The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: SnaXen on June 06, 2013, 08:02:23 am

Title: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. 8.aug. Video.
Post by: SnaXen on June 06, 2013, 08:02:23 am

Hi everybody.

After lurking around the forums for quite some time, I finally decided to build myself a mame cab. I really liked the design of Unstupid and i64x, so I used their pictures as inspiration.
Not the best pictures because I only had a mobile phone to take the pictures with, sorry. Also would like to point out that english is not my native language, so maybe I dont use the correct words and so.

I started about 3,5 months ago by making a rough sketch that I used to make a cardboard mock-up, just to see how it turned out (had to make some adjustments before I started with the MDF  ;D ).

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290687;image)

Then I used the cardboard side to make me a 6mm thick template for the side panels.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290689;image)

Used a router with a flush trim bit to make two identical side panels.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290691;image)

Then I cut and fitted the rest of the mdf. Her are some pictures of the process. Instead of using t-moulding, I decided to round the edges with a router. Came out quite nice.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290693;image) (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290695;image)  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290697;image)  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290697;image)  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290699;image)

Test fitted the monitor (a 19" LCD 4:3)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290701;image)

Then I drilled out the CP.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290705;image)

Inserted nuts for mounting the joystick, and filled it with spackle.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290707;image)  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290709;image)

Then I cut the plexiglas for marquee and CP. And bent the plexi to 90-degree angle over the cp.  For the holes in the plexi, I use a step drill bit to make the holes, and then I used a router with a flush trim bit to make the Plexiglas holes identical to the mdf-holes.
And now I am ready to sand, prime, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand (or whatever it takes).
Hoping for some nice weather (and some spare time) because I need to do this outside.
Here are the pictures of where I am at in the build as of today.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290711;image)  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290713;image)  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290715;image)  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=290703;image)

Please comment on my build, good or bad, all inputs are welcome. Also, please ask if you have any question to me or about my build.
I have no time estimate on the build. I do a little when I have some spare time, and it will be finished when it is finished  ::) ???

Edit: Changed topic.

-=SnaXen=-

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: Tropps on June 06, 2013, 03:00:53 pm

Looks good so far! I'm in the beginning process of designing a similar bartop. I want to have two player controls as well but am trying to decide between a wider screen area with a bezel or having the front controls be larger ala http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,113966.msg1210322.html#msg1210322 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,113966.msg1210322.html#msg1210322)

Look forward to seeing more progress!

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 03:19:37 pm

First Build. Or First time trying anything like this. Not a chance. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Anyway. Its very very nice. I like the look and the CP looks very nice. But first time??? C,MON :badmood:

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: SnaXen on June 06, 2013, 04:06:35 pm

Quote from: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 03:19:37 pm

First Build. Or First time trying anything like this. Not a chance. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Anyway. Its very very nice. I like the look and the CP looks very nice. But first time??? C,MON :badmood:

Thank you, for your kind words.

It's really my first time building an arcade or anything big. It's also my first time working with MDF.

I have tested the router before, but nothing this big. Just some edges of shelves and stuff.
I have tried and made errors, and had to redo som stuff. But my rule now is mesure 3 times before I cut anything. I also use testpieces to trialcut edges before I do the real cut.
Was a bit scared about working with plexiglas, but it was not so hard. Easy does it :D

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: GregD on June 06, 2013, 04:34:53 pm

One small suggestion.  Looking from the front, it looks like you have some wooden blocks backing your marquee.  When you light the marquee, you will have two dark spots where those blocks are to the left and right.  Might want to use a different method.  Looks great so far.

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: SnaXen on June 06, 2013, 05:12:37 pm

Quote from: GregD on June 06, 2013, 04:34:53 pm

One small suggestion.  Looking from the front, it looks like you have some wooden blocks backing your marquee.  When you light the marquee, you will have two dark spots where those blocks are to the left and right.  Might want to use a different method.  Looks great so far.

Thanks.

I have noticed it. One of my mistakes ;) But I have glued the wood, so it have to stay like that.
So my workaroud is to have a black marquee with red letters. Only the red will let the light trough, and the black will block all light.

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 05:47:04 pm

Quote from: SnaXen on June 06, 2013, 04:06:35 pm

Quote from: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 03:19:37 pm

First Build. Or First time trying anything like this. Not a chance. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Anyway. Its very very nice. I like the look and the CP looks very nice. But first time??? C,MON :badmood:

Thank you, for your kind words.

It's really my first time building an arcade or anything big. It's also my first time working with MDF.

I have tested the router before, but nothing this big. Just some edges of shelves and stuff.
I have tried and made errors, and had to redo som stuff. But my rule now is mesure 3 times before I cut anything. I also use testpieces to trialcut edges before I do the real cut.
Was a bit scared about working with plexiglas, but it was not so hard. Easy does it :D

Well my friend I have to say you have a very natural talent for working with wood and a good eye for building.  :applaud: Like I said before I like it a lot.  :laugh:

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: rablack97 on June 06, 2013, 05:54:17 pm

Quote from: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 03:19:37 pm

First Build. Or First time trying anything like this. Not a chance. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Anyway. Its very very nice. I like the look and the CP looks very nice. But first time??? C,MON :badmood:

+1

Bending plexi at that.....i smell BS

 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

Title: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: TPA5 on June 06, 2013, 06:23:13 pm

Quote from: rablack97 on June 06, 2013, 05:54:17 pm

Quote from: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 03:19:37 pm

First Build. Or First time trying anything like this. Not a chance. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Anyway. Its very very nice. I like the look and the CP looks very nice. But first time??? C,MON :badmood:

+1

Bending plexi at that.....i smell BS

 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

Plexi can be bent with a heatgun, it's just a bit tricky and takes patience.

Good looking bartop, I like the way the plexiglass wraps down the front, looks classy!

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: SnaXen on June 07, 2013, 02:41:01 am

Quote from: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 05:47:04 pm

Well my friend I have to say you have a very natural talent for working with wood and a good eye for building.  :applaud: Like I said before I like it a lot.  :laugh:

Thank you.

Quote from: TPA5 on June 06, 2013, 06:23:13 pm

Plexi can be bent with a heatgun, it's just a bit tricky and takes patience.
Good looking bartop, I like the way the plexiglass wraps down the front, looks classy!

I used a heatgun. Had a piece of wood on the end of the plexi.  First I heated it well and evenly from below, and when the plexi started to bend a little by its self I started to heat from the top. Then it bendt down quite quick. Was a lot easier than I tought. But maybe it was beginners luck :D

I also like the look of the plexi bending down, and this was one of the things I wanted to try. Had a plan B to skip it if I failed big on the bending, but now I am trilled with the result.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words everyone.
Maybe not so good for my ego, but I like the feeling it gives me :D

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: TheDude on June 08, 2013, 02:49:37 am

Serious skills at work here.
If it's your first build, it's really great !

Look forward to see more !

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: SnaXen on June 11, 2013, 03:30:52 am

Started sprayspackling last night. Ran out of spray spackle before I finished my first layer :(

So now I must get more before I can continue. And it seems that there is no time to continue before the weekend.
Will post pictures when I have finished the first layer and sanded it down-

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: SnaXen on June 13, 2013, 08:43:56 am

First layers of spray filler done. Had to fix some grooves with spackle, will need to sand it down before next layers of spray filler.

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: SnaXen on July 08, 2013, 05:03:59 am

It's alive!! (Sort of). Just temporary artwork in paper.
Computer is not mounted inside yet. I wanted to test the PC before I took it apart and mounted it inside.
Installed windows last night, hopefully I will have time tonight to continue to install hw and sw.

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: DickTurpin on July 11, 2013, 05:35:32 am

Quote from: sabreerbasAlpha on June 06, 2013, 03:19:37 pm

First Build. Or First time trying anything like this. Not a chance. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Anyway. Its very very nice. I like the look and the CP looks very nice. But first time??? C,MON :badmood:

I agree with this totally. Not only is it a classy build with professionalism you could only get through experience XP points but...

I see your workshop you've more tools than the Justin Beiber fan club .

EDIT: Although fair play to you whatever your experience level it can't be said its not a great build and that you have mucha habilidad  :cheers:

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. Almost finished. 8.july
Post by: TheDude on July 12, 2013, 01:22:43 pm

Looks really good !

Title: Re: SnaXens Arcade or SnaXencade. 2-player bartop. Build from scratch, first try.
Post by: SnaXen on August 05, 2013, 03:20:39 am

Quote from: DickTurpin on July 11, 2013, 05:35:32 am

I agree with this totally. Not only is it a classy build with professionalism you could only get through experience XP points but...

I see your workshop you've more tools than the Justin Beiber fan club .

EDIT: Although fair play to you whatever your experience level it can't be said its not a great build and that you have mucha habilidad  :cheers:

Thank you for your kind words.
It's sadly not my workshop or tools, it's my neighbours. Bud he let me use it for free :D

Before I have only done some building on my house, but nothing like like building furniture ore something, just walls. So it is really my first time building something like this. It's also my first time useing MDF and plexiglass.

Quote from: TheDude on July 12, 2013, 01:22:43 pm

Looks really good !

Thank you!!

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. Almost finished. 8.july
Post by: Le Chuck on August 05, 2013, 07:47:44 am

I bent plexi on my first build too.  Tho you did everything else 10x better than my first build so kuddos to you.  Very clean, very sharp, well done.   :applaud:

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. Almost finished. 8.july
Post by: yotsuya on August 05, 2013, 11:40:18 am

For a second there, I thought Vigo was finally building a dedicated SnacksNJackson machine.

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. Almost finished. 8.july
Post by: mcseforsale on August 05, 2013, 11:55:59 am

subscribed.  bartops are next on my list now that the basement is done.

AJ

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. Almost finished. 8.july
Post by: SnaXen on August 08, 2013, 10:00:26 am

Quote from: Le Chuck on August 05, 2013, 07:47:44 am

I bent plexi on my first build too.  Tho you did everything else 10x better than my first build so kuddos to you.  Very clean, very sharp, well done.   :applaud:

Thank you. It means a lot to me.

AJ: Bartops are great. But I belive that it's more work than a fullsize cab. Not sure because I have not built a fullsize yet :D

Here are link to a short video i shot last night. Showing the boot (with semi-hidden windows 7) and a little of my Hyperspin.
It still only temp artwork on the marquee.
Anyway, here it is. Enjoy : My homemade Arcade machine. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWnEpN93Pf8#ws)

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. 8.aug. Video.
Post by: Brian74 on August 08, 2013, 11:50:56 am

Is it just me or does the intro video have bad lag? Could be my phone.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. 8.aug. Video.
Post by: SnaXen on August 09, 2013, 09:09:52 am

Quote from: Brian74 on August 08, 2013, 11:50:56 am

Is it just me or does the intro video have bad lag? Could be my phone.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

There are no lag in the original video, but I used youtubes function to fix my shaky filming. I guess it screwed up the video i little bit. :P

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. 8.aug. Video.
Post by: TheDude on August 10, 2013, 03:43:31 am

Cool video !  :)

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. 8.aug. Video.
Post by: Unstupid on August 10, 2013, 04:53:56 am

Hey that's a nice looking bartop...  Congrats on you're first build.  I watched the video and here's the thing... Whenever someone shows their bartop they only show video of the front end, then scrolling through their massive game list, and video of them playing a game.  That's not what people want to see.... Everyone knows how front ends work and what the game looks like.  If you told me you are running hyperspin and that it can play Shinobi I could picture that in my head...  Turn on the lights and show us the cab.  Show us your construction skills.  Show the bent plexi cp cover.   Show us what kinda hardware (joysticks, buttons, encoder, monitor, computer etc. etc.) you are using and why!  That's what we want to see!  ;)

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. 8.aug. Video.
Post by: rablack97 on August 10, 2013, 09:38:30 am

Quote from: Unstupid on August 10, 2013, 04:53:56 am

Hey that's a nice looking bartop...  Congrats on you're first build.  I watched the video and here's the thing... Whenever someone shows their bartop they only show video of the front end, then scrolling through their massive game list, and video of them playing a game.  That's not what people want to see.... Everyone knows how front ends work and what the game looks like.  If you told me you are running hyperspin and that it can play Shinobi I could picture that in my head...  Turn on the lights and show us the cab.  Show us your construction skills.  Show the bent plexi cp cover.   Show us what kinda hardware (joysticks, buttons, encoder, monitor, computer etc. etc.) you are using and why!  That's what we want to see!  ;)

+1

Title: Re: SnaXenCade. 2-player bartop. Scratch build, first try. 8.aug. Video.
Post by: SnaXen on August 12, 2013, 02:26:13 am

Quote from: Unstupid on August 10, 2013, 04:53:56 am

Hey that's a nice looking bartop...  Congrats on you're first build.  I watched the video and here's the thing... Whenever someone shows their bartop they only show video of the front end, then scrolling through their massive game list, and video of them playing a game.  That's not what people want to see.... Everyone knows how front ends work and what the game looks like.  If you told me you are running hyperspin and that it can play Shinobi I could picture that in my head...  Turn on the lights and show us the cab.  Show us your construction skills.  Show the bent plexi cp cover.   Show us what kinda hardware (joysticks, buttons, encoder, monitor, computer etc. etc.) you are using and why!  That's what we want to see!  ;)

I see your point there. I will try to record a new video another day.

Thank you for your kind words, it means a lot. Since your, and i64x's, builds is what inspired me to build my own :D