The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Kingcade on September 17, 2019, 07:07:39 pm
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The Story:
I was at the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention in Arizona last year, and I decided I go for a scenic drive in the desert. I wasn’t paying attention to the GPS, and after a few hours I found myself with no signal. I tried to retrace my path, but I knew I was off-course. The road turned to gravel, and I found myself in an abandoned town that looked straight out of an old western. I got out to explore. Inside the old saloon, a tall cabinet sat in the corner – some sort of penny arcade machine. As luck would have it, I found a penny on the ground and dropped it in. “KINGCADE” lit up on the marquee, and magic began to happen….
“KINGCADE” :burgerking: is my first game cabinet project. I typically make steampunk art, so I wanted to do sort of a steampunk/wild west theme. I’ll document the build in this thread. I’ve got 80% of the planning and purchasing done, so I’m on to the building.
Some of the features include:
- Raspberry Pi-based with native 240p output to a 21” CRT monitor
- Rotating monitor for vertical/horizontal games (probably manual rotation to start)
- Ultimarc 4/8-way joysticks
- Happ 2 ¼” trackball with vintage billiard ball
- iL buttons with Rollie Leaf switches from Paradise Arcade
- Joust-themed artwork (steampunk style)
- A scrolling Joust mechanical automaton scene (maybe playable in the future)
- Space to include my old Atari systems (800XL, 7800) in the cabinet
Here’s a vector drawing of the front of the cabinet (ignore the measurements; they're in feet). More pics to come as I get them resized for the forum.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379181;image)
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Love the back story!
I had to google search to get some context around penny arcade:
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/65/e3/1b/65e31b49d5baa8205a90c4f756a86fd3.jpg)
Spectacular idea!
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Interesting project, can't say I have seen anything quite like it. Rotating CRT, that's ambitious for a first build, sounds exciting though. So the saloon doors open when you start a game? Is the music player at the base functional?
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Thanks! Yeah, there are a lot of ambitious parts to the build. I've been reading through the rotating CRT threads, so hopefully I can pull that part off.
Not sure about the music disc yet. I've got some options there, including 1) making my own disc and having it drive the automaton display, 2) having a motor rotate the disc for show, 3) incorporating an actual music player. #3 will depend on if I can find the parts. Otherwise, I'll go with one of the other two.
FYI, here is a German version that looks similar to what I'm doing:
https://www.toeboschantiques.com/Music-Boxes/Various/A-very-rare-German-standing-walnut-and-animated-disc-music-box.-Kalliope.-circa-1895 (https://www.toeboschantiques.com/Music-Boxes/Various/A-very-rare-German-standing-walnut-and-animated-disc-music-box.-Kalliope.-circa-1895)
I'm hoping to have the control panel done tomorrow night (except for wiring), so pics will be incoming. I've also figured out a really creative way to do the marquee. I will be doing some experimenting with that soon.
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Very cool. Joust is one of my favorite games, so that mechanical Joust automation really intrigues me. I would have been intrigued just by the Western theme and saloon doors, but combining it with Joust...gotta follow!
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If i was you,i´d say thats a spitoon on the side.Not a beer cup.
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If i was you,i´d say thats a spitoon on the side.Not a beer cup.
Ooh, good suggestion! I think I even have a spittoon in my brass supplies that could double as a cup-holder.
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OK, the control panel is 90% done.
1/2" pine with mahogany veneer. Joysticks have antique brass pipe sticks and leather-wrapped tops. The buttons have been lightly distressed with acrylic dye and steel wool. The trackball surround was hand-painted and distressed. The trackball itself is a vintage #7 pool ball with a really cool "ball within a ball" look.
The "BK" and 9 hashes carved in the wood is a mystery. Legend has it Billy the Kid used to play this machine while he was hiding out from the law in Arizona in 1881. Did he carve his initials and his "score" in the console? The world will never know.
Left to do:
1. The numbers in the upper left are temporary. I was thinking of mapping them to MAME functions. Anyone have any experience on whether this would be useful?
2. I have a brass crown embellishment that will go in the center top.
3. I'm going to put a metal patent tag on the upper right.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379225;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379226;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379227;image)
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:applaud: :applaud: Different, in a good way. :applaud: :applaud:
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Just found this. Love the theme and the details especially the use of leather, timber CP and distressed treatment. Great to see an idea with backstory and some mythology fleshed out in an arcade machine. :cheers:
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Awesome mate... I wanna play it!
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That control panel is fantastic. Very clever and consistent with your theme. :cheers:
The "BK" and 9 hashes carved in the wood is a mystery. Legend has it Billy the Kid used to play this machine while he was hiding out from the law in Arizona in 1881. Did he carve his initials and his "score" in the console? The world will never know.
I love this touch!
My wife has a Love Tester Penny Arcade cabinet in our family room so I have a fondness for these machines and this form factor. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. The CP is a great start.
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That control panel is fantastic. Very clever and consistent with your theme. :cheers:
Nice to see you posting again wp34.
Hey Kingcade, when you are done with this one (looking great by the way), can you build this please:
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1a/8d/18/1a8d1895866eeb1215c22b7642238644.jpg)
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Reminds me a little of this but your CP is way better:
(https://theawesomer.com/photos/2009/09/092609_arcade_1.jpg)
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Hey Kingcade, when you are done with this one (looking great by the way), can you build this please:
Indignant Primate - Love it! The round screen is a nice touch, too. (and yes, I could build that - let's see how this one goes, though)
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Nice to see you posting again wp34.
Thanks Arroyo. :cheers:
Kingcade - Have you thought about going with a topper rather than a marque? Something similar to the cabinet you are mimicking? After seeing what you did with the CP I bet you could do something cool.
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Kingcade - Have you thought about going with a topper rather than a marque? Something similar to the cabinet you are mimicking? After seeing what you did with the CP I bet you could do something cool.
The finials on top in my vector drawing are meant to imply a crown, but I might go with some fancier. I'll play around with the design a bit.
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Awesome, very creative CP! I'm not too hot on the leather, but I'm stoked on those buttons and trackball situation. :applaud:
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Very sweet, love all the interesting little touches. This is going to be a fun one to watch!
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Latest update - the marquee! I’m pretty excited about this. It’s lit with Edison bulbs shining through amber marbles, refracted by antique luxfer glass prism tiles. I’ve actually got an idea to animate the sign, but we’ll see how ambitious I get. :-)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379347)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379348)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379349)
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I think we may have another Ond on our hands...
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Lovely marquee!
This is a fun project. Neat offbeat idea, and you are making a charmingly appealing cabinet out of it.
It's nothing like what I would do - and it's extremely cool! I dig that. :)
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I think we may have another Ond on our hands...
I'm still working my way through the projects on the forum, but I hope to be worthy of that compliment... Thank you! (Also, love your rotating control panel - very ambitious!)
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Sorry for the lack of updates, but I have a good reason. I was able to find workshop space nearby to rent, so I've been moving my workshop out of the garage. I'm really excited - 18x30 climate-controlled space. Everything is moved now, so I'm splitting time between the arcade cabinet and organizing.
Anyway, here's the latest progress - the front panel of the console. The coin buttons are going to be replaced with clear buttons with antique pennies stuck to them. I had originally wanted to try to paint the 1 cent buttons to look like porcelain, but I wasn't happy with a couple of different experiments.
FYI, the wood is mahogany veneer, coated with Timbermate wood filler (half mahogany, half walnut), 3 coats of lacquer, a brushing of Antiquing Wax, and 2 more coats of lacquer.
Next step is working on the frame for the rotating CRT monitor. After that, I'll see about actually hooking up all the hardware and software on the Raspberry Pi.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379496;image)
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Looking sooo good!
Any worries about people hip bumping that Exit button? I can hear the screams of anguish now!
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Looking sooo good!
Any worries about people hip bumping that Exit button? I can hear the screams of anguish now!
Thanks! Yeah, I did consider the accidental bump of the exit button. If it turns out to be a problem, I’ll recess the button.
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Sorry for not posting in so long. I spent a couple of weeks working on the software side of things. I got my Raspberry Pi 3B+ working with Retropie, so now the console is a fully functional arcade system, just plug it into a monitor. Next steps on the config are setting it up for native refresh rates to my CRT.
The last few weeks I’ve been working on the frame for the rotating monitor. It’s been a real challenge, and it still isn’t quite there yet. Enabling a 60 lb monitor to rotate is not easy. The rotation is supported by a heavy-duty Lazy Susan on the back and a bicycle wheel running on casters in the middle. I still have to tweak the positioning of the bike wheel to get it to rotate smoothly. The bungee cords are just temporary supports.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191218/f7517c74227ae6b3f003d7c7c7c068df.jpg)
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(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=159740.0;attach=379496;image)
This is a super cool twist on a cab! My only thought is if it's to be steam punk like you suggested I hope there is more metal in the design coming and maybe even some pipes somewhere constantly emitting steam. ;) Just put the flex capacitor on it somewhere and it'll all make sense. :) So far you've got a great penny arcade style going though! Love the details!
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That CP is amazing. Nice work!
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I love this build. The attention to detail and hand painted artwork is off the charts. It’s gonna be an art piece for sure :applaud:
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This is great work! Keep it up.
If I can make a suggestion, the 1c buttons look out of place. Maybe they whites are too bright? Maybe glue some wheat pennies to a distressed button, or maybe build a skeleton key that you turn to get credits?
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/c8/c2/3ec8c2d0800c79c2df363657f5ef502e.jpg)
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This is great work! Keep it up.
If I can make a suggestion, the 1c buttons look out of place. Maybe they whites are too bright? Maybe glue some wheat pennies to a distressed button, or maybe build a skeleton key that you turn to get credits?
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/c8/c2/3ec8c2d0800c79c2df363657f5ef502e.jpg)
The 1c buttons were an experiment that didn’t work out. I was trying to make them look porcelain, but they didn’t look right.
I actually got some Indian head pennies to put on amber buttons. The only problem is they blend in, so I might switch to nickels. I do like the key idea, though!
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So, I got my (manually) rotating monitor working tonight. I didn’t change anything significant; I just had to readjust everything. I hope it lasts. It was a pain in the butt to position the monitor.
Next step is building out the sides of the cabinet. I have to join some mahogany planks, which I haven’t done before. I’ll probably do that this weekend.
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Lots more updates coming over the next few weeks. Being quarantined has given me the opportunity/motivation to make progress.
After months of working on pieces, it’s finally coming together to look like a cabinet!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200417/e995614dbbce8610232dcbf5e5a4904a.jpg)
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A couple of more photos, showing the sides of the cabinet, drop-front keyboard drawer, and the interior.
The side panels are made from rough-cut mahogany, planed and joined. It was my first time planing and joining, and I used a lot of different planing tools to teach myself. It didn’t come out perfect, but that was ok since I’m going for a distressed look anyways. I do love the color of the finish.
For the keyboard drawer, the key thing was figuring out the shape and dimensions to allow it to fold under and still be flush when closed. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200417/7ad130e1eab4b0b1d68216d9bd746116.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200417/8877d360575baf418ffeb60249dc82ac.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200417/7fbdb51057ac20a39582343449ad3c6f.jpg)
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Working on the accessories now, incorporating vintage brass pieces
1) a couple of ostrich hangers for your hat, your coat, or your guns
2) articulated cup holders for your spittoon or your whiskey glass
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200426/02a41884196a2533e69620834a1dddcf.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200426/865a6f139acc2d819c3d426216ab74b8.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200426/104857cb1170fc1ec4e402e2b7076e33.jpg)
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Did you make those cup holders or find them somewhere?? Either way, that’s freakin awesome!
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Thanks! The arms are from Victorian gas lamps. I attached wood round bases, pinned on the mesh, and then attached the leather wrap on top.
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Next update - I sewed western-patterned leather curtains to wrap the rotating monitor. Since I wasn’t able to build a perfectly positioned bezel for the rotating monitor, the curtains hide the imperfection. I’m now working on the saloon doors to go in front of the curtains. I should have photos of those tomorrow or the next day.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200504/72b435ce37620eff60c86c7be7d27cfb.jpg)
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How is the monitor going to turn? Will it be motorized and turn automatically when the players select a game? And is your front-end software going to be smart enough to sense when the screen is in both positions?
Thank you for posting. This is a very cool project.
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Steam power.
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Steam power.
ok - they did make some sort of pellets for model trains when I was a kid to make smoke..
having it do do something using that would probably be fitting :)
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The monitor is rotated manually by gripping the wood bezel under the curtains. It’s heavy and awkward enough that making it motorized/automatic isn’t really an option. (Steam power might give enough torque, though :-) )
I have my games categorized into vertical/horizontal, so I figure people will play one or the other for awhile, rotate the monitor, then play the other type.
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Latest update is a vintage foot rail. The middle pipe was too short, so I had to cut a piece from another vintage pipe I had around.
Shutters are going on tomorrow night after I get new hinges. I bought the wrong kind; one of many mistakes I’ve made along the way with this project. I am much stronger at concept than execution, which has been very frustrating at times. But, I do have persistence to make up for lack of craftsmanship/skill.
This weekend I’m going to hopefully finish the bottom door and add the side Joust logo (aka Ostrich Riders in the Sky!)
After that, it’s on to the billiard-pocket bottle holders and the Joust moving diorama.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200506/d02a0ed624fe87f4c8403a2cd593dd24.jpg)
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Steam power.
ok - they did make some sort of pellets for model trains when I was a kid to make smoke..
having it do do something using that would probably be fitting :)
I do have a miniature smoke machine I could install, but they tend to leave a sticky residue on things.
Hmm - it does give me an idea though. A cap gun inside the light gun...
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Love the curtains. Fits right in with the rest of the Penny Arcade style. Can't wait to see the saloon door addition!
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At some point you should probably stop adding stuff to the cab.
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At some point you should probably stop adding stuff to the cab.
That’s what my wife says. :-) The design is actually pretty much solidified at this point. There’s definitely going to be a lot going on, but it should all be consistent with the design and purpose.
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but it should all be consistent with the design and purpose
Its an arcade machine. None of that stuff has anything to do with the purpose of an arcade machine. :dunno
I am not going to ---smurfette--- about it after this post.
It is just too much unless playing games is the last thing on your list of goals for the project.
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Saloon doors are done, made from walnut with pine molding for the slats. I didn’t have a pattern, so I just figured them out based on photos online.
I also added vintage buttons for pressing the monitor buttons through the bezel.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/68300763a0eac4f7cf9a139d00d6f41e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/00365672fa7ed71fa90660f24497e73e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/38fd3e9ae1bc86b2ace3620dbf4b2e7c.jpg)
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Whew - long weekend. I went through a couple of iterations trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the tin music disc in the bottom of the cabinet. I wanted it to at least be able to spin to tell the story that this is an antique computer disc that has the game program on it.
I tried an electric motor first, but the one I had was way too noisy. So, I decided to go real old school and incorporate a antique phonograph motor I bought a long time ago for just such a purpose. I’ve got a second one that I’ll probably use for the moving diorama on top.
I spent most of the day finagling it into the cabinet and behind the glass door. I had to figure out replacements for the crank arm and a missing start lever, but I’ve got it all pretty much worked out now. I’ve got to spend an evening tweaking the positioning of everything, and then I’ll post some photos and video tomorrow night. It really is a pretty cool effect.
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Hah, nice! A tin disc in the bottom of the cabinet is a charming detail.
Anybody who thought the DECO audo cassette load took a long time, you ain't seen nothing compared to a tin phonograph program load... :lol
I like details like this, or like the arc reactor in Rotoron. You're building an arcade cabinet as art object, and details like that give it some lore. Sure, it's totally overkill for an authentic arcade cab, but you're building a conversation piece and you clearly aren't afraid of effort.
I'm enjoying watching you work. Thanks for the posts. :cheers:
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Hah, nice! A tin disc in the bottom of the cabinet is a charming detail.
Anybody who thought the DECO audo cassette load took a long time, you ain't seen nothing compared to a tin phonograph program load... :lol
I like details like this, or like the arc reactor in Rotoron. You're building an arcade cabinet as art object, and details like that give it some lore. Sure, it's totally overkill for an authentic arcade cab, but you're building a conversation piece and you clearly aren't afraid of effort.
I'm enjoying watching you work. Thanks for the posts. :cheers:
Thanks for the words of appreciation and encouragement; it helps! This is the biggest project I’ve ever tackled, and it’s tough to stay motivated when I hit setbacks. I’m happy with the results; it’s just taking a long time to get there...
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I’ve got the computer disc mechanism working. Video here
https://www.facebook.com/477452885703677/posts/3000465323402408/?vh=e&d=n
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I love this build. Awesome details!
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...
I have my games categorized into vertical/horizontal, so I figure people will play one or the other for awhile, rotate the monitor, then play the other type.
I'm finding that old saying if you build it they will come isn't always true. I show my cabs I've built and people just say cool and move on. I'm apparently the only one I know that likes retro arcade games. That's why I laugh at franken panels. From now on I build everything for one player...lol.
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I have my games categorized into vertical/horizontal, so I figure people will play one or the other for awhile, rotate the monitor, then play the other type.
I'm finding that old saying if you build it they will come isn't always true. I show my cabs I've built and people just say cool and move on. I'm apparently the only one I know that likes retro arcade games. That's why I laugh at franken panels. From now on I build everything for one player...lol.
I think there is something to that. I do have friends that like to play old-school arcade games, but even the simplest front end is too much for most people.
This cabinet is mainly for me. I’m fine if my friends are just impressed and move on.
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A couple of minor updates tonight. I added some screen door wheels to the rotating monitor to give it more support. I also added vintage billiards scoring beads so you can keep track of how many games you win.
This weekend I’m going to work on the side art.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200515/8d6de85bd19ddae1502193c930429821.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200515/2798b0c2e096b7a8cdd85d810ca98b93.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200515/04100c0bb5a74e70860b0c714b2076bb.jpg)
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A bunch of minor updates over the weekend, but no new photos.
- added bolts to hold the console in place
- attached the cup holders
- cut out all the pieces for the side art and experimented with different materials, finishes, and mounting mechanisms. FYI, the side art is cut from brass, copper, and aluminum foil, which will be aged and attached to a steel base plate with JB weld. I’ll then cut the shape of the base plate with aviation snips and attach it to the side of the cabinet using furniture tacks. It will probably take a few days to do each side piece.
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I did a presentation yesterday on my cabinet for a virtual Steampunk Convention.
Video is here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/623769339?t=7775s (https://www.twitch.tv/videos/623769339?t=7775s)
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Some pictures of the side-art progress.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200518/2872de911cd8208ef0f0d81545e128c8.jpg)
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Why didn't you turn it on?
???
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Why didn't you turn it on?
???
I had things disconnected in anticipation of moving it in the house for the video. Unfortunately I ran out of time and didn’t get it in the house or reconnected.
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Finally finished the first piece of side art! I wanted to make it like an old advertising sign. It’s a Wild West steampunk version of the Joust logo. Made out of 36 gauge brass, copper, and aluminum sheet. Cut with scissors and hand-hammered. I then put on a patina using liver of sulfur for the copper, salt and vinegar for the brass, and paint for the aluminum to make it look like tin. I glued all of the pieces using JB Weld on to a backing of 22 gauge steel that I cut with tin snips. A few finishing tacks for rivets completed the look.
The sign took all of Memorial Day weekend plus 3-4 nights beyond that, so I’m not eager to start the other side right away. I’ll move on to the diorama and come back to the other side in a few weeks.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/e7f8b6b60a34363733c4446eac913a1d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/982c6382ba70cd5d7509c3d1a1f1ed1e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/2329a7c31c6e53625dcb6e9a14e7e700.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/c170d71bb6bbfb3906810e67dc174a81.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/5b6cd1042439f3f54ca0b981131a1899.jpg)
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You definitely own your craft. That’s some serious work there. Well done.
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No significant changes since last time, but I did finally move the cabinet into my house so I could start playing it again! I’m still working on the mechanical version of Joust that will go on the shelf where the glasses are now. Also, I need to do some software/hardware setup to get things running at 15KHz / ~240p so I can my scanlines.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200704/315bfd36535e492f488fd982e86761e6.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200704/745a1f3c4a509b1b9373ab77ef3b74c7.jpg)
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Love all these small and not so small details, and that sideart turned out fantastic. Awesome!
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I got my vertical games configured correctly over the last few days. I created a thread over in the Automated Projects forum if anyone wants to see how to set things up using Retropie.
So, I can now play horizontal games in horizontal mode, or rotate the monitor and run vertical games in vertical mode. I do have to degauss the monitor using the monitor menus after rotation. The EmulationStation menus don’t rotate, but I can live with that. The vertical games look great on the big 21” CRT.
Next steps are to try to get the games running in their native resolution in RGB analog mode.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200711/3a806854ac91647ecacfa0d34dc726a8.jpg)
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Update - got EmulationStation to rotate with just a restart! I added the code over in the Automated Projects forum if anyone is interested.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200712/a44e7b14950f08e64270ec194904e72c.jpg)
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200828/294fc91947d1b3873939d89b86945a05.jpg)
I finally got my scanlines! After going deep down the rabbit hole of RGB, VGA666, hdmi_timings, and runcommands for Raspberry Pi, I believe this is as close as you can get to native modes with a Raspberry Pi and a 31KHz CRT monitor (ViewSonic G225f).
It uses CRT SwitchRes options in the Retroarch config to detect the native resolution for each game and sets the hdmi_timings accordingly. It runs at double the native refresh rate for the 31 KHz monitor, and sets the pixel clock as close as the Pi 3b+ will support. The SwitchRes code seems to have trouble returning EmulationStation to the proper resolution on game exit, so I had to create a runcommand-onend.sh script to reset the hdmi-timings.
Having gone through all that, I’m not sure whether I actually like it better than the higher resolutions. The scan lines are a little more defined than I think they would be on a native system, but I’ll give it some time to see.
I’ll make a post later in the Pi forum with all the details if you want to try this yourself.
Next step - light gun!
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This scan lines look solid, well done on getting that to work on a Pi, I would have thrown in the towel before I started.