The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Kman-Sweden on May 21, 2009, 11:18:57 am

Title: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on May 21, 2009, 11:18:57 am
Hello world!
I haven't been able to talk my future wife into giving up some floor space to build a real arcade cabby yet.
But don't think that has stoped me.. Have a look at my progress and please comment it here..  ;D
My Arcade PC features Maximus arcade front end with Windows totaly hidden , working coin door, a lightgun, NES and SNES controller interface, a Tankstick and keyboard hacked function keys...

http://www.koskimaki.se/MyArcadePC.htm (http://www.koskimaki.se/MyArcadePC.htm)
Thanks.
Kman_Sweden
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: drventure on May 21, 2009, 11:51:54 am
Very nice, but I think a lot of people here won't want to follow links offsite. It's much nicer to post pics right here.

Just curious, have you experienced any problems with key ghosting using a hacked keyboard controller? A lot of people here indicate that's a common problem. The IPAC was inexpensive enough that I just went that route, plus, no soldering  :)
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on May 21, 2009, 12:11:32 pm
No external links... Ok, I got that.  ::)
I've just put alot of work into the webpage.. I hope you understand...
Since I'm using the keyboard hack for function key only (only one key press at a time) ther's no problem with ghostkeys.
And you can always add LED's and the problem is solved.
The IPAC might be inexpensive for you lot in the USA but and shipping and taxes and it's a lot more than the ZERO I payed for the old keyboard. ;)
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: BobA on May 21, 2009, 12:36:40 pm
Looks to be a good start.   As for attachments please see notice below.

From Saint (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92511.0)
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: drventure on May 21, 2009, 01:23:29 pm
Quote
The IPAC might be inexpensive for you lot in the USA but and shipping and taxes and it's a lot more than the ZERO I payed for the old keyboard.

Good point, should have paid attention to the flag in the background of your avatar  :)

Your site looks very nice btw, definitely not knocking it.

Quote
And you can always add LED's and the problem is solved.
I'm not sure I follow this. How do you mean?
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on May 21, 2009, 02:56:11 pm
Quote
And you can always add LED's and the problem is solved.
I'm not sure I follow this. How do you mean?

LED's only let current pas one way... so no ghost keys... I really can't explain it without drawing a picture.  ;D
If you google it you'll find info on the subject.
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: BobA on May 21, 2009, 05:41:00 pm
Leds are diodes so they serve as blocking diodes with the added feature of a bit of light.
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on May 23, 2009, 05:01:42 am
NES & SNES interface completed.

(http://www.koskimaki.se/res/MAME/img_1806.jpg)


I love Donkey Kong Country.

(http://www.koskimaki.se/res/MAME/img_1807.jpg)
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: dweebs0r on May 23, 2009, 07:30:43 am
Great work so far.  Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: First post to show off my work.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on June 30, 2009, 01:52:53 am
I finally got the green light from the wife to start the build of my arcade!  ;D
She caught me off my guard and now I don't really know where to begin...
I use a X-Arcade Tankstick with my Arcade PC today but have been thinking about building my own CP.
I have all buttons sorted with LED-Wiz & RGB LED's and so on but don't know what joysticks to buy.
I've heard some people go on about the U360's, are the good? Can I hook up 8 buttons to each U360 without any Key-wiz, or whatever? Is that the way to go? What do you people recommend?
I like the "4 to 8-way pull'n'twist" function of some sticks (can't remember the name of them).
At first I thought that I might just rip out the Tankstick and use that to build a new CP but I'd really like to wire things up really neat like some of you "airplane electricians" out there. ;)
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Epyx on June 30, 2009, 12:45:00 pm
I recommend immediate counter intelligence operations to ensure sustained, longterm WAF...buy her something special as a suprise thank-you or take her out for a  nice dinner. 

You have a couple of options for your CP...I have the X-arcade tankstick as well and love it but nothing beats your own custom CP and I am finally almost done with  mine.  I kept the tankstick as a great swap in panel for my bartop and to take to parties etc...the custom CP is being built with the X-Arcade trackball (which I like the feel of and its ease of setup) and Happs buttons with the U360 joy (x2) and Ipac2.

I was going to do artwork on mine but decided to go with laminate on the top of the CP rather than Lexan and artwork.

GL :)
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: cyork2 on June 30, 2009, 02:20:47 pm
Nice work so far... the web page has a lot of useful information.  Thanks for sharing.

Craig
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on July 01, 2009, 12:53:12 am
I recommend immediate counter intelligence operations to ensure sustained, longterm WAF...buy her something special as a suprise thank-you or take her out for a  nice dinner. 
Counter intelligence operation to ensure sustained, longterm WAF -Activated.
;) -Peter
Quote from: cyork2
Nice work so far... the web page has a lot of useful information.  Thanks for sharing.
Craig
Thanks. I saw your post at MA forum. I'll keep updating the build on the website.
-Peter
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Havok on July 01, 2009, 02:38:57 am
Looks good so far - but you really should drop the Xarcade panel and build your own!
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on July 01, 2009, 08:07:09 am
Looks good so far - but you really should drop the Xarcade panel and build your own!
Yeah, that's the plan. I'm just not shure what joysticks to buy. I'm thinking about the Ultimarc MagStik Plus, ball-top.
I was hoping peolpe would give me some adwise.. some pointers.. some pro's and con's..
I 'like the fact that you can change from 4 to 8-way by just pull and twist. Then again the U360 and it's usb interface seems sweet too. Any thought about these two joysticks?
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Congui on July 01, 2009, 10:11:21 am
The magsticks are an aquired taste, a lot of people hate them; me, I personally like them.  Up to now, I have just the pc and the cp (still need to build the cab, cause I'm lazy ;D), and any time I play with my brother or some friends, most of them dislike the short throw that characterizes the magsticks, which gives me an advantage over them >:D.

To summarize, the throw is too short, and most people don't like it.

Hope this help. :cheers:
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on July 01, 2009, 12:29:35 pm
To summarize, the throw is too short, and most people don't like it.
With the throw, do you men the horizontal movement from side to side? Even with the "longer" ball-top for "under-panel mounting"?
Hmmmm...?  :-\
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Congui on July 01, 2009, 12:45:01 pm
The short throw refers to the travel the stick makes from the center position to any other position: left, right, up down and diagonals.  I use the long shaft with red ball top in my sticks.  And as I said most people I know, and at this forum, seems not to like it.  But me, I love it.

Cheers, :cheers:
Congui
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: jimto on July 01, 2009, 01:29:02 pm
The magsticks are an aquired taste, a lot of people hate them; me, I personally like them.  Up to now, I have just the pc and the cp (still need to build the cab, cause I'm lazy ;D), and any time I play with my brother or some friends, most of them dislike the short throw that characterizes the magsticks, which gives me an advantage over them >:D.

To summarize, the throw is too short, and most people don't like it.

Hope this help. :cheers:

Ah...thanks..I've been putting together the parts list for the cab I'm gonna build in a few months and have looking at the Mag-StikPlus as well and was curious on the throw. Good info to know. Thanks!
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Congui on July 01, 2009, 04:38:01 pm
Glad to help. 8)
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on July 02, 2009, 12:38:09 am
Glad to help. 8)
Hey, is that a bottle of Cardhu Single Malt in your avatar?
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Congui on July 02, 2009, 10:29:32 am
Yes it is.  Really love that stuff. :cheers:
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on July 02, 2009, 11:48:23 am
I'm just gonna show you all my latest find for my Arcade Cab.
I scored some really cool "Custom Cab" signs at a local fleamarket last weekend.
I payed 40 SEK, that's aprox 5,5 USD or 4 Euro, for them both.

(http://www.koskimaki.se/res/MAME/img_1875.jpg)

I haven't made up my mind about the theme yet but a Yellow Checkers Taxi Cab theme could be cool...  :afro:
But then I'd need to find some yellow joysticks, don't think I've seen any yellow ones....
Or what about a glossy red cabby with chrome t-moding? That would bee reeeeaaaally sweet!  ;D

Any other ideas out there that I could pick from?

Congui ---> Sadly they don't do the single malt any more. They do a pure malt and then lots of it go into blended whiskys.
I got two bottles safely stored away for a rainy day (or two).  ;D
Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Epyx on July 02, 2009, 12:34:27 pm
Have you seen this taxi cab themed bartop?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=78492.0

Title: Re: Edited Subject-->Got the green light, from the wife, to start the build.
Post by: Kman-Sweden on July 02, 2009, 01:21:25 pm
Have you seen this taxi cab themed bartop?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=78492.0
No I hadn't. It was realy cool.