Slim NoName Multicade - Moving along

[ChanceKJ]

Make sure it's level?

But seriously. I got kinda lucky that mine turned out like it did. I basically did the measurements on the fly between both side panels, yet everything turned out square. take your time, measure, and use the display itself as a reference.

[otsep]

Make sure it's level?

But seriously. I got kinda lucky that mine turned out like it did. I basically did the measurements on the fly between both side panels, yet everything turned out square. take your time, measure, and use the display itself as a reference.

I'm torn between centering it vertically or moving it to the upper half a bit.

[yamatetsu]

Just make a mockup. Stand the sides of the cab up at the distance of the cab's width.
Place yourself in front of the 'cab', hold the monitor at the height/angle that is most comfortable for you, mark the position on the cab's sides.
Placing the monitor onto something, a pile of books, whatever, does help.

Note that standing in front of the cab and sitting in front of it makes a difference on the viewing angle, i.e. you'll get a perfect viewing angle standing at the cost of a not so good one sitting, and vice versa.
Just experiment until you find your best placement, there's no general rule for placing the monitor.

It will of course look best if it sits squarely between the sides, but if that means that you don't get the best viewing position, I wouldn't do it. In the long run, it will be no fun to have a cab that looks terrific but gives you neck cramps after playing five minutes.

And finally, before doing anything permanent, just post what you are going to do and see what the folks here have to say about it, they will point out any gross mistakes 

[otsep]

Note that standing in front of the cab and sitting in front of it makes a difference on the viewing angle, i.e. you'll get a perfect viewing angle standing at the cost of a not so good one sitting, and vice versa.

This sounds like and engineering challenge.  Hmmm...  A motorized adjustable mount? 

[yamatetsu]

Nah, the difference between standing and sitting isn't that big. Just figure out if you will be sitting or standing while playing, position the monitor accordingly and you're golden. You are of course free to overengineer it 

[otsep]

I had a fairly productive day today..

I was able to get the base, sides and a couple of other pieces together and it's upright! 

Angle


Deck blank for comparison.


Approximate placement of the display.


I'm pleased with how it's turned out so far.

[otsep]

Yikes! In a rush to finish, I made a miscalculation with the marquee measurements!   

Fortunately, I noticed it and was able to correct it last night.
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[otsep]

So I thinking about the audio system and was looking for feedback.  Should I just run with a PC audio solution and then hack the controls or run with a automotive-like setup?

[yotsuya]

So I thinking about the audio system and was looking for feedback.  Should I just run with a PC audio solution and then hack the controls or run with a automotive-like setup?

PC audio is fine unless you're one of those guys who think this would also make a good jukebox.

[a1pharm]

PC audio FTW.

I have Logitech Z313 Speaker System in my cab ($35).  They put out great sound.  Has a wired remote that makes hacking the volume controls very easy.

I have Logitech Z623 Speaker System attached to my desktop ($120).  They put out the best sound you can probably every hope for in a cab.  The issue with these would be hacking the volume and bass controls.  It can be done, but you should be fairly confident in your wiring skills before taking this on.  These are THX certified in case you care about that sort of thing.

If I were to redo my cab today, I'd use the Z623 system.

[otsep]

PC audio FTW.

I have Logitech Z313 Speaker System in my cab ($35).  They put out great sound.  Has a wired remote that makes hacking the volume controls very easy.

Did you de-case the speakers?

[a1pharm]

PC audio FTW.

I have Logitech Z313 Speaker System in my cab ($35).  They put out great sound.  Has a wired remote that makes hacking the volume controls very easy.

Did you de-case the speakers?

Nope.  Decasing low wattage speakers is kind of a waste (as long as your speaker grill/opening is larger than the speaker itself...) in my opinion.

[ChanceKJ]

PC audio FTW.
I have Logitech Z313 Speaker System in my cab ($35).  They put out great sound.  Has a wired remote that makes hacking the volume controls very easy.

Did you de-case the speakers?

Nope.  Decasing low wattage speakers is kind of a waste (as long as your speaker grill/opening is larger than the speaker itself...) in my opinion.

Agreed, There's really no need.

[otsep]

Ordered some speakers and I'll be ordering all the controls today.

Quick question..  Circular or Octagonal restrictor for the UltraStiks?

I was leaning more towards the octagonal, but I'd love to know what the experience has been out there.

[ChanceKJ]

Octagons.

Circular just reduce the throw. My biggest beef with the 360s are the lack of feedback for my hand eye coordination. I added microswitches to both of mine to give the same sensation and feel/sound of the "click" on my J-Sticks I have at P3/4.  I'm adding Octos next. Could add tougher springs to them as well, Neph swears by them.

[otsep]

Since the UltraStik shafts also work on the JLW, I wonder if you can use this on the UltraStik?

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/shafts/728-jlw-10mm-stainless-steel-hollow-joystick-shaft.html

[otsep]

Got an Ultimarc order today

Two 360's and a U-Trak

[otsep]

Been in single parent mode and haven't been able to to any more work on the cab, so I focused on the systems.

I added the hard springs to my U360s and spent the desk time rebuilding the computer from scratch with a fresh HyperSpin install.  Things have been moving along nicely and I hope to work on the cab this week coming.

[otsep]

I was able to get most of the emulators setup that I wanted to use. But could really use some help with Daphne.

OS: Windows 7 Professional 54-bit
FE: HyperSpin
Emulators:

• MAME 64 v0.158 (No Nag & High Score)
• Nintendo Entertainment System
• Nintendo Game Boy
• Nintendo Game Boy Color
• Nintendo Game Boy Advance
• Sega Genesis
• Sony PlayStation
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Missing:

• Daphne - This one has been giving me some trouble.
• Sega Dreamcast?
• Nintendo GameCube?

Misc:

• HyperLaunch
• Don's HyperSpin Tools
• LED BLinky
• Macrium Reflect Free

I'm a big fan of Macrium Reflect as a device imaging solution. Using a bootable USB drive, I can easily make full images of systems.  I currently have a base OS + updates and one from this morning with the current build including ROMs and media.  The end goal will be to have an bootable USB key that can completely reset the system in case something/someone goes nutty.

[tkersting]

Looking good

[otsep]

Looking good

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OnePunchRob]

I was able to get most of the emulators setup that I wanted to use. But could really use some help with Daphne.

What help do you need with Daphne?  I'm no expert, but I have managed to get Dragon's Lair 1&2 and Space Ace working fine.

[otsep]

What help do you need with Daphne?  I'm no expert, but I have managed to get Dragon's Lair 1&2 and Space Ace working fine.

Yes.  Yes I do.

[OnePunchRob]

What problem are you having with it exactly?

[otsep]

Got Daphne working except for Dragon's Lair doesn't always flash when it should.  I'm guessing my mpeg is a little messed up.

[otsep]

I'm back to building today.

My focus is all the remaining odds & ends, vent holes, speaker holes and control panel.

I found a great option for vent grilles @ Home Depot - 5 in. x 3 ft. Black Lock-on Gutter Guard

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax-Home-Products-5-in-x-3-ft-Black-Lock-on-Gutter-Guard-441-503/203649434?N=5yc1vZar5e

It's already coated black and easy to cut. 

 I'm hoping to have it all wrapped up today or tomorrow so I can start painting.

[otsep]

Banged out the vents and speaker holes this morning.


Put a small chamfer on the edge for a nicer transition.

[ChanceKJ]

  chamfer 

/AppleThings 

[Rick]

/AppleThings

Feh. Hardly.

[ChanceKJ]

To the general public, yeah probably. There's a massive spike in the Google Trends Sept 2013 when you search "Chamfer Edge". ...same month the iPhone 5 launched.

[otsep]

I need to tackle the marquee tomorrow.  When I was setting everything up I made a poor choice on some of the angles and speaker panel end too close to the front edge of the bottom of the marquee.    Sooo.... I think I'll leave a small gap and use magnets to secure the marquee holder in place.

Hopefully it will work or I'll end up just screwing in the bottom permanently and accessing the panel through the top. 

If anyone has any better options, I'll all ears.

[ChanceKJ]

Screws arnt permanent.  How often will you change the marquee? Honestly. Nintendo Cab marquee brackets were screwed down and ment to be changed periodically. .  Just screw it down. No big deal

[otsep]

Screws arnt permanent.  How often will you change the marquee? Honestly. Nintendo Cab marquee brackets were screwed down and ment to be changed periodically. .  Just screw it down. No big deal

Probably right.  I need to find the right screws and inserts for 1/2" MDF.  The only ones at the big box way too long.  I currently have some hanging ceiling tile braces I was going to use for the bezel.

[a1pharm]

I copied martijn and use T-nuts in all my top marquee rails

[yotsuya]

I copied martijn and use T-nuts in all my top marquee rails

Actually, 99% of the games BITD used T-Nuts. 

[otsep]

Been busy with work and the family so I haven't made much progress.  I was able to get the back panels finished,

[a1pharm]

Looking slick, you're getting close!

 

[otsep]

So... I messed up.  Somewhere along the line, I screwed up the area where the Speaker panel meets the marquee.   

Whether I measured incorrectly or built wrong, I'm not sure.   


My panel now buts up against the marquee and I cannot fasten is an intended. 
The batons are glued and screwed in place and will be a royal pain to remove.



The marquee holder is a Ceiling Tile Wall Molding, not not easily shaped beyond basic cutting.

I have some ideas, but I would really love some input/guidance.

• Cut holes in the top of the speaker panel to access the screws. (Ugly)
• Attach the lower marquee holder to the speaker panel. (Not sure how)
• Build a frame to hold the plexi and attach to the front of the leading edge of the marquee box. (somehow)
• Kill it with fire

As usual, any input/guidance the community would be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

[ChanceKJ]

Kill it with fire.


This is good, screw down the Lowe marquee bracket from the top, inside of the marquee lighting area. Rest the marquee glas into it and screw down the top bracket from the top. The lower bracket can be fixed.

[bfauska]

Could you attach the retainer down to the speaker panel from above by screwing through the bottom part of the retainer into the speaker panel and then slide the marquee in from above and use the top retainer to hold it in? Does that make sense? I can't really sketch what I'm trying to describe because I'm on my cell phone.