The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: jamieoliver22 on February 02, 2011, 02:20:08 pm

Title: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 02, 2011, 02:20:08 pm
Hey guys, just something I'd like to share with you.
 
I started planning an building an arcade machine project some time ago (probably about a year or two ago now) and nothing happened since. Well I've began work on it once again, but this time I've started properly.
 
Below are some progress photos of the construction, it is coming along nicely and it shouldn't be long now until it is finished. Sorry for the poor quality photos, I only had my mobile phone with me. I will take some better ones when it is finished.

I have based the design around the WeeCade plans (fantastic plans I might add).
 
Click on a thumbnail to open:
 
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0867.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0867.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0868.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0868.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0869.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0869.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0870.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0870.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0871.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0871.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0872.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0872.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0873.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0873.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0874.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0874.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0875.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0875.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0876.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0876.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0877.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0877.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0878.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0878.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0879.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0879.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0880.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0880.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0881.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0881.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0882.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0882.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0883.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0883.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SP_A0884.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SP_A0884.jpg)
 
Maximus Arcade frontend testing video (click to open):
 
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/th_SV_A0170.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/?action=view&current=SV_A0170.mp4)
 
The artwork in these photos is just a paper placeholder and are not final - they'll look much better when they're finished =]
 
Hopefully it shouldn't be too long until it is completely finished - only the control panel and some plexiglass to be added. The WeeCade plans that I have been following uses a steel control panel which is bent - I plan on using plexiglass which I should be able to bend using a line-heater that we have at work.

Wish me luck! :D
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: dandare on February 02, 2011, 03:35:28 pm
Good luck. Looking good so far!  I have also jumped on the weecade bandwagon. Are you having fun getting everything to fit inside?!
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 02, 2011, 03:54:46 pm
Good luck. Looking good so far!  I have also jumped on the weecade bandwagon. Are you having fun getting everything to fit inside?!

Thanks. It's been a bit of a squeeze, but yeah, it hasn't been too bad. Got a small mini-ATX motherboard and a small PSU.

Hopefully going to start putting in my perspex tomorrow night, which seems to be a bit of a squeeze too - the monitor sticks out a bit.

Also, any suggestions on getting the CP printed? I have a co-worker that does his own printing, and he suggested printing it on a large sheet of photo paper and use Spray Mount to fix it down. Not sure on the marquee yet either...
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: dandare on February 02, 2011, 07:48:10 pm
I'm also contemplating artwork. The photo paper will work and look fine, but if its quite thick wont bend very well.
A local sign makers will print it on to self adhesive vinyl, or I've just been looking on gameongrafix.com and they seem pretty good, even to get shipped to the U.K.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: Nephasth on February 02, 2011, 07:50:33 pm
I'm also contemplating artwork. The photo paper will work and look fine, but if its quite thick wont bend very well.
A local sign makers will print it on to self adhesive vinyl, or I've just been looking on gameongrafix.com and they seem pretty good, even to get shipped to the U.K.

My local sign makers charge a ---gosh-darn--- arm and a leg for just about anything.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: dandare on February 02, 2011, 07:53:37 pm
That's a good point.  I haven't checked out my locals rates.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 05, 2011, 02:58:22 pm
Just a small updated - added a nice black bezel around the screen and have tidied up the wiring.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0890.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0889.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0888.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0885.jpg)
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: IG-88 on February 05, 2011, 06:19:49 pm
Looks good. How did you make your bezel?
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 05, 2011, 06:44:31 pm
It's just a sheet of perspex sitting on top of the monitor where I have spray painted black around the edges.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: Woodshop Flunky on February 06, 2011, 01:32:20 am
Bezel looks really nice!
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: justinjstark on February 07, 2011, 12:06:43 am
What power supply is that?  It looks tiny?

Is there a hole cut in the back door for the PSU vent / plugin?  How are you going to connect the monitor power?
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: dkssprs on February 07, 2011, 08:28:49 am
Another Weecade clone... Weecade is pure insiration...
I love your artwork1!!!!

By the way....whats that behind the monitors mount?
Also you have much space using that small PSU. Very nice position for the Hard Drive.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: mgb on February 07, 2011, 11:22:57 am
Thats looking real good
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 09, 2011, 01:26:32 pm
I've had a bit of a disaster lately, I managed to snap some of the perspex for the control panel, so I've got to try to fix it or back to the drawing board... :(


What power supply is that?  It looks tiny?

Is there a hole cut in the back door for the PSU vent / plugin?  How are you going to connect the monitor power?

Yes, I've cut a hole for the whole PSU back panel. I've wired a male IEC port on top of the PSU connected to the monitor (and I've also wired the power for the speakers into it too). So all I need to plug it in is a Y-split IEC cable for the two sockets into one plug :)

Another Weecade clone... Weecade is pure insiration...
I love your artwork1!!!!

By the way....whats that behind the monitors mount?
Also you have much space using that small PSU. Very nice position for the Hard Drive.


Thanks.

The thing behind the monitor is an amplifer/control board from a pair of desktop speakers - it is just hot glue-gunned to the back.

And yes, the PSU is quite small, but long - it, well as the motherboard, is out of some old small computers we had sitting around at work. I had to put the hard drive on its side to fit everything else it.

Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 13, 2011, 07:57:12 am
Sorry about the double post, but here is another mini-update with how things are going. As I broke the perspex for my control panel before, I've tried to fix it but without luck - it just isn't strong enough. Instead, I've decided to use MDF and sand it to a nice finish, then put the overlay over the top. At least that way, it will be a lot more sturdier and will last.

New control panel, this time made of MDF:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0895.jpg)

Back panel pretty much finished - as you can see, everything needs another coat of paint:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0894.jpg)

Art work photos
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/GameOverArcade_marquee.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/GameOverArcade_controlpanel.jpg)

Here is an intro video that I have been working on for the front end, which I put together in After Effects:

Click here to watch on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQKqJvtzWLE#)


It's getting there.. Slowly :D
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: dandare on February 13, 2011, 08:57:11 am
Looking sweet my man!

Artwork and video look fantastic.

Its quite funny how close progress is to yours, I checked your update the other day and realized I was about to post almost the same Thing!

The race is definitely on! 

Great stuff!
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: opt2not on February 13, 2011, 01:24:36 pm
Nice colour choices! The artwork is looking sharp!
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: Termin8tor on February 13, 2011, 02:41:17 pm
Excellent work, I'm sure you will be finished in no time. Love the artwork by the way. :applaud:   
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: SirStupidQuestion on February 14, 2011, 06:32:40 pm
very nice "GameOver" bartop. I am also working on a bartop based off the weecade and have a few questions for you:

1. Did you use the same size MDF for your mouldings, it looks that way in the picture? did that work well? I bought some 1 in by 1 in dowlings to use (my bartop is .5inch mdf) and they cracked in half when i tried to put wood screws (size 6 or 8) through them after the glue. Did you screw the mouldings or nail them, i can't tell in the pictures. Anyone have any recommendations on size and type of wood for mouldings in a bartop. The dowlings were the only wood my home depot had in 1 by 1.

2. Can you explain how you powered your monitor (or take a pic of it)? I understand the split of two IEC but the male on top of the PSU? is that standard? Don't PSU's only have IEC out to power it and not take any in? (note my name as I am a novice at almost every part of this)  Does anyone have recommendations or links on how to power the monitor on a weecade clone or any smaller bartop where a smartstrip is not desired or won't work/fit?

any help is appreciated...
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 15, 2011, 05:10:18 am
very nice "GameOver" bartop. I am also working on a bartop based off the weecade and have a few questions for you:

1. Did you use the same size MDF for your mouldings, it looks that way in the picture? did that work well? I bought some 1 in by 1 in dowlings to use (my bartop is .5inch mdf) and they cracked in half when i tried to put wood screws (size 6 or 8) through them after the glue. Did you screw the mouldings or nail them, i can't tell in the pictures. Anyone have any recommendations on size and type of wood for mouldings in a bartop. The dowlings were the only wood my home depot had in 1 by 1.

The mouldings were made with just some scrap pieces of MDF lying about at work, that I cut into strips - they are all the same width. They are approx 25mm x 20mm in size, but anything will do - the ones I used were wider than the MDF I used for the rest (20mm instead of 12mm, same as you). The mouldings are glued using PVA glue, and then just small tack nails to hold them in place too.


2. Can you explain how you powered your monitor (or take a pic of it)? I understand the split of two IEC but the male on top of the PSU? is that standard? Don't PSU's only have IEC out to power it and not take any in? (note my name as I am a novice at almost every part of this)  Does anyone have recommendations or links on how to power the monitor on a weecade clone or any smaller bartop where a smartstrip is not desired or won't work/fit?

I basically just made a small IEC extension cable. I just plugged on end into the monitor, and left the socket glued on top of the PSU. So when I come to plug it in, I can just use a Y-cable to plug both IEC connectors into one plug

Something like this: http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/17470069/MHP-2m-C13-to-C14-IEC-Extension-Cable-Hot-and-Cold-Lead-Monitor-to-PC-Power-Lead/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518 (http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/17470069/MHP-2m-C13-to-C14-IEC-Extension-Cable-Hot-and-Cold-Lead-Monitor-to-PC-Power-Lead/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518)|cat:17470069|prd:17470069
And y-cable: http://www.jpleisure.co.uk/13amp-2Way-IEC.jpg (http://www.jpleisure.co.uk/13amp-2Way-IEC.jpg)

Hope this helps. I'm no expert, and did just bodge things together and hoped that they'd work  :P
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 16, 2011, 03:25:27 pm
A couple more photos:

Fixing the control panel:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0899.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0898.jpg)
(The perspex isn't blue, just still had the protective covering on)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0897.jpg)

Testing out the artwork again:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/SP_A0896.jpg)
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 16th Feb)
Post by: SirStupidQuestion on February 17, 2011, 02:21:32 pm
thanks for responding to my prior questions! how did you round the lower portion of your cp (piece facing forward) so you got the good curvature? I'm using wood for my cp also and trying to figure out a way to round it out so the artwork can stretch over the top the bottom portions.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 16th Feb)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 17, 2011, 04:28:33 pm
^ Just sandpaper, and lots of elbow grease  :laugh:
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 16th Feb)
Post by: lokesen on February 17, 2011, 05:30:29 pm
I love you artwork - Kudos!
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 16th Feb)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 18, 2011, 03:08:52 am
I love you artwork - Kudos!

Kudos for your brilliant plans!  ;D
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 28, 2011, 01:40:17 pm
Had a bit of a problem with the speakers on my cab the other day, and I have had to strip them out an add another pair - only to find that I ended up shorting and breaking those too. Now with a new (and now third) pair of speakers, it works great. I've been tiding up some of the cabling and added a ground cable inside while I've been waiting for my artwork, hence no updates lately.

But now that I've finally got my artwork printed so I have commenced on putting the control panel together. Some photos of it below, just need to start wiring it in now.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8360.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8362.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8363.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8364.jpg)

:D
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: emphatic on February 28, 2011, 02:28:00 pm
Looks great, but what's up with the shaft covers?  :cheers:
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on February 28, 2011, 03:04:00 pm
Looks great, but what's up with the shaft covers?  :cheers:

They're not in properly, only dropped in to see what they'd look like - not fastened in  ;)
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: Nephasth on February 28, 2011, 07:21:21 pm
CPO looks great!
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: mgb on February 28, 2011, 07:46:20 pm
The Cp looks great.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: SirStupidQuestion on February 28, 2011, 09:20:05 pm
where did you buy the pause and exit buttons? are they illuminated? if so how?
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 01, 2011, 02:41:06 am
Thanks guys!  :D

where did you buy the pause and exit buttons? are they illuminated? if so how?

I got them from Gremlin Solutions, here: http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/products/chromeilluminated.htm (http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/products/chromeilluminated.htm)  - And yes, they are illuminated. I have just connected them to a molex connector and took the power from my PSU to light them up.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 28th Feb)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 01, 2011, 02:14:22 pm
Control panel pretty much finished, all wired up and ready to go. Marquee in place too.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8369e.jpg)
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 1st March)
Post by: Termin8tor on March 01, 2011, 05:32:30 pm
Excellent work  :applaud:
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 1st March)
Post by: upprc04 on March 01, 2011, 05:52:29 pm
What did you use for the marquee retainers?  Did you print the artwork from one of the online vendors and have them send you retainers cut to size?
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 1st March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 02, 2011, 04:43:36 am
What did you use for the marquee retainers?  Did you print the artwork from one of the online vendors and have them send you retainers cut to size?

The retainers are just some strips of right-angle plastic that my dad had in his garage and I have trimmed to size and spray painted black. The marquee was printed by a colleague of mine that does his own printing at home and cost me nothing - it is only printed on paper (albeit good quality paper), but doesn't look too bad at all.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 1st March)
Post by: dextercf on March 02, 2011, 05:17:08 pm
 :applaud:
Nice work there Mr. Oliver!  ;D
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 1st March)
Post by: mgb on March 02, 2011, 06:50:35 pm
The project is very nicely done.
... although I do find the name a little depressing.  ::)
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 1st March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 03, 2011, 03:02:32 am
The project is very nicely done.
... although I do find the name a little depressing.  ::)

Nah, I'm used to seeing the 'Game Over' screens, so I can relate...   :laugh: :P
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 04, 2011, 07:57:20 pm
Woop! It's finally finished. Really chuffed with how it turned out. I have bough it home, and is in it's place. Both me and the missus have had a laugh on it, she loves it.

I will take some good final photos of it tomorrow, but in the mean time, here are some photos of putting the control panel wiring together and some of the inside. If you don't like messy wiring, look away now (ok, it isn't too bad, but could be worse).

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8379.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8380.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8381.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8384.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8385.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8387.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8390.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8393.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8395.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8398.jpg)

:D
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (Updated 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 05, 2011, 06:40:38 pm
Here is the final photos of it, completely built and ready to go. Dead chuffed with myself to be honest! :D

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8410.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8411.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8417.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8420.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8426.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8440.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8446.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/jamieoliver22/Arcade%20Machine/_MG_8437.jpg)

And the black box on the back panel is a 2-player SNES adapter which is great for playing some of the classic SNES games with the original controllers  8)

Here's to a start of more things to come!
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: mgb on March 05, 2011, 09:47:26 pm
Man it really cheeses me off everytime I see someone finish their project before me  :angry:

That really looks great. Job well done.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: SirStupidQuestion on March 07, 2011, 05:48:05 pm
Where did you get your marquee light? Are you happy with it? it looks very bright in the central part of your marquee (or is that just the pics?) I am debating to go with the light bulb style or the led's? Anyone have any thoughts for a bartop? happy with their marquee lights?
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 08, 2011, 03:07:46 am
Where did you get your marquee light? Are you happy with it? it looks very bright in the central part of your marquee (or is that just the pics?) I am debating to go with the light bulb style or the led's? Anyone have any thoughts for a bartop? happy with their marquee lights?

It looks brighter and more centralised on the photos. All it is, is a pair of white cold cathode strip lights (like the ones you find for modding PCs). Only a couple of quid off Ebay. Yeah, I'm pretty happy - it works quite well.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: sunnyp on March 09, 2011, 12:28:35 pm
Great job Oliver - the cab looks very impressive.  :applaud:

I'm in the process of planning my first MAME project (I too am based in the UK) and will most likely use the Weecade designs as my template.  I have a few questions for you:

1.) Your artwork for the marquee and control panel are impressive.  Did you design them yourself?  Where did you get the control panel printed?
2.) Which joystick/buttons/PC interface did you use?
3.) Did you use 12mm MDF for the case?
4.) What spec PC did you use?
5.) Do you find the cabinet a little cramped when playing with two players?  In my plans I would like each player to have 6 buttons and feel that a wider barcade unit may be required.

Apologies in advance for some of these noob questions!  :notworthy:
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 10, 2011, 11:49:52 am
Thank you!  :D

To answer your questions:


1.) Your artwork for the marquee and control panel are impressive.  Did you design them yourself?  Where did you get the control panel printed?
Yes, I designed them myself. They were printed by a friend of mine at work who prints his own stuff. It is only paper (but good quality)

2.) Which joystick/buttons/PC interface did you use?
They are only basic cheap buttons, and I bought them about 2 years ago (that's how long I had been meaning to start doing it!  ;)). I bought everything from Gremline Solutions, and they have a pack with everything in it. See here: http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/products/cabbuildno1.htm (http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/products/cabbuildno1.htm)  - so as you can see, I used the Mini-PAC interface.

3.) Did you use 12mm MDF for the case?
Yes I did.

4.) What spec PC did you use?
It was just an old PC that was lying around at work. It is a 3ghz Pentium D, 1gb RAM, 80gb HDD and just onboard sound and graphics. Seems to do the job pretty well.

5.) Do you find the cabinet a little cramped when playing with two players?  In my plans I would like each player to have 6 buttons and feel that a wider barcade unit may be required.
Not really. You do have to sit pretty close, but it's not uncomfortable in any way. But I will be mostly playing it mostly with my girlfriend anyway, and she doesn't mind being close.. :laugh:

Apologies in advance for some of these noob questions!  :notworthy:

Hope this helps. Give me a shout if you have any more questions.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: SirStupidQuestion on March 12, 2011, 10:57:18 pm
Looks amazing!  Did you use 1 molex connector to power both illuminated buttons? How exactly does that work with the led? Did you buy a molex adaptor?

Did you hot glue your joystick's to the cp? Looks like some kind of cement in the pictures what did you use?  Did you power your amp with your psu? Is it loud?
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 13, 2011, 05:52:46 am
Looks amazing!  Did you use 1 molex connector to power both illuminated buttons? How exactly does that work with the led? Did you buy a molex adaptor?

Did you hot glue your joystick's to the cp? Looks like some kind of cement in the pictures what did you use?  Did you power your amp with your psu? Is it loud?


Thanks!  :D

I used some old Molex cables lying around at work to make it - it has one molex connector that goes to the PSU, and then just connected the two LEDs to it in series.

The joysticks have a screw in either corner to hold it down, but I covered it in hot glue too, to make sure it stayed there.

The amp is powered from the IEC connector on top. Both the speaker amp and the monitor is connected to this connector. The PSU isn't used.
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: SirStupidQuestion on March 18, 2011, 01:19:24 pm
what version of operating system and MAME did you use due to the fact that your computer was older? how about emulators, can you list them?
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 19, 2011, 10:59:22 am
It has Windows XP SP3 and I am using MAME 0.141.

The emulators that I am using are:

NES - FCEUX (but sound isn't great, so might change it)
SNES - ZSNES
Sega MegaDrive/Genesis - Fusion
Gameboy Colour/Advanced - VisualBoyAdvance
Nintendo 64 - Project64
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: sunnyp on March 24, 2011, 06:16:26 am
How do you get the monitor to automatically power on/off?  ???
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: SirStupidQuestion on March 24, 2011, 03:27:21 pm
Did you find it easy to apply your adhesive cp artwork directly to the MDF? Many people have suggested priming and painting the mdf and then putting the artwork on? Did you have any issue with putting it directly onto the MDF? did you sand it, prep it at all?

Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: yuanyelss on March 25, 2011, 10:10:11 pm
Photo paper will work and look good, but if too thick will not bend very well. Local vendors will sign a self-adhesive vinyl print to, or I have been looking for gameongrafix.com, they seem pretty good, and even can be shipped to the UK...
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on March 26, 2011, 04:46:32 am
How do you get the monitor to automatically power on/off?  ???

The power for the monitor plugs into a seperate IEC connector, which is joined with the speakers too. So it just comes on when I plug it in. I have a Y-split IEC cable, which plugs into both the PC and monitor, so they both turn on when they're plugged in. http://www.jpleisure.co.uk/13amp-2Way-IEC.jpg (http://www.jpleisure.co.uk/13amp-2Way-IEC.jpg) - Hope this helps and makes sense.

Did you find it easy to apply your adhesive cp artwork directly to the MDF? Many people have suggested priming and painting the mdf and then putting the artwork on? Did you have any issue with putting it directly onto the MDF? did you sand it, prep it at all?

The paper wasn't self adesive, it was just normal high quality paper. It is stuck on with a combination of spray mount and double sticky tape (really strong stuff).
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: metalr on May 22, 2011, 04:03:13 am
hi jamie

I have just started to build a bartop based on yours and the weecade design. I really like your artwork did you do it yourself or get it custom made. Is there any chance that you could share it ? ;D
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: discobiscuits on June 05, 2013, 04:49:34 pm
Hi awesome build

do you have the .psd files for the control panel?

thanks
Title: Re: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March)
Post by: jamieoliver22 on July 25, 2013, 10:00:46 am
Sorry for bring up such an old thread.  ;)

The cab is still going strong! Only that the cathodes behind the marquee stopped working, and I have yet to replace them. It now resides in my conservatory, and everyone likes to have a go on it when they come around.

Sorry to those that have tried to get in touch with me in regards to artwork and the like and for not getting back to you, please see below.

Hi awesome build

do you have the .psd files for the control panel?

thanks

Hi - I based my design off the original Weecade plans/design, found here: http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/drawweecade.htm (http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/drawweecade.htm) - You should be able to import the PDF into photoshop and have a go at making your own. I don't want to supply PSD only on the basis that I like it to be unique, but feel free to get in touch if you need any help with it.

Here are some high resolution images of my artwork too, which you can use to help you towards designing your own:

http://yextreme.co.uk/arcade/GameOverArcade_marquee.tif (http://yextreme.co.uk/arcade/GameOverArcade_marquee.tif)
http://yextreme.co.uk/arcade/GameOverArcade_controlpanel_cropped.tif (http://yextreme.co.uk/arcade/GameOverArcade_controlpanel_cropped.tif)

Many thanks,
Jamie