TAITO RETRO ARCADE from Spain.

[Pingaloka]

Hello guys, first of all, tell you that I'm spanish so my english is not 100%.
Its been a year almost, since I started to get inside this amazing world of classic arcades.
Something that started as a simple distraction has become an adiction!
Here in Spain there was also a boom of arcades in the 80's and 90's, I'm more of a 90's era of the arcades, Nevertheless I love classic arcade games like Donkey Kong and Pacman, some of these games we still played here in the 90's as many arcades arrived really late to Spain. Specially at that time.
Anyway, after searching, buying a joystick and playing Donkey Kong the whole summer, I decided to make my own arcade
Something that started as a little dream, is becoming more and more certain each day. Now, 3 months have passed since I started to build my "maca" as we say in spanish. Even though I have post it all the progress in a Spanish forum, I will like to share my work with all of you!
It is not finished yet, but most of the work is done.

So here I started, cutting the pieces and making them all together after getting the measures for the TAITO.
My replica is a little higher and also the half-curve has a bigger diametre than the original. All the pieces were cutted at home....living room!







I bought a Sony trinitron TV 21", and took all the chassis out:







Then I made a protection for the CRT Tube, and made something so the TV would hang on well on the arcade. TO make the protection I just used the original structure/box and some wood. Quite simple, but effective:









Then came the Bezel, which was hard time to get all angles perfect. I went to a carpenter to get this piece as perfect as posibble.







Next thing I did was to put the top part of the angle, and the control panel. To get the closest retro feeling I used 80's type joysticks:







I added two speakers and a subwoofer to the top part, as well as a light:







I ordered then a kind of gray glass called "parsol grey" This gives blur to the image giving it a really classy look:





Next: Ventilation, as summers in the south of Spain can be tough! Also added a coin door:









Then at first I added a Spinner, mandatory to play classic games:



But then I decided to take it out, and place a trackball where the spinner was. Why? Well, trackball games like centipede, etc are real fun. Also it works as a mouse, and that is very handy. Also, I must admit I love graphic adventures, classics like Monkey Island, etc. So I decided to place a trackball so I could play them. I haven't placed the spinner yet, probably I will put it at the top right corner of the control panel.

For the trackball, as I had little space, I decided to make it myself. So I bought I trackball mouse. I disassemble the mouse, weld some cables to the right click and left click of the mouse. Which will be the two red buttons of the control pannel. To make the "mouse hang on the control panel I used putty. Offcourse is not the same as I real trackball, but due to lack of space was my only option...and it was fum making it! Here are the results:











Well, this is what I got up to. I will post my updates...hope you like it!

[javeryh]

Nice job - that mouse hack is really cool.  Any ideas on what the paint/finish will look like?   

[Pingaloka]

Thanx javeryh, probably, but not sure, I will make a Zombie theme, a horror theme definately. The standard will be making a game theme, and then select a horror theme, for example "splatter house". But not sure yet, maybe I'll make a collage, putting elements of creepshow, etc.
I live with two real good artists which offered to paint the arcade,  particulary the right and left side of it! In the top, bezel, etc I will put vinyls.

[Epyx]

I really like that all wooden bezel.  I have seen paper bezels and plastic bezels that meet the screen but an all wooden bezel that does just brings it to the next level imo.  

I think I may do something similar for mine although laminating the part that meets the screen may be a bit difficult.  Then again...i suppose laminate those pieces first...then glue them on wood work best.

[saleem]

got to agree,the monitor bezel is kicking.i am on my monitor bezel at the mo and am struglling to mount my lcd (horizontal orientation) i have come up with an idea and it is good for mounting the monitor but,it falls short of a cm or so of the bezel so i need to have things flush so this got me thinking of the same idea.

hope you dont mind (if) i use it,thats using IF loosely.

i think your cab is brill as i was just thinking the same a couple of days ago.on ebay uk theres a rally x and its a taito game and same shape,i saw another similar on klov and thought "i wish i had done my cab that shape" well i didnt as i started mine a week or so ago.i am happy with it but,monitor mounting suxs big time,especialy when you cut the bezel before hand.no wander you had a carpentaer do it.

congrats and the carpenter you used as skillz!

[emphatic]

Very nice cabinet!

[Pingaloka]

I'm happy you guys like the cab!
The bezel was hard time  but it came well at the end! I bought a flat trinotron sony so I would save some work with the bezel, as making a bezel with an angle adds difficulty to it.
Actually I tried making the bezel first by myself, but it didn't come nicely enough, that's why I decided to make the cuts via carpenter.
Personally I love the design of the TAITO arcades, precisely because they are totally 80's look.

[javeryh]

Personally I love the design of the TAITO arcades, precisely because they are totally 80's look.

I love them too.  Where did you get the dimensions?  Are there plans floating around out there?  Have you seen Knievel's Twin Taitos?  He did a pretty sick job (as usual).

[Pingaloka]

  AMAZING! I have no words!

Yes, there are some plans available from a spanish coleague that made a taito cabinet, and very nice also.

My cabinet has different dimensions as I made a slightly modified version. I used CAD to design it with help of a friend.

http://www.retrovicio.com/proyecto/maca-lord-hiryu-vertical-arcadium?page=0%2C0

http://arcadeforever.forumfree.it/?t=41112299

[Pingaloka]

Hello guys, it's been long since I posted here, been away from the Arcade world, but came back to the DARK SIDE!!! jaaja.
I open this thread long a go, so I want to post the cab I finished, and that sadly I had to sell due to economic situation here in Spain....
Hopefully I will make another one in the future. Hope you like it:

It is a Taito 80's replica, a bit taller and with dedicated arts. A Tribute to the 80's because of the cab, and to the Sci-Fi movies of the 50's because of the arts.