The Super Chalktendo is complete (4-player custom pedestal cab)

[jchalk59]

Hey everyone.

I submitted the site through the "Submit Project" page as well, but would like to see some comments from the community in general. I've had the cabinet done for about 6 months, but just now got around to making a website for it. Sites like the one I created really helped me get started, so I wanted to contribute back to the community.

I wanted a cabinet that was custom designed and sharp looking. In my opinion (everyone's is different) I think I pulled it off. The website is pretty wordy (with pictures of course!) so I'll let it do most of the talking. Let me know what you think!

--Jason Chalk (hence the Chalktendo hehe)

Link:
http://superchalktendo.googlepages.com/

Aside: Used googlepages to create the webpage... It was a pretty sharp and snazzy interface for quickly rolling out a static page like a project page. I highly recommend it. First time I've made a page without using Frontpage or opening up a text editor and coding it from scratch... I really liked it.

[gamecreature]

Great looking machine and not a bad online summary as well. I'll be sure to point folks looking for answers your way.

[jchalk59]

Thanks.

I enjoy reading people's project pages so I wanted to put mine up as well!

One of the things I really like about my arcade machine is the front USB accessability. That doesn't get talked about much here as this is an "Arcade Controls" site... but that gets as much use as my controls do... If I'm playing Nintendo 64 games, I want a Nintendo 64 controller, etc. etc.

Anyways, thanks for taking a look!
--Jason

[Negativecreep0]

What is the control panel's dimensions? and the dimensions of the wood sides (width) of the control panel. Looks awesome.

[stephenp1983]

Question, I am planning to use n64 and snes controllers as well.  I have clear blue n64 usb adapter and I just ordered a smartjoy for the snes controller.  Did you have any problems getting htem to work through a usb hub, and what adapters did you use if they aren't the ones I mentioned.

[jchalk59]

I've added dimensions to the front page of the Chalktendo. Check back there to see the dimensions. If you have additional questions about them, you can email me through the website or keep posting on this threat (or PM me here).

As for my USB and controller setup...

I believe we have the exact same USB converters. My N64 ones are also the clear-blue ones that you can get on EBay every once in a while. I have 4 of em, but I've only tried using 3 at ones so far, and they work fine. They have a switch for switching between PS2 and N64 controllers with a green and red LED on them. The SNES adapter I have is also the Super Smatjoy. I use it and the SNES controller for SNES, NES, Gameboy, and Sega Genesis/Master System games (I know, sacrilege). Of course, sometimes I use the arcade controls for these as well... depends on how I'm feeling.

The Super Smartjoy works great, but the key to the N64 controllers are finding quality N64 controllers. If they are too sloppy they don't work well. Both adapters plug in easy and are immediately recognized by Windows XP. I then just set them up in my emulators and away I go. Because of the dual-control nature of many of the games I play, I have 2 emulator configs for many console systems... one with the arcade controls and one with the joystick/controllers. I run one emulator or the other based on what control type I want to use.

Finally, I hook them up to a powered USB hub in the front of the unit that actually plugs into another USB hub inside the control panel. This way, I have 2 USB hubs in the front unit, but only have to run 1 USB cable back to my PC in the back unit. This has worked for controllers really well, however either the daisy chaining or the hubs themselves do not prove conducive for USB hard drives, etc. to backup. I plug my USB hard drive into the PC itself via the front USB ports at the front of the PC (accessable at the side of my unit) for backups.

Hope this helps!
--Jason

[Crafty]

Fantastic project..

The webpage provides inspiration...

 

[NightGod]

Gotta say, yer a braver man than I putting the master power button on the CP like that-far too many mental images of semi-drunken panel slapping leading to a powered-down system run through my head thinking about something like that...

[jchalk59]

That's usually "my position" while playing. However I intend to either craft a cover for the button or put an override switch on it somehow to be able to prevent unintended touches.

However, it does serve its purpose as being an easy way to start up the system... it's really easy... and you are right that some might say too easy.

[spyderdsm]

Link:
http://superchalktendo.googlepages.com/

link isnt working for me....

[stephenp1983]

Thanks for the response. I was just worried I'd have a problem with the usb hub.  I have the n64 working fine ( I had a few controllers in good shape from my original n64). 

Does the n64 seem cheaply made to you though? Did to me, but its really the only choice as the adaptoids are not made anymore and run 100 bucks on ebay.  I hope the smartjoy for the snes feel better made lol. It shipped out today

[jchalk59]

The N64 adapter does feel "cheaply made", and it doesn't have that great of documentation. Some people have problems with them as well, but mine seem to work fine.

The adaptoids generally get better reviews, but like you say are $100 apiece on EBay. I don't believe the N64 adapter we have does rumble pack or memory card support, but the adaptoid does. This isn't an issue for me because I can live without rumble and the memory really is easier if it's emulated and stored on the PC anyways.

As for the link, I tried it again and it seems to work fine now. Google may have had a glitch and went down. Googlepages is in "Beta" afterall... which I have no idea what that means since everything Google has is always in "Beta" hehe.

[currygoat11]

Why did you decide on MAME Version 0.86 ?  Just curious. Thanks.

[jchalk59]

Because that was the most recent MAME available at the time I built the machine. It works just fine for me, so I haven't gotten around to upgrading yet.

--Jason

[currygoat11]

That's cool, as it so happens, 0.86 is also the version in my cabinet and was the latest when I built it.  I have been using it since.