The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: JONTHEBOMB on December 10, 2005, 01:01:14 am
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Hello,
The JAM project stands for Jon's Arcade Machine Project. As some of you may know I'm working on my first cabinet at John Marshall High School. I am using LuSiD's Arcade Plans with a modified width to make my cabinet a little smaller (22inches instead of 26inches). I started out planning on three sheets of plywood with an oak veneer. Once the cabinet is finished I will stain the whole cabinet. Here are some pictures of the woods shop.
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The first picture is a 70 year old band saw that has a blade longer then 9 feet.
The second picture is the table saw where I made the majority of my cuts.
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The first picture is a stack of all my pieces cut out ready for assembly.
The second picture is showing the groove for the T-molding I did with a router on the arcade cabinet sides.
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What's inside the cabinet:
- a U3100 Well Garner 19inch monitor
- a 19" CGA Happ Vision Pro Monitor with Universal Frame
- two Sony X-Plod Speakers with a Sub Woofer
- a Happ over and under coin door
- a Smart Strip
- a computer
specs are: AMD Sempron 2200+, 256MB of RAM, 120 gigabyte hardrive, ATI Radeon 9250, and a sound blaster card.
- debating on whether to throw my xbox inside too.
Edit: At this time I'm not going to put the xbox in the cabinet.
The control panel is made up of:
- a IPAC2 encoder
- two Happ perfect 360 joysticks
- a Slikstick Tornado Spinner
- a Happ translucent blue trackball
- many clear pushbuttons, and a few colored ones
I plan on using Buddabing's LED controller to light up my control panel.
Update: Feb. 13 2006
I now plan on some how rotating my monitor. I probably will go with something similar to Mr. Salty's rotating monitor plan.
Below is the control panel design I plan to go with. Any constructive criticism is welcome.
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First picture is everything I have for my cabinet so far.
Second picture is the base of my cabinet completed.
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Wish I had access to such machinery :(
did you use a custom cp design software ?
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did you use a custom cp design software ?
Yep, that is a handy program.
Can you or anyone tell me how I could improve the layout of my control panel?
Thanks in advance.
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Theres nothing wrong with your design. You'll get all kind of replies saying add this or remove that or move that button left etc.
I think you need to go with a design you are comfortable with and fits the games you'll play most.
Or you'll end with one of those frankenpanels lurking around ;D
Mine is even simpler
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Can you or anyone tell me how I could improve the layout of my control panel?
I would review the players button positioning. They seem very close to the joystick and neo geo button 1 looks like it would be uncomfortable for an adult hand.
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Told you so
However he may has a point.
The best thing is a template, cardboard, anything - then there are no surprises
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Nice job so far.
I agree you should make a template for your contol panel before you make any cuts.
My 2 cents is your buttons are too close to your joysticks. Another thing is they are curved the wrong way. I would curve them the opposite direction. Here is an example of a panel with them curved the "opposite" direction.
Make a template with your layout and try playing with it. I think you will find that you are tweaking your wrist play that way.
One last thing, maybe add a couple buttons for coins.
Keep up the good work.
Rick
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Thanks for the feedback.
Below is my updated control panel layout. Please post even if you see a minor flaw in the control panel layout. I will make a template probably sometime after the new year.
One last thing, maybe add a couple buttons for coins.
I will be hiding the coin buttons. I want my coin mech to get a workout. I plan to make a nice wooden bowl and put it near the cabinet for people to fish coins out of.
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That shop reminds me a ton of the shop at my school. We have the same kind of bandsaw from 1935 or something like that. Our shop does have a CNC though, but we don't have much of anything else.
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That shop reminds me a ton of the shop at my school. We have the same kind of bandsaw from 1935 or something like that. Our shop does have a CNC though, but we don't have much of anything else.
That's interesting. For my school the bandsaw and a few other machines came over from the first high school that was built in Rochester.
John Marshall High School was built in 1958.
Just curious how old is your School?
Below is a picture of the sides connected to the base.
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I'm finally finished with my cabinet. :D
Now I need to finish the control panel and get everything into the cabinet.
Below are pictures.
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My cabinet has changed quite a bit since last time I posted, but there is still lots to do.
To Do List:
- Install a momentary toggle switch under the control panel to turn it off/on
Devise a way to rotate the monitor.
Now the plan is to switch the monitor orientation every month.
Instead I am going to put a sheet of greylite 14 in front of the monitor. Done!
Mess around with the Arcade VGA until I get the correct resolutions working.
Almost done with this.
Replace the micro switches with leaf switches.
Done!
Add pinball buttons to the sides of the control panel.
Done!
- Light up trackball, coin slots and buttons with LEDs. Clear buttons will have RGB LEDs.
LEDs are in place.
- Build a LED controller based on Buddabing's plans, then program it.
About half way done. I have one working LED controller and one that is not working.
- Computer components need to be removed from their case and fastened to the cabinet.
- Fans will be added to the back for air circulation.
- Attach a foot button for Battlezone
- A deluge of software will be installed on the computer.
Finish building a stool for a more comfortable experience.
Done!
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Welcome back.
I'm a big fan of pinball on a cab. The pinball buttons may be difficult to use given the overlap your panel has with the sidewalls.
Leaf switches rock!
Why remove computer components from the case?
Fans - good idea. You can put a variable resistor in-line to slow it/them down reducing some of the noise.
Build a stool - bad idea, unless you want the challenge and bragging rights. I saw a really nice one at a garage sale last weekend for $10.
Stick with it and you might get it done this summer. Good luck.
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Looks great so far - definitely "furniture grade." You might want to consider switching to LCD and make that rotate - your crt must be pretty heavy...
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I'm a big fan of pinball on a cab. The pinball buttons may be difficult to use given the overlap your panel has with the sidewalls.
Yeah, the pinball buttons will be a little difficult to use especially for people with small hands.
Why remove computer components from the case?
More air flow, easier to use, right now my CD-ROM drive faces towards the coin door so it's a pain to use.
Fans - good idea. You can put a variable resistor in-line to slow it/them down reducing some of the noise.
I like the idea of a variable resistor.
Build a stool - bad idea, unless you want the challenge and bragging rights. I saw a really nice one at a garage sale last weekend for $10.
My stool project I started after I finished my cabinet. I would say building a stool is at least 10 times harder than building a cabinet. Here's a picture of the stool still in the process of being finished:
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Looks great so far - definitely "furniture grade." You might want to consider switching to LCD and make that rotate - your crt must be pretty heavy...
Switching to an LCD monitor would make rotating a heck of a lot easier (CRT is almost 50 pounds), but I want the visuals to be as close to arcade perfect as possible. I wanted to rotate the monitor by attaching a wooden circular frame like some people have done. Unfortunately the width of my cabinet is only 22" and when trying to rotate the monitor just by hand, I have found that the monitor is to big to be rotated inside the cabinet. I look forward to the challenge of trying to figure out this problem.
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My stool project I started after I finished my cabinet. I would say building a stool is at least 10 times harder than building a cabinet.
I started my stool project after breakfast this morning and I bet I have a few completed stools by lunch.
Yeah... I couldn't help it. Every thread needs a poop joke.
Oh yeah... nice cabinet!
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Did you guys know that Jon here is just out of high School and he's got him self a MAME machine sitting in his living room that HE built. The craftsmanship is superb.
:notworthy:
Maybe I wouldn't have got in so much trouble when I was your age if I were lucky enough to have a machine in my living room just like yours!
Also, Jon bought my wifes VERY 1st casting the other day. Yep, he paid green out of his POCKET for my wifes casting. I didn't realize i was dealing with a kid man. I don't know what to say bro! I just...you. I can't believe it.
Well you are the coolest kid on that planet in our eyes!! You da BOMB!! I love it.
JAM BABY!!
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=46969.0;attach=52426;image)
JAM BABY!!
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Are you gonna make a wood bezel for that too? (sorry, haven't read too much, just looked at de purdy pikshurs ;D )
Mebbe stain it darker to set it off from the rest of everything. Nice workmanship!
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Nice cab man! You'll be running this joint one day.
Hi Saint....err how are you? :laugh:
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How cool, Jon. I'm sorry I missed this project when you started it. I really like the stain job on your cabinet. Be sure and post pictures when you get the new art from Donkey_Kong and Pinewood_Princess. :cheers:
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Sweet.
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Nice!
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I still have a ton of work to do on the JAM Project. I hopefully will finish this summer.
Thanks for all the kind comments everyone!
Below is an updated picture of my stool. The only thing left to do is upholster the seat.
I know this is a stretch, but anybody have any tips on upholstery?
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This stool is really turning out to be a pain buddy...I say cut it up and throw it in the fireplace and play some pacman or something. Stick to the important things in life ya know. ;D JK
:cheers: Stool looks great...
I'm sure there are some upholstery pros in here...
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I still have a ton of work to do on the JAM Project. I hopefully will finish this summer.
Thanks for all the kind comments everyone!
Below is an updated picture of my stool. The only thing left to do is upholster the seat.
I know this is a stretch, but anybody have any tips on upholstery?
Start stapling the fabric on the bottom of the seat. try to overlap the fabric on the bottom side of the seat to take out the slack in a somewhat even pattern. Once done, get some black felt material and cut a circle to cover up the bottom of the stool to hide all the edges and staples of the fabric.
You don't have to use the cover, but it'll look much nicer as a finished product.
That's my non-professional 2 cents.
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The stool is finished! :)
shardian's folding method worked pretty well. I could have done a few of the folds better, but the overall look is better then I expected. Pictures below.
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Updated pictures added and
Updated to do list:
- Install a momentary toggle switch under the control panel to turn the cabinet off/on
Mess around with the Arcade VGA until I get the correct resolutions working.
Almost done with this.
- Light up the trackball, coin slots and buttons with LEDs. Clear buttons will have RGB LEDs.
LEDs are in place.
- Build a LED controller based on
Buddabing's Cakemeister's plans, then program it.
About half way done. I have one working LED controller and one that is not working.
- Computer components need to be removed from their case and fastened to the cabinet.
- Fans will be added to the back for air circulation.
- Attach a foot button for Battlezone
- A ton of software will be installed on the computer.
-MaLa Frontend
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Wow!
Looks sweet man! you have certainly taken your time to do it right (My first Mame cab was horrendous! We got it not to fall apart, didn't even get teh back on, and GAME ON!
Trying to take my time on my current projects...
Looks great man!