scotyboy56 Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 So now my monitor, keyboard and mouse have arrived from @ICTDirect_Dave (Thanks so much btw) I can finally start building my custom build arcade machine. I thought I would create a thread if people are interested in the progress and how I made it etc. Items Refurbed Monitor 22 arcade buttons inlcuding a player 1 and player 2 button HDMI to VGA adapter 2 chrome buttons for power on/off and exit game 2 Ball top Joysticks Shutdown Circuit Raspberry Pi with 64gb SD card running RetroPie Refurbed mouse and keyboard One dad who is an ex carpenter who makes handmade furniture in his spare time for my mums business, so hopefully should be able to make the cabinet. More things will be brought like wood, led lights so will update list when brought and shall try keep posting with progress reports. So far I have installed RetroPie onto the Raspberry Pi and then copied across some Sega Megadrive, N64 and MAME Roms onto the PI, all is working fine other than having issues getting the sound to come through audio Jack instead of HDMI no matter how I force it.
hardtailstar Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 Nice, I keep thinking of doing a pi project but never know what to do.
scotyboy56 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 Nice, I keep thinking of doing a pi project but never know what to do. I was going to use an old Shuttle PC I have lying around and just install MAME onto that, but then I was googling around and came across RetroPie which has a few emulators on so was the obvious choice, but ye I get what you mean I've been wanting to mess about with one for a while as well, but what to do with it is the issue. You should make an arcade cabinet you can get pre built cabinets online
Marshall_IT Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 I'm looking to do pretty much the same think. I was thinking of making a coffee table arcade machine though. And nothing as in depth as this looks like it will be.
scotyboy56 Posted July 17, 2015 Author Posted July 17, 2015 I'm looking to do pretty much the same think. I was thinking of making a coffee table arcade machine though. And nothing as in depth as this looks like it will be. When I was looking at some custom build ones online I saw a few coffee table ones and they do look really awesome tbh
LosOjos Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 We're planning to do this next year at the school as a cross curricular project, with D&T fabricating the cab, graphic design producing some decals and the Comp Sci students setting up the Pi and writing a few scripts. I'm tinkering with some RGB LED strips over the summer, want to control them via GPIO on the Pi. We could just plug them in to a power source and let them cycle colours, but it'd be so much cooler (and more educational!) for the kids to write scripts to control them
LosOjos Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 I was thinking of making a coffee table arcade machine though. PM me if you start this (or start another thread), I'd be really interested. I'm planning on doing the same thing, have an old 19" laptop monitor I was planning on inlaying on a coffee table with a sheet of tough perspex over the top, then adding a couple of sunk USB ports to the table edge to plug pads in - in my head, dead simple, but my DIY skills are somewhat lacking it must be said!
scotyboy56 Posted July 17, 2015 Author Posted July 17, 2015 We're planning to do this next year at the school as a cross curricular project, with D&T fabricating the cab, graphic design producing some decals and the Comp Sci students setting up the Pi and writing a few scripts. I'm tinkering with some RGB LED strips over the summer, want to control them via GPIO on the Pi. We could just plug them in to a power source and let them cycle colours, but it'd be so much cooler (and more educational!) for the kids to write scripts to control them That sounds like loads of fun tbh, and a really awesome project PM me if you start this (or start another thread), I'd be really interested. I'm planning on doing the same thing, have an old 19" laptop monitor I was planning on inlaying on a coffee table with a sheet of tough perspex over the top, then adding a couple of sunk USB ports to the table edge to plug pads in - in my head, dead simple, but my DIY skills are somewhat lacking it must be said! I know someone who lives in the West Midlands that could do the DIY for a decent price
LosOjos Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 I know someone who lives in the West Midlands that could do the DIY for a decent price Wouldn't be you would it? haha I'll see how I get on, more fun doing it yourself!
scotyboy56 Posted July 17, 2015 Author Posted July 17, 2015 Wouldn't be you would it? haha I'll see how I get on, more fun doing it yourself! Me god no, I'm good but I'm not that good, my dad used to be a carpenter, and he makes handmade furniture in his spare time for mums business (he is actually very good but don't tell him). Shouldn't be to difficult to make though. But I'm liking the idea of using a laptop screen
scotyboy56 Posted July 18, 2015 Author Posted July 18, 2015 Just a quick update, been shopping for more bits and bobs and the timber to make it. Two USB things to attache to frame for USB controllers (N64 - GOLDENEYE!!) Network port things for updating it etc Kettle lead socket for the power to everything Hinges for two doors, one at the back to access electronics if tinkering needed, one by your legs for storage of controllers etc. Whatever one of these things are called for the power for everything WOOD, lots of it two more bits that I haven't got pictures of Cardboard box to plan the control panel layout Lastly I have started to map out the sides on one of the pieces of wood
haldarulon Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 I cheated... Heres mine! also.. if any one wants to buy it
scotyboy56 Posted July 20, 2015 Author Posted July 20, 2015 I cheated... Heres mine! also.. if any one wants to buy it [ATTACH=CONFIG]31677[/ATTACH] That's awesome, you make the cabinet yourself? or is it a flatpack offline? Also what did you use to run MAME?
scotyboy56 Posted July 20, 2015 Author Posted July 20, 2015 At work at the moment, and forgot to post the pictures of what I did yesterday up, but here is a sneak preview of how I left it last night, hopefully more should be done by the time I get home as left dad with some jobs to do
haldarulon Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 I bought the cab for about 60 quid then bought jpac new buttons even picked up a touch screen monitor (2 actually) for 100 quid the romset was not cheap! and is nearly 90GIG! with just under 10 thousand games! its all controlled via the joysticks it even has an MP3 player. Sega master system/Genises/Mega 32x/Gamegear Nintendo NES SNK Daphne and of course name and all run off of a quad core Pentium. I also have a sit down version (second monitor went in to that!) that though is in the garage waiting for this one to go! P.s. NICE BUILD! how many times have you pretended to play on it so far... I bet more than building time!
scotyboy56 Posted July 20, 2015 Author Posted July 20, 2015 I bought the cab for about 60 quid then bought jpac new buttons even picked up a touch screen monitor (2 actually) for 100 quid the romset was not cheap! and is nearly 90GIG! with just under 10 thousand games! its all controlled via the joysticks it even has an MP3 player. Sega master system/Genises/Mega 32x/Gamegear Nintendo NES SNK Daphne and of course name and all run off of a quad core Pentium. I also have a sit down version (second monitor went in to that!) that though is in the garage waiting for this one to go! P.s. NICE BUILD! how many times have you pretended to play on it so far... I bet more than building time! That's awesome, and a lot of consoles, must bring you hours of enjoyment playing that Thanks still got a fair bit to go on it and urm quite a lot, since I put the joystick and buttons in to test it that was me gone for a while
scotyboy56 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Posted August 11, 2015 Sorry haven't updated in a while been busy with stuff, but it is now complete after issues with raspberry pi (think I broke the SD Card) I ended up using a windows laptop and it works fine and is amazing! But now I have the raspberry pi to make a tabletop one for my uncle (he got super excited when he saw space invaders) 2 things not done yet, need a switch to turn light on and off in my cupboard where my legs are, and need to put the car speakers into it.
haldarulon Posted August 11, 2015 Posted August 11, 2015 May I suggest an easier option and much more practical than car speakers! normal PC speakers with a volume knob! depending on whether the knob is internal or external (built in to speaker) if external no worries just fix the control to the underside of where the light goes! and put speakers inside where the light goes. if internal strip down shell from speakers and remove the volume board, you will see the wires that will need to be extended and repeat procedure as above worse case scenario with internal is get a plastic box from maplin to house the electronics and voila! you have an internal box now external! 12 quid pre amped speakers controlled independently from the PC and will save hours of moaning from the mrs because its too loud (speaking from experience!) easy!
scotyboy56 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Posted August 11, 2015 (edited) May I suggest an easier option and much more practical than car speakers! normal PC speakers with a volume knob! depending on whether the knob is internal or external (built in to speaker) if external no worries just fix the control to the underside of where the light goes! and put speakers inside where the light goes. if internal strip down shell from speakers and remove the volume board, you will see the wires that will need to be extended and repeat procedure as above worse case scenario with internal is get a plastic box from maplin to house the electronics and voila! you have an internal box now external! 12 quid pre amped speakers controlled independently from the PC and will save hours of moaning from the mrs because its too loud (speaking from experience!) easy! That would probably be easier, but I have a small amp in the cupboard part of it, so I can open door to change volume and stuff, and my uncle is a mechanic and has a junk yard in his garden pretty much so he gave me some speakers for free Plus I wanted to use some dell usb ones I had, but my dad wanted to do it this way so I said yes to keep him happy Edited August 11, 2015 by scotyboy56
Jaan Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 LOL Awesome just noticed this thread, here are mine, and a link to my site, Premier Arcades | Premier Arcades showcase website.
haldarulon Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 LOL Awesome just noticed this thread, here are mine, and a link to my site, Premier Arcades | Premier Arcades showcase website. [ATTACH=CONFIG]33059[/ATTACH] I officially do not like you! they are the most beautiful cabs I have EVER seen! curious... how much? - just sold mine was considering a new one for the office once that's built
Jaan Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 I officially do not like you! they are the most beautiful cabs I have EVER seen! curious... how much? - just sold mine was considering a new one for the office once that's built LOL your not the first person to say that.....lol i did another space invader cab as the one in the pics, monitor included...all wiring done....just add your own pc tower. (software and emu/roms NOT included) tad under £1100. build pics here. Premier Arcades Gallery and before you ask..... i have no time at the mo......as im building a gameboy Premier Arcades Gallery
Dos_Box Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 LOL Awesome just noticed this thread, here are mine, and a link to my site, Premier Arcades | Premier Arcades showcase website. [ATTACH=CONFIG]33059[/ATTACH] They are amazing! Do you do rentals?
Jaan Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 i'm afraid not...it's just a hobby...every now and then we'll build a themed cab and sell it on.....sometime if we have enough time we accept commissioned builds. But recently we've just had no time, and my uncle (who is a carpenter) has started his own business...and i'm full steam at work being the ONLY it guy.....so it's same old same old..... all work and no play
andydis Posted September 26, 2016 Posted September 26, 2016 OK after reading this thread it inspired me to make one for my son's 5th Birthday, its not for 3 weeks but I have nearly completed it.........
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