Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Arcade Lifestyle => Topic started by: GoRetro74 on October 30, 2014, 10:07:30 AM

Title: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 30, 2014, 10:07:30 AM
 Before I start, A huge thanks to Mr. Bruno for his dedication and hard work for bring us all arcade enthusiasts together. I Finished my first project and without your site it wouldn't have made things role with so much ease. Thank you to the members of the site who with their knowledge, experience and contribution to this site have kept the Love for retro arcade alive and still going strong.
   I Finally finished the two projects I always wanted to owe... A Pac-Man arcade which I finished this summer and, a Donkey Kong arcade which I completed about a month ago.
   After a couple of years of putting together all the parts from scratch. With the majority of it being done as economically as I could. I was down to the final part being the wood which would make it complete, when a good friend of mine offered me two cabs that where left outdoor for years in some what ok condition.
   The cabs here in Greece are considerable different then the ones in the U.S. but because of the limited space in my new location I was pleased to have them made into two dedicated cabs for the two arcades I always wanted. I am very pleased with how they turned out and my kids, wife and I are having a ball with them. :)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Superully on October 30, 2014, 10:54:45 AM
eh, any chance of better pics? i see a lot of religious stuff, but a donkey kong CABINET? only see a bezel and a marquee :-[
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 30, 2014, 11:07:28 AM
Superully, sorry about the quality of the picture. I will try and get some more clear shots of the cab. There is also a control panel which the donkey kong bezel and marquee are settled on. Which can't be seen in this picture and, was put into the second cab I recently finished. I will also include pics of that one two. God Bless! they are a great addition in my Life. I like the religious stuff as well. I wish the great Angelo one was authentic but its a stunning replica. :P
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Luigi on October 30, 2014, 01:40:04 PM
So you have built that PacMan from scratch? My respect for your work! :)

It was made to be played while sitting in front of it I guess.



I have points to criticise, though ;)

Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 30, 2014, 04:17:26 PM
   Thanks, Luigi. Everything except for the housing ''The Cabin'' was done by me. With limited power tools except for a drill, all the rest was done practically by hand. Before receiving the cab I  was aiming to have a replica of the original to it's measurements. But, since the cabs were given to me  I restored them and slightly modified them to fit the marquee, bezel, control panel and coin door that were intended to fit the original cabs measurements. I know its not  perfect but sitting or standing in front while playing makes it seem unique and respectable in it's own way. I also thought about going Pac-Man yellow on the cab but the white stuck with me due to a limited budget with other expenses around the house. The white now has become attached to me and I thought why not keep it that way considering the Japanese Puck was originally in white.  :D

 
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Luigi on October 30, 2014, 04:19:21 PM
Nothing to say against a sitdown cab. I was referring to that large coindoor....IMHO a smaller coindoor would look far better ;)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 30, 2014, 04:30:22 PM
   You're right but the cabs that were made here were totally naked. They had no artwork at all and no coin door except for a coin mechanism screwed into one corner under the control panel. Plus I had purchased the coin door and intended on building the cab from scratch to the original measurements. The frame of the coin door is also big because the door I bought had no frame so I took a home electrical board and used its frame instead. ;) so that also makes it look slightly larger than what it usually would have been.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 07:19:38 AM
   The Pac-Man cab previously had a Neo Geo pcb with bubble puzzle which I removed and kept since it was working. The second cab was in worst shape, but the pcb was in great shape compared to the rest of the internal parts. I swapped it over to the pcb but the image was all distorted. After taking a second look at the pcb I noticed that it had two roms on it, Street Fighter and 1942. I am assuming that I can't test it in a cab that does not have a conversion switch to convert from one game to the other. All the wiring in the cab has been chewed away by mice and it seems way out of portion to me to get it running to see if the pcb is functional.  ???
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 10:09:19 AM
Another pic a little up closer but not so clear.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Luigi on October 31, 2014, 10:25:46 AM
I was assuming this from the first picture....your button layout is...erm..unusual ;)

Does the controlpanel-plexi have a crack left from the right stick? What sticks did you use?



And I still don't get it: did you build it from scratch (includes cutting the wood for the sides) or did you use a cab to build you 'Pac-Man'??

Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 31, 2014, 10:31:49 AM
I think its posted in the wrong thread  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 10:43:58 AM
   MacGyver, I realized that a bit too late.  :oops: I guess that happens to some people on their attempt to make their first post.  :)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 10:47:38 AM
   Luigi everything except the cab which was given to me. No wood cutting. Just some wood putty and paint to refresh it. Oh! and the top part which houses the marquee was my addition to the cab. They had no marquee to house.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Superully on October 31, 2014, 11:30:37 AM
I think its posted in the wrong thread  ;)  ;D

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 11:33:35 AM
   Yeah it is Ully, MacGyver also made a note of it. My mistake.  ;D :oops: ;D
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 31, 2014, 01:49:59 PM
Maybe bruno can move it ?
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: ckong on October 31, 2014, 03:25:16 PM
I think its posted in the wrong thread  ;)  ;D

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

+1  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D 

Goretro74, you don't get what we mean, we appreciate your effort, but we have our doubts about it. (measurements, button layout etc). By the way, what is with the white blocks on the picture? Family that you don't want to show, I assume.   :) Could you take another picture, unblocked? Then we have a better view.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 09:02:30 PM
    Hey! I am in the right thread! Who pulled out their magic wand!?!? :lol:
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: DarthNuno on October 31, 2014, 09:19:24 PM
    Hey! I am in the right thread! Who pulled out their magic wand!?!? :lol:

 ;)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 09:19:52 PM
   Thanks Ckong! The measurements of the cpo, bezel, and marquee were cut to fit an original Pac-Man. Same with the DK cpo, bezel, and marquee were cut to fit the original measurements of DK cab. I haven't measured the cab but it was smaller than what the Bezel, and cpo are that I made so, I had to modify the top half to make it wider.

    About the white blocks...I wanted to give the image a matrix effect :lol:``just kidding man!`` If I don't have the permission of the legal guardian, then the white blocks would be the explanation for them being their instead.

   I will get some more clearer pics when I am back in town, for the time being I used what I had on file.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on October 31, 2014, 09:23:40 PM
    Hey! I am in the right thread! Who pulled out their magic wand!?!? :lol:

 ;)

 :wink: Thanks Bruno! I had a hunch it could have been you!
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 01, 2014, 10:55:00 AM
   Ckong here is a link which are close to the measurements, dimensions, shape, and how the cabs in Greece were like. This is what I got and converted into what you see.
http://users.ntua.gr/dpiperid/MyWebPage/Contructions/others/mame/GameMachineEN.htm
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 07:34:00 PM
   The coin door I took apart and restored. Primer and a fresh Semi gloss black paint. The frame is from the electrical board I took apart and cut the edges open to the size of the door.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 07:37:34 PM
   The inside part. There was also a key hanging inside the door when I bought it.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 07:39:10 PM
   The key that was attached by a wire inside the door.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 07:41:12 PM
   The control panel. I now have 4 buttons per player.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 07:52:37 PM
   The underside of the cpo.  The micro switch's and buttons are held in place with 1/8 thick polycarbonate plexi  which I heated to take the shape as seen in the pic. Cheesy but not bad for a Rookie! :lol:
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 07:56:00 PM
    The plexi painted in grey gives it that metal material effect.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 08:03:34 PM
    The marquee and Bezel done on A4 High Gloss.  It is noticeable but Hey, the first one you make is WOW!   :pac: :ghost:
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 08:09:03 PM
    The Marquee lit up with the toppers I made and painted (except for one  :ghost: and one missing). The joints are faintly noticeable but I am not picky for a first timer. I was thinking of adding some lighting inside each ghost figure and Pac-Man.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 08:16:25 PM
    The Boot screen I used in place of XP. Followed By MaLa front end.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 08:25:27 PM
   Just Love a crt in a cab it fills it up just right. Great image even after 15 years of television. This always happens when I turn it on...My child's hands in control.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 08:33:34 PM
     Under the cpo all wired up to an I-Pac2.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 08:39:25 PM
    The side art. Too big for this cab so I sliced it in half Top half on the side and bottom half on the back door. The Previous T-Mold was metal and did not fall back into place so easy so I replaced it half way up to just under the cpo because the sides were added to hold the wider bezel.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 09:02:06 PM
   Part 2...
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2014, 09:13:21 PM
Amazing.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 03, 2014, 09:31:42 PM
   Thanks Ckong. I appreciate your kind jester. Friends and family are impressed and so was I, for someone who didn't even know how to swap a hard drive. I know I could do better but when your limited, It's Good! The kids love it so that's twice the joy for me.  I Also am fond of your work! You guys are great at what you do in here.  :)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on November 03, 2014, 10:16:23 PM
Hey, there is the dustwasher on the joystick on DK, just like the original, nice detail
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 04, 2014, 10:59:27 AM
Hey, there is the dustwasher on the joystick on DK, just like the original, nice detail

Thanks MacGyver! It was the first arcade I played. As many have said it is the sexiest arcade cab and as a child then it was eye boggling! I clearly remember most of the detail because 33 years ago I remember it and like many others that followed coming into the corner store my parents ran. I have to admit I did used to lift the bezel to reach in under the control panel with a straw to trigger the coins micro switch wire. :twisted: The duster on the control was an idea I got when I was throwing out some ridged binder dividers. With a compass and a pair of scissors I made it to how I remember it.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 04, 2014, 11:09:52 AM
   The first duster I made was from the left over plexi. But I didn't like it cause it turned out too small compared to the original. It was thicker too and not perfectly round. The bolts were hex headed, They were rotated on an electric drill and filled down on a file to give it a round shape. I couldn't find the bolts I wanted so I had to make them round myself. The leaf buttons I bought were also hard to come by in the colors the original DK were so I sanded them all and sprayed painted them. They turned out solid.  I also used the plexi that came from the control buttons I drilled in place of nuts to hold the buttons in place.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: level42 on November 04, 2014, 12:17:36 PM
Dust washers belong under the CP, not on top of it.
Besides looking ugly it is a nuisance for your hands when playing.....I will never understand why people do this......nor will I inderstand why manufacturers made it like that. Original or not, no dust washers on my CP's :)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Luigi on November 04, 2014, 12:42:15 PM
I guess you already know: your cabs ar far from being perfect.

BUT....I really have a lot of respect for your work!! You took what you had or could find and made your dream come true without spending a lot of money. Well done, mate :)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 04, 2014, 01:52:59 PM
Dust washers belong under the CP, not on top of it.
Besides looking ugly it is a nuisance for your hands when playing.....I will never understand why people do this......nor will I inderstand why manufacturers made it like that. Original or not, no dust washers on my CP's :)

   True as a kid I could not figure what it was for. I thought it made a great spinner and I still like spinning it. I kind of like it on the DK cpo, I guess cause it was the first one I saw. So every time I see one the DK cpo comes to mind. :)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 04, 2014, 01:57:28 PM
I guess you already know: your cabs ar far from being perfect.

BUT....I really have a lot of respect for your work!! You took what you had or could find and made your dream come true without spending a lot of money. Well done, mate :)

   Luigi Thanks A Lot! I respect your honesty man! It's like A Pioneer! It's my horse pulling wagon! It has it's class, just like some brides like being pulled up in a horse and carriage rather than a limo. I Love it cause I learned A Lot from it.  :) 
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: vernimark on November 04, 2014, 07:46:24 PM
Yea, great job.

Young skywalker, now that you have your 2 toys it's time to make the next step: realize that emulators are the dark side of the players...  ;D
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 04, 2014, 08:08:52 PM
Yea, great job.

Young skywalker, now that you have your 2 toys it's time to make the next step: realize that emulators are the dark side of the players...  ;D   Thanks Vernimark! May the force be with you!... :lol:
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Luigi on November 05, 2014, 08:05:49 AM
now that you have your 2 toys it's time to make the next step: realize that emulators are the dark side of the players... 

This was my way as well....10 years ago  ::)

Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Tyrem on November 05, 2014, 08:10:02 AM
now that you have your 2 toys it's time to make the next step: realize that emulators are the dark side of the players... 

This was my way as well....10 years ago  ::)



me too. started with a 60:1.
who would have guessed that a few years later this would still be my goal. ok... something has changed... i do not want 60 games on 1 board anymore but 60 cabs in 1 basement. ;)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 05, 2014, 09:01:02 AM
now that you have your 2 toys it's time to make the next step: realize that emulators are the dark side of the players...

This was my way as well....10 years ago  ::)



   Thanks Guy's!  That gives me a sense of relief. Broke out in a sweat whilst deciding weather to post it on here or not? Happy to know that I am not alone on the dark side.  8) It's great to see that ones work in the dark comes out in the light. Power ON! my friends! ;)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 05, 2014, 09:10:44 AM
now that you have your 2 toys it's time to make the next step: realize that emulators are the dark side of the players... 

This was my way as well....10 years ago  ::)



me too. started with a 60:1.

   
who would have guessed that a few years later this would still be my goal. ok... something has changed... i do not want 60 games on 1 board anymore but 60 cabs in 1 basement. ;)

   Tyrem, So do I Buddy! But how do you explain it to the wife that wants to extend later on when we can onto the house for the children's rooms. I see me waking up in a cabin one morning. I guess the limited budget I am on at the moment is keeping things safe. When I got the cabins you can imagine how much of a rush I was into to get them completed.  :twisted: :P ;D :pac: :ghost:
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Tyrem on November 05, 2014, 09:29:53 AM

   Tyrem, So do I Buddy! But how do you explain it to the wife that wants to extend later on when we can onto the house for the children's rooms. I see me waking up in a cabin one morning. I guess the limited budget I am on at the moment is keeping things safe. When I got the cabins you can imagine how much of a rush I was into to get them completed.  :twisted: :P ;D :pac: :ghost:

thank god i have enough space. my wife supports my hobby cause she knows that this makes me happy. :)
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 05, 2014, 09:44:02 AM

   Tyrem, So do I Buddy! But how do you explain it to the wife that wants to extend later on when we can onto the house for the children's rooms. I see me waking up in a cabin one morning. I guess the limited budget I am on at the moment is keeping things safe. When I got the cabins you can imagine how much of a rush I was into to get them completed.  :twisted: :P ;D :pac: :ghost:

thank god i have enough space. my wife supports my hobby cause she knows that this makes me happy. :)

   Amen for that! My wife also likes what I have managed to conquer! and lucky for my eldest he was excited and eager to bring it all together as a complete unit. If I had the room for us and the cabs it would be absolutely fine with her cause she slips in now and then to play.... :lol:
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 05, 2014, 04:55:40 PM
   I had intended on going with Advance Mame but for some reason the Rage 128 Pro 2000 Graphic card would not give me a stable image on the CRT. I followed Bruno's VGA to Scart plan but I had an image going everywhere. Could it be the graphic card or was I doing something wrong in Dos. Well anyways, after numerous attempts I decided to get the damn thing done and installed a Video to PC converter. It worked fine but on the DK Crt that AV2 on the top right is sometimes annoying, does anyone know if there is a way I can get rid of it??? The CRT is a Sony Trinitron.
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on November 05, 2014, 08:30:22 PM
Usually that dissapears after some seconds on a normal tv afaik

Maybe in the service menu a option to disable the osd ?
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on November 05, 2014, 09:06:16 PM
Usually that dissapears after some seconds on a normal tv afaik

Maybe in the service menu a option to disable the osd ?

   The Samsung I have in the PM cab does disappear but, the Sony one doesn't. No matter how long it stays on it's still there. Another thing about it is when I shutdown the system the TV will not eventually shutoff on its own like the Samsung gradually does. I have to change the channel out of AV for it to shutoff on it's own. My neighbor gave me the TV without a remote, is there another way I can get into the service menu without one?
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: Laszo on November 08, 2014, 02:53:08 AM
Hi no expert on this matter, but constantly seeing the av logo and not willing to shutdown suggest that it is getting a constant steering signal that tells it that there is a 'new' av signal. Check which input always stays high or low and change this  ???
Title: Re: Finally I did it!..Completed my first project!
Post by: GoRetro74 on December 02, 2014, 08:02:49 PM
Hi no expert on this matter, but constantly seeing the av logo and not willing to shutdown suggest that it is getting a constant steering signal that tells it that there is a 'new' av signal. Check which input always stays high or low and change this  ???

     Thanks for your reply Laszo and excuse my delay. I've attached the program/volume/AV/ switch panel from the TV to the back side of the cabin where I can reach it to as an easier solution. I have no idea what the steering signal is and how to check it's input? I'm open to suggestions.