[Blow'd Up!] - glass mounting problem solved (on paper)

[dphirschler]

My arcade cabinet is taking shape.  I actually started it a couple of years ago, but have had little time to work on it.  Most of my progress has been on paper.  I figured I better make a project announcement so that you guys can help keep me motivated.  I could even use some help on the graphics.  So I will be posting some of my ideas in the future and asking for opinions on it.

I was going to call it "Mission Control" and base the theme on NASA and the Apollo Moon missions.  But Pixelhugger stole that name.  :-)  There is no way I could call it Mission Control now.  I may still call it something related to the Apollo moon missions like "Saturn 5" or "Apollo 11".  But for now I have tentatively called it "Blow'd Up" since that is what happens to every bad guy in all the games.  Plus it's just a funny name.

Here are two of my early design images.  My cabinet is custom-built, but is based on the Loco-motion cabinet measurements.  I believe the Roswell cabinet has a similar shape.  It's a great classic arcade cabinet shape, yet it is somewhat anonymous.  You can't really recognize which game (if any) the cabinet resembles.  Like Craig's Roswell, mine will have removable/changeable control panels.

Main design specifications:
- Classic arcade look
- Lighter weight than traditional arcade cabinets (plywood instead of MDF).
- Built like a traditional cabinet, not overbuilt using 2x4s.
- More durable than classic arcade cabinets (laminate instead of paint).
- Without looking too "furniture" should fit into normal decore.
- High WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).  I want this thing in the living room.
- Built-in quality amplified stereo sound.
- Stereo audio line outputs in the rear, and possibly a sub output to connect BIG sound to it.
- Headphone jack for personal gaming.
- MP3 Jukebox built in.
- DOS-based cabinet.
- Must have real arcade monitor.
- One switch turns it on.


Darryl

[Buddabing]

My arcade cabinet is taking shape.  I actually started it a couple of years ago, but have had little time to work on it.  I figured I better make a project announcement so that you guys can help keep me motivated.  I could even use some help on the graphics.  So I will be posting some of my ideas in the future and asking for opinions on it.

I was going to call it "Mission Control" and base the theme on NASA and the Apollo Moon missions.  But Pixelhugger stole that name.  :-)  There is no way I could call it Mission Control now.  I may still call it something related to the Apollo moon missions like "Saturn 5" or "Apollo 11".  But for now I have tentatively called it "Blow'd Up" since that is what happens to every bad guy in all the games.  Plus it's just a funny name.

The cabinet is inspired by Craig's Roswell cabinet.  It has a very similar shape and removable cpanels.

I have a standing cabinet at the moment.  Pictures coming soon.


Darryl

Hehe, there was a commercial for one of the online stock brokerages where they had a guy watching a preview for a fiction al movie called "Blow'd Up' (that exact spelling too) The movie is so bad the guy goes online and sells short the movie studio producing the movie. I think the preview had Pamela Anderson or some other buxom blonde in it.

Good luck with your cabinet.

EDIT: Anna Nicole Smith and Etrade. I wish I could find a link to the video.

EDIT:

[dphirschler]

Here are some decent photos so far..

[dphirschler]

More photos...  This time of the back.  You can see the monitor shelf which is mounted at an angle.  In the bottom of the cabinet you can see the marquee retainer and cpanel clips.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

Here is the cpanel layout.  This will be the main control panel capable of playing most of the classics including Joust, Robotron, Crazy Climber, Asteroids, Star Castle, Defender, Stargate, and all the 4-way joystick games such as Pacman and Donkey Kong.  Space Invaders and Galaga will also be playable using the 4-way stick.  Notice the cpanel is brushed aluminum.  It's actually a brushed aluminum laminate which is very durable. 

There will be minimal graphics to so that the clean look of the brushed aluminum is on full display.  I am really struggling with the graphics on the control panel though.  I am a capable artist, but I struggle with original ideas.  Any help would be appreciated.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

Here is a better shot of the side.  That will look real nice stained.  I am not a big fan of so called "furniture cabinets", so I will be fighting that image throughout the design and construction.  One thing that will help it have that classic arcade look is some nice side art which will be burned in using a wood burner before staining it.  My initial idea is to show a spaceship blowing something up on the side.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

Here is the initial test layout of the cpanel.  I took digital photos of the controls and printed scale templates I could move around.  That panel there is 10" deep.  My final panel is 8".  The width is 24".

If I can find it, I will show my first test panel.  I built one over a year ago and scribbled notes all over it as I used it all this time.  That's a good way to figure out what works and what doesn't.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

Cpanel design #2.  I moved the bottom button over to the middle for "hyperspace" in Asteroids and Defender.  I gave up on Stargate.  The "inviso" button must go.  Perhaps one could use the right most button for "inviso".  Defender will be very accurate.  So will Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe.  So unless somebody talks me out of it, this is my final cpanel layout... at least for the joystick games.

I might start drilling tonight.  That panel will be somewhat difficult.  The plan is to drill all the holes, mount the t-nuts, laminate over the t-nuts, then cut the holes with a router. That will give a very smooth, no-bolt-heads-showing finish.


Darryl

[ras2a]

Man, this is a sweet cab design.  Now I wish I'd done a bit more searching and head scratching before deciding on my cab shape

Great stuff.

Craig

[Pixelhugger]

dp- sorry about the name thing.

[Pixelhugger]

I actually started it a couple of years ago, but have had little time to work on it.

[dphirschler]

@ras2a
Thanks for the kind words.

@pixelhugger
I think you came up with the name first.  But I was unaware of it.  I wasn't reading this forum back then.  It was still the old forum and not as easy to read.

My friend (he is also building a cabinet) and I bounced around probably a hundred names.  Here's some of them and my comments ripped straight out of one of our emails:

Blow'd Up!   - I like this name
Space Race
Gemini 4   - Inspired by the space race.  The first American space walk.
Lunar Orbit
Apollo 8   - The first moon orbit
Apollo 11   - The first moon landing
Saturn 5   - The rocket that powered the Apollo missions.
Mission Control   - cool space theme.  This could be the one.  I have great artwork to use and my cpanel looks like a NASA lunar module cpanel.  I could use the NASA font for the marquee text.
Gold Mine   - Local arcade name
Retrocade   - So an emulator was named this... big deal!
Retrocade 2004   - Does adding "2004" make it okay?
Greedo      - "Greedo" from Star Wars.  Also, "greed" as in it takes money.
Arcade Adrenaline   - show heartbeat line in the artwork
Arcade Attack!
Critical Mass
Emulation Station
Lunatic      - moon theme
Arcade Asylum   - crazy theme like Quiet Riot
ROM Central   - computer theme
Atomic Wedgie   - I like this name
Arcade Invasion   - Space Invaders theme
Dig Dis!   - Dig Dug theme
Watizit?   - a play on the stupid Atlanta 1996 Olympic character
Monster Arcade   - monster theme, probably better suited for a large MAME cab with 27" monitor.
MAMEsaurous   - another one suited for a large cabinet.
Arcade Bliss
Arcade XS
Emulation Station   - a play on Playstation
Freeplay   - finally FREE!
Hyperspace
Motherlode   - it's the motherlode of games.
Time Machine   - cool theme
Arcade Anthology   - from a historian's point of view
Ground Zero
Zero Gravity
YAARRG!

[dfmaverick]

The Mothership    (Still got that space theme)

[dphirschler]

Finally had som time to do some more work on the cab this weekend.  Installed the marquee light board and built the first control panel. 

Here are some photos.  The first one shows the cpanel area before I started work.  The second one is a blank cpanel installed before drilling.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

Here's the heavily modded cpanel template before drilling and during drilling (battery ran dry in mid-hole).  I had to make adjustments to the cpanel to allow room for the nut to thread underneath.  So I shifted the outer controls toward the middle about 1/4".

[dphirschler]

Here's the cpanel all drilled out and some buttons mounted.  I need to get some new bolts for the joysticks because the ones I had were either too short (3/4") or too long (2").  I have to be careful since I don't want the bolts to protrude.  It will be laminated over and I don't want a bulge (or a hole) to show.

[dphirschler]

Here's the marquee light mounting board from both the back and the front.  As you can see the top has been removed from the cabinet.  The speaker panel comes out too.  This piece (for the marquee light to mount to) is only attached at the sides. 

Having this piece in finally allows me to continue with the speaker panel.  Now I can decide how big the speakers can be and where to mount them.

[Dire Radiant]

Looking fantastic so far. Really nice construction. I especially like that aluminum trim piece. That area between the CP and bezel always presents a problem in making it look neat. Great job.

[Pixelhugger]

I especially like that aluminum trim piece.

Me too. Really nice, clean finished look to that.

[dphirschler]

Just found some t-nuts that I want to use in place of these.  I believe I can drive these out from underneath if I thread a screw into them.  The new t-nuts have a longer shaft and six teeth (and only 3.85 for a 50 pack).  Is there any reason I should not drive these t-nuts out and replace them?

Main reason I am considering replacing them is that currently, 3/4" screws only catch about two teeth.  and a 1" screw comes dangerously close to the top of the panel (which will be laminated).

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=081-1088


Darryl

[Crazy Cooter]

Try a 1" screw with a thin washer.

How long is the "receiving end" of the current T-nuts?

[dphirschler]

Yeah, I have a small washer on there now.  But is is pretty darn close.  I think the threads on the t-nut currently are 1/2".  The new ones look to be 3/4".


Darryl

[dphirschler]

Update and questions:

1) The new t-nuts are great.  The shaft is almost twice as long as the Lowe's T-nuts.  I haven't installed them yet.  Should I be concerned about pounding the old ones out and putting new ones in their place?

2) I am probably going to go with black buttons.  I have already ordered them.  In fact, they already arrived.

3) I recut the sides for the cpanel (which isn't shown in the photographs).  The new sides are pretty much the same, but they go further back into the cab.

4) The aluminum strip between the cpanel and the monitor is supposed to be an amdin panel.  The minimum buttons on it will be ESC, P1, P2, and Pause (see image below).  I would like some feedback on the button layout on the admin panel, or even if you think it will look and function okay in that capacity.  The admin buttons will be lightup.

5) The plan is to laminate the cpanel with the same brushed aluminum paminate used on the admin panel.  What are your thoughts on this?  Also, I've just recently considered rounding the front edge of the cpanel and wrapping the laminate over that rounded edge (like a kitchen counter).  Any reason I should avoid doing this?

6) Got a great amp.  Tested it and it sounds great.  Now I need to order a bass speaker since this amp supports it.  Not sure where I am gonna mount it yet.  Probably close to the PC because of the power lead, but I could always make an extension.

http://mach5products.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Amp1&Category_Code=ESP


Thanks everybody.  You opinons really do make a difference!


Darryl

[dphirschler]

After making a quick and dirty mockup of the admin panel, I am thinking I really like the clean look of the bare strip between the cpanel and the monitor.  Below is my mockup.

So now I am think seriously about moving P1 and P2 (the white buttons) to the front of the cpanel.  The red (ESC) and orange (pause) buttons would remain.  Any opinions?  You people have been too quiet.  I need feedback.


Darryl

[KenToad]

Side artwork is going to be burned in using a wood burner.

Darryl

Wow, you're going to burn the side artwork into the cab?  Definitely post a few action shots of that happening.  Love the cab so far, although I'm confused by the button layout.  You may need some LED's to show what controls are active for what games.  Good luck with it and keep posting progress pics.

Cheers,
KenToad

[markrvp]

It looks really nice!  Keep up the good work.

[ras2a]

Turning out to be a mint cab this, mate!

Craig

[dphirschler]

@KenToad
Yes, I definately plan to document my progress with the wood burning.

[Dire Radiant]

An interesting approach there. It will be nice to be able to play Asteroids with the controls in the right places. The P1 and P2 start buttons should be fine on the front of the cp. If you'd rather keep the sleek appearance of that panel, have you considered Bulgin stainless steel vandal proof pushbuttons for your admin buttons? It's a judgement call since I guess you either like the look or you dont. If not then I'd go for standard arcade buttons but make them all black. That would look a little cleaner.

BTW, not that I think you'll mess up the wood burning but if you do, paint isn't a great idea. The burned area will absorb paint differently and will probably cause you more problems than it's worth.

[KenToad]

As for the confusing button layout, it is possible to play many classic games with this arrangement.  I attached a rough mockup of an instruction card that will be placed near the monitor, probably under the glass.  It shows the some of the possibilities with the controls.  Of course many many more games will be playable with this layout as well.  For instance Donkey Kong will be using the "Galaga/Space Invaders" controls.  Pac Man will use the center joystick.

Okay, I see what you mean.  I guess I just thought it was very unusual to only have one button on the right of the player 2 joystick.  I also don't understand why you have the button to the left of the player 1 joystick.  Is that for anyone who might want to play while holding the joystick with the right hand, or for some other more specific reason?  I still think it looks great, especially with the brushed metal and that cool admin panel, just wondered about a few design choices.  I really empathize with the decision to go with the Defender/Stargate buttons as I'm doing the same thing myself, currently.  I like the buttons how you have them laid out on the admin panel, but I would go with Dire Radiant's suggestion and make all the buttons black.  Could you maybe engrave the button functions on the metal.  That would look very cool.  Also, the instruction is a very good idea.  How about making the artwork for the CP something based on the games you will play the most, i.e. with the groupings for the button layouts for the games you posted or something similar.

Cheers,
KenToad

[dphirschler]

have you considered Bulgin stainless steel vandal proof pushbuttons for your admin buttons?

http://www.bulgin.co.uk/Products/Switches/Illuminated.html

I like!  I had never seen these before.  I might use these for ESC and pause.


Darryl

[nobody]

That is one sweet cabinet, how are you going to cut out the holes in the aluminium? I think now im definatly going to go with a loco-motion design for the cab im about to build. As for the admin buttons i think they are good where they are. If you take the player buttons off it will look too plain

[nobody]

on another note, how about you go for a name like 'mameylon 5' to tie in with the space theme alternativly you could also try and boost the WAF by asking for her opinion on the name or even letting her name it (though it would most likely spectaculalry backfire if you ended up calling it something else).

[dphirschler]

on another note, how about you go for a name like 'mameylon 5' to tie in with the space theme alternativly you could also try and boost the WAF by asking for her opinion on the name or even letting her name it (though it would most likely spectaculalry backfire if you ended up calling it something else).

Actually in regards to name, and more importantly theme, I am considering the name "Third Stage".  If that is the case, the sideart could be affected.  The sides would have a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop color.  And I already have plans (partially on paper too) for my second cab titled "Third Stage Deluxe".  The theme will be closely (but not too closely) tied to my favorite band, Boston, and the Third Stage album cover. 

The Deluxe version will have slightly different color theme.  The dark blue will be replaced with very dark (almost black) purple, with orange t-molding and "sunburst" stained sides.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

Does anybody have opinions on how to mount the glass?  What thickness glass should I get?  I was thinking 3/16" tempered glass.  Can somebody take some good photos of their classic cabs so I can see how the glass is mounted?


Darryl

[shardian]

Well, on my old Taito cabinet, the glass slides in on plastic tracks from the back of the cabinet. It look like your cab is sealed off around the bezel, so this isn't an option for you. Also, the glass in mine is more like 3/8" glass. Not much help I'm afraid, but you did ask how older cabs had the glass mounted.

[dphirschler]

How simple!  I can slide the glass in from behind.  My speaker panel comes out.  I'd have to first remove the speaker panel then slide the glass in.  I think that might be possible... as long as I can locate some of those plastic tracks.  Brilliant!

Why didn't I think of this before?


Darryl

[Havok]

Any update on the woodburning sideart? I am curious to see how that comes out. Sounds cool!

[dphirschler]

I haven't even finished designing the sideart.  I've been stopped by this glass thing.  I made some quick initial sketches though.

I took a close look last night and made some measurements.  I will have to modify my cab a bit to allow for the glass to be slid into place from behind.  I think I can do it.  I'll change the placement of the back glass support.  Instead of it being attached to the speaker panel, it will be attached to the cab.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

I think I've figured out how to mount the glass.  I need a J-channel which will be permenantly mounted to the admin panel.  I will have modify the cabinet slightly.  The support at the top of the glass will be mounted to the cabinet instead of the speaker panel.  To get the glass in, I will have to first remove the speaker panel, then put the glass in and slide it down into the j-channel.  After the speaker panel is installed, it will lock the glass down.  I've made a rough drawing illustrating this (shown below).  The j-channel is shown in red. 

Opinions are welcome.


Darryl