Digital Dream Machine 08 - My First cab

[koinsatx]

Some more updates:

The CP has been wired. I did order both an IPAC and a OPTIPAC but discovered a small problem. Being the noob, I did not realize that the 3" happ trackball came with the PS2/USB interface already. The slick stick spinner also came with a usb interface so it looks like I will have an OPTIPAC left over for the next project.

The wiring actually went quite easy but did take some time and a lot of .187 connectors. Advice here is to go buy bulk .187 conx from somewhere. I purchased mine at the local Radioshack but unfortunately they only had packets of male/female not female only. So I ended up buying a lot of packs and having a ton of male connectors left over.

I would say I have approx 80 hours into the project so far.

[koinsatx]

While building this project, I had always had problems with the name of the cab. In the processing of designing the logo and CPO I realized that this dream of building an arcade machine was not as easy as imagined. The time the project is taking, the money and just the implementation is turning from dream into delusion.

Though I would not trade this experience for anything except maybe building another cab, it is a great experience. Though the sound of Digital Delusions seemed more fitting.

From this point on, we have a new name.

As far as the actual artwork, I contemplated my paths. I looked at several of the marquee vendors but didn't see anything that caught my eye. So I sat down at photoshop and with my limited artistic ability worked something out after several hours.

I took it to the local Kinkos and they were able to produce it on some excellent material.  Thanks for the tip Paul!. I took them my PSD formatted file (600Meg) and they uploaded it into their system. HINT:  save it as a PDF and save yourself a Kinkos $5 fee to convert it to PDF. This is the only format they will print from.

For the marquee, It is printed on translucent backlit vinyl. This was about $30

For the CPO, I printed on a indoor vinyl since I was covering it with Lexan.  This ran $32

They turned out pretty nice.

[paulscade]

OK... now I'm jealous.      I'm happy with my hinges... but I likely would have gone with those had I known about them at the time.... also...

You've passed me up... you have your arcade named... and the art done.

I've got "artistic block"... I can't seem to come up with anything that I'm pleased with for my marquee.

I'm finding myself doing more playing... and less designing.

.... it's going to look good once you get the art on that panel!

[koinsatx]

Ok, the CP is almost finished except for wiring up some pinball buttons on the side.

 I decided to cover the CPO with a sheet of Lexan from Home Depot. The sheet was a little expensive around $30.00. By using a 1 1/8 forstner bit I was able to cut through the stuff like butter. All I can recommend here, is use some good clamps and take your time.  This is not as difficult as it may seem.

Since my CPO was not adhesive backed, I used  some DAP spray self adhesive with very good results.  Just enough to keep the material from moving.

Currently planning on how to mount the motherboard and power supply.

[koinsatx]

The marquee is up at looking good.  I decided to purchase some marquee retainer material from happ for around $14. The only problem is it shipped as 10ft minimum and comes in two 5ft pieces.  It is basically a J-shaped hard pvc type of material.  Easy to cut and definitely look good when it place.

http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/acesor/49100000.htm

Only tools used here, was a hacksaw to cut the material and several 3/4" screws to mount it.

I sandwiched the marquee sign printed at Kinkos between two 1/8" scheets of plexiglass.  While I used the Lexan for the CPO, I decided to save a little money and buy a small sheet of plexi for the marquee.