RoyalScam's Start of a new mystery cab.

[RoyalScam]

Hello BYOAC!

   First and most importantly Thank You to Saint and this wonderful resource without whom I'd have never attempted or even imagined any of this was possible. I've been interested in MAME for many years, been lurking here since before the forums changed the first time, became a registered user in 2009 and actually completed a small project earlier this year;

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119097.msg1261502.html#msg1261502

   Many years ago I'd purchased the UAII plans online. I'm a real fan of the way that paticular cab looks. The problem is the sheer size of the beast. I just don't have the room for it in my home. Someday I'll have a gameroom and I'll build it, but that's in the future. I'm not a fan of the slim cabs, for some reason they just don't look right to me, although many of the examples on these forums are beautiful.  Bartops are great if you have a bar, I don't.  My problem with a bartop is if you don't have a bar or counter-top for it to live on, you may as well build the base and make it a complete arcade machine.  Taito cabs have always intrigued me. I like the size and have always loved the sideart. They just scream arcade to me, but they've been done.  For my first 'real' project, I wanted to do something different.  So that's my backstory, now on to the present.

   After the completion of my miniture pong, I'd been showing some of my coworkers pictures of what I'd been up to. One of them said he'd had two 27" CRT TV's that no longer worked properly and asked if I wanted them for parts. I threw them in the junk pile thinking one day I'd purchase the Wei Ya chassis and make an arcade monitor out of them. But first I need to decide on a design for my machine.  There's one cabinet that all BYOAC'ers will recognize and I don't think it's ever been built.  There's probably a good reason for that, but I keep coming back to it, and darn it, I've got to build it.  I figure, if it comes out all wrong, I'll have all the working (ie. electronic) parts of MAME cab when I'm done, so if I can't live with the thing, I'll just build a traditional cab. For now that's my secret. We'll see who figures out what I'm making, once the cabinet starts taking shape. In the meanwhile, I thought I'd start with the control panel.  I decided to use Artifact's great build as the model for my control panel, so I 'borrowed', 'paid homage', 'blatently ripped off' , is more like it. Thanks for the design in SketchUp, that gave me a drilling template and a clear direction to begin from, and that's where I'll begin in my next post.

Regards,
Scam

[RoyalScam]

Step 1: Control Panel

   Build This;
      http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,43568.0.html

        My Version;
               

I have a table saw. Unfortunately, it isn't cutting perfectly square and needs a tune up.  It's not that far out, less than 1/32". That doesn't seem like much, but when ripping sheet goods it adds up.  While trying to adjust the trunion, I've managed to strip one of the hex screws, so while it waits for me to drill it out and repair it, I decided to make a Sawboard.  Also, that's the one tool that scares the poop out of me.  I can't believe how useful this thing is, just make one. You'll love it. Something that I'm not sure that was mentioned in the Sawboard post was the waste cut will be on your right.  That is, what ever is hanging outside the right side of the sawboard will be shorter than your measurement by the 'kerf' of the sawblade. In my case it's 1/8". This is why my control panel is 27 7/8" instead of 28". Oh well, first goof, there will be more.

So cut out the dimensions. In my case it's for 1/2" MDF;

Top:
   27 7/8" x 8 1/4"
Sides:
   6 3/8" x 7 15/16" Draw a line from the top corner of one side to 5 1/16" on the    opposing side to create the slated top.

The top is cut a little wide so that I could flush it up with the front by using a sander. The proper way would be to measure the angle and use the table saw, but seeing as how I've crippled mine for the time being, this works. Did I mention that table saw gives me the 'willies'?




Drill all the openings for Joysicks, buttons, and trackball, then assemble using wood glue and countersunk screws. When it's dry sand the top flush with the front.



I had some .22 Acrylic that would be large enough to cover the top and front of the control panel. Clamping it between the Sawboard and some scrap plywood I cut it with a circular saw.  I've cut this material before using a plastics blade in the table saw. The Sawboard gave me a better cut. I cut the acrylic a little proud because this will be my first attempt at bending it and I'm not sure how much the bend will shorten it. I can flush it to the control panel after I drill and route the holes and mount some switches to keep everything in place. We'll see how things pan out.

Using a heat gun I did some tests on some cut off acrylic.  As it turns out if I use the 500 degree setting and a lot of patience it works. Higher heat settings boil the moisture in the material and cause little bubbles to surface.  Clamp the piece using some scrap mdf have a lot of clamps and some more mdf ready and heat it gradually.  It took me about 30 minutes with slow even passes on both sides of the plastic at the bend line. Using the second scrap MDF, I slowly and carefully bent the peice into place and clamped the heck out of it. I should mention that I left the protective covering on as well to avoid scratching it. It worked! The only goof is the control panel drops off at the front at too steep of an angle.  Were I to do it again, I'd put a rounded edge on the control panel front so the plastic would conform more closely to the box.  As it is, it's less than 1/4" away from the box only at the bend, and I can live with it.





Using a step drill I drilled the panel's holes large enough to accept a flush trim router bit then routed out all the holes.  I'm very happy with the way it turned out.



Regards
Scam

[RoyalScam]

Ok next up Prep and Painting the Control Panel;

I'm not going to go into depth here as Ond has spelled it all out for us, check out his thread, it's truly amazing!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,88912.msg1302324.html#msg1302324

   I hate paint.  It's my least favorite thing on any project. That being said, I still 'try' to do it well on the rare occasion I have to.  Most builders choose to print out artwork for their control panels, and I may still do the same.  It's just I have this box, and I should seal it with paint, because it is MDF.  Also it's an opportunity to see if I can get a good finish on this thing using techniques learned on this forum.  If it fails, printed artwork it is, and possibly laminate for the exterior of the cabinet.

I used some wood filler to conceal the countersunk screws then did some sanding.  I then sprayed a few coats of Rustoleum Filler Primer.  After a session of block sanding, I could see high and low spots, a couple of dents, and corners that weren't quite as square as I first thought. So Bondo it is.  Just mix small batches, it sets up pretty quick, wait 30 to 45 minutes, sand, repeat until the surface is right.

Afterwards, prime, sand repeat, mix more bondo, sand prime, sand etc...

I hate this part, but really, it's worth it.  I can't say how many coats of primer I've put on an sanded nearly completly off, but it's getting there. At some point, I'm going to stop stressing over every small detail, and get some color on this thing.  But that will come after the primer cures, probably another week. Once again I'm happy with what I've done.  Just remember, stuff happens, runs, bugs, dust, dents. You can fix 'em all, just time and a little effort.



Regards,
Scam

[Typefighter01]

Your acrylic overlay looks killer. Good start...

[Termin8tor]

I've always failed when molding acrylic, you make me want to try again following your technique. 

[Firepro4Life]

What kind of bit did you use to rout the acrylic? Did you have to heat it before drilling?

[RoyalScam]

@ Typefighter01 - Thanks! As it turns out, I've just noticed some small wrinkles in one corner of the bend on the
                             left side of the control panel. I'm pretty sure it's because I left on the protective 'wrapper'
                             when bending it. But I can live with it.

@ Termin8tor-       I'm as surprised as anyone, having broken more plastic than most.  Turns out it was just     
                             getting the heat right, and slowing down for a change. Give it a shot!

What kind of bit did you use to rout the acrylic? Did you have to heat it before drilling?

To make the pilot hole for the router bit I just used a step drill like this one;

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1v/R-203185061/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=step+drill+bit&storeId=10051#.ULFlAoc0WSp

A smart man would have drilled a 1/16" or so pilot hole for the step drill. I didn't. Acrylic is relatively soft and as such drilling it is pretty easy. Just remember you're scraping, not boring or screwing into it. Take your time and use a light pressure. Let the bit do the work. No heat is necessary.  As for the router bit. To tell you the truth, I haven't looked at the diameter too hard. It's what was in my router from my last project.  If I remember correctly it's a 3/8".  At any rate it's a flush trim bit. 2 straight flutes, bearing on the bottom.

Regards,
Scam

[RoyalScam]

Well, as it often goes, life gets in the way...

    Catching up, well let's just say I'm finally gainfully employed, full time with benefits, and caught up, for the most part financially.  So it's about time I've revisited my Arcade Cabinet.  My normal working hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 p.m. until 7 a.m.  Up until last week my hours were Sunday through Friday 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. That was since December.  I'm pooped, but the overtime was worth it!  I found myself cruising the net at 3 a.m on a Sunday morning and thought "The heck with it! Time to call Ultimarc and Groovy Game Gear!". A week later, I'm sitting on a pile of parts;

Ultimarc;
     1 minipac
     1 Utrak
     1 Arcade VGA
     Assorted cables and dongles for above.

GGG;
     2 LeaF-Pro Joysticks (8 way)
     12 Classx Blue True Leaf Push buttons
     6   Classx Yellow True Leaf Push buttons
     1 One Player Start Button
     1 Two Player Start Button
     1 Set PCB Stand-off
     1 Push Button Wrench

Everything is as good to even better than I had imagined, and arrived incredibly fast.  So, now it's time to get some color on this control panel, but first, I've just got to test fit everything I've purchased;



OK, the fit between Player 2's Joystick and the trackball is about 1/4 " too close. Luckily I can bend the tabs on the Joystick, and it will fit, just.  I need to figure out how to make a mounting plate for the Joysticks and top mount them.  I'm thinking duplex electrical box covers will work nicely.  So, that decides it...this is a practice control panel, Oh well. I thought it might be.  I am painting it though, and wet sanding, the whole nine yards, just to learn how to do it.  Also this Sunday is Greek Easter and Cinco De Mayo. We've decided to throw a party.  I opted for Cinco de Greek, although my sister claims it's Fiesta Opa! Either way we've invited way too many people and are going to have a blast.  I intend on having the CP connected to a PC and everyone is sure to have fun!

Here's the CP with the first few coats of white;



And, of course, while waiting for the paint to dry between coats, I had to make sure the minipac worked



This weekend is going to be a blast!

Regards;
Scam


edited for some spelling, and trying to figure out how to get the images right.

[rCadeGaming]

The bent plexi looks sweet.  Does your name have anything to do with Steely Dan?  The Royal Scam is my favorite album of theirs right now.

[Louis Tully]

.

[RoyalScam]

Hi!

@rCadeGaming Yup been a fan of Steely Dan since Junior High in the '70's.  The Royal Scam has always been my favorite album.

@Louis Tully Thanks, but it's a bit undeserved, as it turns out, bending the plastic was the easiest thing I've dealt with.  Finishing MDF is kicking my butt.  I've filled and sanded more times than I can count, and it still looks like...well the auto censor and good manners prevent me from expressing myself here.  Like I said, this has become the practice piece, when I get it figured out, good things will come!

Regards,
Scam
 

[RoyalScam]

So here it sits waiting for the party this weekend!  Turns out that family will be showing up late Friday night, and staying until Monday morning, so I've finished just in time.  Like I said, version 1.  I now know where I went wrong, and where I did right. This was an excellent learning experience. Now I'm ready to tackle a full build.  Oh, BTW, whoever it was that first chamfered the plexi on the trackball hole, thanks! Although you can't see it in the pic, it looks fantastic in person!



Regards,
Scam

[Yvan256]

Pure white with a thick plexiglass on top. Reminds me of my old 3rd-generation iPod.

I'm guessing we can't guess the cabinet/game name by the control panel alone, as I've never seen an original cabinet with two players and six buttons with a huge trackball in the middle.

[RoyalScam]

This is the set-up that was used during the party. I took a quick snap this morning just before disassembling it.  We had a LOT of fun!  I guess we really started Friday night  with some early arrivals that also coincided with the delivery of a six foot grill and a keg. Saturday saw more family arrive with burgers and hot dogs, much drinking of the keg, guitars keyboards a ukulele and even a kazoo. Sunday , the main event so to speak, saw about 30 guests in all, and just about everyone took turns on the game.  It started with the classics, Pac-Man, Frogger Dig Dug, DK, then the trackball was fiddled with so a lot of bowling and centipede was played, more drinking of said keg, and then Mortal Combat and Street fighter until the wee hours of this morning. With lots of swearing and a bit more drinking . After the last few miserable years, bad financially and on the job front, I really needed this.  It was nice to be able to afford a weekend again, and just cut loose.  Although I'm not as young as I once was, and am certainly feeling every bad decision I made the past two days, I can't wait until we can all get together and do it all over again!

Regards,
Scam