs to me that this might very well be the geekiest place on earth right now.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/e12de9b3b32856ee3cbe6dca49c7ae12.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/83dda2a3a0b1cd647fbc8c263c2484d5.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 12:07:19 am
This is turning out to be a much tougher task than I pictured in my head. Lol. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/bb966b800851791575cdab18783c1588.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 02:31:37 pm
Not sure how I made this mistake. Maybe not accounting for the original 25" CRT?  There seems to be about 4" of extra space. Could probably use 1.5" instead of 3/4 or 1", adjust the angles and make up 2-3" at the bottom. Maybe drop the location of the monitor 2" too and use the extra space at top for speakers. Or I could cut 4" out the top of the cab and rebuild the marquee area. Hrmmmm. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/758b5539c88295880d01bb7ad3172fe1.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 02:40:38 pm
(http://rebelscum.com/2010/starfighters.jpg)

sorry for sideways pic.. not mine from rogue synapse's build.

Going to build from the CP up... will start on the lights and all that, get them done right and then get the bezel/monitor spaced right and cut the excess out the top of the cab and rebuild the marquee.  The measurements on the back top of the cab won't be quiet exact from the blueprints, but oh well.  I highly doubt anyone would notice that.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 03:01:29 pm
I see where I screwed up!

The CP has an angle to it the same as the sides of the cab.  See how the where the joysticks bolt in, it dips down and that part is level, but the rest is angled about 15deg or so.  I made mine level.   My CP joystick surfaces are 10" deep.  Making them level puts them up to 13" deep at an angle.  That puts everything on the backboard 4" higher, which should account for the differences.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 05:09:06 pm
This should be strong and more realistic. Don't think I'll have to chop the top now. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/ecd7641f6a2195eca48b215c000e326b.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 08:38:57 pm
Cut the recessed joystick pass out and looks much better now. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160323/c39c4bfef1e658a68915d667c9cfc038.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: harveybirdman on March 22, 2016, 09:52:11 pm
You don't realize it but your starting a bunch of projects before finishing others and propensity to get better and better reminds me a lot of a really good poster that used to buzz around here.

Keep up the good work!!!  :cheers:




... just don't theme a cab after Jim Morrison  ;)
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 09:59:11 pm
You don't realize it but your starting a bunch of projects before finishing others and propensity to get better and better reminds me a lot of a really good poster that used to buzz around here.

Keep up the good work!!!  :cheers:




... just don't theme a cab after Jim Morrison  ;)

Yeah I'm kind of waiting to do vinyl/sticker work on the kids' cab before I do it on mine so I can work out the bugs before getting to mine.  This one... drank too many beers the other night and woke up with side panels and marquee cut out so figured I might as well finish it.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: yotsuya on March 22, 2016, 10:02:23 pm
This one... drank too many beers the other night and woke up with side panels and marquee cut out so figured I might as well finish it.

That's pretty damn awesome.

"I swear, babe, I was watching TV and tipping back a cold one, then next thing I knew, it was there...."
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 10:08:43 pm
Well she doesn't buy the.. "Honey there were 3 sheets of wood taking up room in the garage.  This is a much more efficient way to store wood!"... argument anymore..
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 22, 2016, 10:44:14 pm
These are done now. If I had sticks could toss in a couple spare buttons and an old lcd and actually have it playable now. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160323/1df2f02c0ea45c0575d0fae313674719.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 23, 2016, 01:34:35 pm
Building a parts list and starting ordering. 

ipac2 of course will make things easy to configure and supported.

Minigrip sticks should work to rewire and make new handles for as the wires are easily run through the center of the stick and out the bottom.  I'm going to try to find some of the car shifters posted above at reasonable prices for the targeting and either make or search out old joysticks where I can setup a single plunger-style switch on the top for the tracking left stick.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8375/8459477178_88e3e3dcc3_z.jpg)


I'm going to try these momentary single-pole rockers for weapons selection.  Spring loaded so they pop back in to place.
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/bunn-02628-0000-momentary-start-rocker-switch-for-coffee-tea-brewers/233026280000.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKEAjw_ci3BRDSvfjortr--DQSJADU8f2j5sQyQzylEATIYnsXaPlpVJF6_6uTn3THdm9zWj6M6BoCJnjw_wcB (http://www.webstaurantstore.com/bunn-02628-0000-momentary-start-rocker-switch-for-coffee-tea-brewers/233026280000.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKEAjw_ci3BRDSvfjortr--DQSJADU8f2j5sQyQzylEATIYnsXaPlpVJF6_6uTn3THdm9zWj6M6BoCJnjw_wcB)

(http://www.webstaurantstore.com/images/products/main/161741/233064/switch-mom-start-spst-n-o.jpg)


I ordered a RPI3 and thinking about going win10 iot stripped down with custom boot screens and startup script to boot right in to starfighter exe.  If this doesn't work, I'll use one of the Atom mini-pc's.  Also debating using a laptop again - one of the great things about using them is built-in cooling to a degree, plus you can set it to shut down after 1min on battery and power on when power is detected, which makes the startup/shutdown procedure pretty painless and no need for key combinations or complicated procedures.

Ebayed a Dell 27" 16:9 LCD - $90 shipped no base or mounting hardware, perfect for this.

Dayton amp.  Ordered this for the last build and while expensive at $100, it's ready to install and does so easily, 60wpc and looks great.  I've spun it up on my other cab with the same amp with and without the sub and there's very little difference, so I think a decent pair of 5-6.5" all-range, hidden on the top left and right of the monitor bezel will work great.

(http://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/2014/03/14/36a7e937-b0d3-11e3-a24e-d4ae52e62bcc/13aed005605b5abe09e2ade0859dbd69/DTA_100a__24255.1364986307.1280.1280.jpg)

7074 Lexan for the glass of course and laminate for the sides/back/base.


I'm debating LED's in the panel under the bezel.  Not sure if I want it to look "too modern" and putting some colored light tubes or whatever they're called that transmit light by shining on the other end.  Some of those with a light and reflective tape behind it behind that area might actually give it a more authentic look.


The game is built to allow for a death blossom button or combo if you so want to use it.  I know it's not in the movie version (or any others) but I'm thinking about adding a dedicated death blossom button.  I've watched the movie a couple dozen times over the last few months and done a lot of pausing and screenshotting, but it appears it would have been around armrest level of his right hand when sitting in the cockpit.  If it were a spring-loaded door, maybe just below the targeting stick... who knows.  Make it and go through some bubble gum and stick it in various spots before I decide... If I did, would likely do a big red pushbutton below a spring loaded door.

(http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/thelaststarfighter/images/0/0e/Death_Blossom_trigger.png/revision/latest?cb=20110308033501)

Looks to be Happ over/under coin door.  Around $80-90 new, as low as $30 with shipping on ebay.  Will be setup free play or coin release to drop coin.

(http://www.amusementdistributors.com/images/medium/40003800.jpg)




I don't think any other administrative buttons would be needed.  Volume is covered, 3x weapons selection rockers, 2x joysticks with fire buttons, coin door, glass and plastic... just need to figure out the parts and lighting for this area:

(http://aoc.pandapub.com/images/sfdisp1.jpg)
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 23, 2016, 07:28:01 pm
Had to put this on for motivation. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160323/1d217beeb4b145726bdaca53551fceb8.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 24, 2016, 05:54:57 pm
My 4 girls are earning their Girl Scout woodworking badges helping me.  They did 100% of the putty and sanding work here. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160324/25ebd82a95f5ca654ce96b500d9e7d50.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: Slippyblade on March 24, 2016, 06:50:17 pm
My 4 girls are earning their Girl Scout woodworking badges helping me.  They did 100% of the putty and sanding work here.

Way to go including the family!  That's awesome.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 25, 2016, 03:25:13 pm
This was the only graphic that wasn't already available. Even with my limited illustrator skills, I think it'll work. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160325/78f5ae95fecc71416485c4eddd37a0b6.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 26, 2016, 12:41:58 am
Think I got all the graphics mocked up and the right size for printing. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160326/63a2fae236ff4a5d94c54862b170fc04.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on March 28, 2016, 05:01:33 pm
Pretty much on hold now until some parts start arriving. Graphics printed to scale and fit good so they're ready for sending off. Monitor and controls on the way. Have some various LED ordered to see what fits in the display right before I order all of them. Bezel cut out just needs a monitor under it to finish it off.

Guess I could always start finishing one of the other cabs in here!

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160328/a2c913af7e116900be703a9390025027.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on April 20, 2016, 05:28:58 pm
No new pics yet, but Disney trip is done and I'm authorized to finish it. 

So ordered a crapton of LED 3mm and 5mm plus housings for them - good thing they're cheap! -.  PacLED64, ipac and joysticks on the way.  27" LCD is here (samsung) but I need to buy another sheet of wood first to cut out a new panel for it as well as some real bezel-quality wood rather than cutting 2x2 in half like above.  I got 3x rocker switches from a restaurant supply place - single throw momentary, so those should work good.  I got 3x 1" push on/off green/red/yellow square power on/off buttons that will go in the display below the monitor where the square LED's are.  Instead of a powerswitch in the back, I'm going to use these to power up the cab.  Maybe monitor/computer, lights and sound.

Started grinding down dowels and other chunks of wood to try to make controls - nothing great yet but it's getting there.  Coin door on the way too.  Most everything should be here by fri/sat to at least make it playable.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: dmckean on April 20, 2016, 06:55:52 pm
Sweet! I was just thinking about this build yesterday. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on April 21, 2016, 05:59:39 pm
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160421/1f3c26ef1dcbf1fdfd73b064a305fd12.jpg)

Might not look the greatest yet but controls came in and she's 100% playable minus the weapons selection. Those rockers should be in soon.

Buddy at work caught wind of this project and he does a 3D printing business on the side. He said he could fabricate the joystick handles and those weird rectangle light covers below the bezel. So that solves that problem.

Have a pack of 200 various LED that arrive tomorrow so I can start planning out the display lighting.

Starting to seem more real now!


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on April 21, 2016, 06:22:09 pm
FYI everything above the CP right now is scrap wood and will get replaced in the final build done right.  That's a 22" monitor to test functionality and all that.  Not installing the 27" until I get it more finished so I'm not having to blow sawdust out of it every night.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on April 22, 2016, 04:23:39 pm
Welp tackling this over the weekend.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160422/3f7650874f4d304a7fb972a7a2967edd.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160422/0bc4bbbd94114767bdeebf56d5965de7.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on May 18, 2016, 02:32:32 pm
Back on to this after a little hiatus. Been doing a lot of sand and putty work to fill the gaps and make this CP strong as hell so the seams don't crack. Tossed on a quick coat of semi gloss to help see the inconsistencies and only a few that should be easy to clean up. Will be starting work on the bezel, back and lighting this weekend. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/6aee7895d0e6b9aaf6dc3d100d0b87be.jpg)


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Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: wp34 on May 18, 2016, 04:49:09 pm
Looking great so far.  Any update on the joystick handles?
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on May 18, 2016, 08:00:54 pm
Looking great so far.  Any update on the joystick handles?

Well... according to my buddy that does the 3d printing, he claims he can build one that will screw right over the existing handle with a little lever setup inside the handle when you press the button that will activate the existing button.  If that works, awesome.  If not, I'm do have some buttons I think will work that can be built in to the 3d model and just run the wires through the old button channel.

I need to get him a model/drawing of the center piece between the LED.  That might take a couple prints to get right, but he's going to 3d print that in some kind of plastic.  I have some thin reflective tape that I can use a small knife to layer on the insides, then he's going to build LED holders that hold the LED (of course!) and clip on to the back.  I have tested the lighted 120v pushbuttons and they work good and look 99% authentic... and make them functional which is nice.
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: fryed_1 on September 30, 2016, 10:26:39 pm
This is still going, just very slow.  I realized that as the wife kept going to more garage sales I would need more storage.  So started rebuilding/finishing the garage.

Now in order to finish the garage, I couldn't keep hauling sheets of plywood and 2x4's around in her minivan, so had to get myself a truck.  Now when I told the wife "truck" I'm sure she was thinking I would come home with a nice and shiny new air conditioned truck with all the conveniences of her loaded minivan.  She was a little surprised at first, then a little angry claiming mid-life crisis cars and all that, but eventually she overcame that and came to love the truck and everything is back on track with a plan now!  In my opinion, if I'm going to get a mid-life crisis vehicle, a ready-to-roll 71 Chevy pickup isn't necessarily a bad choice.

So now along with the starfighter and other arcade project, I have the garage project tossed in to make room to finish the previous projects... then the truck project to get going before I could finish the garage project, which would let me finish the arcade projects... and so on...

Anyways... will start up again on this soon as tomorrow I'm picking up about 30 2x4 and a dozen or so sheets of plywood, along with insulation to actually finish the garage this weekend and get started on the more important things again!
Title: Re: Starfighter Build
Post by: bx_001 on October 15, 2017, 06:06:37 am
27" samsung has smaller bezel which can hide behind the raised bezel.  27" it is... off to ebay.

Been wanting my own starfighter cabinet for some time, and what you have got going looks really good so far.

Unfortunately for myself, I may be good with electronics (and MAME/arcade emulation stuff), but not very skilled at wood-working. If you ever create a kit or want to sell some of the harder-cut wood pieces, please hit me up, as I would love to undertake such a project myself. I am certain I could do everything else beyond actual cutting of the wood pieces.

Regards,
B