The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S on July 29, 2014, 05:15:36 pm
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QFXQfvn.jpg)
Greetings all! A while back I tried to make a consolized MVS in the shape of an ammo box from Metal Slug but unfortunately it broke after a fall. I was a bit deterred truly, but I persisted and tried and tried again. During one of my retries, I found an arcade board for an extremely reasonable price and purchased it. This made me rethink my project from something tied to a Neo Geo to a set up to one that could use a lot of different boards. Since I had a lot of the internal parts already, I only needed to purchase a few new parts.
(http://i.imgur.com/GtIzORq.jpg)
The whole supergun is made from plywood, walnut and acrylic. To get the unique look of all the ply layers, I needed to make an original layer and then sandwich other ones on to build thickness. Each time I used a router to cut them flush to each other. There's nine layers of 1/2'' ( 12mm ) Baltic birch plywood. Baltic birch is a bit of a specialty plywood since it's made of tight hardwood layers with little to no voids internally and come in 5' by 5' sheets. Since the box is small, it really goes a long way. The wire grommet is self made as well on a wood lathe and was my first try at making something so small and with something with small walls too at nearly 1/8'' (3mm)
(http://i.imgur.com/X8xTvFX.jpg)
A lot of people who design electronics say make something you can take apart, and I followed that advice to a T. Both walnut faces are attached by a friction fit dowel. The back one has a board attached to it so I can mount all the electronic boards, for extra security I put threaded inserts in that and it screws in place from the bottom.
(http://i.imgur.com/JLtscfe.jpg)
I had issues with using the DB-15 connectors that were shown in the last project and getting them to fit nicely. My solution to that was to use a larger connector that looks similar to the ones seen on a NES once done. I'll still wire them to be compatible with a Neo Geo controller though, and merely make an adapter for it to work.
(http://i.imgur.com/z4eRsr0.jpg)
Finally the controller. Its made from walnut and plywood just like the supergun so it can match. I used a Semitsu joystick and Sanwa buttons so I could make the controller thin as possible.
-
Kudos to you and your beautiful woodwork. I love how you let the ply layers show and be a design element. Well done!
-
That's was something else!! :notworthy:
And you also gave me an idea for my next project! :applaud:
-
Lovely woodwork! :cheers:
-
I was trying to get some baltic birch ply recently and failed. It looks really good, I would never have thought to make the main box out of ply in that way!
-
nice plywood usage and cool design. :applaud:
-
Nice woodworking. :applaud: :applaud:
-
Greetings all! A while back I tried to make a consolized MVS in the shape of an ammo box from Metal Slug but unfortunately it broke after a fall.
I remember that project (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,129674.msg1326619.html), in fact I was wondering what had happened to it. I'm sorry to hear it broke. :'(
This new project looks really nice, it's a good idea to show off the layers of the plywood and make it part of the design.
-
Now these things are something different ... and beautiful!
-
(http://i.imgur.com/OGYCHOA.jpg)
The main body is 100% done! The wire wrap really gives it a finished look. If I were to make another, I'd make the harness a bit longer though. I've also found an odd issue with some boards. Some while used on composite only display in black and white. I have a sync cleaner properly wired in too so I could prevent some of this. Its not too much of an issue since I'm using LCD screens and I'm sure a CRT will be more tolerant.
(http://i.imgur.com/V4HxENT.jpg)
The controller is finished, and I really like how it turned out personally. I may want to make a few more for myself or for sale using the Cthulu board so it works on a range of consoles
(http://i.imgur.com/ZZK6aIz.jpg)
Everything working together. Mr.Driller G is a great game with friends! I have a few other boards now since making this. Though there is one unfortunate thing I've realized. Vertical oriented games like Twinbee and 1943 are very awkward to play. My other project though will solve this and give me some experience in arcade making too!
-
Holy buckets that is cute!
What a neat thing!