MAME Anthology(new cabinet design inside of thread)

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I finally decided what design I'd like to use as a control panel for my MAME cabinet. Which is to me, the most difficult part for the design. I included the final design as an attachment for the design for the control panel(and what style of parts I'd like to use for the control panel). The controls will be more spread apart, it just looks the way it looks in the drawing because of the art pad I used. The control panel is going to be a lot larger than what it looks in the drawing(I was working with a smaller art pad). This is the first step in my process of building the MAME cabinet itself with me and my father, so it'll be a slow, step-by process(since we're both new to this hobby). In the time before the project begins, I'm going to post my dimensions for all of the cabinet, control panel, etc. I'm going to take it slow for now, and just enjoy my research, and modifications for the plans of my project. So that whenever the time comes, I'll be ready to build my cabinet.

[DaOld Man]

looks good. That is the same design I used on The Rage.
http://skennys-arcade.blogspot.com/

I have a drill stencil for the joystick and buttons if you would like to try it I can send it to you.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Thank you.  That's okay, I'll seek out my own stencil drill. Thank you for the offer though. My father forgot to bring home the print-outs of Arcade cabinet design home from work, so we're going to look at them here at home. I'll post an update on the final cabinet design once its chosen(which will be later today). My sister knows a friend who's a graphic designer, so I contacted the graphic designer if she'd be able to convert my design into graphic art form(I thought my cabinet would look nicer that way), along with how much it would cost. So I hope I get a response. 

[Le Chuck]

Feel free to put your drawings up on here.  Lots of folks see it and may already have something similar that can be easily modified to fit your needs.  Look forward to seeing more from your son&father build. 

[Malenko]

reminds me a lot of an Xarcade tank stick.   Any reason you have the 2 start buttons way off to the right ?

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Feel free to put your drawings up on here.  Lots of folks see it and may already have something similar that can be easily modified to fit your needs.  Look forward to seeing more from your son&father build. 

Thank you.  Me and my father have a close bond, which I'm very appreciative of. I'll look at other member's control panels and cabinet designs to see what I like, so that me and my father can pick out a cabinet design that I like.

reminds me a lot of an Xarcade tank stick.   Any reason you have the 2 start buttons way off to the right ?

I just like the wide, lower-edge cut off design for the shell of the control panel, that's all. For the 2 start buttons, I thought further off to the right would be a good choice. However, I plan on lowering them and moving them a bit to the left. Thank you for pointing that out.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Since I've seen other members double post in their arcade project announcement threads, I'm guessing this is okay to do. If not, then any moderators or the administrator may feel free to delete this post, and I'll include the attachment to my thread-starting post. I drew out the design for my MAME cabinet based off of three designs already made by other members of this forum. I took bits and pies of design cues to make my own design for the cabinet from the Arcade Project Hall Of Fame Worthy thread. To start I used Martijn's Street Fighter Arcade swooped marquee as my choice for the marquee, I chose ARTIFACT's shorter edges of the sides of the cabinet for my cabinet, and I chose Gamester's Arcade Galaxy's squared-off/diagonal design for the overall shape. I thought that the colors I chose would be a good chose, since it all blends into that "modern punk-style" colors. An attachment has been included. I'm not the best at drawing in three dimensions, so feel free to ask any questions about my drawing for the cabinet design. I also moved the Player 1 and Player 2 buttons in the top-middle of the control, as an inspiration from Martijn's control panel for his Street Fighter Arcade creation.

[Malenko]

you can reply as many times in a row as you want to your own thread. Hand drawing, especially in 3 dimensions can get tricky, you might want to spend some time playing around with google sketch up. It looks like your drawings are in crayon, may want to give pencil a chance, you loose a lot of detail  because crayons are so thick where as pencils are thinner and easily erased.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

you can reply as many times in a row as you want to your own thread. Hand drawing, especially in 3 dimensions can get tricky, you might want to spend some time playing around with google sketch up. It looks like your drawings are in crayon, may want to give pencil a chance, you loose a lot of detail  because crayons are so thick where as pencils are thinner and easily erased.

Okay, thank you for letting me now about how many times in a row I can post in a project thread. I actually used color pencil for my design, so I guess my color pencils aren't the best. I'll look into google sketch and upload better pictures. Thank you for the recommendation.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

The 3D cabinet model still needs work, but I included an attachment file of the cabinet. It's still kind of rugged, so I chose pictures from a side-view. I'm new to Google SketchUp, so I might start over with the cabinet design now that I'm somewhat familiar with the software.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I took some more research. I decided for the control panel, that I'm going to use the Mini-Pac, since it's pre-soldered. Also, my mother's concerned that doing anything above me and my father's skill level when it comes to assembling a control panel. I didn't explain this in enough detail, but me and my father's MAME cabinet is exclusive to both late 1970's to 1990's games(which includes 1990's fighting games). The control panel will have a 4-way/8-way Joystick, six buttons, and a track ball attached to it. It's also going to be a two-player setup.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

As a file attachment, I included the artwork that will be applied to both sides of the cabinet and the Bezel. For the marquee, I'm putting "MAME" on top, and "ANTHOLOGY" underneath "MAME". For the control panel, it'll be applied the same way. Me and my father are going to paint the design on the cabinet using stencil pads(those pads of plastic that involve painting in a certain shape). I talked to him about using Photoshop, but he recommended painting it on instead. I designed a clay model in my Art Class at the Home-Schooling co-op(a school for students that are home schooled, I'm a year behind academically) using sculpting clay of my MAME cabinet design, so once I bake it in the oven(requires heating it up so that it'll solidify) and paint it using Acrylic paints, I'll post it in this thread. I used my not-so-great colored pencils for my drawing of the artwork I came up with. Like the rest of the cabinet, it's going to have a modern punk design to it, but the cabinet artwork itself is a combination of both a digital and modern punk design. I'll be posting the final form of my Google Sketch-up 3D cabinet design soon.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I included as an attachment my final design for my cabinet using Google SketchUp. Since I've looked to see what's available for parts for a control panel, all of it has been decided. I will be posting pictures of the project bit-by-bit of the project for real after May 12th(since that's my sister's college graduation ceremony). Me and my father are going to Home Depot to buy Plywood for our MAME cabinet after May 12th, so expect to see major updates(and photos) around that time.   

[Ond]

Welcome to a great hobby!  I like that you're doing this project your way and it will be something great to build together with your dad.  I know the cabs that you're using as a bit of inspiration, in their own way they've inspired me too. How are you finding Sketch-up to learn?   It's a really useful tool in the planning stages anyway.   I always start with some hand drawn sketch before I go to a similar design tool, it's the best way to get your ideas down.  I look forward to seeing more.

Cheers

Ond

[GregD]

Good luck with the build.  Just ask if you need anything.  Read the book before you start.  I know you said hat you ordered it but make sure you read it before you finalize your plans.  Also, continue to read other project threads.  This isn't difficult but it isn't easy either.  I know that Ond isn't completely finished with his Metropolis cabinet "How To" thread yet but it is well underway and it is a good design.  He has pictures that outline each step in the construction.  I would encourage you to view that thread and take something away from his design.  it's from Ond so you know it will work.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=118612.0

[Le Chuck]

Your cabinet design reminds me of a penny arcade fortune teller.  It's very retro and very large.  Unless you plan to use a CRT monitor (tube tv) I would recommend putting the cab on a bit of a diet just to save on floor space, wood costs, and weight.  That aside, I am worried about  the front edge of the CP as designed.  It is wedge-like and comes to a bit of an edge.  That edge could be uncomfortable to play against and you'll need to be sure you accound for the depth of the buttons and joysticks, wiring, and any other goodies you need to put in your cp. 

The large curled piece on the top is what gives it the retro flavor but that will be hard to construct well.  A lot of the traditional or modified traditional designs are around because they are icon and they work well.  I look forward to seeing this progress.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Good luck with the build.  Just ask if you need anything.  Read the book before you start.  I know you said hat you ordered it but make sure you read it before you finalize your plans.  Also, continue to read other project threads.  This isn't difficult but it isn't easy either.  I know that Ond isn't completely finished with his Metropolis cabinet "How To" thread yet but it is well underway and it is a good design.  He has pictures that outline each step in the construction.  I would encourage you to view that thread and take something away from his design.  it's from Ond so you know it will work.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=118612.0

I understand what you mean by the difficulty level, it'll be medium level difficulty. I'll check out the design that Ond made, and inspire the parts of the design after Ond's cabinet design. I'll also make sure that I read the book as well. It comes in the mail today, so my research will begin today.

Your cabinet design reminds me of a penny arcade fortune teller.  It's very retro and very large.  Unless you plan to use a CRT monitor (tube tv) I would recommend putting the cab on a bit of a diet just to save on floor space, wood costs, and weight.  That aside, I am worried about  the front edge of the CP as designed.  It is wedge-like and comes to a bit of an edge.  That edge could be uncomfortable to play against and you'll need to be sure you accound for the depth of the buttons and joysticks, wiring, and any other goodies you need to put in your cp. 

The large curled piece on the top is what gives it the retro flavor but that will be hard to construct well.  A lot of the traditional or modified traditional designs are around because they are icon and they work well.  I look forward to seeing this progress.

Thank You for the warnings, I'll modify the width of the control Panel. Actually, when I was discussing this project with my grandmother, she thought I meant that I was building a penny arcade machine.  I did explain to her what I was building, but she said that she'll have to see the arcade cabinet once it's done to understand what I'm talking about. Our family actually modified our garage into an apartment for her, so that way she could live in it. I have a strong bond with my grandmother, and she always comes up with something out-of-the-ordinary to say(I prefer not to quote on here what she says though), so I'm appreciative of the bond we have. I'll modify the size of the cabinet, so I'll post a new-and-improved cabinet design using Google Sketch-Up soon. For the marquee, my father said that he's able to do it, but the marquee's going to be a little less curled than in the 3D Cabinet Design.

Welcome to a great hobby!  I like that you're doing this project your way and it will be something great to build together with your dad.  I know the cabs that you're using as a bit of inspiration, in their own way they've inspired me too. How are you finding Sketch-up to learn?   It's a really useful tool in the planning stages anyway.   I always start with some hand drawn sketch before I go to a similar design tool, it's the best way to get your ideas down.  I look forward to seeing more.

Cheers

Ond

Thank you for letting me know what you think of my project. He let me choose the design and controls, and we're going to put it all together, so it's nice that he gave me the helm of the design of the controls and cabinet. SketchUp was difficult to learn at first, but I found it easier the more I worked at it. Here's the link to the software:
http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I included as attachment finals my improved cabinet design, along with the cabinet artwork. The Cabinet's wider, but it's taller as well. What do you think? If you approve of its design, what should the dimensions/inches be? Also, my copy of the book that saint published arrived in the mail about an hour ago, so I'll begin reading that as well. I did some research, and for my control panel, I chose the following parts:

1 Mini-Pac Control Interface
2 Mag-Stik Plus Joysticks
2 Joystick Mounting Kits
1 White U-TRAK FlushMount Arcade Trackball
1 Trim bezel for U-Track
6 Red GoldLeaf Pushbuttons(for Player 1)
6 Blue GoldLeaf Pushbuttons(for Player 2)
2 White Start Logo Pushbuttons

I didn't buy the parts yet, because I would like to have an approval from other members first. What do you think about my choices for parts for the control panel?

[wol-nz]

Hi there, i thought i would throw in my two cents.

Painting and stenciling look great providing you have a well rounded design - but it is very hard to complete complex designs with out spending weeks doing it. (but hey that maybe the best part of it  )
For reference I would take a look at 'switchcade' as this is a prime example of doing it right.

If you use photoshop (or GIMP) then you are only limited by your imagination.
Here is some ideas i was playing around with

[GregD]

I really don't mean to put down your design.  You are obviously a kid and really excited about doing this project with your old man.  I just think you might be putting the cart before the horse.  You need to do a little more research before you finalize your design.  I know you got the book and that is great.  Read it.  Also spend a couple of weeks going through the project announcement threads to get an idea of what you really want to do.  Your design is a little bulky and I am not sure that it will be comfortable to play with the screen so close to the control panel and what appears to be no angle on the screen.  There is nothing wrong with using another person's design for inspiration. I based my build on Knievel's Evolution cabinet and then modified the dimensions to fit my needs.  Everyone wants something original but you can put your own touches on a cabinet with artwork and control panel design.  I just don't want to see you spend all kinds of money on a design that might not be ergonomically comfortable to play.  Also, you might want to consider purchasing some more buttons for your control panel.  It is a 2 player design yet you don't list a player 2 button or buttons for player 1/2 Coin.  What front end are you using?  You may want a couple of admin buttons as well.  Some use shift functions to do the admin stuff but a few basic buttons to make it easier for guests to navigate the frontend won't hurt.  Why leaf buttons by the way?  Good luck!

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Hi there, i thought i would throw in my two cents.

Painting and stenciling look great providing you have a well rounded design - but it is very hard to complete complex designs with out spending weeks doing it. (but hey that maybe the best part of it  )
For reference I would take a look at 'switchcade' as this is a prime example of doing it right.

If you use photoshop (or GIMP) then you are only limited by your imagination.
Here is some ideas i was playing around with

That design(the cabinet design you referred me to), looks great, I'll make sure that I include some of that design into the cabinet(actually, that's the look I originally wanted to look for). I'll modify it and upload a new-and-improved design soon. That artwork you suggested look really cool. I already downloaded GIMP, and I'm already working on a special design as of this moment.

I really don't mean to put down your design.  You are obviously a kid and really excited about doing this project with your old man.  I just think you might be putting the cart before the horse.  You need to do a little more research before you finalize your design.  I know you got the book and that is great.  Read it.  Also spend a couple of weeks going through the project announcement threads to get an idea of what you really want to do.  Your design is a little bulky and I am not sure that it will be comfortable to play with the screen so close to the control panel and what appears to be no angle on the screen.  There is nothing wrong with using another person's design for inspiration. I based my build on Knievel's Evolution cabinet and then modified the dimensions to fit my needs.  Everyone wants something original but you can put your own touches on a cabinet with artwork and control panel design.  I just don't want to see you spend all kinds of money on a design that might not be ergonomically comfortable to play.  Also, you might want to consider purchasing some more buttons for your control panel.  It is a 2 player design yet you don't list a player 2 button or buttons for player 1/2 Coin.  What front end are you using?  You may want a couple of admin buttons as well.  Some use shift functions to do the admin stuff but a few basic buttons to make it easier for guests to navigate the frontend won't hurt.  Why leaf buttons by the way?  Good luck!

I would like to point out a few things first. First, I'm not a kid, I'm a teenager getting near the end of his teenage years. Also, calling someone's father a "Old Man" is very disrespectful. I haven't decided on a front end yet, so I'll look into it. Why I chose leaf buttons was because of the fact that I wanted to make sure that I prevented as much lag as possible when it comes to pressing the push button, and then the action being performed on the screen(unless if the push buttons I chose borderlines being turbo-programmed push buttons ). I have the book, so I'll begin reading it today. I guess you are right that I'm putting the cart before the horse, my father said the project wouldn't begin until late May to early June. It was my fault, I admit, that I pushed the date forward instead of choosing the original time to begin the project. I'll tell him that I decided that I want to delay the day of starting the project. I apologize if I came across nasty in the beginning of the post, but I just wanted to point out some general facts.

[Le Chuck]

I would like to point out a few things first. First, I'm not a kid, I'm a teenager getting near the end of his teenage years. Also, calling someone's father a "Old Man" is very disrespectful... I apologize if I came across nasty in the beginning of the post, but I just wanted to point out some general facts.

  take a chill pill my friend.  Greg meant no disrespect.  He was reaching out trying to give you sound advice.  You will soon find in life that "kid" is very subjective.  I am just barely not a kid anymore and I'm in my 30s with a solid carreer and a coupla kids for whom I am proud to be their old man.  According to Cheffo I'm still a kid actually so disregard.  A lot of these folks do rough and tumble things for a living because it's a rough and tumble world.  Your ears will burn if you spend time online.  Get used to the feeling.  Take it or leave it bud. 

[jkdubb]

Also, calling someone's father a "Old Man" is very disrespectful

Don't let DaOld Man here that.

[GregD]

Sorry that I offended you.  It really wasn't meant that way.  I am from Boston so you may find that I may talk a little differently than you.  Ask me to say "car."  Calling someone's father their old man is certainly not a sign of disrespect in my world.   I thought you said you were home schooled?  To me that sounds like you are still a kid.  Sorry.  Good luck with your build.

[yotsuya]

I think GregD has given you some really sound advice.

One thing you could do that others have done is build a mockup out of cardboard to see if it really will be comfortable. I'm with him- the design seems a bit awkward and too "straight on". Maybe a model might help you see what works best. You can always find cardboard boxes behind stores.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

take a chill pill my friend.  Greg meant no disrespect.  He was reaching out trying to give you sound advice.  You will soon find in life that "kid" is very subjective.  I am just barely not a kid anymore and I'm in my 30s with a solid carreer and a coupla kids for whom I am proud to be their old man.  According to Cheffo I'm still a kid actually so disregard.  A lot of these folks do rough and tumble things for a living because it's a rough and tumble world.  Your ears will burn if you spend time online.  Get used to the feeling.  Take it or leave it bud.  

Okay, I apologize. I am not going to leave the forum. I already do know that the term kid has very different terms, I just kind of blew my stack at that moment, so I apologize. I would also like to admit that I was severely verbally abused on other forums by members because of the fact that I liked TCG's when I was younger(they called me a "nerd" and stuff like that, and told me I need to be a non-comfonformist), so I get kind of sensitive sometimes due to that situation. So I apologize for my behaviour. I have been trying to get used to firmness, because of the fact that I'm in a Dojo that's dedicated to the Martial Art of Judo, so I'm working on it. So I apologize for causing disharmony on this forum.

Sorry that I offended you.  It really wasn't meant that way.  I am from Boston so you may find that I may talk a little differently than you.  Ask me to say "car."  Calling someone's father their old man is certainly not a sign of disrespect in my world.   I thought you said you were home schooled?  To me that sounds like you are still a kid.  Sorry.  Good luck with your build.

It's okay, I'm just not that familiar with the term "old man", that's all. It's kind of complicated, about the home-schooling, I mean. I struggled in my early teenage years, and it interfered with my home work and studies, so that's why I'm still being home-schooled, along with being at a home-schooling co-op(I will be a senior next year though   ).  

I think GregD has given you some really sound advice.

One thing you could do that others have done is build a mockup out of cardboard to see if it really will be comfortable. I'm with him- the design seems a bit awkward and too "straight on". Maybe a model might help you see what works best. You can always find cardboard boxes behind stores.

I agree, and I'll look for some cardboard boxes at stores to work on a design. Thank you for the advice. I've been reading the book and have been taking heavy research in the book, so that will be a major help to all parts of my project.

[lordnacho]

Coin doors?  If not, definitely add coin1/coin2 buttons.  You could shift them, but you'd have to tell every guest how to do it.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Coin doors?  If not, definitely add coin1/coin2 buttons.  You could shift them, but you'd have to tell every guest how to do it.

I originally wasn't going to include coin door to the cabinet, but I most certainly will now that you mention it. Thank you for the advice.

[Uncle Monkey]

I have one piece of advice.....don't take everyone's advice, or you'll end up with a hot mess. You and your dad need to sit down and analyze everyone's advice and then make a decision that's best for you. Think about your budget, available space, the kinds of games you want to play, the kind of look/artwork that you like, and how you like to play. An example would be on my cab, there are no spinners or trackballs even though almost everyone here includes them. I made this decision because I don't like super busy CPs and I have no desire to play the games that use them. I also included guns even though most people don't bother because I want to be able to play gun games. So instead of player 1-4+trackball+spinner(s)+dedicated 4-way+dedicated 8-way, I have players 1 and 2+guns. I also went with coin buttons instead of a coin door and an old TV instead of a real arcade monitor due to budget constraints. Do what works for you, because you and your dad are the only ones that need to be happy with it. I made unconventional choices, and my family is rocking it hard while I'm away at school..... and in the end, it's the enjoyment gained that matters.

PS, for a great example, my buddy is planning to put the bottom half of a MAME cab into an old-timey radio (no monitor at all), with video and audio outs and his old consoles inside as well. And......the arcade controls are ONLY for MAME, he prefers to play the consoles on the original controllers. Personal preference brother.....

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Thank you for the advice, Uncle Monkey. I'll gather up all of the advice that has been given, and we'll shape it into something that I'll enjoy. I think the "sitting down and talking about it" is excellent advice. That's exactly what I plan on doing, shaping it into something I like, but at the same time making a cabinet that I like. I already contacted a store in my area that sells cardboard boxes for only $0.25 per box, so that will be a major help in forming my own idea(along with everyone else's advice on how I could make the cabinet smaller, more comfortable, etc). I've been heavily reading the book that saint published, and it's been helpful as well. I put the CD-ROM that came with the book  in my sister's Mac Book(since the computer I'm currently using is my family's computer, and it was unable to recognize the CD-ROM), and I found some good cabinet designs and dimensions, so that will be helpful as well. I plan on using the track ball to play Centipede and Millipede in my MAME cabinet, so that's why I chose the Track Ball for part of the control panel. I'll be picking up the cardboard boxes today, so look out for an update in the next few days(I can't do it today because I'm going to a Youth Group at a church in a few hours).

[Louis Tully]

.

[yotsuya]

Any kid that wants to play Centipede and Millipede is ok in my book! 

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Coin doors?  If not, definitely add coin1/coin2 buttons.  You could shift them, but you'd have to tell every guest how to do it.

I originally wasn't going to include coin door to the cabinet, but I most certainly will now that you mention it. Thank you for the advice.

If you don't want to install an actual coin door, those Coin Door Replacement buttons are pretty rockin'.

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=295&zenid=q9qd94b6ce333r42f0tunio831

Thank you for the link. Those coin doors replacement buttons look great, so I'll include those in my cabinet as well.

Any kid that wants to play Centipede and Millipede is ok in my book!  

Thank you very much.   I do admit, even though I'm 19, my sister still calls me a kid.  

I'm back online, but his thread won't be updated in awhile, so here's the timeline for the development of my MAME cabinet:
 
Summer: The Cabinet Itself
Fall: The Control Panel
 
As for the PC, I'm going to go for an older used PC, so I'm guessing that will be around the winter time. Once this thread gets updated, I guarantee you all that you won't be disappointed. 

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Just to let you all know, the starting time of my project will have to be delayed until late august-early September, due to the fact that my family has a lot of work to do around and outside of the house(such as repairing the fence in front of the house, re-painting the kitchen walls, and among other things). In the mean time though, I'm going to work on what controls I'd like to use for the control panel, I'm also going to save up for the parts as well. Also, I have another special announcement I'd like to make. I'm going to automate the Joysticks on my control panel, thanks to encouragement from darthpaul and DaOldMan(along with thanks to Le Chuck for answering my questions about automating Joysticks on a control panel). So, in the end, it'll come out great.

[Le Chuck]

Just to let you all know, the starting time of my project will have to be delayed until late august-early September, due to the fact that my family has a lot of work to do around and outside of the house(such as repairing the fence in front of the house, re-painting the kitchen walls, and among other things). In the mean time though, I'm going to work on what controls I'd like to use for the control panel, I'm also going to save up for the parts as well. Also, I have another special announcement I'd like to make. I'm going to automate the Joysticks on my control panel, thanks to encouragement from darthpaul and DaOldMan(along with thanks to Le Chuck for answering my questions about automating Joysticks on a control panel). So, in the end, it'll come out great.

I thought you were going to announce our engagement.  (now where's that damn bride smiley?)

[DaOld Man]

Also, calling someone's father a "Old Man" is very disrespectful

Don't let DaOld Man here that.

huh?? what did I miss? Cant hear nothing with all you youngins making noise with yer fancy arcade boxes and light uppity light bulbs. Why when I was yer age there was no so thing as the pacmans and the donkey thongs. We had to play with rocks and sticks. And we had to walk to school in the snow with no shoes and it was all uphill, both ways. Never heard of nothing called a bus. Now them were the good old days, i tell you what. 

[Le Chuck]

Also, calling someone's father a "Old Man" is very disrespectful

Don't let DaOld Man here that.

huh?? what did I miss? Cant hear nothing with all you youngins making noise with yer fancy arcade boxes and light uppity light bulbs. Why when I was yer age there was no so thing as the pacmans and the donkey thongs. We had to play with rocks and sticks. And we had to walk to school in the snow with no shoes and it was all uphill, both ways. Never heard of nothing called a bus. Now them were the good old days, i tell you what. 

All readers of this post are advised to stay off his lawn.

[TheShaner]

Now them were the good old days, i tell you what. 

I remember when a Quarter used to cost a nickel.  Dem were the days...

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I thought you were going to announce our engagement.  (now where's that damn bride smiley?)

Once, again, I have to say, you guys have a great sense humor!  I'll be careful of how I type out  my announcement in the future.

huh?? what did I miss? Cant hear nothing with all you youngins making noise with yer fancy arcade boxes and light uppity light bulbs. Why when I was yer age there was no so thing as the pacmans and the donkey thongs. We had to play with rocks and sticks. And we had to walk to school in the snow with no shoes and it was all uphill, both ways. Never heard of nothing called a bus. Now them were the good old days, i tell you what. 

Yeah, my grandmother's that way. She tells me all of the stories of her high school experiences.

I remember when a Quarter used to cost a nickel.  Dem were the days...

My grandmother also says, "I bet now they're called dollar arcades instead of penny arcades!". She also has no idea what Pacman is, and when I was explaining the concept of the game to her, she was just laughing. I hope that when I show her the cabinet once it's done, she'll have a better understanding of what an arcade cabinet is.

huh?? what did I miss? Cant hear nothing with all you youngins making noise with yer fancy arcade boxes and light uppity light bulbs. Why when I was yer age there was no so thing as the pacmans and the donkey thongs. We had to play with rocks and sticks. And we had to walk to school in the snow with no shoes and it was all uphill, both ways. Never heard of nothing called a bus. Now them were the good old days, i tell you what. 

All readers of this post are advised to stay off his lawn.
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I'm very respectful of other people's property, so I'll stay off his lawn. 

Anyhow, I'm working on a concept for my control panel(to plan ahead of time). So once I get that all sorted out, I'll be asking for your opinions about my setups(and, as always, I'm open to any modifictions or suggestions that will Improve the control panel).

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Since I was given the approval that I chose for parts, I included the dimensions of my control panel as a file attachment.

Here's what will be in the control panel.

Interface: I-Pac 2

Controls:
2 Omni II 4/8 Way Joysitck with Economy Black bat Tops,along with Smooth Joy Switches(from Groovy Game Gear)
6 Red Classic Pushbuttons(Happ-sourced), from Ultimarc
6 Blue Classic Pushbuttons(Happ-sourced), from Ultimarc
1 U-Trak(Pearl White), from Ultimarc
1 Optional Trim Bezel for U-Track(from Ultimarc)
1 Player 1 Pushbutton(From Groovy Game Gear)
1 Player 2 Pushbutton(From Groovy Game Gear)

The joysticks on the control panel will be automated.

Wires:
http://www.altex.com/Velleman-24AWG-Stranded-Core-Mounting-Wiring-Kit-KMOW-P145678.aspx

If the dimensions of the control panel need to be shaved off by any degree, let me know. The shape of the control panel is inspired by control panels on the Project Arcade Version 2 CD-ROM. I'm saving up for all of the parts for the project, so I want to make sure I'm doing things the correct way. If you have any questions about my dimensions, feel free to ask.