Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Nephasth on March 27, 2013, 01:16:54 pm
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(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286697)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286699)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286701)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286703)
Made this little CP in order to be able to play MAME with some half way decent controls with an external hard drive I've got set up (at places other than my house).
I'd like to thank Vigo, yotsuya, and jmike for their knowing and unknowing contributions to this little project.
Random build stuff below.
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I've had a crummy POS testing CP for a while (so crappy it hasn't been used in a long time), I've also had a ZD encoder laying around. Two great reasons to make something new. Nearly all the parts used to build the ZD Invader were spares/scrap from other projects, or free from other sources. The only parts I spent money on for this project were the ZD encoder, angle brackets, spring nuts, t-nuts, and a few wood screws. I've got less than $25 into this. There's no need to go into a ton of detail on a little project like this, and I didn't bother taking a ton of pictures either. But I do have some build pics I'll share...
All of the cuts on this (with the exception of the holes) were made with a router. Here's the beginning of the box and CP top laid out next to the old testing CP. Glue's drying on the box seams. The 1/2" MDF was all scrap from the doll house (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,129273.0.html) I built for my daughter for Christmas.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286511)
Rounded the corners of the CP with a 1/2" round over bit. Then flush trimmed the plexi. The plexi was scrap from replacing the plexi on my old Star Explorer (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128688.0.html) pin.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286513)
Busted out the slot cutter bit I've had for over a year and never used until now.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286515)
Was persuaded into adding art to the CP. ;)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286525)
Drilled the CP and plexi together.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286517)
Glued to CP top to the box. Took a note from PL1 and used spring nuts and angle brackets to secure the bottom.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286519)
I took the joystick and buttons from the old crummy testing CP (the buttons were originally scraps from making the buttons on the Beast, and the Wico joystick was out of a free gutted cab I got two and half years ago), and the two small buttons were leftovers from the Troubleshooter Supergun. If any of you can recall my MK TE Fightstick LED mod (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,113154.0.html)... I decided to go with LED buttons on the ZD Invader too. That required a little modification to the buttons, as well as blacking out the center with some spare vinyl I had.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286521)
Wait! LEDs?! Where to get the power from? The ZD, of course!
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286523)
Used Forstner bits for the leveling feet and screw head recesses.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286527)
This all happened pretty fast. Painted it inside and out semi gloss black. Installed the CPO yotsuya printed for me (thanks dude! :cheers:). Installed the plexi and buttons. And installed some black t-molding I got from jmike that was originally intended for keithpuetz's CP (thanks jmike! :cheers:).
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286503)
I decided to add leveling feet to this to enable whoever is playing it to adjust the angle of the CP. Got these puppies for free (samples) from Alliance Express.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286529)
Mounted the ZD and did a quick and dirty wiring job on the LEDs.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286607)
I wired up my own "12V LEDs", but they run on 5V and are still plenty bright. LEDs on with flash.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286609)
No flash, dim light.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286611)
Wired up the controls. This ZD was from the first batch and had the shorter wires. The joystick wires wouldn't quite reach the furthest switch terminals, so I threw a Molex connecter in the mix. This will make it quick and easy to swap out the joystick. I might throw a JLW with a balltop into this someday, not really a fan of bat tops.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286685)
And the bottom all closed up.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286707)
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:applaud:
Looks interesting. Where's the rest of it? ;)
:cheers:
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(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=286503)
More to follow...
I want to see more of the coffee table, but that arcade thing is in the way. >:D
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wireless too!!! ;D
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wireless too!!! ;D
Either that, or he is waiting on the encoder I promised him 2 weeks ago....
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wireless too!!! ;D
Either that, or he is waiting on the encoder I promised him 2 weeks ago....
Neither. ;)
I finally got around to making something to use one of those ZDs I bought from you over a year ago. ;D
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Sweet! :cheers: I look forward to seeing the rest. I'm liking the art. It's got kinda a spooky x files vibe.
Oh, and I promise to get back soon about if I have enough spare parts to get you another encoder. Just been very sidetracked and haven't dug into that yet.
But now that I know I have a about year before you will need it, I guess I could just take my time. :P
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No worries man! Like I said, I'm in no rush. ;)
Updated the second post with some boring build stuff...
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Added some LED pics to the second post.
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Nice job! Can you go into more detail on the LED mod? Which is + & which is -?
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Nice job! Can you go into more detail on the LED mod? Which is + & which is -?
Thanks! One nice thing about the ZD is that it is labelled pretty nice (back or front). I tapped into 2 of the USB header pins. Got the "-" from the GND pin and the "+" from the VDD (positive supply voltage, 5V in this case) pin.
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Nice job! Can you go into more detail on the LED mod? Which is + & which is -?
Thanks! One nice thing about the ZD is that it is labelled pretty nice (back or front). I tapped into 2 of the USB header pins. Got the "-" from the GND pin and the "+" from the VDD (positive supply voltage, 5V in this case) pin.
Sweet! That's pretty easy to follow!
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Added control wiring and bottom panel pics to the second post. Also modified the first post to include final pics. All done with this. It turned out looking so good, I almost don't want to play with it... But I'll have it beat up before I know it. :cheers:
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:applaud: Looks good, Neph! Very professional looking build. I'm a perfectionist over feet, so I am drooling over those leveling rubber feet you used. Very cool feature.
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I never did post a pic of this with a JLW installed in this thread...
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That looks great!!
Just found 2 of those ZD encoders the other day, guess I saved them for a rainy day ;)
Well done Nep.
:cheers:
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But now that I know I have a about year before you will need it, I guess I could just take my time. :P
Good thing I haven't been holding my breath... >:D
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Oops.... :laugh2:
I should have an encoder for ya, but I don't know if I have .25 QD's, I have lots of .187's. I'll dig through my stuff today and let you know.
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Totally forgot all about it until I dug this thread up today. :lol
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I gotta dig this thing out of the closet. Time to put some miles on her.