Dedicated Star Wars (ESB, RotJ) Bartop - Full Width - Construction Begins

[drawfull]

After receiving my Star Wars yoke today, I decided that my mind was made up. I only have room at the moment for a bartop but I do have the width required to make this full size in that dimension. So that's the route I'm going down.

The yoke had been adapted to interface with a 15-pin gameport, but alas they're like rocking horse sh*t now so after a little surfing, I stumbled upon B-Spec Labs AKI 3.0 - A nifty little dedicated analog interface. I think the same as Mr Do used on his controller.

I am hoping to have this complete pre-painting by the end of the month as I have everything I need here or on the way:

PC: Asus EEE running XP Pro. Bartop is dedicated and it should run SW etc. They're only cheap so could always go down the pc component route if need be but am worried about heat (the juke I'm building gets VERY hot with an Athlon (I know, I know they run hot) laptop.

Control: Original SW yoke and backplate. I am getting artwork from Quarterarcade and Arcadeshop.com. Trying to anyway.

Interface: AKI from B-Spec

3/4" MDF and plan to recreate the bezel surround to match the dimensions dictated by the bartop.

I plan on painting the MDF and getting some bespoke artwork printed for the sides and marquee. Hoping to have a projected Star Wars cut out logo on the reverse.

Wood cutting should be gin tomorrow but I'll get a scan of proposed design posted prior to that.

Cheers

[IG-88]

Good luck, sounds like a cool project. 

[Stobe]

Sounds cool.

What kind of monitor are you planning on using?

I hooked up my yoke to my big cab just yesterday for some SW goodness.
(I have Mr Do's old one, as seen on his page).

-Stobe

[drawfull]

Sounds cool.

What kind of monitor are you planning on using?

I hooked up my yoke to my big cab just yesterday for some SW goodness.
(I have Mr Do's old one, as seen on his page).

-Stobe

I have a used 4:3 20" LCD on the way. I didn't want to go down the CRT route and hope with a few tweaks and good smoked plexi it'll look smart.

I was a little gutted that I couldn't hook the yoke up tonight, but I did try to buy a cheap adapter and no joy. I can wait a week and won't have the distraction of a playable panel and nothing else!!

[drawfull]

Here's a rough drawing of the cab profile. I have edited this somewhat and printed it out to scale.

The top marquee area is now better proportioned, and the 'canopy hoops' 'fit' better. The front edge follows the profile of the yoke metalwork although it is incorrect in this sketch. The dashed lines represent plexi on the sides for an enclosed feel. I am going to rebate these to be flush with the MDF sides. The larger, clearer pic is a template of the actual MDF side, although the 22.5deg from vertical line shows the profile with plexi. 

I didn't manage to pick up any materials today, but am going at 7am tomorrow morning. Joy.

I am going to make an outline jig so I can rough cut the sides then flush trim them  - hopefully that way all cuts will be perfectly straight. I was going to use photomount to stick the templates down but don't have too much faith in my tools or my skillzz

It's gonna be huge: 25"w x 28"h x 22"d - problem is mounting the screen at 45degs, makes the cab really deep and don't know a way around that while maintaining visibility.

[ChadTower]

Double check that you'll have enough depth for the yoke.  The under-CP yoke mech is pretty deep.

[drawfull]

Double check that you'll have enough depth for the yoke.  The under-CP yoke mech is pretty deep.

Ya, stood the yoke vertically on the template (critical measuring here!) and all's well

Ordered the yoke overlay (and some tapper handle inserts) just now from Arcadeshop.com, 'bout to order the CPO proper from Anthony at quarterarcade

Cheers

edit: has anyone used B-spec here re goodness of the AKI interface? I got my order acknowledgement from them and my order number is '11' - is this a good thing?

[daveb]

This is Dave, head of B-Spec Labs and creator of the AKI.  I used to run Dave's Page of Electronics at dave.bit2000.com and sell the AKI and SJC interfaces from 2004 to late 2007, and I post in these forums from time to time.  I've had my store closed for the past few months preparing to launch my new product, the AKI 3.0, which is now available at bspeclabs.com.

You might have stumbled across threads that mention the AKI or SJC interfaces, like this one: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=80732.msg842519#msg842519

I just thought I should mention that I am indeed the same Dave, and the AKI 3.0 is in fact, the successor to the old AKI and SJC boards.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments, and best of luck on the yoke project!

Regards,
Dave

[drawfull]

Dave,

Thanks for your comments. I can't wait for the unit.

Does anyone know of an app that triggers an audio sample from eg a keypress that runs in the background / systray - I was sure someone had done something similar on here but I can't find it. I don't necessarily want to use a keywiz or something, I was hoping to hack a USB interface. Any ideas?

[kayoteq]

The force is strong with this one..

I'm on a parallel track here; if you need some artwork to work from,
I've got a bunch set up on my website.. Artwork

Those are taken from those uber large scans found elsewhere on this forum.. sorry don't remember where.

..also,  all the sounds from the game in mp3 or wav format are on that page as well. May be a bit loud..

.. I'm also doing a mini. Not near finished, but basically have the case and monitor together.. a 9' Trinitron.

I went for a straight 47% reduction.. so Yoda could play. It's been put a bit more together since this picture..

[drawfull]

So today I started cutting wood. I can't believe how tricky it was to a: measure the angles of the panel accurately and b: get the supports for the panel / bezel / plexi in the right place. The panel is just sat there in these pics held on by one bolt only! Note the desperate attempt at temporary support in one of the pics.

I used a flush trim bit to fashion the second side panel. I am quite pleased with my cuts, they're pretty straight athough I cheated a litle bit. I bought enough MDF so that all panels where there are 90deg cuts required can have at least two sides from a virgin piece of MDF.

I aim to complete panels and assemble everything apart from the bezel and front and rear marquees by end of play tomorrow. All in all, for 5 hours work I'm happy

kayoteq: You're miles further than me! I will definitely need some cool artwork so thanks for the heads up

Cheers

[drawfull]

Kayoteq, your site has everything I need and more, fantastic! Definitely thanks for making me aware of it 

[pinballwizard79]

this is amazing, very nice, please hurry up & finish it so I can make it my PC's background for a while.

Seriously, thats really cool!!!!!!!

[drawfull]

this is amazing, very nice, please hurry up & finish it so I can make it my PC's background for a while.

Seriously, thats really cool!!!!!!!

If you're referring to my half-arsed attempt at woodworking then thanks!

I have a dilemma. Looking at the original bezel and my cab thus far, it seems the only way I can make a fabrication work is to use one solid piece. So I'm leaning towards forming some plexi and masking off the monitor surround with back paint from reverse. But the mouldings for the bezel sides will have to be from wood / MDF. Is it possible to simply glue these to the plexi? They will be fixed higher up to the side panels, but I would prefer if they were also fixed on the lower profile too. Is there a better way, or should I attempt to make the whole bezel out of MDF?

Thanks in advance!

[drawfull]

This morning's progress.

 

[leapinlew]

I'm loving where this is headed.... keep up the good work.

[drawfull]

I had to come up with a way of making the bezel. I still haven't decided, but I don't ahve access to lathe... So some ideas and a cheap marquee retainer:

[kayoteq]

Thanks.. I just got some fresh pictures of the marquee so I should be able to fix a few problems with the printable version I'm hosting..
Yours is looking great. I still have a few structural issues to work out, mostly in the marquee area.

I've been struggling with the 3-d monitor bezel issue as well. That just adds authenticity to the whole thing.
May have to finally make that vaccuform table I've always wanted..

[drawfull]

Thanks.. I just got some fresh pictures of the marquee so I should be able to fix a few problems with the printable version I'm hosting..
Yours is looking great. I still have a few structural issues to work out, mostly in the marquee area.

I've been struggling with the 3-d monitor bezel issue as well. That just adds authenticity to the whole thing.
May have to finally make that vaccuform table I've always wanted..

Thanks for the kind words

I looked into vacuum forming and would go for it if I was making a run of something. I figure that my mould would have to be so accurate that I may as well just make one (out of wood or similar). I check ebay regularly for the bezel and no joy - not to mention that it probably wouldn't fit my (or your, obviously) cab...

I wanted to pick up the pc today, but didn't get chance. Pretty much everywhere closes here  @ 5pm

[Franco B]

This is gonna be awesome! Love it! Keep it up 

[drawfull]

This is gonna be awesome! Love it! Keep it up 

Thanks! I just hope it turns out like what's in my head!

As of yet I don't hae my encoder  or monitor so at least I am not distracted by playability...

[melarky]

I know that one custom star wars cockpit that was posted a while back had a completely custom 3D bezel that looked pretty cool, if I remember right he had pics of it in process, looked like a bunch of pvc and wood blocks glued on a board, but once it's painted, it looked great.  I don't have the link (maybe someone else does), but that may help inspire you.

I am hoping to make a full size upright from scratch when I get the time and money.  I have been collecting parts for a while, and even have a really crappy star wars upright (major water damage etc...) that I will be able to use for measurments.  You're project looks great and I'm jealous that you're going to be playing so mucy sooner than me   Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see this one finished.

[drawfull]

I know that one custom star wars cockpit that was posted a while back had a completely custom 3D bezel that looked pretty cool, if I remember right he had pics of it in process, looked like a bunch of pvc and wood blocks glued on a board, but once it's painted, it looked great.  I don't have the link (maybe someone else does), but that may help inspire you.

I think this is the one you mean; That's kind of the look I'm going for.

I should have more progress tonight, I collect my monitor, EEE and AKI after work

[drawfull]

Good and not good progress:

Good: I got my monitor, it's a great screen for £40! Acer AL1912, really pleased with it!

Good: I got my AKI interface, looks like a nice piece of kit but not hooked it up yet

Not good: Ended up buying an Acer Aspire One, with 120GB HDD. Don't think I have the patience to get this running xp and I don't think the KI is Linux friendly. So it's going back. Or I'll end up with a netbook I won't use 
£240 OUCH

And, I won the machine below off eBay. Despite the defunct monitor which will cost a few £££ to replace and the fact that shipping will double the £120 I paid, I am pleased with my next next project
- Doesn't that manual look MINT - high hopes for the state of the cab  

[melarky]

I know that one custom star wars cockpit that was posted a while back had a completely custom 3D bezel that looked pretty cool, if I remember right he had pics of it in process, looked like a bunch of pvc and wood blocks glued on a board, but once it's painted, it looked great.  I don't have the link (maybe someone else does), but that may help inspire you.

I think this is the one you mean; That's kind of the look I'm going for.

I should have more progress tonight, I collect my monitor, EEE and AKI after work

Yup, that is exactly what I was talking about, hopefully you dug around his site because he has tons of pictures, kind of hard to navigate I guess if you don't speak french (my french is a tad rusty, haven't used it in years really), but there are a few shots where you can really see how he put his together:

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/arcade/starwars/tabl/index.htm
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/arcade/starwars/tabl/tabl11.htm
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/arcade/starwars/tabl/tabl11.htm
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/arcade/starwars/tabl/tabl11.htm
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/arcade/starwars/tabl/tabl8.htm
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/arcade/starwars/tabl/tabl9.htm
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/arcade/starwars/tabl/tabl11.htm
etc...

[drawfull]

tabl8 is the money shot

I think I'll grab some tubing 

thanks much

[drawfull]

A little progress. Damn real life!!

I made a temporary bezel, (test) fitted the monitor and installed the PC components. Also used black self-adhesive vinyl on the sides and back. Again this was just a test, as I still need to route the t-molding slots on the sides. I also received the yoke overlay from arcadeshop, looks great. (I was not that pleased with their Tapper handle inserts, as the adhesive is a bit rubbish, but they look good too)

I still need to cut the canopy hoops out, route them and fix them. I need to decide how to handle the gap between the yoke backplate and the body of the machine.

I bought a cheap fluorescent striplight but am going to use LED strips from KKDC (www.lumino.co.uk) as we supply these where I work now.

Need to decide on speakers, and am open to suggestions but I have VERY little room in the marquee space.

Some up to date pics:

Cheers

[councilface]

You need to speed this up mate. Did you know this project was featured in Gameroom magazine? My lovely SIL got me a subscription for xmas.

[retrofuture]

Any updates?

[Spyridon]

If you want to be more acurate to the original, ThisOldGame has overlays available that are much more acurate than the ones at Arcadeshop.  They weren't available when you covered yours

Here is mine (form TOG) for comparison to yours: