Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: drewskee80 on August 23, 2018, 09:51:12 am
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Hello, I'm new here, and just purchased my first arcade cab from a local dealer for $150 which I'm going to turn into a Mame machine. I'm completely fine on the software side, however, a complete newb on the hardware side. I'm looking for a template/blueprints for the
aircraft carrier Space Paranoids style control panel. (ChanceKJ/Jarrett both have used this in there cabs). I hope this isn't a redundant post, but I've looked long and hard for something with actual dimensions. It'd be even better if there was blueprints/template of the box underneath the control panel as well. Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! I'm open to suggestions for other 4 player panels as well, however, I want it to be as slim as possible. Thanks guys, I'm really excited to get started on this adventure!
Here's some examples of which I'm in need of the blueprints or templates:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0)
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=135116.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=135116.0)
Update 09/30/2018:
I got it done, thanks for the help! This is not my normal kind of project so it was quite the learning experience! Anyways I'm really proud of it, hope you guys like it! It's a core i5 PC w/ 16GB ram, and a 27" monitor running launchbox/Bigbox and has a full .200 Mame romset. One of the coolest features is that I have a joystick that automatically switches between 4 way/8 way depending on the game you play (Ultimarc Servostick). I love Ms Pacman and this is a must have feature! The nostalgia is off the charts! The nostalgia is off the charts!
A big thanks to Jarrett as I used his template as a starting point for all of this!
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0)
See more pics here:
https://imgur.com/a/xADhsTi (https://imgur.com/a/xADhsTi)
Things I learned along the way:
1. I ordered all my parts from Ultimarc.com and was very happy with it all. Easy to configure and everything made sense.
2. USE LEXAN, not plexi. Lexan is SO much easier to work with than Plexiglass. I got both. Plexiglass cracked on me, Lexan seemed unbreakable.
2a. You do not need to screw down the Lexan/Plexiglass to the control panel. The buttons will hold it down and in place.
3. I cut all the holes with a cordless drill and hole saw bits....including the big 3+ inch hole of the trackball.
4. Launchbox/Bigbox is an awesome frontend. So easy to setup and looks great too!
5. RGB buttons are really cool. A lot of people were negative on forums about them, but dang do they look cool lit up. I have it setup so that it only lights up the buttons which are used in that particular game/rom. If you pause the game it will also blink the button and speak out what each button is used for. Its really cool!
6. Speaking of the buttons, I had no idea what Leaf vs regular push bottons were....I ended up buying leaf style and do not regret it. They are very quiet compared to the loud clicky non leaf buttons (my top row admin buttons)
7. When setting up MAME there is a Hiscore plugin you need to configure so that the games retain hi scores. (I feel like this should just be enabled by default??)
8. Download the artwork for the games as it adds so much. (For an example see the picture of Pacman running in the link above)
9. Enable HLSL in MAME as it adds a CRT scan line effect on all games. Makes it look like it did back in the 80's.
I'll add more if think of any, these are just off the top of my head.
Pics below:
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(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=369984;image)
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It would help to see what cab you are going to violate with a 4 player control panel.
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Jarrett designed it but never built it. Just sayin’.
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This is the best example I can think of a 4 player full size cab made on BYOAC.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138619.msg1431824.html#msg1431824 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138619.msg1431824.html#msg1431824)
I did a 4P pedestal and I love it but would not recommend trying to make one CP to pay ever game.
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Those panels with strange shapes are actually terrible. They just poke people in the stomach and accomplish nothing. Player 3 and 4 are meant to stand on the sides of the cabinet unless it is a giant showcase cabinet, and every normal size cabinet that tries to line them all up in front is a non-functional failure.
There is a reason why you always see renderings of those panels, and maybe a cabinet picture, but never a picture of 4 adults trying to play on one of them.
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Cut off the front corners, put players 3 and 4 on the sides, and you're good to go:
--------------------------
| |
| 3P 4P |
\ 1P 2P /
\_____________/
I've gotten 4 obese adults on that setup.
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Forget that weak sauce.... go big or go home...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180823/91e85b5644c96c1dbc8d76afbc81dd71.jpg)
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But are the joysticks angled?
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Get rid of that janky CRT and put a nice 55" LCD and that thing is good to go.
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Forget that weak sauce.... go big or go home...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180823/91e85b5644c96c1dbc8d76afbc81dd71.jpg)
Uh! That CP is leaking a lot of engine oil... seems to me that the head gasket is blown
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It would help to see what cab you are going to violate with a 4 player control panel.
I just revised my original post with pictures, thanks!
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"Aircraft Carrier" is usually used a pejorative when describing control panels.
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That picture above is an example of how the bad designs we were doing here actually started doubling back and infecting new cabinets from the surviving manufacturers. The door is too deep and uncomfortable to access. The control panel is wider than the cabinet for no reason at all, the space isn't even used. Finally the panel top is sticking out past the sides of the box what looks like a good inch for no reason at all (all that does is make the cabinet easier to damage).
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"Aircraft Carrier" is usually used a pejorative when describing control panels.
It’s funny because it’s true. :cheers:
Goz, rest his soul, coined the term
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Sorry guys, I guess I didn't realize the term aircraft carrier would be so triggering for you all. I'm open to any and all control panels. That one just seemed like a neat design at first glance.
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"Aircraft Carrier" is usually used a pejorative when describing control panels.
Okay, thanks.
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If you insist on a 4 player cab take a look at tmnt. Konami used that layout through the entirety of the beat-em-up era and there is a reason for that... it worked.
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If you insist on a 4 player cab take a look at tmnt. Konami used that layout through the entirety of the beat-em-up era and there is a reason for that... it worked.
This is solid advice.
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And Gauntlet does it in a more compact design, which is important if you want to use a CRT 19" arcade monitors and 21" PC monitors that will fit the 19" monitor bay are way easier to find than CRTs that will fit the Konami design.
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I would also be interested in getting my hands on some plans for the aircraft carrier style control panel like you originally posted. Let me know if you happen to find any info. I'm looking to recreate one of ParadoxArcade's builds
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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"Aircraft Carrier" is usually used a pejorative when describing control panels.
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I would also be interested in getting my hands on some plans for the aircraft carrier style control panel like you originally posted. Let me know if you happen to find any info. I'm looking to recreate one of ParadoxArcade's builds
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Hey! I finished my cab up and posted pictures above if you want to see it. I learned a lot in the process so if you have any specific questions feel free to ask!
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Looks really nice for your first build. I hope those P3 and P4 sticks aren’t angled though. Got any more details to share? Maybe a video of it booting up, what the inside looks like, specs, etc.
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Looks really nice for your first build. I hope those P3 and P4 sticks aren’t angled though. Got any more details to share? Maybe a video of it booting up, what the inside looks like, specs, etc.
Hey I added a bunch of information (and pictures) in the OP. Let me know if you have any other questions, thanks!
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Nice work not angling those joysticks (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/Smileys/default/applause.gif)
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Nice work not angling those joysticks (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/Smileys/default/applause.gif)
Haha thanks!