Retrokid: A Pacman inspired upright for the kids

[Brouhaha]

Having nearly completed my first build, I figured it was time to start planning something else 

Now, I've been looking at my 5 year old playing:


What I gather from this sight is that the bottom of the CP should start at around 24'' for my older son to play comfortably without a stool. As I started modeling my own in Sketchup, it hit me that it would be nice (read: faster) to inspire myself from an existing classic well aging design: Pacman! I don't want to build a 100% accurate replica, but close enough, as I'm sure I'll improvise and deviate a bit along the way.

Sure enough, thanks to PinguTyler98, I stumbled upon this: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=15f9648c74996b12ff3db86682521e95. Comparing measurements with Jakobud's version, I can tell you they differ a bit. But hey, this is an inspiration, not a replica, so good enough for me! 

To have the ideal CP height, I have to scale it down to roughly 73% of it's original size. Here's an idea of the proportions:



Notice I gave myself a 13/16'' growth buffer while I build it haha! So here's the plan so far:

What I'm pretty sure of:

• Single player CP (no ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- at ~17'' wide)
• 3 buttons, 8 way balltop joystick
• 13'' or 15'' CRT depending on what I get my hands on
• 1/2'' MDF
• Casters. I gotta be able to gain a few inches so it lasts more than 2 years.
• Impeccable finish as I will be selling this down the road when they outgrow it.

What I'm unsure of:

• Vertical or horizontal. I will be checking out what he plays closely. So far, lots of schmups and a bit DK, but also lots of TMNT, VS SMB and Sunset Riders... I'm thorn.
• Theme. Legos would make him really happy. But do I really want to go that far? haha!
• Screen angle. True to design, or straighter for the kids comfort. Not sure yet.
• Probably lots more I haven't thought of 

So here's me committing to this build and giving everything back as I go, including the artwork (even if it is Legos haha!), to make kids happy. Not sure how fast it will go though. will mock this up with cardboard first to make sure the proportions are ok. If I have time to cut before it snows (around 0 Celsius here and we're lucky this year), it would be great. If not, this will be a spring thing, or I'll stealth cut and cleanup while the wife is out.

Cheers and thanks for reading.

Edit: original Sketchup model by PinguTyler98 and not Anthony A. My bad.

[vwalbridge]

A mini build? Count me in of course. 

[opt2not]

On to the next one eh?  Nice!  I really liked how your last project turned out (I thought you made all the right choices)
Not like those ugly bling'd-out Dave and Buster reject cabinets you see built now.

I would recommend reading up on American Ace, Woodshop Flunky did a really incredible job on his mini-upright. Though it might be a bit smaller for what you're going for, you might find some useful relevant information. (also an excuse to drool over a really incredible build).

Good luck with this one, I'll be keeping an eye on your progress.

[Brouhaha]

A mini build? Count me in of course. 

Less mini than your minis and micros, latter of which I wouldn't even dare tackle, but can't wait to see how it looks and plays 

I would recommend reading up on American Ace, Woodshop Flunky did a really incredible job on his mini-upright. Though it might be a bit smaller for what you're going for, you might find some useful relevant information. (also an excuse to drool over a really incredible build).

Amazing build! I'd already seen it, but for whatever reason hadn't even noticed it was a kids build!! It's actually quite close to what I'm aiming for (about 4' high). Reassuring to see that picture with his boy playing 

And... Not much blinging will be going on in this thread 

[yotsuya]

And... Not much blinging will be going on in this thread 

Already music to my ears.

The American Ace cab is sweet. I have the plans for it even though I probably won't build one just because they are so nicely detailed.

[rablack97]

Maximus's rendition of the Ace build with plans, might help you out.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133872.msg1379284.html#msg1379284

And... Not much blinging will be going on in this thread 

Already music to my ears.

The American Ace cab is sweet. I have the plans for it even though I probably won't build one just because they are so nicely detailed.

must be coming out of a phonograph or an 8 track...

[yotsuya]

Maximus's rendition of the Ace build with plans, might help you out.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133872.msg1379284.html#msg1379284

And... Not much blinging will be going on in this thread 

Already music to my ears.

The American Ace cab is sweet. I have the plans for it even though I probably won't build one just because they are so nicely detailed.

must be coming out of a phonograph or an 8 track...

I don't like Maximus' mini build. Too angular.

And ---smurfette---, please, that music is coming out some wireless Beats.

[rablack97]

you dont like much of nothing Oscar....

Beats, meehh overrated, get you some boom sir...

[wp34]

Beats are horrible sounding. Every time I see them I think "there goes someone with more money than sense. "

[vwalbridge]

Beats are horrible sounding. Every time I see them I think "there goes someone with more money than sense. "

Beats were not made for your ears. Beats are the Jar-Jar-binks of headphones.

[opt2not]

Amazing build! I'd already seen it, but for whatever reason hadn't even noticed it was a kids build!! It's actually quite close to what I'm aiming for (about 4' high). Reassuring to see that picture with his boy playing 

I think that size is really nice for cabaret/mini cabinets.

American Ace is definitely one of the great projects of this forum in recent years. His execution and craftsmanship was really well done, and judging from your previous project, my bet is yours will be equally awesome. 

And... Not much blinging will be going on in this thread 

[rablack97]

What you know about that, sir....

[yotsuya]

Maximus's rendition of the Ace build with plans, might help you out.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133872.msg1379284.html#msg1379284

And... Not much blinging will be going on in this thread 

Already music to my ears.

The American Ace cab is sweet. I have the plans for it even though I probably won't build one just because they are so nicely detailed.

must be coming out of a phonograph or an 8 track...

I don't like Maximus' mini build. Too angular.

And ---smurfette---, please, that music is coming out some wireless Beats.

I like the curves of American Ace. The other cab you mentioned is too pointy.

I like new stuff.  I don't particularly like stuff that screams "look at me,  breaking with the past, yippie-ki-yay mofo!!!!"

Oh, and

[rablack97]

yet you have a thread called JANKY KONG, which is screaming look at me, see ya and wouldnt wanna be ya....

oh wait...

You aint feelin Beatstreet son!!!!

[opt2not]

What you know about that, sir....

I'm sorry we derailed your project thread, Brouhaha.   

[Brouhaha]

Didn't even cut wood uet and my build thread is already full of awesomeness  haha!

[yotsuya]

yet you have a thread called JANKY KONG, which is screaming look at me, see ya and wouldnt wanna be ya....

oh wait...

You aint feelin Beatstreet son!!!!

Homie, there isn't one single bit of bling on Janky Kong that wouldn't have come from the factory. No LEDs, just one speaker, it even uses a fluorescent light fixture for the marquee. I'm so old school, baby, I use a slide rule.

[opt2not]

Homie, there isn't one single bit of bling on Janky Kong that wouldn't have come from the factory. No LEDs, just one speaker, it even uses a fluorescent light fixture for the marquee. I'm so old school, baby, I use a slide rule.

[yotsuya]

Brouhaha, I hope this chit-chat shows you how much we like this build.

[rablack97]

yet you have a thread called JANKY KONG, which is screaming look at me, see ya and wouldnt wanna be ya....

oh wait...

You aint feelin Beatstreet son!!!!

Homie, there isn't one single bit of bling on Janky Kong that wouldn't have come from the factory. No LEDs, just one speaker, it even uses a fluorescent light fixture for the marquee. I'm so old school, baby, I use a slide rule.

I was talking about the name, Pimp C.

What you know about that, sir....

I'm sorry we derailed your project thread, Brouhaha.   

Brouhaha, I hope this chit-chat shows you how much we like this build.

Yes sir, we just gettin you all warmed up to kick out some badassdedness....

Carry on....

[johnrt]

Homie, there isn't one single bit of bling on Janky Kong that wouldn't have come from the factory. No LEDs, just one speaker, it even uses a fluorescent light fixture for the marquee. I'm so old school, baby, I use a slide rule.

And here's yotsuya making a phonecall: 

[opt2not]

But thanks for participating.

[yotsuya]

Homie, there isn't one single bit of bling on Janky Kong that wouldn't have come from the factory. No LEDs, just one speaker, it even uses a fluorescent light fixture for the marquee. I'm so old school, baby, I use a slide rule.

And here's yotsuya making a phonecall: 

I need to find a picture of a caveman dragging his woman by the hair....

[Brouhaha]

Brouhaha, I hope this chit-chat shows you how much we like this build.

Yes sir, we just gettin you all warmed up to kick out some badassdedness....

Carry on....

Haha thanks guys! No offense taken. Figured this "to bling or not to bling" would start a "discussion" 

[pbj]

I've got a ~2/3 scale pacman cabinet, guy here built it for me 10 years ago.  I still love it.

Make sure your top is flat so you can put things on it.

[rablack97]

Homie, there isn't one single bit of bling on Janky Kong that wouldn't have come from the factory. No LEDs, just one speaker, it even uses a fluorescent light fixture for the marquee. I'm so old school, baby, I use a slide rule.

And here's yotsuya making a phonecall: 

I found this quite amusing, believe it or not!!!!!

Must be another new school punk like me picking on old people......

Oh wait, dammit Paul!!!!

[yotsuya]

We minorities gotta stick together, brah.

[opt2not]

Especially since Adolf Trump might be your next prez... 

edit: too soon?

[Brouhaha]

Because of the long and subtle curve at the top of the pacman cab, I decided I would print a 1:1 template at staples on the cheap. If you have a sketchup model of your cab or someone elses, here's how to generate a PDF that you can bring to your local printer.

First, we need to install doPdf, which will allow us to print to a pdf file (this is not necessary on a Mac). You can grab it here: http://www.dopdf.com/quick-download.php.

In sketchup, select the left standard view in the Camera menu:


Also make sure the camera mode is set to "Parallel Projection":


Make sure you toggle the visibility of the axes if required and make the window as fit as possible, as it will print the viewport:


Next, we print. In the print dialog window, uncheck "Fit to page" and "Use model extents". Also specify that 1 inch in sketchup is 1 inch to be printed:


Now take note of the generated page size. Mine rounded up is 28 inches wide by 52 inches heigh. We'll need this for page size so it doesn't print on 100 different pages.

Now select doPdf as your printer at the top and click on properties. We end up in the doPdf dialog. The only thing to do here is enter the custom page size we just got previously (sorry for the French screenshot, but you'll understand:


Now make sure you select page 1 of 1 only to be printed, print, and enjoy a PDF ready to be printed at 1:1 scale:


 

[Slippyblade]

Right.  I was very confused for a moment about 27 thousand inches.  I forget that the rest of the world uses a comma instead of a decimal point.

[Brouhaha]

Right.  I was very confused for a moment about 27 thousand inches.  I forget that the rest of the world uses a comma instead of a decimal point.

Let's beat this record: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/9/record-holder-profile-video-jason-camberis-and-the-worlds-largest-arcade-machine-394880

Sorry for the confusion