Author Topic: The Kong Cab (Read 15166 times)

subcriminal · « **on:** October 28, 2005, 05:11:34 pm »

Hi, I have a few pictures to post of my Nintendo cab. It's going to be Donkey Kong.
This is the second cab I've attempted and this time I have a good idea on what I'm doing

thanks to all those who share their knowledge on this forum.
My first cab ended up being a disaster due to the finish off the wood. I used plywood to keep the weight down... Bad choice, leaves nasty looking woodgrain! Secondly I brush painted it making things even worse! The side panels have been salvaged and they'll be re-used.
Anyway, this one is made entirely of 18mm MDF. I have used Jakobud's http://www.jakobud.com/ plans as a guide, converted all the measurements to metric and made the cab slightly wider as the MDF came in 606mm wide panels - less cutting for me and straighter edges.
If anyone wants the plans for this cab I will draw them up and post them. This isn't a perfect replica but it should be a good looker when finished.

Just thought I'd put a shot of the paint in. For UK builders B&Q One Coat satin black goes on nicely, Crown multi surface primer does MDF and Dulux satinwood for the colour.

OK so you cant see the finish but it's as smooth as it looks!

Level42 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2005, 06:38:22 pm »

Uhmmm a black Donkey Kong ??

subcriminal · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2005, 06:43:51 pm »

Dude, that's the inside

Took a look at that paint in the daylight today and it's looking a bit patchy. Looks like it'll need another coat of the B&Q 'One Coat' paint! It covered very well though for a first coat.
With this build I thought I'd get all the front, back and inside panels painted, measure up and drill all the screw holes and build it up. That way I'll have the cab built up with just the side panels to fill and paint.

Should I run a line of glue along the edges of the panels before screwing them together? Does it make much difference to the strength of the joint?

subcriminal · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:20:19 am »

I've got the second coat of boring black on this morning. Just going to get the side panels measured up for drilling tonight and suss out the angle and design of the monitor shelf

I need to have the monitor mounted so it can be rotated as it's only a 20" Hantarex and vertical games are too small when the screen's horizontal. The trouble is if I attach a circular panel to the monitor it would end up being wider than the cab due to the diagonal size of the screen. I think the best way is going to be to cut the hole in the shelf square so that I can lift the monitor up and turn it 90 degs and lay it back in. (Sucks a bit, I know!)
Any better ideas would be appreciated.
ScrewFix will be delivering my MDF screws on Monday so I'll get some pictures of the built cab uploaded then.

For UK cab builders, companies used so far for materials:

B&Q - MDF Sheets and Paint
ScrewFix - Cheap power tools, screws/fittings, Cheap next day delivery!
Happ controls - Joysticks, Buttons, T-Molding.
Ultimarc - Trackball, I-Pac, Opti-Pac, Arcade VGA card, Video Amp.
Axminster tools - http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=20958&recno=2 Slot Cutters for T-Molding.

I work for VW as a mechanic and was talking to a bloke who was applying vinyl stickers to a VW Transporter. They completely covered it with mystery machine stickers, the van underneath was silver but they fitted these huge decals to make it turquoise with graphics. He was pretty enthusiastic about doing the graphics for Donkey Kong I just said I could get the vector art and he said if they're Adobe format he can do it no problem

So by next week I should get the artwork fitted.
Possible not the control panel as I am learning how to use illustrator and am trying to move the original graphics around so that I can squeeze a 2 Player fighter setup in there and a trackball.
Although I might go for a second control panel for an analogue stick/Trackball/spinner setup and Fighter setup on another CPO.

Timoe · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:36:56 am »

I would recommend the wood glue if you can get it. Its cheap and easy. Just keep a mopist rag around to clean up the excess and keep it all tidy.

Franco · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:53:52 am »

Quote from: subcriminal on October 28, 2005, 06:43:51 pm

Took a look at that paint in the daylight today and it's looking a bit patchy. Looks like it'll need another coat of the B&Q 'One Coat' paint!

Yeah I used this paint on my cab. Ended up putting about three coats on over the undercoat. So much for 'One Coat'!

Good looking project by the way!

subcriminal · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2005, 11:40:16 am »

Cheers, I'll glue it and screw it then.
I've been messing with Adobe Illustrator and thrown this CPO together, the buttons are all external measurements and spaced how they will be but everything else is just placed to see what it looks like.
The big white circle is my trackball.
Any views? I don't know if I'd end up clouting the P2 joystick with the trackball there but not much choice on placement with such a small CPO. The image is vector converted to JPEG.

babydickonboard · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2005, 02:59:24 pm »

man subcriminal, every time i see your profile animation i crack up

subcriminal · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2005, 04:05:02 pm »

I cant take credit for that.

I'm sure whoever made it will email me sooner or later for using it!

subcriminal · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2005, 04:04:06 pm »

Haven't made any progress today building the cabinet

I have been playing with the monitor setup though. My monitor came out of an Operation Wolf cab, it displays the image upside down and mirrored horizontally as it used to face upwards and the image was reflected off a mirror in front of the player. What I didn't know was that the switch on the main board that I thought flipped the image doesn't! I just sussed out from the monitor forum that I need to flip the H wires and V wires on the yoke. More reading tomorrow! Oh well, at least it still works

Back on to the cabinet tomorrow. I'm hoping to prime and paint the outside of the panels morning/afternoon and get some way into building in the evening.
Here's a couple of pics of the monitorand MAME PC setup on my PC table.

More Cowbell · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2005, 12:42:52 pm »

My only issue with your project is that everything looks WAY too organized. Don't you realize that you're supposed to have crap everywhere so that you can't find anything and can barely walk without knocking things over?

subcriminal · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2005, 01:04:44 pm »

Shal I post a pic of all the junk just out of the camera angle!

dphirschler · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2005, 01:05:08 pm »

If you are going to "glue it and screw it" I'd recommend sanding the paint away at the joints.

subcriminal · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2005, 01:24:10 pm »

Doh!.. ok then

That'll be fun then trying not to scratch anywhere else! You sound as if you speak from experience though!
I've been having fun again today getting the software and monitor side of things sorted out. Bit of a setback really, my picture is too wide. The horizontal width coil turns on the monitor but it seems like with one full rotation it shrinks the image so that about half an inch is off the screen then if I keep turning it it just makes the image wider then narrows to the half inch off and it repeats this as you turn it. My adjustment board has a couple of dodgy pots that I haven't replaced yet. I did the sync pots but could't get 10K ones for the H-Amp and H-Phase, maybe they need replacing

They are turned fully clockwise to get the smallest image and as far left as poss. Anyone have any answers? Otherwise the image is excellent.

subcriminal · « **Reply #14 on:** November 03, 2005, 10:12:51 am »

Made big progress today

Started at 9am, it's now 3pm and it's built. Just the black edges to paint and get the sides sanded and painted. Oh and there's the monitor shelf to fit but it'll screw on from inside so it can be done tomorrow when I get some more MDF.
Has anyone had trouble countersinking this stuff?! What a chore! unless It's just my cheap 'n nasty countersink bit.
I kind of went overboard with the screws but damn it's a strong cab! Just means more sanding and filling to do on the sides though. I hate sanding

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #15 on:** November 03, 2005, 10:15:42 am »

Clean! I like!

subcriminal · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2005, 10:17:46 am »

Cheers dude. Got me a couple of these coming too

Ebay UK

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2005, 10:19:44 am »

Thoses are some wild stools! I've never seen them before.... they look very ergonimic... comfy...

Silver · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2005, 04:18:02 pm »

Quote from: subcriminal link=topic=45050.msg427750#msg427750

Axminster tools - http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=20958&recno=2 Slot Cutters for T-Molding.

Congratulations, finally another place in the UK that sells a slot cutter.... took me ages to track one down!

Looks like everythings coming along fine. I suggest posting your too wide monitor issue in the monitor/video forum. Someone should be able to suggest if its a pot/cap or maybe a tweaker...

subcriminal · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2005, 04:30:37 pm »

Cheers, I'll post the monitor problem on there after I've fitted a cap kit if that doesn't sort it. Otherwise I'll get the usual monitor fix answer!

I think I'll post a question about the width coil though because that's confused me!

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #20 on:** November 03, 2005, 06:53:40 pm »

That is a thing of beauty ... nothing beats the clean lines of the classics. Nicely done!

I now feel the urge to finish sanding and painting my Super Mario Bros. Thanks for the motivation!

Cheers.

dmsuchy · « **Reply #21 on:** November 03, 2005, 08:08:55 pm »

Lookin good, really good!

Silver · « **Reply #22 on:** November 03, 2005, 08:21:28 pm »

Any chance you could provide a link to the chairs on ebay? If the seller still has any left, anyway....

subcriminal · « **Reply #23 on:** November 04, 2005, 03:41:19 am »

Link

20 Left at the moment. They ship from Germany but have been in touch with me regarding my order and have sent a couple of confirmations and receipts so they seem OK, just waiting for them to arrive $:-\$

Thanks for the good comments on the cab, The sides will get painted today and the Artwork is going to get priced and printed if they're not stupidly expensive.

subcriminal · « **Reply #24 on:** November 04, 2005, 07:58:40 am »

Went to Gsign in Norwich today for the artwork

Top service so far. I took a CD full of Adobe Illustrator 12 files only to find there's a bit of a format war going on in the vector art world! They are using Corel and can't open any Adobe stuff after V7 I think. So trundled back home and converted the images to 300dpi Jpegs which he said would be fine to print at the size I need. I got introduced to another couple of blokes there and was able to watch while the images were resized to my measurements.
If they're printing to the same stuff as they use on the sides of vans I'd expect they'll be pretty hard wearing... don't plan on putting the cab through a car wash but it's nice to know the art would survive

I should get a call next week to collect it.

Cost:

Marque, Side art x2, CPO, monitor bezel, instruction sticker and instruction card.

Level42 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 04, 2005, 06:13:15 pm »

Looks sweet ! Sorry about my stupid mistake about the black dk

Keep up the good work !

subcriminal · « **Reply #26 on:** November 05, 2005, 06:20:39 am »

No worries mate

You never know what people are going to do on here next! I haven't seen many people paint the inside of the cab before assembling but it gives a good finish.

subcriminal · « **Reply #27 on:** November 06, 2005, 07:33:40 am »

Time for another picture I reckon. Sides painted and T-Molding on.

I need some artwork so I can get the monitor and guts in. I'm not sure about the height and angle of the screen yet so once the glass and bezel are on I'll get the missus to get in there and position the frame

I'll have to get a pic of that!

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #28 on:** November 06, 2005, 07:54:03 am »

WOW! Your quick!.... again very clean... looks pro!

BTW: Chrome t-molding... way cool.

subcriminal · « **Reply #29 on:** November 06, 2005, 11:12:46 am »

Cheers! I'm kind of in a hurry as the room it's in is going to get gutted and re plastered to make a games room (Check the brown floral wallpaper

). I can't wait to get the glass and artwork on so I can make a decision on the chrome T molding. I've ordered 12 white buttons and red ball top handles for my Jsticks and the artwork has a lot of white outlining so I don't know if the chrome is going to work yet or if it'd look better white.
My old cab (Lightweight MAME) is gonna go heavyweight and it'll be rebuilt for a mate using MDF front and back panels. He just wants the whole cab black so maybe the chrome molding will get fitted to that machine (stay tuned

).

subcriminal · « **Reply #30 on:** November 09, 2005, 04:49:07 pm »

The artwork is ready and I'm going to collect it tomorrow

The missus likes the chrome so of course it stays!
Also today my bar stools pictured above arrived and I received my ball top sticks and buttons. I'm glad now that I didn't order the long sticks as my control panel is 18mm MDF and the long stick would have still been too short to mount underneath. The short sticks are 65MM for mounting on top of the CP and the long ones are 72mm

They could do with being a bit longer as the extra 7mm still leaves them 11mm shorter than short ones mounted on top. Phew!!
I'll get some photo's upped tomorrow when the side art and CPO are on.

Edit: Lost track of spending! The list's gone but it's still around the

subcriminal · « **Reply #31 on:** November 10, 2005, 12:29:52 pm »

Artwork printed and layed out for fitting later tonight . All nice thick vinyl and pre cut. Just gotta peel them off the sheet and on to the cab.

I asked the bloke at the printers about fitting and he said spray soapy water onto the cab and then fit them, it allows you to get the bubbles out and gives a bit of movement to the vinyl. Whatever you do don't apply them dry! So I'll see how it goes later. Don't really want to be paying that sort of money out again so I might just have a go at the side logo's tonight.

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #32 on:** November 10, 2005, 01:36:07 pm »

Artwork looks great! This is going to be a really nice cabinet... clean and elegant.

It is so cool when it starts to look finished... that was the best part of the whole experience for me.... the highlight was firing up the marquee light... it just made it real.

subcriminal · « **Reply #33 on:** November 10, 2005, 02:48:41 pm »

Thanks retro! I just fitted the side art and layed out the CPO so I can do some hole drilling.
The picture makes the cab look top heavy. The artwork looks fine, but in the picture it looks too high.

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TurboC-- · « **Reply #34 on:** November 10, 2005, 10:52:39 pm »

Looks cool but quite a lot of differences from the original?

RayB · « **Reply #35 on:** November 10, 2005, 11:52:00 pm »

His art is too small!

subcriminal · « **Reply #36 on:** November 11, 2005, 12:47:46 pm »

Quote

His art is too small!

That post sucks man! I'll have my art how I want it! You should have gone with the purple paint for your's but each to their own.
This was built pretty much to Jakobud's plans. The side panels are exact, the CP height, marqee, screen are all correct, I just made it wider by about 30mm so I didn't need to cut the panels I bought and for two players

If I was building a replica I would definately get the side art redone but as it's just styled as a DK machine and running MAME I cant be arsed! I have to cut the speaker grill in though. I wasn't going to but it doesn't look right without it. The grill is one of the definitions of a Nintendo cab. The coin door will stay as it is as the originals IMHO are damn ugly!
This has to be the best thing I've ever done as a project, even the missus likes it!

TurboC-- · « **Reply #37 on:** November 11, 2005, 01:31:28 pm »

I would go with DK-styled, and just make it look as nice as you can rather than as close as you can. Maybe that would free you up to find a creative way to add another piece of art to the sides (hmm...)

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #38 on:** November 11, 2005, 02:48:30 pm »

Quote

If I was building a replica I would definately get the side art redone but as it's just styled as a DK machine and running MAME I cant be arsed!

Yeah... "exact" is nice but not necessary for MAME... doing stuff twice (sometimes more) is also a drag. As long as it is clean (which it is), the proportions are good (which they are) and in many cases your spouse approves (which apparently she does)... you have it!

markrvp · « **Reply #39 on:** November 11, 2005, 03:28:27 pm »

The cabinet looks nice. You play it from the front and not the side anyway.


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Author Topic: The Kong Cab (Read 15166 times)

Franco