Author Topic: My Mame Cabinet (Finished ... at last!!!) (Read 26640 times)

PedroSilva · « **on:** November 06, 2003, 06:42:38 pm »

Just to show a little WIP ... enjoy ...

Speaker hack

The emulation buttons

To be mounted ...

Some art ...

Completly naked ...

Bunggee jumpping view ...

Thats all folks .... for now I mean ...

pathdoc2 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2003, 07:08:24 pm »

Looks nice but why all the holes above the monitor?

PedroSilva · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2003, 07:18:20 pm »

Quote from: pathdoc2 on November 06, 2003, 07:08:24 pm

Looks nice but why all the holes above the monitor?

Ventilation ...
I've used Lusid's plans, but I'll close the back with a trap door and since the TV shell goes almost till the end of the cab, I'm afraid that that zone will heat up, so I made all the holes, and on the top of the cabinet the exaust escape. I'll add a fan on the lower part pointing up ... that should make a nice circulation of air.

Bomber · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2003, 08:06:52 pm »

Won't the joysticks by the blue buttons get in the way of the other two joysticks? Or am I missing something?

PedroSilva · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2003, 04:56:51 am »

Quote from: Bomber on November 06, 2003, 08:06:52 pm

Won't the joysticks by the blue buttons get in the way of the other two joysticks? Or am I missing something?

Actually ... I asked myself the same question ...

The idea was to have them a little more appart or even side by side. When I started the design I saw that there wasn't enought space.
But them I decided to test them ... and surprise of the surprises ... your hand, when you grab a joystick, naturally makes an angle of about 40 degres ... so it's actually perfect and saves you a lot of space.

By the way .. they are not for simultaneous play ... it's a 4way on top and 8way on botton. I just did for tree reasons:

- Some two player game use 4way joy.
- Don't need extra buttons on both players
- You get a not so full of buttons CP, even distributed and with a nice design.

Harakiri · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2004, 06:46:21 pm »

Perfect for now!

VIVA PORTUGAL CARALHO!

Stingray · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2004, 08:53:50 am »

Ah, that's not a bad idea for joystick layout. I was wondering what you had going on there.

-S

Sephroth57 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2004, 01:31:50 pm »

i like it except the joysticks on top, even though it may not hit your hand i think it just looks cluttered like that, and what is there like 5 games that use 2 4ways at the same time? might have been better to put the 4way in the middle out of the way of things. but thats my opinion

MameMaster! · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2004, 03:31:32 pm »

....cool cab...great work!

One suggestion...since you have this holes in the top...you may want to run some colored lighting in there....it may look cool through the holes.

MameMaster!

PedroSilva · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2004, 08:46:47 am »

Quote from: Sephroth57 on January 28, 2004, 01:31:50 pm

i like it except the joysticks on top, even though it may not hit your hand i think it just looks cluttered like that, and what is there like 5 games that use 2 4ways at the same time? might have been better to put the 4way in the middle out of the way of things. but thats my opinion

Hi,

I agree with you ... it doesn't look very nice having them so close, but there was no free space to do it another way ...

(don't know if you notice, but there's a trackball and a spinner on the midle - they are not mouted yet

)

Anyway, as I mentioned before, the primary idea was to have them side by side ... but ... no space

, and frankly, making a bigger CP, I think would be even worst ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2004, 08:51:42 am »

Quote from: mamemaster on January 28, 2004, 03:31:32 pm

....cool cab...great work!

One suggestion...since you have this holes in the top...you may want to run some colored lighting in there....it may look cool through the holes.

MameMaster!

Hi,
Thanks. Regarding your sugestion, I was thinking of using smoked plexi or glass and normaly, the holes wouldn't appear ... but now you have let me thinking ... the marquee light will pass throw the holes

... and it might make some reflexions on the glass ...

Any suggestions to block that

delta88 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2004, 04:18:07 pm »

looks good, I just wanna toss my 3 cents in.. I have used a lot of pc speakers in stuff and I like to take the guts outta the case and mount either the original speakers froman arcade game or remount the pc speakers and then hide the conrols somewhere else.. lives a clean arcade style look to it... justa thought.

paigeoliver · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2004, 01:09:06 am »

Decent layout, but might I make one suggestion?

Instead of putting the 4-ways up and over, put them RIGHT NEXT to the 8-ways on the left. This works and works well. I have done it in the past. It looks cleaner, and allows you to hot switch over to the 4-ways easily mid-game if you wish. (Sometimes you want to switch over to 4-ways mid-game, like for puzzle games, and specific levels in certain games that just work better with a 4-way).

PedroSilva · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2004, 07:17:46 am »

Quote from: delta88 on January 29, 2004, 04:18:07 pm

looks good, I just wanna toss my 3 cents in.. I have used a lot of pc speakers in stuff and I like to take the guts outta the case and mount either the original speakers froman arcade game or remount the pc speakers and then hide the conrols somewhere else.. lives a clean arcade style look to it... justa thought.

Hi,

I know what you mean and it's my tought also ... but the front speaker you see ... well ... it's not the speaker

I just use the box of it ... Why? Simple ... I need the very usefull controls ... ON/OFF .... VOLUME and, if you don't want to disturb your neighbours ... PHONES CONNECT ...

The speakers I'll use are the car speakers that are on the "to be mouted" photo ...

Anyway ... I believe it will look good in (and discret), because it will be painted with the same color of the cabinet, except for the two button controls ... and because, since the grid of the speaker is empty, there will be some light effect coming from the marquee ...

Maybe you'll agree with me when its finished ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2004, 07:21:00 am »

Quote from: paigeoliver on January 30, 2004, 01:09:06 am

Decent layout, but might I make one suggestion?

Instead of putting the 4-ways up and over, put them RIGHT NEXT to the 8-ways on the left. This works and works well. I have done it in the past. It looks cleaner, and allows you to hot switch over to the 4-ways easily mid-game if you wish. (Sometimes you want to switch over to 4-ways mid-game, like for puzzle games, and specific levels in certain games that just work better with a 4-way).

Hi,

Ya ... that was my initial idea ... but infortunatly ... there isn't enougth space ...

The four ways are placed on the limit edge of CP ...

paigeoliver · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2004, 07:27:33 am »

Oh yeah, I can see the edge of the panel protrudes beyond the edge of the panel "box", thus not giving you enough room to do it on the player one side.

Also, I wouldn't reccomend making your panel hang off the edge of the "box" by more than a fraction of an inch, it would suck hard if it broke off.

Quote from: PedroSilva on January 30, 2004, 07:21:00 am

Quote from: paigeoliver on January 30, 2004, 01:09:06 am
Decent layout, but might I make one suggestion?

Instead of putting the 4-ways up and over, put them RIGHT NEXT to the 8-ways on the left. This works and works well. I have done it in the past. It looks cleaner, and allows you to hot switch over to the 4-ways easily mid-game if you wish. (Sometimes you want to switch over to 4-ways mid-game, like for puzzle games, and specific levels in certain games that just work better with a 4-way).

Hi,

Ya ... that was my initial idea ... but infortunatly ... there isn't enougth space ...

The four ways are placed on the limit edge of CP ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2004, 07:34:06 am »

Quote from: paigeoliver on January 30, 2004, 07:27:33 am

Oh yeah, I can see the edge of the panel protrudes beyond the edge of the panel "box", thus not giving you enough room to do it on the player one side.

Also, I wouldn't reccomend making your panel hang off the edge of the "box" by more than a fraction of an inch, it would suck hard if it broke off.

Quote from: PedroSilva on January 30, 2004, 07:21:00 am
Quote from: paigeoliver on January 30, 2004, 01:09:06 am
Decent layout, but might I make one suggestion?

Instead of putting the 4-ways up and over, put them RIGHT NEXT to the 8-ways on the left. This works and works well. I have done it in the past. It looks cleaner, and allows you to hot switch over to the 4-ways easily mid-game if you wish. (Sometimes you want to switch over to 4-ways mid-game, like for puzzle games, and specific levels in certain games that just work better with a 4-way).

Hi,

Ya ... that was my initial idea ... but infortunatly ... there isn't enougth space ...

The four ways are placed on the limit edge of CP ...

Well ... it's MDF 3/4 ... I believe that should'n be a problem ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2004, 06:56:15 pm »

(Update)

That's rigth you guys ... after a little break, I'm resuming work ...

The primer is done and I have also done the first layer of paint ... today actually ... and no photos yet ... it was very foggy and I don't want to damage my camera ...

The front

The front and back doors, and the top CP.

The bottom CP

The back

The top front

I'll keep you informed ...

pcdoctor · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2004, 05:58:49 am »

very nice

menace · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2004, 06:49:21 am »

I'm always impressed with the amount of work that people will put into their mame cabs--nice work!

PedroSilva · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2004, 10:28:07 am »

Quote from: menace on February 02, 2004, 06:49:21 am

I'm always impressed with the amount of work that people will put into their mame cabs--nice work!

Thanks. But hey ... we can't do anything without work ... at least things well done

Also ... I'm having more fun now ... making it .. then I will have playing it, thats for sure

I just love hand work and learning things ... I have never worked with wood or paint before ... can you image what I had to read to achieve this ... for me thats where the fun is ...

Stingray · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2004, 12:29:37 pm »

Looks like you and I were doing the same thing over the weekend. I painted mine as well. You're coming along nicely, keep at it.

-S

Pixelhugger · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2004, 04:20:22 pm »

Wow.....those emulation buttons! I've been planning the exact same thing for my cab. And I mean exact....mounted at an angle tucked beneath the CP edge. I was calling it my navigation panel (for the front end). When I saw yours I thought you may have gotten the idea from my renderings in the Mission Control thread. Upon looking at the dates of the posts you had already BUILT yours before I had even posted renders!!

So I guess that's another example of convergent evolution!

I've gotta say that looks amazing. Really gives a sense of depth and finish to the CP. I'm eager to know how that's worked out for you. Are the buttons easy to access below the lip of the CP? They are mounted at an angle correct?

Great job on everything. It's shaping up beautifully. You say this is your first woodworking project!? My hats off to you! Thanks for knocking the bar up yet another notch.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2004, 07:24:46 am »

Quote from: Pixelhugger on February 02, 2004, 04:20:22 pm

Wow.....those emulation buttons! I've been planning the exact same thing for my cab. And I mean exact....mounted at an angle tucked beneath the CP edge. I was calling it my navigation panel (for the front end). When I saw yours I thought you may have gotten the idea from my renderings in the Mission Control thread. Upon looking at the dates of the posts you had already BUILT yours before I had even posted renders!! So I guess that's another example of convergent evolution!

I've gotta say that looks amazing. Really gives a sense of depth and finish to the CP. I'm eager to know how that's worked out for you. Are the buttons easy to access below the lip of the CP? They are mounted at an angle correct?

Great job on everything. It's shaping up beautifully. You say this is your first woodworking project!? My hats off to you! Thanks for knocking the bar up yet another notch.

Hi,

Thanks for the "fine" complements

Let me star by saying that your project will look fantastic .. the design is simply great ...

Regarding the emulation buttons, it was by chance that the placement came to mind

... at the begining, the idea was to have them on the sides of the monitor, but I gave up that idea because originaly, I wanted glass to cover the monitor (5 mm) and I figured it would be hard to cut the holes and I'm not good working with glass (I break them all

).

Something like this (By the way ... it might look good on yours too ... with dark blue buttons

)

_____________
| _________ |
|O| |O|
|O| |O|
|O| |O|
|O| |O|
|O| |O|
| |_________| |
| |

Anyway what I really wanted was a CP with no emulation buttons ... I don't want to say bad things about some of the guys here, but I have seen some awsome CP's regarding design and materials used, and then, full of emulation buttons

.... sorry guys ...

so I figured ... other then the playing stuff, just player 1 start, player 2 start and pause. Now let's "hide" the others and thats what I came up with ...

About your positioning question ... nop! They are mounted paralel to the ground and I really don't advice you to mount them angled ... it would be very hard to acess them for mounting and also for using. Even like this, it's not so easy to acess them (for mounting, not for using) ... I'll mount everyting before putting the CP, otherwise it will be difficult.

Anyway ... hope this helps to improve your project ...

Stingray · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2004, 09:31:05 am »

I agree, I've seen a lot of panels that seem really cluttered with an excess of buttons. That's a very elegant solution you have come up with there.

-S

Pixelhugger · « **Reply #25 on:** February 03, 2004, 03:42:21 pm »

Pedro- excellent use of ASCI art

_____________
|

BLACK KNIGHT · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2004, 04:59:36 pm »

Quote from: PedroSilva on January 30, 2004, 07:17:46 am

Quote from: delta88 on January 29, 2004, 04:18:07 pm
looks good, I just wanna toss my 3 cents in.. I have used a lot of pc speakers in stuff and I like to take the guts outta the case and mount either the original speakers froman arcade game or remount the pc speakers and then hide the conrols somewhere else.. lives a clean arcade style look to it... justa thought.

Hi,

I know what you mean and it's my tought also ... but the front speaker you see ... well ... it's not the speaker

I just use the box of it ... Why? Simple ... I need the very usefull controls ... ON/OFF .... VOLUME and, if you don't want to disturb your neighbours ... PHONES CONNECT ...

The speakers I'll use are the car speakers that are on the "to be mouted" photo ...

Anyway ... I believe it will look good in (and discret), because it will be painted with the same color of the cabinet, except for the two button controls ... and because, since the grid of the speaker is empty, there will be some light effect coming from the marquee ...

Maybe you'll agree with me when its finished ...

I have a speaker mounted in the same place as yours for the same type of reason. Only what I did was to mount the speaker on the other side of the 3/4" plywood and drill little holes to the buttons. Of course you can't reach the buttons because they don't protrude through 3/4'' board so I cut black pen caps and superglued them to the buttons to make the buttons longer. It's almost not noticeable since my cabinet is black and I can get to my volume control nice and easy!

PedroSilva · « **Reply #27 on:** February 04, 2004, 07:17:43 am »

Quote from: Pixelhugger on February 03, 2004, 03:42:21 pm

Pedro- excellent use of ASCI art

_____________
|

PedroSilva · « **Reply #28 on:** February 04, 2004, 07:24:22 am »

Quote from: Stingray on February 03, 2004, 09:31:05 am

I agree, I've seen a lot of panels that seem really cluttered with an excess of buttons. That's a very elegant solution you have come up with there.

-S

Thanks...

By the way, I love the colors you have choose to your project ... same as mine ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #29 on:** February 04, 2004, 07:57:39 am »

Quote from: BLACK KNIGHT on February 03, 2004, 04:59:36 pm

Quote from: PedroSilva on January 30, 2004, 07:17:46 am
Quote from: delta88 on January 29, 2004, 04:18:07 pm
looks good, I just wanna toss my 3 cents in.. I have used a lot of pc speakers in stuff and I like to take the guts outta the case and mount either the original speakers froman arcade game or remount the pc speakers and then hide the conrols somewhere else.. lives a clean arcade style look to it... justa thought.

Hi,

I know what you mean and it's my tought also ... but the front speaker you see ... well ... it's not the speaker

I just use the box of it ... Why? Simple ... I need the very usefull controls ... ON/OFF .... VOLUME and, if you don't want to disturb your neighbours ... PHONES CONNECT ...

The speakers I'll use are the car speakers that are on the "to be mouted" photo ...

Anyway ... I believe it will look good in (and discret), because it will be painted with the same color of the cabinet, except for the two button controls ... and because, since the grid of the speaker is empty, there will be some light effect coming from the marquee ...

Maybe you'll agree with me when its finished ...

I have a speaker mounted in the same place as yours for the same type of reason. Only what I did was to mount the speaker on the other side of the 3/4" plywood and drill little holes to the buttons. Of course you can't reach the buttons because they don't protrude through 3/4'' board so I cut black pen caps and superglued them to the buttons to make the buttons longer. It's almost not noticeable since my cabinet is black and I can get to my volume control nice and easy!

Yap ... that was another way to do it, or even use only the speaker board attached to the wood ...

Stingray · « **Reply #30 on:** February 04, 2004, 08:37:51 am »

Quote from: PedroSilva on February 04, 2004, 07:24:22 am

By the way, I love the colors you have choose to your project ... same as mine ...

To borrow Pixelhugger's term, I guess that's just another case of "convergent evolution".

I can't wait to see yours finished, looks like it's going to be a really nice one!

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #31 on:** February 04, 2004, 08:55:55 am »

Quote from: Stingray on February 04, 2004, 08:37:51 am

Quote from: PedroSilva on February 04, 2004, 07:24:22 am
By the way, I love the colors you have choose to your project ... same as mine ...

To borrow Pixelhugger's term, I guess that's just another case of "convergent evolution". I can't wait to see yours finished, looks like it's going to be a really nice one!

-S

Man ... neither do I ... for me that's the worst part of it ... painting ... I only have weekends to do that, because I'm using a gun air compressed and the compressor makes a lot of noise ... so unable to paint during week days. That brings to one week for each coat I put

Anyway ... after paint that should go faster ...

Stingray · « **Reply #32 on:** February 04, 2004, 09:00:11 am »

I'm lucky in the fact that I have access to a professional body shop. I had to load up my cab and truck it to the shop, but I was able to get all of my primer and paint work done in one weekend.

Have you decided on a theme for your artwork yet?

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #33 on:** February 04, 2004, 09:58:11 am »

I think that I will not put anything, besides the marquee ... I don't know yet ... anyway, if I decide to put anything it will sure be Mame related ... after all none of this would happen if it wasn't for Mame ...

Stingray · « **Reply #34 on:** February 04, 2004, 10:42:55 am »

Good point.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #35 on:** February 04, 2004, 10:57:26 am »

All this talk about hidding the emulation buttons got me thinking

Since the objectif is to hide them, why not really hide them ?

A piano hinge and some painted plexi, or even some artwork ...

What do you guys think ?

Stingray · « **Reply #36 on:** February 04, 2004, 11:12:27 am »

That looks like a good idea to me. Having them under a hinged lid will probably save some confusion when your friends are playing it too.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #37 on:** February 04, 2004, 07:23:08 pm »

Ok .. you hungry guys

... more photos after the first layer of paint ...

CP Box

Doors and CP Top

The Cab

Thats wright ... I have some fun painting also ...

A friend of mine who works on a car cable factory brought me this ... can you imagine my happyness ...

Thats wright ... quick disconnects ...

Thats wright ... dozens of diferent colors ...

And finally ... colour tests ...

Stingray · « **Reply #38 on:** February 05, 2004, 09:07:34 am »

Amazing how much difference a little color makes! That blue on black color scheme is really going to look good (but I may be biased)

Congrats on the getting the free wire & quick connects. That will really come in handy.

-S

Witchboard · « **Reply #39 on:** February 05, 2004, 09:34:23 am »

Everybody else may already know this, but what is that port on the top of your cab? Not the vent, but the other thing.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #40 on:** February 05, 2004, 02:20:40 pm »

Quote from: Witchboard on February 05, 2004, 09:34:23 am

Everybody else may already know this, but what is that port on the top of your cab? Not the vent, but the other thing.

Those are 3 switchs ... one for the marquee light, another for the PC and the speakers, and the last one for the TV ...

Witchboard · « **Reply #41 on:** February 05, 2004, 04:34:56 pm »

Ah okay. Makes sense now. Thanks.

orntar · « **Reply #42 on:** February 05, 2004, 05:22:49 pm »

Quote from: PedroSilva on February 05, 2004, 02:20:40 pm

Quote from: Witchboard on February 05, 2004, 09:34:23 am
Everybody else may already know this, but what is that port on the top of your cab? Not the vent, but the other thing.

Those are 3 switchs ... one for the marquee light, another for the PC and the speakers, and the last one for the TV ...

where'd you get em? pretty sweet.

dmsuchy · « **Reply #43 on:** February 05, 2004, 05:54:01 pm »

Looks like a double wall switch, most likly to turn the cabinet and the Marquee on and off, right???

PedroSilva · « **Reply #44 on:** February 05, 2004, 06:08:42 pm »

Quote from: dmsuchy on February 05, 2004, 05:54:01 pm

Looks like a double wall switch, most likly to turn the cabinet and the Marquee on and off, right???

That's right ! Plus the TV set !

PedroSilva · « **Reply #45 on:** February 05, 2004, 06:15:37 pm »

Quote from: orntar on February 05, 2004, 05:22:49 pm

Quote from: PedroSilva on February 05, 2004, 02:20:40 pm
Quote from: Witchboard on February 05, 2004, 09:34:23 am
Everybody else may already know this, but what is that port on the top of your cab? Not the vent, but the other thing.

Those are 3 switchs ... one for the marquee light, another for the PC and the speakers, and the last one for the TV ...

where'd you get em? pretty sweet.

They are double wall switchs. There are single, double, triple and quadruple ... on each on of this you can use single or double double switch. They are sold separatly so you can do combinations. In my case I use a double support with a single switch on the botton and a double on top.

One more thing ... they are all in white ... they were sanded and the painted ...

I believe you can get this at any place that sells house building electrical components ... but, assuming you're in the US, I really don't know ... sorry ... $:-\$

orntar · « **Reply #46 on:** February 05, 2004, 09:30:17 pm »

Quote from: PedroSilva on February 05, 2004, 06:15:37 pm

They are double wall switchs. There are single, double, triple and quadruple ... on each on of this you can use single or double double switch. They are sold separatly so you can do combinations. In my case I use a double support with a single switch on the botton and a double on top.

One more thing ... they are all in white ... they were sanded and the painted ...

I believe you can get this at any place that sells house building electrical components ... but, assuming you're in the US, I really don't know ... sorry ... $:-\$

i am in the us. i have never seen things quite like this. is it europe? we differnt switch types i guess. more boring you might say

PedroSilva · « **Reply #47 on:** February 06, 2004, 05:43:48 am »

Quote from: orntar on February 05, 2004, 09:30:17 pm

Quote from: PedroSilva on February 05, 2004, 06:15:37 pm
They are double wall switchs. There are single, double, triple and quadruple ... on each on of this you can use single or double double switch. They are sold separatly so you can do combinations. In my case I use a double support with a single switch on the botton and a double on top.

One more thing ... they are all in white ... they were sanded and the painted ...

I believe you can get this at any place that sells house building electrical components ... but, assuming you're in the US, I really don't know ... sorry ... $:-\$

i am in the us. i have never seen things quite like this. is it europe? we differnt switch types i guess. more boring you might say

Yes. Portugal to be more precise

... This type of switchs are quite used around this parts ....

for houses I mean

Stingray · « **Reply #48 on:** February 06, 2004, 08:47:10 am »

I've seen a similar type in the US, but not exactly like those.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #49 on:** February 22, 2004, 04:36:40 pm »

After a few weeks of hold (my 5 year old girl has more of a social life them me ... 3 partys every weekend and leaves me no room to work ... at this rate she will ruin me before Summer

... fortunatly, all the parts for the cab are already bought and payed for ...

) ... anyway ... second layer of ink aplied today ... I'm hopping to have no need for more ... but from what I saw I think I'll need another one

I'm becoming kinda disapointed ... after two primer coats and two ink coats ... if I'll need another ...

I have no photos yet cause it's quite messy today ... I think black fog is all I could show you guys ...

I'm going to Paris two days this week, but I'll try to take them anyway ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #50 on:** March 21, 2004, 05:28:47 pm »

Hi guys,

After a few weeks without work on it (here is the reason ... little David finally decided to came out ...

)

I'm resuming work. Finished paint this weekend (sorry no photos yet ... I must make the garage presentable for photos ... it's quite messy ...

)

Anyway ... I have a little problem to solve ... the primer I used is white, the ink is black ... when I removed the tape (protecting the t-molding zone) I can see the white next to the black

... man it's horrible, and for making things worst, the 3/4" t-molding is actually 3/4" t-molding, so with all the primer/ink layers, the t doesn't cover completly the wood+paint ...

For you guys that are starting, here's a suggestion:

Always use larger t-molding that the thick of the plates ... even if it's a little bit off side, I think it looks better ...

I'm thinking of repaint the edges with a very thin brush to cover the white.

Any other suggestions ?

Thanks,

pcdoctor · « **Reply #51 on:** March 22, 2004, 05:54:18 am »

Congrats on the new baby!

Stingray · « **Reply #52 on:** March 22, 2004, 08:46:53 am »

Welcome back Pedro! I was wondering why I hadn't seen any updates on your project in a while, now I see why! Congrats!

You might try using a black magic marker to touch up the edges. I put a couple of scratches on my cab when I moved it through the house, and the marker did a pretty good job of concealing them.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #53 on:** March 22, 2004, 11:51:29 am »

Quote from: pcdoctor on March 22, 2004, 05:54:18 am

Congrats on the new baby!

Thanks.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #54 on:** March 22, 2004, 11:56:42 am »

Quote from: Stingray on March 22, 2004, 08:46:53 am

Welcome back Pedro! I was wondering why I hadn't seen any updates on your project in a while, now I see why! Congrats!

You might try using a black magic marker to touch up the edges. I put a couple of scratches on my cab when I moved it through the house, and the marker did a pretty good job of concealing them.

-S

Hi,

Thanks and by the way, your project looks great (yes, I keep looking at the posts ...

).

Regarding your suggestion, that's a good idea ... I might use it, maybe easier to retouch with the pen instead of the brush, but I have one question:
I have used a waterproof paint so I can clean with water instead of chemicals or only the dust cleaner. Is the ink also waterproof ?

Thanks,

krick · « **Reply #55 on:** March 22, 2004, 02:10:02 pm »

Quote from: PedroSilva on February 04, 2004, 07:23:08 pm

Thats right ... dozens of diferent colors ...

WOW! You know, you and your friend could probably make a bit of money selling wire here in the BYOAC forums. You should see if he can get more. Maybe he can buy a whole roll from work and sell it in 6 foot chunks.

Stingray · « **Reply #56 on:** March 22, 2004, 02:50:38 pm »

I used a "Sharpie" brand marker which is waterproof. I don't know if you can get that brand in Europe or not, but it shouldn't be too hard to find something similar.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #57 on:** March 23, 2004, 06:22:39 am »

Quote

WOW! You know, you and your friend could probably make a bit of money selling wire here in the BYOAC forums. You should see if he can get more. Maybe he can buy a whole roll from work and sell it in 6 foot chunks.

Quote

I'll ask him ... but the main problem I see, is that most of you guys live in the States and I don't really know if the shipping cost will make it very expensive ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #58 on:** March 23, 2004, 06:25:06 am »

Quote from: Stingray on March 22, 2004, 02:50:38 pm

I used a "Sharpie" brand marker which is waterproof. I don't know if you can get that brand in Europe or not, but it shouldn't be too hard to find something similar.

-S

I'll check it ... surely there should be something available around this parts ...

Stingray · « **Reply #59 on:** March 23, 2004, 08:49:51 am »

Pedro, you're right about that. Shipping from Europe to the States is pretty expensive.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #60 on:** April 11, 2004, 05:54:05 pm »

Well guys ...

I finally got some time to continue the work ... it's becoming quite presentable now ...

Here are some "fresh" pics ... enjoy ...

The lovely "back" ...

The "undressed" front ...

That's all for now ...

Stingray · « **Reply #61 on:** April 13, 2004, 03:00:45 pm »

Nice and glossy and it looks super sharp with that tasty blue t-molding! Can't wait to see it with it's guts installed.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #62 on:** April 14, 2004, 06:20:41 am »

Quote from: Stingray on April 13, 2004, 03:00:45 pm

Nice and glossy and it looks super sharp with that tasty blue t-molding! Can't wait to see it with it's guts installed.

-S

Thanks ... I believe we are a part of the few lucky guys that can use air compressed paint ...

Even if it's quite messy ... I think it looks much better than roll painting ... I didn't even sand between layers ... only a very smoth one before the last layer ... and only to eliminate the little particles that attach to the paint when the floor becomes very very messy ...

Anyway ... I was kinda bit disapointed ... but when I started mouting ... I reborn ...

... I really like the looks ... I think I might be able to convence my wife ...

... well not for the living room but at least for the litlle room we have that is currently being used as an office ...

Stingray · « **Reply #63 on:** April 14, 2004, 11:00:51 am »

I agree that nothing will give you professional results like a real paint gun and a good air compressor. I din't sand between coats on mine either, but I sanded the heck out of it beforehand.

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #64 on:** April 21, 2004, 05:54:56 pm »

Some more photos of the progress. Enjoy ...

Lights off ...

Ligths on ...

More to came ... sun ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #65 on:** July 11, 2004, 05:56:51 pm »

... after a "little" period of non working days

I have finally found some time to continue ... it's near the end now ...

I know ... I know ... very small screen ... but that

PedroSilva · « **Reply #66 on:** July 18, 2004, 06:23:52 pm »

... and after almost a year since I've started it, she's finished ...

My little one started the tests right away ...

... and she was pleased ...

Top view of the CP ...

Close-up ...

Wiring!

The finish touchs I want to accomplish are the implementation of Mamewah and to make a selection of some games ... I don't want to have too many ...

If I have the time, I hope to create a little site describing the "odyssey" ...

For now my big thanks to all those that made this possible and to the commercial companys that supplied me for this project:

- Nicola and all the team around the project (surely the most important ... I would not made this if Mame was not created)
- BYOAC site, forum, guides, etc. and all the guys around it for the know-how (founders, members, sponsors, etc)
- Ultimarc (I-Pac, Opti-Pac, Trackball)
- Oscar (Spinner)
- t-molding.com (t-molding)
- Ramos Divers

Grasshopper · « **Reply #67 on:** July 18, 2004, 07:03:33 pm »

Very nice indeed! The blue t-moulding works well.

I'm a bit puzzled about the joystick arrangement though. Why have you got two per player? Or is it supposed to be a 4 player cabinet? I'm confused.

Witchboard · « **Reply #68 on:** July 18, 2004, 10:59:16 pm »

I like those clean wires. Good job. The cab looks great.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #69 on:** July 19, 2004, 05:33:58 am »

Quote from: Grasshopper on July 18, 2004, 07:03:33 pm

Very nice indeed! The blue t-moulding works well.

I'm a bit puzzled about the joystick arrangement though. Why have you got two per player? Or is it supposed to be a 4 player cabinet? I'm confused.

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words ... regarding the joysticks, it's a 8 way on the front and a 4 way on the back and they both belong to the same player ... I thought of it for two player games that use 4 ways ... from what someone have told me there aren't so many games like that ... oh well ... it's something that will be on the "What I would have done diferent" item ...

... maybe on the next project ...

PedroSilva · « **Reply #70 on:** July 19, 2004, 05:35:15 am »

Quote from: Witchboard on July 18, 2004, 10:59:16 pm

I like those clean wires. Good job. The cab looks great.

Thanks.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #71 on:** July 28, 2004, 06:02:36 pm »

Almost really finished ...

After some workaround Mamewah, finallygot the hang of it ... I've created the skin that pleases me more, regarding the layout ...

I'm still studying windows to remove all the identifies the SO. Don't want notinhg to apear.

Done so far:
- Customized boot screen
- Automatic logon
- Making the shell Mamewah

Already with the clues but not done yet:
- Remove all status messages form staurtup, shutdown
- Remove the blue screen on startup
- Remove the windows startup and shutdown sounds

Want to do but haven't got any idea on how:
- Not showing the mouse cursor on startup.

Regarding mamewah ... still to do the customizatiom of all the sounds and create a nice playlist of mp3 ...

Witchboard · « **Reply #72 on:** July 28, 2004, 06:26:26 pm »

What version of Windows are you using?

PedroSilva · « **Reply #73 on:** July 28, 2004, 06:30:25 pm »

Quote from: Witchboard on July 28, 2004, 06:26:26 pm

What version of Windows are you using?

It's XP Professional with all the updates ...

Witchboard · « **Reply #74 on:** July 28, 2004, 06:34:47 pm »

Cool. Mind sharing what the registry hack is to replace the shell?

PedroSilva · « **Reply #75 on:** July 28, 2004, 06:40:39 pm »

Quote from: Witchboard on July 28, 2004, 06:34:47 pm

Cool. Mind sharing what the registry hack is to replace the shell?

Sure ... but it's not a hack ... it's actually a Microsoft solution ...

I think they dont mind to tell as long as you still use Windows ...

It's here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnxpesp1/html/tchDifferentShellsForDifferentUsers.asp

If you have any problems or need any help feel free to ask ...

Witchboard · « **Reply #76 on:** July 28, 2004, 09:36:51 pm »

Very nice. Many thanks.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #77 on:** July 29, 2004, 11:11:23 am »

Quote from: Witchboard on July 28, 2004, 09:36:51 pm

Very nice. Many thanks.

Any time ...

If you need anything else .. don't hesitate ...

ras2a · « **Reply #78 on:** July 30, 2004, 11:04:04 am »

Pedro, Excellent cab mate! - I sure hope mine turns out half as good

PedroSilva · « **Reply #79 on:** July 30, 2004, 11:19:21 am »

Quote from: ras2a on July 30, 2004, 11:04:04 am

Pedro, Excellent cab mate! - I sure hope mine turns out half as good

Sure it will ... for me the main thing that you really need to make a fine cab is "will" ... all others are just "acessories" ...

Thanks for the complements ... if you need and hints or help don't hesitate ...

Mr. Dude · « **Reply #80 on:** July 30, 2004, 03:40:57 pm »

This thing turned out awesome!!! Congrats on your baby too.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #81 on:** July 30, 2004, 05:04:30 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Dude on July 30, 2004, 03:40:57 pm

This thing turned out awesome!!! Congrats on your baby too.

Thanks ... he's nearly five mounths and he has started with the soups today ... can you imagine the mess ...

LeedsFan · « **Reply #82 on:** September 23, 2004, 04:44:13 am »

Hi mate!

I've just registered on the forum and seen your MAME cab. That is absolutely brilliant!

I'm about to start my first MAME cab project and the image in my mind was very much like yours.... a two player upright cabinet in black, with classic style blue MAME artwork. The t-moulding really does add that finishing touch.

Can you tell me where you got the t-moulding from, and the artwork for your control panel and marquee? Or did you do the artwork yourself? I've seen a couple of sites that do them, but I'd just go with yours as they look excellent.

I won't be building my cab from scratch like you. I don't trust my woodworking skills enough so I'll convert an existing 26" monitor cabinet. But I don't mind having a go at my own control panel. My plans are to be very similar to yours, except I'll use T-Stik plus joysticks so I don't need the extra 4-way ones. I was even thinking of adding one extra E-Stik at an angle just to play Q-Bert. But the layout for your spinner and Trackball is exactly what I had in mind for mine.

Seeing the excellent work that everyone has done with their cabs has really given me the determination to do my own!

PedroSilva · « **Reply #83 on:** September 23, 2004, 12:48:22 pm »

Quote from: LeedsFan on September 23, 2004, 04:44:13 am

Hi mate!

I've just registered on the forum and seen your MAME cab. That is absolutely brilliant!
I'm about to start my first MAME cab project and the image in my mind was very much like yours.... a two player upright cabinet in black, with classic style blue MAME artwork. The t-moulding really does add that finishing touch.

Can you tell me where you got the t-moulding from, and the artwork for your control panel and marquee? Or did you do the artwork yourself? I've seen a couple of sites that do them, but I'd just go with yours as they look excellent.

I won't be building my cab from scratch like you. I don't trust my woodworking skills enough so I'll convert an existing 26" monitor cabinet. But I don't mind having a go at my own control panel. My plans are to be very similar to yours, except I'll use T-Stik plus joysticks so I don't need the extra 4-way ones. I was even thinking of adding one extra E-Stik at an angle just to play Q-Bert. But the layout for your spinner and Trackball is exactly what I had in mind for mine.

Seeing the excellent work that everyone has done with their cabs has really given me the determination to do my own!

Hi,

For starters. let me welcome you to "our" forum and tell you that you'll find here 99% of all the info you need ... the rest you'll find on the links posted here (also) ...

Thanks for the complements and I hope your project turns out as you expect it to be ...

Now for the Q&A here's the info and some aditional suggestions:

- The T-molding, you can get from http://www.t-molding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=16&cat=13&page=1 ... they are great ... I highly recommend. They are in the U.S. but they ship fast and the prices are fair. I saw you are from England ... I don't know if you have to pay any import taxes ... her in Portugal no aditional taxes but I advise you to check with your local customs;

- The artwork well ... it's not really that good if you take closer looks ...

... I made it myself from the official mame logo. You can get it here as well as other ones: http://www.oscarcontrols.com/gallery01.htm Then I resized it for actual fitting on the CP and marquee. I printed them on a InkJet printer using transparency paper, then cut and glue using that atach/detach spary photo glue, but in some "connections" it shows a bit, so my suggestion to you is to have then print on someone that is able to make complete paper printing (without cuts).

- Rearding the joysticks ... I agree ... it was a mistake that I made ... it's better to uses the 4/8 ones ... it's cheaper and you get to need less space on the CP ...

Well hope this helps and if you have any other questions fell free to ask ...

Good luck with your "creation" ...

Regards

gumby510 · « **Reply #84 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:25:10 pm »

NIce job on the cab looks great!

I have one general question. How do you hook up car speakers and PC speaker to the Sound card? I was just gonna buy some computer speakers and gut them. I saw your pic said speaker hack but no detail on what it is, or how its done.

Thanks

PedroSilva · « **Reply #85 on:** September 23, 2004, 07:31:11 pm »

Quote from: gumby510 on September 23, 2004, 06:25:10 pm

NIce job on the cab looks great!

I have one general question. How do you hook up car speakers and PC speaker to the Sound card? I was just gonna buy some computer speakers and gut them. I saw your pic said speaker hack but no detail on what it is, or how its done.

Thanks

Thanks ...

Regarding your question here's wha I did:

On the "Speaker hack" picture you can see the controls, the amplifier and three connections. These connections are:

The red and black wires that are connected to the speaker - I remove them from the plate and solder in place one of the wires from the auto speakers (left);

The above double grey wire is the connection for the other speaker - I did the same for the other car speaker (right);

The last grey wire is power - Just put a longer cable;

This works only for self powered speakers (like this ones). If not, the signal is so weak that you'll won't be able to ear almost nothing.

The center speaker on the cab is fake ... it is only used for supporting the plate ...

So actually I did not use car and PC speakers at the same time ... I replaced the PC speakers with the car ones ... but if your amplifier has enought power, you can connect two rights and two lefts with no problem what so ever ...

Hope I was clear ... it's kinda dificult to explain this sort of things without using the hands ...

but if there's anything else you require let me know ...

**** Edited

Opps ... forgot the main issue ...

... there's also a connection from the plate to the sound board using a 3,5" jack ... it's not yet soldered to the plate, on this picture ...

****

Regards,

LeedsFan · « **Reply #86 on:** September 24, 2004, 01:45:12 pm »

Just bought a JAMMA cab today for conversion. It's in very good condition with a nice 25" screen. I'll post some pics in another thread soon.

Your "emulation" buttons. What are these exactly? I'm a bit new to this, so I'm not too sure. Are they things like Pause, Tab, Screen Shot etc etc.? They're not labelled in your pics. How do you remember which is which?

And do these just wire into your I-Pac?

I take it those 3 buttons at the side of the tracckball are the same as the 3 mouse buttons? Do they work for the spinner as well?

PedroSilva · « **Reply #87 on:** September 24, 2004, 02:28:03 pm »

Quote from: LeedsFan on September 24, 2004, 01:45:12 pm

Just bought a JAMMA cab today for conversion. It's in very good condition with a nice 25" screen. I'll post some pics in another thread soon.

Your "emulation" buttons. What are these exactly? I'm a bit new to this, so I'm not too sure. Are they things like Pause, Tab, Screen Shot etc etc.? They're not labelled in your pics. How do you remember which is which?

And do these just wire into an I-Pac? Did you use an I-Pac?

Hi,

Yes ... with the exception of PAUSE (wich is the yellow button on the CP) they are:

- ESC
- ENTER
- F3
- TAB
- COIN 1
- COIN 2
- /

There's still one wich is not wired ... I'll use it for changing the TV input for SCART since my TV starts with a TV channel ...

They are memorized after some use ... I didn't want to put any labels on the cab ...

I use a two player I-pac and the OptiPac ... My buttons 1 and 2 are on the Optipac since I needed two more inputs. The inputs on I-pac were reprogrammed for emulation buttons.

The 3 buttons work with all the controlers ... trackball, spinner, joysticks ... they are "copies" on buttons 1, 2 and 3 of player 1 ...

Regards,

AGGIEZ · « **Reply #88 on:** September 24, 2004, 04:01:17 pm »

Man, that's probably the biggest garage I've ever seen!! Nice cab!

PedroSilva · « **Reply #89 on:** September 24, 2004, 05:32:52 pm »

Quote from: AGGIEZ on September 24, 2004, 04:01:17 pm

Man, that's probably the biggest garage I've ever seen!! Nice cab!

It's not that big actually ... on the photos it looks like it is, but it's only 15 meters long ...

Now really ... it's quite big ... normaly the garages, around this parts, fit only one car (5 meters) but that was the reason why I bought the apartment here ...

Thanks.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #90 on:** November 04, 2004, 07:56:16 am »

Hi guys,

Someone asked me about the hinges I use on the front door. Since it might be of some interest for some of you guys starting, il post the answer. Hope it helps ...

*********************************************
Regarding your question, I've found this type of hinges here:

HomeDepot.Com Link

If the link doesm't work go to:

www.homedepot.com and do a search for "concealed hinge 110" ... that should get you there.

Another:

Ace Hardware Link

And another:

DoItBest.Com Link

For how they were mounted, I'll try to get some pictures this weekend for you ... sorry but for the moment I do not have any photos of the inside door (I think ... ... I'll check again) ... anyway if they are packed as here in Europe, they normally have instructions on the back of the package, and even a "mask" that you can use to mark the wood before drilling.

You will also need (appart from the power drill) a bit of this type:

AceHardware.Com Link

featuring the size of the hinge you choose.

I think that should be enought for you to move on, but if you need anything else dont hesitate ...

Regards,
************************************************

Stingray · « **Reply #91 on:** November 10, 2004, 02:39:45 pm »

Hey there Pedro! It's been months since I've looked at this thread. Just wanted to say that your cab turned out great! Well done!

-S

PedroSilva · « **Reply #92 on:** November 11, 2004, 06:13:48 am »

Hi,

Thanks.

I'm thinking if I should start a new project ...

... or leave it alone 'till I sell this one ...

Stingray · « **Reply #93 on:** November 11, 2004, 09:00:48 am »

Ah, there's always another project isn't there?

-S

Matt, GoC · « **Reply #94 on:** November 13, 2004, 04:29:52 am »

You can't escape... the urge... it has you;D

yourfatmama · « **Reply #95 on:** December 01, 2004, 05:14:54 pm »

Pics arent showing up. Are they mirrored anywhere?

PedroSilva · « **Reply #96 on:** December 02, 2004, 07:16:27 am »

Quote from: yourfatmama on December 01, 2004, 05:14:54 pm

Pics arent showing up. Are they mirrored anywhere?

Hi,

I think it might have something to do with the server change ...
Try to reload the page and then on the picture do "right-click" - "show image" ... one or two times ... it works for me ...

Hope it works for you too ...

yourfatmama · « **Reply #97 on:** December 07, 2004, 01:32:58 pm »

negative on the pics. in Mozilla even the anchor tags for the images are nonapparent; and in IE they are just x'd out, show picture does nothing. i'm totally denied seeing your mamework of art.

well, it sounded good anyway from what the previous posters said.

SirPeale · « **Reply #98 on:** December 08, 2004, 11:28:06 am »

Just took a peek. We don't have permission to look at them.

yourfatmama · « **Reply #99 on:** December 08, 2004, 11:42:09 am »

I CAN SEE I CAN SEE!!

nice work.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #100 on:** December 09, 2004, 05:11:59 am »

Quote from: Peale on December 08, 2004, 11:28:06 am

Just took a peek.

PedroSilva · « **Reply #101 on:** December 09, 2004, 08:01:30 am »

Quote from: yourfatmama on December 08, 2004, 11:42:09 am

I CAN SEE I CAN SEE!!

nice work.

Thanks ... glad you can see it ... it's not very attractive without the photos ...


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