Author Topic: Mame Invaders! (Read 19225 times)

MameMaster! · « **on:** August 02, 2004, 12:56:01 pm »

GREETS ALL!....I'm extremely proud to announce the "relaunch" of my existing cab. This little project has been in the works for a few months now (secretly!) and now I'm ready to unleash this puppy onto the world.

Quick background- I built the cab back in Feb. of '03; but I was never totally happy with the art on the cab. I created it out of a hodge podge of stickers I made; a couple of genuine Sega Cab stickers; contact plastic etc. Overall it looked good....but now I have something to be truly proud of.

A quick thanks to the following:
Catver.com
http://www.catver.com/arcade8.htm

His website was the obvious inspiriration for my redone cab. I LOVED the artwork so much that I ordered the same set (customized in size for my old Stargate cab) from the vendor below.

Classic Arcade Graphics
http://www.classicarcadegraphics.com/
Absolutely top notch quality; excellent customer service; super quick turn around. I can't say enough good things. I'm in advertising so I see quality work all of the time...and his printing/materials is up there with the best!

Retroblast.com
If it weren't for Kevin's website I wouldn't have used my new Bits Ltd. Power Strip (AN ABSOLUTE MUST by the way)...and his confirmation of what I read at Catver.com....regarding the quality of classicarcadegraphics.com.

That's enough love....onto the pics!!!!

Attached below is where I started.......

MameMaster! · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2004, 12:56:51 pm »

Coin Door Before!

MameMaster! · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2004, 12:57:39 pm »

....old messy wiring job.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2004, 12:59:49 pm »

....stickers/plastic bezel and plastic marquee.

They all look absolutely fantastic in person. Super sharp/quality materials and printing.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2004, 01:00:57 pm »

installing the new full side art....

MameMaster! · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2004, 01:02:34 pm »

I redid all of the wiring. I completely gutted the cab and literally started over. This time I used a bit strip with a custom 12' cord; wire ties; cable ties etc. etc. Much, much better! .....

MameMaster! · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2004, 01:03:27 pm »

...note the incorporated Dreamcast (on the shelf by the coin door) and the ONE powercord!!...before I had about 10 powercords snaking all over the place.....

MameMaster! · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2004, 01:04:15 pm »

....finished!!!!.......

MameMaster! · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2004, 01:04:51 pm »

...kick/coin panel final....

MameMaster! · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2004, 01:08:30 pm »

...lit up (note the lighted coin door lights)....

All told, the entire art package ran about $330. I of course (I said to myself...did you check your measurements?....did you?....and oh, well, I guess I didn't check closely enough as I was off by 3 full inches...sigh) made a mistake on my measurements and had to have the bezel redone....but it was worth the extra few dollars.

The additional wire ties and other stuff I added (audio switcher to change between my Xbox (mounted externally and hidden); Dreamcast and PC; USB hub etc. ran about an additional $125. +/-.

WHY WHY WHY the XArcade??.....because I love the ability to swap that panel out w/my steering wheel; trackball etc....and ESPECIALLY it's ability to perfectly/easily interface w/XBox and Dreamcast.

That's all folks!!!

MameMaster

whammoed · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2004, 02:19:37 pm »

Indeed it does look very nice now. Function is nice, but function and beauty all the better!

Edgedamage · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2004, 02:47:50 pm »

Man I wish Oscar had gotten his hands on that cab before you. That would have been something to be proud of.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2004, 02:51:32 pm »

Wow, just shows what a difference good quality artwork makes.

I'd still lose the X-Arcade though. It just doesn't match the rest of the cabinet. Why not keep the interface but change the buttons and joystick?

MameMaster! · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2004, 02:55:27 pm »

Quote from: Edgedamage on August 02, 2004, 02:47:50 pm

Man I wish Oscar had gotten his hands on that cab before you. That would have been something to be proud of.

....uhh...not sure what to make of your comments?
MameMaster!

MameMaster! · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2004, 02:59:32 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on August 02, 2004, 02:51:32 pm

Wow, just shows what a difference good quality artwork makes.

I'd still lose the X-Arcade though. It just doesn't match the rest of the cabinet. Why not keep the interface but change the buttons and joystick?

...I have to admit...I thought of this (and I agree that due to the XArcade art it stands out a bit)....but I really like the ability to physically remove the panel. I was considering taking the thing apart and redecorate the housing....but it didn't seem worth the effort. The wiring in there is so tight/clean I'm concerned that I would mess it up.

....BUT, it's definitely a future possible project. I think XArcade should start offering custom work for a $$$ (at least the physical housing. Or even better....a blank (just black) housing unit.

I have to say, I do like the way it kinda' "juts" out of the original controller platform. I like the "curves" it gives the machine.

MameMaster!

Edgedamage · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2004, 03:03:40 pm »

It's just hard for me to see a stargate when I have all original parts in storage just waiting for a cabinet.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2004, 03:09:08 pm »

Quote from: Edgedamage on August 02, 2004, 03:03:40 pm

It's just hard for me to see a stargate when I have all original parts in storage just waiting for a cabinet.

OUCH...I can see why that hurts.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, before I did this I tried to find the "original" artwork under the layers of paint to see if I could restore it....unfortunately I literally found no traces of the original art (I went through at least 4-5 layers). It's almost as if this cab never actually had the original stenciled art at any point in it's life. I'm guessing it may have been an "extra" cab that ended up getting stickers as side art and had never officially been a Stargate.

MameMaster!

Edgedamage · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2004, 03:21:19 pm »

Well at least you saved it. And if it makes you happy that's all that matters.

pointdablame · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2004, 03:24:46 pm »

The new art looks really great. Really brings the whole cab together.

I really dislike the look the Xarcade gives the cab, but to each his own.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2004, 03:34:18 pm »

Quote from: pointdablame on August 02, 2004, 03:24:46 pm

The new art looks really great. Really brings the whole cab together.

I really dislike the look the Xarcade gives the cab, but to each his own.

...thanks for the kind words. Yeah, I know...about the XArcade (see my response above to a similar post).....but, it works for my purposes.

Thanks again though about the art!......

Ghoward · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2004, 04:53:56 pm »

I like the new look the artwork is really nice and its nice to see you rewired it too. Too many people just leave wires all over the place inside their cabs.

I would however drop the X-Arcade it looks out of place. If you were to build a panel that was the same size as the old panel it would look perfect with the same style artwork on it.

But as long as you like it thats the main thing.

Gary

Apollo · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2004, 05:55:02 pm »

Awesome job dude, but I've got to join in with the "ditch the X-Arcade" sentiments.
That could be a legendary cab with the right CP overlay and controls.

Chemixtry · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2004, 06:05:47 pm »

Great work man!! Do you have description of how you wired everything up? I want to put a dreamcast in my cab too and wondered what is the easiest way to switch the video and audio.

walls83 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2004, 08:05:17 pm »

the artwork looks great

BUT....

I have to agree with everbody about the x-arcade. I dont like it. But if you like it to hell with all of us. Its your cab your the one playing it not us.

Looks good though

froggerman · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2004, 12:26:06 am »

Your artwork looks awesome! Really brings the project together. Great work.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #25 on:** August 03, 2004, 08:48:56 am »

Quote from: Chemixtry on August 02, 2004, 06:05:47 pm

Great work man!! Do you have description of how you wired everything up? I want to put a dreamcast in my cab too and wondered what is the easiest way to switch the video and audio.

....for me the best solution was a push button select audio switcher to choose between the PC, XBox and Dreamcast. I then picked up a VGA convertor for the Dreamcast from Lik Sang....which in turn is plugged into a VGA 4 input switcher box I picked up at CompUSA.

So, to switch from the PC to Dreamcast is a quick cable swap on the XArcade, a flip on the VGA Box and one button press on my audio switcher. It literally takes about 10 seconds to go from MAME to high res VGA lovin' on the Dreamcast!

MameMaster!

PS- Thanks for all of the kind words about the look of the machine...I expected the "backlash" against the XArcade....really?....would I have expected anything less on a website call "Build your OWN arcade controls???"

danny_galaga · « **Reply #26 on:** August 03, 2004, 11:28:49 am »

those new stickers look great!! the machine looks completely different . very nice

RayB · « **Reply #27 on:** August 03, 2004, 01:32:11 pm »

Looks great.
Take the X-Arcade "guts" and install them properly on a CP that fits.....

Nannuu · « **Reply #28 on:** August 03, 2004, 02:16:16 pm »

Yep, the cab really looks nice now!

If you don't want to replace the X. You can put some similar graphics on the panel so it too looks nicer. If you need some help vectorizing an overlay, there are a lot of us willing to help.....

greywolf22 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 03, 2004, 02:21:52 pm »

The artwork is really top notch and brings the whole thing together IMHO. Great job

menace · « **Reply #30 on:** August 03, 2004, 02:26:07 pm »

You know it does look really good (with the exception of the x-arcade sticking out there) but why don't you hack up the x-arcade or recover it with matching artwork??--seems funny that you would go through all that trouble to dress up the cab but leave a little thing like that x-arcade box untouched--if it was me--i would have hacked it into a new panel that blends or something--just a thought--hate to see such a nice cab marred by such a small thing

MameMaster! · « **Reply #31 on:** August 03, 2004, 02:37:54 pm »

Quote from: Nannuu on August 03, 2004, 02:16:16 pm

Yep, the cab really looks nice now!

If you don't want to replace the X. You can put some similar graphics on the panel so it too looks nicer. If you need some help vectorizing an overlay, there are a lot of us willing to help.....

hey thanks for the suggestions. I've thought about doing just that to be honest....but in order to do the overlay I would have to take apart the whole thing to remove the present overlay and put on a new one.....but it is something I was thinking about. Arcade controls did the Bezel/Marquee in a really nice plastic....that would most likely be a good surface as a CPO.

....hmmm...........It is very tempting I have to admit......after all this feedback I may "have" to do it!!

MameMaster!

BobbyG66 · « **Reply #32 on:** August 03, 2004, 05:13:41 pm »

....hmmm...........It is very tempting I have to admit......after all this feedback I may "have" to do it!!

MameMaster!

Quote

It looks like you would have at least 7 volunteers that are willing to come over and help you!

You buy the beers and let's get it done...

Yander · « **Reply #33 on:** August 03, 2004, 06:55:01 pm »

Yeah, the cab is awesome. I especially like how the new artwork looks. But IMHO the X needs to go.

SpamMe · « **Reply #34 on:** August 03, 2004, 07:12:47 pm »

Agreed, that artwork is far too nice to have a slapped-on, pre-made control panel man. Around $300 for the artwork alone, yeah?
I say go that last step, it'll make all the difference.

Magnet_Eye · « **Reply #35 on:** August 03, 2004, 10:26:39 pm »

Cabinet=GOOD

XArcade=BAD

MameMaster! · « **Reply #36 on:** August 04, 2004, 08:42:30 am »

ARRRGGGHHH....damn you you damn dirty XArcade panel.....(a la Charles Heston).

....Best Cabinet Ever (a la comic book guy/Simpsons)

....Worst Control Panel Ever (see above).

SIGH.....darn.....you guys are really making me rethink this whole XArcade.....

OK, hypothetically, if I were to gut the XArcade and incorporate it into the physical "original" panel.....any suggestions on how I can still add my beloved steering wheel?....see pic below for the why I like the ability to remove the XArcade....

BobbyG66 · « **Reply #37 on:** August 04, 2004, 09:15:33 am »

It looks like the X-Arcade is sitting on a shelf and the steering wheel clamps on the shelf? Right?

If so, you could probably keep the shelf as is, except drill two holes in it. The holes should not be in an area that will affect the steering wheel and have enough clearance for some threaded knobs (see below).

Then, build a control panel that will fit on the shelf and also fit/extend over the existing control panel.
In the bottom of the new control panel, drill two holes to match the shelf and put t-nuts in it. You can then get two threaded knobs that insert under the shelf and thread into the base of the new control panel.

That should work... I think?

MameMaster! · « **Reply #38 on:** August 04, 2004, 09:37:38 am »

Quote from: BobbyG66 on August 04, 2004, 09:15:33 am

It looks like the X-Arcade is sitting on a shelf and the steering wheel clamps on the shelf? Right?

If so, you could probably keep the shelf as is, except drill two holes in it. The holes should not be in an area that will affect the steering wheel and have enough clearance for some threaded knobs (see below).

Then, build a control panel that will fit on the shelf and also fit/extend over the existing control panel.
In the bottom of the new control panel, drill two holes to match the shelf and put t-nuts in it. You can then get two threaded knobs that insert under the shelf and thread into the base of the new control panel.

That should work... I think?

....interesting suggestion. I'm not sure the little shelf I put there would hold the weight of a full panel....but it is a good suggestion. A few modifications and I could probably make something like that work.

If I were to do it though, I would integrate my standalone track ball into a new panel as well.....I'm just concerned about making it too awkward......

danny_galaga · « **Reply #39 on:** August 05, 2004, 08:48:19 am »

hehe. i was so impressed with the graphics i didnt notice the x- arcade. since its no bigger than the original you could fit everything into the original shape but i guess where the x-arcade slots in is where the wheel goes...

hyiu · « **Reply #40 on:** August 05, 2004, 04:18:55 pm »

first of all... nice cab.... new artwork does make a BIG difference !!!....

as for the x-arcade... take your time and think it out...

no need to rush on it.... (although I'm with the group...)
it doesn't quite match the rest of the cab...

easiest for you to do... ( I think...)

detach the x-arcade... (which you can easily do...)
then open up the bottom... and take out the stick and the buttons... then just redo that top piece.... maybe peel out the laminate and put another thing in there....
or change that top piece.... with a matching artwork...

pathdoc2 · « **Reply #41 on:** August 05, 2004, 04:31:54 pm »

Its like a dog turd on the Mona Lisa. Good work. Lose the x controller.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #42 on:** August 05, 2004, 04:39:35 pm »

Quote from: hyiu on August 05, 2004, 04:18:55 pm

first of all... nice cab.... new artwork does make a BIG difference !!!....

as for the x-arcade... take your time and think it out...

no need to rush on it.... (although I'm with the group...)
it doesn't quite match the rest of the cab...

easiest for you to do... ( I think...)

detach the x-arcade... (which you can easily do...)
then open up the bottom... and take out the stick and the buttons... then just redo that top piece.... maybe peel out the laminate and put another thing in there....
or change that top piece.... with a matching artwork...

...yeah after getting beat up

over my XArcade...that's pretty much what I was thinking to do....oh how I do need BYOAC love!... LOVE ME FOR MY XArcade.....accept me for all of my faults.....sigh.

Just kidding.

hyiu · « **Reply #43 on:** August 05, 2004, 04:54:08 pm »

actually... I'm ok as is.... (as long as you have fun playing games.... ) haaa haa haa....

its not like mine is any prettier....
mine is just a computer desk.... ok... an ugly computer desk...
*** sigh ***....

well.... but as you know... its always easy to point out others fault.... and to say... "hey... you can make this better by doing this... doing that....".... haaa haa....

so.... plz... no hard feelings....

just enjoy your cab.... its all good as long as it works...

whammoed · « **Reply #44 on:** August 05, 2004, 05:11:58 pm »

Peer pressure is a @#%$& aint it? Don't let people talk you into something you don't want to do. Personally I agree with everyone that the xarcade doesn't look so hot, but it seems there is a reason for it and sometimes functionality trumps aesthetics. I say give it a couple weeks and then make up your mind, the only person who really has to like it is you. As someone suggested you could simply put some matching graphics on it to tie it in better. Having said that, I certainly doubt you will be disappointed you put in some extra work on that final detail of the cab, in the end it is obviously up to you.

MameMaster! · « **Reply #45 on:** August 05, 2004, 05:15:59 pm »

Quote from: whammoed on August 05, 2004, 05:11:58 pm

Peer pressure is a @#%$& aint it? Don't let people talk you into something you don't want to do. Personally I agree with everyone that the xarcade doesn't look so hot, but it seems there is a reason for it and sometimes functionality trumps aesthetics. I say give it a couple weeks and then make up your mind, the only person who really has to like it is you. As someone suggested you could simply put some matching graphics on it to tie it in better. Having said that, I certainly doubt you will be disappointed you put in some extra work on that final detail of the cab, in the end it is obviously up to you.

....*sniff*.....*sniff*....k'.

Seriously though...this is a funny group....that's why I like all of you so much!....the peer pressure is sometimes the best part that pushes us to work a little harder on the next try....

I probably won't redo the panel right away (if at all....but, I probably will at least redecorate it); but after seeing so many fantastic cabs....I HAD to redecorate mine!....that's what's so much fun about this hobby. You can keep morphing your cab.

Besides...I have no space for a 3rd cab...so I may as well work on the XArcade.
MameMaster!

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #46 on:** October 02, 2004, 12:13:52 am »

DUDE!!

I need a giant SEGA label!

Where did you dig that thing up?

The MAME Invaders art rocks hard, don't get me wrong, but I do like that SEGA logo.

(refrains from an X-Arcade comment... or does he?)

=)

MameMaster! · « **Reply #47 on:** October 04, 2004, 09:32:55 am »

Quote from: Gunstar Hero on October 02, 2004, 12:13:52 am

DUDE!!

I need a giant SEGA label!

Where did you dig that thing up?

The MAME Invaders art rocks hard, don't get me wrong, but I do like that SEGA logo.

(refrains from an X-Arcade comment... or does he?)

=)

...I got if from this guy (Dave from the Dragon's Lair Project)...and I'm pretty sure he has more....only $15.00 per sticker...NOS. He was a good guy...and shipped fast!

http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/dave/sega.htm

I accidently ruined both of them upon removal from the sides....don't hate me! ..... I was pretty pissed at myself for that already....good luck!!!

MameMaster!

Stingray · « **Reply #48 on:** October 13, 2004, 04:26:17 pm »

I love the MAME Invaders artwork. Really, really improved the overall look of the cab.

... I won't badger you about the xarcade.

-S


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