Leather covered Cab

[skinz]

First of all I'm a huge noob.  Just thought I'd get that straight.  Been dreaming of a MAME cabinet for quite some time.  Just got my hands on a Jamma cabinet that was a street fighter converted into a Tekken 3.  I just ordered all the buttons, joysticks, etc.  Tracked down an old Ultimarc AGP card with 128 Megs of video ram to go in the older PC I got for free.  

My wife and I are Master leather craftsman in the city.  I've seen a lot of gorgeous custom cabs on here but none covered in anything.  My wife had the idea of fully wrapping the cabinet in leather, with custom gold tooling etc.  

If you want to see our work go to www.mhgstudio.com.

This post is a little premature because I won't be stripping the cab til this weekend coming up.  I'll put up pix of the whole process.  The only thing we will have to make from scratch is the CP because the original is too altered and we need space all the way around for the leather wrapping.  

This is my first cab so its bound to go horribly wrong (already having monitor issues - surprise surprise).  Pics to follow in this thread starting this weekend.

Wish a noob some luck!!!!!!  

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

on the topic of leather covered cabs, there were these posted a while back:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105080.0

[skinz]

Wow - those are silly - I promise mine will look NOTHING like that.

[yotsuya]

Make sure you keep us updated!

[drventure]

As long as it's got lots of brass trim and gold leaf leather foil stamping, I'm in!

[Rick]

As long as it's got lots of brass trim and gold leaf leather foil stamping, I'm in!

I'm going for the 80's rocker van look.  You know, the black vinyl with the sewn-in diamond pattern, and a lot of shiny chrome.  Something with a bed in the back.

[yotsuya]

My uncle used to wear a silk shirt that looked like that back in the late 70s.

[skinz]

I will have initial pics of the cab this weekend before I start stripping it down.  And yes it will have 23K gold leafing and lots of brass nail work.  I'm gonna replace the T-Molding with nailheads.  I need to get some parts still including the bottom half of the coin door etc, but I should have plenty to start. 

[JustMichael]

As long as it's got lots of brass trim and gold leaf leather foil stamping, I'm in!

I'm going for the 80's rocker van look.  You know, the black vinyl with the sewn-in diamond pattern, and a lot of shiny chrome.  Something with a bed in the back.

So if this cab is rockin', don't come a knockin'?

[skinz]

So I made a ton of progress and hit a brick wall at the same time this weekend.  It's OK though - got way more done than I thought I would.  Here is the Cabinet in the Garage in Tekken 3 Working condition.



The Cab was a Mortal Combat and converted to a Tekken 3.  All side art was Mortal combat and front art was all Tekken 3.



Jpac installed and Mala on the front end.  Thats where the snag came in.  The AGP Arcade VGA card I got won't work with my dell so I'm in search of a replacement that will allow me to use Soft15K. 



So it was strip time.  Got it in the house and spent the weekend stripping off the graphics and getting her all prepped for leather. 







Heres the Tekken 3



Managed to strip off all the graphics - Ordered everything else I need for the control panel.  Its Big.  The hides wont cover the sides in one piece so we will be getting creative.  All the t-molding grooves are filled and just need a final sanding waiting to be wrapped.




The inside was nasty.


Thats all cleaned up too.

Check this out LOL





So I'll be looking for a card to run soft 15k - the rest of the buttons etc are coming as well.

It might be 2 weeks for more pics because of Halloween but I'll keep it updated as I go.

[skinz]

I got the Trackball and all the buttons today.  All black.  We decided to use #9 real brass nailheads, 23k gold tooling and all black controls.  All I need now is the video card that will work with this machine and soft 15k.  Next weekend the leather wrapping will begin. 

[skinz]

I'm still having video card issues with getting the cumputer to show on the arcade monitor and suspect I'll need help at some point.  Tried the Arcade VGA one more time and didn't work.  So, like I said before - I need to find a video card that will work so I can use soft 15K.

Anyway, we managed to get some leather on the cabinet today.  Went over the layout and began to cover some of the prepared parts.

Heres how it went:







It was a lot of work so far but my wife did an awesome job.  I'll keep you posted with more leather on the cab.  Then we will start with the 23K gold tooling and brass nailheads.  It will be pimped out.

[emphatic]

MY GOD!  That looks completely sick!

[drventure]

Very nice. You using some kind of brown tmold or wrapping leather around the edges? The gold tooling and brass nails was very much like what I was going for on my CP (but it's formica laminate so I couldn't quite use leather tools on it)

[push2reject]

Wow thats really nice.

[yotsuya]

Just adding my kudos! That actually looks really, really good!

[skinz]

I filled and sanded all the T-molding areas and she completely wrapped the edges.  Almost feel like I shouldn't ruin it with the nailheads as the molding because it looks so nice, but the wife still seems to think we should go all out.  LOL - We are struggling with getting it to show up on the monitor and that is taking and has taken up all of our time.  Nightmare!!!!  We did the layout for the control panel this morning to get our minds off the monitor issues.  This is what the first draft sketch of the layout looks like.  It's kind of generic but we have limited space and this layout seemed to be the most comfortable even though its the least pleasing to look at.  We have to go to Home Depot to get a 1 1/8" hole cuter so we can make the first mock up.  Glad everyone likes the leather.  It's this custom made Italian leather that is amazing.  We had it leftover from a job.

[amendonz]

Wow amazing work. Looks great.

[skinz]

One last pic for the night - we're friggin' exhausted.  Here's the first mock up of the CP.  The CP should be done by next weekend.  Got the wood for it.  Just want to do a couple more templates etc. before we cut the final one to make sure its just right.  So, here's how the first mock up looks.

[drventure]

Good choice with the all black controls. Don't think I've ever seen a black trackball used!

[skinz]

Thanks - Got the trackball all wired up and played a few games of milipede and a few rounds of golden tee with my buddy.  Was nice to actually play something.  Weird thing though>>  We can use the trackball with the games no problem if we start the games through Mame but NOT if we start them through Mala.  Can't figure out what it could be.  Anyone know what setting I could be missing?

[skinz]

OK I'm desperate - My machine has onboard graphics and the AGP arcade VGA card I got isn't compatible with the dell i have.  What other way can I get the games on the monitor?  I can't be sure what cards will work in my machine to use the soft 15K so I was wondering if anyone knew if I could use one of those video converters etc?  This is consuming 99% of my time - I kinda want to smash it.

Anyone help?

[trevski]

I have a Radeon X800 card working with Soft15Hz on a Dell Dimension AGP motherboard no problem - Having said that, I'm really not sure why you'd have problems with the Arcade VGA.

[skinz]

I just tried once more for the 60,0000th time and this is what happens. I uninstall the onboard graphics driver >> Power down and open the case >>> Plug in the Arcade VGA AGP 128 card (and make sure its seated properly), close case >>>> Hook everything back up but video out is going out of the new card to the Jpac.<  Once I press power I get the blue dell startup logo all jumbled up on the arcade monitor and then everything goes black.  The computer does not boot up.  I try the same with it all hooked up to the computer monitor and same thing - Black screen and computer doesn't boot - Even with no monitor connected and the card in - Computer doesn't boot.

If I get this fixed I could be done in 2 weeks but its about 2 months already trying to get it on the monitor.  My fear is that I'll buy another AGP card and it wont work either.  I'd like to know something will work before I buy something else. Sigh.

I made sure the AGP in the bios was set to 128 and that it was switched from onboard to auto.  The machine is a Dell Optiplex GX 260 full size tower. - Sigh again

 

[eds1275]

Thanks - Got the trackball all wired up and played a few games of milipede and a few rounds of golden tee with my buddy.  Was nice to actually play something.  Weird thing though>>  We can use the trackball with the games no problem if we start the games through Mame but NOT if we start them through Mala.  Can't figure out what it could be.  Anyone know what setting I could be missing?

I was having that very same issue, pissed me right off. I found a setting in Mala to enable mouse input, that worked for me!

[skinz]

I see that setting in Mame only and I turned it on and it works - But I don't see the setting in Mala.  If I play the very same games launched through Mala the Trackball won't work.  Wheres that setting in Mala?

Tried the Arcade VGA one more time - and nothing - still prevents the machine from booting.  Discouraging.

[eds1275]

Hmmmmmm I dunno actually, I definitely tried the mouse setting in MALA under Controllers/mouse but after selecting and deselecting that I'm suree that's just for menu navigation. Try [in mame] allowing multiple mice. If that doesn't work, try posting in the Mala forum!

[Encryptor]

You might want to send Andy at Ultimarc an email describing your problem with the AVGA card if you haven't already.

Encryptor

[BadMouth]

How do you get the leather wrapped around the corners like that without it bunching on the backside?
(guess that's why you're the professional)

[gazz292]

i've heard that dells are a pain for non dell hardware, basicaly they make the mb's work only with dell approved hardware, and not a lot can be done about it, other than never buying from dell again.

[trevski]

So, you never even get past the BIOS screen? Sounds like a possible card fault.

Only way to know for sure is to try it in a different machine - It should at least start to boot XP before bombing out due to any driver issue.

[eds1275]

i've heard that dells are a pain for non dell hardware, basicaly they make the mb's work only with dell approved hardware, and not a lot can be done about it, other than never buying from dell again.

So, you never even get past the BIOS screen? Sounds like a possible card fault.

Only way to know for sure is to try it in a different machine - It should at least start to boot XP before bombing out due to any driver issue.

Yes, my experience with dell is that everyone raves about their customer service... because everyone has to use it. My fiance, against my advice, ordered a Dell computer. It was assembled in Richmond BC, we were living in Tsawwassen BC at the time, 20 minute drive. We weren't allowed to pick it up. Shipping was over $100. It shattered the first CD we put in the drive, it had decent specs so I bought an aftermarket AGP card to boost the graphics so she could play The Sims 2 when it was new. Opened up the computer, and wow... the AGP socket had been UNSOLDERED and REMOVED. I can see where it was, it shows up in the BIOS, but completely removed from her machine.

This was a few years ago, and I've heard good things about them since... but that wasn't a nice first impression. I did get a graphics card out of it though.

On 2 of my 9 computers, even though they are good computers, putting the screws in to lock the PCI cards in actually pulls the card out of alignment. I would suggest looking closely at the card whn you insert it and maybe giving it a jiggle and firing it up without the mounting screws. I'm sure you can get it to boot up.  As Trevski says, it's more than likely a card error. Also try leaving a computer monitor plugged in to your onboard video output - maybe it just doesn't want to boot if it can't detect a video output. You may need to install everything with the hardware connected and detected for it to show up. I'd try making sure the card is seated properly first htough.

[skinz]

I tried seating the card properly a million times.  I'm kinda leaning toward Trevski's remark - I think the card is bad.  Just because you guys all rock I'm gonna try again one more time tonight - I'll see if I can start it with the case open and a monitor plugged into the onboard at the same time and see what happens.  Thanks for all the tips etc guys. 

[miggitymac]

I'm, the other person involved in building this machine.  We got the trackball working with MALA now.  So thats one less item to get working.

[skinz]

HATING this monitor problem - which I'm now understanding is a computer problem - Start with a better computer and have less problems - I'm going to start saying that to myself over and over so I don't forget for my next build.  Also, Dell is horrible - LOL.    Really could have been done by now - Oh well - Live and learn.

[skinz]

Special thanks to Memeber TOK for all the help this week!!!!!!  I'll get it figured out!  I can honestly say this is the best fun and learning experience I've had in a long time. 

Here's my first Front End attempt - so don't make fun!

[SpaceHedgehog]

Got to say that I had some serious doubts about this when I first looked at the thread but looks like I'm completely wrong. The fitting on the leather looks awesome. Looking forwards to the suede-cade next .... 

[skinz]

Got my CP wood custom cut by an amazing cabinet maker today in the city.  He even took 1/32 of an inch off the thickness of the 3/4 substrate to compensate for the wrap.  Amazing!  Then he tells me - No charge, just let me know when you want to pick it up.

Please remind me to measure a million times and cut once.  I'll pick it up from him Thursday or Friday. Can't wait.  Just ordered 200 female quick disconnects and my buddy picked up a crimper to help out with the wiring.  Quick disconnects should be on the way.

Shame I can't sit down to work on it again until next weekend. 

Slowly but surely

[Erik]

This is very nice.  I checked out your website too.  Really awesome work!  I would think this will look better if you skipped out on the brass and gold hardware and instead kept all fasteners hidden.  Either way tho I'm excited to see how this turns out. 
 

[skinz]

LOL - there are no fasteners.  The gold and nailheads will be for decoration.  There is no bunching, no lumps, no gathered leather, no fasteners of any kind.  The leather is carefully templated out and glued directly to the piece.  At first glance, you would think it's painted until you touch it.  In any case you will certainly see pictures of it all covered in leather before any decoration.  We just want to pimp it out because we feel like it's what someone would have wanted in the 80's.  You know, slightly gaudy but impressive at the same time.  I had the idea for the brass nailheads just to replace the T-molding.  The gold is real 23K gold leaf that is burned into the leather in patterns with a hot brass wheel - It isn't hardware.  I think it will look pretty insane when it's done.  Embarrassingly enough it's all I can think about and is probably the least important thing going on in my life.  Don't you love how that goes? LOL