Cedtipede Upright Mame Cab

[got_mame]

Hi All,

[markrvp]

Looks very nice.  You didn't say, but I assume you're running MAME since you have added two additional buttons?  What all games are you playing?

[got_mame]

Yes, I'm running Mame, on an old PII 350 pc.  Hope to upgrade that soon.  The games that seem to be popular are: Centipede, Millipede, Missile Command, Crystal Castles, Bowling Games like Coors Light bowling, etc.

The monitor is a HAPP Vision Pro 19", pretty close to the original, but with a VGA connector.

Also, if the links above don't work, try this:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mil_std_pinball/

I spend all my money on arcade games, so I have to use the free (bandwidth limited) web hosting. 

[Pipercub]

That is the sort of MAME use of classics that I believe in. A cab that was saved from death and tastefully reborn as a MAME. I have a centepede cab that came to me as a conversion into Street Fighter II. I am restoring it to Centepede with new sideart, CPO bezel etc. and will also be running a trackball only setup. I did a similar restore on a PacMan that was gutted and ready for the dump, now I would put it up against any PacMan. The PC is loaded with just the PacMan versions. I don't believe in turning a working classic into a MAME machine but I also don't buy into the argument that any classic woud be better off restored to a dedicated machine. I own 16 dedicated machines and 2 MAME machines (well 3 now) and each has their use. I don't own a Time Pilot, but MAME allows me to play that game with fantastic accuracy other than some difference in the scan lines.


Can you spot the MAME machine in this picture?

[got_mame]

Pipercub has a nice looking game room.  Wish mine wasn't in the basement.

Here is some more info about the Centipede cab:
Installed new starter and ballast.
Installed new 6x9 dual voice coil 140watt speaker (this allows me to play stereo games without having to alter the speaker mounting, no extra holes cut ).
Installed Creative Labs subwofer (powers 6x9 DVC speaker, same impedance).
Coated the Marquee and Bezel with Krylon Triple Thick to preserve the artwork.  Bezel was masked to spray only the artwork.
Installed new side art from phoenix arcade.
Installed new control panel and overlay from arcade shop.
Cut 2 extra holes in control panel for extra buttons.
Installed translucent track ball.
Lit Track Ball and buttons with LEDs.
Sanded and painted coin door.
Repainted back door.
New locks installed.
Installed HAPP Vision Pro 19" monitor.
Installed IPAC2 interface board.
Restored volcano buttons, LED's replaced.
Marquee brackets sanded and repainted.
Tried to use all screws and bolts that are stainless steel.
New leg levelers and feet installed.

[Wade]

I have thought about making a VERY similar setup before, but just haven't stumbled onto a cheap broken Centipede yet.  Looks nice!

Wade

[got_mame]

Thanks for saying it looks nice.  Yes, it was broken, unfortunately it was not cheep though (as far as a non working game goes).  I really wanted a centipede, so I was willing to pay more than I should have.  I got the cabinet on ebay, along with a non-working Stargate that I'm currently working on too.  They were close by so I did save on shipping.

Good luck on your quest for a cabinet, if you find one let me know if you have any specific questions about my restoration/mame conversion that will help you.

[CheffoJeffo]

That is the sort of MAME use of classics that I believe in. A cab that was saved from death and tastefully reborn as a MAME.

Seconding Pipercub's sentiments ... very nicely done ... and thank you for not Frankenpanelling it.

Cheers

[Mark70]

I LOVE the centipede side art.  And the classic sideart on white look.

Nice.

[MameMaster!]

....I like the look of the new panel with pretty lights.

Nice job!.....

[got_mame]

Thanks for all of the nice complements.

I posted a few more picks, shows my attempt to keep the original atari stickers intact.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mil_std_pinball/album?.dir=bd38

[Santoro]

Looks great.   I Love Centipede, it is always nice to see one saved.

[Pipercub]

Well I finally began converting the SFII in a Centipede cab back to a Centipede. I was going to go Mame and trackball but I came into another cabinet (generic ROMSTAR with bubble bobble art) for that use (track ball and joystic). I am going to go OEM with this one. I hit a good day on Ebay and came away with a marquee, side art, mainboard, CPO and trackball for about $300. I just need a Bezel, wiring harness and a few odds and ends, already have a monitor and some other odds and ends. Should be a mint Centipede for less than $500 total.

Got_mame, I wanted to find out how you dealt with applying your side art. I actually have to do this Centipede and my PacMan. And out of all my games I have never done a full side application. What method did you use? Any tips?

[Q*Bert_OP]

Tasteful Mame-ing(TM) is just fine, Nice job!!!

[Wade]

This is a slick way to make use of an old broken game, but for those who don't know, MAME doesn't play the trackball games correctly.  For some reason, there is a big delay in the trackball inputs.  This is not something that most people would notice, but a classic gamer or collector would.

Maybe someone could hack the MAME code to correct this issue.

Wade

[got_mame]

Thank you for bringing that to my attention.  I had not noticed this, but plan on doing some testing now.   

My system: PII350, 98SE, PS2 HAPP trackball, 16MB Video, 256MB Ram, 7200RPM HD.

Just ran some tests... Ok, so now I think I notice what you are saying, but since I don't have a working original Centipede I can't verify it's trackball speed. So, I don't know for sure.

Have some questions:
1. What OS's have you noticed this delay on?  DOS, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Linux, etc?
2. What version of Mame, what frontend (if any)?
3. Is it specific to certain games or all?

I'll download the source and start looking into this, probably take me a while.  At least it is written in C.  This trackball delay (if really a problem) should probably be reported to the mame team if it hasn't already.

[got_mame]

Got_mame, I wanted to find out how you dealt with applying your side art. I actually have to do this Centipede and my PacMan. And out of all my games I have never done a full side application. What method did you use? Any tips?

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, side art installation went much better than I ever would have though. I got it from phoenix arcade.  I filled in scrapes and sanded down the cabinet, any imperfections will show through.  I then cut off a small sample piece to apply and noticed that the old art was going to somewhat show through.  So, then the decision... I had to paint it white before putting on the side art.  Since the old art was trashed this was ok.  I had a friend hold the art while I started applying it.  I was really nervous at first, but it went very well.  I lined it up and started applying it at the bottom, smoothing it out with my hand and a dry soft towel as I went.  If you mess up, it did come up kinda easy to re-do.  You have to be careful to line it up before you start, there is not much room with the area where the control panel sticks out.  Also be careful to line it up with where the centipede head will be.  Once I was done, I trimmed the edges and put the T-molding on, then that was it for the side art.

Hope this helps. 

[got_mame]

Posted some pics of the side art installation.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mil_std_pinball/album?.dir=d007