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Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: mark shaker on January 02, 2006, 07:47:07 am

Title: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 02, 2006, 07:47:07 am
Sybil is a Spincade Kit that's had an extreme make-over.

She has 5 rotating control panels, a separate 4 player pedestal and lots of accessories.

http://www.marksarcade.com

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: menace on January 02, 2006, 08:06:09 am
WOW 5 panels--nicely done!  So were the side mounting plates and all those related fixtures part of the oroginal spincade and were modified or did you build your rotating mech completely from scratch?
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 02, 2006, 08:47:35 am
So were the side mounting plates and all those related fixtures part of the oroginal spincade and were modified or did you build your rotating mech completely from scratch?

I had to replace all the original Spincade hardware, as it would only work for 3 panel designs.

I had www.emachineshop.com make the 4 axle mounting plates (2 on the cabinet, and 2 on the drum).

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: markrvp on January 02, 2006, 11:27:56 am
Very nice.  You've got it all covered.  I really like the modular approach to the T-track panel so that you mix and match controls. 

You've done a really good job of combining the great elements of a rotating panel and the modularity ability of Doc's cabinet.

Very, Very nice!  Congrats to you.


Does the computer ever have trouble keeping all the encoder devices in the proper order?  Do the mappings in MAME always stay in place?
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 02, 2006, 02:44:57 pm
Does the computer ever have trouble keeping all the encoder devices in the proper order?
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: rdagger on January 02, 2006, 04:25:45 pm
How about a video showing the rotation?
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 02, 2006, 04:56:57 pm
How about a video showing the rotation?

I just checked my camera, and it does have a video clip mode. I'll give it a try next weekend.

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: CheffoJeffo on January 02, 2006, 07:14:35 pm
Very slick ... nice !

Cheers.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Harpal on January 02, 2006, 08:21:07 pm
that is lovely.....
cool cab, love the control panel...
great idea!!!
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: acasualtourist on January 02, 2006, 10:50:56 pm
wow....

guess I'll just go back to my half finished (for the last year) cabinet, look at it and cry...
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Nannuu on January 02, 2006, 11:21:13 pm
That is super impressive!  I REALLY like the T-track for addons.  Where did you buy the ball snaps that keep the panel from rotating?
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Bones on January 03, 2006, 05:34:32 am
Very well planned and of course I love the graphics.  ;)
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: danny_galaga on January 03, 2006, 06:57:20 am


ultra, ultra arse-kicking hardcore!!
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 03, 2006, 04:28:00 pm
Where did you buy the ball snaps that keep the panel from rotating?

Lowes Home Improvement Center.

Any home improvement center should have them. They are called "Ball Catches", and commonly used to keep closet doors shut. Look in the section with door hardware.

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 03, 2006, 04:32:40 pm
Very well planned and of course I love the graphics.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: More Cowbell on January 03, 2006, 05:44:55 pm
That thing is insane! Just like Sybil.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Bones on January 03, 2006, 06:14:32 pm
Very well planned and of course I love the graphics.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 03, 2006, 06:31:34 pm
Not at all. Could be the pics, or the paper it's printed on or whatever... but there does seem to be more pink in your CP than mine. Not saying this is good or bad it was just the first thing I noticed.

I was disappointed when I received the CPO and saw that the red on the Invaders came out as pink.

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: 2600 on January 04, 2006, 09:27:06 am
Nice.

Can you show additional pictures of the extra panels? i.e. Yoke, steering whel, shifters.
I'm interested in how these are assembeled as I can't image the part that mounts the yoke is wood.

Thanks


Also, you should do a little review of the spincade.  They don't seem to get much press and 1UP's always been a good guy around here.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: NinjaEpisode on January 04, 2006, 12:04:32 pm
Not at all. Could be the pics, or the paper it's printed on or whatever... but there does seem to be more pink in your CP than mine. Not saying this is good or bad it was just the first thing I noticed.

I was disappointed when I received the CPO and saw that the red on the Invaders came out as pink.

Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Bones on January 04, 2006, 03:56:16 pm
Not at all. Could be the pics, or the paper it's printed on or whatever... but there does seem to be more pink in your CP than mine. Not saying this is good or bad it was just the first thing I noticed.

I was disappointed when I received the CPO and saw that the red on the Invaders came out as pink.

Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 04, 2006, 05:05:52 pm
Can you show additional pictures of the extra panels? i.e. Yoke, steering whel, shifters.
I'm interested in how these are assembeled as I can't image the part that mounts the yoke is wood.

Here is a high resolution pic of the 2 Speed Shifter:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mshaker/images/2-Speed-Shifter.JPG


What you can't tell from the picture is that the shifter is mounted to a couple pieces of Angle Aluminum, which are in turn mounted to the sides of the enclosure.

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 04, 2006, 05:12:58 pm
Mark if you got that printed from MameMarquees.com shoot Scott an e-mail.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 04, 2006, 05:19:08 pm
Also, you should do a little review of the spincade.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 04, 2006, 05:25:05 pm
It makes for an interesting example showing the differences between printers and choice of paper.....

Apart from being pink where mine is a deep red, the background invaders in your image are much more noticeable. On my print they are subtle, you have to look very close to see at least one of them.

When I get home I will take another pic that illustrates exactly what I mean.

The differences in the background could be me. I could not copy your original background as resizing the background deformed the circle. I had to create a new background of the proper size, and adjust the Illustrator's sliders to match. (Although as viewed on my monitor, I  I did have a close match to your original.)

After the background was created, I did copy all the other elements directly from your original.

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 04, 2006, 06:54:48 pm
How about a video showing the rotation?

Due to overwhelming demand (Only from rdagger, but it was overwhelming!)  I've posted a video.

It's a Quicktime Movie, 5 MB in length.

It's on my home page: http://www.marksarcade.com

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: rdagger on January 04, 2006, 07:46:56 pm
Due to overwhelming demand (Only from rdagger, but it was overwhelming!)  I've posted a video.
It's a Quicktime Movie, 5 MB in length.
It's on my home page: http://www.marksarcade.com

Very cool idea to increase the number of panels.  Impressive re-engineering.  I guess the only drawback is the more panels the less height you have for the controls. 

I think you must get the record for the most controls in a single cab.


Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Silver on January 04, 2006, 10:51:55 pm
Really nice... and technically impressive...

Hope you don't mind a couple of questions:

How much clearance do you get heightwise for your controls? Whats the Diameter of the Circle/star?

I'm also not completely clear how you've got the rotation and catches working (this is me being a bit stupid I think) - have you got any more info/pics on this?

Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Frosty on January 04, 2006, 11:24:57 pm
Very impressive...
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Nailz on January 05, 2006, 01:09:35 am
Wow.... that is awesome.

I'll be right back, I need to take a hatchet to my less than worthy project now....   :'(
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: 2600 on January 05, 2006, 08:16:53 am

Here is a high resolution pic of the 2 Speed Shifter:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mshaker/images/2-Speed-Shifter.JPG


What you can't tell from the picture is that the shifter is mounted to a couple pieces of Angle Aluminum, which are in turn mounted to the sides of the enclosure.

   - Mark


Hmmm.  Angled Aluminum hadn't thought of that.  Did you use that for your yoke and steering wheel panels as well? The steering wheels aren't usually hard to mount, but the yoke usually requires some thought or a metal shop.

This is one project in a while that I really wanted to see more assembly pictures.  The T Track is just something I hadn't thought of and actuallycould be used in a lot more ways in addition to how you used them.  Really nicely thought out.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 05, 2006, 04:58:43 pm
How much clearance do you get heightwise for your controls?

The short answer is 5 1/2 inches near the back of the panel.

The long answer is ...

On Sybil, the limiting factor is actually the front door, which cuts into the control panel drum's circle. The 7" tall trigger grips on Panel 5 can actually roll into the cabinet just fine. But the if the Trigger grips are left in place on Panel 5, you could not close the front door when using Panel 1.

Also, it varies a little between panels, as there are actually 2 control panel profiles. Panels 1 - 3 have a normal incline. Panels 4 & 5 are level to the floor.

Whats the Diameter of the Circle/star?

28 1/2 inches.

I'm also not completely clear how you've got the rotation and catches working (this is me being a bit stupid I think) - have you got any more info/pics on this?

On each side of the control panel drum, there are 5 ball catches around the axle.
On the cabinet sides the metal plate that holds the axle also has 5 holes to receive the ball catches.

The effect is a little like a dented dial on a radio.

In reality, closing the front door is what really locks the panel in place. There is a ledge near the top of the front door. The backsplash from the panel under the one in use rests on the ledge. I can actually lean on any control panel, and it won't budge. (Thank you 1UP!)

Check out the Quicktime movie I posted on my homepage to see the panel in action. You can actually hear the catches snap into place.

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 05, 2006, 05:06:59 pm

Hmmm.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Silver on January 06, 2006, 01:00:48 am
Thanks for all the answers, think I've got the drum rolling mech now.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: dema on January 06, 2006, 01:32:23 pm
Crap! That's impressive. I vowed not to try another rotating control panel after my Rebirth-style 3 panel cabinet, but after seeing yours I might have to go back on that claim. I am itching to get my Xbox and some rotary sticks in the cabinet.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Harry Potter on January 06, 2006, 01:42:26 pm
cool
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 06, 2006, 05:02:47 pm
Crap! That's impressive. I vowed not to try another rotating control panel after my Rebirth-style 3 panel cabinet, but after seeing yours I might have to go back on that claim. I am itching to get my Xbox and some rotary sticks in the cabinet.

Get busy! Even starting with the Spincade Kit, Sybil took 4 months  every weekend and many evenings.

If you start from scratch you can eliminate the bottom drawer and store the PC someplace creative, like behind the marquee. Then I'm sure you can make the drum larger and have more than 5 panels!

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: dema on January 06, 2006, 09:05:36 pm
It took me over a year to get my  three panel cabinet completed (but I moved a couple times and didn't have a good workspace for a lot of the time. Besides, I don't think I can convince my wife to give up that kind of time again, especially since I just got my first cabinet up and running a couple weeks ago, and I have a 2 year old and another one due in March.

Maybe next year I'll give it a shot. Or else I'll just work quicker and more efficiently this time.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 06, 2006, 10:10:43 pm
It took me over a year to get my
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: PetitMorte on January 17, 2006, 11:28:26 am

If you start from scratch you can eliminate the bottom drawer and store the PC someplace creative, like behind the marquee. Then I'm sure you can make the drum larger and have more than 5 panels!

   - Mark

Actually, what I was thinking of is instead of a drawer, how about having the kick-plate rotate out and down, and have the gas/brake pedals mounted to that?
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 17, 2006, 07:18:56 pm

If you start from scratch you can eliminate the bottom drawer and store the PC someplace creative, like behind the marquee. Then I'm sure you can make the drum larger and have more than 5 panels!

   - Mark


Actually, what I was thinking of is instead of a drawer, how about having the kick-plate rotate out and down, and have the gas/brake pedals mounted to that?


Perfect ! ! !

    - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: PetitMorte on January 23, 2006, 06:14:51 pm
Got a question for you Mark...  How high is the control panel?  From the video, it looks like the control panel doesn't quite come up to your belt when you're standing in front of it.

I've been fiddling with drawing up plans for my own spinner, and compared to 1-up's and Frosty's and from what the video shows of yours, it looks like mine is going to be ungodly tall... the top of the monitor bezel is at about six feet, and then the marquee would be above that.  But then I'm trying to set the CP at about 37 inches, the same as a pac/galaga cab.
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 23, 2006, 08:30:08 pm
Got a question for you Mark...  How high is the control panel?  From the video, it looks like the control panel doesn't quite come up to your belt when you're standing in front of it.

The front edge of the control panel is 33 1/2" from the floor, and slopes up from there.  (This is actually 1" lower than 1UP's original Spincade design. )

Being 6' 4" I would have preferred it a bit higher, but it is still comfortable to play.

As you know, I retro-fitted the panels to an existing cabinet. The CP drum is as big as is possible. There is NO additional room below the monitor or above the inside cabinet floor (The floor is rather high because of the casters and storage drawer.) To make the 5 panel drum it fit I started with 1UP's original CP profile, and reduced the depth of the Panel and height of the Backsplash & Apron by 1" each.

   - Mark

Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Silver on January 23, 2006, 08:31:35 pm
Good question.... do you have any plans at all? even if just for your additions?

Edit: ah forgot you started an exisiting cab. Any plans of the cp?
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 23, 2006, 09:17:22 pm
Good question.... do you have any plans at all? even if just for your additions?

Edit: ah forgot you started an exisiting cab. Any plans of the cp?

Out of respect for 1UP's Patents Pending, I won't provide any exact plans.  But between what 1UP, Frosty & I have posted on our websites, you should be able to come up with a solution that's best for you.

Besides, designing the "perfect" cab is half of the fun.  :-)   

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: menace on January 25, 2006, 01:44:24 pm
My cab with spinning control panels ended up taller than I prefferred but i love having the flip down pedals so i had to add some extra height for those--and guys with spinners can attest--having the control panel spin pushes the monitor up or out of the way to accomodate it so you do end with a slightly different profile than a standard cab.

I so love those 5 rotating panels! :D
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 25, 2006, 06:32:22 pm
My cab with spinning control panels ended up taller than I prefferred but i love having the flip down pedals so i had to add some extra height for those--and guys with spinners can attest--having the control panel spin pushes the monitor up or out of the way to accomodate it so you do end with a slightly different profile than a standard cab.

I so love those 5 rotating panels! :D

I found the thread with all your construction pics: "MAME II-and so it ENDS!"

Terrific job on your cabinet!

Do you know of any other Pacmania inspired cabs that are worth checking out?

   - Mark

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: Brax on January 26, 2006, 04:12:37 pm
My cab with spinning control panels ended up taller than I prefferred but i love having the flip down pedals so i had to add some extra height for those--and guys with spinners can attest--having the control panel spin pushes the monitor up or out of the way to accomodate it so you do end with a slightly different profile than a standard cab.

I so love those 5 rotating panels! :D

I found the thread with all your construction pics: "MAME II-and so it ENDS!"

Terrific job on your cabinet!

Do you know of any other Pacmania inspired cabs that are worth checking out?

   - Mark

   - Mark

http://arcade.tomvanhorn.com/

http://www.the-mametrix.com/index2.htm
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 26, 2006, 10:12:56 pm
http://arcade.tomvanhorn.com/

http://www.the-mametrix.com/index2.htm

Thank you!   

   - Mark
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: rwhip41 on January 26, 2006, 10:56:46 pm
Nice job on the cab...actually inspiring.

Reading thru this, being that it's the first time I've seen a spinning CP, does the spinner have an "auto-stop" such as some sort of protrusion from the spinner to it can't keep spinning in one direction? I ask because I was curious how the wires were dealt with between the individual CPs to the encoder and the encoder to the PC so the wires don't keep wrapping around the axle).
Title: Re: Check-Out Sybil
Post by: mark shaker on January 27, 2006, 07:10:15 am
Reading thru this, being that it's the first time I've seen a spinning CP, does the spinner have an "auto-stop" such as some sort of protrusion from the spinner to it can't keep spinning in one direction?

Yes. The sides of the control panel drum are inset about 1/2" from the edges of the control panel.

In this gap between the control panel drum sides and the cabinet:
A rubber bumper is mounted on the control panel sides, and angle aluminium is mounted to the cabinet sides to act as stops for the rubber bumpers.

You can see these parts on the first two pictures of my construction page.

   - Mark