Author Topic: First Project: TMNT Cabinet Style, Akuma Themed Build (just missing glass) (Read 15706 times)

zackt69 · « **on:** January 16, 2015, 02:39:40 pm »

Been lurking on the forum awhile getting ideas and checking out the great builds on here, finally decided to start my own multicade cabinet. After lots of debate, I settled on building a TMNT style cab off the plans on jakobud.com. Always liked the size of it, plus I wanted the 4 player option.

Main cabinet material is 3/4 birch ply -

Layout after lots of measuring -

Cabinet frame standing, no control panel -

Control panel built, I added a couple inches to the length to allow for more button room for players 1 and 2 -

25" Sony CRT I'll be using for the monitor -

I'm expecting the coin doors, leveling feet, wheels, marquee holder, marquee light and tmolding today... so hopefully I'll make some progress this weekend.

pbj · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2015, 02:56:51 pm »

You're gonna have a shell of a time

yotsuya · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2015, 02:58:24 pm »

I commend you on using such a classy, traditional shape for your 4 player cab.

Cobolisdead · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2015, 04:56:41 pm »

Awesome job man! I can't wait to see how it turns out for you!

Louis Tully · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2015, 05:03:18 pm »

zackt69 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2015, 12:32:17 pm »

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Quote from: Louis Tully on January 16, 2015, 05:03:18 pm

That's one hell of a first post. Looks great so far.

edit: Maybe see if you can find someone to make some TMNT shell dustwashers for your cab. Paradise used to have them in stock, Jim has them on his build. They're a nice little touch, imo.

Thanks Louis! Those dust washers are definitely a pretty cool detail, I've never seen them before. The cabinet is based off the TMNT design, but it's not going to be a dedicated TMNT machine, so I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the artwork. While I like the look of the TMNT art, it'll probably end up being something else... but we'll see.

Here's a little update -

Keyboard shelf hidden under control panel (closed) -

Keyboard shelf hidden under control panel (open) -

Marquee plexi and molding installed -

Wheels and adjustable feel installed -

Handle installed on top, still have one more to install on the back -

Rough test fit for monitor to check size and positioning. It's coming out of it's case for final install -

zackt69 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2015, 10:14:57 pm »

Just a quick update -

Welded up a frame for the monitor from some scrap metal I had (not the prettiest thing I've ever welded, but it's pretty solid) -

Rear wood shelf holds the tv board -

zackt69 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2015, 11:38:23 pm »

Monitor mounted -

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2015, 03:37:32 am »

zackt69 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2015, 03:52:10 am »

Quote from: ChanceKJ on January 22, 2015, 03:37:32 am

Thanks! I've read through your Flynn's Arcade build a few times now... awesome build man!

Got the bezel piece cut -

Started on the back panels -

Marquee light is wired up and working -

Cut the hole for the monitor in the bezel and booted up the computer to check it out -

harveybirdman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2015, 09:44:00 am »

How are you connected to TV? Arcade VGA? VGA to component transcoder?

This is looking REALLY good so far!

zackt69 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2015, 01:15:34 pm »

Quote from: harveybirdman on January 25, 2015, 09:44:00 am

How are you connected to TV? Arcade VGA? VGA to component transcoder?

This is looking REALLY good so far!

Thanks, I appreciate it!

Right now the computer is connected to the tv through an svideo cable. The tv does have component connections, and I have been looking at a both vga/component and hdmi/component transcoders, but haven't researched them enough to pull the trigger. Any suggestions on a good box? At least it'll be easy enough to add one later.

zackt69 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2015, 02:48:18 am »

All disassembled to prep for laminate/paint. Also cut the slots for the tmolding once I had it all apart -

Never applied laminate before, tested on a small back panel -

zackt69 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2015, 10:40:26 pm »

Finished one side with laminate inside and out -

Neutrik USB ports arrived -

Test control panel running ipac4 (layout in pic is off, on final layout buttons 7/8 will be black) -

zackt69 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2015, 06:32:10 pm »

Coin doors installed -

a1pharm · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2015, 06:38:30 pm »

Great work, man!

Le Chuck · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2015, 08:46:29 pm »

The wood work on this is really sharp!

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2015, 09:06:12 pm »

Quote from: Le Chuck on January 29, 2015, 08:46:29 pm

The wood work on this is really sharp!

Amplified by your love of pocket holes I bet?

Cobolisdead · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2015, 08:42:44 am »

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find your coin doors?

harveybirdman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2015, 09:56:26 am »

DUDE....

Step back just one second, you're about to put 8 buttons on what I assume will be at least two players of this 4 player build of which I also assume will have artwork themed after one of the finest Arcade beat em ups ever made....

Do you really want to play console games on this SOOO much that you need more than 6 buttons for P1 and P2?

If so, to each his own, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.... But aesthetically it's appeal falls a notch IMHO.

yotsuya · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2015, 10:19:39 am »

Quote from: harveybirdman on January 30, 2015, 09:56:26 am

DUDE....

Step back just one second, you're about to put 8 buttons on what I assume will be at least two players of this 4 player build of which I also assume will have artwork themed after one of the finest Arcade beat em ups ever made....

Do you really want to play console games on this SOOO much that you need more than 6 buttons for P1 and P2?

If so, to each his own, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.... But aesthetically it's appeal falls a notch IMHO.

Good catch. I thought this was going to a straight TMNT replica.

scoodidabop · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2015, 11:59:24 am »

Oh I like that laminate! Where'd you get it?

zackt69 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2015, 12:27:53 pm »

Quote from: a1pharm on January 29, 2015, 06:38:30 pm

Great work, man!

Thanks!

Quote from: Le Chuck on January 29, 2015, 08:46:29 pm

The wood work on this is really sharp!

Thanks, pretty happy with the way everything is turning out.

Quote from: ChanceKJ on January 29, 2015, 09:06:12 pm

Quote from: Le Chuck on January 29, 2015, 08:46:29 pm
The wood work on this is really sharp!

Amplified by your love of pocket holes I bet?

Just finished building a closet for my wife... first time using pocket holes was on that project, they're great!

Quote from: Cobolisdead on January 30, 2015, 08:42:44 am

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find your coin doors?

They are Happ/Suzo standard size over/under doors, I got them from twisted quarter. Very happy with the quality of them.

Quote from: yotsuya on January 30, 2015, 10:19:39 am

Quote from: harveybirdman on January 30, 2015, 09:56:26 am

DUDE....

Step back just one second, you're about to put 8 buttons on what I assume will be at least two players of this 4 player build of which I also assume will have artwork themed after one of the finest Arcade beat em ups ever made....

Do you really want to play console games on this SOOO much that you need more than 6 buttons for P1 and P2?

If so, to each his own, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.... But aesthetically it's appeal falls a notch IMHO.

Good catch. I thought this was going to a straight TMNT replica.

Yeah, players 1/2 will have at least 6 buttons (not sure on 8 yet, but at least 7 for NeoGeo games) and players 3/4 will have 4 buttons each. I'm also not sure about the fanned button layout. I've been using the small mockup stick I made, and the more I use it the more I realize that the button layout feels a little awkward. I grew up with the rectangular 6 button layout, so I may go back to that... not sure yet.

The cabinet is modeled after the TMNT machine, but we're going to be playing a lot more on it. Like I said in an earlier post, not sure on the artwork yet, I'll probably do something other than the TMNT art. I wanted the 4 player setup (actually the wife insisted), and have always liked the size and look of the TMNT cab... so I based it off that. The other great thing about the design of this cabinet, is that the cp is bolted on with 4 bolts, and is pretty easy to remove (I'll be using Molex connections on the wiring). I didn't want a cluttered cp, and with this setup it will be nice to have the option of switching out cp's if I ever decide I want one with a track ball or more buttons

Quote from: scoodidabop on January 30, 2015, 11:59:24 am

Oh I like that laminate! Where'd you get it?

They had it at Home Depot for $44 a 4x8 sheet.

Thanks for all the comments!

harveybirdman · « **Reply #23 on:** January 30, 2015, 01:26:14 pm »

I definitely think custom artwork is in order for the quality of build you have going so far, and as I've stated before there is nothing worse than having repro artwork on a cab whose panel looks nothing like the game it's art pays homage to.

I personally wouldn't do a 7 button setup, I'd just build a separate Neo Geo Cab for the next project

But if you do go down that path and keep the Japanese style layout I recommend putting button 7 on the right side of the top row, rather than in the MK run position as it's MOST often done. It plays better for Neo Geo Games, which seems to be your primary purpose for adding it.

Check out flawless execution of each layout on Bad Mouth's Neo Geo Slim cab and Nep's Two headed beast respectively.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119308.msg1264320.html#msg1264320

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,108719.msg1154107.html#msg1154107

zackt69 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2015, 01:56:17 pm »

Quote from: harveybirdman on January 30, 2015, 01:26:14 pm

I definitely think custom artwork is in order for the quality of build you have going so far, and as I've stated before there is nothing worse than having repro artwork on a cab whose panel looks nothing like the game it's art pays homage to.

I personally wouldn't do a 7 button setup, I'd just build a separate Neo Geo Cab for the next project But if you do go down that path and keep the Japanese style layout I recommend putting button 7 on the right side of the top row, rather than in the MK run position as it's MOST often done. It plays better for Neo Geo Games, which seems to be your primary purpose for adding it.

Check out flawless execution of each layout on Bad Mouth's Neo Geo Slim cab and Nep's Two headed beast respectively.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119308.msg1264320.html#msg1264320

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,108719.msg1154107.html#msg1154107

Those are both great builds... I had read through the Two Headed Beast post, but not the Slim Neo Geo cab. I do like the 7 button layout on that, I'll have to mock it up and try it out. Thanks for the suggestion!

As far as the next project, I think I may go for a cocktail style build... but we'll see. I have a back house that was just vacated, so I'm looking to slowly start filling it with games.

harveybirdman · « **Reply #25 on:** January 30, 2015, 02:26:31 pm »

If I were doing a 7 button layout to support NEO GEO, SF2, and other general Mame titles I'd do this one.

zackt69 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 30, 2015, 08:09:46 pm »

Excellent, thanks! I'll mock that up this weekend and see how I like it. I'm hoping to get the cp finished this weekend, but we'll see, something always seems to come up.

Everything else is going back together nicely after the paint/laminate install. I'm going to start moving the components into the cabinet tonight and start the wiring -

zackt69 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2015, 03:09:33 am »

Wiring is about halfway complete. The marquee, cabinet fans, speakers, monitor, power switch, external USB/Ethernet ports, and coin doors are all wired up and working. Wires are all in Techflex and secured to the cabinet. Still working on the floor area, started at the top and am working my way down. Sorry for the crappy pics and all the dust. I'll post better pics when everything is finished, all wiped down and out of the garage

Speaker panel -

Coin door lights wired up -

harveybirdman · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2015, 10:27:35 pm »

Looking good.....

With all due respect to Twisted Quarter (I order from them all the time) you might want to consider some custom coin reject inserts.

Check out this thread from KLOV for some ideas...

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=139222

Here's something I'm kicking around for my current project

zackt69 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2015, 10:59:55 pm »

Quote from: harveybirdman on February 02, 2015, 10:27:35 pm

Looking good.....

With all due respect to Twisted Quarter (I order from them all the time) you might want to consider some custom coin reject inserts.

Check out this thread from KLOV for some ideas...

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=139222

Here's something I'm kicking around for my current project

Thanks! Another great suggestion. I'm definitely going to be changing those inserts out once I figure out what the artwork is going to look like. I'll have to sit down this week and start laying it all out, I'm getting real close to wrapping things up and can't put on the t-molding until the side are is on

EMDB · « **Reply #30 on:** February 03, 2015, 08:44:20 am »

I would put the 4 buttons in a row at the bottom row to be able to access them more easily...

Louis Tully · « **Reply #31 on:** February 03, 2015, 10:36:36 am »

zackt69 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2015, 08:36:35 pm »

After mocking up and trying a few button layouts, I ended up going with the original 8 button layout for players 1/2, and a 4 button layout for 3/4. Had a few people over this weekend and gave it a try, everyone seemed to like it. Only had a couple issues with button mapping, but after fixing those everything was great. I still need to clean up the cp wiring, laminate a couple more pieces, get the bezel glass and get the artwork... but for the most part, everything is up and running!

Control panel -

Control panel hinged-

Control panel "toy box" hinges-

Coin doors wired up and working-

harveybirdman · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2015, 09:55:32 pm »

Just make sure to finish! Found to be distracting having ot fully operational!

zackt69 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 09, 2015, 10:10:20 pm »

Quote from: harveybirdman on February 09, 2015, 09:55:32 pm

Just make sure to finish! Found to be distracting having ot fully operational!

This is very true! Every time this weekend someone went out to the back house for something quick, they would get stuck at the machine and disappear

I took the cp off today, not putting it back on until everything but the art is finished

Cobolisdead · « **Reply #35 on:** February 10, 2015, 09:23:32 am »

It's looking good man! Any idea on what you want to do for the artwork?

Locke141 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 11, 2015, 01:46:25 pm »

This is coming along very nicely.

Is the laminate as good looking in person as it is in the photo? If so I would consider some small art on the sides. Like Super Spacefortress Macross. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.240.html

zackt69 · « **Reply #37 on:** February 11, 2015, 06:15:34 pm »

Quote from: Cobolisdead on February 10, 2015, 09:23:32 am

It's looking good man! Any idea on what you want to do for the artwork?

Thanks! The artwork is definitely the toughest decision so far... I have a couple ideas I'm working on, I'll post up some mockups when I get a chance.

Quote from: Locke141 on February 11, 2015, 01:46:25 pm

This is coming along very nicely.

Is the laminate as good looking in person as it is in the photo? If so I would consider some small art on the sides. Like Super Spacefortress Macross. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.240.html

Thanks! The laminate looks pretty nice, I'm pleasantly surprised with how it came out. When I bought the sheets, the selection they had at Home Depot wasn't the greatest. Most of the sheets were broken or scratched, so I got the least damaged they had (and a little discount). It does look good, but there are a couple small scratches that I know are there, but nobody seemed to notice this past weekend.

I like that Macross cabinet a lot. The small art is definitely a direction to look at, especially since I'm planning on going with a dark themed cab.

zackt69 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 13, 2015, 02:52:58 am »

Finished cleaning up all of the CP wiring tonight. All wires individually numbered, sleeved and assembled into Molex connectors. More pictures once it's all back in the cabinet and all tidied up -

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #39 on:** February 13, 2015, 07:13:23 am »

oooo, nice.


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