Jim's simultaneous 3 Arcade Cabinet Build - Finally Complete

[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!