My mame cab project!

[shallowgamer]

Seems like a lot of work to play genesis

Just giving you trouble.

[jay_red]

Started painting it tonight, keeping it blue, but it looks much cleaner now. Will get pics tomorrow.

[jay_red]

Been taking it slow on the cab, but am working in the control panel currently. I had been given one with the cab that was drilled kind of iffy, but thought I would use it any way. I have decided that it will bug me too much to use this panel and am working on a new template. I am not sure what color to go with, im thinking either black or a blue that matched the cab. I will be using a sheet of PVC plastic for ease of drilling.

Here is the metal panel I was given, with one of my printed templates:


Here it is on the cab for a mock up:



After getting it home and checking the spacing I need to adjust it a little, bringing the 2 players in to the middle. Not sure which color to go with yet. I am also undecided on the color buttons to use.

[CRTGAMER]

Looking good! Will there be a keyboard drawer below to access Mame configurations or for selecting a different game?

I'm thinking you could tie everything into the Arcade controls for playing a game as well as Mame Menu access. The Player One Start button could be the Return key and also be TAB set to start Player One games. Player One joystick already Mame defaults to the cursor keys so it can also handle Mame Menu Game select. You will need an extra button maybe located non-intrusively to act as the Escape Key to get out of a game.

Throw in a microswitch behind the coin return mechanical drop button for coins in Mame.

[jay_red]

havent thought about stashing a keyboard yet honestly, maybe I will get a compact one to stash behind the coin door. I wanted to keep the control panel pretty simple and clean looking.

[CRTGAMER]

havent thought about stashing a keyboard yet honestly, maybe I will get a compact one to stash behind the coin door. I wanted to keep the control panel pretty simple and clean looking.

The Keyboard doesn't have to be accessible for every game if you set the arcade controls the way I mentioned in my last Reply. I did a Mod on my Zaxxon Arcade Stick and a couple of Game Pads that both work off a PS/2 keyboard PCB encoder. I can lean back in my chair with the controls and not have to worry about grabbing the keyboard or mouse.

Here you go, might be of help. Note the add on box for the Escape Button Key.

Arcade Controller Mod Guide: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 82#p292282

[AppleQueso]

havent thought about stashing a keyboard yet honestly, maybe I will get a compact one to stash behind the coin door. I wanted to keep the control panel pretty simple and clean looking.

What I would do is probably hide a USB port somewhere and just plug a keyboard into that when I need to.

You could probably set up an FTP server or a remote desktop or something to actually tweak things like settings, frontend, roms, etc.

[jay_red]

So I have ended up with a different monitor, my friend happened to have a 20 inch LCD with s-video and component inputs, and it weights a ton less than the CRT I was using. I have some black foam board to use as a bezel around the monitor after I get it in place.

I was walking around home depot today looking for parts to mount the monitor and found something that made me change my mind on the control panel. I had settled on black, but I walked past the aisle with shelves and my mind was made up. Some of you may not like it, some may love it, but it will be pretty clean overall.



It reminds me of the Analogue Neo Geo sticks that are made of wood. I need to get the proper bits for making the holes, I have a trade working out that will net me half of the parts I need. Will update once I get the monitor in place.

[CRTGAMER]

It reminds me of the Analogue Neo Geo sticks that are made of wood. I need to get the proper bits for making the holes, I have a trade working out that will net me half of the parts I need. Will update once I get the monitor in place.

Looking great! The wood gives a unique appearance. You could put a thin sheet of plastic or better yet get two part epoxy to really make it durable.

For the buttons, a hole saw will work but might chip the finish at the edges of the hole. There are also Large diameter with ½" shank regular steel drills which give a smoother cut, Harbor Freight has a nice set. I use a Unibit, it eats fast thru metal, not sure if it would burn the wood though. If you go the Unibit route be sure the largest step matches the hole diameter. The steps in the bit are only around a ¼ inch deep, not enough to go all the way thru your wood panel without hitting the next larger step.

Maybe try the Unibit on a scrap piece of wood first?

[jay_red]

do they make those bits large enough for the arcade buttons? I was planning on getting this set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-ti ... 41312.html

The 1 1/4 bit should be just about right for the buttons.