NARC to MAME Conversion

[Klomper]

After a year and a half of having a ‘temporary’ panel sitting in front of a PC, I have been working on converting a non-working NARC arcade machine into a MAME arcade.

I want to thank the members of this board for posting lots of good suggestions and instructions to get me on my way.

Actually, I am hopefully almost done with the project as I just finished priming it for paint. I did take some pictures along the way and will post some details about the process in hopes that someone may find it helpful or interesting. Right now it has no theme, just black.  I will post some details on the control panel next.

Here are some pics of the cabinet after I brought it home.  I love how it is modular- makes it so much easier to carry!

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[Beretta]

like to see more, that looks like an original narc cab.

to bad the side art is not in such great shape, that was one of my favorite games and playing it still holds up even today, and of course blowing drug dealers up with rockets.. priceless.

[mini77]

I know the name, but I can't remember the NARC game.  Did anything else come in that type of modular cab?

[shardian]

That is definitely a dedicated NARC cab. I have a Narc Mame. It is a great cab to leave stock with MAME in it. The button layout is ideal for pretty much any game.

[Klomper]

Shardian,

What are you using for the monitor in your Narc Mame? If the original monitor how do you have it connected? I was planning on using a 19" CRT but if I could use the original that would be preferred, although being medium res. I didn't think it could be done.

[shardian]

You can't use the original monitor, but that med res monitor is worth good money if in nice working condition.

I used a decased 19" pc monitor. It was a fairly straight forward monitor install, and the chassis can just sit on the floor of the monitor compartment. A 21" monitor just barely did not fit.

[Klomper]

Here is some detail on the control panel for the arcade.  I cut two pieces of wood to the dimensions of the original panel.  A bit tricky for a table saw noob as there were quite a few angles but with the help of a protractor and some tests cuts everything came out as expected. 

I designed the panel in Visio using the button, joystick and trackball stencils available on this site.  I then printed it out full scale and taped the pages together.  I then taped it to the top of the panel to drill pilot holes for the placement of the controls.  I had to router out the bottom of the panel for the trackball but I also routed out a bit for each of the joysticks so they would be a bit longer (definitely needed for the J-stick as all are bottom mounted.  Then using hole saws I drilled the openings.

The design is basically what I was using for my test panel with small adjustments for width and to add the trackball.

The equipment is:
Happ Comp Joys for P1 and P2
J-Stick for the 4-way
X-Arcade Trackball
I went with 7 buttons for 1 and 2, 2 at the 4 way, P1/2 start and coin and Esc and Pause admin buttons
The buttons and joys will be connected through and IPAC

[shardian]

Why didn't you use the existing panel?

[Klomper]

Here are some photos of the cabinet after priming.  I used Rustoleum sandable automotive primer, sanded between coats and ended up with a nice smooth finish. 

[Klomper]

Here are some photos of the cabinet assembled and painted.  For the cabinet I used a foam roller and Rustoleum semi gloss enamel.  I was happy with how it turned out though its definitely not perfect, you can see some slight roller lines if the light hits it just right.

I'm not sure why but the control panel would not paint as nicely, with very noticeable roller lines.  I ended up spraying it with a can of Rustoleum and  it turned out nice.  Someday I'd like to cover it with an overlay.





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