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Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: MameJunkie on August 16, 2005, 12:38:30 pm

Title: First Cab Project Started...Dk Jr Theme (Updated 9/3)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 16, 2005, 12:38:30 pm
Wife was out of town and I finally got the free time to start my first project.

Working Title : Big Headed Freak. (4' tall cab with 20" monitor)  :o

The design is base off of the "Mini Space Invaders"
http://netbox.home.mindspring.com/spaceinvaders/

The cab was designed to be small yet have a relatively large monitor.
Able to support up to 2 player of classic games (shooters + puzzle).
Still modifying the layout of the CP, I'll post some ideas later.  It should be interesting since I only have 20" of CP to work off of.  The general measurement of the cab is 4' tall, 28" deep, 21" wide.  I used 1/2" birch plywood with 2x4 as framing support.  I'm not a carpenter so I hope its good enought to support the weight of the 20" monitor  ::)

I probably have about 2-3 weekends of work ahead of me.
Here are some early pics of my weekend worth of work.

8/21 - Think I'm going to move towards Donkey Kong art scheme.   I might just stain it since the wood is decent.   Donkey Kong will match the brownish color.  I'm also thinking of placing him in a "tropical" setting.   Might design cab to kind of look like a grass hut...hmmm..."Tropicade"...

8/27-28 - Painted the cabinet.  So far, I primed and have 3 coats of paint.

9/3 Reassemble the cab and made a 1st draft CP.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started...Finally
Post by: MameJunkie on August 16, 2005, 12:39:10 pm
More pics
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started...Finally
Post by: Timoe on August 16, 2005, 12:48:02 pm
Nice.  I want an Ultimate Arcade II, I think if I offered my wife a design like yours I would have already been able to start.  ::)
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak"
Post by: bendermann on August 18, 2005, 06:27:56 pm
Good luck!  Keep us posted.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak"
Post by: the3eyedblindman on August 21, 2005, 02:56:37 pm
Im a big fan of pocketz machines, so Im looking forward to seeing this!
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak"
Post by: RaggedEdge on August 21, 2005, 05:14:00 pm
Hey looks good so far.  I like the idea of a smaller one for the the WAF (Wife acceptance factor).  I scared her with the upright, so now I think I will see if I can slip in a cocktail  ;D  Oh, by the way, you said you have 2 to 3 weeks of work.  You do know you will never be done don't you.  At least that is what I have read here.  Once you start you will keep building.  What type of wood are you using, it's not MDF obviously?
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak"
Post by: MameJunkie on August 21, 2005, 10:28:32 pm
Did some work today and finished up major construction of the cab.
Just have to decide on paint or stain job and the CP.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak"
Post by: MameJunkie on August 21, 2005, 10:29:29 pm
Pics
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak"
Post by: MameJunkie on August 21, 2005, 10:52:34 pm
Hey looks good so far.  I like the idea of a smaller one for the the WAF (Wife acceptance factor).  I scared her with the upright, so now I think I will see if I can slip in a cocktail  ;D  Oh, by the way, you said you have 2 to 3 weeks of work.  You do know you will never be done don't you.  At least that is what I have read here.  Once you start you will keep building.  What type of wood are you using, it's not MDF obviously?

The wood is 1/2" birch plywood.  The Lowes guy say its as strong as the 3/4 MDF.  I wanted something thinner to match the size of the cab.  I know it'll be more than 3 weeks worth of work but I do plan to have  it up and running in about 2 more weeks (Need to keep wife happy and let her play Ms Pacman ASAP).  I'll probably take my time to design the marquee, sideart & CP art.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: Timoe on August 21, 2005, 11:46:18 pm
That thing is rad.  Simple but rad.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: the3eyedblindman on August 22, 2005, 05:47:52 pm
Whatever happened to pocketz anyways? One day he just disappeared and never posted again.. :-\
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 22, 2005, 06:08:55 pm
Whatever happened to pocketz anyways? One day he just disappeared and never posted again.. :-\

Who is Pocketz?  Builder of "Mini Space Invaders"?
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: the3eyedblindman on August 22, 2005, 06:12:06 pm
yes, he is the builder of all those cabs at that website, he used to be a regular poster but it seems like ever since the driving cab he made hes never been here again. Keep the pics coming.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 23, 2005, 12:28:59 pm
I'm toying with the idea of using Donkey Kong Jr. art/color scheme.
Because its a mini/junior cab and I thought it would be more "fun".

What do you all think?
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: PetitMorte on August 23, 2005, 02:01:10 pm
definitely cool!
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: CheffoJeffo on August 23, 2005, 07:44:06 pm
I'm toying with the idea of using Donkey Kong Jr. art/color scheme.
Because its a mini cab and I thought it would be more "fun".

What do you all think?

Absolutely brilliant ... fun counts tons ... furniture is for holding drinks while we play ...

Cheers.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 23, 2005, 10:57:33 pm
Anyone know if the top of the original cab is black or orangish/brown?
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: CheffoJeffo on August 24, 2005, 07:50:41 am
Anyone know if the top of the original cab is black or orangish/brown?

I THINK is is black ... my SMB project is a former DK and is black on top (e.g. no DK blue if I scrape).

Cheers.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/21)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 28, 2005, 09:45:40 pm
8/27-28 Paint done?  Not sure if I need another coat or not

Painting took alot longer than I thought.   Painting itself was easy but had to wait for each coat to dry.
And I did sand between each coat.  120 for primer & 1st coat and 240 for 2nd & 3rd.  So far so good but still might do one more. 
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 28, 2005, 09:52:20 pm
Also added wheels for easier transport.  That did add some height to the cab.  Probably 2-3 inches.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: dweebs0r on August 29, 2005, 07:04:07 pm
Looks great!

I'd add another coat of paint for depth and shine.

Overall kick butt job so far.

-Dweebs
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 29, 2005, 07:35:03 pm
One question on sanding.

I know you are suppose to use finer and finer sandpaper on each of the layers.
But someone also recommended me to do "wet" sanding.  Is that true?
If so, what does it mean?  Wet the surface down with water?

I'm using 240 atm.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: DrewKaree on August 29, 2005, 10:00:04 pm
One question on sanding.

I know you are suppose to use finer and finer sandpaper on each of the layers.
But someone also recommended me to do "wet" sanding.  Is that true?
If so, what does it mean?  Wet the surface down with water?

I'm using 240 atm.

Wet sanding isn't necessary if you're new to this, but if done, can achieve super-sweet results.  You'll need some sandpaper made SPECIFICALLY for wet-sanding.  DO NOT try to do it with regular sandpaper, it'll be an exercise in frustration.  You'll have some water and add to it a bit of Dawn or Joy or some other dishwashing liquid, and use that.  Get the paper wet, add a LITTLE to your surface and sand away. 

There's a bit more to it than that, and it's a bit of a skill to do, but you can do it.

It's not necessary to your project, just a finishing touch.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: ARCADE5280 on August 29, 2005, 10:13:58 pm
I really like the proportions and design.  Very sweet!  I hope you can create a classic monitor bezel to fit.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: Bones on August 30, 2005, 04:22:11 am
This is gunna look good. Keep the pics flowing!  :)
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: MameJunkie on August 30, 2005, 06:12:04 pm
Should I use the DK Jr scheme or design my own original artwork theme?
The functional part of the cab should be done this weekend but then I'll have to start putting in the finishing touches.  Marquee, Sideart & CP Art.

 ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: DannyH on August 30, 2005, 10:18:33 pm
That thing is looking real good. Not usually a fan of orange but you picked a very likeable colour there.


Donkey Kong would look good, but would you feel more satisfied with something you designed yourself?
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started..."Big Headed Freak" (Updated 8/28)
Post by: MameJunkie on September 03, 2005, 09:58:01 pm
Some Pics.

Was only able to do a little work today.
Me and the misses' anniversary today so didn't want to aggro her by spending too much time on the cab.

I'll try and finish up the wiring tomorrow.
Title: Re: First Cab Project Started...Dk Jr Theme (Updated 9/3)
Post by: MameJunkie on September 03, 2005, 10:00:40 pm
One more pic of the CP

I'm planning to put a spinner on the upper-right hand side of the CP.