Author Topic: 'Arc-Eden' - Complete! - Overlay U/L'ed (Read 32487 times)

ras2a · « **on:** July 20, 2004, 05:24:08 pm »

Hi all

After much deliberation, I decided to make a start on my cabinet. I've been wanting to build one for several years now but have just never got around to it, with one thing or another pushing it onto the 'back burner' so to speak. I feel like I'm cheating slightly as a total beginner and the fact that I'm using the readily available plans from the Mameroom (www.mameroom.com). I'm also basing my control panel on GSXRMovistar's (Andy's) excellent layout...with my own custom overlay though. Iv'e started a build diary over on my site:

www.thirteenth-planet.com

There's not an awful lot just yet as I've only just finished cutting but it's onto construction at the weekend. I really can't wait to finish (although I'm not rushing) and am eagerly looking forward to that first late night beer filled session with my mates! I've had a couple of issues with my webhost over the past few days, but things should be ok now!

Cheers all, for any of you that have helped me with with various questions on this board already

Craig

ras2a · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2004, 05:06:44 pm »

The bottom section has now been constructed, check out pics over at my site. I'm hoping the top section should is done next weekend

http://www.thirteenth-planet.com/arcade/pic_gallery_8.htm

Craig

Witchboard · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2004, 08:05:54 pm »

I should say it will be well documented with pictures. You have 9 just of your I-PAC.

LOL.. just got to page 2. Nevermind about the "just 9" pics.

AGGIEZ · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2004, 11:30:39 pm »

Quote from: ras2a on July 26, 2004, 05:06:44 pm

The bottom section has now been constructed, check out pics over at my site. I'm hoping the top section should is done next weekend

http://www.thirteenth-planet.com/arcade/pic_gallery_8.htm

Craig

ras2a - looking good. Where are you doing the construction? Looks like a woodshop.. What kind of theme are you doing?

Also, where did you pull those Metal Slug animated images??

ras2a · « **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2004, 04:54:18 am »

Quote from: Witchboard on July 26, 2004, 08:05:54 pm

I should say it will be well documented with pictures. You have 9 just of your I-PAC.

LOL.. just got to page 2. Nevermind about the "just 9" pics.

Lol yeah there is a lot of pics of certain things...it's my brothers fault, he takes about 20 pics of everything (hehe). I may remove some though...but in the interim that's why I've provided tooltips for each 'thumb' ...you can decided if you want to open it or not! Also I'm gonna be compressing the full size images as many are HUGE!

Craig

ras2a · « **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2004, 05:05:28 am »

ras2a - looking good. Where are you doing the construction? Looks like a woodshop.. What kind of theme are you doing?

Also, where did you pull those Metal Slug animated images??

Quote

Hiya AGGIEZ

The animated gifs were pulled from: http://www.mameworld.net/emuadvice/mrips.html

I did find another site with some really cool MSlug gifs but I can't remember now...should have bookmarked it (bah!) If I find it I'll let you know.

Yep, it's a woodwork section of our head office based in Bolton, England. It's good coz you're not restricted by the weather, which I know many of us are....this must be a real pain in the a**

Themes - the control panel is going to be space themed (some weird and wonderful nubulae/planets etc...not very original eh) with LCARS (trekkie fans know what I mean) linework to sorround sets of controls etc. < I got the inspiration for this from GSXRMovistars EXCELLENT control panel. the marquee will be in the same 'vein' as the control panel. As for side-art I'm not too sure about this. I don't want to make it too conspicous as my wife is already disgruntled with the fact that I'm having this thing in the back room...I may just leave it all black! (sob...we'll see though)

Craig

BobbyG66 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2004, 06:27:15 am »

Looks great so far. Must be nice having that shop to work in.

Just be careful with those C-clamps, they are dangerous!

Please post some artwork as soon as you can.

ras2a · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2004, 07:05:34 am »

Quote

Must be nice having that shop to work in.

yeah it's a god send, really...just been really lucky that all the amenities and facilities have come together for me. thanks!

Quote

Just be careful with those C-clamps, they are dangerous!

will do, clamps are for life, not just for christmas

..seriously though now i know what everyone meant when they kept harping on about these things, if someone took them away from me now it would be like having a limb removed!

Quote

Please post some artwork as soon as you can.

no probs...just waiting for a very good friend of mine to finish the first draft - he's a graphic designer so I'm hoping it turns out pretty good. As soon as it's ready I'll post the pics!

thanks for your kind comments

. Have just been looking at some of the mini-cab projects (what I call 3 quarter cabs) - these look SO dinky ..I want one now...then again I want a coktail cab after viewing some of the BEAUTIFUL examples that grace these pages. ARRGGG it's no use now, iv'e got the building bug...

Thanks guys

Craig

Witchboard · « **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2004, 08:14:39 am »

Quote from: ras2a on July 27, 2004, 04:54:18 am

Quote from: Witchboard on July 26, 2004, 08:05:54 pm
I should say it will be well documented with pictures. You have 9 just of your I-PAC.

LOL.. just got to page 2. Nevermind about the "just 9" pics.

Lol yeah there is a lot of pics of certain things...it's my brothers fault, he takes about 20 pics of everything (hehe). I may remove some though...but in the interim that's why I've provided tooltips for each 'thumb' ...you can decided if you want to open it or not! Also I'm gonna be compressing the full size images as many are HUGE!

Craig

Well, it's better to have too many pics than wishing you had taken a picture of something while you were building it. Looks like you have a good start. Good luck with the project.

JAMMA Guy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2004, 03:19:14 pm »

Hate to rain on your parade but I've already spotted a mistake that needs to be fixed before you attach the upper sides.

Your panel J (TV shelf) doesn't have the correct mitre cut on the end towards to keyboard drawer.

It needs to have the correct mitre or you'll have a nice gap going on when you try to butt your control panel up against that part of the cabinet

here's a pic to help you see what I'm talking about ... (good place to storage your quaters instead of putting them up against the monitor glass ... hehe)

ras2a · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2004, 07:23:06 pm »

Yeah I'd noticed...'very' acute angle on the edge of the mdf. Positive I'd marked this up on my AutoCAD plans - As the angle is so small I may well have installed that panel back to front without realising (lol)...will double check.

edit: aha...knew I hadn't hallucinated it - here's my autocad plans for panel 'J' >

As I say, I'll double check to ensure I didn't install the panel in reverse in earnest...if not I'll re-mitre the edge ...or cut a fresh piece

Cheers

Craig

JAMMA Guy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2004, 10:28:47 pm »

No point in cutting a fresh piece ... if it's not mitred at either end ... just cut the mitre ... the overall length of Panel J plays no real important part as long as it's not to long. In your case ... that's not going to matter (the width needs to be perfectly flush though

).

Basically it comes down to how much of a lip you want hanging over the back edge of the cabinet without interferring with any of the real panel installation ... assuming your bother to run the panels down that low.

ras2a · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2004, 05:01:04 am »

Quote

No point in cutting a fresh piece ... if it's not mitred at either end ... just cut the mitre ...

Yep, am gonna check on this today. It's a 5 minute job with the circular so no worries

Quote

the overall length of Panel J plays no real important part as long as it's not to long

correct

Quote

In your case ... that's not going to matter (the width needs to be perfectly flush though ).

Yep

Quote

Basically it comes down to how much of a lip you want hanging over the back edge of the cabinet without interferring with any of the real panel installation ... assuming your bother to run the panels down that low.

no probs - wil update the thread as and when

Craig

mikroman · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2004, 05:45:55 pm »

Your project is looking great, have you tried the following UK website for plexi-glass:

http://www.westwardplastics.co.uk/index.php

their prices look more reasonable than B&Q

ras2a · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2004, 06:33:23 pm »

Hi mikroman, thanks for the link matey. Not had a proper look yet but will tomorrow. Not sure what I'm looking for though as I'm not that gemmed up with plexi, acrylic etc...don't really know the difference

Cheers for the kind comments

Got a lot done this weekend - the main construction of my cab is now all but done...also got the control panel basically constructed this weekend too. It's a bit of a bugger as I'm going away on holiday to Spain in just over 2 weeks...so the rest of the build is gonna have to wait till I come back (

sob)...need to plough my cash into 'spends' for when I go away! But I'll be posting pics tomorrow evening to bring you up to speed.

Craig

mikroman · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2004, 06:49:17 pm »

I hope the info helps, I'm not that experienced in plastics either, but I'm just trying to get as much information as I can before I start my own cabinet project.

I'm planning on using the Ultimate Arcade Plans II which came free with saints excellent Project Arcade book. I may modify the design slightly, but at this stage I don't really know.

I started work on my own custom frontend today, but with work I think it could take a while.

Time is precious.

ras2a · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2004, 04:09:54 pm »

Ok the basic cab is virtually constructed now, here are some piccies from the weekend >>>

It makes it all worthwhile when things begin to take shape! I've left the speaker panel off till I get my speakers so I can test fit them

For more piccies: www.thirteenth-planet.com/arcade/diary.htm

Take care all

Craig

ras2a · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2004, 08:47:13 am »

one more...ARRGGHHH

Soulcon · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2004, 10:00:36 am »

Outstanding work on your cab bud! Very professionnal! Love the site to major cudo's to you and your cab.

-Soul

ras2a · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2004, 11:24:06 am »

Hiya again Soul.. Many thanks for your kind comments, much appreciated. I'll keep the thread updated. Sadly Im going on my hols in about 2 weeks so I don't know how much more I can get done before then...in other words my time and cash is going towards preperations for my holiday! But I'm 'hoping' to get everything sprayed before I go away!...

Thanks again mate

Craig

Soulcon · « **Reply #20 on:** August 03, 2004, 11:50:55 am »

I have your answer to getting it done

"Who said humans need sleep?"

Sleep on your holiday!

-Soul

ras2a · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2004, 05:35:33 pm »

Yep...no rest for the wicked ! - hehe

Craig

ras2a · « **Reply #22 on:** August 08, 2004, 11:42:54 am »

a few more pics from this weekend:

speaker panel fitted:

more filling and sanding:

Keyboard drawer knob fitted:

next week it's onto spraying (hopefully) before I'm off to the canary islands for my hols!

Craig

Soulcon · « **Reply #23 on:** August 08, 2004, 11:54:45 am »

Ooooooh Shiney knoby thingy thats cool bro!

OK stupid question I noticed your wood blocks that you screwed your panels into. But what are the smaller white looking blocks for?

Soul <-- Silly unedgumacated newbie wood worker!

-Soul

ras2a · « **Reply #24 on:** August 08, 2004, 12:13:03 pm »

Hiya Soul

The white blocks are 'connector blocks' - you usually find them in flat pack furniture from MFI etc... (If you don't know what MFI is, it's a company famous for it's 'self assembly' furniture here in the UK). You can buy them seperately though from most DIY stores. I've used them for added strength in addition to screwing directly into the wooden ledgers.

cheers soul

Craig

Soulcon · « **Reply #25 on:** August 09, 2004, 10:39:13 am »

Awesome bud thanks. I can't wait to see how it turns out I wish I had more wood working knowledge all your seems and everything just looks so spot on. Cudo's to you my friend you are insanely talented.

-Soul

AGGIEZ · « **Reply #26 on:** August 09, 2004, 11:24:39 am »

Damn, how many admin buttons are you planning on?

Looks great so far! Can't wait to see the theme you go with on this one...

Cabinet looks great, but I think I'm more impressed by the documentation that ya'll are doing!! Video?! Good job!

whammoed · « **Reply #27 on:** August 09, 2004, 11:34:20 am »

Quote from: AGGIEZ on August 09, 2004, 11:24:39 am

Damn, how many admin buttons are you planning on?

What do you mean, This is too many buttons?

Just Kidding, cabinet looks great so far. Keep up the good work!

ras2a · « **Reply #28 on:** August 09, 2004, 11:52:09 am »

Hiya Soul

Thanks again for the kind comments Soul...I'm not that talented, this is the first proper woodworking project I've done (with my brothers help) and I've seen examples that FAR surpass my attempt. But thankyou very much indeed

AGGIEZ - Admin buttons wise, I'm not too sure yet but I figured it's better to have too many rather than not enough (for me at least). As for the theme of the cab, Iv'e given a mate (who is doing the stuff) a brief of the sort of thing I'm after (High tech, linework sorrounding control sets etc) and he says that he will be using a reds/oranges/flame themes. I was also thinking of powder-coating the cab, I coated a test piece of MDF and after coming out of the oven it looked excellent but was 'overkill' for my liking...If anyone is thinking of going down that route though, it's a VERY tough finish - I threw the test piece on the floor several times and not a scratch appeared. So, I've opted to spray and hopefull will get some of the sealing, priming and spraying done this weekend before I jet off for sunny spain

Whammoed - LOL!

thanks a lot guys

Craig

JAMMA Guy · « **Reply #29 on:** August 14, 2004, 02:35:07 pm »

Just curious ... what plans did you use to build the control panel.

I'm thinking about building a two player control panel since the four player will hardly ever be fully utilized (plus it allows more graphics to be placed on the CPO

)

Looks like Lusid's (or the same control panel style used on the "Project Arcade" cabinet. )

Thanks for the reply in advance

(wow ... those are some big speakers ... aren't you worried about your marquee retainer interfering with them?)

DougHillman · « **Reply #30 on:** August 14, 2004, 06:18:15 pm »

Quote from: ras2a on August 09, 2004, 11:52:09 am

Hiya Soul

ras2a · « **Reply #31 on:** August 15, 2004, 11:12:19 am »

JAMMA:

Sorry mate, I'd completely missed your post there. I didn't use any plans for the control panel - took my inspiration directly from GSXRMovistar's control panel (which is superb by the way

)...it's modified slightly though as I've provided additional length for your wrists. The only thing I think I cocked up on is that I should have made the sides flush with the front, but once it's all nicely sanded and painted you will hardly see this (methinx). As for the marquee retainer, I'm not gonna be using Happs retainer as it's bloody expensive at around 9 quid (

ras2a · « **Reply #32 on:** September 15, 2004, 07:56:47 am »

Ahoy there guys!

Im back off my hols and eager to pick up where I left off. Well actually I've been back over a week. Just about getting back into a sense of 'normality' after coming back. Will be posting pics as soon as there is more progress. Ordered a blue translucent Hi-ball trackball from Happ UK today...can't wait to test it out.

Just been checking out some of the exquisite stuff you lot have been up to in my absence....keep it up

Catch you all soon.

ras2a · « **Reply #33 on:** October 12, 2004, 01:42:00 pm »

At last, managed to get my mate to sort me out with facilities for spraying! The cab has been given 5 coats with Black satin enanel and it's turned out great!. Got the cabinet at home now and it's taken up residence in it's intended room. My wifey was complaining again now that the sheer enormity (literally) of it has dawned on her...but she's calmed down now

Mwahahahahh! - I knew she'd come round eventually. Anyways, I'll take some snaps this weekend and upload. Nearly finished the control panel too. Not much left to do - routed out the trackball mounting plate recess and routed out for the joysticks too. Test mounted everything and no problems. Just need to attach the cpanel top using the piano hinge etc and get the box sprayed.

Finally my mate texted me this week saying he's nearing completion of the graphic for my panel....all coming together now - Aiming for a christmas 'release'

laters guys

- ras -

ras2a · « **Reply #34 on:** November 03, 2004, 11:23:29 am »

Just had a taster of the control panel overlay that my friend is designing. He's currently just finishing up with the Logo so should be ready any time soon. I'll post piccies when done! Looks cool so far

javeryh · « **Reply #35 on:** November 03, 2004, 11:59:59 am »

Cool - post some pics!!!

ras2a · « **Reply #36 on:** November 04, 2004, 10:31:47 am »

Okay, the Control Panel overlay graphic is now done. My good mate has just emailed it to me. Let me know what you guys think?

he's just doing the marquee area now which will use the same 'arc-eden' logo (but all on one line, unlike the version in the globe above)

I think credit should go in some part to GSXRMovistar as it's where the inspiration for this panel came from, cheers Andy

Cheers

brained · « **Reply #37 on:** November 04, 2004, 11:06:27 am »

slick CPO

RayB · « **Reply #38 on:** November 04, 2004, 03:25:37 pm »

YEAH Awesome!

GGKoul · « **Reply #39 on:** November 04, 2004, 04:46:45 pm »

So with all the button holes you've drilled, I assume you used this picture as your reference...


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