Jim's simultaneous 3 Arcade Cabinet Build - Finally Complete

[yaksplat]

I've made it through the planning process and I've ordered up all of my components to build 3 MAME cabinets.  I've got all of the parts in and decided that I should go through the process of documenting every step of the way to help anyone else out that may be in the same boat.

If you'd like to follow along, I've set up a blog at http://yaksplat.wordpress.com

Feel free to give any feedback.

The reason that I'm building 3 is that of course i need one, but then i'm making one for a friend and another for my brother in law.  My sister's not a fan of arcade games, so this is my way of being the annoying little brother by supplying her husband with one.


**********************UPDATE: PROJECT COMPLETE**********************

The first and second machine basically look the same and I just noticed that I didn't take any pictures of the second one.


Then my machine after another 14 months and an art redesign.


Backside of the control panel


Inside the box.  I still need to get a little wire cleanup in here done.

[Rando]

Should you build yours first to ensure you get it done before tackling the others, or should you build yours LAST to get all the bugs out and encounter any weird issues before tackling your own?

Will they be identical or custom built for each?  How long are anticipating this to take?  Are you making some money on this and/or utilizing their services as well, or doing out of the goodness of your own heart?

Best of luck, big undetaking!!

[yaksplat]

I'm doing it out of the goodness of my heart, splitting shipping three ways, a plethora of credit card points, something to do and for tips.

I'm planning on finishing them all by christmas.  I'm a mechanical and software engineer by trade with a solid background in woodworking, metal working, drafting and construction.  So I've got all of my plans generated.

Here's a good reason for doing three.  1 cab takes 3 sheets of high quality plywood for my design.  3 cabinets take 6 sheets due to some arranging of pieces in AutoCAD.  Guess whose cabinet gets made with no plywood cost   

[yaksplat]

I've added a post showing my plans in AutoCAD.
http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/the-cabinet-plans/

A basic side view (I'm not sure my saw will live up to that dimensional precision though)

Here's a shot of all of the pieces, prior to layout

Control panel pieces

And now 3x all of the pieces now laid out on the sheets

[dithrin]

make sure to plan your cuts out carefully, doesnt look like you have any extra material if you make a mistake,  also dont forget to account for the thickness of the saw blade.  i looks like a few of those cuts are real tight.



have fun

[yaksplat]

Yeah in this case all of the internal pieces are 22 wide. 

It turned out that the 4x8 sheets had an extra 1/8" on them.  Plenty enough for a jig saw cut.

[yaksplat]

My third son, and future video game addict, was born last week, so things took a temporary backseat.  Now that all's well on that front, I've got back to work on the cabs.

Last night I decided to start working on the wire harnesses, since no loud power tools are required.
 
Here's the end result:


The entire process can be found at http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/control-panel-wiring-harness/

I have some catch up work to do on the blog.  I've got the sides all cut out and all of my power switches wired up.

Happy Building!

Jim 

[yaksplat]

Monitor dissection:

I took a nice Dell 2001FP and ripped it apart to get something a little more usable for an arcade cabinet.



http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/monitor-dissection/

Happy Building!

Jim

[yaksplat]

All of the sides are cut.

One big stack of arcade cabinet sides.


http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/cutting-out-the-cabinet-sides/

Happy Building!

Jim

[yaksplat]

All details of the relay controlled power switch have been added.  I think I've caught myself up now in the blogging department.  That means it's time to do some more actual work and less typing.

http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/wiring-up-the-main-power-switch/

The circuit diagram.  I apologize, I'm an mechanical engineer, not an electrical, so my diagrams aren't as pretty as some i've seen


Happy Building!

Jim

[gbeef]

thats pretty insane building 3 at once. nice work so far

[yaksplat]

I've completed building the bases for the machines.



http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/building-the-arcade-cabinet-base/

[BobA]

The led needs a resistor if there is not one already built in.   A reverse biased diode across the coil to reduce transient spikes would also be beneficial.  You do not have to switch line and neutral with your relay but it does not hurt.  Good looking cabs 

[yaksplat]

Adventures in t-molding

Slots are done, and the tmolding showed up today.



http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/cabinet-t-molding/

[yaksplat]

The led needs a resistor if there is not one already built in.   A reverse biased diode across the coil to reduce transient spikes would also be beneficial.  You do not have to switch line and neutral with your relay but it does not hurt.  Good looking cabs 

The switch states that the power for the LED should be 5-12V, so using a 5V line i should be all set.

I'll have to look up the reverse based diode that you mentioned.  I see in another post that a 1N4001 or equiv is recommended.  I guess I'll head to radio shack and get overcharged.  At least they have this in stock http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036269

What do you mean about switching line and neutral?

Thanks!

[BobA]

Since you already had a dpdt relay it is not an issue but you can just switch the line as most appliances do and get the same effect as switching line and neutral.

[yaksplat]

I've completed the switched outlet assemblies in my build.

All of the details here: http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/main-power-switch-wiring-part-2/



I've been working on painting everything.  I can't say i'm a big fan of painting at all.  I don't like doing it in my house, and i don't like doing it here

One other difficulty that i'm having with building three of these at a time is the space that they take up. 6 side pieces take up a lot of room when being painted!  I've got a decent sized shop, but it's not big enough to handle that.

[Le Chuck]

Looks great so far, that's a huge undertaking.  Are you doing the same theme across all three or do you have to do three sets of art as well?  From the T-molding looks like one is going to be different...  yours?

[yaksplat]

Thanks!

Three cabinets, three themes.

I believe that my friend is going for a Rush 'n Attack theme for his.  He's doing all of the art ordering, I'm just delivering a black cab.
I'm really not sure what my brother in law is doing, but I know it's custom art all around.

I was going to do a halloween theme, but I may shift over to another non-arcade theme. I'm contemplating a Scooby Doo, Mystery Incorporated themed cab.  I'm swaying back and forth between the two.  I've been a scooby doo fan forever and my boys are also big fans.

I think i'll probably create both themes and then just decide between the two.  I really need to get time to learn Adobe Illustrator.  I know that the art most likely won't be complete until mid next year.  At least the cab will be playable by christmas though

[yaksplat]

I've been putting a lot of work into all three of the cabinets lately.  This hasn't left me any time to document the entire process, but I will be getting around to that.  All of the pictures have been taken, but they still need to be organized and uploaded.  My main goal is to get two of these done before christmas.  That gives me two weeks to go from the current state to complete.  As you can see in the following pictures, it's getting pretty close.



Lexan cut for the screen:


On the software side, everything is up and running.  I've managed to get Hyperspin working with MAME, NES, SNES, Genesis and Daphne.  I'll add more systems in the future, but so far this is a good start.


http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/quick-update/

[Le Chuck]

Those are really coming together well  now take a break, you deserve a york peppermint patty I believe.

[yaksplat]

If i took a break it would be to vacuum my shop.  It's become a sawdust disaster.  A bit of mdf routing and poof, dust everywhere.  Add in planing down 2x4's for the monitor mounts and all of the large hole drilling and i've just got piles building up.

Note to self, i need to install a dust collection system.

Also, no time for a break.  If i take a break then these machines won't go away and that will lead to an unhappy wife.  I've kind of taken over the non shop area of the basement

[TopJimmyCooks]

Realize it's been a while, but congratulations on that baby.  2 more and you'll have your team. 

[yaksplat]

Realize it's been a while, but congratulations on that baby.  2 more and you'll have your team. 

Ha!  He's #3.  All boys. Ages 5.5, 3, 2 months.

[yaksplat]

Using Inserts for Joystick Mounting

http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/joystick-mounting-with-inserts/



I've still got a lot of catch up to do between the blog and the actual build.  The blog is lagging. 

[yaksplat]

Monitor Mounting

http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/monitor-mounting/

[yaksplat]

Took a bit of a break there....

That is a break from blogging not from working on the cabinets

1 down, 2 to go.



http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/took-a-bit-of-a-break-there/

[yotsuya]

Looks great! 

[Le Chuck]

Awesome!  Who get's the first one?  Nice classic professional look.  Excellent work   

[yaksplat]

A friend of mine has the first one, my brother in law gets the second.  And then when I've finally worked out all of the kinks, I'll do mine.  

The second one is nearly finished, putting this one together was drastically faster than the first one.  A lot was learned during the first go round.  And now i have some nice templates to work with.

That brings me to my first offering.  If anyone is interested in premade control panel tops, with plexiglass I can now provide this service.  If there's any interest, PM me and we'll discuss.

[yaksplat]

Looing for some feedback on the artwork I'm planning on using.  Still a lot of cleanup left to do and I'm a complete rookie in photoshop and illustrator.

Side art:



Control Panel:

[Le Chuck]

Jim, I dig it so far, but look into introducing some retro striping à la mystery machine onto both the side art and CP.  I like the more modern Scooby look but feel like it's kinda missing something right now as far as pop.  Maybe check out Dale's Scooby art over on Vector Lib for color inspiration.  Avocado, Violet, and White in big bold swatches can really add a lot. 

[yotsuya]

Jim, I dig it so far, but look into introducing some retro striping à la mystery machine onto both the side art and CP.  I like the more modern Scooby look but feel like it's kinda missing something right now as far as pop.  Maybe check out Dale's Scooby art over on Vector Lib for color inspiration.  Avocado, Violet, and White in big bold swatches can really add a lot. 

I agree. Maybe even make the entire CP a side panel from the Mystery Machine.

[yaksplat]

Right now the cabinet is painted black and i have purple t-molding to go on when the art is done..  I don't know if i want to wrap the sides or not, but that's worth a thought.  I was originally going to just have a ~20 x ~25" sticker on each side....

I know what you mean about the 'pop' though.  One thing that i love about the new scooby doo is the darkenss in the cartoons.

I want to incorporate this 'darkness' in with what i'm building, and i don't know how to make that 'pop'.

here's what i'd like to work with:

[Le Chuck]

Some of this would be right at home on Monkey Island don't ya think?  This may get kinda out there but perhaps you could incorporate the curves and flowers on the Mystery Machine into a a way to breakup the art.  Fer instance if you use the above image as a side wrap for the top half the cab, but replicate the bottom of the mystery machine's paint job (not visible in the ms pictured) in really dark colors to blend down into the flat black of the base of your cab.  That would allow you to break up the square boarders of the image and give you a bit of a transition.  Then you can mirror those shapes on the CP.  Kinda a dark dangerous Scooby. 

The purple T-molding will be tits by the way.

[yaksplat]

That's my favorite shot, i was thinking of using it for the marquee.  I figure the purple/ pink on the house and the light would look great back lit.  I was also going to throw the scooby doo logo on there as well.

I'm still getting used to doing things in photoshop. Pencil paper and marks i'm used to, this, not so much...

[Green Giant]

Zoinks, looking pretty good.

[yaksplat]

hrm....perhaps something like this:



2 transitions like you had mentioned

[Le Chuck]

Fo sho!  I would even move the curves and whatnot up a bit cutting off the bottom of the top half image and kinda fade it all together.  I like where you're going tho.

I know my explanations and ideas are ever so helpful and clearly explained.   

[yaksplat]

I installed the speakers and added in some rgb led strips between the grilles and the speakers.  It turned out quite nice.  These will be controlled by an led-wiz and i think I'll only have them on in attract mode to cut down on the reflection on the glass.

Those are my old car speakers.  6" infinity kappa component speakers.

[Nephasth]

Are those dome lights above the speakers?

[Le Chuck]

That's ridiculous!    I want one.  Link to the rgb strips?  Way too cool with limitless applications.  These are definitely part of my next project. 

[yaksplat]

That's ridiculous!    I want one.  Link to the rgb strips?  Way too cool with limitless applications.  These are definitely part of my next project. 

Thanks, that's what i was going for.  The same led strip is going to be used on the back of the machine to give some ambient lighting.  Although i think I'm going to wire in a switch for each one inside the control panel if i find them to be annoying...

Are those dome lights above the speakers?

No, you're seeing the speaker.  This is the light source:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130623956497&var=430044725490

A hole is drilled diagonally from outside the speaker footprint to the open area.


The back side is routed out so it's about 3/32" thick in front of the grille, leaving a lot of space between the grille and the speaker.




Finished, from the back:

[jammin0]

A year or two ago I made a DIY ambilight system called Amblone.  Google it and you'll see the website easy enough.  I was thinking about incorporating this into my slim build that I'm doing right now.  I think it would be pretty sweet to light up at least the sides so that they coordinate with the game.  Possibly the top as well.  The amblone thing works amazingly well for how easy it is to get setup.  I have limited skill level and threw one together in an hour or two with all the right parts.

Your lights made me think of that.  Keep us posted on how the illumination turns out.

[TheShaner]

I've completed the switched outlet assemblies in my build.

Awesome work on your cabs. I was wondering what the reasoning behind the one switched and one hot outlet was. I am going to be doing a similar outlet in mine but hadn't thought about one being always hot.

Thanks!

[Junai]

Fyi, im totally stealing this for my next project.

[yaksplat]

Fyi, im totally stealing this for my next project.

And just like that I've officially contributed to the community.

Steal away.

[yaksplat]

Just to confirm, a Paradise Arcade Bubble Top fits a U360 joystick. 



http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/swapping-the-ball-top-on-a-u360-joystick/

[DirtyDachshunds]

Looks good Ron!

Subscribed to see how they turn out

[yaksplat]

Here's a shot of some control panel art that i'm thinking about.  Critique away....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yaksplat/6900809467/#sizes/l/in/photostream/

[Le Chuck]

I like it.  I think I'll reserve final judgement until you reveal the updated side art but it definitely has that retro scooby feel and looks like a cut away from the side of they mystery machine which is nice.  The purple is a nice touch as well.  Maybe do Scooby and Shaggy silhouettes for your P1 and P2 icons.  I would say to try and make the center of the flower be the trackball but I like the scale you have now and with all the bling you have on your controls I don't think it's necessary.  Keep chuggin' away man.   

[yaksplat]

Thanks.  I've got the old school volcano buttons to go with those p1 and p2 icons, so those have to stay.

[yaksplat]

I'd like to skin the whole side, but the cost is just too high right now.  So maybe at a later date.  In the meantime i'm just going to do a side decal.

marquee:


side art:

[Le Chuck]

I might go through the headache to customize the Crystal Cave text for your build but it's not necessary.  Looks great Jim!  Can't wait to see it put together.   

[javeryh]

Your side art and marquee look great but now I'm thinking you need to upgrade your CP to match a little better.  I mean, keep it the same and uncluttered but make it a bit more sophisticated... if I'm making any sense...

[yaksplat]

That makes sense, and i know exactly what you mean, i just can't think of what to do with it.  I have a test copy printed out on mylar, just for sizing, i'm going to see how that looks on the panel.  I'll take some pics with it on there and post them later tonight.

[javeryh]

There is depth and vibrant colors and an almost watercolor look to the marquee and side art - maybe just add some of that to the CP?

[Green Giant]

That makes sense, and i know exactly what you mean, i just can't think of what to do with it.  I have a test copy printed out on mylar, just for sizing, i'm going to see how that looks on the panel.  I'll take some pics with it on there and post them later tonight.

I know what's missing from that control panel.

[yaksplat]

A couple shots in place. ignore the faded look, that's just the mylar.  I think i may want to go a bit brighter with the colors though.

[TopJimmyCooks]

Good choice on the GGG Led marquee lights.  They are very bright - I used paper diffusers to tone them down a little. 

[yaksplat]

The machine made it upstairs last night and everything is working great.  Output to the TV for some games and the Media Center portion works perfectly. 

First game played: Galaga

The first and second machine basically look the same and I just noticed that I didn't take any pictures of the second one.


Then my machine after another 14 months and an art redesign.


Backside of the control panel


Inside the box.  I still need to get a little wire cleanup in here done.

[kahlid74]

Way to go man, very nice!