Edit: So this is the end. The Blue Pill is done and I'm glad to see it being played with as much as it is. I've created a few videos explaining some of the more interesting parts of the build. I'll keep updating this initial post with that information.
First is a CP installation video. I thought it would help explain the CP and box interface better. here's a link to the post:
Control Panel mounting suggestionsSecond is a neat trick I do with a simple zip-tie. link:
Zip-tie trickHere's a cheap marquee retainer solution. I LOVE CHEAP!!
Cheap Marquee RetainerHere's a video explaining the Yaksplat-designed 12V 10A relay solution and how it powers my cab:
12V-10A Relay power solutionIf anyone has a request for more info on any of the build, shoot me a PM and I'll bust out the iPhone.
Without further adieu:
Here's the final update in video form. I just wanted to show the arcade live and give some kudos to some members who helped out on this one.
06/18/12
Been lurking on this site for almost 5 years watching and learning. I started building my arcade about 4 years ago. I got the control panel done and working and had to put it away for 3 years due to family medical issues (and the aweful bills they create). But, things have stabilized, so I've begun working on the main cabinet.
Anyway, here's some pics. I'll be asking some questions about decorating the inside (basically making the inside of it as interesting to geek out on as the outside)...so thanks in advance for all the help!!
This CP was built about 3-4 years ago. It's been hooked to the PC and monitor on my spare workbench for a few years. It's a Happ 3" trackball on an optipac, 21 Happ buttons, 2 Happ Competitions for 8-way and 1 Super for the 4 way...all on an i-Pac4. All parts are used except for the buttons and the art (mame marquees).Here it is in it's infancy:
Front flip design...using euro hinges. Base is 1x4, top and base is 3/4 MDF. T-molding by t-molding.com:
Painted with art:
The cab is basically a riff on just about every other standup....3/4 MDF...no outside screws...
I don't own a table saw, so I'm very pleased that the entire thing from floor to top (70") only has about 1/8" runout at a couple of the intersections. I've learned a lot in this process. I guess 3 years worth of reading, collecting parts one at a time (due to fundage) and wishing I could proceed will do that.
Using all of the gift cards that Santa showed up with, I finally started the main cab a couple of weeks ago. I shortened my original plan by about 3 inches so my rugrats can play it. I lost 1" from the marquee area, and shortened the cab from the floor to the CP 2". I made the base capable of lifting in the future by adding to it if it ever needs it. The CP has about a 5 degree slope to it. As it sits, its right at the level most 80s arcades sit...about 35" at the front of the CP angling to 36" at the rear when it's installed. I like the play of machines with a slight slope. Especially for the trackball use.
I love my router. I'd marry my router if I didn't already have a wife. It's made not owning a table saw tolerable...
Test fitting the CP. I'm thinking I'm going to either redisign and rebuild the CP (it's 48x19) or re-skin it when I get my cab artwork and design finalized. I love the flag theme, but not for the entire cab.
Finalized the main construction. I'm so stealing knohbody's LCD installation technique (
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116253.0 ). I'll have that done this weekend. I have a 19" Dell LCD (I get them free from work) and I was tossing around the idea of using the VESA bracket mounted to a 3/4 x 4" ply bracket, but using the MDF as a bezel and mount is awesome!!
Despite the weird look of the pics, the cab is actually very square....holy
! The garages in Georgia have a slope built into them, so building on them is pretty difficult since it's not level. You have to pay particular attention to measurements and square.
Even wen you take pics, the level/plumb stuff in the background makes it look all out of whack. But, I was EXTREMELY psyched when it call came together. It's my first woodworking project and my tools are based around my automotive and BMX/Bike hobbies.
Coin door is vintage and has been out in the weather for a long time...it came in from ebay yesterday. It's a Happ and I'll restore it as I go along. I restore 80's BMX bikes as my other hobby, so I've learned a thing or two about restoring old rusty metal parts to new. This thing is pretty rough, but I love turning old junk into cool stuff.
My functioning coin door is a takeoff from a Happ "Convertible Coin/Currency System" and didn't come with a frame, so I'm going to see if I can restore the original door with sticker indent and use these mechs and mounts. Otherwise, this entire door will bolt up to the old frame. All told, I have only about 35 bux into the entire kit, so I'm pretty happy. I'll be hooking it up to run in parallel to the coin buttons on the CP. I might also change the color of the returns, but I just got some truly bitchin automotive 5 SMT LEDs to change the coin door lights from 14V to 12V. They're really bright!
The holes in the speaker panel will be 4" Pyle dual 180W with the center hole dedicated to the audio controls. I tripped on a Rockit chair when I was digging around my office looking for PC speakers and realized I'd tripped on my answer. It was a gift about 6 years ago that's only been used by the kids to learn how to destroy stuff.
It had a 2.1 channel amp in it with a small 5" woofer box and 2 2-way speakers...so I gutted it and pulled the amp/control assembly, wiring and subwoofer.
The amp attaches and will sit behind this in the middle hole:
I built a new subwoofer box to bury somewhere in the cab...I'll be replacing this speaker with a real Pyle unit to match the other speakers eventually.
It won't be powerful, but it will be good enough. I think It'll push about 80w. I bought the speakers mainly for their look.
The PC is a Dell GX260 with 512MB ram P4...
Front end is currenly Mamewah 1.64 with SNES, Mame, Atari, N64 emus.
Thanks for reading this far and looking forward to learning from you guys. Oh, and if anyone knows where to get tempered glass in the Marietta, Ga. area, PM me.
Thanks!
AJ from the ATL