Author Topic: Mini Pac-Man Cab (Read 13294 times)

JamieMcShan · « **on:** August 02, 2006, 01:12:39 am »

I really didn't mean to jump on the bandwagon, I didn't really know that mini cabs where that popular....

After completing my Galaga, I decided to start a new project. A 70% of scale PacMan Mame Cab. Please let me know what you think.

The Sides

The Base

Since no one makes orange tmolding in 1/2, I had to cut down 3/4. I think it will look just fine.

I am using a 17" Dell monitor. It barely fits, but I just had to try...

This is my custom mini coin door. I plan on putting red lights behind the 25c slots. Its all made out of wood, and routered out to make it thin on the edges.

And this is where I am on the project. I have been really busy lately and didn't get this done in nearly the time I completed my Galaga.

For more photos, you can visit my site at www.jamiemcshan.com

Thanks,
Jamie

AtomSmasher · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2006, 01:51:21 am »

Looks great so far. Theres just something inherently cool about mini cabs

javeryh · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2006, 10:10:02 am »

Quote from: AtomSmasher on August 02, 2006, 01:51:21 am

Looks great so far. Theres just something inherently cool about mini cabs

I totally agree and I'll be building one of these next. Pac-man shape with totally original art. I can't wait to get started.

This project is looking quite nice so far and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it for inspiration and ideas...

theCoder · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2006, 10:35:35 am »

Look'n good. What make is that blue car in the background? Are you in Europe?

horseboy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2006, 11:00:07 am »

Quote from: theCoder on August 02, 2006, 10:35:35 am

Look'n good. What make is that blue car in the background? Are you in Europe?

Grapevine, Texas

javeryh · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2006, 11:29:50 am »

Quote from: horseboy on August 02, 2006, 11:00:07 am

Quote from: theCoder on August 02, 2006, 10:35:35 am
Look'n good. What make is that blue car in the background? Are you in Europe?

Grapevine, Texas

Holy bananas - how hot is it there right now? I'm in NYC and we are supposed to hit 103 today...

Paladin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2006, 12:13:47 pm »

I've never seen a wooden coin door, seems like a good low cost alternative to a metal one. Especially when the cheaper metal ones usually need to be repainted anyway. Will it be just for looks, have a credit button or are you going all out and figuring a way to mount coin mechs?

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2006, 01:24:35 pm »

Question 1... the car in the photo is a replica of a 1956 Porsche Speedster.

Question 2... I live in Grapevine Texas and the temp will most likely be around 100+ today. Yes, it's hot here! But I lived in VA for 2 years and I would much rather deal with the heat!
Question 3... the coin door. I would love to make it actually work. Still trying to figure out how, but it will at least have the red coin 25c lights. I have custom made a Midway label to put on the front.

Also, I made sure that the monitor fit... and it does...!

This is what the CP will look like.

Thanks
J.

PrizLucky · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2006, 03:40:21 pm »

That is a really nice looking project!
I've been procrastinating on a very similiar build, and one of the scary parts (to me) was how to get the monitor to lay like that.. so I REALLY appreciate your picks! They've really helped me out!

Nice job so far! and I'm really looking forward to seeing the end results!

javeryh · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2006, 06:12:37 pm »

What are the 4 buttons for? If you are planning on putting admin buttons on the CP, maybe look into some "mini-buttons" so they won't take up as much space (I'm just guessing that the top 2 buttons are "start" and "coin" or something but what do I know). This one from RadioShack works great:

I love the artwork - and the super sweet car, of course.

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2006, 07:25:20 pm »

You know... I really don't know what the other two buttons are for... I just thought the more buttons the more games I could play... but then again, I really don't know of any games that I would want to play (on this) that require more then two... maybe I should just put some smaller admin buttons. I had planned on putting the player 1 and player 2 button on the front of the CP.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Here is the custom bezel that I created to fit around the monitor.

Jamie

Lutus · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2006, 10:42:15 am »

You could always use the LED-lit cone buttons for the start buttons.

PrizLucky · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2006, 02:05:37 pm »

Quote from: JamieMcShan on August 02, 2006, 07:25:20 pm

You know... I really don't know what the other two buttons are for... I just thought the more buttons the more games I could play... but then again, I really don't know of any games that I would want to play (on this) that require more then two... maybe I should just put some smaller admin buttons. I had planned on putting the player 1 and player 2 button on the front of the CP.

I am currenly planning on 3 buttons (my cab will also have a vertically mounted monitor).. I found a few games the used three, but I haven't seen anything to make me put on four. If you come across anything be sure to share!

javeryh · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2006, 02:44:09 pm »

Quote from: PrizLucky on August 03, 2006, 02:05:37 pm

Quote from: JamieMcShan on August 02, 2006, 07:25:20 pm
You know... I really don't know what the other two buttons are for... I just thought the more buttons the more games I could play... but then again, I really don't know of any games that I would want to play (on this) that require more then two... maybe I should just put some smaller admin buttons. I had planned on putting the player 1 and player 2 button on the front of the CP.

I am currenly planning on 3 buttons (my cab will also have a vertically mounted monitor).. I found a few games the used three, but I haven't seen anything to make me put on four. If you come across anything be sure to share!

I think 3 is the sweet spot for vertical games - even though most games use 2 or less. Here's my vertical CP for my cabinet. The 4 small buttons are admin (start, coin, pause and the one to the far right is exit to FE).

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2006, 06:20:52 pm »

Quote from: javeryh on August 03, 2006, 02:44:09 pm

I think 3 is the sweet spot for vertical games - even though most games use 2 or less. Here's my vertical CP for my cabinet. The 4 small buttons are admin (start, coin, pause and the one to the far right is exit to FE).

I only see one button. And it's square. And has a red x in the middle of it. Come to think of it, I don't think that's a control panel at all.

javeryh · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2006, 07:05:38 pm »

Any better? I can see it just fine...

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2006, 07:28:28 pm »

I can see it if I paste the url into my address bar. Then if I come back here and click refresh, it goes away. Very perplexing to me.

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2006, 08:24:17 pm »

I finally have some time to do more work on my little project. Should be able to get finished quickly now that I don't have a job... ok, I don't at the moment, but I will in 3 weeks. I'm as they say... in-between jobs...

Should have more photos soon, as I plan to spend a lot of tomorrow working on it.

Thanks,
Jamie

javeryh · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2006, 08:39:13 pm »

Wow that thing looks AMAZING!!

I hope I can build one that comes out 1/2 as nice...

PrizLucky · « **Reply #19 on:** August 16, 2006, 01:32:17 pm »

where did you get the artwork printed?

looks real nice!

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #20 on:** August 16, 2006, 09:03:45 pm »

I actually did it myself. It's printed on 13x19 matt photo paper.

Now the bigger question is how I am going to do the side art... which to that question, I don't have an answer yet. I really don't want to spend a fortune to get artwork printed for the sides. But I am not sure that piecing multiple sheets together to make the side art is going to work... I thought about making and cutting my own stencils, but I just don't think it would turn out that good...

If anyone has a good cheap suggestion for making a 16X30 image, please let me know.

Thanks,
Jamie

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2006, 12:30:47 am »

Ok, here are some updated photos of the project.

As I mentioned before, I am building a custom 70% of scale coin door out of wood. It doesn't have real coin slots, (not yet anyway) but it has red 25c lights and the coin return buttons will actually be used for coin drop.

I hinged the CP. I really don't know why, but I thought it would be cool. Then I added some wing nuts on the back to hold it down.

And this is the CP all ready to be wired up.

More to come tomorrow...

Jamie

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #22 on:** August 19, 2006, 08:52:35 pm »

Coin Door is complete. No, it's not functional, but it lights up and the coin return buttons are actually used for coin drop.

Here is a photo and a photo of the coin door I modeled it after.

My mini coin door...

and the coin door from my galaga...

I also ordered the artwork for the sides and the coin face. Looks like it is going to be about $80 for all three pieces.

I think others have said it... if you think you are building it smaller to save money... trust me, it won't save you a penny. I think I am spending just about as much on this mini cab as I did my Galaga.

Jamie

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #23 on:** August 23, 2006, 04:40:12 pm »

I ended up having the artwork printed at fast signs... I am a little worried that the print quality is not worth the $89.00 that I spent... but as they say, it's only money.

I also started the paint process. Looks good to see the yellow! Should have things complete by this weekend.

Jamie

PrizLucky · « **Reply #24 on:** August 24, 2006, 01:02:24 pm »

Looking real nice!

Was there something specific you didn't like about the print job? Looks nice in the pics!

Was the Yellow paint color-matched to the print-outs? and (either way) how well do the yellow's match up between the paint and the print-out? (just curious how you went about it, because that's another one of those "how is that going to work?" things that I have in my head)

ChadTower · « **Reply #25 on:** August 24, 2006, 01:12:06 pm »

Looks good, following the thread with interest.

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #26 on:** August 24, 2006, 03:44:04 pm »

Quote from: PrizLucky on August 24, 2006, 01:02:24 pm

Looking real nice!

Was there something specific you didn't like about the print job? Looks nice in the pics!
Was the Yellow paint color-matched to the print-outs? and (either way) how well do the yellow's match up between the paint and the print-out? (just curious how you went about it, because that's another one of those "how is that going to work?" things that I have in my head)

I tried my best to match the prints to the paint at the paint store, but when they printed the side art, it was printed with a ink jet type printer on adhesive vinyl. And the Yellow was printed too. So the Yellow is actually not a solid color, but made up of small speckles of color. It was really hard to find a perfect match... I haven't put the art on just yet, I am waiting for the paint to dry really good before I try it...

Also, I just hate putting on paint with a brush/roller. I should have just sprayed it on. It never looks as good when you have to role it on.

Also, keep in mind, I am a bit of perfectionist... my wife says it looks great so what do I know.

Jamie

shardian · « **Reply #27 on:** August 24, 2006, 03:58:43 pm »

I love that coin door. Looks great!

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #28 on:** August 24, 2006, 04:20:18 pm »

Ok, I have it about 90% complete. Just have to put on the side art, mount all the computer componits inside... Won't fit in there in the case, so I guess I will be pulling it out and mounting it inside) I hate to have to mount it all, but there is just not a lot of room in this thing after you shove in a 17" monitor.

At least I pulled it inside now so that I don't have to work on it in 104 degree temperatures...

rlemmon · « **Reply #29 on:** August 24, 2006, 06:55:03 pm »

That looks great !

It's nice to here that your using a pc instead of one of those jakks plug n plays. I wouldn't mind them if the games were arcade authentic but there not so I despise them.

Keep up the great work.

RetroJames · « **Reply #30 on:** August 24, 2006, 06:58:50 pm »

I gotta say that is damned tight. The mini coin door really completes the illusion! Great job!

PrizLucky · « **Reply #31 on:** August 25, 2006, 12:38:53 pm »

Really looks great!

cw · « **Reply #32 on:** August 26, 2006, 02:59:09 am »

great job...

as far as the coindoor goes... you can power the lights with 5v of the puter ps.. the microswitches just hook to the enoder/hack that your using... and then bind it

again really have to say great job....

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #33 on:** August 27, 2006, 10:12:04 pm »

Ok, thought I would share a photo with the artwork in place. It really turned out pretty good. Everything is done with the exception of the electronics. When I went to wire up my ipac2, I found that it was defective and Andy is shipping me another. So as soon as I get that, I should be in business. I hope to get it this week.

Other then that, I think it turned out pretty good. The artwork and paint match up pretty good. Better in some light then others... strange how color works.

So, lessions learned from building my mini cab.

A. it's just as much work if not more work then a full size cab. Especially if you do custom stuff like the CP and Coindoor like I did.
B. I won't ever use 1/2" MDF again. I only used it to give it the correct scale and I got to tell you it was not worth it. 3/4" is much smoother, and takes paint better. Could have just been the MDF that I got, but I couldn't believe the difference. Plus, having to make my own 1/2" orange t-molding, was an added choir.
C. Artwork is going to cost you unless you can / have access to your own printing place.
D. Also, If you can, spray the paint on. I can never get the finish the way I want from a rollor or brush....

Would I do it again! HELL YEAH... and I am sure that I will. I am currently in the process of relocating my family from Dallas area to Austin, so I am going to be without my cabs for a few months. I am sure that once I get all set up in Austin I will most definitely have to build another. I have one more Sun 20" just asking to be placed in a cab. Hopefully horizontal this time.

Thanks to all for your nice words of encouragement and support. I have learned so much from this forum. This is what the Internet is all about! Well, this and that other stuff... but we won't talk about that! ;-)

Thanks,
Jamie

javeryh · « **Reply #34 on:** August 28, 2006, 05:41:17 pm »

Amazing work! After seeing how great yours came out I can't wait to get started on mine...

Brogner · « **Reply #35 on:** September 05, 2006, 11:44:43 pm »

Yes, that is a nice looking mini!

jlfreund · « **Reply #36 on:** September 09, 2006, 11:15:40 pm »

Kudos! It looks like a lot of love went into that one, so I'm curious what your motivation was for this project? Are you a huge pacman fan, or you wanted something small and cute for the kids, or you were looking for a decorative piece with more of a "kitschy" and less of a "massive multi-arcade" feel, or you just wanted to do it for the challenge?

Thanks for sharing!
-Jason

JamieMcShan · « **Reply #37 on:** September 11, 2006, 08:39:14 pm »

Wow, I had to think about how to answer this.

1st off, I am a fan of the 80


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