First Project: TMNT Cabinet Style, Akuma Themed Build (just missing glass)

[zackt69]

oooo, nice.

Thanks! I'm definitely glad that the wires are getting sorted out... the rats nest was driving me crazy.
This is what it was looking like before  -


Here's where it's at now. Going to look a lot cleaner too once the wires are routed to the controls and tied down, but it's already way better -


Here's the cabinet with the last 2 pieces (bezel and CP) laminated -


I also installed the latches for the control panel top now that it's hinged -

[Locke141]

I like all the attentions to detail. 

[zackt69]

I like all the attentions to detail. 

Thanks, I appreciate it!

Talked with my little brother about the artwork last week, and we decided on going with an Akuma theme. Should go well with the red/black controls and the black laminate. I redrew all the art in Illustrator and sent it over to Brad (Lucian045) this morning for printing. Here's a small version of the layout -


Coin reject button art -

[scoodidabop]

Looks great.  I've been using GOG for a while for control panel prints - is Brad pretty reasonable on the sideart?  GOG's control panels are nice but around $180 per side is a little too rich for my blood.

[zackt69]

Looks great.  I've been using GOG for a while for control panel prints - is Brad pretty reasonable on the sideart?  GOG's control panels are nice but around $180 per side is a little too rich for my blood.

Thanks! Brad's total price shipped for the side art, marquee and cp was slightly cheaper than the GOG's $360 for side art only ($180 per side). I can't comment on the prints yet, but Brad's been great so far. Very quick with communication and helpful answering questions on art and materials. Before I made a decision, I searched the forums for recommendations on printers, and he came up a lot... plus all of the builds that used him look great. Looking forward to seeing the finished work!

[ChanceKJ]

Brad's work is pretty solid. He printed my FLYNN's art, and was very patent and took the time with me to make sure what came out was right, and the way i wanted it. Very happy with his work and work ethic.

[zackt69]

Artwork arrived from Brad yesterday and the quality is awesome! The other great thing is the material he uses, it really makes installing the artwork pretty easy (to be fair though, I've wrapped a couple cars before, so I may be the wrong guy to ask  ). The only issue I'm having is with my marquee light... it's too bright, so I'm going to try a couple things to dim it down. If I can't get it to work I may switch to led's so I can control it a little better. Here's a quick phone pic of the installed art. I still need to change out the coin reject buttons to red and put the art in those, replace the screws on the cp with some that are black (harder to find black screws than I would've ever imagined) and get the bezel glass mounted. Everything else is done though. I should have better pics this weekend.

[ChanceKJ]

Well done!  Yeah, switch that light up to some LED's and light it locally behind the brighter parts of the art. Take a look how I did it on Flynn's. I used Brad for my art too, so I'd assume it's the same material.  I picked up a sting of 12v LED marquee lights from GroovyGameGear, only used two of the six and still added colour gels for tint.

[zackt69]

Well done!  Yeah, switch that light up to some LED's and light it locally behind the brighter parts of the art. Take a look how I did it on Flynn's. I used Brad for my art too, so I'd assume it's the same material.  I picked up a sting of 12v LED marquee lights from GroovyGameGear, only used two of the six and still added colour gels for tint.

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking for the lights. I bought 5 meters of white led's off amazon for $9 (you can cut them every 3 led's and start a new circuit), and I'm thinking that's going to be the way to go. The fluorescent light just blows out everything, especially the blacks and darker colors. I'd really like the center of the marquee brightly lit and the outer edges more on the dark side. Overall though, I'm real happy with the way everything turned out

[harveybirdman]

You made some choices that I wouldn't have, but this is really turning out dynamic..

I'd love to play through D&D, Battle Circut, Sengoku 3, The Glad,  and TMNT on that thing with three buddies

[zackt69]

You made some choices that I wouldn't have, but this is really turning out dynamic..

I'd love to play through D&D, Battle Circut, Sengoku 3, The Glad,  and TMNT on that thing with three buddies

Thanks, and thanks for all the suggestions and comments along the way! Definitely looking forward to breaking this thing in - I still haven't reconnected the control panel, taking everyone's advice and keeping it unplayable until I've wrapped it up.

I've never heard of "The Glad", I'll have to give it a try!

[harveybirdman]

ts only playable in newer versions of MAME but dude.... check it...

[Cobolisdead]

That cab looks awesome man! Great work!

[Le Chuck]

That cab is sick!  You nailed the art, big ups!

[zackt69]

ts only playable in newer versions of MAME but dude.... check it...

Oh yeah, that definitely looks like a game we're going to have to try! Thanks man! 

That cab looks awesome man! Great work!

That cab is sick!  You nailed the art, big ups!

Thanks for the compliments guys, I really appreciate it!

I took a few more pictures today, it's hard to get a clean shot of the sides since it's super glossy and the back house the cabinet is in is full of windows I wired everything back up and all that's left is the front glass, which I ordered yesterday.

- Coin doors with custom inserts


- Keyboard/mouse drawer with ipac4 - that pic reminds me that I have a piece of trim to put over that drawer edge.


- Inside the back panel


- Back panels all buttoned up. I put that rubber piece on there in case we even need to move it out of the back house. There's a couple steps up, and because of the weight we'll need a dolly for sure.


- Side art


- Front

[ChanceKJ]

  wow, this cab is Very well done! I'm loving the glow on that side art, the little details, design choices, construction. Damn, good job man!

[Cobolisdead]

That rubber piece is a great idea man! I am quite impressed, especially considering that it's your first build.