'Arc-Eden' - Complete! - Overlay U/L'ed

[Witchboard]

Nice CPO.

[ras2a]

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

lol, yeah...it is quite a few isn't it .  Thanks for the comments so far, peeps!

[crashwg]

one more...ARRGGHHH

I couldn't help but notice how short your CP looks in this pic.  Exactly how high is it?

[ras2a]

one more...ARRGGHHH

I couldn't help but notice how short your CP looks in this pic.  Exactly how high is it?

Not sure what you mean by 'short'.  The height is fine (From the ground) if that's what you mean.  The length of the panel is 960mm and the depth is 460mm.  Can't remember just off the top of my head how 'deep' the cpanel box is but it's fine as I've test fitted all the controls.  Does that answer your question?

[ras2a]

Here's the Marquee too:

[ras2a]

Just got the CP and Marquee art back from the printers.  Overall I'm quite impressed by it.  I'll post some pics this weekend (hopefully)

[ras2a]

Trimmed the CP overlay to match CP.  Almost finished cutting/routing the lexan for my CP.  Bought a 25" Panasonic SCART TV at the weekend.  Paid 85 quid (ex-rental).  just a sligh scratch in one place...but it's hardly visible and once the tinted glass is on, should be invisible.

I reckon it should be pretty much done in the next few weeks.  Still aiming for Christmas

Ok I promise I'll try and post some new pics within the next few days.  Still gotta post pics of the paint job etc...


Craig

[ras2a]

Ok here are some pics (LONG overdue) of the cab painted up and my lexan cut (AT LAST...phew).  Not the best quality ever but good enough.







now the lexan CP top



and that dreaded trackball hole...cut at last...yey !!!



back with more images soon

Craig

[Stu_C]

Hi Craig,

Nice job so far!  Just wondering, I'm from the UK too, where did you get the lexan from? Did you go to B&Q in the end also how much did it cost?

The finish on your cabinet looks nice and smooth, did you spray paint or use a roller?

Keep up the good work, can't wait to see it finished : )

[ras2a]

Hi Craig,

Nice job so far!  Just wondering, I'm from the UK too, where did you get the lexan from? Did you go to B&Q in the end also how much did it cost?

The finish on your cabinet looks nice and smooth, did you spray paint or use a roller?

Keep up the good work, can't wait to see it finished : )

Got the Lexan (and my grey tinted glass) from a place called St George's glass...about 10 mins drive from my house (in Bolton).

As for the finish, it was sprayed.  We have a spray-booth at one of our sub-divisions at work.  My mate did it for free  - Lucky, I know...but I said I'd just sort him out with a few rounds.  I think he used Black satin enamel paint (5 coats - no primer) ..  Always make sure you use a 'tack-cloth' etc to remove all residue/dust first before painting/spraying !!

Thanks for your comments mate

Craig

[Minwah]

The finish on your cabinet looks nice and smooth, did you spray paint or use a roller?

I was going to say that, awesome finish!

Looks really good so far, for some reason I recognise your cabs name but hadn't checked this thread until you pointed it out...great work !

[ras2a]

thanks a lot for that min...yeah it turned out better than I thought.  Finished cutting that Lexan last night and gave my mate (the very same one that sprayed the cab) the CP top and base (box) today...so, should have these back for weekend.  Can then get onto wiring and other stuff. 

Thanks again folks for your kind comments.  Couldn't have done this project without you lot...so another big thanks to this brilliant community

ooh...found me some foamboard too for the TV bezel.  Well it's actually called 'foamex' (according to the guy in the sign shop).  Costing a tenner for a 26" x 29" piece (gloss black) - Hopefully this will be ok.

Thanks

Craig

[motorfish]

ras2a

Great looking CP! The design does indeed look a bit familiar! ^_~

- Dan

[ras2a]

ras2a

Great looking CP! The design does indeed look a bit familiar! ^_~

- Dan

Hi Motor, yeah it is familiar isn't it.  Like I said, when I first saw GSXR's sweet looking CPO, I was WELL impressed and thought if I was gonna do this project, then I wanted the overlay to be as good as Andy's.  I obviously told Andy about all this ...so he wouldn't think I'd totally nicked his design. .  Andy was cool he helped me out with quite a few things (cheers Andy).

Anyways, glad ya like it

[ras2a]

Looks like the spraying of my control panel is not gonna be finished today, so can't do much over the weekend - Already I can see the Christmas deadline eluding me....Bugger!!!

I'm assure it will be ready in for next week, then I can get cracking on getting all the controls wired etc

Craig

[ras2a]

Need some help with the config/arrangement (of buttons) on my CP.  Here are some examples of colours configs I've come up with - anyone got any suggestions as to the colours I should go for? ..maybe I should keep colour schemes minimalistic?  I have buttons of the following colour: red/yellow/orange/black/blue

The button/controls labels (starting at top left):  player 1 credit / player 1 start / 360

[motorfish]

All examples have too many conflicting colors at this point.  Less is more.

All black buttons would compliment the CP nicely.

All orange and red might work too.

NO BLUE buttons or trackball!!! Use a red lighted trackball if you must, but I would NOT use blue. ^_^


- Dan

[GSXRMovistar]

Another vote for keeping it simple, something like:-

[ras2a]

Yeah, thanks motorfish/Andy.  I thought it was a little GAWDY (lol).  Well, at the moment I 'have' to use a blue translucent ball for the trackball as it's the only one I have - It was bought as  I thought my mate was using a 'blue' theme...then he goes and pulls this red/orange theme on me (ARRGHH).  Anyroad I can always swap that out later.  But good suggestions, that's why I thought minimalistic, you're right guys, it's overkill with the other colours. I like the idea of black buttons for all the player1/player2 'play' buttons....cool!

At least the trackball wont look completely out of place, as there is a little blue in the Player 1 motif (lol). 

Thanks for the suggestions...will post back pics when done

Cheers, Craig

[ras2a]

Fixed the Piano-hinge to the CP.  Cut the artwork ready for controls to be mounted.  Cut the marquee art and the lexan pieces.  Cut and sprayed the carpet mouldings (to retain the marquee) and installed.  Some new piccies (I will be updating my site very shortly...) >>>













and as it's the season of good cheer ...me christmas tree



sorry about the image quality....bad lighting and I still haven't learnt how to use my digi-cam to it's best...It's a canon Powershot A75 (Good camera - crap photographer - lol).  More pics to follow.

Craig

[somunny]

Ras:

Absolutely beautiful!  The cp and marquee are stunning.

Because I haven't built a cp myself;  can you tell me how you're going to attach the cpo to the surface of the panel?  Contact cement?  Sandwich it between the panel and some plexi?  Enlighten me please.

I'm about a week away from total completion of my UAII.  The wife bought me a Slikstik CO2 for Christmas, so I'll have to wait until my next project to build a cp.

Coop

[ras2a]

can you tell me how you're going to attach the cpo to the surface of the panel?  Contact cement?  Sandwich it between the panel and some plexi?  Enlighten me please.

Yeah, as you suggested really.  I'm just planning to sandwich it between the CP and the lexan top.  Should be ok like that as the buttons etc will hold everything secure.  Don't think there's any need to 'stick' it down with any adhesive.

I'm about a week away from total completion of my UAII.  The wife bought me a Slikstik CO2 for Christmas, so I'll have to wait until my next project to build a cp.

Lucky bugger!  You have your wifey buying you bits for your cab for Crimbo?  All I can say is you have her well trained   Nice one matey!  I'm hoping I'm not much more than a week a way myself...still think there's a possibility that I 'may' get it done for xmas.

thanks for the kind comments coop

Craig

[somunny]

Forgot to ask:

What color t-molding are you planning on?

Coop

[ras2a]

Forgot to ask:

What color t-molding are you planning on?

Coop

Well, I'm being EXTREMELY adventurous and using ....wait for it....BLACK - lol.  Sorry just in a daft mood in the run up to Christmas.  Wish I wasn't at work and was at home finishing my cab off. 

I know it's not that cool...I though about changing it something more exotic like orange/red (I assume you can get these colours?), but don't wanna disgruntle my missus (try and keep it neutral so it doesn't clash too much with the decor..lol)

Cheers coop

[ras2a]

Installed the Lexan top, sticks and buttons.  Just need to attach the Spinner/Trackball and install the T-moulding, then it's onto the wiring.  Few more pics:











C'mon Craig, don't be a lazy sod all your life and tidy up  >>



Further images to follow as the project nears its completion (he says).

Cheers, Craig

[mozzer]

looks amazing!

[GSXRMovistar]

Looking very nice.

[ras2a]

thanks mozzer/Andy - appreciate it.  X-mas deadline may 'not' be a dream after all...we'll see

[somunny]

Wow...

Really nice.

[BobbyG66]

All nice and new and shiny!
Make sure people wash there hands before using...

Excellent job!

[ras2a]

All nice and new and shiny!
Make sure people wash there hands before using...

Excellent job!

lol, yeah...at least it won't ragged like the machines at my local arcade used to.  Crikey, we used to literally swing on them when I was a kid....heh, we were little swines back then! 

cheers for the comments guys

Craig

[proview]

Hello everyone.

@ras2a

Your Control Panel is 1st class and I am sure that many people (me included) would be very proud if we could achieve something of this standard. Well done indeed.

Would you mind telling us how much the printers charged you for doing the overlay and what was the final thickness of your panel after you added the plexi.

Regards to all,

John.

[ras2a]

Hi John,

The printing for the CPO was around

[Grasshopper]

Craig, that control panel looks astonishingly good. I was a bit sceptical when you indicated that it would have a red colour scheme but now it's finished it looks great.

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

Where did you get the CPO printed?

Also, what brand of paint did you use for painting the sides of the cab black?

The paint I used for my first control panel (IIRC Plasticote from B&Q) was described as enamel on the can but I don't believe it actually was. It has a rubbery texture and never seems to dry properly. Next time I intend to use genuine enamel.

Thanks in advance.

[ras2a]

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.  Where did you get the CPO printed?

>> http://www.easiprint.co.uk/ - We deal with them through work for a lot of stuff (Bolton based company).  It was printed on 240gsm laminated glossy paper (or was it 210gsm..I forget now)

Also, what brand of paint did you use for painting the sides of the cab black?

>> Don't know the brand of paint as it was done at one of our spray booths (again, through work).  My mate just told me that it was satin black enamel.  I guess it was industry standard though.  I'll ask him when I see him again.

thanks for the comments mate.

Craig

[Quarters]

Looking great dude. nice cp

I would definatly go with red t-molding to match the buttons.

[Hiub1]

That is some stunning artwork man, it is really coming together well. Now tell your woman to deal with it and get some colored t-molding on that thing! It is absolutely begging for it! I went from black to red on my crappy cab and it made it absolutely change!

Keep up the good work, Fred.

[ras2a]

Yeah, I agree.  But for now black will have to suffice.  I think I'll get some after xmas though eh .  Just that all funds are now being ploughed into crimbo...you know how it is.  But I certainly do think red t-moulding would look cool.

Thanks, Craig

[Stu_C]

Drool,  mate your control panel is the dog's nuts    Well done

[ras2a]

Well, it's been a long 5 months (first posted in Jul 20th..I think), but I'm finally nearing completion of this project.  Yesterday I booked a day off work..a bit silly seeing as I've got 12 days off over Christmas, but I wanted to get things more or less done  - Here's what I got up to:  I had a problem with my SCART TV (purchased ex-rental) whereby red/green flickering lines appeared towards the top of the screen, so I got it replaced at the shop (no charge) with an identical model (how fortuitous)..this one works great with no probs so far.  Installed the TV in the cab along with appropriate supports to prevent movement. Also had my brother around to help me out with all the wiring and got it all done, apart from the spinner.  Setup the Car Speakers/Amp (powered from a seperate own ATX PSU).  We Jumpered the PSU so that it turns on when plugged in (green wire and any black/GND).  Speakers sound a bit 'weedy' but I assume this is because they have no enclosure.  We also knocked up a LED assembly to light the trackball.  Made several connections using Molex connectors that I purchased from CPC, simply because easier to disconnect in future.  Test installed tinted glass, looks great...just have to make a bezel now.  Also installed the CP T-Moulding.  When everything was done I fired it all up and whacked a couple of games on, man, that first blast on Gauntlet...SWEET!! ....I still can't believe that I own an Arcade cabinet !! - WooHoo    I musn't fall into the trap of not finishing everything off because I can't stop playing, though 

Have also installed a 54MB Linksys wireless card in the PC so I can tap into one of my servers for Rom/MP3 retrieval/Net access - Gonna let my 5yr old daughter browse the web on the cab (Bloody BBC CBeebies....ARRGGHH).

One other thing I'm not that thrilled with is the Marquee, the graphic itself looks fab, but when lit it seems to bright.  The fluorescent light behind is not fitted with a 'proper' diffuser.  Any recommendations on what I can use in it's place?..paper perhaps ?

Still to do:

- Install Spinner
- install Cabinet T-Moulding
- Install/setup MAME/MAMEWAH etc (cheers for the help Ste)
- Install/setup Arcade Jukebox or other decent Jukebox s/w
- Tidy up wiring
- Add velcro to back edge of CP ...if required
- Fix CP to cab base using L-Brackets.
- Replace blue translucent ball in trackball with red translucent (new year)
- One or two other things I can't remember

Some more photo's (quite a few):

Support blocks for TV installation:



Don't try this at home...nah but seriously, it is gonna be tidied up....no, honest!





this...



replaced by this...



ooh light thingie..



Amp goes in:



and the cones:



trackball installed:



CP T-Moulding:



Getting there at last:



Time for a blast:








Will post more pictures when the project is FULLY completed!  My sincere thanks to everyone who has helped me out on this fantastic board!

Craig