The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Truecade on August 12, 2011, 11:21:50 pm

Title: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: Truecade on August 12, 2011, 11:21:50 pm
I picked up a couple pristine NEC XM29 monitors a few months back, so I put together plans for a new arcade cabinet.  I really liked the general shape of Martijn's street fighter cab, so I used that as an inspiration.  The idea behind this cabinet is that is will be a dual MAME/Dreamcast cabinet with swappable control panels.  So far, I just have the Dreamcast panel. 

Here is the BOM:
NEC XM29 Monitor <--- The best arcade emulation monitor in existence! (in my opinion)
Dreamcast with VGA Box
DC control pad hacks courtesy of Haruman
White 3/4" melamine for the side panels
Interior panels are 3/4" melamine coated with vinyl laminate. 
Black t-molding
Smoked plexiglass
Happ marquee retainer
A crapload of L-brackets
Some 2x4s to reinforce the bottom frame, monitor shelf, and to hold the monitor in place
A switching power strip I found at home depot (just like the smartstrip, but less expensive)
Illuminated Pushbuttons
SpitFire Arcade Joysticks
Logitech Z-2300 subwoofer with Klipsch Satellites (the original speaker were blown....)
Custom designed Marquee and CP graphics.   I used a combination of Defender, Major Havoc, and Missile Command artwork. 
Good old off the shelf Missile Command artwork for the sides.  (I really like the original MC art.....)
2 1/2" Casters
A few cold cathodes for the marquee and front lights
AT power supply for the cathodes, button LEDs, and rear 120mm fan.
Front hinged panel and drawer for the Dreamcast

Unfortunately, I didn't document the build like I did my other 4-player cabinet.  Once I got started building, I just kept going until it was done.  I can probably post the plans/dimensions if there is enough interest. 

Now... on to the pictures.  The lighting is this room is not too good, so I was having a hard time getting my old digital camera to focus.  I could probably take some better pictures in the daylight if I moved the beast.  It probably weighs around 350lbs.  :o

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171186;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171188;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171190;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171192;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171194;image)

Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: Diablo1616 on August 12, 2011, 11:28:20 pm
Nice build! I'm really digging the orange glownat the bottom! Can I see another picturenof that element inside and out?
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: mgb on August 13, 2011, 12:12:38 am
Very nice. Thats a great cab design, great lines and I love the Missile Command art work (one of my favorite games, playwise and looks wise). I assume with a Missile Command theme, one of your control panels will have a trackball?

Great job
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: drventure on August 13, 2011, 12:41:03 am
Nice. I like how you treated that front panel with the backlights.

Really livens it up!

 :applaud:
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: emphatic on August 14, 2011, 07:45:08 am
Awesome.  ;D
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: Martijn on August 14, 2011, 09:15:25 am
Very nice, it came out great. And please share how you made that light on the bottom front panel  :cheers:
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: dandare on August 14, 2011, 10:49:57 am
Amazing. Great job!

What a great build.  Artwork looks sweet.

I,ve been scratching out some ideas for artwork and that is very inspiring.

I picked up a vga for the dreamcast recently, what a lovely picture eh?

Well done.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: Truecade on August 17, 2011, 05:02:08 pm
Here are a couple dimension pictures.  For the front panel, I basically added a 2nd panel right behind the 1st to provide a kind of backlight effect.  Just about any design could be added to the front lower panel for lighting effects, but in my case I have a big hole where the subwoofer sits.

I'll be building a dedicated vertical cabinet in the coming months and will take this backlit concept to another level...  ;)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171407;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171405;image)


Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: HaRuMaN on August 17, 2011, 05:34:29 pm
I really love seeing my controller hacks at work... it makes doing them that much more fun for me.  Can you show some pics of inside the control panel?

Nice work! Looks great!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: javeryh on August 17, 2011, 06:26:18 pm
Sweet - very nice build!
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: opt2not on August 17, 2011, 06:52:24 pm
Very nice looking cabinet. Looks pretty clean.  :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: Truecade on August 18, 2011, 05:40:59 pm
I really love seeing my controller hacks at work... it makes doing them that much more fun for me.  Can you show some pics of inside the control panel?

Nice work! Looks great!  :cheers:

I will, but I need to clean it up a bit.  ;)  Right now it looks like someone dumped a bowl of spaghetti under my control panel.  Since the wiring worked the first time I put it together for testing, I haven't been motivated to make things tidy.  You all know how it goes once you start playing...
Title: Re: Arcade Command: A Missile Command themed scratch built cab
Post by: Junix on August 19, 2011, 12:01:11 pm
Great job. The theme choose is pretty nice.