Spoots first Visual Pinball build

[spoot]

Started this project a bit ago.....keep getting distracted by "testing" instead of finishing the damn thing.   

Hardware so far (12/24/2013):
Nvidia GTX 660 2GB - Primay and 2nd monitor
motherboard
AMD Quad 4.2Ghz cpu
16GB DDR3
Win7
LG 47" monitor for playfield
TCL 39" monitor for backglass
Vishay DMD
DMD Piggy
Infinity 6x9 speakers
Stern Shaker Motor
LedWix
Plunge Bob
Amp for the speakers
12" Infinity sub
Amp for Sub
Maudio sound card with RCA out to feed amp
Seasonic 1050w power supply
Two 128GB Samsung 830 SSD drives
Knocker
Misc hardware like legs/bolts/buttons/etc
Trim for header and body
PinDMD2
VirtuaPin digital plunger kit w/motion sensor
Custom size lock-down bar
wiper motor
contactors

Hardware yet to order:
Nvidia GTX680 w/4GB mem for playfield and to keep Future Pinball happy


Initial test bed followed by Hyperpin test, followed by DMD test (not real DMD).

[Gamester]

Started this project a bit ago.....keep getting distracted by "testing" instead of finishing the damn thing.   

If those pics are the extent of your progress, look like the issue is not 'finishing' it's that you need to get started. 

Getting the game play functional is definitely a dangerous thing.  Since my initial screen tests, I've purposely avoided any further play.  I knew it would be too distracting. 

Do you have a theme chosen?

What's the purpose for TWO SSDs?  Are you planning on setting up dual boot (two different Windows installations) perhaps?

I definitely recommend MDO or cabinet grade plywood over MDF for a pin.

Looking forward to your build!   

[Gamester]

Also, have you considered using a real DMD rather than a monitor?  Your 650Ti should work fine for the PF and Backglass, and for less than you'd pay to get a GTX 680 per your 'to order' list, you could buy a real DMD and a PinDMD2 to control it...

EDIT: derp.  I just noticed you have a Vishay and PinDMD2 in your list.  Sorry.  I should work more on slowing down and reading for comprehension LOL.  So you're planning to run the PF and BG on two separate cards.  Probably not necessary.

[Sshado]

It shows that he has the Vishay DMD...

I will be following this build as I will be starting my vpin in August as well.

Quick question, it seems like a lot of people get two video cards, wouldn't a nice card like the GTX 680 be able to handle three monitors?

[spoot]

@Gamester
Yes, having it playable was "bad", and I torn it apart last night so I could get some real work done on it.  Alot of my "progress" is getting all the parts ordered and a layout drawn up.  So far my theme is a black cabinet with powdercoated candy red legs, trim and possible "Vpin" logo on side along with alternating red/black colors for bolts, washers etc. The two ssd's are drives I have laying around collecting dust after upgrading to 256gbs so will probably mirror them. And I have a Vishay DMD, just not the pindmd2 yet.

@Sshado
Yes, a GTX680 should probably handle three monitors fine......the GTX650ti is leftovers from other machine and I figure I might as well put it too use.

[Gamester]

Also just noticed the size of your backglass monitor.  That's big!  Between that, the size of your speakers, PF monitor and your 'custom lockdown bar' (presumably necessary because it's larger than a widebody), it sounds like this thing is going to be monstrous!   

[spoot]

Also just noticed the size of your backglass monitor.  That's big!  Between that, the size of your speakers, PF monitor and your 'custom lockdown bar' (presumably necessary because it's larger than a widebody), it sounds like this thing is going to be monstrous!   

Yeah, not sure what I was thinking when I bought the 6x9's ( I wasn't ).......so, with the DMD, it will push out the header a bit more than I wanted and the 39" will just slide into the width I have drawn out to handle those components.  I'll be sumwhere between 0.5-1.0" wider than a standard widebody for the playfield hence custom lockdown.  Another oops.   

[spoot]

Parts, parts and more parts........and the new virtuapin plunger and dmd2 is in a shopping cart.....could be an expensive day.   

[SpaceHedgehog]

I'll be watching this one closely.

Pinball FX just released on Steam if you're interested ...

[spoot]

And this video just made me look at spending more.      http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=23429  Was only pondering beacons and the led bar....until that video.....specially since F14 Tomcat is probably my favorite pinball. 

Need quite a few more days to finish up the insulation in my garage/shop and then I can start making sawdust.   

[kahlid74]

Hahah those dome lights are awesome!

Best of luck starting the build!  Looks good so far!

[spoot]

Oops, more stuff cluttering my house........

Sub, amp, coindoor, dmd, lightbar, strobe, more leds, zeb boards, stiffening cap, glue, wire, rotating beacons, lockdown bar, transformers for the dmd buddy board to run plasma dmd and misc leds/stuff. Got a generator last night to run the cabinet 230v table saw too so I should be able to start breaking down the plywood this weekend. However, I think I got volunteered to help sumone else with his house this weekend.....so, wish me luck.   

[spoot]

Got my analog plunger, motion sensor, etc.......went to start building cabinet........blew up tablesaw.         

[spoot]

Some pathetic progress........

Pics:
1 - Some assembly required.
2 - Duping the sides with router
3 - "Tablesaw" since mine blew up (yeah, making all cuts with router and trackclamps atm)
4 - Making a mess
5 - Shiney mess maker
6 - Lock-mitre joint to make the bottom cabinet.  First time I've used em....should be a "show"
7 - Crappy pic of front panel....big oops on the extra ball button. Did by hand instead of drill press out of pure stupidity.
8 - The sides with button holes and their mounts, and melamine stripped for glue lines.

[spoot]

1 - Exercising some clamps
2 - Final clamp session on the body
3 - Messing around with part layout
4 - Most items mounted in body

[macattack]

Looking good. First melamine build I think I have seen. Should have some decent weight to it.


WWW.Xtremepinball.com

[kahlid74]

3 - "Tablesaw" since mine blew up (yeah, making all cuts with router and trackclamps atm)

Awww yeah boy, you for real!  Incra for the win.  Their stuff is so damn accurate it's crazy.

Keep on trucking!

[spoot]

3 - "Tablesaw" since mine blew up (yeah, making all cuts with router and trackclamps atm)

Awww yeah boy, you for real!  Incra for the win.  Their stuff is so damn accurate it's crazy.

Keep on trucking!

Haha, I tend to "overbuy" my tools to help make up for my own crappy skills.     Therefore Incra and Woodpeckers have gotten quite a bit of money from me the past few years.

Anyways, we've got orange glow.  Vishay DMD + Piggy + PinDMD2 = happy spoot as of yesterday. Quickly had it working with VP and FP.

Wiper motor and contactors for flipper/bumper/toy feedback are on the way along with the custom lockdown bar.  Expensive week.

Also dumped Hyperpin for PinballX FE.

[spoot]

Ugly unfocused pic below.   

Side trim and playfield glass in place now.  Obv the header isn't done.  Messed up my shoulder sumthing fierce while sheetrocking ceiling in garage so that's put a damper on lifting heavy things.     OTOH, I've gotten quite a bit farther on programming a few things due to that.