Author Topic: 2 Teachers, 2 Months off, 2 Arcade projects Underway!! (Read 6349 times)

Knievel · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2005, 01:36:37 am »

Looking good guys, if I didn't know better I'd say those pictures were taken at my house.

If you are wanting to put a door on the Magma cabinet I'd go with european hinges. You can get a tight fit and they are invisible from the front. You can see a pic of how I did mine in my X-MEN cab thread.

So what are you sinking into the sides of the Cosmic cab...those plasma lightning plates?

Stormryder · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2005, 07:53:59 am »

European hinges, huh? I'll look for 'em. I really think I want a hinged door on the front, and I want it concealed. Does most everyone agree that you need ready access to your PC in the bottom section?

Yes, recessed into the side of the Cosmicade (kickngas's) will be a 12" Blue Luminglas (16" overall) which should create a rather stunning lightning effect. I want to do the same with mine, but want to include a "Sunburst" Luminglas which I can only seem to find (reasonably priced for my budget) in the 6" size, which is frankly, TINY! If anyone finds the Sunburst Luminglas (aka Lumindisk) for sale in a size 8" or more, please let me know!

Some say the best months of teaching are June and July! Heh heh... One of the nice things about our school is that there's a carpentry shop, so we're fortunate to have access to those tools.

Fortunately, kickngas has carpentry skills, which I'm missing, so this project has been a good learning experience for me in that regard, and yes, I still have all 10 fingers!

I should be updating my online journal fairly regularly in regards to the project, so feel free to visit (and comment!).

-Stormryder

grueinthebox · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2005, 09:09:36 am »

Quote from: Stormryder on July 17, 2005, 07:53:59 am

European hinges, huh? I'll look for 'em. I really think I want a hinged door on the front, and I want it concealed. Does most everyone agree that you need ready access to your PC in the bottom section?

With free VNC software out there, the only thing you should really need access to the PC for is hardware failure - any other administration you can easily do via network. It's easy to use and easy to setup, and eliminates the need for PC access doors, keyboard drawers, etc. You might check that out as an alternate solution.

Cabinets are coming along nicely. Diffusers for the illuminated pushbuttons are especially neat, although I imagine that's gonna be a lot of work chopping and drilling a piece of cutting board for every button. Will be interested to see how they turn out!

Knievel · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2005, 11:53:13 am »

I put the door on all my cabinets, no one will never know it's there but you...and you'll be glad it is. Besides the easy access to the computer it's a great storage area. I keep my light-gun and steering wheels/pedals in there and will be adding a dreamcast soon. It's also great for emptying out your coin box if you use a coin door.

Have you guys tested out those plasma plates near the monitor/tv? Using those as sideart has been discussed here before and some thought there'd be issues. I used 2 of them in my jukebox without problems but the monitor isn't near them.

Stormryder · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2005, 01:51:59 pm »

Good idea on the VNC! I've used that before and it is simple!

As far as testing the Lumindisk near the electronics, I believe Kickngas did some preliminary tests with it and saw no effects, however it will be interesting to see long-term. I've read some forums on guys actually modding PC cases with them and I believe Yoshi from G4 (TechTV) modded a case using the Lumindisk. Some of the forums suggested using the antistatic bags that motherboards are shipped in or using a wire mesh behind it that's grounded.

It seems kickngas is gonna be the guinea pig on that one. I'm very anxious to complete mine and start playing, and am still looking for what I want...

We'll keep you posted!

-Stormryder

Stormryder · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2005, 06:27:46 am »

The project journal has been updated with some nice pics. Kickngas is nearing competion with the Cosmicade, so there's a nice pic of it. I also posted the graphics we'll be using for marquees and control panel overlays. Click the signature banner below to take a look!

javeryh · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2005, 08:00:02 pm »

Looks great so far. I wish I had the time to knock one of these things out this summer...

Stormryder · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:02:48 pm »

Couple of small updates to the journal...

Added a bit of information on how the speakers were done.

And added an image of a nearly complete Cosmicade! It looks great!

-Stormryder

kickngas · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2005, 10:08:31 pm »

I am working with the famous and talented Pixelhugger on my sideart for the Luminglas. So far the previews are looking awesome....hope to finalize and get everything printed up by early next week! Pictures and final announcement of the Cosmicade cabinet are forthcoming.

kickngas · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2005, 07:49:50 am »

Blog update on progress....Magmacade FE work has begun... click signature banner for Blog or go to this link... http://www.nerdscience.com/storm/

2600 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2005, 04:53:45 pm »

I thought I read you all were around Wilmington, NC. Whereabouts?

Stormryder · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2005, 05:50:35 pm »

T-molding! It finally arrived! Made some good progress on the Magmatron today and Kickngas got his marquee and sideart. Pixelhugger did a fabulous job! Click the banner below to see pics of our latest progress!

-Stormryder

kickngas · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2005, 05:51:26 pm »

Well, I live in Scott's Hill, and Magmatron is in Hampstead. Are you nearby?

SNAAKE · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2005, 02:21:12 am »

Is there a plan for this cab ?? Not for me but a friend of mine really wanna build his own(told him about UA2 but no likes).

Looks great btw !

kickngas · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2005, 07:28:54 am »

Thanks, the cabinet is sort of a combination of a few designs found online and a little of Knievels cab too. Basically, we used some of the basic dimensions as a guide, then just started laying the side out on a piece of MDF until we liked the way it looked. Also keeping in mind the marquee size and the TV/monitor size in order to make sure everything fit. As far as plans, I could take measurements and draw them up in AutoCad if anyone really wanted them.

SNAAKE · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2005, 10:50:05 am »

Quote from: kickngas on July 28, 2005, 07:28:54 am

I could take measurements and draw them up in AutoCad if anyone really wanted them.

Yeah that would be great if you can,thanks for your time !

Knievel · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2005, 11:58:55 am »

You might want to check out the comments made Mr. S in my HoF thread. After his slander on my very similar machine I can't believe he would have the nerve to compliment you and ask for plans...unbelievable.

The 2 machines are looking great by the way, look like you'll make your deadline.

Not sure which FE your using for the Cosmicade but you want my matching Mamewah skin your free to use it. There's a pic in my Neon thread.

Did you get the orange buttons from groovygamegear? I found them to be a better match to the t-mold than the Happ ones.

kickngas · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2005, 12:10:19 pm »

Right now, we are playing around with Ultrastyle....thanks for the offer though. Is there an advantage or better reason to go with a DOS based FE? Oh yeah, the buttons came from GGG, and they look awesome with the orange T-molding.
I really have to give you(KNIEVEL) credit for spurring us on with these machines solely based on your design/posts of your projects. If immitation is the best form of flattery, then, well, consider yourself flattered! Thanks for your replies to our sometimes silly questions.
The response and support of these boards has also been a great motivator and super source for information.

Knievel · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2005, 12:27:18 pm »

Thanks I am totally 'flattered' and glad to see someone being inspired.
That's the reason I post my machines and spend a good chunk of my spare time helping people build their own.

As for the FE question someone else will have to answer that. I chose Mamewah over all the others that were out at the time and never looked back.
Can't say enough good things about it and it's creator Minwah.

BTW I've got the one I used for the Flyercade as well if you both decide to use Mamewah. It's the same layout but orange, you could easily swap the background pic.

Stobe · « **Reply #20 on:** July 28, 2005, 01:20:18 pm »

If it helps you 2 out any, I'll second the notion from Knievel about MameWAH.

It might take a little time to fully figure out, but it is well worth it.

With some heavy digging into these forums, I was able to get every one of my questions about the FE answered. If I had the time, I'd compile everything I found into one tutorial, but until such time, let me know if you end up with any questions ('cause we all know that Minwah probably gets bugged way too much

).

-Stobe

2600 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 28, 2005, 01:28:09 pm »

Quote from: kickngas on July 27, 2005, 05:51:26 pm

Well, I live in Scott's Hill, and Magmatron is in Hampstead. Are you nearby?

I've been going to Carolina Beach for years. My parents own a house there and my Aunt lives near Monkey Junction.

Oh, and MAMEWAH isn't a DOS based FE. It runs under and requires Windows.

kickngas · « **Reply #22 on:** July 28, 2005, 03:03:53 pm »

I initially was messing with MameWah a couple of months ago when this whole craziness started, and was turned off by the difficulty of it all....then I discovered Ultrastyle and really liked the smooth look and simplicity of the setup. Guess it is personal preference, but if anyone wants to do an idiots guide on MameWah, I will still like to try it out. Nobody says you can't have more than one FE on your machine, right?
Ahhh, Monkey Junction...that place has exploded over the past few years. Carolina beach is the home of Leo Daniels (leorules.com) , he holds(held) numerous world records on arcade and pinball games from way back in the early 80's to present. When I was in high school in 1981, I saw him play Asteroids forever at Lightyears Amusements in Wrightsville beach! Those were the days!

Stormryder · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2005, 10:43:46 am »

Magmatron nears completion!

Major progress on the Magmatron yesterday! Installed the artwork, bezel, etc...

See what you think:

http://stormryder.nerdscience.com

Should be wiring the control panels today... and playing tonight(?)

Knievel · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2005, 11:11:00 am »

Damn that's looking nice. You guys are going to have a marathon day of wiring.
So what kind of trackball ball did you end up using there?

Stormryder · « **Reply #25 on:** July 31, 2005, 07:03:55 pm »

Happ 3" Translucent Yellow...

Stormryder · « **Reply #26 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:56:57 am »

Ahhh... they work!

I've been neglecting updates to my journal the past couple of days because I've been playing! (mostly Asteroids Deluxe)

I still have some work yet to do and a question for you guys:

Would it be possible to use an old power supply I took out of a computer to power my trackball light and future LEDs? If so, how would you go about this? Would I need to make some sort of wired connection on the ATX connector to keep the Power Supply on?

-Stormryder

Stobe · « **Reply #27 on:** August 02, 2005, 10:16:30 am »

Ya, if its ATX, you will have to short 2 of the wires together so it thinks its plugged into a mobo. A quick google search for "test ATX power supply" should come up with the wire numbers.

You could also pick up an ATX power supply tester that simply plugs into the connector, then tap off the 5V or whatever voltage you needed. I've seen them at Circuit City, as well as other computer stores.

(But thats only good if you can tear yourself away from gaming long enough to go outside

)

-Stobe

Stormryder · « **Reply #28 on:** August 05, 2005, 09:01:50 am »

Thanks for the lead, Stobe. I did a bit of reasearch yesterday and found a diagram of the ATX connector and a website where a guy showed how to "short" the connection. One site says not to do it because you may damage your power supply (b/c it senses and adjusts outputs based on instructions from the motherboard), but I figured, the PSU was sitting in my attic doing nothing, why not? So far, no problems. This may be a relatively simple way for folks to supply 12V to components like trackball lamps, LED's, cooling fans, etc. And, it seems cheap...

We simply shorted the connection with a small wire between the PS_ON connector (PIN 14 - Green Wire) and the adjacent ground (PIN 13 - Black Wire), then spliced off of a 12V set of wires used to power an optical drive (or you could simply use one of the Molex connectors).

I don't smell any smoke!

The lit translucent yellow trackball really looks nice on the control panel. I'll have some pics on my journal soon.

-Stormryder

Stobe · « **Reply #29 on:** August 05, 2005, 09:10:57 am »

Ya, I wanted you to look it up so you could read the warnings. I've never shorted one for a long period of time, only to test power supplies (with the old paper clip trick).

An AT power supply out of an older computer would probably be better for your type of setup, but if yours is working fine, then great!

Depending on the current draw, it might even be a better solution (not necessarily for you, but for others reading) to just use a simple AC/DC transformer for the rated voltage (5v, 12v, etc).

-Stobe

AlanS17 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 05, 2005, 11:11:05 am »

You can still find AT power supplies for sale online, but anywhere off the shelf. They would be ideal, though. Otherwise, you can find arcade power supplies for cheaper than the average PC power supply. If you've already got the ATX, though, might as well use that until something goes wrong with it. Sounds like you can afford to lose it if something goes wrong. Personally, I don't foresee a problem.

2600 · « **Reply #31 on:** August 05, 2005, 01:14:45 pm »

I'd say most people here just use the power supply from the PC. No need for another Power Supply, but there are a few who prefer another one. To each there own.

the3eyedblindman · « **Reply #32 on:** August 09, 2005, 12:13:15 am »

What size pc monitor was used on magmatron..and what was used as the bezel?

Stormryder · « **Reply #33 on:** August 09, 2005, 06:36:18 am »

It's an old 21" Gateway monitor and I used a piece of black foamboard to frame it out.

the3eyedblindman · « **Reply #34 on:** August 09, 2005, 12:56:05 pm »

Where can you find those old monitors for cheap? Im actually looking for one.

kickngas · « **Reply #35 on:** August 09, 2005, 01:20:11 pm »

I found the one in the Magmatron machine on Ebay...$100 to the door.


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