marzman Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Hey all, I thought i'd post this here as i know how much we all like build projects, even thought its totally not car related! In June i decided to build myself an arcade machine, to keep me from tinkering with my car! I always have to be working on a project of some sort as i get bored very easily! I've only spent 2 days working on this so far... one in June and this Sunday just gone... I was originally going to use an old 15" CRT monitor i took from work but it was too small, so i've been looking for a 19" LCD - and i got one on saturday for 50quid - so the building starts again! I bought some USB arcade sticks off eBay and dismantled them, and am currently custom mounting them in MDF... However im not happy with the quality of the buttons/stick, so after i've finished the build i'll probably revisit this area and look at professional quality parts. I've got a PC in there and will also be including a sega dreamcast (awesome for arcade games!), and will be doing neat touches like ccfl lights etc on it...! The downside though... its probably cost me £150 already for the monitor, sticks and wood... i didnt pay for the PC or dreamcast etc... and there's still a lot to go! See the pics below. Oh, and if anyone has any suggestions for good additions to it, then please shout up! Updated 31st Aug 2009 - Almost finished!! And a quick video: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Ha, love it mate, good job, one of my mates asked me to build him a touch screen juke box, i would, but i simply dont have the time (not because im on here all the time either ) would be cool though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 coming on nicely, i like the idea, i'm very similiar, always got to have something on the go. if it helps as a reccommendation, when you come to redo the control area maybe to use a sheet of acrylic, especially as if you ask me nicely i can cut out all the holes and fixing points with my laser cutter at work, i'd just need a good working drawing so i could put it into cad for you before i cut it. if that helps let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 coming on nicely, i like the idea, i'm very similiar, always got to have something on the go. if it helps as a reccommendation, when you come to redo the control area maybe to use a sheet of acrylic, especially as if you ask me nicely i can cut out all the holes and fixing points with my laser cutter at work, i'd just need a good working drawing so i could put it into cad for you before i cut it. if that helps let me know. Hey Rich, Yeh that'd be fantastic when i get round to it! I looked at doing acrylic but wouldnt be able to drill it, but laser cutting Cheers Rich! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 http://www.arcadecab.com/Visitors_Cabs.htm been a while since i last visited the above link but should help ya out http://www.ultimarc.com/ for all your arcade needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 http://www.arcadecab.com/Visitors_Cabs.htm been a while since i last visited the above link but should help ya out http://www.ultimarc.com/ for all your arcade needs. Hi Neo, I actually did a search before i posted this topic to see if i'd mentioned it already, and i had - and you'd replied which i'd not seen. So i was looking at your ultimarc link last night and it may prove very useful - the ipaq sounds ideal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 ah thought it seemed familiar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Right - updated the blog with more pictures... im almost finished now! I spent half a day last saturday on it, and then all day Sunday and Monday this bank holiday. I've still got to neaten up the wiring inside, but its good enough. I've got a PC in there which is hooked up to the arcade sticks, but there's also a Sega Dreamcast too (and i've downloaded every good game ever released!). The Dreamcast needs to use its own pads though - so i've got them hung under the controls area inside the machine... they can just be lifted out when required All thats lef to do is: Finish the edges - i need to order some T-mouldings and route a channel in the edges - to give it professional quality finish. Get some perspex for the top... i've got a light in there and need a perspex screen. And im going to print off some arcade logos onto acetate so its a back lit image. Decals... i've emailed a guy on eBay who makes vinyl stickers asking if he can do custom jobs... i've got a couple of really stylish street fighter graphics that i want to put on it...! Now i just need to get a stool from argos to sit on while playing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 mate! top job!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P15UL T Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 cool idea, i want one pm rtbiscuit, he'll do your custom decals for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srobrien Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Yay! thats fantastic, if i give you whats in my pocket right now will you make me one, 5p, a random bolt a bit of string and a tesco recipt? R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren-B Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Nice one chris, needs a money slot now though for when your mates come round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 need to build yourself a fruit machine, so you win loads money. You would always break even Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dene8 Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Thats epic bud , makes me think spending all my spare time sleeping could be put to better use...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 nice one m8 hope your gonna charge all the people who wanna play on it so you can fund some mods on your Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanski Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Chris you never stop amazing me with your powers of fiddling! That is just ace! I did find it particularly funny in the early shots with just the telly in the chipboard case - that was the height of high Tech in 1984 ! It looks really good now can you please build me a genuine replica wurlitzer Juke Box Fantastic stuff Chris it reminds me when I built my Twin Record deck from Practical Electronics magazine when I was 17 - its resting in the garage still, maybe I can take it to the Hoon with us!! Still got the............. Vinyl some nice Ultravox 7inchs for Mart and Liz! (Look it up younger viewers!) Will dig out a picture if I have one scanned somewhere so you can have a good laugh ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 Cheers for the comments guys I was working on the software side of it last night, and i've got this fantastic frontend call Maximus Arcade. Its totally customizeable and starts as soon as you turn the PC on. It has really flash graphics and sound, and you basically scroll though the consoles on screen, select the one you wish to play, and then select the game to play. Its all controlled through the arcade sticks/buttons. And you assign hot-keys to do things like quit the game, or shutdown the PC etc... i.e. hold buttons 3 & 4 for five seconds to shutdown... im very impressed with it. Chris you never stop amazing me with your powers of fiddling! That is just ace! I did find it particularly funny in the early shots with just the telly in the chipboard case - that was the height of high Tech in 1984 ! It looks really good now can you please build me a genuine replica wurlitzer Juke Box Fantastic stuff Chris it reminds me when I built my Twin Record deck from Practical Electronics magazine when I was 17 - its resting in the garage still, maybe I can take it to the Hoon with us!! Still got the............. Vinyl some nice Ultravox 7inchs for Mart and Liz! (Look it up younger viewers!) Will dig out a picture if I have one scanned somewhere so you can have a good laugh ! Cheers Stan... yeh get your pics up too! Im actually getting a bit stressed now as i dont know what im gonna do for my next project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Cheers for the comments guys I was working on the software side of it last night, and i've got this fantastic frontend call Maximus Arcade. Its totally customizeable and starts as soon as you turn the PC on. It has really flash graphics and sound, and you basically scroll though the consoles on screen, select the one you wish to play, and then select the game to play. Its all controlled through the arcade sticks/buttons. And you assign hot-keys to do things like quit the game, or shutdown the PC etc... i.e. hold buttons 3 & 4 for five seconds to shutdown... im very impressed with it. Chris you never stop amazing me with your powers of fiddling! That is just ace! I did find it particularly funny in the early shots with just the telly in the chipboard case - that was the height of high Tech in 1984 ! It looks really good now can you please build me a genuine replica wurlitzer Juke Box Fantastic stuff Chris it reminds me when I built my Twin Record deck from Practical Electronics magazine when I was 17 - its resting in the garage still, maybe I can take it to the Hoon with us!! Still got the............. Vinyl some nice Ultravox 7inchs for Mart and Liz! (Look it up younger viewers!) Will dig out a picture if I have one scanned somewhere so you can have a good laugh ! Cheers Stan... yeh get your pics up too! Im actually getting a bit stressed now as i dont know what im gonna do for my next project! Kit car...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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