Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Savannan on December 13, 2012, 01:46:38 pm

Title: Questions about building Virtual Pinball Cabinet
Post by: Savannan on December 13, 2012, 01:46:38 pm
Hello All,

Every other winter I like to take on a project to cure my Cabin Fever blues(besides Snowbaording)... 2 years ago I purchased a MAMEROOM UAII cabinet (which I play at least 3x a week...LOVE IT), Last year or so ago I made a Multi-MORTAL KOMBAT Arcade Cabinet

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121304.msg1286764.html#msg1286764 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121304.msg1286764.html#msg1286764)

Didn't want to sell it but I needed money for my pooches chemotherapy treatments. 

But this winter I would like to start building a Virtual Pinball Machine.   I was opting to buy a kit, but the price is pretty expensive.  I'm good at wood working and thought I would build a cabinet from scratch instead of buying a pre-fab kit. When I build something, Im VERY VERY VERY matriculate(not anal) in presentation inside and out. 

Just have a few questions that hopefully someone could answer for me. 

1)  I was thinking of making a cabinet out of 3/4" oak 4x8 plywood (I believe its laminate..***don't quote me***).  I would try to stay away from chrome metal parts but use black instead...I wouldn't use metal legs but some fancy wooden ones...Do you guys think a pinball machine made like this would look good or decent?  or should I just paint everything black like all the others?

2) Any plans out on the net for a wide body pinball cab? 

3) If you look at this youtube video : 32/19/42 Virtual Pinball Hyperpin Cabinet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAxeYPCR_FE#)
He mentions that he uses a 19" LCD for the score area.  It looks hes only using the upper half of the monitor.. Is this correct?

4) The lauch ball plunger :  In the video he uses a push button to launch the ball.  Is there a plunger that looks like the real thing but actually has a potentiometer so the further you hold back, the faster the ball launches like in a real machine.

Any help would be very appreciative

Thank You

Sav
Title: Re: Questions about building Virtual Pinball Cabinet
Post by: spoot on December 13, 2012, 02:23:13 pm
Nanotech sells a digital plunger and motion sensors for doing virtual pinball.
Title: Re: Questions about building Virtual Pinball Cabinet
Post by: PL1 on December 13, 2012, 08:28:42 pm
I'm good at wood working and thought I would build a cabinet from scratch instead of buying a pre-fab kit. When I build something, Im VERY VERY VERY matriculate(not anal) in presentation inside and out. 

In that case, be sure to matriculate at the VP Forums (http://www.vpforums.org/) to assist with your meticulous preparations.   ;D

1)  I was thinking of making a cabinet out of 3/4" oak 4x8 plywood (I believe its laminate..***don't quote me***).  I would try to stay away from chrome metal parts but use black instead...I wouldn't use metal legs but some fancy wooden ones...Do you guys think a pinball machine made like this would look good or decent?  or should I just paint everything black like all the others?

I like the idea of a wood pattern cab with black trim.

2) Any plans out on the net for a wide body pinball cab? 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,84133.msg1090265.html#msg1090265 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,84133.msg1090265.html#msg1090265)

He mentions that he uses a 19" LCD for the score area.  It looks hes only using the upper half of the monitor.. Is this correct?

Looks like you are correct.

4) The lauch ball plunger :  In the video he uses a push button to launch the ball.  Is there a plunger that looks like the real thing but actually has a potentiometer so the further you hold back, the faster the ball launches like in a real machine.

Ah, the age old question of plunger vs ball launch button.

Nanotech plunger - Available here (http://www.ntekgaming.com/mot-ionkit.php) or here (http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=39).
Good news: Designed to work perfectly with all FP tables and many VP tables.

Bad news: Some people over at VPForums have had problems with getting the nudge accelerometers properly calibrated for their cab.

Some tables like T2 used a trigger to time the skill shot, not sure how well that would work with the plunger.

Launch Button -
Good news: Works with all tables.

Bad news: Pull strength depends on timing.

Another option is to have both like the link in my sig.


Scott
Title: Re: Questions about building Virtual Pinball Cabinet
Post by: Savannan on December 14, 2012, 01:51:49 pm
Thanks for your help guys...I know where to start....

but

Im guessing that link above is for a widebody plans..but the link doesnt work.

Thanks again guys!!!

Sav

Title: Re: Questions about building Virtual Pinball Cabinet
Post by: yotsuya on December 14, 2012, 02:07:54 pm
I'd stick with metal legs, personally. Anything else would probably just look odd.
Title: Re: Questions about building Virtual Pinball Cabinet
Post by: PL1 on December 15, 2012, 05:09:29 am
Im guessing that link above is for a widebody plans..but the link doesnt work.

PDF for the widebody is at http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=84133.0;attach=186655 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=84133.0;attach=186655).


Scott