Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Mister Hat on May 20, 2012, 09:16:48 pm

Title: My Second Cabinet
Post by: Mister Hat on May 20, 2012, 09:16:48 pm
I decided for my second project to build a full-size cabinet! I want to plan a bit more on this one and accept some more input. I've already bought a lot of what I need (thanks GroovyGameGear (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/) :)) and plan to being shortly. I'm aiming for a more traditional build (besides the monitor) for two players. Here's some of the stuff I've got already:

(http://i.imgur.com/PBFXn.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/PBFXn.jpg)

I saw a lot of other people using smart bars in their projects and I really liked the idea. For a while I couldn't find any cheap "smart bars" (under $60) but Newegg had a good deal for ~$25. Now I don't have to worry about unplugging it like I would with a normal surge protector.

I also got a pretty good deal on the coin door and electronic mech which you can see in the top right above the monitor. It works quite well and is able to accept different coins without changing anything. It was also in good condition so I don't have to worry about painting anything.

I also found those speakers with amplifier for about $15 and it sounds amazing for what I paid for. The speakers come with the grills and templates so it's less to worry about.

Everything else is pretty self-explanatory but if you have any questions or suggestions please comment.
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: DaOld Man on May 20, 2012, 10:02:26 pm
Looks like youre off to a good start.
Goodluck with your project!
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: yotsuya on May 21, 2012, 02:19:16 am
Good for you, building a full-size!
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: kahlid74 on May 21, 2012, 10:08:23 am
You can get Smartbars on Ebay brand new for sub $20 so keep that in mind in the future.

Good luck on the full build.  The best advice I can give is to do what the pros do when it comes to cutting.  Cut close to the line and then use a router to cut ON the line.  Clamp pieces that are similar in size together for matching sizes.
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 21, 2012, 10:13:07 am
Quote from: kahlid74 on May 21, 2012, 10:08:23 am
You can get Smartbars on Ebay brand new for sub $20 so keep that in mind in the future.

Smart strip?  Linky?  I currently need one for my cab.
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: Mister Hat on May 21, 2012, 05:27:18 pm
Quote from: kahlid74 on May 21, 2012, 10:08:23 am
You can get Smartbars on Ebay brand new for sub $20 so keep that in mind in the future.
I've search eBay far and wide and have found nothing under $30 (including shipping). If you've found one for a good price, please post the link here. Thanks for the tips as well :)

By the way, I ordered this one (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812820003&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Surge+Suppressors-_-NuGiant-_-12820003). It's got a long wire, good colour and enough sockets.
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: lcmgadgets on May 21, 2012, 06:14:11 pm
Congrats! Good luck! Keep up the posts.

...& thanks for the link to the smart bar. Now I know what that is.  :-[
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: 05SRT4 on May 21, 2012, 07:13:58 pm
Are you going to use Cabinet plans or draw some up on your own??
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: Mister Hat on May 22, 2012, 12:53:15 am
Quote from: 05SRT4 on May 21, 2012, 07:13:58 pm
Are you going to use Cabinet plans or draw some up on your own??
I've already got the plans done. I just finished drawing it up on the wood itself and it looks decent. Will post pictures soon!
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: Mister Hat on May 26, 2012, 06:42:08 pm
Here's the creative solution I'm using for power. I found a power supply used in the slim Dell desktops (12v 18A) and the motherboard to match. I removed the socket from the motherboard and soldered it to a terminal strip. This way, I can easily replace the power supply with a matching one if needed. I'll power my speakers, lights and coin mech with this. Nothing fancy but I thought I'd post it.

(http://i.imgur.com/wW3cV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sDpRy.jpg)

My computer components have also arrived from newegg. Here's what I bought:
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: Mister Hat on November 29, 2012, 05:26:45 pm
Well it's been a while but I've been progressing well with it.

I'm using this to keep the monitor in place:
(http://i.imgur.com/RE8WY.jpg)

Here's a progress shot before the top was added:
(http://i.imgur.com/4Ekxp.jpg)

And here's where we are now:
(http://i.imgur.com/tu2NT.jpg)

The two holes in the front are for USB plugs and the side ones are for pinball triggers. You don't notice the control panel board in the second picture since it's removable and I need to apply the graphics to it still. The back is going to be using two pieces of pegboard similar to my last machine.
Still a lot to work out but I have all of the supplies so it's just a matter of time. The blue t-moulding is coming next!

EDIT: Here are the control panel and marquee graphics I bought:
(http://i.imgur.com/Ih5kr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fUtTp.jpg)
Title: My Second Cabinet
Post by: dextercf on November 29, 2012, 05:37:27 pm
Needs larger screen, i might say..
All Else looks Nice! 😃
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: Mister Hat on December 02, 2012, 02:56:00 am
(http://i.imgur.com/w8zZW.jpg)
T-moulding looks great!
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: PL1 on December 02, 2012, 12:53:03 pm
The T-molding does indeed look great, but I just noticed the holes on the side of your CP.

Are those for pinball flippers?

Looks like you'd have to either crank your wrists sharply downward or bring your shoulders so far forward that they'd be directly over the flipper buttons which would put your head really close to the monitor.

You might want to consider putting your flipper buttons about where F1 is below so you can rest your thumbs along the t-molding and still easily reach the flippers.
(Cardboard box test highly recommended.)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=121326.0;attach=187132;image)

If you'd like to re-purpose the holes you currently have, you could use Neutrik USB feedthrus (http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Neutrik/NAUSB-W-B/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvlX3nhDDO4AAAyPhn63iJu5bzja4NMDXM%3d) to allow players 3 and 4 to plug in gamepads.  Since normal 1-1/8" holes are larger than the feedthrus need, you can add the associated waterproof gasket in blue (http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Neutrik/SCDP-6/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuDGvNOpmBhkTtvWXs7U%2fy6) or black (http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Neutrik/SCDP-0/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuDGvNOpmBhkTxDM%252bYZVvPk) to cover the gap. (1.34" W)

(http://media.djmania.es/images/extra/Neutrik_na-usb-b.jpg) (http://www.canford.co.uk/images/itemimages/large/40-766_01.jpg)  (http://www.canford.co.uk/images/itemimages/200/40-760_01.jpg)


Scott
Title: Re: My Second Cabinet
Post by: Mister Hat on December 02, 2012, 03:50:25 pm
Yeah those are pinball flippers. For me, they're in a really comfortable position. I don't feel the need to crank my hands downwards and my shoulders aren't over them when using from the front. I'm not going to be playing it extremely often though so it's not a huge deal if they aren't in the perfect position.

But thanks for the advice. I did use those USB slots in the front and they look/work great!