Author Topic: johnnysmitch's CAF Arcade (Read 34220 times)

johnnysmitch · « **on:** July 14, 2004, 10:44:55 am »

Just wanted to start off by apologizing $:-\$ for my apparently inappropriate title of my recent project announcement (thought I censored it enough [it takes the 'f' word twice in a movie to earn an R rating...

].
Anyways, I wanted to repost so that I could get some feedback on my project throughout the process, so here's a recap:

I'm building a freestanding, showcase-style control panel. It will have a complete 4 player setup on one side, and the other side will feature an illuminated trackball, Tornado spinner, 4/8 way switchable T-Stick Plus, and pinball-style side buttons. To switch between the two sets of controls, the panel will spin back and forth 180degrees and lock into place, allowing for plenty of room between players/controls withough having a 6 foot long CP.

As far as materials go, I'm building it out of 3/4" birch ply, and making a stainless steel top for the panel itself, featuring sandblasted space invaders graphics. I'm planning on using this with a 52" rear projection TV that I won in a charity raffle for $1.

here's a sketch:

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2004, 10:46:07 am »

and here's my CP layout:

JamIt · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2004, 11:35:21 am »

I dig it. Good luck and keep us updated.
--JamIt

Ghoward · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2004, 11:37:22 am »

Great design and I think the new name better too!!

Looking forward to your next update.

Gary

whammoed · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2004, 12:12:51 pm »

Good idea. I think it would also be cool if it rotated front to back instead of spinning around. One set of controls on "top" and one on "bottom". Would probably be harder though, and probably wouldn't add any extra functionality.
Anyway, hope it works out for you!

snekse · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2004, 05:27:49 pm »

That's pretty sweet. Keep us updated. I'd like to see what other cool ideas you come up with. I'm looking to do a 4 player rotating showcase (ala 1UP) but I may alter my plans if I see something I like.

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2004, 10:00:06 am »

I put in an honest weekend's work and made some progress on my machine - I finished the top and sides of my CP, and put all the controls in (just waiting on some quick disconnects so I can wire it all up - can't wait!) I changed up the design a little; I didn't care much for how the birch looked with the stainless (oak would've looked a little better, I think), so I wrapped the outside in black vinyl, which I think gives it a nice bar look/feel. I think the stainless top turned out very nice though, and the sandblasted graphics are pretty sweet. Here's a pic (sorry about the quality - I'll take better shots later):

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2004, 10:01:10 am »

and the backside, so far:

snekse · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2004, 11:10:38 am »

I like the background design. It's surprisingly original considering the theme. Looks like you have some good spacing on the sides. I imagine you're going to get some flak for the joystick in the upper right, but who cares, it looks nice. I'm having a hard time seeing what's in the upper left though; is that a spinner and a small trackball? Opps, just ansered my own question. Looked back at your original layout. Looks good. Nice work.

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2004, 11:22:19 am »

Quote from: snekse on July 19, 2004, 11:10:38 am

I imagine you're going to get some flak for the joystick in the upper right, but who cares, it looks nice.

gotta remeber - this is a spinning control panel, so that joystick in the upper right will actually be in the lower left when using it (there's pinball style side buttons over there too). Thanks for the feeback tho - this thing has been a buttload of work so far, but I'm really getting excited about it.

BTW - I ended up with a little bit of gap around my cp between the top panel and the wrap around - has anyone had any experience with putting T-molding on the face of their cab/cp? I already ordered some to try out, but would like to know if there's any tricks to make it wrap around the angles...

BobbyG66 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2004, 12:39:12 pm »

WOW!

Love that sandblasted stainless steel. Did you do that at your work or know somebody?
I bet you could sell those...

Matt, GoC · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2004, 11:52:14 am »

Wow that's CAF!!!

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2004, 05:22:29 pm »

Hoping to get close to finished this weekend - going to wire up the controls, build the base, and put the majority of the computer inside - I'll be sure to take a few *much* better pics in the process.

As far as the stainless goes - my parents have an air compressor, and I've got a small sandblasting nozzle that I just feed with a bucket of silica sand - it works great for small work like this (you can also get cool results sandblasting some kinds of plexiglass/lexan). If anyone wants to know anything about the process, let me know, and I'll be glad to help however I can.

Savvy?

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2004, 10:43:47 am »

Hey all, I've been making some decent progress finally, and thought I'd throw up some pictures of what I've got so far (the end is finally in sight...) The first picture is a shot of the control panel, which I've built to swivel 180degrees around as planned, so you can use the trackball/spinner/4way/pinball buttons on one side, and spin the whole mess around for multiplayer. The second picture shows off my latest labor of love, a piece of plexi that I etched by hand, and mounted and lit on the face of my machine (had to make my own hardware - that was a pain). Finally the 3rd picture is a closeup of said plexi with the lights off. Please excuse the filthyness of everything, it's still in progress so it hasn't gotten a cleaning yet (can't even see the sandblasted invaders on stainless top...) I would LOVE some feedback.

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2004, 10:44:32 am »

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2004, 10:45:13 am »

and 3

whammoed · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2004, 11:48:04 am »

Wow, how did you do that to the plexi?
Also, how does it spin and how do you keep it locked in place and how do you keep it from turning round and round and round twisting the wires up?
by the way, very cool.

Matt, GoC · « **Reply #17 on:** September 30, 2004, 11:53:21 am »

Mamey!

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2004, 11:58:53 am »

Quote from: whammoed on September 30, 2004, 11:48:04 am

Wow, how did you do that to the plexi?
Also, how does it spin and how do you keep it locked in place and how do you keep it from turning round and round and round twisting the wires up?
by the way, very cool.

I ended up etching the plexi by hand with an exacto knife (if you're trying this yourself, a word of caution - when your hand starts to cramp up, PUT DOWN THE KNIFE BEFORE SHAKING YOUR HAND - I didn't heed this advice and my exacto flew past my face and stuck in the wall

). To answer your second question, I found a seat mount from a truck that I welded 'stop tabs' into so that it would only turn 180 and back. I was initially going to modify it further to use the latch to secure it at the two postitions, but after testing it out, I found that the stiffness of the spin was plenty to hold it in postition without needing a latch.

Yander · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2004, 08:04:02 pm »

Wow that looks amazing. I also like to see the dreamcast on top of your TV.

Acids · « **Reply #20 on:** October 04, 2004, 04:11:14 am »

LOL, i see you have that stripped carpet on the floor.
I must have been 7-8 years old when i last saw that.

I was at a friends place playing intellivision and after many hours of low res screens the carpet was too much...

this is going back 20+ years....

Anyway.. Awesome plexi. you done that with a craft knife.? its so uniform...

DarkKobold · « **Reply #21 on:** October 04, 2004, 02:14:13 pm »

Wow. That plexi is awesome. How many hours did that take you? How did you see what you were doing while you are working? How much would it cost to have you do one?

Amazing...

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #22 on:** October 04, 2004, 02:27:46 pm »

thanks for all the positive feedback! I'm almost completely done with the physical part of the cabinet now (put some more trim one, a final coat of paint, and some other minor stuff this weekend). Unfortunately, another project I was working on fell over when i wasn't looking and CRACKED MY BEAUTIFUL PLEXI INVADERS... So I'll be making a new one today after work. I don't recall exactly how long the first one took me, but I believe it was somewhere in the ballpark of 3 hours. I guess I can get a better measure of that tonite. A couple of things I'm going to do differently this time around is reverse my artwork to engrave, therefore it can be on the backside of the plexi (already knew this the first time, but somehow it slipped my mind when i was actually doing it), and come up with a way to support it from behind with standoffs or make it flush against the backing board, so that it won't be as susceptible to damage from bumping. I'll just chalk it up as a learning experience...

As far as how i did it, i printed my artwork out (on multiple sheets) and spray-mounted it to my plexi, then just cut along the lines with my exacto (with significantly more pressure than when normally cutting). It's not quite as clean as it looks in the picture - there are a few wavery lines and such, but it's really more of a nitpicking thing. My next one will probably turn out better since i should have a better feel for it. I'm going to experiment making some wallmounted signs for the room this way too, and if they turn out well and I'm comfortable enough with the finished project, I'll offer my services for others here.

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #23 on:** October 04, 2004, 11:39:22 pm »

OK, just finished the replacement plexi; kept an eye on the clock, and found that it took me almost exactly 2 hours to do all the engraving, and another 1/2 hour to peel all the tiny plastic pieces off. Didn't remember it taking so long to get all the plastic off last time - if I were to do it again (hopefully a different one, and not a replacement

), I think I would remove the blue plastic right away, and spray-mount template right to the plastic (I'm using temporary photomount, so it doesn't leave a film), which would enable me to simply wet the paper when i'm done and wipe it right off. Anyways, it looks like my I did a little cleaner job this time, so I'm happy. My next plexi project will probably be more complex though - i'm thinking something that lights up two different colors.

BTW - I don't think i ever explicitly mentioned the scale of this piece - it's an uncut sheet of 18"x24" plexi. I'll try and post new pics tomorrow.

Matt, GoC · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2004, 02:18:28 am »

I sent an e-mail to the guy who gives mamey awards about your panel. I think it'll be an easy victory

!

durak · « **Reply #25 on:** October 05, 2004, 06:06:58 am »

Wow! amazing work, both the panel and the plexi!
I was actually also thinking of making a wallmounted sign, haven't gotten into it yet..

Zakk · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2004, 09:56:23 am »

Holy crap this is #$#@ing crazy!

#$#@ing awesome job! I give it a #$#@ing thumbs up, and I sent a picture to my buds that help me vote on these. I can't imagine that they won't all come back #$#@ing thumbs up too, but we'll see by tomorrow!! I'd give it another 'R' rating, for #$#@ing radical!

One question, would a dremel with the wand attachment make easier work of that plexi? I think I need a close up of the procedure that you're using, since I don't know how you're attaching that template, etc. Does the glue from the template wash off, is that it??

Man I knew this one was going to turn out awesome if it got done, bravo!!

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #27 on:** October 05, 2004, 10:15:44 am »

Wow, a mamey nomination before I even have final pics - I'm flattered! I can't wait to snap some final pics and show off some of my details now! Still trying to figure out some sideart and stuff to do; got a few ideas brewing, just gotta act on em...

Zakk - to answer your questions: I was originally going to use a dremel (i've got a flex shaft for mine that makes it a bit easier to be precise), but because of the amount of small details and all straight lines, I didn't like how it looked with my smallest engraving bit. Also, it is extremely difficult to get uniform depth on the engraving with a dremel used this way. I'm going to try using the dremel on wall sign that I want to make, and I want to try using the router base to keep a nice uniform depth on that; I'll be sure to keep you updated on that - I might even write up a tutorial on plexi engraving highlighting the different methods you can use. As far as my current procedure, I just print out my pattern (best to mirror it first, so you can keep the engraved side on the back, and therefore make it easier to clean), then spray mount it right to the plexi. I then just cut along the lines with my exacto, right through the paper and into the plexi. If you use the right spray mounting stuff (the temporary stick stuff), you should be able to mount right to the bare plastic. If you're uncertain, just leave the protective plastic on the plexi, and mount your template on top of that; it doesn't impede the cutting at all, just makes the cleanup a bit harder. Almost forgot to mention - when doing this with an exacto, you're going to break the very tip off the blade within the first few cuts - DON'T REPLACE THE BLADE - it actually works far better when the tip isn't razor sharp; the knife doesn't slide around on the plexi as much then, and you get much better control of it. Just be sure to take your time; one slip up and you'll either have to live with your mistake, or start over. Drill any holes that need to be drilled in the plexi BEFORE you start engraving. Start with the hardest/most detailed part of the engraving first, so it won't be as bad to start over if you make a big slip up early in the work, as opposed to at the very end. Good luck!

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #28 on:** October 06, 2004, 01:23:35 pm »

OK, so I know I promised pictures today, but I never got around to taking any, as it was far more important that I spend about 2 hours playing Super Puzzle Fighter with my roomate last nite

.
I did, however, manage to finish mounting my plexi invaders, reinforcing it with a few very nice looking aluminum screwposts that I found at the hardware store. All that's really left at the moment is some final trim work and cleanup. Of course I'll be adding to everything constantly, but that'll probably just be detail stuff (still wanna come up with some sideart/frontart of some kind..., and maybe some vinyl decals for the cp, and...) My next steps are gonna be making some custom layouts for mamewah and figuring out how to add some cupholders - any suggestions?

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #29 on:** October 08, 2004, 11:42:47 am »

Started playing around with some possible side art - any feedback on this direction? Ideas? Also, noone has come up with any cupholder suggestions yet - I'm thinking of designing my own using either aluminum or acrylic (or both) pipe, etching/sandblasting them to go along with my theme...

Zakk · « **Reply #30 on:** October 08, 2004, 01:59:40 pm »

Before you outdo yourself even more:

http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Awards/Control_Panels/control_panels.html

It was the second only unanimous vote since I stopped being the "only judge". Usually there is one of us that doesn't like something and votes against, but this is full out admiration. In fact the only comment I got against was "too nice to be in an arcade"

Cheers

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #31 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:52:19 pm »

Wow, sweet deal! Thanks for the nomination and votes! I'm honored! This gives me even more motivation to put up a decent website for my project!

Matt, GoC · « **Reply #32 on:** October 09, 2004, 12:37:45 am »

Congratz!

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #33 on:** October 12, 2004, 04:51:57 pm »

while i'm waiting on some materials to put the final touches on my machine, i'm working on some layouts for mamewah - here's my first, slightly censored, that i want to use for mame. Any comments/suggestions?

BobbyG66 · « **Reply #34 on:** October 13, 2004, 12:36:59 pm »

I would say that is definately CAF!

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #35 on:** October 14, 2004, 02:04:56 pm »

ok, here's a couple more layouts i've been working on - they're still a bit in progress, but i think this is the general direction i wanna go with my console layouts - I'd love some feedback on 'em:

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #36 on:** October 14, 2004, 02:05:42 pm »

and here's the other:

GGKoul · « **Reply #37 on:** October 14, 2004, 03:43:47 pm »

Great Work!!! I wouldn't mind a copy of you MameWah Skins

johnnysmitch · « **Reply #38 on:** October 14, 2004, 04:10:52 pm »

Quote from: GGKoul on October 14, 2004, 03:43:47 pm

Great Work!!! I wouldn't mind a copy of you MameWah Skins

thanks! when i'm all done, i'm going to put up a project website, where I'll try to put up tutorials for stuff I had trouble with as well as unique things I did with my machine, and I'll put my skins on there too

RayB · « **Reply #39 on:** October 14, 2004, 05:31:49 pm »

NICE!!!!


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