Reviving the Mega MAME project

[AlanS17]

I started a project two years ago to convert an empty TMTN cabinet into a MAME machine. I bought cab from a dude in Fort Worth for $50 because it could fit a big monitor.

I then installed a de-cased 27" Gateway presentation monitor into it using some crafty custom mounting. However, I just kind of dropped off with the project after that.

Fast forward two years... I've got this cabinet with bracing all in it, making it useless for anything other than the project I had started. The solution? Finish the project! It was always going to be a massive project, anyways. Now I'll finally get off my butt and finish it.

(Naturally, I still haven't finished the Space Invaders MAME project.)

You can follow the progress at:
http://www.skloss.com/alan/

[AlanS17]

I made some progress on the 27" monitor. Since it's basically a de-cased presentation monitor, it had a power button. This power button had to be pressed everytime power was supplied in order for it to turn on.

On a hunch, I held down the power button as I applied power. Sure enough, it powered right up. I didn't need to release the power switch, either. This was also important. This meant I could simply bridge the switch and have an instant-on monitor whenever I supplied power to it (just like an arcade monitor).

I soldered two leads to the underside of the chassis that corresponded to the power switch. This allowed me some flexibility. I could either wire up a power switch or wrap them together for instant-on capability. I chose the latter option (at least for now). This means I now have a de-cased 27" SVGA presentation monitor that behaves exactly like a standard arcade monitor!

[AlanS17]

I've got wood! (obligatory starting statement)

I already have a fully intact machine, but I'm changing out the control panel. For that I needed a clean sheet of MDF. It's going to have two SF layouts with a trackball in the middle.

I have the ouline for the CP already drawn, but I haven't started adding controls to it yet. I don't even own controls yet. I think I'm gonna print some mock-up controls and move them around til i find something I like.

I'll post pictures when i've actually got something to show. I'm not gonna bore yall with an uncut sheet of MDF.

[MrQuan]

Wow 2 years ago, I thought I was slow with my 2 month break   Good to hear you're commencing progress!  I'm also in the process of designing my CP, I know what I'm using - just not the posisitoning exactly, so I'm looking forward to your pics when you get some up.

PS: post a *before* pic

[tommy]

Hey, atleast he came back to it and is making progress. 

That TMNT is a great cab to start a project with IMO.

Goodluck.