The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Rick on August 11, 2014, 11:07:47 pm

Title: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Rick on August 11, 2014, 11:07:47 pm
Hey guys,

So, while all of the drama has been happening with me trying to find a new and reputable CNC Shop, I've been busy working on a personal project which is a gift for a good friend of mine. Over the past couple of weeks, I've been working here and there to bring together another one of my cabinets with a memorable theme. Last time, you may remember I created a Galaga themed bartop cabinet. This time, I wanted to go the same nostalgic route, but with something that looked a bit brighter.

This time, I built a Galaxians themed bartop. But hey, I guess you already knew that from the thread title. Anyway, this thread is useless without pics!!!

(http://i.imgur.com/6JOJhjR.png)

Here's a pic of the machine from the side. A HUGE shout-out to Malenko for - once again - kicking ass in the art department. All of my side art and marquees are printed by Soul Draw, from China, who take the Mighty Malenko's fine work, and turning it into some of the most high-quality vinyl stickers I've ever worked with.

(http://i.imgur.com/6PPxR5S.png)

The MaLa Layout I'm working with is inspired by Mr. Mike Boss, and I've customized it to provide instructions at the bottom, and these switch depending on the emulator you're playing on at the time. As you'll see here, the instructions are presently configured for the MAME games in the list.

(http://i.imgur.com/vmMjcLe.png)

And lo and behold, yes she does play Galaxians!

(http://i.imgur.com/b9Yosyl.png)

A peek at the back, where I've got the standard dual 120mm fan ports working with some green LED fans. (And yes, before I go giving this baby away, I will be cleaning off all of my fingerprints!)

(http://i.imgur.com/mxmqHb4.png)

Wherever possible, I tried to go above and beyond to showcase what can be done with even the simplest of kits...

In this project, I've used some black braided wire sleeve and heat shrink tubing to hide some of the differently coloured wiring. (I know the gold speaker wires and full-colour power lines I am using bugged the hell out of me, so they also got covered up in some nice black braided wire sleeve.) I've also used black zip ties to route all of the cables properly, and keep them out of the way of the fans and other electronics.

This one has been another fun project to work on! I don't even have an idea of what I should do next.
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: rablack97 on August 11, 2014, 11:27:03 pm
very nice :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

 what brand of autoswitching outlet is that.
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: PL1 on August 11, 2014, 11:28:31 pm
Looking good.   ;D

You may want to slap a little paint on the bare wood on the top piece back edge and in the wide vent slots top and bottom.    :dunno


Scott
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Rick on August 11, 2014, 11:34:19 pm
Quote from: rablack97 on August 11, 2014, 11:27:03 pm
very nice :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

Thanks man! I'm happy to say I've learned a lot since the first bartop assembly.

Quote from: rablack97 on August 11, 2014, 11:27:03 pm
what brand of autoswitching outlet is that.

It's a Philips. I bought it at the local bargain shop. They had stacks of them last time I was in, and I believe they cost under $20, IIRC.

Quote from: PL1 on August 11, 2014, 11:28:31 pm
Looking good.  ;D You may want to slap a little paint on the bare wood on the top piece back edge and in the wide vent slots top and bottom.  :dunno

Thanks. I do plan on 'cleaning up' the cut areas a bit. I just ran out of paint, and didn't want to delay the unveiling just for that.

:D
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Knievel on August 12, 2014, 12:12:14 am
Awesome work Rick, would be proud to have that in my gameroom.

Nice to see a fellow canuck doing it right.  :cheers:
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: BobA on August 12, 2014, 01:08:23 am
Nice looking bartop.   :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Malenko on August 12, 2014, 07:39:45 am
that CP and "kick plate" turned out pretty good!  I was happy to shill help!
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: emphatic on August 12, 2014, 08:13:35 am
Terrific build! :cheers:
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Rick on August 12, 2014, 09:36:34 am
Quote from: Knievel on August 12, 2014, 12:12:14 am
Awesome work Rick, would be proud to have that in my gameroom. Nice to see a fellow canuck doing it right.  :cheers:

Thank you! As one of my original inspirations, having you comment on my work is high praise! (Because, damn. Everybody knows what "a Knievel" is!)

 :notworthy:

Quote from: BobA on August 12, 2014, 01:08:23 am
Nice looking bartop.   :applaud: :applaud:

Thanks, BobA! I'm hoping to show what can be done with a little inspiration and even the most standard of kits. I realize that it's fairly basic, as far as builds go, but there's no reason I couldn't go the extra mile to try and make a super-clean build with what I have.

Quote from: Malenko on August 12, 2014, 07:39:45 am
that CP and "kick plate" turned out pretty good!  I was happy to shill help!

Happy to get paid, you mean!

;)

Seriously though, thanks! EVERYTHING looks amazing. I couldn't have done it without your expertise.

Quote from: emphatic on August 12, 2014, 08:13:35 am
Terrific build! :cheers:

Thanks! I'm going to be sorry to see this baby go! (One of these days, I've got to build one of these for me!)

:D
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: mike boss on August 12, 2014, 09:49:03 am
Amazing project Rick, truly looks fantastic.
Your cabinets are really top shelf works of art.
You put some great final touches on that machine.
The layout is also great, nice, simple and clean.
Your friend will be thrilled I'm sure.

Question - Autoswitching outlet same as a "smart strip?"
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Rick on August 12, 2014, 09:55:04 am
Quote from: mike boss on August 12, 2014, 09:49:03 am
Amazing project Rick, truly looks fantastic. Your cabinets are really top shelf works of art.
You put some great final touches on that machine. The layout is also great, nice, simple and clean. Your friend will be thrilled I'm sure.

Thanks, Mike. But enough about me, how's that Punch Out coming??!

:D

Quote from: mike boss on August 12, 2014, 09:49:03 am
Question - Autoswitching outlet same as a "smart strip?"

I believe so. There's a single "Master Outlet" which is attached to the PSU, and it drives the multiple other outlets, turning on the LCD, amplifier, and strip LED marquee. When the system is powered down, they all go down with it.
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: mike boss on August 12, 2014, 11:20:05 am
YEP! same thing.

Punch-Out!....well as you know art on the way.
Over and above that ....I can say no more.
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: HaRuMaN on August 12, 2014, 11:27:28 am
You should slot cut and T-mold that top rear panel.  :applaud:
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Rick on August 12, 2014, 11:29:35 am
Quote from: HaRuMaN on August 12, 2014, 11:27:28 am
You should slot cut and T-mold that top rear panel.  :applaud:

You're right. It's one of the oversights I am kicking myself over. I'm planning on dropping some paint on it, to fix that up, as best I can.
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: firedance on August 12, 2014, 11:49:05 am
Awesome bartop  ;D
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: jugger18 on August 13, 2014, 08:07:44 am
you could slot cut the back edge and then for the left and right where the slot cutter does not reach you can trim the to molding and glue it down?
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: mike boss on August 25, 2014, 11:18:53 am
Do you have a button wired to power up the system ? ------- I can see the black button now.
What did you use for the controls ? KADE, IPAC ?
I cant tell from the images did you have to cut the cord to fit it thru the hole in the back, then put the cord back together ?
And while your answering that, remind me, the LED buttons I got off you 12V or 5V ? (too much going on these days, I have BABY brain)
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: SpaceHedgehog on August 25, 2014, 11:43:31 am
A suitably cut and glued piece of thin high impact polystyrene sheet (plastic card), would sort that bit at the back out. That's if cutting a slot at this point is a no-no and painting wouldn't be up to the rest of the finish.

Anyway, Galaxian is the word that brought me here. Looks awesome  :cheers:
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: HaRuMaN on August 25, 2014, 12:02:58 pm
Really, you could just cut the barb off a piece of green T-molding and just glue it there. 
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: eds1275 on August 25, 2014, 01:30:05 pm
Quote from: HaRuMaN on August 25, 2014, 12:02:58 pm
Really, you could just cut the barb off a piece of green T-molding and just glue it there. 

Yeah that would be what I'd do!
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: PL1 on August 25, 2014, 01:51:49 pm
Quote from: HaRuMaN on August 25, 2014, 12:02:58 pm
Really, you could just cut the barb off a piece of green T-molding and just glue it there.
That or cut the part of the T-molding slot that you can and trim the barb for the parts you can't.


Scott
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Beskar on March 11, 2025, 01:30:31 pm
I think I just bought this unit from Facebook Marketplace.  Very impressive build.  :D
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: pbj on March 11, 2025, 07:14:29 pm
Did he fix that exposed back edge?
Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: Beskar on March 12, 2025, 09:40:49 am
Haha!  That's the first thing I checked when I went to look at it.  Reached around back and felt the top edge.  Seems he went with black paint.  The machine has held up remarkably well.  Still pristine.  Very sturdy build.  Must have been well loved and cared for by the previous owners.

When I saw the ad on Marketplace, I was not sure if this was a custom machine or a mass produced unit.  For some time I searched and did not find anything that looked exactly like it.  I decided to take a chance and told the seller I would take it.  One last search in the morning before I headed out to buy it and I found this thread.  Very happy to have come across this gem. 

Now to update the insides.  I have a rpi5 ready to set up.
The machine has a GP-wiz40 board in it.  That's new to me as I am new to this hobby.  Will have to do some research.


Title: Re: We are the Galaxians
Post by: leapinlew on March 20, 2025, 07:55:34 pm
That's pretty impressive you were able to find the build thread and the pics still worked.