Author Topic: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March) (Read 57369 times)

jamieoliver22 · « **on:** February 02, 2011, 02:20:08 pm »

Hey guys, just something I'd like to share with you.

I started planning an building an arcade machine project some time ago (probably about a year or two ago now) and nothing happened since. Well I've began work on it once again, but this time I've started properly.

Below are some progress photos of the construction, it is coming along nicely and it shouldn't be long now until it is finished. Sorry for the poor quality photos, I only had my mobile phone with me. I will take some better ones when it is finished.

I have based the design around the WeeCade plans (fantastic plans I might add).

Click on a thumbnail to open:

Maximus Arcade frontend testing video (click to open):

The artwork in these photos is just a paper placeholder and are not final - they'll look much better when they're finished =]

Hopefully it shouldn't be too long until it is completely finished - only the control panel and some plexiglass to be added. The WeeCade plans that I have been following uses a steel control panel which is bent - I plan on using plexiglass which I should be able to bend using a line-heater that we have at work.

Wish me luck!

dandare · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2011, 03:35:28 pm »

Good luck. Looking good so far! I have also jumped on the weecade bandwagon. Are you having fun getting everything to fit inside?!

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2011, 03:54:46 pm »

Quote from: dandare on February 02, 2011, 03:35:28 pm

Good luck. Looking good so far! I have also jumped on the weecade bandwagon. Are you having fun getting everything to fit inside?!

Thanks. It's been a bit of a squeeze, but yeah, it hasn't been too bad. Got a small mini-ATX motherboard and a small PSU.

Hopefully going to start putting in my perspex tomorrow night, which seems to be a bit of a squeeze too - the monitor sticks out a bit.

Also, any suggestions on getting the CP printed? I have a co-worker that does his own printing, and he suggested printing it on a large sheet of photo paper and use Spray Mount to fix it down. Not sure on the marquee yet either...

dandare · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:48:10 pm »

I'm also contemplating artwork. The photo paper will work and look fine, but if its quite thick wont bend very well.
A local sign makers will print it on to self adhesive vinyl, or I've just been looking on gameongrafix.com and they seem pretty good, even to get shipped to the U.K.

Nephasth · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:50:33 pm »

Quote from: dandare on February 02, 2011, 07:48:10 pm

I'm also contemplating artwork. The photo paper will work and look fine, but if its quite thick wont bend very well.
A local sign makers will print it on to self adhesive vinyl, or I've just been looking on gameongrafix.com and they seem pretty good, even to get shipped to the U.K.

My local sign makers charge a ---gosh-darn--- arm and a leg for just about anything.

dandare · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:53:37 pm »

That's a good point. I haven't checked out my locals rates.

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2011, 02:58:22 pm »

Just a small updated - added a nice black bezel around the screen and have tidied up the wiring.

IG-88 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2011, 06:19:49 pm »

Looks good. How did you make your bezel?

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2011, 06:44:31 pm »

It's just a sheet of perspex sitting on top of the monitor where I have spray painted black around the edges.

Woodshop Flunky · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2011, 01:32:20 am »

Bezel looks really nice!

justinjstark · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2011, 12:06:43 am »

What power supply is that? It looks tiny?

Is there a hole cut in the back door for the PSU vent / plugin? How are you going to connect the monitor power?

dkssprs · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2011, 08:28:49 am »

Another Weecade clone... Weecade is pure insiration...
I love your artwork1!!!!

By the way....whats that behind the monitors mount?
Also you have much space using that small PSU. Very nice position for the Hard Drive.

mgb · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2011, 11:22:57 am »

Thats looking real good

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:26:32 pm »

I've had a bit of a disaster lately, I managed to snap some of the perspex for the control panel, so I've got to try to fix it or back to the drawing board...

Quote from: justinjstark on February 07, 2011, 12:06:43 am

What power supply is that? It looks tiny?

Is there a hole cut in the back door for the PSU vent / plugin? How are you going to connect the monitor power?

Yes, I've cut a hole for the whole PSU back panel. I've wired a male IEC port on top of the PSU connected to the monitor (and I've also wired the power for the speakers into it too). So all I need to plug it in is a Y-split IEC cable for the two sockets into one plug

Quote from: dkssprs on February 07, 2011, 08:28:49 am

Another Weecade clone... Weecade is pure insiration...
I love your artwork1!!!!

By the way....whats that behind the monitors mount?
Also you have much space using that small PSU. Very nice position for the Hard Drive.

Thanks.

The thing behind the monitor is an amplifer/control board from a pair of desktop speakers - it is just hot glue-gunned to the back.

And yes, the PSU is quite small, but long - it, well as the motherboard, is out of some old small computers we had sitting around at work. I had to put the hard drive on its side to fit everything else it.

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2011, 07:57:12 am »

Sorry about the double post, but here is another mini-update with how things are going. As I broke the perspex for my control panel before, I've tried to fix it but without luck - it just isn't strong enough. Instead, I've decided to use MDF and sand it to a nice finish, then put the overlay over the top. At least that way, it will be a lot more sturdier and will last.

New control panel, this time made of MDF:

Back panel pretty much finished - as you can see, everything needs another coat of paint:

Art work photos

Here is an intro video that I have been working on for the front end, which I put together in After Effects:

It's getting there.. Slowly

dandare · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2011, 08:57:11 am »

Looking sweet my man!

Artwork and video look fantastic.

Its quite funny how close progress is to yours, I checked your update the other day and realized I was about to post almost the same Thing!

The race is definitely on!

Great stuff!

opt2not · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2011, 01:24:36 pm »

Nice colour choices! The artwork is looking sharp!

Termin8tor · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2011, 02:41:17 pm »

Excellent work, I'm sure you will be finished in no time. Love the artwork by the way.

SirStupidQuestion · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2011, 06:32:40 pm »

very nice "GameOver" bartop. I am also working on a bartop based off the weecade and have a few questions for you:

1. Did you use the same size MDF for your mouldings, it looks that way in the picture? did that work well? I bought some 1 in by 1 in dowlings to use (my bartop is .5inch mdf) and they cracked in half when i tried to put wood screws (size 6 or

through them after the glue. Did you screw the mouldings or nail them, i can't tell in the pictures. Anyone have any recommendations on size and type of wood for mouldings in a bartop. The dowlings were the only wood my home depot had in 1 by 1.

2. Can you explain how you powered your monitor (or take a pic of it)? I understand the split of two IEC but the male on top of the PSU? is that standard? Don't PSU's only have IEC out to power it and not take any in? (note my name as I am a novice at almost every part of this) Does anyone have recommendations or links on how to power the monitor on a weecade clone or any smaller bartop where a smartstrip is not desired or won't work/fit?

any help is appreciated...

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2011, 05:10:18 am »

Quote from: SirStupidQuestion on February 14, 2011, 06:32:40 pm

very nice "GameOver" bartop. I am also working on a bartop based off the weecade and have a few questions for you:

1. Did you use the same size MDF for your mouldings, it looks that way in the picture? did that work well? I bought some 1 in by 1 in dowlings to use (my bartop is .5inch mdf) and they cracked in half when i tried to put wood screws (size 6 or through them after the glue. Did you screw the mouldings or nail them, i can't tell in the pictures. Anyone have any recommendations on size and type of wood for mouldings in a bartop. The dowlings were the only wood my home depot had in 1 by 1.

The mouldings were made with just some scrap pieces of MDF lying about at work, that I cut into strips - they are all the same width. They are approx 25mm x 20mm in size, but anything will do - the ones I used were wider than the MDF I used for the rest (20mm instead of 12mm, same as you). The mouldings are glued using PVA glue, and then just small tack nails to hold them in place too.

Quote from: SirStupidQuestion on February 14, 2011, 06:32:40 pm

2. Can you explain how you powered your monitor (or take a pic of it)? I understand the split of two IEC but the male on top of the PSU? is that standard? Don't PSU's only have IEC out to power it and not take any in? (note my name as I am a novice at almost every part of this) Does anyone have recommendations or links on how to power the monitor on a weecade clone or any smaller bartop where a smartstrip is not desired or won't work/fit?

I basically just made a small IEC extension cable. I just plugged on end into the monitor, and left the socket glued on top of the PSU. So when I come to plug it in, I can just use a Y-cable to plug both IEC connectors into one plug

Something like this: http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/17470069/MHP-2m-C13-to-C14-IEC-Extension-Cable-Hot-and-Cold-Lead-Monitor-to-PC-Power-Lead/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cat:17470069|prd:17470069
And y-cable: http://www.jpleisure.co.uk/13amp-2Way-IEC.jpg

Hope this helps. I'm no expert, and did just bodge things together and hoped that they'd work

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2011, 03:25:27 pm »

A couple more photos:

Fixing the control panel:

(The perspex isn't blue, just still had the protective covering on)

Testing out the artwork again:

SirStupidQuestion · « **Reply #21 on:** February 17, 2011, 02:21:32 pm »

thanks for responding to my prior questions! how did you round the lower portion of your cp (piece facing forward) so you got the good curvature? I'm using wood for my cp also and trying to figure out a way to round it out so the artwork can stretch over the top the bottom portions.

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2011, 04:28:33 pm »

^ Just sandpaper, and lots of elbow grease

lokesen · « **Reply #23 on:** February 17, 2011, 05:30:29 pm »

I love you artwork - Kudos!

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:08:52 am »

Quote from: lokesen on February 17, 2011, 05:30:29 pm

I love you artwork - Kudos!

Kudos for your brilliant plans!

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 28, 2011, 01:40:17 pm »

Had a bit of a problem with the speakers on my cab the other day, and I have had to strip them out an add another pair - only to find that I ended up shorting and breaking those too. Now with a new (and now third) pair of speakers, it works great. I've been tiding up some of the cabling and added a ground cable inside while I've been waiting for my artwork, hence no updates lately.

But now that I've finally got my artwork printed so I have commenced on putting the control panel together. Some photos of it below, just need to start wiring it in now.

emphatic · « **Reply #26 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:28:00 pm »

Looks great, but what's up with the shaft covers?

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 28, 2011, 03:04:00 pm »

Quote from: emphatic on February 28, 2011, 02:28:00 pm

Looks great, but what's up with the shaft covers?

They're not in properly, only dropped in to see what they'd look like - not fastened in

Nephasth · « **Reply #28 on:** February 28, 2011, 07:21:21 pm »

CPO looks great!

mgb · « **Reply #29 on:** February 28, 2011, 07:46:20 pm »

The Cp looks great.

SirStupidQuestion · « **Reply #30 on:** February 28, 2011, 09:20:05 pm »

where did you buy the pause and exit buttons? are they illuminated? if so how?

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 01, 2011, 02:41:06 am »

Thanks guys!

Quote from: SirStupidQuestion on February 28, 2011, 09:20:05 pm

where did you buy the pause and exit buttons? are they illuminated? if so how?

I got them from Gremlin Solutions, here: http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/products/chromeilluminated.htm - And yes, they are illuminated. I have just connected them to a molex connector and took the power from my PSU to light them up.

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #32 on:** March 01, 2011, 02:14:22 pm »

Control panel pretty much finished, all wired up and ready to go. Marquee in place too.

Termin8tor · « **Reply #33 on:** March 01, 2011, 05:32:30 pm »

Excellent work

upprc04 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 01, 2011, 05:52:29 pm »

What did you use for the marquee retainers? Did you print the artwork from one of the online vendors and have them send you retainers cut to size?

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 02, 2011, 04:43:36 am »

Quote from: upprc04 on March 01, 2011, 05:52:29 pm

What did you use for the marquee retainers? Did you print the artwork from one of the online vendors and have them send you retainers cut to size?

The retainers are just some strips of right-angle plastic that my dad had in his garage and I have trimmed to size and spray painted black. The marquee was printed by a colleague of mine that does his own printing at home and cost me nothing - it is only printed on paper (albeit good quality paper), but doesn't look too bad at all.

dextercf · « **Reply #36 on:** March 02, 2011, 05:17:08 pm »

Nice work there Mr. Oliver!

mgb · « **Reply #37 on:** March 02, 2011, 06:50:35 pm »

The project is very nicely done.
... although I do find the name a little depressing.

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #38 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:02:32 am »

Quote from: mgb on March 02, 2011, 06:50:35 pm

The project is very nicely done.
... although I do find the name a little depressing.

Nah, I'm used to seeing the 'Game Over' screens, so I can relate...

jamieoliver22 · « **Reply #39 on:** March 04, 2011, 07:57:20 pm »

Woop! It's finally finished. Really chuffed with how it turned out. I have bough it home, and is in it's place. Both me and the missus have had a laugh on it, she loves it.

I will take some good final photos of it tomorrow, but in the mean time, here are some photos of putting the control panel wiring together and some of the inside. If you don't like messy wiring, look away now (ok, it isn't too bad, but could be worse).


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Author Topic: GameOver Arcade - Bartop arcade project (FINISHED - 5th March) (Read 57369 times)

Nephasth

Nephasth