You know this monkey its Donkey! [DK scratch build]

[falcon NL]

After almost 4 years of doubting, I finally decided to make a scratch build replica of the Donkey Kong Cabinet. The real "kick"from behind was after i had seen King of Kong...men I love that movie! Im still not sure if I want a complete replica or a adjusted one for two players+ a couple of extra buttons.

Since i have been looking to start this project more then 4 years ago i knew a couple thing ahead of time.
- Nintendo coin doors aren't that easy to find
- Planning is everything
- Color Matching is hard.

I started off with buying a coin door off the this forum.I started with buying a sheets of MDF (244x122x15) and tracing the plans of jakobud (yes i know that they aren't that accurate, but i haven't got anything better to work with..)

Im still a total noob on making cabinets, mame or restoring parts or old cabinets to there original state. But i figured, if i never try it i would never learn so that makes this a fun project to do and maybe make some new friends along the way!

Picture time!


Cleaning up

Drawing out the first side of the cabinet


first side of the cabinet done!


I have been working a lot of thing this week to make sure she was standing up this week.
First i worked out the foot for the cabinet



I made sure to sink the bolts,so just a bit of touching up before i can paint the thing.

Saturday i jigsawed the seconded side panel and made sure they where even by sanding the hell out of it!


Assembly! Thanks to Scr33n for the L brackets idea!



Well its been a hell of a week...but she is finally standing! I



So there she is! Im not sure about the size...she looks kinda small, but its 60cm wide and 86 cm long...
Now its time to order all my stuff like the bezel, side art, retainers, buttons and joysticks. So which one is good? Im doubting between Mikearcade and mamemarquees/Gameongrafix, anyone any thought on that?

[WhereEaglesDare]

looks real good,  really good.

never thought about nintendo coin doors being hard to find, but I guess you're right, ive never seen one for sale in any sort of good shape

I think I want to make one too, itll be a while though

[javeryh]

Great start.  Lots of us have DK cabinets that we restored so there shouldn't be a shortage of information.  My restoration is HERE.  It runs MAME and about 30 vertical, 4-way, one button games.

EDIT: some suggestions:

- get a router.  There's no way you should have to sand the sides to match.  Also, you will have to cut the t-molding slot eventually.

- you don't need screws for the base.  Wood glue is VERY strong.  Also, add some feet so you don't ruin the wood base and, more importantly, your floor.

- I hope you are using some glue in addition to those L-brackets and screws to hold everything together.  If not I guarantee over time your cabinet will come apart.  MDF doesn't hold screws as well as wood does.

 

[falcon NL]

Well thanks for the welcome!

@Javeryh
Your here? I watched you blog for so long, and have gotten so much inspiration from your blog!
I would be happy to answer your questions. 

-Well i just bought one for the t-molding. They are the same, but the only problem i was having is that some of the edges aren't straight anymore. Some part of the sides are kinda sloping. Would you suggest to take everything apart ?

- Thanks for the advise! I kinda alreay had seen it on your blog
- I already though that MDF was kinda weak, so this good that i used some wood glue.
   

I am mostly struggling what to buy and where online. For example:
Mikes arcade is selling "Nintendo CP Strike Set" i have no idea what it is or it should be on my cabinet..same is for Control Panel Latch, i think they fit together but i have no idea...

[severdhed]

awesome project, i'll be watching this closely.  Javeryh's thread is a great source of info, and is what inspired me to restore a DK cab as well.  Mine is going much more slowly than i would like, but one of these days...


good luck with the build..there is nothing like a DK cabinet

[javeryh]

Glad to know I inspired someone!

-Well i just bought one for the t-molding. They are the same, but the only problem i was having is that some of the edges aren't straight anymore. Some part of the sides are kinda sloping. Would you suggest to take everything apart ?

Hmmm... I think I know what you mean - you sanded the edges but didn't keep the sanding block/sander exactly perpendicular to the panel.  This is not good!  When you go to install the t-molding there might be gaps along the edges.  Depending on how much of a slope there is I might recut BOTH panels.  If you have a router and a pattern bit this will take like 20 minutes per side.  You should prep one of your panels that you will use to make the copy as perfect as you can (making the edges as square as possible).  The ball bearing of the router bit will ride along the edge and your copy will be whatever path the ball bearing follows - if there is noticeable sloping along the edge it may affect the crispness of your lines.

I am mostly struggling what to buy and where online. For example:
Mikes arcade is selling "Nintendo CP Strike Set" i have no idea what it is or it should be on my cabinet..same is for Control Panel Latch, i think they fit together but i have no idea...

I bought a lot of my parts from Mike's Arcade.  For the control panel alone you will need the strike set and corresponding latches (this holds the CP in place), the control panel overlay, the 3 buttons (which are a bit different than a standard Happs button), the 8 bolts, the microswitches, the microswitch holders, a joystick (I went with a JLF and LOVE it - not from Mike's), the instruction card and maybe some other stuff I'm leaving out.  It adds up.  You should part everything out before placing any orders so you won't waste money on shipping and you can search for the lowest prices.  Here is my running tally with cost and where I bought from (It's mostly complete):

Cabinet:

    * Cabinet and coin door: $36 (I still can't believe it)
    * Zinsser BIN primer (1 gallon): $20 from Home Depot
    * Blue paint (1 gallon): $45 from Sherwin Williams (way expensive, but worth it)
    * Black paint (1 quart - Rustoleum semi-gloss): $8 from Home Depot
    * Bondo: $12 from Home Depot
    * Rubber feet: $2 from Home Depot

Control Panel:

    * Control panel overlay: $30 from eBay
    * Control panel instruction card underlay: $5 from Arcade Shop
    * Button set for Nintendo Classic control panels: $15 from MikesArcade.com
    * Nintendo Control Panel bolt set (8 bolts/nuts): $10 from MikesArcade.com
    * 3 Nintendo button holders (with microswitches): $28 from MikesArcade.com
    * Nintendo CP Strike Set: $5 from MikesArcade.com
    * Joystick (Sanwa JLF) and harness: $35 from lizardlick.com
    * 1/16" ABS plastic (24" x 24"): $17 from eBay
    * 1/2" MDF panel: $0 (on hand)

Art:

    * Marquee: $40 from Arcade Shop
    * Side Art: $65 from QuarterArcade
    * Bezel: $45 from Arcade Shop.com
    * Bezel instruction card decal: $5 from Arcade Shop
    * Nintendo coin door decals: $6 from ThisOldGame

Misc. Parts:

    * Light: $12 from Home Deopt
    * Marquee/bezel retainers: $17 from MikesArcade.com
    * 9/16" t-molding: $10 from Arcade Shop
    * 19" Vision Pro monitor: $200 from Happs (discontinued)
    * Computer: $0 (on hand)
    * Powdercoating coin door: $75 from local shop
    * Asahi Seiko Coin Mechs (2): $76 factory direct

 

[javeryh]

Get it while you can.

[falcon NL]

 
Wow thanks for the grocery list!

Im still dont know what i should do with the control panel. On the one hand i want to look orginal, on the other hand i really want to play some games with my brother...The other option i have thought op is a CP with two top buttons, instead of one..

Not much for a update yet, im trying to figure out the lower shelve for the Marquee and the angle the triangle on the sides of it. But thanks yo Javeryh (thanks again) i can start ordering some stuff i didnt knew that where necessary

Edit: Thanks for the link Jave  But im not sure why i should have two?

[Epyx]

Agreed, get the coin door while you can...easy to restore and make look brand new! 

[javeryh]

Edit: Thanks for the link Jave  But im not sure why i should have two?

D'oh!  Brain fart.

If you ever think you will build another cab (trust me, you will), I'd make the CP match the DK original - it's just cooler, IMO.   

[falcon NL]

Yesterday i ordered almost all my stuff from mike! I decided to go for the one player option, the original style   

Nintendo Bezel Art Retainer   
Nintendo Control Panel bolt set (8 bolts/nuts)
Nintendo Lower Marquee / Top Bezel Bracket
Donkey Kong instruction card set
Control Panel Latch      
Nintendo CP Strike Set   
Nintendo Joystick Guard
Nintendo Black-ball joystick (4 or 8 way)   
Nintendo Control Panel Retainer   
Nintendo Machine Screw M3 x .5 x 6mm with Flat Head
5x Blue Pushbutton with Horizontal micro switch
1x Orange Pushbutton with Horizontal micro switch

I just need to order all the art work at Gameongrafix.
The problem is that i haven't install the marquee board in my arcade. I haven't figured of the triangle in the marquee or the angle of my beezel. My cabinet is a little bit off (thank you Jakobud), so i need to recalculate a couple of measurements.
The dimensions Scott gave where these:
Bezel 23wx 21.875h
Marquee 22wx6h
So I'm looking for the original measurements for the bezel and the marquee and the triangle in the marquee section.Any one can help me?

I want thank you all for the great support you guys have been, and the help you guys have been. Love it here!

[Ond]

Great start! also what I noticed was the quality of your build pics i.e. you are taking the time to take good pictures of your workshop progress.  We love them around here.  It's easy to get caught caught up in the build and forget to take pics, especially in those 'challenging' moments, but try to keep documenting your build as you're doing now, you'll be glad you did.

 

Ond

[blomman83]

Hello!

I am a first poster here on BYOAC, I have been lurking here long enough to decide that I'll build my own arcade cabinet this summer/autumn. As you did, I chose to have a classic Nintendo cabinet too, and I did found the blueprints at Jakobud, but I really want the measurements to be accurate (we Europeans really don't dig the imperial unit system..). I wonder if anybody here can help me and Falcon NL and provide the measurements in metric, preferable in millimeters?

I am sure there are more builders which want it.

Good luck with your cabinet, looking good so far!

/blomman83

[falcon NL]

And im back!  Its been a while since i had worked on my cabinet (school/work/girlfriend they need attention too) so here's a little update.

Part came in  a while back, and boy it was like christmas!



And today i finally had time to make the speaker board. I never handled a router before, but its really easy and fun! It all worked out on my FIRST TRY! That made me especially proud




I wanted to order my artwork at gameongrapix mamemarquees and Scott told me that the dementions where:
Bezel 23wx 21.875h
Marquee 22wx6h
But Im guessing these are in cm? because theres no way that these are inches...right?
Next to that still need to order the overlay for the CP and the artwork on the sides.


And there one question that keeps me bugging..what is this part? and what is it called?

[falcon NL]

Well still working on the cabinet!

Its been a while but progress is (slowly) coming along.
Yesterday i finished the back of my cab. All fits nice and snugly, just need to secure them into place with some L brackets a some woodglue.




I hope to finish the woord work on the cabinet this week. The Marquee board is cut but i cant place it in there yet, need to lay the cabinet down before i bolt every thing down. Just need to cut the tryangle for the CP, the CP and the Marquee light board!

[leapinlew]

Thats the lower bezel retainer. It's about 3/4 the length of the bezel and fits in a slot cut into the lower support (the part you put the jumpman instruction sticker).

If you think Nintendo coin doors are hard to find....

[Kman-Sweden]

Hello!

I am a first poster here on BYOAC, I have been lurking here long enough to decide that I'll build my own arcade cabinet this summer/autumn. As you did, I chose to have a classic Nintendo cabinet too, and I did found the blueprints at Jakobud, but I really want the measurements to be accurate (we Europeans really don't dig the imperial unit system..). I wonder if anybody here can help me and Falcon NL and provide the measurements in metric, preferable in millimeters?

I am sure there are more builders which want it.

Good luck with your cabinet, looking good so far!

/blomman83

Hi blomman. I'm guessing you're a Swede? Try this URL out for inch to mm convertions. http://mdmetric.com/tech/cvtcht.htm
Lycka till!

-Edit- Oh and good job sofar Falcon! 

[WhereEaglesDare]

That speaker grille looks pretty good, did you do it free hand or did you use a guide at all?

[falcon NL]

No I used a guide to help me, i didn't think it was wise to do it free hand if you got a guide I think it came out pretty good, and im  really happy with it.

@leapinlew
Thanks! i already had ordered a list of items from mikesarcade, is this the part you referring to?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=post;topic=102615.0;num_replies=17

[falcon NL]

Pretty big update i guess.

Last month i got all my artwork in! Marquee,Beezel and CP from Scott and the side art from QuarterArcade. I was really happy with the result! And Scott helpt me out with the import tax problem




I also made the t-molding slots. A HUGE thanks to Joeks  for lending me the bit for my router to do so! I would never succeed without his help at that point!



Then finally cut the hole for my coin door! It fits perfectly, i dont need glue or bolts to hold it in place. I also cut out some admin buttons for controlling Mame.



Then yesterday i finally fixed the light in the cabinet. The strangest thing happened the i first l saw the marquee, i really was proud of myself . I hope the make final adjustment this weekend and get the first layer of primer on (Histor, MDF grondverf)




I still need to fix this part into place...anybody got a clue on how and where?

[javeryh]

Looks good!  A couple of comments:

- Have you thought about recessing the admin buttons underneath your CP?  If you don't recess then they might be visible.

- The CPO doesn't look right.  There is supposed to be a plastic screen printed CPO that covers a black laminated panel and the instruction card is separate.  It looks like you are going for an original looking CP so I wanted to point it out.  It's pretty cheap too - maybe $30 for the plastic CPO with the art and another $6 for the instruction card.