Author Topic: Stand up build - "The Mongrel" (Read 25024 times)

Frank Drebin · « **on:** September 12, 2015, 12:58:33 pm »

So, my brother in law has been hounding me to to sell him my first build, which was basically right off OND's "Metropolis" plans. Turned out *pretty* good but there are of course many things I'd like to do different. So the other night I told him he could take it for what I had into it, and he agreed. Better yet the wife agreed that I could take that money and build a new one!

I call this build the mongrel because I'm trying to implement features from quite a few legendary threads on this forum.

My inspirations:

Top half of machine and "removable" control panel : OND's Metropolis. Just love the lines of this cab and the ability to remove/replace/work on the control panel.

Bottom half of the machine: This is a combination of a few different pedestal/showcase cabinets, but also notably used in griffindodd's Marvel v Capcom: Revolution build and this pedestal.

The overall look of the machine, control panel layout, and illuminated circles on the exterior are insipired by Knievel's Neon Mame

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2015, 01:02:08 pm »

So here's the design I'm looking at. I haven't bought anything for the "guts" yet but I'm thinking of going with a 27" LCD screen vs the 24" that I had in the OND cabinet. I tried messing around with lighted circles at the top of the cabinet as well as in the front but it made it look too "bubbly". Anyways, interested in your input, as always! The circles obviously do not go all the way through the machine but will be wrapped with LED's vs the sub woofer rings that Knievel used. A lot cheaper and way more size options.

Front end will be hyperspin. Thats about all I have confirmed right now.

kiel0909 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2015, 01:33:29 am »

whats the plan for the circles? neon? monitors?

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2015, 10:23:41 am »

Quote from: kiel0909 on September 13, 2015, 01:33:29 am

whats the plan for the circles? neon? monitors?

I plan on getting LED rope lighting , and building wood surrounds to give the same effect as neon subwoofer rings. The neon looks great but the available sizes and pricing is a limiting factor. Just messing with some different ideas right now for the side lighting.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2015, 01:49:35 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2015, 03:04:02 pm »

Or this one has better specs?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8238149&pagenumber=1&RSort=1&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=5&body=REVIEWS#CustomerReviewsBlock

Dell Optiplex 780
Core 2 Duo 3.16GHZ
1TB HD
4 GB DDR3
WIN 7

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2015, 04:12:07 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2015, 12:55:48 am »

First purchase towards new project - complete. 27" Samsung monitor P2770, used from kijiji. ($100) Bezel and stand are scratched, but screen is still in fine shape.

Also, I think I will make this a two piece build after that moving fiasco. Thoughts on the design?

Working on my shopping list, I want RGB buttons (with leaf springs), RGB joys, and RGB trackball. 7 buttons per player plus admin/mouse/volume buttons. The bulk will be through Andy at Ultimarc but I don't think he has the leaf style RGB buttons? Interface will be the IPAC Ultimate IO.

Very close to pulling the trigger on an i5 computer as well.
* Intel Core i5-2400 3.10GHz
* 4 GB DDR3
* Windows 7 Professional 64B
* 750GB HDD

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9544681&Sku=JOS-102804733

I do "need" a cheapo video card for this with DVI out.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2015, 09:18:26 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2015, 11:15:57 am »

Ventilation: Last cabinet I just had a few 2" holes drilled in the back of the cabinet for natural ventilation. Seemed to work pretty good. Do you guys suggest putting fans in? If so, where do they go? On the top (sucking) or on the bottom (blowing)? I figure 2-4" computer fans should be sufficient?

PL1 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2015, 12:20:54 pm »

Quote from: Frank Drebin on September 25, 2015, 11:15:57 am

Do you guys suggest putting fans in? If so, where do they go? On the top (sucking) or on the bottom (blowing)?

Hot air rises -- work with it instead of against it.

If you use fans, you should pull cooler air in low and push the warmer air out out high.

The intake and exhaust vents should be far enough apart that the intake doesn't draw in the exhaust.

Placing the lower fan too close to the ground can increase the amount of dust that gets sucked into the cabinet.

Bonus points if you can position the intake fan to push the hot air toward the exhaust by blowing on/across the part(s) that need the most cooling.

Scott

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2015, 02:35:11 pm »

OK....so fans at the top? Sorry I'm a little dense.

Computer sits basically at control panel height. figured some vents in the door, and two fans at the top to push out the warm air. Don't think I'll need the lower door vents.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2015, 02:39:03 pm »

Heres the final render. Gonna stick with this. Anyone willing to help out with graphics/ideas, I am all ears!

PL1 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2015, 03:42:50 pm »

Quote from: Frank Drebin on September 25, 2015, 02:35:11 pm

OK....so fans at the top? Sorry I'm a little dense.

Computer sits basically at control panel height. figured some vents in the door, and two fans at the top to push out the warm air. Don't think I'll need the lower door vents.

Yes to one or two fans at the top blowing out.

Be sure to consider the marquee light placement and mounting -- the marquee light might light up the wall behind/above the cab.

Consider using one row of holes across the middle of the door instead of one row high and one row low.

The vent holes on the door should be at or slightly below the bottom of the computer.

Current two row design:
- The high row of holes is the path of least resistance
- Most air would flow in through the top row and be blown out the top of the cab
- The computer is below the main path of air flow = less cooling

Improved one row design:
- The one row of holes in the middle is the path of least resistance
- Air would flow in through the one row and be blown out the top of the cab
- The computer is in the main path of air flow = better cooling

You can further boost the cooling performance by adding a fan that pulls air in through the door holes and blows on the computer. (The "door" fan doesn't have to be mounted on the door)

The idea is to push the cool air at the computer instead of letting it go straight up to the upper fan(s).

Scott

DGP · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2015, 07:38:35 pm »

You likely already know but keep in mind that Samsung monitor will require framing for mounting as it does not have any Vesa mounting capability.

Also regarding the pc, go with the fastest cpu you can within your budget. Ideal is in the 4 Ghz range if you want to be able to run most any emulator/rom at full speed (even then there are some that will not be 100%). Don't go too cheap on the video card if you want to use HLSL in MAME plus some emulators can make use of the gpu as well (obviously you don't need anything high end). Since you want to play some pc games on the cab (SFIV) you'll be able to do so if you toss a decent video card in there, one of the best bang for the buck gpu's is the Nvidia 750ti (which can often be found for under $100 and will usually run fine on an oem power supply).

If you use inlet fans grab some fan filters, this will keep the inside much cleaner.

Best of luck.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #15 on:** September 26, 2015, 05:10:35 pm »

Thanks guys. I think one fan @ computer level on the door blowing on the computer, and two at the top to promote circulation should be lots. Wonder if a guy could have them run off some sort of a thermostat?

Liking this Mortal Kombat X artwork from creative uncut. Would definitely need help to turn it into sideart/control panel/marquee.

PL1 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 26, 2015, 05:21:19 pm »

Quote from: Frank Drebin on September 26, 2015, 05:10:35 pm

I think one fan @ computer level on the door blowing on the computer, and two at the top to promote circulation should be lots. Wonder if a guy could have them run off some sort of a thermostat?

Use search terms like "fan controller" or "fan controller thermostat" on Amazon for a variety of options.

Scott

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #17 on:** September 26, 2015, 05:37:59 pm »

Use search terms like "fan controller" or "fan controller thermostat" on Amazon for a variety of options.

Scott
[/quote]
Wicked.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2015, 12:58:34 am »

Sawdust!

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2015, 11:06:19 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2015, 09:07:56 am »

Cart before deciding on pushbuttons:

Might have to rethink RGB for now.....

yotsuya · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2015, 10:24:47 am »

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamnnnnnnnn............ you kids and your wacky MAME cabs....

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #22 on:** October 04, 2015, 01:31:55 am »

Mastercard took a beating the last few days.

PC - Refurbished Win 7 Professional 64B
Core i5 650
4GB DDR3 Ram
250 GB HDD.

Have to upgrade the RAM and purchase a video card but that can wait a bit.

Buttons - P1 + P2 (7 buttons each) - Spectra Eclipse RGB.

Servo Stik ball top for P1, J Stik Ball top for P2.

RGB U Trak trackball

Spintrack spinner

Coin door, mech and lock from Andy

Black admin buttons

Got a buddy working on a hyperspin themed sideart/control panel art. will hopefully have some build pictures soon.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #23 on:** October 04, 2015, 04:42:31 pm »

yotsuya · « **Reply #24 on:** October 04, 2015, 05:14:23 pm »

That first photo reminds me of a ferret standing upright.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #25 on:** October 04, 2015, 05:27:58 pm »

Quote from: yotsuya on October 04, 2015, 05:14:23 pm

That first photo reminds me of a ferret standing upright.

Maybe I should rename the project to "The Ferret"

Or perhaps "The Prairie Dog"

Any artwork ideas?

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #26 on:** October 06, 2015, 12:43:21 am »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #27 on:** October 06, 2015, 11:51:18 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #28 on:** October 07, 2015, 12:03:20 am »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #29 on:** October 13, 2015, 02:17:35 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #30 on:** October 14, 2015, 11:29:57 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #31 on:** October 14, 2015, 11:32:54 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #32 on:** October 16, 2015, 04:21:53 pm »

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #33 on:** October 16, 2015, 04:25:19 pm »

Got the control panel fitted together, getting close to priming stage, just the doors and the front piece left, and of course the rounding of a few pieces and t molding slot cuts.

EvilNuff · « **Reply #34 on:** October 16, 2015, 09:35:55 pm »

Nice start. I'm not sure about the vinyl wrap, why did you give up on artwork? What about just a nice wood grain veneer on the outside?

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #35 on:** October 17, 2015, 09:13:18 am »

Quote from: EvilNuff on October 16, 2015, 09:35:55 pm

Nice start. I'm not sure about the vinyl wrap, why did you give up on artwork? What about just a nice wood grain veneer on the outside?

That's a good question on the artwork. Long story short I don't think I'd be happy with any theme I picked - long term.

As for the vinyl wrap - I think you'll be surprised with this stuff. I did my first build wrapped in cheap ebay carbon fiber because my paint job sucked, and it actually looked really good when it was done. Just like I've seen plain laminate builds on here that look great too. I don't need or want anything too loud, and hopefully the design of the machine and the accent LEDs will be showy enough.

Already ordered the wrap - Gunmetal steel (middle) for the two sides, and black steel for the control panel and middle section. Basically everything that is not the two sides.

wp34 · « **Reply #36 on:** October 17, 2015, 09:50:48 am »

I like your idea for vinyl wrap and am anxious to see how it looks on the cabinet.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #37 on:** October 20, 2015, 06:52:26 pm »

Control panel question:

Was planning on putting a spinner at the top similar to Knievels control panel, and having 2 leaf buttons (as my RGB's have microswitch) beside for rapid fire games such as track and field (either mapped to mouse left/right or duplicates of P1 button 1/2) . Are two buttons enough for most rapid fire games?

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #38 on:** October 27, 2015, 10:37:13 am »

Got some work done on the control panel last night.

(I need a bottom bearing bit)

On the positive side, I'm making Hyperspin my bi%$#.

Frank Drebin · « **Reply #39 on:** October 31, 2015, 02:51:08 pm »

Ready to bring downstairs and throw some vinyl on.


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