* * ARCADE CABINET [TIMEMACHINE] * *

[BEGINSTUDIO]

@mgb

Thanks, its coming along.  The design introduced some interest problems to solve, RE: angles, accessibility, ...  I gave each is due diligence and think I found solid solutions.  I've been thinking about accessibility lately and wonder if I should have hinged/lock the upper back panel.  [the panel with the vents].  I confined all access through front kick/coin panel and all accessibility stems from there.  Opening the coin door allows you to unlock the clasps and swing the CP down and access PC and Monitors/Glass.  Marquee you need a screw driver to remove four screws.

RE: Home Depot.  I was in luck this weekend and found exactly what I was looking for.  3/4" angled aluminum for the marquee!  36" size.

Thanks, MGB!

On another note:  I've cut all the button , joysticks, spinner, trackball holes.  [16G Steel]  Filed the holes with bastard file and a double-cut flat file. [Special note on this:  I cut all the holes using a cordless drill with two batteries.  The work on the tool caused the battery to heat up quite a bit.  Would have been better off with a corded drill.  C'est la vie.  Got it done anyways.]  Seeing it cut in steel was quite a sight!  Before that, got a workout filing the edge down appr. 1/16" to fit snugly into the cabinet. 

Marquee has painted aluminum supports to hold tinted glass and LCD screen.  Thinking about putting a small digital clock in the corner. 

Side art: cutting out stencil with Exacto-Knife.  [Painters tape to secure to cabinet.]  Bought, sea sponge and paint to complete task.

Will show pictures soon! 

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Ran into a couple of large problems...

When I measured the CP Steel, I failed to include the glass/bezel support which presents a problem with a button and flight stick.  Solution: Remove glass and raise glass/bezel support .75" which should solve the problem.  After doing this, I'll need to Bondo, sand, prime and repaint the sides.

Monitor FAIL.  I had everything hooked up prior to installation into cabinet.  Was testing the setup in the cabinet and the monitor Planar WS231 failed.  Its not turning on, no led indicator, just a flash and then nothing.  Major disappointment and set back.  Ordered a new power supply.  If that doesn't work I will be abandoning use of this monitor, unless I can fix it.  What a loss! 

Good news on that test, I was able to rig a button to control the CPU by cutting into the ribbon cable to circumvent the micro switch.  No soldering required!  Though I was prepared.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Opened up the Planar WS231 to discover what looked like blown capacitors.  One looks like it blew out towards the board at the bottom, the other at the top with some brown, rust-like leakage and the other just looks unhealthy.  I am ordering the capactitors and I am optimistic that I'll be able to replace them and have the unit back up and working.  [Ordering a few extras as there are six total on this board.]  Positive to learn something new and hopeful it'll solve the problem.

1. A picture of the capacitors
2. Pictures of the cabinet w/ tinted glass, bezel, monitor in place, speaker grills, steel control panel drilled.

Cheers!

[mgb]

Progress is looking good.
Good find on the cap. Definitely see a popped one there. Should be an easy fix.

Having the player start buttons on the front (vertical) part of the cp is a great  way of freeing up needed space on the cp  itself. I did the same thing and it works great.

As far as access through the coin door. That's normal. I assume  you also have rear access if needed?

I like the way you're building this, its very arcade true with the z back design and hinged metal cp and no keyboard drawer ( I really hate keyboard drawers)

Keep up the good work

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Thanks, mgb! 

I was thinking maybe I should have added access via the back of the cabinet, but I felt like I didn't need it.  Hindsight, may have entertained the idea a bit more. 

As far as the Z-Back.  I loved the modular control panel, hinged on a removable shelf.  I did the shelf and its removable [CPU and power lives on it], its just not attached to the control panel.  Not a fan of the keyboard drawer either.  [I have a bluetooth keyboard and standard keyboard that I can plug in if necessary.]

I hope to replace the capacitors by the end of the week.  I hope it solves the problem. 

More to come!  Have a great weekend!

[mgb]

Ok, so you did the shelf behind cp like the dynamo cabs had.
It seems like everything should be plenty accessable then

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Starts here...

[mgb]

You'll want to remove those kids before you try and mount the equipment

[Monkeyvoodoo]

Great looking cabinet my man. I've been following along while you restored it. I'm working on one too but it ended up being so heavily damaged that I ended up using it as a template to recreate the whole camera. I was wondering if you have the measurement of the marquee area? I forgot to write it down when I tore mine apart. Cheers!

[BEGINSTUDIO]

The cabinet isn't the true width of the Dynamo Z-Back.  I took it easy on myself and made it and 25.5" wide.  The inner measurement is exactly 24". 

The original width of the cabinet is: 27.06", So the marquee area is Length 27.06" - (2 x Side Thickness) x Width 8" (Measured from the middle of the arcs/curves).  I pushed my marquee back a bit to get a full 9" to accomodate an 15.1" diagonal LCD screen.

I have some documentation pulled from this board and elsewhere regarding the cabinet.  I am not restoring the cabinet.  It has been built from scratch using a template.  (I really wanted the cabinet, I located one, but it was too expensive to ship freight.  650++  He may have burned it by now.) 

I'll scan and post the picture later.  I have some other shots of the front, back, sides, insides, control panel, etc.  (I'll post them if you are interested or others are.  Let me know.  My binder is full of images that inspired me and help me construct this cabinet.)

Anything I can do to help let me know.  Thanks for tuning in and the support!

Cheers!

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Closer...  some issues...  Though you can see the monitor here,the bezel was removed because I will replace the monitor due to failure. 

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A quick couple of pictures of the machine...

Getting there,  but still have lots to do.

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Here are some more picts, with one stencil 'mostly' done.  I have some touchups and other things to do.  One side of the T-molding has been replaced with the black/chrome line.

Will be changing out the EL Lighting in 'Tron' flight stick to brighter LEDs.

TEMPEST is ALIVE!

As well as a whole slew of others...

[markc74]

This is coming on really nicely. Has that nice classic vibe to it.  Looking forward to seeing you get the marquee in there - do you have it working yet?

[BEGINSTUDIO]

The marquee is having some technical difficulty.  The keypad and controller were working in preliminary testing, but when I mounted the boards, nothing.  I am having the items replaced from way over seas, China.  Now its just a waiting game. 

I left room in the Marquee to add a panel like you markc74.   The current panel to be placed there is a 15.1 Samsung, that I had.  [Actually have two of them, may turn one into a small table top arcade/mame machine]

Hyperspin is great but I'm going to try some of the other FE.  Mala looks good and allows for the customizations.  What are you using?

[markc74]

I'm using mala but the marquees are completely controlled with mame artwork files so mala has no impact on it.  I'm a big fan of mala as it's a nice straight forward frontend and the layout designer does everything i need it to**. I tried hyperspin but it felt like i was playing the frontend rather than the games!

If you're using hyperspin then i think hyper marquee might help you out in displaying marquee files as it will work (from what i understand) on any emulator and not just mame. 

Happy to share my setup if you need it though.

** except horizontal game lists which would rock for a layout idea i have based on arcades in a row...

[BEGINSTUDIO]

MALA looks great from my POV.  I have no problem setting up the mame artwork files.  [Thanks Mr. Do!] 

Yes!  I am spending too much time on the front end and after all, its about the games.   

I'm going to take some time to play with Mala.  Thanks for the info and the share. 

I'll be in touch.  Thanks, markc74!   

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Ok.  Couldn't help this one, but it had to be done. 

One of the games I created for the mobile market is now in and playable on my arcade cabinet!  How cool is that!  Details that are not available in the mobile version are: specular lighting, blooms, ship yaw, detailed textures and the full effect of a fast moving space scene.

Anyways, I'll show some construct pictures soon.  Just excited to play the GAMES. 

Cheers, All.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Added:

iPazzport Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad Backlit and Laser Pointer for Smart TV and PC KP-810-10BT

Works like a charm and don't have to open the cabinet to retrieve the keyboard and mouse.  [As I didn't want to add the USB ports which I purchased from FOCUSATTACK.

Need to prep the stencil for the other side and paint.  Then add new T-molding. 

Still trying to fix the Planar WS231.  Haven't had a moment.

HYPERSPIN - Adding my favorite games to the favorite list.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Added marquee, chrome/black t-molding.  Also, added independent power for trackball and coin lighting. 

Modifying *.lay files for the marquee and 16:9 monitor bezels.   Will customize FE with cabinet graphics, Hyperspin main Menu page.

Added some of today's games, Capsized, Witcher.

Haven't been on the boards in a while and happy to see my post pushed down because of all the interesting, cool, fun and creative construction projects happening.  Awesome!


Cheers.

[UFO]

Added:

iPazzport Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad Backlit and Laser Pointer for Smart TV and PC KP-810-10BT

Works like a charm and don't have to open the cabinet to retrieve the keyboard and mouse.  [As I didn't want to add the USB ports which I purchased from FOCUSATTACK.

Need to prep the stencil for the other side and paint.  Then add new T-molding. 

Still trying to fix the Planar WS231.  Haven't had a moment.

HYPERSPIN - Adding my favorite games to the favorite list.

Looks good, but does that Tron style joystick not get in the way of the screen a bit?

I would personally find it a bit of a distraction - does it reflect on the screen?

[BEGINSTUDIO]

No.  It does reflect but it is not intrusive or distracting.  Works well in combo with the spinner, Tron.


At first I thought it might be a nuisance and an awful place to mount the stick, in conjunction with the steep rake to the panel.  The other monitor Ws231 might have been more of an issue.  I'll post if I get it fixed.

Thanks for tuning in UFO!  These games are freaking great.

Cheers!

[BEGINSTUDIO]

If I can't find a 16:9 bezel for my widescreen, I'm making them.  Modifying the lay files as per Mr. Do and Chillin and others, to accomodate the two screens.

[BEGINSTUDIO]

Swapping out the widescreen monitor with a 4:3.  Painted the kick plate.  Installed jukebox and virtual pinball.

Starting a new project: PYRO