Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: yo1dog on January 09, 2012, 06:34:37 am

Title: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 09, 2012, 06:34:37 am: So I ordered a bunch of arcade stuff for my project:

GGG:
HAPP Competition Arcade Joystick - Red
HAPP Competition Arcade Joystick - Blue
True4 - Pure 4-Way Arcade Joystick
Hand-Candy Joystick Ball Top - Green

6 x CLASSX True-Leaf Pro - Red
6 x CLASSX True-Leaf Pro - Blue
3 x CLASSX True-Leaf Pro - Green
3 x CLASSX Microswitch Standard Soft Touch - Black
2 x CLASSX Microswitch Standard Soft Touch - White
Player 1 Pushbutton
Player 2 Pushbutton

Female Quick Disconnects .187 - 100 Pack
Smooth Black 3/4-inch T-Molding - 20ft

Ultimarc:
I-PAC 4 Interface (USB)
U-TRAK Arcade Trackball. CueBall white with USB2 + cable

Happ
2 Coin Entry Door and Mini Door Assembly
45 Cal. Optical Gun - Red

Betsons
27" Makvision High Resolution Monitor VGA/SVGA

I was also able to snag an ActLabs VGA LightGun for $20.
I also got hooked up with a usb2gun and another Blue Happ LightGun. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Having almost no tools at my place I am planning on getting my wood pieces CNC routed.

Here are some crappy sketchup images:
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/Corner%20MAME/SKFront.png)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/Corner%20MAME/SKTop.png)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/Corner%20MAME/SKBottom.png)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/Corner%20MAME/Pieces.png)

I will get some real renders soon.

Will keep yall updated.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: Green Giant on January 09, 2012, 11:10:28 am: Congrats on taking the big plunge, although I feel bad for your bank account after all those orders.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: Newgeta on January 09, 2012, 11:43:49 am: And I thought I was setting a rather aggressive pace, I really dig the curves on the cabby.

Jig sawing those is going to be an exercise in patience (much more than I have)! :applaud:
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: billpa on January 10, 2012, 09:22:16 am: Your sketchup skills are way better than mine! The only thing with your design is it looks like it might tip over.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 10, 2012, 10:51:58 am: Quote from: Newgeta on January 09, 2012, 11:43:49 am
And I thought I was setting a rather aggressive pace, I really dig the curves on the cabby.

Hardly, I have been lurking for years!

Quote from: billpa on January 10, 2012, 09:22:16 am
Your sketchup skills are way better than mine! The only thing with your design is it looks like it might tip over.

Nah, look at how the size of the base (second 4x8, top left) compared to the side.

Edit:
Here is an image from the side. You guys think that will be stable?
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/CornerCade4player_Rounded2b.png)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: GregD on January 10, 2012, 11:56:28 am: I think it will be plenty stable. It will have an LCD so it won't be heavier up top. The stability issues for the thinner cabinets has been refuted over and over again. Thinner cabinets than yours have been reported to be plenty stable.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 10, 2012, 11:58:05 am: It's a CRT, not LCD, but thanks :)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: Nephasth on January 10, 2012, 12:06:56 pm: What are your plans for finishing the edges of the stacked pieces of the base of the CP?
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 10, 2012, 12:15:45 pm: Not sure, but I want it to be a dull, dark black. Got any suggestions?
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: Nephasth on January 10, 2012, 12:19:19 pm: Laminate maybe? Or bondo it smooth and either paint it or put some vinyl over it?
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 10, 2012, 12:41:03 pm: Whatever I do to the control panel base I will also be doing to the entire front, so I am probably going with paint, though, I am no good at it :(. I'll get my mother to help, she is really good at that kind of thing.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: billpa on January 10, 2012, 07:39:01 pm: Quote from: yo1dog on January 10, 2012, 10:51:58 am

Nah, look at how the size of the base (second 4x8, top left) compared to the side.

My bad....looking at your cuts and the original renders, it looked a lot smaller.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 12, 2012, 11:25:57 am: So my Happ order came in today. I could take some pictures but I think these will do just fine:

(http://na.suzohapp.com/images/40/40051300.jpg) (http://na.suzohapp.com/images/90/96230010.jpg)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on January 12, 2012, 05:51:35 pm: Yo, dog! (my best randy jackson impression (sorry))
It's a very original design and I like the style. I would consider tightening up the width of the control panel some, it appears to put p1 and p2 far out to the side and it seems like there's room.

Looking forward to the build. Did you ever do anything with that corner machine?
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 12, 2012, 06:27:15 pm: wat it do g

Looking at that now I think you might be right. I am worried about crowding the trackball. When my parts arrive on Sunday I will make a mock control panel and test it out. I think I might also try Knievel's layout. People seem to like it.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 13, 2012, 03:00:43 pm: Ultimarc order came in yesterday:
(http://www.ultimarc.com/images/tb01.jpg)
(http://www.ultimarc.com/images/ipac4top.jpg)

Picked up my Makvision 27" high-res CRT (http://na.suzohapp.com/monitors/49271700.htm) today on my way to work today (Betsons has a distributor literally 5 minutes from where I work!):
(http://na.suzohapp.com/images/40/49271700_sv.jpg)

ActLabs arrived today:
(http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/photos/lightguns/actlabs1.jpg)

Tracking numbers show that my usb2gun should arrive tomorrow along with my GGG order, then I will be all set!

Will post real pictures when I get home.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 17, 2012, 12:11:33 pm: I am thoroughly disappointed in my GGG "True4™ - Pure 4-Way Arcade Joystick". The throw is much to large to be usable on games like Galaga or Ms. Pacman (the two games I tested it with) and the spring centering offers very little resistance or return strength. I am considering going with Happ's "Replacement Joystick for MS Pac-Man/ GALAGA" as a replacement.

I was also disappointed in GGG's "True-Leaf Pro" switches. Some buttons are extremely sensitive, like barely touch them sensitive, and they offer almost no resistance or "springyness" which makes button smashing difficult. These may just be the properties of leaf switches. Either way, I don't like them at all.

If anyone wants to buy my barely used pushbuttons and True4 joystick send me a PM.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on January 17, 2012, 07:04:58 pm: funny, i recently switched from the happ gal/pac to the trueleaf four for the opposite reasoning. I cut half the spring off the ms pac and it was still like rowing a boat - way too much spring. If you don't like the trueleaf throw the ms pac isnt much less.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 17, 2012, 09:07:14 pm: Not the TrueLeaf, the True4. When the TrueLeaf comes back in stock I will give it a try. Leaf switches sound good for joysticks.

I like being able to stop applying pressure and the joystick immediately centers, I don't want to have to bring the joystick back to the center.

Just my opinion :).

If you still have your galaga/pacman joystick I'll be willing to buy/trade.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on January 18, 2012, 08:21:04 am: I shortened the spring on the ms pac so it's damaged goods. I really like the matte finish ball on that one, the true leaf has a smooth ball with a seam and a dimple on top.

You will find that the true leaf four way does not have a ton of centering force. I'd say if you let go it will center immediately, but it will never push your hand towards the center like the ms pac. the spring is very small and short on the trueleaf, which means it's likely it could be replaced with an off the shelf spring for more centering.

centering force:

happ ms pac > original rubber grommet stick > trueleaf. My grail would be the trueleaf with a 20% stiffer return spring and the matte balltop from the ms pac.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: Nephasth on January 18, 2012, 11:01:34 pm: My recommendation, if you're not anal about authenticity, for a 4-way joystick would be a JLW with a stiffer spring installed (spring available from Ultimarc), and a ball top. Probably throw you somewhere in the $25 range (if you go with a "fancy" ball top) before shipping is figured in.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 19, 2012, 10:27:55 am: Already ordered Happ's Ms Pacman but if that doesn't work out I will give the JLW a try.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 22, 2012, 09:41:29 pm: When I first decided that I wanted to build a MAME machine if someone where to tell me that I wouldn't make any sawdust for 3 years I would probably said something like "Bull $&@#! I am starting this weekend!".

3 years latter:
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/326174_10151203213390445_672365444_22778762_449591736_o.jpg)
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/339572_10151203217555445_672365444_22778785_2064197194_o.jpg)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on January 23, 2012, 08:49:47 am: TJC says:
A journey of 1000 quarters begins with a single chop saw stroke.

I just made that up, just now. ???
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: nordemoniac on January 25, 2012, 06:02:24 am: Quote from: yo1dog on January 12, 2012, 11:25:57 am
I could take some pictures but I think these will do just fine:

(http://na.suzohapp.com/images/40/40051300.jpg) (http://na.suzohapp.com/images/90/96230010.jpg)

Not good enough, I want details, DETAILS I SAY! :angry:

;D
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: nordemoniac on January 25, 2012, 07:04:13 am: Quote from: yo1dog on January 22, 2012, 09:41:29 pm
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/339572_10151203217555445_672365444_22778785_2064197194_o.jpg)
How did you put these together?
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 25, 2012, 12:49:40 pm: Quote from: nordemoniac on January 25, 2012, 07:04:13 am
How did you put these together?
Wood glue. Put a board between the ends and used a cable to hold them together.

Quote from: nordemoniac on January 25, 2012, 06:02:24 am

Not good enough, I want details, DETAILS I SAY! :angry:

;D
Well fine then! I'll take some pictures when I get home, if work will ever let me go home that is!
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on January 25, 2012, 02:05:06 pm: I see a nice rosewood try square and a Starrett tape measure in that last pic. Someone knows their woodworking tools.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 25, 2012, 02:08:01 pm: That would be my Dad. I will let him know that you approve :P
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: wp34 on January 25, 2012, 02:37:46 pm: Looking good. You are off to a great start. :cheers:

Quote from: yo1dog on January 22, 2012, 09:41:29 pm
When I first decided that I wanted to build a MAME machine if someone where to tell me that I wouldn't make any sawdust for 3 years I would probably said something like "Bull $&@#! I am starting this weekend!".

Yeah I know that feeling.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: nordemoniac on January 26, 2012, 06:23:58 am: Quote from: yo1dog on January 25, 2012, 12:49:40 pm
Well fine then! I'll take some pictures when I get home, if work will ever let me go home that is!
Wohoo! :cheers:
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on January 26, 2012, 06:53:21 am: Jokes on me, still at work! Its been a 20 hour day!
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on February 01, 2012, 07:02:05 pm: Got a little more done on the cab.

Got the angled front all glued, clamped, and roped up.
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/Arcade%20Build/IMG_0048.jpg)

The result
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/Arcade%20Build/IMG_0050.jpg)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: nordemoniac on February 02, 2012, 05:50:00 am: I like the way you tightened them while drying. I would've never thought of that! :duckhunt
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on February 02, 2012, 05:51:49 pm: Quote from: nordemoniac on February 02, 2012, 05:50:00 am
I like the way you tightened them while drying. I would've never thought of that! :duckhunt

Thanks, I saw it somewhere on these forums.

Some new progress...

Angled front:
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/IMG_0053.jpg)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/IMG_0056.jpg)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/IMG_0058.jpg)

Control Panel Support:
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj216/yo1dog/IMG_0061.jpg)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: wol-nz on February 02, 2012, 05:59:31 pm: love the shape - looks stunning. Will just wood glue be sufficient for holding the framing together (i suppose the shell will add more stability) :dunno
Post plenty of pics as i'd love to see how this comes together. :cheers:
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on February 02, 2012, 06:08:05 pm: Quote from: WoLLiEnZ on February 02, 2012, 05:59:31 pm
Will just wood glue be sufficient for holding the framing together

Yes, wood glue is extremely strong due to the very porous nature of the wood. You could glue two 2x4's end to end and jump on them and they will not break. They are like one piece of wood.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: Green Giant on February 02, 2012, 06:39:16 pm: Quote from: yo1dog on February 02, 2012, 06:08:05 pm
Quote from: WoLLiEnZ on February 02, 2012, 05:59:31 pm
Will just wood glue be sufficient for holding the framing together

Yes, wood glue is extremely strong due to the very porous nature of the wood. You could glue two 2x4's end to end and jump on them and they will not break. They are like one piece of wood.
I could break them by jumping on them.

Maybe a small fry like yourself couldn't pull it off.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on February 02, 2012, 10:39:41 pm: Well you are a giant after all! :lol

I may have been over-exaggerating but the point is it is plenty strong.
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: yo1dog on March 05, 2012, 01:38:35 pm: Got a little behind on posting my updates so prepare yourselves for a long one.

Starting on the control panel support:

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/402304_10151249858350445_672365444_22927022_742954980_n.jpg)

(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424539_10151261727635445_672365444_22965964_1116979809_n.jpg)

Control panel base:

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/398765_10151280740310445_672365444_23021211_1698612273_n.jpg)

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/395203_10151280744560445_672365444_23021218_875951482_n.jpg)

(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/432082_10151280748645445_672365444_23021222_972102790_n.jpg)

(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/403163_10151283197485445_672365444_23026209_336664233_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/424439_10151283196940445_1320456572_n.jpg)

(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/429918_10151283196660445_672365444_23026206_1132570834_n.jpg)

Control panel:

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404961_10151288323155445_672365444_23042458_310428112_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/420184_10151288327395445_672365444_23042472_2037967392_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/419573_10151288329880445_672365444_23042489_1022327481_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/432035_10151288336335445_672365444_23042526_2146905963_n.jpg)

(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/401257_10151301111625445_672365444_23085288_624515198_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/421801_10151301116825445_672365444_23085298_1621629483_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419886_10151301124595445_672365444_23085311_550340037_n.jpg)

Joystick mounting:

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/421172_10151301130200445_672365444_23085319_147669078_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/424604_10151301134360445_672365444_23085328_1946750713_n.jpg)

(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/419160_10151309326585445_672365444_23107991_1498102801_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/405778_10151309328675445_672365444_23108006_154295376_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426641_10151309329930445_672365444_23108008_362872012_n.jpg)

Control panel support curved front first attempt:

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402447_10151350715510445_672365444_23249981_288083287_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/408945_10151350713815445_672365444_23249970_360667030_n.jpg)

(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424343_10151350715760445_672365444_23249984_187524581_n.jpg)

Second attempt:

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/421942_10151350714680445_672365444_23249974_1099389629_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/423056_10151350714215445_672365444_23249973_2023980713_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/422102_10151350713310445_672365444_23249966_1579580908_n.jpg)

(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/402380_10151350713605445_672365444_23249969_2136486142_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/430090_10151351590080445_672365444_23253854_1657064887_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419344_10151375143700445_672365444_23341107_1045849753_n.jpg)

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/420881_10151375143995445_672365444_23341109_417881442_n.jpg)

Sides:

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/417342_10151375144310445_672365444_23341113_636244946_n.jpg)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: DCsegaDH on March 05, 2012, 02:02:16 pm: Nice progress, looks super strong 8)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: bigmatty77 on March 05, 2012, 02:25:14 pm: This looks like its going to be one sturdy construction, excellent work so far but whats with the button layout? why only 2 on the top row?
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: racecar on March 12, 2012, 09:19:14 pm: Quote from: bigmatty77 on March 05, 2012, 02:25:14 pm
This looks like its going to be one sturdy construction, excellent work so far but whats with the button layout? why only 2 on the top row?

Really nice. I was wondering this also? How can you play any 6 button CPS 2 fighting game?
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: alfonzotan on March 13, 2012, 08:31:04 am: Quote from: yo1dog on January 10, 2012, 12:15:45 pm
Not sure, but I want it to be a dull, dark black. Got any suggestions?

I don't know how well standard cabinet laminate (aka WilsonArt) would do with all those curves... maybe just fine, but that stuff is pretty stiff and might be a pain to wrap around (it's painless on flat surfaces like cabinet sides, though). You might try HDPE materiel from Grainger, that's what I used for the face of my control panel. Has a lot more "give," a nice surface, and it's cheap:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Sheet-Stock-1ZAZ8 (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Sheet-Stock-1ZAZ8)
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: Uncle Monkey on March 13, 2012, 09:08:13 am: cool project, it's looking quite nice. My $.02....add one more button to the top row on your P1 and P2 areas, unless you never want to play any street fighter games..... :dizzy: :dunno Either way, it's on my watch list and it'll be great I think :cheers:
Title: Re: First Upright
Post by: kahlid74 on March 13, 2012, 09:42:13 am: I love the wood working and support system. I'm not super sold on the CP but to each their own! Keep up the good work!