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Garry's Canadian
Mame
Machine
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Project Phase:
New and Improved! - Redesigned Control Panel
Welcome. Since Jan 19, 2004, you are visitor number:
Any Questions? Ask me at: garrywh@garry.ca |
What's New?
April 22, 2005
Well, its been quite a while since I updated
this site. I will try to keep it updated over the next little while.
Guess what....I'm getting that itch again. Time to build a new MAME
cabinet. This time, armed with all the knowledge I've gained so far,
I'm gonna reproduce an original. Not sure which one yet, but it will
be definitely be cool.
Also, would like to welcome all you new people
to the site from About.com. This here is a hobby that keeps me
focused and rooted on my Quit. It helped me tremendously last time I
made it happen, so I think I will do it again. My better half is
supportive, as long as I don't break the bank!
Oh, and the picture on the left is the re-work
of the control panel for the original MAME machine. I'll be posting
the pictures up soon on how I re-defined the control panel under a
new link called Control Panel #2.
Send me an e-mail if any of you have any
questions.
-Garry
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Archive
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March 29, 2004
Over the week-end, I installed the T-Molding,
the speaker grill and wired the coin door switches to the I-PAC; nothing
better than hearing a quarter hitting the coin pan and triggering a
Pac-Man credit :-).
For tips and tricks on how I installed the
T-Molding, check out the Finishing page.
I found the Marquee to be too plain, so I
printed off some classic arcade pictures and put them on the Monitor
Bezel. Check the Monitor Bezel page out for more info and the
Downloads page for the pictures I used.
In my next website update, I'll add the details under
the new Electrical page for how I wired up all the non-IPAC
components including the speakers, fans, thermostat, coin door lights
and extra lead for a lit trackball light for my final control panel.
The control panel I am currently
using will be re-designed/replaced with a two player control panel
that will support a Happ 3" trackball, an Oscar Vortex spinner, and
the Ultimarc T-Stik joystick (for player 1/2) and a top mounted fire
joystick (for playing Tron). This will be built/documented over the
next month or so. Stay tuned...
March 25, 2004
In the new Monitor Bezel episode, I document how I created a
simple monitor bezel for my cabinet. I bought a piece of black
faming matt from a local "craft" store to form the basics.
The bezel starts from a 32 x 40 flat black
picture framing matt I bought from the local craft shop, Michaels.
I'll show you how I approached measuring and cutting the monitor
bezel. Also, I have moved it into the house "proper". Now located at
the bottom of the stairs, set to "Space Invaders" and accepting
family quarters. :-)
The Monitor Bezel coupled with the tinted plexi-glass
on the front of the cab starts giving the machine that arcade look
and feel. You get more lost in the action with this setup. The
stairs in the basement has a nice nook I have set the machine up in.
Made for an Arcade...
This weekend, I finish the cab including adding
the T-molding, wiring the coin door/speakers and adding vinyl to the
control panel instead of the plexi-glass...
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March 5, 2004
Today, I worked on the Marquee and the Monitor
Bezel. I assembled everything together again and booted everything
up. This thing is really starting to come together.
The website is almost fully organized now. The
Control Panel, Finishing and Marquee/Bezel pages are up. Now I need
to finish the Hardware/Software, Downloads and FAQ sections.
I have the following tasks to complete on this cabinet...
Apply Final coat of flat black paint; Install
T-Molding, cut out 17" Monitor opening in Monitor Bezel. Install/Hook up 12V
Cabinet Wiring to the Coin Door lights, thermostat and fans;
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March 4, 2004
Today I finished off the final coat of paint
for the cabinet. I decided to switch to Tremclad Rust Paint "Flat Black" as I
found the last coat of melamine a little too glossy and shiny for me
personally (I don't remember any games having a gloss
sheen...do you ???).
I feel that the flat black
finish produced by the Rust paint gives the cabinet that exact
finish I was looking for.
My recommendation to you is if you are looking
for a nice clean look without a gloss, go with the rust paint; that
is the Tremclad Flat black Rust Paint at Home Depot (HD) in Canada.
Also, only go with a small can (pint) and not a quart unless can use
it for other projects (another MAME...who knows?). First though, I
promised Angela that I would finish the basement. Perhaps another
documented project? Build your own basement Arcade (BYOBA?).
I will reorganize the website to put
information where it should, that is, complete the control panel,
marquee and finishing aspects of the site.
I have the following tasks to complete on this
cabinet...
Design/Install Marquee and
Bezel, Install T-Molding, Install/Hook up 12V Cabinet Wiring to
the Coin Door lights, thermostat and fans; Install Marquee framework and
Bezel.
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March 1, 2004
Welcome back. In this
episode , I prime and put the first coat of paint on the cabinet. In
the next episode, I plan on having every installed, including the
marquee and the monitor bezel with some additional art for the
monitor bezel and the control panel.
I have the following tasks to complete on the cabinet...
Design/Install Marquee; Coat with two more thin coats of black
Melamine; 2 coasts of PolyUrethane. Install T-Molding; Install/Hook
up 12V Cabinet Wiring to the Coin Door lights, thermostat and fans;
Install Marquee framework and Bezel.
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February
24, 2004
I made a big push today to finish some of the the major
components of the MAME cabinet. In this episode, I fill all exposed screw
holes on cabinet with wood filler, I finish and install the monitor bezel; I
build and install the monitor base (to raise to center of the 17" monitor screen); I cut the
T-Molding slot (the biggest dust maker in the project!!!); Cut and install
acrylic top for mobile control panel; re-Install and re-Wire Joysticks and
Horizontal push buttons on the Mobile control panel.
I have the following tasks to complete
on
the cabinet...Design/Install Marquee;
Prime Cabinet and coat with three thin coats of black Melamine; Install T-Molding; Install/Hook
up 12V Cabinet Wiring to the Coin Door lights, thermostat and fans; Install Marquee
framework
Eventually, when I build the final control panel, this will include the
light for the trackball as well...
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February 20,
2004
I have finally "accessorized" the MAME cabinet
now. I've since installed the speakers, the amplifier (to drive the
speakers (and the JukeBox), the cooling fans and the marquee light.
Now the all the holes are cut for the cabinet, I can start on the
finishing.
Tomorrow, I plan on cutting and installing the
Monitor Bezel, the Marquee, the T-Molding and start priming the
cabinet for the finishing melamine coat. I am debating on using t
different color for the side panels. a nice blue would look nice..
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February 12,
2004
I installed the coin door last
night. Everything went very smoothly and as I had hoped. For the
details on how the Coin Door was installed, check out
Day3.
I also applied the first coat of
black melamine paint to the the mobile control panel. A heck
of a lot more messy ( to clean up), but I think I'll be much
happier with the finished product . A couple of more coats and it
should be a "thing-o-beauty".
I ordered the plastic for the
Marquee, Monitor cover and Control Panel cover today from Canus
Plastics (a local Ottawa firm specializing in "everything plastic"). I
looked at a No-Glare product and was not impressed, so I have
decided to go with 1/8" acrylic for everything (monitor cover,
marquee and control panel overlay). It seemed more durable than Lexan, and besides, it was half the price!
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February 11, 2004
On T-Molding...
For those of you not familiar with
T-Molding, it is a rubber product
you install on the edges of a cabinet. Most (all?) original arcade
cabinets have this product. It makes the edges very durable (a
definite requirement for something out in the public). As the name
implies, it is formed in the shape of a T. In order to install it, you
need a cut a 1/16" slot in the middle of the edge of the cabinet.
Sounds simple? Sure, if you use the right tool ;-)
After extensive research on
www.byoac.comI about the T-Molding
problem I have decided to tackle the problem using a
slot cutting bit for my router (thanks for the link and the
information Jakobud). I think
this is the easiest (and safest) way to install the slot for the
t-molding. Using a router or skill saw free hand just seems to me to
be begging for trouble.
I went to my local Home Depot, and the only one they
had was 1/8" by Freud. Looking at the Freud catalogue, it appears they
also have 1/16". I asked the salesman at home depot to special order
it for me from Freud. It costs $28.00 (CDN) and will take 5 days
to come in. Hopefully I'll be able to install the T-Molding this
weekend.
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February 09, 2004
Welcome back! Over the last few
days I have been experimenting with finishes for the the MAME
cabinet. In Construction Page 3 I
have started reviewing the finishing process I have gone through
so far during
the construction of the "mobile" panel. So far,
Latex is out. I will re-prime the control panel and redo with
Melamine. This will definately be more durable (but messier to clean
up!)
I have also spent a little time
on the organization of the website. I have mainly reorganized the
Construction area and made it more in the form of a Journal. This
should make it easier to navigate the site in this area. Hopefully,
I have not created too many broken links. Please report any you
find.
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January 31, 2004
Today I finished off and installed
the the prototype control panel. Glenn (my brother) came over on
Day
10 (Thursday evening Jan 29) and helped me with the re-wiring
(thanks Glenn). By the end of the evening we had prepped all the
parts needed for the rewiring and installation of the Prototype
Control Panel.
On Day 11
I built the MDF frame for and installed the prototype Control Panel. The picture on the
left side is what I ended up with. Not bad. I played a couple of
games of Commando and called it a night..
This CP is my mobile CP. It will
be replaced with my new CP as soon as I receive my trackball from Happ
Controls. This CP is hot-swappable over the I-PAC Serial to USB
connection. I can detach it and use it at a
friends place or on another computer.
I am still waiting on receiving
the T-Molding and trackball which has been on Back-Order from Happ for
over a week now. This is why I have not started finishing the
cabinet. Once I receive the T-Molding, I plan on
documenting how I install it. Stay tuned...
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January 26, 2005
Just uploaded the pictures, no
narrative yet... In this segment, I have started reworking the
wiring for the control panel. I will cover how I refined the wiring
for the CP by using smaller wire and smaller quick connects. I also
have decided to solder the connections to make the connections real
solid. I have to keep reminding myself it is not house
wiring...
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January 25, 2004
I spent a good part of the day working on a
test prototype Control Panel. While I am fairly handy with a saw and
hammer, this was my first attempt at wiring up electronics. I am
happy to say that at the end of the process, I had a control panel
up and running.
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January 19, 2004
Today, my Happ controls arrived. Woo Hoo!. This
includes the Over/Under door, the pushbuttons, the Happ Super
Joystick and a couple of tumbler locks. Also today I uploaded my
website. It is very rough, but I will refine it as time
progresses... I am hosting my site on
www.1and1.com. Registration was free and it includes 500 MB of
free webspace. Hey, can't turn down an offer like that!!!
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January 05, 2004
Website initiation.
Based Website HTML design on the 24 hour MAME cabinet guy. Using
Frontpage to maintain it. If anyone
wants to use my site as a template for your site, go right ahead...Use
the Save As... and start creating content...
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