The NEON MAME *HOF/Website UP*

[Knievel]

Getting lots of questions so I decided to do a quick post on the sideart idea. See it here...
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,31417.0.html

[clanggedin]

I was fine with how my cab is now, but yours makes me want to trash mine and make another a new cab.

Are you willing to post your cab plans (cp plans too) for us who want to emulate your design?

Thanks

[MameMaster!]

VERY creative use of the Neon....really add's a lot to the cab. Well done!

MameMaster!

[dmsuchy]

Is the cab painted or laminated? If painted what were the steps used to get that great finish?

[Knievel]

It's painted, I will likely laminate in the future though. Nice finish but I'm extremely picky and paint will always have flaws of some sort.

Anyway I used Zinsser latex primer tinted grey followed by 2 coats of Painter's Touch semi-gloss black latex...nice stuff. It was applied with a 6"? white foam mini-roller(the one with the rounded end)which gave it a nice finish similar to Happ vinyl.

I *wouldn't* use latex primer again as it raised the 'grain' of the MDF and I had to sand it before I applied the black paint. Supplies were all purchased at Home Depot.

When I get my website up I will try and put some sort of plans up for those that want it...thanks for asking.

[Minwah]

I'm using an arcade monitor and I need to run at 640x480 for MameWah skins to look at their best.

Actually they look best at 368x240 or another low res...

Knievel: great stuff, it all works really well   If you'd like your cab to be added to this page: http://mamewah.mameworld.net/cabinets.htm ...then let me know

[Knievel]

Thanks Minwah.
As for your page I don't have a website yet but I will e-mail you a pic to add meantime.
Some nice examples there...I missed the evolution of yours, very nice

[Minwah]

Thanks Minwah.
As for your page I don't have a website yet but I will e-mail you a pic to add meantime.
Some nice examples there...I missed the evolution of yours, very nice

I've added your cab - let me know when you get your site up

Mines coming along OK...waiting for a new marwquee and CPO to arrive atm...then just sideart to go really 

[Knievel]

Thanks, looks great Minwah. When I get my website up I'll send you the link.

A System 1 cab is on my soon-to-build list, love those lines!

[Santoro]

WOW that is nice.  I join in the drool-fest.

[Machikunas]

Wow.  Very very impressive.

[rchadd]

that is so cool

[Tahnok]

Thanks guys.
The CP and marquee were printed on a 42" plotter using some sort of high-end glossy paper which was later laminated. The CP has a piece of 1/8" plexi covering it, the marquee is sandwiched between 2 pieces of the same plexi.

Laminated ehh? That's an idea! On the CP, I know you said that you covered it with plexi, but did it still feel OK with just the laminate? That may be an alternative to my plexi bending dilemma.

BTW, great looking cab. Gotta love blue and black, and the lighting just makes it look that much better.

[Veinman]

Very cool.

[Knievel]

Thanks for the comments guys, this project seems to be getting some new life since it was bumped up. I'll add some finished pics with the keyboard drawer and cupholders tonight.

tahnok the laminate I used felt ok but wasn't tough enough. Just dragging my fingernails across it would leave slight marks so it wouldn't stand up very well. I did it for an extra layer of protection in case any liquid ever gets under the plexi, plus it stops the art from sticking to the plexi.

Mamemarquees uses some sort of textured polycarbonate laminate that's supposed to be bulletproof, you might look into that.

[nipsmg]

Let me second the "I hate you" comment..

That cab is beautiful.. 

Mine just sucks in comparison now.
Well, then again, mine is broken into pieces now, so maybe after I rebuild it it'll suck a little less, but still won't be nearly as visually stunning as yours.

AMAZING job.

[Knievel]

Thanks, just checked your site out and that's a nice cab..quite similar actually. So why is it in pieces?

Make sure you throw some lighted buttons in there when you're re-assembling..could easily be as 'visually stunning' as mine, even more so.

[dweebs0r]

I think this should be nominated for the Hall of Fame or a Mamey or something.

Great looking cab.  Lots of "tried and true" designs made better with good ideas.

-D

Edit:  It has been nominated.  Just noticed this thread.  Sorry!

[DemonBrew]

Any update on a website? I'm about to build my first cab and would love to use this as a template.

[cyberphox]

Thanks for the emails and volunteer to help with my routing questions! I second the nomination for Hall of Fame!

[Dire Radiant]

Knievel, if you need any help with dimensions or close up photos for the System 1, drop me an email. I have one sitting in my hallway. Good choice for your next project btw!

[markrvp]

Knievel:

Saint already said your cabinet would go in the HOF if you make a website.  He'll even post it.  Do you need any help with the website?

PLEEEEEEEEEEASE, let's get it in there!

[Knievel]

Thanks Dire I may take you up on that if I ever get some time for my own projects.

I'll try and start on a website this weekend guys, and get some final feature pics up here as promised...I'm without my camera for a couple of days.

[Knievel]

Well I'm planning on changing the artwork at some point but I'm going to call this one DONE. I will get a website up soon, thanks for all the interest and the HOF votes.

Here's a couple of pics of the final additions, the keyboard drawer and cupholders...

[Big Ben]

... Thanks for making everyone in this forum feel obsolite...

[Big Ben]

Did I mention I hate you? 

What is your arcade background and where did you start?

[xonix_digital]

please tell me you had limitless funds, a personal cab design team, you live at your moms house AND you cheat at life... beacause if any of those aren't true... Im gonna have to take a nap.   

lol.. aww man...

- XD

[Knievel]

Heh thanks, ya you better go have that nap. 

BTW the name of the image I used is in the first post.


So I finally got a website up, just click the link on the left. Afraid it's nothing spectacular yet, just a starting point. If you've seen all my projects there isn't much new, but I will slowly be adding content to it.

The bigger news is I'm now in the HOF for this cab, thanks to Saint and everyone who supported me!

[Navmaxlp]

Where'd you get those cup holders? I got some fold out ones for a VW Van but they don't look nearly as good as those. I'd love to pick a couple up if you can post a link.

[Knievel]

It's a Type S Drink Holder, if you're in Canada you can grab them from Canadian Tire.
Otherwise you'll have to search around. Here's a place online that's got them, and a couple of other cool ones...
http://www.autobarn.net/airvedrho.html

[Navmaxlp]

You're the king man...thanks

[Knievel]

That's me, 'King of the Cabinet-Building Stuntmen'...of course I'm the only one.

[Knievel]

Had some people new to the hobby wondering what all the various controls are for so I figured I'd post this.
It's a little control map I made for my machines...

[Timoe]

Now if we could just get our hands on some of that artwork........


 

[Knievel]

Aren't you the guy that wanted my Flyercade What are you looking for exactly?

[nipsmg]

Thanks, just checked your site out and that's a nice cab..quite similar actually. So why is it in pieces?

Make sure you throw some lighted buttons in there when you're re-assembling..could easily be as 'visually stunning' as mine, even more so.   

Appreciate the complements on my cab, although it's not nearly as nice as yours, trust me.

There's tons of inperfections (the plexi over the CP isn't cut straight and actually has to stick over the top of the t-molding at one point, etc etc etc.

The reason why it's in pieces:

You were smart and you framed yours with 2x4's.  Id idnt.  I merely used 1x2 pieces of wood to attach the main panels to. Then, when I was moving, I added castors to the bottom.  I was stupid enough to not reinforce the bottom panel the castors were bolted onto with more wood or metal.

I loaded the cabinet into the Uhaul, everything was fine.. When I got to the new place, I opened the truck, and saw the following:

The bottom panel shot up through the cabinet.  This broke the shelf that held the hard drives and CD roms, adn they had flown out the back of the cabinet.  The motherboard *MIGHT* have survivied. I haven't tested it quiet yet so I'm not sure.  The entire right side of the cabinet split from the rest of the cabinet by about .5 inches.  The entire right side is held on literally by ONE thread of the screws.

I also screwed many panels DIRECTLY together, and wood glued.. MOst of these separated.

It stands, but barely.. It has to be rebuilt and repainted.
I have no time to do this at the moment.

When I do rebuild it .. it will have: 

A: lighted buttons.
B: MUCH better support.
C: New plexi.
D: Probably new smoked glass.  I dunno where that panel went.  I think I still have it but I'm not sure.

When will I get around to this?

Who knows
It's so depressing.

--NipsMG

[clonestar]

Excellent cab - unrelated question, did you redo the side artwork on your pinball, I can't work out as it looks spotless but the colours are quite subdued like faded artwork.

[Knievel]

That's quite the tale nipsmg, hope you can get that beauty rebuilt..good chance for some upgrades anyway.

clonestar that side of the pin must've been facing a window for a good part of it's arcade life. The other side of the cabinet is quite vibrant..the rest of it is in fine shape as well.

[DefJam]

Ok, I have to recommend that you get your own show....maybe we could get you on G4TV.... 

Title:  Pimp my MAME cabinet.

That just rocks.

[Knievel]

Thanks..I like that show idea.
I've got some really over-the-top cabs on paper here...just need a big TV budget to make them a reality.