Another Bartop -Arcade Invaders- Completed

[Termin8tor]

So I started this build today as a Christmas present for my friends twin girls. Shouldn't be to much of a problem to get it finished for Christmas, but I also work full time so I can only work on this on weekends. The painting is going to be the hardest part (fingers crossed for good weather). Here's the first pic:

[Eldritch1969]

The Final Countdooooooooooooown 
Reminds me of this hair band from Sweden, in the 80s 
For girls, what kind of theme is it going to be ?
Good luck !

[Termin8tor]

The Final Countdooooooooooooown 
Reminds me of this hair band from Sweden, in the 80s 
For girls, what kind of theme is it going to be ?
Good luck !

Going to be a generic theme I'm afraid, just black sides may personalise the marquee and CP though.

[Unstupid]

[Termin8tor]

So tonight after work I managed to get some bartop time in. Iv'e glued and screwed the sides on and sealed the edges. The edges of MDF absorb paint heavily. To seal the edges spread a layer of wood glue mixed with 50% water to the edges, apply with a sponge or thin paint brush and when dry lightly sand. This helps acheive an even coat when painting.

[Termin8tor]

Today I have attached the top back panel and drilled vent holes.

[Termin8tor]

Control panel cut out and first undercoat applied.

[maffewl]

Looking good!

Is that spray paint?  And if you don't mind me asking, what color... it doesn't quite look black and has a slight blue sheen in the picture.  I might have to buy some for my build. 

[Termin8tor]

Looking good!

Is that spray paint?  And if you don't mind me asking, what color... it doesn't quite look black and has a slight blue sheen in the picture.  I might have to buy some for my build. 

It's a spray primer, I'm using black because the top coat will be a black gloss.

[maffewl]

Nice.  I think you have inspired me to give a "midnight blue" shade a look.

[Termin8tor]

Attached kettle lead to PSU to power monitor.

Nice.  I think you have inspired me to give a "midnight blue" shade a look.

Inadvertently inspiring. That's me 

[GnobarEl]

Nice work,

what is the size of the LCD? Its 4:3?

Thanks!

[Termin8tor]

what is the size of the LCD? Its 4:3?

It's a 4:3 ratio 17" monitor.

[GnobarEl]

for this arcades, 16:9 or 4:3 ? Its the same? Witch one is preferred?
17'' is enough? Or should I go to 19'' ?

I don't have any monitor, so I'm not sure witch one I should buy.

Thanks

[DeLuSioNal29]

Where did you get the plans?

[Termin8tor]

Where did you get the plans?

http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/drawweecade.htm

[Termin8tor]

for this arcades, 16:9 or 4:3 ? Its the same? Witch one is preferred?
17'' is enough? Or should I go to 19'' ?

I don't have any monitor, so I'm not sure witch one I should buy.

Thanks

The monitor size is very important when building a cab in my opinion. The first thing I would do is build a cardboard template and judge what size is needed. I would prefer to use a 19" on this build as there will be a lot of space around the sides of the monitor but I'm trying to keep the cost down using what I have lying around.  I will use instruction cards to break up the space. If your building a 2 player with 6 buttons each I'd go with a 19" (although I'm using a 17"  ) but a 1 player would look good with a 17" or 19".
Also I'd never use a widescreen monitor (16:9) on an arcade, it's just wrong.   

[GnobarEl]

Thanks for your advice! I'm really new here. I've read the mutch as I can but I still have so many questions.

I agree with your comments, 16:9 is out of question. I don't have any TFT so I have to buy one, I will go for the 19''.

Thanks!

[Termin8tor]

Today I've been concentrating on the control panel. I've painted the panel, then drilled 28mm holes for the buttons and joysticks and covered with a vinyl sheet. I've also cut a piece of lexan for the overlay and to protect the artwork.

[Termin8tor]

Buttons and joysticks came in the post today. Also decided on a theme.

[GnobarEl]

Witch is the common number of buttons for 2 players?

[Termin8tor]

Witch is the common number of buttons for 2 players?

Depends on the games you play. I play street fighter more than any game, so I always go with 6 per player.

[GnobarEl]

Yes,
I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?

[PL1]

I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?

You may want to have a coin button for P2 as well since some games like Simpsons and Gauntlet assign credits based on which coin slot is used.

Not sure about reset.  How often do you expect it to lock up on you?

For volume, is the "/" used for mute?   How do you plan to turn the volume up/down with just one button?

The shift keys are for pinball flippers if you want to run Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.

Most people who use "shifted functions" do it to keep kids/friends from messing with the config menus or avoid having numerous admin buttons. 

Examples of default shifted functions on an I-Pac include:
P1 Start + P1 Right = Tab (Menu)
P1 Start + P2 Start = Esc (Exit)

If you decide to use shifted functions in place of some dedicated admin buttons, you will probably want an instruction card on the bezel for guests.


Scott

[Termin8tor]

I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?

You may want to have a coin button for P2 as well since some games like Simpsons and Gauntlet assign credits based on which coin slot is used.

Not sure about reset.  How often do you expect it to lock up on you?

For volume, is the "/" used for mute?   How do you plan to turn the volume up/down with just one button?

The shift keys are for pinball flippers if you want to run Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.

Most people who use "shifted functions" do it to keep kids/friends from messing with the config menus or avoid having numerous admin buttons. 

Examples of default shifted functions on an I-Pac include:
P1 Start + P1 Right = Tab (Menu)
P1 Start + P2 Start = Esc (Exit)

If you decide to use shifted functions in place of some dedicated admin buttons, you will probably want an instruction card on the bezel for guests.


Scott

Couldn't of said it better myself.

[GnobarEl]

I was thinking something like this:

- 6 player1
- 6 player 2
- Coin
- Pause
- Reset
- \ (for volume)
- Shift (read somewhere to use it)
- Esc
- Tab
- Enter

What do you think about it?

You may want to have a coin button for P2 as well since some games like Simpsons and Gauntlet assign credits based on which coin slot is used.
[GnobarEl]
That's a good advice, thanks!


Not sure about reset.  How often do you expect it to lock up on you?
[GnobarEl]
Thats true!

For volume, is the "/" used for mute?   How do you plan to turn the volume up/down with just one button?
[GnobarEl]
with last version on MAME you can press \ and with left / right joystick, you can increase or decrease the volume

The shift keys are for pinball flippers if you want to run Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.
[GnobarEl]
I think I will not have flippers.

Most people who use "shifted functions" do it to keep kids/friends from messing with the config menus or avoid having numerous admin buttons. 

Examples of default shifted functions on an I-Pac include:
P1 Start + P1 Right = Tab (Menu)
P1 Start + P2 Start = Esc (Exit)

If you decide to use shifted functions in place of some dedicated admin buttons, you will probably want an instruction card on the bezel for guests.

[GnobarEl]
I will read more about this subject!
Scott

Thanks for your advises!

[Termin8tor]

Managed to get a fair bit done today. Fitted Monitor and most internals. Grounded the PSU to the motherboard and attached the speaker shelf.

[Termin8tor]

Completed with 2 days to spare.

[Jumpman64]

 

I like the monochrome/high-contrast styling.