The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Termin8tor on November 19, 2012, 02:21:02 pm

Title: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- Completed
Post by: Termin8tor on November 19, 2012, 02:21:02 pm
So I started this build today as a Christmas present for my friends twin girls. Shouldn't be to much of a problem to get it finished for Christmas, but I also work full time so I can only work on this on weekends. The painting is going to be the hardest part (fingers crossed for good weather). Here's the first pic:
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 31 days to go
Post by: Eldritch1969 on November 19, 2012, 02:44:46 pm
The Final Countdooooooooooooown  ;D
Reminds me of this hair band from Sweden, in the 80s  ;D
For girls, what kind of theme is it going to be ?
Good luck !
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 31 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 19, 2012, 05:10:46 pm
The Final Countdooooooooooooown  ;D
Reminds me of this hair band from Sweden, in the 80s  ;D
For girls, what kind of theme is it going to be ?
Good luck !

Going to be a generic theme I'm afraid, just black sides may personalise the marquee and CP though.
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 31 days to go
Post by: Unstupid on November 20, 2012, 04:06:37 am
YOU CAN DO IT! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hjqrxfvJ0A#)
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 30 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 20, 2012, 03:11:41 pm
So tonight after work I managed to get some bartop time in. Iv'e glued and screwed the sides on and sealed the edges. The edges of MDF absorb paint heavily. To seal the edges spread a layer of wood glue mixed with 50% water to the edges, apply with a sponge or thin paint brush and when dry lightly sand. This helps acheive an even coat when painting.

Title: Re: Another Bartop - 29 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 21, 2012, 09:10:47 am
Today I have attached the top back panel and drilled vent holes.
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 23 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 27, 2012, 07:01:40 am
Control panel cut out and first undercoat applied.
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 23 days to go
Post by: maffewl on November 27, 2012, 09:29:45 am
Looking good!

Is that spray paint?  And if you don't mind me asking, what color... it doesn't quite look black and has a slight blue sheen in the picture.  I might have to buy some for my build.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 23 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 27, 2012, 09:45:36 am
Looking good!

Is that spray paint?  And if you don't mind me asking, what color... it doesn't quite look black and has a slight blue sheen in the picture.  I might have to buy some for my build.  :cheers:

It's a spray primer, I'm using black because the top coat will be a black gloss.
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 23 days to go
Post by: maffewl on November 27, 2012, 09:55:19 am
Nice.  I think you have inspired me to give a "midnight blue" shade a look.
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 23 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 27, 2012, 03:26:14 pm
Attached kettle lead to PSU to power monitor.

(http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7373/sam0617f.jpg)

(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2440/sam0618e.jpg)

Nice.  I think you have inspired me to give a "midnight blue" shade a look.

Inadvertently inspiring. That's me  :D
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 22 days to go
Post by: GnobarEl on November 28, 2012, 06:09:29 am
Nice work,

what is the size of the LCD? Its 4:3?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 22 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 28, 2012, 06:43:59 am
what is the size of the LCD? Its 4:3?

It's a 4:3 ratio 17" monitor.
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 22 days to go
Post by: GnobarEl on November 28, 2012, 08:13:30 am
for this arcades, 16:9 or 4:3 ? Its the same? Witch one is preferred?
17'' is enough? Or should I go to 19'' ?

I don't have any monitor, so I'm not sure witch one I should buy.

Thanks
Title: Another Bartop - 22 days to go
Post by: DeLuSioNal29 on November 28, 2012, 08:43:34 am
Where did you get the plans?
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 22 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 28, 2012, 08:49:39 am
Where did you get the plans?

http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/drawweecade.htm (http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/drawweecade.htm)
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 22 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on November 28, 2012, 05:35:20 pm
for this arcades, 16:9 or 4:3 ? Its the same? Witch one is preferred?
17'' is enough? Or should I go to 19'' ?

I don't have any monitor, so I'm not sure witch one I should buy.

Thanks

The monitor size is very important when building a cab in my opinion. The first thing I would do is build a cardboard template and judge what size is needed. I would prefer to use a 19" on this build as there will be a lot of space around the sides of the monitor but I'm trying to keep the cost down using what I have lying around.  I will use instruction cards to break up the space. If your building a 2 player with 6 buttons each I'd go with a 19" (although I'm using a 17"  :dunno ) but a 1 player would look good with a 17" or 19".
Also I'd never use a widescreen monitor (16:9) on an arcade, it's just wrong.   
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 22 days to go
Post by: GnobarEl on November 29, 2012, 04:07:49 am
Thanks for your advice! I'm really new here. I've read the mutch as I can but I still have so many questions.

I agree with your comments, 16:9 is out of question. I don't have any TFT so I have to buy one, I will go for the 19''.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Another Bartop - 16 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on December 04, 2012, 12:25:32 pm
Today I've been concentrating on the control panel. I've painted the panel, then drilled 28mm holes for the buttons and joysticks and covered with a vinyl sheet. I've also cut a piece of lexan for the overlay and to protect the artwork.

Title: Re: Another Bartop - 14 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on December 06, 2012, 03:48:54 pm
Buttons and joysticks came in the post today. Also decided on a theme.

(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7224/93739784.jpg)
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 14 days to go
Post by: GnobarEl on December 06, 2012, 05:24:17 pm
Witch is the common number of buttons for 2 players?
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 14 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on December 06, 2012, 05:35:14 pm
Witch is the common number of buttons for 2 players?
Depends on the games you play. I play street fighter more than any game, so I always go with 6 per player.
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 14 days to go
Post by: GnobarEl on December 06, 2012, 05:38:01 pm
Yes,
I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 14 days to go
Post by: PL1 on December 06, 2012, 06:25:42 pm
I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?

You may want to have a coin button for P2 as well since some games like Simpsons and Gauntlet assign credits based on which coin slot is used.

Not sure about reset.  How often do you expect it to lock up on you?

For volume, is the "/" used for mute?   How do you plan to turn the volume up/down with just one button?

The shift keys are for pinball flippers if you want to run Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.

Most people who use "shifted functions" do it to keep kids/friends from messing with the config menus or avoid having numerous admin buttons. 

Examples of default shifted functions (http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html) on an I-Pac include:
P1 Start + P1 Right = Tab (Menu)
P1 Start + P2 Start = Esc (Exit)

If you decide to use shifted functions in place of some dedicated admin buttons, you will probably want an instruction card on the bezel for guests.


Scott
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 14 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on December 06, 2012, 06:30:46 pm
I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?

You may want to have a coin button for P2 as well since some games like Simpsons and Gauntlet assign credits based on which coin slot is used.

Not sure about reset.  How often do you expect it to lock up on you?

For volume, is the "/" used for mute?   How do you plan to turn the volume up/down with just one button?

The shift keys are for pinball flippers if you want to run Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.

Most people who use "shifted functions" do it to keep kids/friends from messing with the config menus or avoid having numerous admin buttons. 

Examples of default shifted functions (http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html) on an I-Pac include:
P1 Start + P1 Right = Tab (Menu)
P1 Start + P2 Start = Esc (Exit)

If you decide to use shifted functions in place of some dedicated admin buttons, you will probably want an instruction card on the bezel for guests.


Scott

Couldn't of said it better myself.
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 14 days to go
Post by: GnobarEl on December 06, 2012, 06:36:00 pm
I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?

You may want to have a coin button for P2 as well since some games like Simpsons and Gauntlet assign credits based on which coin slot is used.
[GnobarEl]
That's a good advice, thanks!



Not sure about reset.  How often do you expect it to lock up on you?
[GnobarEl]
Thats true!


For volume, is the "/" used for mute?   How do you plan to turn the volume up/down with just one button?
[GnobarEl]
with last version on MAME you can press \ and with left / right joystick, you can increase or decrease the volume


The shift keys are for pinball flippers if you want to run Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.
[GnobarEl]
I think I will not have flippers.


Most people who use "shifted functions" do it to keep kids/friends from messing with the config menus or avoid having numerous admin buttons. 

Examples of default shifted functions (http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html) on an I-Pac include:
P1 Start + P1 Right = Tab (Menu)
P1 Start + P2 Start = Esc (Exit)

If you decide to use shifted functions in place of some dedicated admin buttons, you will probably want an instruction card on the bezel for guests.

[GnobarEl]
I will read more about this subject!
Scott


Thanks for your advises!
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 11 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on December 09, 2012, 04:08:19 pm
Managed to get a fair bit done today. Fitted Monitor and most internals. Grounded the PSU to the motherboard and attached the speaker shelf.

(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4936/sam0651l.jpg)

(http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1220/groundck.jpg)
Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- 6 days to go
Post by: Termin8tor on December 18, 2012, 06:44:24 pm
Completed with 2 days to spare.

(http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8417/sam0679.jpg)

(http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/733/sam0687r.jpg)

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6341/sam0688b.jpg)

Title: Re: Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- Completed
Post by: Jumpman64 on December 18, 2012, 11:37:26 pm
 :applaud:

I like the monochrome/high-contrast styling.