Whammocade

[whammoed]

Finally done.

[whammoed]

Finally I can play Tron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whammoed]

Of course this was built for the classic 4-ways.

[whammoed]

Fat coin door.

[Zakk]

Awesome, great attention to detail.  Obviously a lot of thought was put into it before you started!  

[whammoed]

thanks zakk,
yes, a lot of time.  can't count how much.  I put a lot of thought into my first cab:
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/whammoed/pactacular/pactacular.htm
and to be honest, at first I thought it was perfect...until my friend asked me if I would have done anything different, then the wheels started spinning.  Next thing I knew I had 10 different ideas on how my perfect cocktail should be.  I sold the first one on ebay and started over!  What a bunch of work! but I think it paid off.  As of right now I think this one is perfect (for me and my family anyway, everyone has different likes of course) but who knows how I will feel in 6 months!  Such a demanding hobby this is!

[Generic Eric]

really nice!

[Magnet_Eye]

very nice indeed! what are the dimensions of this baby?

[whammoed]

Top is 37" x 27"
inside dimension is 25.5" x 24.5" (just enough for monitor and buttons on front with some modification to monitor brackets)  The top is similar in dimension to the ms pacman/galaga reunion tables namco has now.  Of course they don't cram in a 27" monitor...only crazy people do that. Height is normal midway table height: 29-30" depending on leg levelers.

[darktemp]

That is a GEM, definite hall of fame material.  Easily the best cocktail I've seen.  I usually don't like cocktail cabs but wow.

p.s. I like it if you couldn't tell.

[Goz]

That is one bad-ass cocktail.

-Goz

[pcdoctor]

Pretty!
I'm really getting to like cocktails and this doesn't help.
You might just put me over the edge.
My problem is when I play at Dave and Buster I never use the stool and always stand up.
I just wonder if my gameplay will be the same, worse or better with a cocktail vs a standup?
27" cocktail wow.
Now, I just want to see a 25", 27" or 33" cocktail with a three inch trackball, spinner and 4 way and I'm done.
I wonder if Hanaho, Slikstik or Mameroom will come out with a cocktail with a larger monitor?

[whammoed]

Thanks guys.  Hoped you would like it.  Here is a pic of the inside.  There are over 100 zip ties keeping all those wires under control.  Lots of fans to keep her cool.  There are two more fans on the back you can't see in the pic and one on the monitor frame to keep the board cool.  The black connectors i used to allow easy removal of a panel for maintenance are molex micro fit 3.0.  I thought they were perfect for the 22 guage wire i used.(except for the crimping tool price: $130!! yikes!! Very specific tool needed for these tiny connectors)  Maybe I could offset some of the cost by making some harnesses for those that may want them??
thanks again!

[MameMaster!]

....wow....27" screen in a cocktail!....super neat wiring, great control panel design......you missed your calling by about 20 years. We could have used your design ability back during the 80's arcade craze!....

Great Job. What was the total damage regarding your final cost (not including of course your obvious time/effort)?

MameMaster!  

[3dmacman]

Absolutely beautiful! Could you post a close up of the artwork  I am curious how the print detail came out. A nice clean cocktail, unlike my stand-up horse dung looking cab. If and when I stop playing mine maybe I could finish it.

[whammoed]

thanks, haven't added up the total cost yet but I would guess in the $2200 -$2300 range for all the parts not including the tools i purchased for the build.  That may seem high for a cab, but it does have a kick butt computer driving it: 2.8G P4 prescott, intel d875 motherboard, 160gig WD serial ata hard drive, 512MB dual channel ddr memory, radeon 7000 video, soundblaster live 5.1 audio.  Also needed two sheets of plywood for this design, where the regular midway style cab can be made with one.  I managed to sell my previous cab on ebay for $2275 so it was not too much of a financial hardship to build the second cab.  I wanted this cab to be a keeper so I tried to spare no expense when building it.  I tried to find the least expensive options without compromising any details, I guess sometimes things just cost what they cost.  

[whammoed]

The art work is another bad story about kinkos with a happy ending.  I don't know why but i thought i would give kinkos a try.  I wanted laminated vinyl.  The first try had some graininess and bleeding so they tried again.  The second time looked awsome.  I was happy till I got it home, cut it out, and realized it was laminated paper, not vinyl, not what I paid for.  Although it looks perfect and I guess laminated paper under glass would probably be plenty durable, it was not what I paid for.  So the good news is I got a refund and they let me keep the print.  So I am able to "try before I buy".  I plan on having classic arcade graffics print it for me on laminated vinyl, but first I am going to just enjoy the one I have and give myself some time to think if I would change anything.  So if you guys have any suggestions like more characters, less characters, colors etc. let me know.  So far I really like it though.  The pic is of the first try by kinkos as i don't have a pic of the one i'm using handy.  Doesn't really show the imperfections well.  I can tell you the one on the machine looks perfect.  Great color and super crisp lines.

[AGGIEZ]

DAMN!!!  

That is the coolest cocktail I've EVER seen!! The 27" monitor is AWESOME!! Good job whammo!

[pocketbikez]

sweet cab. i like how you have controls on each end for vertical and horizontal games. it looks like you really took your time and made each part perfect. very clean very nice. i bet its cool how the illuminated buttons light up the control panel at night.

did you have a hard time lifting the monitor into the cab? those d9200's are heavy and setting it at that angle looks tough.

[whammoed]

Yeah, they are heavy.  Bout 80 lbs i think.  I was able to do it though.  I mounted the monitor to the top first while it was not yet attached to the side (by the hinge)  I then slid it over to the cab and tilted it to an angle where i could screw on the hinge, so its not quite as difficult as you might think.  Still 80 lbs is 80 lbs!
I do like the illuminated buttons and trackballs and windows and coin door...lots of lights.  I replaced all of them with led's except for the windows to cut down on all the extra heat.  The stock lights on those buttons get extra hot.  You did something similar with the buttons on one of your cabs, right?  The driving one?

[Dartful Dodger]

WOW! FANTASTIC ITEM!, A+++++++++++, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

[pocketbikez]

ahhh, i just noticed the cool white plexi pieces that have lights behind them. a nice low glow to illuminate the controls when playing in a dimly light arcade.

i have just one illuminated button on the driving cab, plus the spyhunter weapons van button. i like how the button lights up the controls right underneith, kind of like a dim spotlight. the discs of tronathon and qbert cabs have two lighted buttons that illuminate the keyboard when i pull the drawer out. i didnt plan it that way but when i played it for the first time in the dark i thought hey thats pretty neat.

[OSCAR]

Very nice!!  I have to agree that this is one of the best examples of a MAME cocktail I've ever seen.  Very nicely laid out, too.  Lower the coin door to clear the monitor and make room for the side panel is a nice touch.  You probably had some pretty detailed plans before you started this one, huh?

Great work!

[whammoed]

oscar
Definitely a lot of measuring and calculating went on before hand.  I think i was a little lucky the whole thing came together so well.  For example I did my best to measure to make sure the the monitors pcb would not collide with the coin mechs, but to be honest, until it was actually mounted I had some doubts.  Some measurements just aren't that easy to take.  Some things I think you just have to deal with as they come together.  For example I wanted to put the outlets and the toggle switch all in the outlet box together so it would be nice and neat with no exposed 120v live wires.  I also wanted to be able to put the toggle switch near the front of the cab for easy access.  The only good place for this was to the left of the coin box.  This however meant that the toggle switch would interfere with the leg leveler mounting plates.  solution:  cut the corner off the plate, it only needs three screws holding it in anyway.  Of course I had to cut the corners off the other 3 as well because I am crazy.  No one would even see it but me when i built it!  Yep, crazy.  Anyone else like this?  (Could have used t-nuts as an alternative I suppose)  I also had to cut a couple of 1/4 inch notches out of the front monitor bracket since they happened to line up with the front buttons.  In planning I made sure there was enough room to the tube for the buttons and the panel clamps to swing out but didn't stop to think the monitor bracket may be sitting that far down.  Turned out ok in the end though since it kept the width of the cab down.  Other than that the endless contemplation and preparation paid off with a smooth build.

thanks for all the compliments!

[Witchboard]

WOW! FANTASTIC ITEM!, A+++++++++++, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

LOL... I think you got this topic mixed up with your eBay feedback.

Nice cocktail.  I can tell you put some money into this with the two trackballs and all.  I'm sure it was money well spent.  Great work!

[SaiNRuB]

I think its a helluva versatile cocktail cab. Thats a awesome display and its setup for a plethora of games, Hats off to you buddy.

It looks by the width of your vertical cp's that you could squeeze of the cpo's for em when you get your laminated vinyl overlay printed. I wouldnt change a thing with your design, I especially love that centipede logo and shroom background image in the corner.

[GadgetGeek]

AdvMame on Linux (Gentoo IIRC).  Could you do all of us a favor and document that a bit as a mini How_to over in the Software Forums?  I'm working on something similar but something called life is keeping me from making any progress as of late.  Also, did you go with a custom bootsplash?
Thanks
Oh, amazing cocktail too.

[whammoed]

gadgetgeek,
Actually when I finish the software set up completely I will put a how to section on my website for getting things running.  Sort of a step by step if you would like to mimmick my setup.   I just got things "working" monday.  I can tell you its awfully nice not to have to boot into a massive os like XP when you don't need it.  I am still tweeking.  No bootsplash.  Still need to get it to boot into advmenu and shutdown automatically.  And still need to set up the rest of my favorite games.  The multiple mouse devices were a little squirly yesterday, don't know if i've got that nailed down yet.  In the mean time, check out desmatics web site.  He helped me more than I can tell you when it came to getting the video working properly.  Also if you have any questions just post or email me.
here is desmatics page:
http://easymamecab.mameworld.net/html/mycab.htm

SaiNRub:
thanks.  I actually came up with the centipede part "myself"...sort of.  I mean that I got the graphic from part of the centiped bezel on the arcade art library, took out what i wanted and added some color.  I got the shroom color from a screen capture of one of the stages in the game.  Thanks again to those who contributed to the arcade art library and 3dmacman.

[boyowilkins]

Brill looking cab m8. Sure does inspires me to build a second cocktail cab to better my first attempt.

Well done!!

[whammoed]

Speakers used were hacked creative labs sbs270.  Sometimes the pcb for your speakers will have mouting holes in them and when they do thats great.  Just use some pcb mounting feet and mount them.  these however do not have holes and there is no place to put holes.  So I thought I would post my solution which in some ways I think is actually better than holes with pcb mounting feet:
I used the mounting hardware that comes on the pots for volume and balance and mounted the knobs to a piece of aluminum angle.  Some fancy cutting with an angle grinder and some precise drilling lets you mount the whole thing by the knobs.  What is good about this is it isolates the torque you exert when turning the knobs off of the pcb itself and onto the bracket.  Probably would never hurt the pcb unless you are exceptionally rough with it, but I thought it was a nice touch.  Pic attached.

[Mr. Dude]

Excellent job man!  If I were to build a cocktail cabinet for myself I'd want it to be exactly like that!

[danny_galaga]

very nice!! i especially like the small touches like the glowing start buttons. and something close to my heart- neat wiring!

[pcdoctor]

Whammocade,
I showed my six year old cousin your cocktail cabinet and he was blown away.
He thought it was neat.
He didn't know what the trackball was for.

[whammoed]

Another tip for somene who may be doing something similar:
When mounting a third panel on the front of your cocktail you are forced to lower the coin door.  This, in my opinion, is fine aesthetically but for this type of door it does present a problem:  the coin bucket enclosure ends up in the way of one of the carriage bolts when it comes time to thread and tighten the nut because it ends up so close to the bottom of the cabinet.  The coin bucket enclosure on the entropy triple coin door is riveted to the frame.  This sounds like quite a dilemma at first but it turns out its not so bad.  There are three rivets on the back of the enclosure.  Luckily it is designed so that if they are drilled out the entire back and bottom neatly slide out leaving access to the carriage bolt through the front bottom door.  To reattach the panel simple use 3 sets of screws/nuts...problem solved.

[teetu]

that pic of the inside is intimidating as hell!

about how many hours would you say this took you?

[whammoed]

Fabrication took about 5 weeks total.  There was around 4 days or so where I was waiting for parts to move on to the next step and so was unable to work on it.  The rest consisted of weekdays at night for at least a couple hours and full days on the weekend...sometimes 10hrs or more.  So I would hate to add up the total hours spent but its a lot.  My family was glad to have me back after that time, but they may have actually been happier to have an arcade game again.

[HagHore]

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

[Jakobud]

Wow this is really an excellent piece of work, man.  I was just starting to design a cocktail using a 27" monitor.  This is exactly what I was envisioning (except I would choose different controls).  *GREAT* Job!

[hunky_artist]

Hi there, this thing is absolutely beautiful. Well done!

Can I ask what you've got your control panels covered with? It looks really smart.

[whammoed]

Jakobud, I had some extra panels made if you are interested.  They are 16 guage panels in the same shape as the original pac man cocktails.  The side panels are 14.5 " and the long panel is 25.5".  They are laser cut with mounting holes but are not predrilled for controls so you could set them up anyway you want.  I also have the milky white plexi to go with them.  Let me know if you are interested.  I will be offering them on this board basically at cost + a few bucks for my trouble. ( I will have to double check the cost but I think it is less than $25 each for the small (including windows) and less than $30 for the large...not sure though, just a ballpark)

hunky_artist, as stated the panels are metal (don't know if you can tell by the picture)  They are powder coated with a wrinkle finish black.  Powder coating is super durable.  I chose a wrinkle finish to give it a little texture since I would not have any real room for a graphic cpo and it adds a little interest.  Turns out I really like the feel of the wrinkle finish as it doesn't have that sticky feel a smooth or glossy surface tends to have when you rest part of your hand on it. (You know, when your hands get a littly clammy when you start to get close to that Galaga high score?)