Little Ms. Pac-Man, A Portable Cocktail Cab

[DaOld Man]

The only log pots I use require toilet paper aftwards 

 

[griffindodd]

Well here's stage two of the project in its very raw early concept.


The idea here is a table dock that turns LMPM into a four player cocktail. The motivation for this is many happy hours playing Gauntlet with friends as a kid.

The table buttons and sticks would have to take over the player 1 & 2 roles when docked making the main cabs controls 3 & 4. Also it needs to auto switch on dock to a different gaming hardware to support much more games. Quite a challenge but a good one to try for.

The base also provides power and bigger sound and of course 4 cupholders

Sent from my pocket ZX81

[Nephasth]

A 4 player docking station for a 2 player 60-in-1…

Apparently you've got plan to convert it to MAME, but if you're going to bother building something that size, you might as well just build a dedicated 4 player machine.

How does that whiskey commercial go? "It is what it isn't."

[griffindodd]

Nope you misunderstand. When its undocked its a 60-in-1 two player cocktail. When docked it switches to 4 player and uses the computer hardware in the base, probably Mame.

Sent from my pocket ZX81

[yotsuya]

I'd probably leave LMPM as it is and just build your own take on a four player cocktail. LMPM is great for what it is- why complicate things? I personally would like to see what you could do with that open space, and then you're not tied to the Pac theme. Maybe your own take on Gauntlet? Make that hanging marquee a shield? 

[griffindodd]

Yeah I hear you guys, I guess I just had this in my head already but in the greater scheme if things it a may make more sense. I think this way I get to deny to my wife that I am already building ANOTHER scratch cab lol.

Sent from my pocket ZX81

[griffindodd]

Plus I've already decided that my next scratch build will be a dedicated driver with full seat motion and a wrapping screen

Sent from my pocket ZX81

[yotsuya]

Build the driver, then come back to the Gauntlet. That way, you get the taste of a totally different project and pick some stuff up for under your belt.

[griffindodd]

Yeah we will see how things go. Either way I have Paperboy sitting patiently in my garage waiting for the pro-touring treatment so that will probably be before any of this crazy stuff.

A resto/upgrade project will be a whole new experience in itself. The full redraw of the artwork is all finished I just have to dive in and get my hands dirty.

Sent from my pocket ZX81

[PL1]

Well here's stage two of the project in its very raw early concept.

I like the curved sides of the base, reminds me of G-rock26's Project Morph.


My main concern is that your sketch is just begging to tip over.

The idea here is a table dock that turns LMPM into a four player cocktail. The motivation for this is many happy hours playing Gauntlet with friends as a kid.

The table buttons and sticks would have to take over the player 1 & 2 roles when docked making the main cabs controls 3 & 4.

If you were using a KADE or Lono2, I'd say that the way to switch the controls over is to use an arcade pushbutton for HWB/shift mounted behind a hole in the base of LMPM.

A corresponding piece of chamfered ~1" dowel mounted on the docking table would both index LMPM and poke through the base to press the pushbutton and switch LMPM's controls to P3/P4.

Also it needs to auto switch on dock to a different gaming hardware to support much more games. Quite a challenge but a good one to try for.

Instead of changing LMPM, wouldn't it be better to build a clone using a gutted laptop for the board?

It's much easier to dock if you only have to connect USB, audio, and power from the base without connecting and switching to a different video input.

The base also provides power and bigger sound and of course 4 cupholders

If this thread turns into the cupholder thread I'm going to kill myself and then everyone else who has mentioned teh word cup and/or holder.

Scott

[griffindodd]

Yep I'll chew on this while I get started on Paperboy, but for now here's the end of project shot...

[Malenko]

Where did you get that stick/balltop? I need a pink one for a project Im working on.

[griffindodd]

Where did you get that stick/balltop? I need a pink one for a project Im working on.

Here you go..
http://www.shop.cajunarcade.com/Joystick-Bubble-Balltop-35mm-Joystick-Bubble-Balltop-35mm.htm

[Le Chuck]

I like the conversion table, it's a fun innovative design that hasn't been done before and pulling off an on the fly switcheroo of the controlling hardware would be a choice bit of hackery.  Plus it has some serious wow factor for guests.  IMHO it'd almost be a shame not to go onto the next step.  It's not a new project, it's just phase two of this current one.  It'd be a shame to quit now...plus I have a thing for feature creep when it's well executed and that is some serious feature creep.  Do it.   

[griffindodd]

I like the conversion table, it's a fun innovative design that hasn't been done before and pulling off an on the fly switcheroo of the controlling hardware would be a choice bit of hackery.  Plus it has some serious wow factor for guests.  IMHO it'd almost be a shame not to go onto the next step.  It's not a new project, it's just phase two of this current one.  It'd be a shame to quit now...plus I have a thing for feature creep when it's well executed and that is some serious feature creep.  Do it.   

Lol thanks Le Chuck, I know I can always rely on you and Scott to understand the adventurous exploration side of my ideas. It's kinda funny when people here say 'what's the point...you may as well just.....' while I understand the rather unarguable logic of that frame of mind, I do have to point out there is absolutely no logic, practicality or cost effectiveness involved in this hobby.

I'm not trying to be rude, just saying if you're going to get all "PrAcTiCaL" you may as well go buy an Xbox and be done with the whole hobby. Revolution cost almost $4,000 to build, LMPM probably $500-$600, so yeah nothing that makes any real sense there.

Planning out the BOM for my future driving cab, it could well be the most expensive yet, and it will certainly be the most insane thing I have ever placed in my home.

I guess there are Spocks and there are Kirks, both heroes but I know which i'd rather be.

[yotsuya]

I guess I'm a Spock, then.

I don't have a problem with creativity. I just think your talents would be better suited creating something new than going back to this well. It looks great as it. Dock it and you lose the side art. Now you have to cut more holes, rewire... Why not make the best cocktail you can AND have the mini as opposed to one thing that is completely dependant on the other?

Live long and prosper, bro.

[griffindodd]

Live long and prosper, bro.

 

[mcseforsale]

I'm with LeChuck.  Been around here a while and I'll never understand where this "right" way of doing things comes from.  We're grown ups building machines that emulate our childhood.  There's no "right" way of doing it.

Your builds are inspiring and well executed. 

Hell, craftsmanship and design are well respected by me no matter what you're building.  Even if it's this:

http://www.break.com/index/useless-machine-extreme-edition-2399540/

AJ

I like the conversion table, it's a fun innovative design that hasn't been done before and pulling off an on the fly switcheroo of the controlling hardware would be a choice bit of hackery.  Plus it has some serious wow factor for guests.  IMHO it'd almost be a shame not to go onto the next step.  It's not a new project, it's just phase two of this current one.  It'd be a shame to quit now...plus I have a thing for feature creep when it's well executed and that is some serious feature creep.  Do it.   

[Nephasth]

I'm with LeChuck.  Been around here a while and I'll never understand where this "right" way of doing things comes from.  We're grown ups building machines that emulate our childhood.  There's no "right" way of doing it.

There might not be a "right" way to do things in this hobby, but there is definitely a WRONG way to do things. Not saying this idea is one of 'em or not, but there's a whole website dedicated to showcasing a lot of the wrong decisions made in this hobby.

[mcseforsale]

I just walked through the crapmame site...are there any others?

AJ

I'm with LeChuck.  Been around here a while and I'll never understand where this "right" way of doing things comes from.  We're grown ups building machines that emulate our childhood.  There's no "right" way of doing it.

There might not be a "right" way to do things in this hobby, but there is definitely a WRONG way to do things. Not saying this idea is one of 'em or not, but there's a whole website dedicated to showcasing a lot of the wrong decisions made in this hobby.

[griffindodd]

Lol you guys get so worked up about yer beepy boopy games.

Crapmame is ---smurfing--- hilarious though, I love it

[PL1]

I just walked through the crapmame site...are there any others?

There's a "Hellcade CL Ads" thread on KLOV.   


Scott

[ghostrider]

Amazing job on this machine.  You have inspired me to attempt my first build.  I do have a couple of questions for you about this build.

1.  How do you access the internals of the game when necessary?  I see no piano hinges or sliding panels.  Perhaps a few pics or maybe a video...

2.  What lighting controllers do you use for all of the led's (buttons, joystick, end panels)?

3.  If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you would change or do differently?

Thank you.

[griffindodd]

Amazing job on this machine.  You have inspired me to attempt my first build.  I do have a couple of questions for you about this build.

1.  How do you access the internals of the game when necessary?  I see no piano hinges or sliding panels.  Perhaps a few pics or maybe a video...

2.  What lighting controllers do you use for all of the led's (buttons, joystick, end panels)?

3.  If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you would change or do differently?

Thank you.

Thanks glad you like it, can't wait to see other peoples versions of these. The bottom panel will be screwed in place with six brass screws, no need to access it much being a 60-in-1.

I just use a basic 12v DC supply for the LEDs making sure all led buttons and lights I buy are 12v not 5v. The cycling color LEDs are rgb strip and color controller from amazon.

Different I would have laminated the CP before sticking the vinyl for much better adhesion. I'd have allowed more clearance between the joystick and fan/speaker panel. I'd have used MDF rather than particle board.

Good luck

Sent from my pocket ZX81

[ghostrider]

Thank you for the fast response.

[griffindodd]

So I'm considering selling this project. It's been a tonne of fun to make, but funding my hobby so I can continue to build new projects is more important to me.

I did build this for my daughter but as she's only 1 that really was more of an excuse to build it ha ha ha. To her it's a jungle gym at this point, I think she's going to need a few more years under her belt.

Any thoughts on a reasonable asking price for this build?

[mcseforsale]

12 hundred?  a grand?

AJ

[yotsuya]

Great question, Griff. If CoryDee can get $600....

[mcseforsale]

That's for a bar-top, too.  I'd think this would be a bit more...

AJ

[Nephasth]

Throw it up on ebay.

[griffindodd]

Yeah hard to know what to ask, I'm just going to put it up for offers in the For Sale forums here for a bit and then if no interest I'll try my luck on CL or eBay.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130625.0.html

[yotsuya]

Make sure you add 'Don't lowball me, man!!!!1!' to any ad. 

[griffindodd]

and 'No Tattoos'

[yotsuya]

"Will trade for things that go BANG!"?

[CoryBee]

Great question, Griff. If CoryDee can get $600....

I was just thinking that....... 

uh, now I made myself sad

[mcseforsale]

Hey, get back to work!  Don't you have a couple of plates to make?

Welcome back to the world of non-mushy food.

AJ

Great question, Griff. If CoryDee can get $600....

I was just thinking that....... 

uh, now I made myself sad

[CoryBee]

Hey, get back to work!  Don't you have a couple of plates to make?

Welcome back to the world of non-mushy food.
AJ

Haha! I am still in Europe! Where the girls are pretty and the cheese is stinky....seriously though....this cheese I am eating right now smells like an old man's fart. Although, I must admit it is pretty tasty.

I return the 28th.... Will start the plates as soon as I do, have plenty of material left so no problemo. Expect a return email from me when I am situated.

  - How much are you asking for the thing? I make cookie cutter bartops, this....this is a work of art.

[griffindodd]

- How much are you asking for the thing? I make cookie cutter bartops, this....this is a work of art.

If I have to go to dollars on the eBay or CL I'll ask a grand for it, would rather trade it for one of my bucket list cabs though

[mike boss]

This is truly fantastic and beautiful.
My hat is off to you, the creativity and concept development (to execution) was amazing.
I LOVE (and I can't stress enough) how much I love the LED lit speaker panels.

I don't know where, how, or when, but I'd love to use that idea somehow.

Truly top shelf work !

Fantastic ! A ++++

[mcseforsale]

Easy enough.  It could be yours for $1500 (quiet griff...I'm working over here).


 
AJ

This is truly fantastic and beautiful.
My hat is off to you, the creativity and concept development (to execution) was amazing.
I LOVE (and I can't stress enough) how much I love the LED lit speaker panels.

I don't know where, how, or when, but I'd love to use that idea somehow.

Truly top shelf work !

Fantastic ! A ++++