Metalhead's Arcades (2.0) *Updated: 13 April*

[Wade]

Yeah, I understand that, sometimes I buy certain wood because it is a convenient size already.

The softness wouldn't be an issue with lexan or some kind of hard laminate.  But, it is the grain that is a problem.  As you have seen, it is fairly easy to break pine along the grain.  Plywood doesn't have this problem since they alternate the grain pattern each layer.

MDF will also work great.  In fact it is even better than plywood for this application, in my opinion.  It is so much smoother.

TTYL and good luck!  Looking good so far!
Wade

[M3talhead]

OK, so I've got the new MDF cut and mounted on the cabinet. Scott over at Mamemarquees is really shining in the customer service department. Because of a minor postal mistake and the artwork coming out not as expected, he's been gracious enough to tweak and reprint all 3 pieces artwork and send 'em back out to me at no charge.

I tell ya, customer service!

Anyways, I mounted all the artwork and began mounting the buttons and joysticks.















The IPAC and wiring will come probably tomorrow, as I've already had a few people from on base ask if it will be playable this weekend. (Its amazing how many people show intrest in your "waste of time" once you have artwork applied and controls mounted, regardless of whether they're connected or not.)

But anyways, like I said, Scott is printing better colored artwork for me this week so I think I'm going to use what I've already applied to the cab as a kind of "what-kind-of-damage-can-it-take" test. I'll see what abuse it can withstand, how deep I need to scratch it to deface it, and what fluids will stain or discolor the laminate. I figure I'm going to replace the stuff anyway, so why not put it to good use? 

[ras2a]

Looking VERY nice indeed

[M3talhead]

Its been a while since my last update, so I thought I'd put a little something down.

I messed up a bit routing the CP tmolding slot, so I'm going to have to redo that.... . No big deal though. I started mounting and configuring the PC over the last few days and its been a bit of a headache. Originaly, I purchased an Athalon 64 to run mame and any other server type applications I might want to use in the future, but I scored a free 1.6 Gateway from a friend at work so I'm trying to get that thing squared away. Its wierd though, I cant figure out why, but BIOS is super-slow. I mean, when I switch between menus, it draws the ASCII characters across the screen at a crawl. The CPU isnt overheating (as far as I can tell), and I have 640mb of ram to play with. Something isnt right. Anyways, I went ahead and installed XP, and it runs fine. No sluggishness whatsoever.

Below are a few pics of the install.

I hacked up an old PC case with my trusty Dremel, and used the sheetmetal for my hardware mounts.





A little more Dremelin' for the stacked hard drives.......













So far I havent run into any heat issues, but then again, I've only had it on for an hour or so at a time, and its always been with the back open. I dont know yet if the mobo supports temp monitoring (I dont think it does), but I'll find out sooner or later.

I needed to find a way to extend the power button so I could reach it when the coin door was open. I decided to extend the power cable by splicing in an extension, but didnt want it to look all ratty. I remembered watching a program on the Discovery channel years ago (dont ask me what it was), but these guys used a cordless drill to twist bundles of wire neatly together, so I decided to give it a shot.

In about 3 seconds, I had a perfectly twisted pair and it was so easy, I did it again just for fun!





You also might ask yourself, "How does a 6'2" guy such as myself work inside a cramped little arcade cab?".










Like Origami.......

[Bones]

Looking good!

[skarr]

looking great,

but it's too hot to do anything here in belgium atm

[M3talhead]

looking great,

but it's too hot to do anything here in Belgium atm

No kidding. I had 2 fans and the windows open, and I was STILL sweating like a pig! I'm originally from Florida, so I was kinda used to it. The heat itself wasn't really an issue, but without any moving air, it became almost unbearable. When it gets hot here in Belgium, the warm air has nowhere to go, so it just sits there.

Anyways, last night I stopped messing around with that 1.6 mobo/CPU, and went ahead and installed the Athalon 64 last night like I originally planned. Everything is running smooth as silk now and the only thing left to do is some minor FE tweaking and wiring the Ipac (which I'll do in a few weeks). Also, the reprinted artwork I got from Scott looks MUCH better than the first set. This one isn't faded and turned out just as I expected. I cant say enough good things about Mamemarquees.com 

As for the near future, I'm going back to The States in a few days and wont return until the 18th of July, so don't expect any real updates from me anytime soon. I will however, be checking the forum from time to time in case anyone has any questions or comments on my project. (I might also drop hint or 2 about a Top Secret arcade-enhancing "side project" I've been toying around with over the past few months!)

Stay tuned~!

[M3talhead]

Well I'm back from the 'States, and man did I need that. A year and a half overseas and you kind of forget what its all about you know? ANyway, I still have a week off before I go back to work, and you can be sure I'll be posting updates!

[M3talhead]

Today has been filled mostly with post-vacation cleanup and settling back into routines, but I did have some time to devote to MameWah today.

Not long before I left on vacation, I installed and configured MameWah just enough to get it running. I also played around with different layout designs and ended up with what you see below. I'm pretty happy with it, but I'm thinking about changing the upper right "tattoo box" that contains the preview screens. I had to stretch the MameWah preview layout horizontally for it to fit in the space I drew on the background image. Unfortunately, I forgot to save the original image with individual layers intact. Instead I flattened it and saved as a .jpg.........stupid.



If I leave it as it is, I wont be that big of a deal, but I have a feeling that its going to be one of those tiny voices in the back of your head that says "You can make this better". The only problem with listening to that voice, is that while its usually right, its a pain to fix. I'd essentially have to redo the layout background image all over again from scratch if I wanted to fix the tattoo box, possibly replacing it with just a simple outline and have the preview window displayed inside it without any distortion.

Anyways, I setup MameWah and now have 6 organized categories:

[li]All Games[/li] (All 5016 games, minus .chd titles)
[li]Arcade[/li] (No clones or bad roms)
[li]Neo-Geo[/li] (Duh..)
[li]Fighting/Brawl Games[/li] (MvsC, MK series, AvP, TNMNT, KoV...etc)
[li]Flying/Shooters[/li] (Aero Fighters, 19xx series, Silkworm.....etc)
[li]Classics[/li] (Pac-Man, Dig Dug, DK series, Defender....etc)
[/list]

I haven't gotten around to setting up the 2nd hdd for .chd games and a few YDJK titles. I've been doing a lot of googling on people who've made YDJK buzzers for standalone boxes. I particularly like the design hosted at ArcadeParadise.com . I'd probably end up making the same kind of buzzers, but would install a jack of some type at the end of the wire and interface it somehow with the front of the cab so everything is tucked away neatly inside (basically an extension of a CP switch).

Anyway, here's what it looks like with the lights turned off and the curtains drawn...








Cool huh?~

[M3talhead]

One more update for today.

I spent most of the afternoon stripping XP down and customizing boot options to make it more "arcade like". Anyways, I was playing around with the idea of an XP bootskin, and didn't like anything I came across on the web, so I made my own.

Now I know there are a lot of people who just take the MAME logo and slap it in a .bmp file for booting and call it a day. Not me. I wanted something creative and unique, because as I've said before, if you plan on building a cab, paying attention to the details pays off in the end.

Here's what I came up with:



I decided to incorporate the RAM and ROM checks found in most arcade machine POSTs for a bit of nerdy arcade humor. To most people that play this machine though, I'm sure they're going to be a bit puzzled/impressed as to how "hard" is must have been to write that "code" and insert it in the middle of a BIOS. The green/black monochrome screen also took me back to the days of my IBM PC Jr. and was the first thing I thought of when I was thinking about what I'd want in a skin.

And in case you're wondering what C.D.A.S. mode is.....
Coin
Detection and
Authentication
System


.....and here's how it looks on screen. As I'm sure you're all aware, due to cameras not being able to capture true colors on a monitor without looking like crap, it looks a little out of contrast, but I can assure you that the screen is a deep black and the green is a nice bright neon, reminiscent of the old monochrome monitors from back in the day (I had both green and orange monochromes myself).







            Can you say "Global Thermo-nuclear War"? 

                                             .   



.

[KDOG]

What program did you use to change the boot screen?

[M3talhead]

What program did you use to change the boot screen?

Its a little program called BootXP (v2.5). Its not freeware but there are "ways" of making it so. Check google.

[M3talhead]

Yesterday I decided to start the next stage of my cab and install the speakers so I'd have something to listen to while I was working.

Originally, I planned on using Kevin's tutorial on Retroblast and just hack 'em up. Instead, I decided to just use the 2.1 Altec speakers I had on my desktop and mount them in place of the 8 ohm factory ones. They're plenty loud enough, and I wouldn't have to mess with anythin other than just sticking behind the marquee. It didn't occur to me though that Midway would use unshielded speakers in this cab. I found out the hard Way when I took them out and found the color purity was all jacked up the minute I removed them from their brackets. There were 2 distinct blue patches right at the top of the monitor. I started to panic a little when I realised I'd have to buy/build a degaussing wand, but then I wondered if I could do a half-ass degaussing job by simply waving the magnet slowly as you would a wand. Well, It worked! I just went slow and used the speaker magnet to "move" the blue patches off screen. Problem solved.



While thinking about how to secure the speaker cases in place, I rooted around in my toolbox for some wire or screws to strap it down with, when  came across 4 medium tension springs. You know those desk lamps that use the springs to keep its 2 arms in place? I had one a long time ago and when it broke, I kept the springs. I had no idea what I'd use them for at the time, but I figured out a creative way to apply them here.



I placed the speakers in the position I wanted them in, then put the spring's end loops over the mounting posts and attached a nut to hold them where I wanted them. With a dab of Loc-Tite, the nuts were in place and I slid the speaker cases underneath the springs. Its not the most typical of installations, but it works and it makes it easy to work on them if I ever need to (though I doubt it).





I also went ahead and installed an extra 4 port USB hub near the front of the cab so I wouldnt have to run a bunch of wires all the way to the rear of the mobo, as well as make it easier to plug in a thumbstick if ever the need arose. Essentially, I just wanted to be able to finally close the cab up for good ad move it into place in the corner of the room.



Eventually, I'm going to install a ethernet jack on the lower right side of the cab, close to the back so I can add it to my home network. Someday, I'll install a wireless network card, but until then, I'll settle for what I have now.

Oh, one more thing. Watching my custom boot screen load got me thinking. I needed a new windows startup .wav. If you're curious as to what it is, you can find it here.

[M3talhead]

No pictures, but a small update.....

I bought a new section of MDF and cut it to specs for a "new" control panel. The first one I did (the one you see at the top of the page)  is one I wasnt happy with after I  routed it. The T-molding did not have a solid fit and when the button holes were drilled, I pressed to hard towards the end and ended up "blowing out" the back of the MDF. I guess my DeWalt (read: lack of paying attention while drilling) was just to much for it. So, I decided to build another one. This time, I only drilled half-way through so the pilot tip stuck out the bottom, then flipped it over and pushed all the way through. This left me wit a perfect underside that would mount the button nuts flush against the board.

Once I get around to routing this one properly, I'll add the reprinted, more colorful CP overlay to it and rig the wiring. I'm still deciding if I want to use a 25 pin D-sub and go the interchangable-CP route, or just hardwire it like the Gauntlet cab and forget the driving games and YDJK series. I really want to be able to play YDKJ with its own dedicated panel, but we'll see...

[M3talhead]

Got started on the wiring today.

I want to get this thing up before the weekend arrives, and really, the only thing left to do is lay the overlay, wire the CP, and install the IPAC software.


Laying the CPO....





Cutting the button holes...





Installing the IPAC.....



What a mess...



Ground wires done....




Next on the list:
1) Buy more spade connectors
2) Wire positive terminals

[M3talhead]

Finished the CP a few days ago but never got around to posting any updates, too busy playing. 


The finished underside of the CP.....



Left.....



and right....


Custom bootscreen....


CP overlay....


and MAMEWAH interface screen.


I have to say, I'm much more pleased with the way this cabinet turned out than I was with Arcade 1.0. I'm now looking forward to a sit-down driver cab for PS2/Xbox/PC driving sims. I'm really looking for something like Bob808's cab, which can be seen here.

Its going to be a while before I commit to something like that though. Not only do I not have the space for it right now, but I dont know where my next assignment is gonna be, or if I'll even have room for all the stuff I have now (not to mention the additional space I'll need for all the woodworking tools).

For now though, I'll be updating this thread with ideas I had before starting this project. Remember that "super-secret-totally-awesome" idea I hinted o a while ago? Well, I guess now is the time......

Beer + arcade cabinets = The Keggerade!

What is it you ask? Why, its an arcade that actually makes good use out of all that empty space inside. I'm sure most people here have seen keggerators before (if you dont, its basically a minifridge designed to chill and dispense kegs of beer) but my idea was to mount all the electronics high in a cab, maybe in the void  behind the marquee. The rest of the cabinet would house a keggerator and tap system. It wouldnt be that hard to rig up. The only thing you'd really have to be concerned with really is keeping the whole thing well ventilated. Just imagine. You're frantic game of Frogger has parched your throat. You need something to quench your thirst but you dont want to walk the extra 8 ft to the fridge. Now you can reach over  to the side of your cab and pour youself a nice frosty mug of your favorite beer from a tap protruding from the side without having to leave you barstool!

Cool huh?

[Bones]

Man, that's some neat wiring and the cabinet looks awesome. Well done!

[M3talhead]

Just placed an order with BITS Limited for an LGC4 Smartstip. I saw this on Kevin's website last year when he first reviewed it and I always wanted to have a "one touch solution" for this cab. As its setup right now, I have to go around and unplug the cab from the wall every time I want to turn it on and off. I'd rather just have the surge protection and single "on" button in one convenient package. It came out to $44.80 with shipping via USPS Priority Mail, so we'll see how fast it gets here.

 Be sure to expect a few pics.

[M3talhead]

The Bits power strip arrived today. I'll post pictures this afternoon.

[M3talhead]

Bits LTD customer service sucks.....

See this thread

[M3talhead]

Still havent recieved a reply from Bits LTD. I'll give it a few more days........

In other news, I finally got my T-molding bit and arbor from T-mold.com. I used them instead of Tmolding.com only because the latter had run out of router bits and had no "restock date". Anyways, I broke out the router and cut my long awaited groove for the t-molding. It came out pretty well, I only needed to hot glue one spot to hold it in place. I also recieved my black P1 and P2 buttons from Peale this afternoon (nice merch. Peale!  )



Those 2 details were the only things really bugging me as I neared the end of this project (though I still toy with the idea of a kegger-cade  ).

 

[Timoe]

more pictures

[M3talhead]

more pictures

Of what?

[AceTKK]

Looks great man!  Glad to see everything worked out with this project.

-Ace-

[M3talhead]

Thanks Ace.

I got my replacement coin reject buttons/bezels today. I ordered them on eBay from an arcade vendor that goes by the handle "valcasales" out of California. They were quick to ship and I recieved exactly what was described in the auction (2 Red "$0.25" Reject Buttons, 2 Button Bezels, and 2 Button Springs for Coin Controls's doors). At 14.95, they weren't the cheapest I saw online, but they were close and didnt mind shipping to my APO box.

[M3talhead]

Since Timoe wanted to see a few more pictures and I havent had a real update in a few days, here are a few pics of what I think might be a finished product.

[Timoe]

There's more pics 



Is that a beer opener on the front there down below?

[M3talhead]

There's more pics 



Is that a beer opener on the front there down below?

I like to refer to it as a "Bottle enhancement utility"

[M3talhead]

Wow, long time without an update.

I bought the cupholders today and got a pair of barstools from a friend of mine that owns a pub down the street. I snagged em for 10 Euro. Cheap for around here, but more importantly, they have character!

Unfortunatly, while cleaning up the extra flashing on the plastic cupholder with a razorblade, I cut clear through the flashing and sliced open the middle finger on my left hand. It broke clear though the 7 layers of skin and down to the subcutaneous tissue. Not pretty. (The metal brace is to keep the wound from breaking open incase its bumped)

[Bones]

You know 'Bones, no project, no matter what kind, is complete without atleast one drop of human blood.

[M3talhead]

Well, the finger is finally healed to a point where I can start typing normally again. I removed the splint last week, and have just been taking it kind of easy the last few days.

Good news: It healed just fine.
Better news: Its gonna be a scar, and chicks dig scars. 

On the arcade side of things, I had a catastrophic failure of the arcade's hard drive this week. When I configured the PC several months ago, I used 2 10GB drives I had laying around knowing they were old to begin with. Well, it appears now that they've decided to turn tits-up on me. The C: had a huge number of bad sectors and performance had been degrading slowly over the last few weeks. I caught a good deal on a 120GB drive at a a nearby BX and decided to snag it while I could and load it when I got home. XP Pro installed smoothly and I was lucky enough to be able to copy over the Administrator's user profile and most of the D:, as those were still accessable when I set the old drive to slave. I'm just wrapping a few things up now, mainly waiting for the computer to copy over all the roms in my romset (right now its on disk 3 of 8 ).

That's about it.

[Wade]

Looks real good.  I have a suggestion though.

It is a LOT easier to mount all the PC hardware onto a board, like a scrap piece of plywood.  Then, you don't have to work inside the cab like that.  If you need to do PC work, just unscrew the board with the 4 screws or so used to attach it to the side/bottom of the cab, and take the whole thing out.  I learned this after a couple of MAME cabinets with the hardware mounted inside.  My last one had a wooden shelf held in by the back door, which can just slide out to service.

Wade

[nullb0y]

wow.... i love seeing good cabinets turned into anouther mame bot..... ::sigh:: there are lots of empty cabinets out there

[M3talhead]

wow.... i love seeing good cabinets turned into anouther mame bot..... ::sigh:: there are lots of empty cabinets out there

If you read me first few posts you'd see that this one was completely dead. How is that not an "empty" cabinet? Besides, when you say there are plenty "out there" how could you possible know what the market is like where I live?

When was the last time you were in Belgium?

[nullb0y]

i retract my statement out of my own stupitidy

[M3talhead]

A few weeks ago I ordered a set of coin mechs for the cab (I got sick of using the cardboard-cut-out guides I taped up...) and they finaly came in the mail today. I'll post pics as soon as I get them installed.

You know, its getting harder and harder to find things to work on now that everything is done.

[Havok]

A few weeks ago I ordered a set of coin mechs for the cab (I got sick of using the cardboard-cut-out guides I taped up...) and they finaly came in the mail today. I'll post pics as soon as I get them installed.

You know, its getting harder and harder to find things to work on now that everything is done.

You shouldn't be done with it anyways. You are supposed to get half done, and then keep playing it, unfinished...

[Silver]

You know, its getting harder and harder to find things to work on now that everything is done.

With "just" two 8-ways and 6 buttons on your CP, theres a whole world of of crazy controllers to fit onto all those removable cp's you thought were too much hassle..... 

Looks real nice - like it!

[M3talhead]

You know, its getting harder and harder to find things to work on now that everything is done.

With "just" two 8-ways and 6 buttons on your CP, theres a whole world of of crazy controllers to fit onto all those removable cp's you thought were too much hassle..... 

Looks real nice - like it!

The whole idea was to keep everything simply, as if you could walk into any arcade and see this game there. While I feel Frankenpanels have their place, I didnt want to clutter the panel or hide the artwork. The swapable CP idea I had is something I realised wouldnt be worth the effort, for this reason; Taking a few minutes to swap out CPs just to play games like Missle Command, Centipede, or Tempest, just didnt seem practical to build and interface one to play a few more games.

I am however, still looking for a minifridge with 4.4 cu ft. of internal space and external dimensions that will allow it to fit inside the cab. The problem is not finding one, but finding someone who will ship it to my APO.

[M3talhead]

Happy 1 year Anniversary "VersuS"! (Sort of)

It was one year ago on December 24th 2004 that I bought an old MK3 cab and began this project. Still haven't been able to find an appropriate minifridge to begin work on the Keggerator system, but I haven't given up yet!