Project Space Arcade! [Updated 12/16/08]

[mybrainhurtz]

I have been lurking around these forums for a couple of months now, trying to absorb as much information as I can about this hobby/obsession and decided that its time to announce my project.

I am getting an empty Space Duel cab and will be converting it to a mame/daphne/jukebox/whatever else I decide to add

So far, I have purchased all of my controls and interfaces and will finally be getting the cabinet this weekend. (I found the cab in early December but haven't been able to arrange a pickup until now) 

I will put updates here, but for more detail, and long-winded descriptions, visit the blog that I have set up to document the project:

http://craftygeek.blogspot.com/

Check out the link to check out a few pictures of what I have been working on so far.

I just want to say thanks so far for all of the help that I have received on these boards. There are so many knowledgeable people here that are willing to help us newbies that always ask before searching for the answer of their problems

[IG-88]

To bad you couldn't mame something a little less "historic". I noticed that there are some VAPS members looking for this game. Maybe you could trade if someone is close 

[leapinlew]

I seem to see these games all over the place. Empty.

Good luck with your build - I'll be checking it out.

[mybrainhurtz]

Well I am getting an empty cab, so the guts have already been sold... The cabinet itself is in great condition, and I plan on keeping it that way... Thats why I am going with a theme modified on the original. That way, if the cabinet ever wants to be converted back to an original stand-alone Space Duel it can be done.

[mybrainhurtz]

I finally brought the cab home and can start working on it! I updated the blog with some photos.... check them out!

[mybrainhurtz]

Update!!

Just snagged a deal on a monitor for my cab so now I can get this bad mamma jamma finished

check it out!

http://craftygeek.blogspot.com/

[kayoteq]

At least try to trade out that control panel with somebody's less-intact one if you're planning to modify it..
somebody's bound to have one with wear around the buttons you'd be cutting into (shudder)
Or do you have plans to make a compatible replacement and set the original aside? 

A Black Widow control panel has two joystick mounts and would probably be less trouble to convert than a buttons-only panel.
I'm sure there's somebody out there with a panel they'd be willing to trade/sell..

I'm looking for one as well, for a vectormame add-on while preserving everything else.

[mybrainhurtz]

My uncle works at a metal shop and offered to make a new panel for me.  I am just using the original panel as a template. After I am done with it, if someone is interested in buying the panel, I may sell it, since I dont think I will ever convert this back to a Space Duel. 

I am trying not to do anything that is not reversible during this project because although this is a not a rare cabinet, it is in good condition and I think its important to preserve it.

If you are interested in the panel after I am done with it, just let me know.

edit:
a completely unrelated comment... I tried playing Space Duel on the cab last night after I got the monitor installed, and realized that I am absolutely terrible at the game! haha

[kayoteq]

Hmm.. for the same exact reasons I gotta decline, but entertain the possibility of him making more than one..
Just store the original in the cabinet or somewhere convenient. You never know if you might end up finding a vector monitor.

mikesarcade sells 'blank' panels for other cabinets  $30, but do a survey here on who might want such a thing.

I'd rather start with a blank metal panel and set the original aside for restoring it later.. but I have enough
shop tools available to me to fabricate one if I get a sheet and start taking measurements. 
That and 3 more games to fix before I start any more projects than I already have going.

imho, Atari really went all out on making difficult games about this time in their history...
Restoring the vector monitor was easier than getting the high score on factory settings. (still haven't)

[shmokes]

You should make as many irreversible changes as possible.  By doing so, you're doing a favor to all the true collectors by increasing the value of their items. 

[mybrainhurtz]

I made some more progress since my last post:

First, I have finished my MaLa layout. 
Here is the background:


And here it is in action:


It started out as the Pixel Assault layout given to us by Organic Jerk. I took some images from my marquee and scanned side art and then edited his layout file and photoshop document. I am really pleased at how it turned out. (notice the icons next to "Arcade"... those are from pics of my actual cab and controls )


Second, I got the first prototype of my new control panel this morning!


The biggest problem that I can see from just looking it over quickly this morning is the space between the two rows of buttons. I guess it was lined up in the machine wrong, and by the time he noticed it, the holes were already being cut.

I can't wait to get home from work tonight and see how the controls fit.

I am finishing up configuring/collecting emulators, roms, screenshots etc and should be done soon... Once the control panel is finalized, all that is left is get the marquee and cpo printed! Oh, man... I can't believe I'm almost done with this project!

As always, check out the project blog for more info and pics.

[mybrainhurtz]

Well, last night, I put all of the controls in to see how they fit and to see if it fit in the cab with the controls installed. The panel fits in the cabinet, but the button holes are too big. They were made to be 1 1/4 instead of 1 1/8. The buttons just barely fit in the holes without falling through.  After a few changes, it looks like I will have prototype #2 early next week! woo hoo!

Stay tuned...

[mybrainhurtz]

Got the new panel, installed the controls and made a temporary marquee... also starting another project... go check it out!

http://craftygeek.blogspot.com/

[opt2not]

That Two Tigers cab was a great grab, you lucky dog you!