Arcadia Ave.(95%) and Budweiser Mame cabs(30%)

[Doctor Ugs]

Well, it's about time I started a thread.

Started playing arcade games since summer of 1980. It's been over a year since the last arcade in town closed shop. 

 I've tinkered with mame years ago, and honestly don't remember why i decided to embark on this project (i have no memory)............damn i really cant recall......but alas, onward we go. I didnt want to go at it alone (for electrical and software part of project..frontends..) so i talked with a buddy and got him interested. So my cab project became 2 cabs.

Side panels cut


Good clamps, crappy clamps, every clamp i could get my hand on, I'm putting all my faith in glue only.


First cab upright....


Back door for maintenance purposes.


Second cab coming along. Having only 2 32" clamps really slowed the progress down.


Since i was alone during the week handling these big panels. I made a beam using leftover 2x3 and some mdf, I made it as wide as interior of cab. This was so it would give support as i glued and placed panels.


Thx again to whoever sent me the link to a collectors association in my area. Got 2 coin doors, here's the first for my cab.


And the second which originally comes from a Disks of Tron cabinet. Needs to be restored.


Sanded, undented, and repainted with 1 coat


2 Cabs side by side


First Control panel box.


picture to Test speaker panel angle


My top-back angled panels on both cabs came out short, and i cant figure out why. That black strip on inside is duct tape to cover the damn crack so i can fill it with wood filler from other side. I did this whole project under the influence and this is the only thing that didnt add up right for some reason, any way i had already bought wood filler expecting mistakes, but that panel is the only one which needs filler in the joints.... 4:20


Wood filler gunk.. damn this crap dries up surprisingly fast.
To be sanded...


First control panel box. Needs to be sanded.


Really starting to take form. CP just resting there for pic.


And finally..
Naming the machines was toughest thing i find.
I have always been a huge metal fan and my buddy is a huge Budweiser supporter 

Here's my marquee i made out, gotta retouch it a bit. Inspired by Iron Maiden and old song "Acacia Ave."
the period is a Eddie Happy face
Yeah it's got arcade in the name....deal with it


We are stumped as to naming my buddies machine.
So far only thing that sounded ok was plain and simply "Budweiser Arcade" which i would make out with a bud logo. If any of you can think of anything gimme your suggestions.
I already know what to do for cps overlays. ill upload when i do them (after i know the exact dimensions of our cps)

Allright hope you enjoyed this massive first thread in projects forum....
4:20 gotta spend time with the wife, she hasnt since much of me since i started this.
I'll post more as progress continues....

[TelcoLou]

Great job so far! (nice to see another stoner here as well!) 

[MazzMn]

Looks good to me. 
Budweiser seems like a good idea. So does this mean it will be the King of Cabs? Is the control panel going to be Beechwood Aged? :-)
Another thought, could you combine Frogger artwork with the good old Budweiser Frogs?
Mazz

[Doctor Ugs]

For the budweiser cp Im planning to have each button cover a bottle cap, with only the "teeth" part showing around button once installed.

That King of Cabs aint a bad idea. I'll run it by my bud.

[The_Tyler_Black]

Be sure on the bud cabinet you add a drink holder and a bottle opener!
And a box under it to collect the caps (so they dont get everywhere) like one of those vintage coke machines!!!!

[MazzMn]

For the budweiser cp Im planning to have each button cover a bottle cap, with only the "teeth" part showing around button once installed.

That King of Cabs aint a bad idea. I'll run it by my bud.

Hey your bud may want to call the local distributer to see if they have this....I was in a bar last night where they had recently refinished most of the tables with vinyl budweiser posters, some just plain bud, some also promoting sports teams...would be a great material to cover that MDF with!

[Doctor Ugs]

yeah for the sideart on my buddies cab, he has some promotional Budweiser stuff laying around.

And we are looking into an old school bottle opener with cap catcher..
Something along these lines...

[CheffoJeffo]

Dunno about the catcher, but you may want to check here:

http://www.barproducts.com/index.php?mid=googlebarsupplies&gclid=CKKYk7Wh25ICFQInlgod2XHP_w

[Doctor Ugs]

thx cheffo, checked that site and none like what we are looking for.

I'm planning on checking out some flea markets and antique stores around the area....

[Doctor Ugs]

Not much to report. Been configuring software this week.
The little i did is the following...

repainted my buddy's coin door another 6 times. This time using a flat black.


The speaker panels, 1 for each cab. both identical. 1 front viewed, and one shot from the back


I grooved the speaker holes. First time ever using a router i borrowed from my brother.


Closeup of slot I cut out for speaker's volume knob, i still have to drill a hole where knob will stick out. the square didnt have to be perfect as this is the back of panel.


Updated progress shot, I still have to fit my coin door, glue the front panels, get speakers ready so i can install them in speaker panel once panel is glued(ill be painting before putting in speakers. then we make the monitor shelf, Guy from work is gonna check if his 22" monitor is still working, if so, he is gonna give it to me for free!

[Doctor Ugs]

My bud pased by today so i got a bit of work done today on cabs.

Hmmm what's this for...


...seems familiar.


Another shot....


Tadaaaaaaaaaaaaa, just like the real deal... One flick of the switch and the whole cab will come alive, marquee, pc, monitor and speakers.
I'll post pics of how the wiring will be done when i get to it...


Picture of moniter shelf.Couldnt clamp it using clamps, so i glued and screwed it there(using screws as clamps)


One coin door reassembled, with original Bally plate which we put back using rivets.


Air holes for monitor heat + Speaker panel in place, need to drill hole for volume knob.


Coming along well....


We wanted that coin box flush with opening in front so we built a little table for the coin box, with ledges.


Inside shot of my coin door.


Grills i painted for air holes in back of cab.


PIc of me holding up grill.....   :p


That's it for now.. I got a couple of holes left to drill for volume knob, and power cord. And then i can finally start the oil based primer on these beasts....

[Doctor Ugs]

Thought i'd update this thread with the little work i got done. I did the mistake of plugging up a mock CP. yep, that's right , i been playing all week.....

anyway, here's what i got done....

Mock control panel, the buttons and joystick i connected all work fine.


mess of wires. All wires are extra long to allow final install in real panel. That plate is for all my ground cables. not gonna use that in final setup, ill be using a real ground block strip.


under the hood, only player 1 joystick is plugged. side flipper buttons for pinball are connected(and working)...... damn pinball, been slowing down the build process...


Primed and sanded with 220 grit sandpaper. smooth as hell. still need another whole coat.


same with control panel box, primed and sanded with 220 grit sandpaper for extra smooth finish.

[ablizno]

Quick question, i was looking at doing the same thing to power on my cab (using a switch) which one did u go with.

[Doctor Ugs]

Quick question, i was looking at doing the same thing to power on my cab (using a switch) which one did u go with.

It's an industrial grade on/off switch

[TOK]

Don't you need a momentary switch to fire a PC with an ATX supply? I use momentary push buttons on all of mine.

[Doctor Ugs]

the on/off switch will be relayed through a digital controller which will send a 2 second signal to the "power on" of my pc's motherboard when switched to on.

My motherboard's "wake up on power restore" only works if pc was on when power goes out. with this digital controller, switching the power on will set the whole cab alive.

the Digital Controller i have is on this page http://www.corby.com/product/pricelst.php, just do a quick page search for "digital controller"

[HaRuMaN]

Add a seventh button in line with your bottom row, off at a small angle, so you'll be set up for the Neo Geo fighters...   

[Doctor Ugs]

Add a seventh button in line with your bottom row, off at a small angle, so you'll be set up for the Neo Geo fighters...   

what's a good neo geo fighter?? i'll test one ,see if it's worth it..

between MK, SF2, capcom vs marvel, marvel vs SF, i doubt ill be loading to many neo geo fighters...

[HaRuMaN]

Samurai Showdown 4
Garou: Mark of the Wolves
The Last Blade (1 or 2)

do it!

There are some good fighters for Neo Geo...

[BORIStheBLADE]

Samurai Showdown 4
Garou: Mark of the Wolves
The Last Blade (1 or 2)

do it!

There are some good fighters for Neo Geo...

I grew up playing mostly street fighter and MK, but once I finished my cabinet I found Garou: Mark of the Wolves and love it.

[Doctor Ugs]

Those neo geo fighters arent bad at all. but i'll get by with  my current setup(buttons already received and all)

Anyway, pics of what has been going on ..... when im not playing on my mock up cp....

Closeup of on/off switch


Digital relay. This sends a 3 second signal which will connect to power on pins on pc's motherboard.


Zoomed in on Digital relay.


2 control panel boxes primed


The work area. A complete mess.


Both cabs primed. Closer cab is primed with second coat. background cabinet painted with first coat.


Same pic of Both cabs primed. Closer cab is primed with second coat. background cabinet painted with first coat.


Too lazy to use a paintbrush in corners so i bought some primer in a can.


Tools of the trade....


Thingies I picked up at flea market to pass wires through.


Well that's it for now, i'm off to a BBQ today, gonna let paint harden for a couple of days.....

[Doctor Ugs]

Little update on project....

Wiring strip I will convert to a ground strip.
1 for each side of i-pac encoder


Preview of Cp with cut sides for playing pinball


2 coats of flat black


2 coats of flat black


2 coats of flat black


The second control panel. Same as mine, with sides cut to allow easy access to pinball flipper and tilt buttons.


2 coats of flat black on second cab


That's it for now.
My slot cutter bit is on its way. once that arrives and i cut my slot for t-molding, it's all a matter of paint for a while.
Have a great weekend.

[Doctor Ugs]

Finally got my Slot cutting bit and t-molding...

Just thought i'd update the thread with my control panel...

Facebook's rendering of large image sucks ass. Quality really is better on full sized image, the real printout will actually be a bit over 37" wide.

[Timstuff]

That little instant power switch is a great idea. My cab that I picked up for free actually has a little hole right in the same spot, so I guess I'd be wise to consider rigging up something similar.

[Franco B]

Awesome's, there going to be two real good looking cabs. Loving your artwork too 

I (think) im doing a similar thing to you with the wiring strip to make it into a ground bar, something like this?

(AWESOME MS PAINT SKILLZZZA WARNING!)



Where did you get your wiring strips from? I managed to find some black ones but they aren't as pretty as yours 

[TOK]

That little instant power switch is a great idea. My cab that I picked up for free actually has a little hole right in the same spot, so I guess I'd be wise to consider rigging up something similar.

It seems needlessly complex to me. 
You can get a momentary button that fits in the same hole and wire it right to the power switch pins on the motherboard. Set your PC BIOS to shut down Windows when you touch it, and you have power on and power off with a button press. I did this on all 3 of my cabs without an issue.

[Doctor Ugs]

reason for my switch not going straight to MOBO of PC is I want everthing to power on in one shot, Speakers,PC and monitor included.

[TOK]

reason for my switch not going straight to MOBO of PC is I want everthing to power on in one shot, Speakers,PC and monitor included.

OK. I do that with either a Bits LTD Smart Strip, or a little triggered strip they sell at Sears. You plug the PC into the "trigger" outlet, and it turns on the other outlets when the PC powers up. Fed right through outlet power, so you don't need a wall wart to power the relay.

[Doctor Ugs]

Yeah i had heard about the smart strip, but didn't come across one as I was shopping for parts.

So I opted for this option.

[Timstuff]

I don't know of any stores that sell Smart Strips in my area, so I'm going to have to buy mine online. I'm definitely going to wire a button from the hole ontop of my cab to my PC's mobo though. I was originally planning to just open the coin door to hit my PC's power switch, but having a power button on the cab itself seems to make a heckuvalot more sense.

[Doctor Ugs]

Where did you get your wiring strips from? I managed to find some black ones but they aren't as pretty as yours 

Local electronics store.

[TOK]

I don't know of any stores that sell Smart Strips in my area, so I'm going to have to buy mine online. I'm definitely going to wire a button from the hole ontop of my cab to my PC's mobo though. I was originally planning to just open the coin door to hit my PC's power switch, but having a power button on the cab itself seems to make a heckuvalot more sense.

I originally bought a Bits Ltd Smart Strip via mail order.

If you have a Sears or Sears hardware near you, they have a triggered strip that is made to turn on a light or vacuum when you fire up a shop tool. I have two of them and they work great.
They're around 25 bucks. Its gray and square shaped.

[Barry Barcrest]

My option was even simpler. I set the PC To power on as soon as it gets power, i think the bios option was something like power on after power loss. That way i just turn on at the wall and that powers everything up. I put a 4 way standard power stip inside the juke and just have 1 lead coming out. Depends if your bios supports that power on method though.

Your cabs are looking good anyway dude.

[Doctor Ugs]

I set the PC To power on as soon as it gets power, i think the bios option was something like power on after power loss.

Yeah unfortunetly on the pc i'm using that option only works when there is an actual power loss and system was on.
Hence why I got a digital relay (for free)

[TOK]

My option was even simpler. I set the PC To power on as soon as it gets power, i think the bios option was something like power on after power loss. That way i just turn on at the wall and that powers everything up. I put a 4 way standard power stip inside the juke and just have 1 lead coming out. Depends if your bios supports that power on method though.

Your cabs are looking good anyway dude.

How do you handle shutting it down? Are you just killing power without shutting down Windows?

[dgame]

I don't know of any stores that sell Smart Strips in my area, so I'm going to have to buy mine online. I'm definitely going to wire a button from the hole ontop of my cab to my PC's mobo though. I was originally planning to just open the coin door to hit my PC's power switch, but having a power button on the cab itself seems to make a heckuvalot more sense.

I originally bought a Bits Ltd Smart Strip via mail order.

If you have a Sears or Sears hardware near you, they have a triggered strip that is made to turn on a light or vacuum when you fire up a shop tool. I have two of them and they work great.
They're around 25 bucks. Its gray and square shaped.

I have a Smart Strip but I saw a similar product at Wal*Mart the other night. It was with the power strips and had something like 'saves power by automatically turning off accessories' or something like that. It was around $20 also.

[Timstuff]

I don't know of any stores that sell Smart Strips in my area, so I'm going to have to buy mine online. I'm definitely going to wire a button from the hole ontop of my cab to my PC's mobo though. I was originally planning to just open the coin door to hit my PC's power switch, but having a power button on the cab itself seems to make a heckuvalot more sense.

I originally bought a Bits Ltd Smart Strip via mail order.

If you have a Sears or Sears hardware near you, they have a triggered strip that is made to turn on a light or vacuum when you fire up a shop tool. I have two of them and they work great.
They're around 25 bucks. Its gray and square shaped.

I have a Smart Strip but I saw a similar product at Wal*Mart the other night. It was with the power strips and had something like 'saves power by automatically turning off accessories' or something like that. It was around $20 also.

I'll have to check that out when I get the chance. $20 at Wal-Mart sure beats $40 over the internet.

[Doctor Ugs]

I stay away from walmart merchandise.
Everything I've ever bought there has broken. And not just electrical equipment, I'm talking nuts and bolts as well.

there's a reason why everything is low cost in a walmart....

[Timstuff]

Maybe I will stick with the smart strip then. Better to spend $40 the first time than $60 in the long run...

[Doctor Ugs]

Revised version of my cp....



that is all.....

[Doctor Ugs]

May as well post these pics as well....

5 coats of flat black later.... and Fans installed. I can't do anymore until i get an extra 2 arms to flip these on the sides to route the slot for the t-molding.
Either I transform into Goro or wait till somebody passes by to gimme a hand...


Picked this up for my buddies cabinet, since his will be a Budweiser themed arcade cabinet. We plan to install it next to coin door. I can't get a bigger one since space is limited, his coin door is wider than a normal over/under coin door. Ultimately I wanted 2 , one for each side, but the guy only had 1 Budweiser left. Better than nothing...


Sorry but no open box pics as I havent opened the box yet.


That is all for now, like I said, I am waiting till somebody passes by to help lay these on their sides so i can route the slots for T-molding. I can't do them now, they are on cement blocks and they will wobble, and I don't want to screw up the slot cut...

[Doctor Ugs]

I'm in the last stretch now. My t-molding arrived with slot cutting bit , the slot is ready for t-molding and I started my color.

This pic is after 2 coats of color paint.

It's a sort of greenish brownish color.

I sanded and painted my third coat after this pic was taken.
..and my cp should be ready to pick up from the printers today.
Plus I should be picking up my 21" crt monitor as well...

More to come this weekend....

[Doctor Ugs]

I AM SOOOO SICK OF SANDING AND PAINTING

I swear the paint process is the thing I hate the most about building a Cabinet

that is all....
just needed to vent..

[Doctor Ugs]

Not much to update on, installed a pool, helped my sister move, worked through my whole vacation but hardly got a chance to touch my cab.... 

2 X 22" CRT monitors....
Got em for 15$ a pop.....


Plexi routed to fit perfectly flush with T-Molding.
the blue is the protective film, i havent removed yet, making sure not to scratch it.


and a closeup.


Ffs, how the hell am I suppose to work in this mess......


I'm sooo near to completion it's driving me bonkers. 

[Doctor Ugs]

Control panel update.....


CP drilled and 2 buttons in there for show.


closeup, plexi is reflective as hell


I'm now thinking of painting my cab Dark green, the cp doesn't blend with cab color......
...more expenses....


that is all.....

[Doctor Ugs]

what colour you all think I should paint the cab?

My first choice is Dark green like the dark green on cp.
any suggestions?

[GAtekwriter]

Why not go all the way and camo it?  It'd match your CP - might take a little longer to do, but it'd be something to be proud of when done!  I wish I could remember a website where I saw this procedure (I was going to camo a large artwork portfolio for a friend) - basically you paint your cab black to start... then you stick on these random stickers and paint the next color (dark green)... remove those stickers.  Then you stick on another set and paint a third color (light green or tan or whatever) and when paint is dry you remove those stickers... it gives you that layered look.

Jim

edit:  I believe the stickers were able to be purchased at HobbyLobby, Michaels, etc... craft stores.

[TOK]

what colour you all think I should paint the cab?

My first choice is Dark green like the dark green on cp.
any suggestions?

If not for the camo, I would have said go for a Number Of The Beast theme, since thats your real Acacia Ave tie-in.
Given the military theme now, I say paint it OD green and get the cover of the The Trooper EP on there.

[Doctor Ugs]

I thought of all camo, but with marquee and cp camo, (plus i usually wear camo pants in the winter) i think it would be overkill 

Ive thought of sticking some side art , which will come at a later time.
The Trooper is definetly one of my favourite eddie posters(still got my 80's posters in a tube)
But i was thinking of putting this Eddie...

I have a better copy on my pc. Just not sure what it will look like once blown up in photoshop. anyway, this is last thing I will be doing on cab, since It can be done after machine is in working condition.


CAB UPDATE: New colour, One coat of Dark Green(Flat)...
I'm sick of rollers and brushes so I'm spray painting the ---smurf---....


I'm now on my 3rd coat and cab looks beautiful , its like 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit for you Americans) in my garage. The paint is literally cooking on there. I'll need batteries to take more pics.

CP question. I have haps competition joysticks and my cp is 1/2 an inch plus 1/8 of plexi for a total of 5/8 of an inch(didnt want to other diffrent t-molding, i got 5/8 t-molding only)
How far can i flush mount my joysticks in the 1/2 inch mdf so the joystick sticks out more. I'm scared the mdf will be breakable if too thin. what's the max i can flush the mdf? remember it's 1/2 of an inch....

[Doctor Ugs]

Nevermind last question, i did it by eye, tested on old piece of mdf to see strenght, should hold up fine.


4 coats of paint, Joysticks and buttons installed...


Woooohoooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jeffhlewis]

What grit are you sanding with between coats?

[Doctor Ugs]

with rollers i was using 320, then 600

the green is aerosol paint in a can, i put light coats with no sanding since surface was smooth already from previous sanding. and since its flat green , i dont think ill be sanding, it really looks great as is....

[Doctor Ugs]

Cab is in house, all hooked up. Playable condition. Things left to do are..Gotta make monitor bezel, print marquee, install lighting and I'm done.
Picture taken with flash off


Picture taken with flash on.
the T-molding is all installed, but the flash distorted it.




Marvel vs Capcom running on cab.


My frontend (Mala) is themed like the cp and marquee with camo. The marquee and control panel for each game appears as you scroll through the list.
Kept it simple as this was my first time designing stuff like this. I'll eventually put more work into it when all is done.


Shot of Cab running with Attack from Mars on a pinball simulator.


Allright guys. I'm on vacation, gotta go enjoy the great outdoors.
Rock on guys.

[massive88]

How did you go about cutting the plexi for the button holes?

[Doctor Ugs]

How did you go about cutting the plexi for the button holes?

Regular good ol' spade bit.


UPDATE: brought in marquee to be printed.... bought diffuser sheet, and 90 degree angled strip(which i'll paint) to hold up my marquee.

[Doctor Ugs]

Marquee installed


Took this picture with lights on and window blinds up. You can see marquee better.


Back to my vacation I go.....

[Doctor Ugs]

Little update.

Inside the Rats nest.... Just pop the hood of the control panel and this is what it all looks like. I tried to keep it as clean as possible, which I failed.... I keep my keyboard handy for configuring software..



I bought 2 new 12v car bulbs for Coin slot. Both lights hooked up to an old 9V adaptor. Lights working nice and bright.



THE FINAL STRETCH!!!!!!!!!!!
Only got the wooden monitor bezel left to do, plus the artwork and 1 plate of glass(or plexi to cover the final assembled bezel.)

[Doctor Ugs]

Finally started painting second cab. Mine hasn't changed since last pictures(been busy building a patio space.)


Anyway, onto the arcade pics...

First coat of Flag Red on my buddies cab.


damn it looks bright in the pictures, but it actually resembles Ferrari Red in real life.


That's all for now, I'll update as things move along...

[Doctor Ugs]

Second Cabinet: 3-4 coats of red later....

Preview of fully assembled cab.


......and finally;
taking this picture was a pain, had to open every blind and every light, plus i used flashed, but you can finally see the bezel in this pic. the monitor is painted flat black as well.

my arcade is 99% complete, all that is left to do is print out a bezel overlay and cut one last piece of plexi to cover it all.
that's my windows boot screen you see on monitor...