Author Topic: Cocktail: Knights of the Arcade Table [IT WORKS!! (8.17.06)] (Read 23935 times)

javeryh · « **on:** August 30, 2005, 10:44:54 pm »

Hello everyone. I finally started construction on my first cabinet. It's a cocktail style cabinet with a third control panel, a blue stain and black t-molding. The artwork is going to be a Star Wars theme - Jedi Knights to be specific and yes I'm a huge geek. I used an Arcade Depot kit and stained it myself. The cabinet is almost complete but there are still a few major construction related things that I need to do like install the control panels, attach the top/access door and drill some large holes in the sides for the speakers and the fans.

I have an architecture background but this is the first thing I've ever actually built. I think it is coming out pretty good so far. I already have a few ideas on how to make the next one even better.

Pictures and information about construction can be found here:

http://knightsofthearcadetable.blogspot.com/

The pictures make it look like I just painted it blue but I assure you the stain does look rather nice and you can definitely see the grain of the wood.

Any comments/feedback would be great!!!

currygoat11 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2005, 11:44:55 pm »

Looking very nice! It appears you're an accomplished carpenter with real tools. I did a cocktail - ordered the unassembled kit from arcadedepot. See http://home.comcast.net/~currygoat55. I will keep an eye on your website for sure.

D5A1AC · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2005, 05:12:58 am »

It's looking really nice so far! Congrats on getting the glassy finish - that is not an easy task for me

What size monitor are you putting in there? By the looks of the cocktail lid you'll have a decent sized TV in there!

javeryh · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2005, 10:21:30 am »

Thanks for the compliments guys.

ChadTower · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2005, 10:25:24 am »

I'm not a fan of using existing themes like this, but I see the potential for it to be cool. Construction looks good.

Keep us posted when you get to the artwork.

javeryh · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2005, 10:40:38 am »

Thanks. I know there have been plenty of Star Wars cabs built before but I'm hoping the artwork will give mine a little uniqueness of its own...

javeryh · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2005, 09:49:22 pm »

Minor (totally unexciting) update:

OK. I've decided to go with a piece of 1/8" smoked glass for the monitor (it will sit on top of the bezel in the groove already cut to accept the bezel and hopefully be flush with the tabletop) and a piece if 1/4" clear tempered glass (or 3/8" if the glass shop can do it) for the table top.

I really want smoked glass over the monitor but I'm afraid if I use it for the entire top I will not be able to see the artwork. I've been told that old atari cocktail tables used to be set up this way. I really hope it works!

I'm headed back to the local glass shop tomorrow to price everything out - I was there last week and asked for one piece of tempered smoked glass and was quoted $141 which I thought was pretty high. I am scared to think what these two pieces will cost! I'll update tomorrow after I've gone to the glass shop....

javeryh · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:30:42 pm »

I just got back from the local glass shop and priced everything out - $150 for everything. It's expensive as hell but, get this, the tempering process for the top is $100 of the cost! I went with 1/8" because that is all the glass clips could accept (1/4" was too thick). The guy at the shop recommended tempering it because of the thinness of the piece and I kind of agree because tempering makes it 5 times stronger. Basically I just don't want someone to accidentally drop a bottle of beer or something on it and then end up in the emergency room.

I'm not sure when the glass will be ready to pick up but it doesn't really matter because I still need the artwork to completely finish the table top.

Tomorrow I'm going to be wiring the entire thing up! I'm excited because it should be somewhat playable by the end of the day!!! Then I will never get anything more done ever because I will be playing Ms. Pac-man nonstop. Oh well...

javeryh · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2005, 04:54:35 pm »

*Minor update*

www.knightsofthearcadetable.blogspot.com

javeryh · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2005, 04:59:25 pm »

Oh yeah, I've also decided to have someone draw me a custom Star Wars theme for my cab in the same style as the picture below with "Knights of the Arcade Table" in a large font to go along the sides of the monitor. It should take a few weeks at least before the artwork is finished but if it comes out 1/2 as good as the pictures below it will look unbelievable.

currygoat11 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:47:50 pm »

Hi, your site says that the Vision Pro monitor (49-1337-VP2) will go into power save mode.

javeryh · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2005, 02:41:29 pm »

Hey. I should probably edit my site... now that you mention it, I think mine does the same thing. I can't tell though because I'm having a bit of monitor trouble right now. I can no longer get anything to appear except that "No Signal" rectangle. It is hooked up to my laptop and when I turn it on - nothing. The weird thing is that when I first tried setting it up the monitor worked perfectly but after powering the computer off and restarting it the next day I got nothing. Any ideas?

I'm going to get a Smart Strip too eventually to get around the power save problem...

currygoat11 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2005, 04:12:35 pm »

remember that this monitor's specifications are 30 - 38KHz horizontal / 50 - 160 Hz vertical. So if your computer is attempting anything outside of this range that would be the problem.

when I'm working in linux, the console display format can display to the arcade monitor just fine. But I'm pretty sure I remember if I tried going into x-windows the monitor could not display this output.

javeryh · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2005, 05:28:08 pm »

OK, now you're over my head

Is there a setting or something within Windows XP (under control panel, perhaps?) that can output the signal to the monitor properly? Also, I still don't understand why it work work upon first booting it up but not since that time.

currygoat11 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2005, 07:17:15 pm »

well, in Windows, in Display Properties, in Settings tab, under Advanced, under Adapter, where theres a button called List all Modes, which is currently selected?

javeryh · « **Reply #15 on:** September 15, 2005, 12:01:07 am »

Thanks! It looks like that fixed it. I have another question - I'm testing out certain games and sometimes I get a message when I try to load that it is out of the range (Mortal Kombat II and Popeye were 2 games I tried). Is there a monitor setting I have to tweak or a setting in the MAME cfg file or something?

currygoat11 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 15, 2005, 09:53:39 am »

Mame somehow decides which monitor frequency scan rates to use for different games. Depending upon the era of the game, these scan rates will vary. It's the horizontal scan rate which is fairly limited on the Vision Pro. PC monitors are capable of higher horizontal scan rates. You'll have to research if there's a way to instruct mame to utilize different frequency scan rates than the default.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions ?

javeryh · « **Reply #17 on:** September 15, 2005, 02:27:17 pm »

aaahh... OK... um, I've never really heard anyone say that the Vision Pro can't play MKII (shouldn't it at least be able to play Popeye?). Can you play these games on your monitor? I'll be really bummed out if I spent all this money on a really nice monitor but can't play all the games I want to play...

currygoat11 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 15, 2005, 03:53:07 pm »

well further research is obviously required. I'm sorry, but my cabinet doesn't have MKII or Popeye on it so I cannot test this. I weeded out most all horizontal games (as it's a cocktail).

I'm also using linux and the svgalib graphics library, so I'm pretty sure if anything my system will be less capable of running certain games than a Windows machine. In fact, certain games simply do not display properly for me with my setup. For example, Star Castle and Space Invaders II are two games I can think of immediately that when they run, the game starts but the display is mega-zoomed and you can only see a tiny portion of the screen. I had to remove them from my rom list. Couldn't get these games to work after several hours of fiddling with mame settings, and also the svgalib configuration file.

Please let me know what you find out though, I'm curious.

javeryh · « **Reply #19 on:** September 15, 2005, 04:27:15 pm »

I sure will. Thanks for all of your help!

javeryh · « **Reply #20 on:** September 15, 2005, 07:36:52 pm »

Well, it's a go. The artist has agreed to do the artwork for me. $360 but I think it will be well worth it. It will be something that no one else has because he is drawing it custom. I can't wait to see it.

javeryh · « **Reply #21 on:** September 20, 2005, 02:45:58 pm »

Update to blog - check out my detailed design sketch!

javeryh · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2005, 06:39:42 pm »

Holy crap this is going to kick ass when it is done.

javeryh · « **Reply #23 on:** December 05, 2005, 03:53:51 pm »

Update!

I was able to size the bezel using the small piece of smoked glass as a template and then cutting it to size using a straight edge and razor. I was also able to round the corners of the bezel to fit into the rabbet in the tabletop with a pair of scissors. I think it came out pretty good.

I also cut the t-molding to fit around the edges of the tabletop and placed the bigger tempered piece of glass on top. Eventually, the glass will be held to the top with some glass clips that screw into the underside of the table and extend out over the top to hold the glass in place.

Here are the latest pictures:

CP3 is going to look like this:

GadgetGeek · « **Reply #24 on:** December 06, 2005, 10:30:20 pm »

Did anyone else think about Monty Python when they saw the title of this thread?

javeryh · « **Reply #25 on:** December 23, 2005, 10:23:10 am »

Updated to show trackball plate installation. http://knightsofthearcadetable.blogspot.com/

walls83 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:07:57 pm »

bad links

versapak · « **Reply #27 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:46:26 pm »

Quote from: javeryh on January 12, 2006, 04:29:26 pm

Quote from: walls83 on January 12, 2006, 04:07:57 pm
bad links

What do you mean? The pictures are showing up for me and the link to my site works in my last post too...

Not showin up for me. Unless you are trying to show off your red x's.

javeryh · « **Reply #28 on:** January 12, 2006, 05:02:40 pm »

My red Xs are pretty sweet...

versapak · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2006, 09:43:59 am »

MUCH better.

It's looking pretty nice.

whatzcrackn · « **Reply #30 on:** January 13, 2006, 11:36:56 am »

Flippin sweat!!! I have a cab w/ a jedi/sith theme coming out!!!

javeryh · « **Reply #31 on:** January 20, 2006, 06:40:02 pm »

Thanks! Do you have any pictures of yours? I'd be curious to see your artwork...

whatzcrackn · « **Reply #32 on:** January 21, 2006, 09:41:30 pm »

Quote from: javeryh on January 20, 2006, 06:40:02 pm

Thanks! Do you have any pictures of yours? I'd be curious to see your artwork...

I have been messing around w/ the following:

last two being side art

javeryh · « **Reply #33 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:52:58 pm »

That looks pretty good to me! I am curious to see how it will look on the final cabinet.

This is one of the 5 Star Wars characters I'm having drawn for my tabletop art:

Also, small update at www.knightsofthearcadetable.blogspot.com

Harpal · « **Reply #34 on:** January 27, 2006, 07:32:12 pm »

cool artwork it will look great once all of it isput onto the table.....

javeryh · « **Reply #35 on:** February 01, 2006, 06:40:33 pm »

Another update: www.knightsofthearcadetable.blogspot.com

I finished the Player 1 CP and detailed my spinner installation in a metal CP with nothing but the knob showing through on the top (mounting is entirely underneath the CP).

Santoro · « **Reply #36 on:** February 03, 2006, 09:12:39 pm »

Super clean work, looks awesome.

haldir · « **Reply #37 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:18:13 pm »

(BYOAC) First time poster, long time reader. Can't say how amazing this site is and how much it helps everyone.

javeryh,

I have been checking out your blog for the past couple months and love your work! As someone who is about to start their own cocktail, I could not be more happy with your advice and the help of Project Arcade (created by BYOAC).

My one question is that I am totally in love with your cabinet design and after checking out almost every sample site, I have not found the plans that include your 3rd side. I came across one website but the controls were set to close to each other on the plans.

I know dream arcades has that body for sale, but I assumed you built yours from scratch? I was wondering if you are gong to post the design specs for that third control set?

The body closely resembles a Ms.Pacman cocktail with a third control set above the coin door.

Thanks for your advice and information on your project, keep up the great work.

Haldir

javeryh · « **Reply #38 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:36:58 pm »

Quote from: haldir on February 12, 2006, 09:18:13 pm

(BYOAC) First time poster, long time reader. Can't say how amazing this site is and how much it helps everyone.

javeryh,

I have been checking out your blog for the past couple months and love your work! As someone who is about to start their own cocktail, I could not be more happy with your advice and the help of Project Arcade (created by BYOAC).

My one question is that I am totally in love with your cabinet design and after checking out almost every sample site, I have not found the plans that include your 3rd side. I came across one website but the controls were set to close to each other on the plans.

I know dream arcades has that body for sale, but I assumed you built yours from scratch? I was wondering if you are gong to post the design specs for that third control set?

The body closely resembles a Ms.Pacman cocktail with a third control set above the coin door.

Thanks for your advice and information on your project, keep up the great work.

Haldir

Thanks for the kind comments! As for the third CP design, I did not build it myself but I did design it. I ordered all three of my CPs and the unassembled, unfinished cabinet from arcadedepot.com. I designed the button/joystick layout myself though.

Here's the layout of my third CP. Unfortunately, I didn't have the measurements attached - I told Scott (the guy who runs arcadedepot) to eyeball it just making sure everything was lined up nicely. I think he did a fantastic job.

Here's the Player 1 CP and the Player 2 CP. The only difference between the two is the hold for the spinner on the Player 1 CP (I asked for a 1/4" hole which I had to enlarge myself with a file because it ended up being too close of a fit with the SlikStik spinner. A 3/8" hole would have been perfect).

Another thing I should mention is that there are pieces of wood that support the sides of the Player 1 and Player 2 CPs that are in the way of the buttons and joystick (because they are placed so close to the edge) but it is easy to work around.

Also, the third CP sides that came with the kit were shaped differently than the ones I am using. They did not have the thin piece that extends upward to the table top and I wanted to match the other CPs so I made my own.

haldir · « **Reply #39 on:** February 15, 2006, 08:40:47 pm »

Thanks so much for the images and advice!

I am placing an order next week for the body and happ controls.


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Author Topic: Cocktail: Knights of the Arcade Table [IT WORKS!! (8.17.06)] (Read 23935 times)

D5A1AC