Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Felsir on February 16, 2004, 02:46:16 am
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I just wanted to tell about my first attempt to build a cab. To me it was quite ambitious since I had never (yes, never) used a saw, drill etc. before. I wanted a cabinet and found it a good reason to pick up some tools and get started!
I took the measurements from the centipede cabinet and drew some plans in MS Visio.
I managed to cut the side panels and fix the front panel, bottom panel and the monitor shelf:
(http://members.chello.nl/~f.buiting/mame/monitortest.jpg)
The monitor is a 21". The cab width is 24.4".
I read the boards a lot and the followed the advise to try the controls first in a piece of cardboard, my CP will look like this:
(http://members.chello.nl/~f.buiting/mame/controlproto.jpg)
Hopefully I'll receive the trackball this week to finish the control panel.
I quickly tested the Ultimarc minipac:
(http://members.chello.nl/~f.buiting/mame/firsttest.jpg)
I hope this project helps to inspire those who feel that building a cabinet is a task for professionals only. Read the boards a lot, do not be afraid to ask (there are friendly people on this board!) and the keep sound advice in mind: "measure twice, cut once".
So even someone like me who had never used any tools before can make this; you can too!
It's fun to build one by yourself and I can't wait to get it finished!
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I like your button layout and color choices for the joysticks and buttons.
Very different which makes it refreshing!
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I figured that most of the games I want to play only require 2 buttons, so I was thinking to swap button 1 and button 2 colours. I'm not yet sure what would look the best:
A) Player 1: red joystick + red buttons 1,2 + blue buttons 3,4,5,6
Player 2: blue joystick + blue buttons 1,2 + red buttons 3,4,5,6
or
B) Player 1: red joystick + blue buttons 1,2 + red buttons 3,4,5,6
Player 2: blue joystick + red buttons 1,2 + blue buttons 3,4,5,6
The picture shows colour scheme B, but while fiddling with the colours I might take scheme A, it gives buttons 3-6 a more secondary feel (which is what I'm aiming for).
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Outstanding work, especially considering that it's your first go.
-S
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Thanks for the compliments! :)
Added the controls this weekend. My brother-in-law enjoyed a few good games of Puzzle Bobble so we're planning to build another cab soon ;)
(http://members.chello.nl/~f.buiting/mame/cptest.jpg)
A small drawer holds the keyboard. The wiring is not too tidy but I'll have to remove the controlls anyway to paint and cover the panel.
Closer look at the CP:
(http://members.chello.nl/~f.buiting/mame/cptest2.jpg)
The panel needs to align better with the front but I'll get to that later when I tidy everything up.
Once the cab is 'playable' it's hard to get any work done! Must...play...games...
Anyone having the same problem as me?
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Another update:
(http://members.chello.nl/~f.buiting/mame/cab.jpg)
Work has started on the top of the cab, testfitted the plexiglass.
It's starting to look like a real cab now!
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Looking good. Our builds are probably at that same dangerous stage - playable but not finished - and the lure of trying to get another high score often beats the desire to keep working on it!
Just one thing, if you are intending to use t-molding on the edges, are you sure that the radii aren't too tight? I haven't used it myself yet, maybe someone else who has can comment.
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RE: T-molding--if you snip out chunks out of the back of the t-molding (the ribbed part) you can go around pretty tight corners. For those corners on your control panel you should just sand them down a bit (put a bit of a radius) and your t-molding should go around--if you find you have trouble keeping it in the groove due to the tight corner, some hot glue and pressure will hold it there.
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I'm not sure wether I'll use tmolding. I haven't found anything that looked like the t-molding stuff (like I've seen on cabs on this board) in our local hobby and DIY stores. I understand that you also need special equipment to apply it?
BTW. I'm in the Netherlands, so any pointers to where to find it or what it is possibly called over here is welcome.