At this point; we'll call the building complete. I've built a front panel for the coin slot, which has a power button and a front USB port built into it. I used a USB port that's supposed to be for a media cabinet, so very in keeping with the retro design of the Arcade, and definitely sturdy as it's all metal construction! The power button isn't linked up yet, but that's because the computer in there is a donor computer, and I don't intend to be destructive about it, so I'm waiting on setting myself up with a "new" (old) computer that I can cannibalise any way I see fit, which means for now at least: building has finished and we're moving over to software! Still having problems with HyperSpin, but have built myself a reasonable front end with MaLa whilst I figure it out, and of course; I do have the older Mame UI's in place if all else fails.

Anyway... For readers, here's a quick pic of the coin door now it's all completed...

Almost Complete...

Hardware is almost done now, keep forgetting to post this update... Artwork has been applied, trouble with T-Molding has been resolved with copious amounts of aradlite glue (which, incidentally is nasty horrible stuff, and if I ever have to use it again, I'm using rubber gloves, as it made my fingers feel as though they were burning for a few days afterwards, and I'd say there was minimal skin contact, but it is nasty and horrible, and I wouldn't have used it if it weren't absolutely necessary) as I found out that this machine has a 2mm slot (I didn't even know there would be different sizes of t-molding when I ordered) and what I ordered is for a 1.6mm slot, so fits easily, but didn't hold, hence the glue, which now holds it nicely.

So, it's now featured on Custom Grafix Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=444156795667805&set=pb.111293578954130.-2207520000.1366796638.&type=3&theater

Have to say; Vlad did an outstanding job on the artwork, and if ever I need anything else, I wouldn't even hesitate to ask him to come up with a design. I think we were pretty much on the same page with what I'd asked for here, and he massively exceeded my hopes for the artwork, and it fits perfectly with what I was going for, I really can't offer enough gratitude for his exceedingly good work.

So, the reason you're here no doubt is for a photo; sadly there is but one at the moment, as the rechargeable batteries have died permanently this time for the camera, so have to get some more, but haven't had chance yet, and my phone just doesn't do pictures justice, so just the one for now...

The last of the tape is now off the bottom of the cab, and with the red glow from underneath (can't be seen on here because of the flash) just really ties the whole thing together.

There are a couple of other less visible things that have been done; I changed the lock in the coin door, so it's now on a key that I have, and I've put a bolt in the back of the main door, so now it can't be opened without the keys, which leaves to do:

Make a power button / usb port for the hole in the coin door, so that the door never needs to be opened, unless I want to open the door.

Make a kettle lead plug socket and back plate for the ethernet cable so that there's no visible wiring (the power board cable) coming out of the back of the cabinet.

For now however; that is all.

Artwork first look...

Well, it's been a journey, but as I knew he would be; Scott & Game on Grafix have been awesome about getting the right artwork out, and it arrived on Monday morning; it's taken until now to get to a photo publishing point, with some glue experiments for the t-molding, and still got the t-molding taped up until the glue has set, but here it is...

First pic, literally had time to unroll this before going to work, and lay it flat for the day... Obviously, impatience got the better of me, and leads us to the below: one side fitted:

... And now, T-molding... It's a nightmare to make it hold, as the groove is slightly to big for the t-molding; apparently there is a different size over here, but sadly; no red, so what I've got from America doesn't brace itself, so a lot of glue, and some tape later to hold it until it's set...

More to follow, but for now... That is all :)

Slow progress...

Been a while since I've updated here; there's not really been much happening, so as a side note, I decided to strip one of my old HDD caddies to find out why it wasn't working... Blown power cap had leaked over the logic board for the drive, so decided not to replace the power cap, and bought a new caddy... old one as been relegated to holder of screws! Obviously nothing to do with project, but nothing is really going on, still waiting on postage for most things. The artwork ordered was received, but it was the wrong one. I just got notification of the new package being posted out, so hopefully, we've got the right one coming. Really appreciative of Game On Grafix customer service now, as it's twice I've had to talk to Scott about things, really great guy to deal with, and that does make the difference between a good and a bad company!!

On the progress front, I have done one more thing; which is take the side of the case off the computer so I can run power out of the case (I wasn't going to do this initially; hence changing the electrics on the track ball to have a USB powered light) to adopt an idea I had seen someone else use on their cabinet; given the red blue and black my cab will eventually show on the outside; I decided to give it a "tron like" glow from underneath, and have wired in some computer LED rope light to brighten things up; sadly my camera doesn't do it justice, I really should charge up my decent camera rather than keeping on using my phone, but anyway, a quick snap of the new lighting solution...

T-molding is in the post too, and since I couldn't get a reasonable postage price on a coin slot, I'm making a custom solution for the hole in the coin door; I've got a button and switch left spare, so going to run power to that, and I've ordered the USB port from Arcadeshop.de so that the door on the front will never need to be opened, I also ordered a new lock, plug with filter (to plate the back up rather than just having cables coming out), and I may then put a latch on the inside so that when the cabinet is closed, there's no access unless you have the keys, thus making it a real machine!!

Almost finished now

This week saw the arrival of more vinyl, so I've covered the coin door now, I'm still looking for a coin reject button and cover, so if anyone has one of these going, and wants to post to NZ (for a reasonable price) please let me know :)

The end is in site (which makes me both happy and sad; happy because I get to invite everybody over and have a games night, sad because it means no more project for a while) with Side Art on order, and I was persuaded by (of all people) my wife to order new t-molding as what's on the arcade presently could probably do with a tidy up. In keeping with the rest of the arcade (red / blue / black colours) I've ordered the bright red, which is supposed to match the HAPP buttons, so I can but hope, as postage costs dictated that I couldn't realistically order a sampler pack and then choose, so hopefully I'm right out of the box, otherwise it's a costly mistake!!

So, only one new photo; I have covered the door on the front, and everything is looking much more like a real arcade again! I think next time; I will build my own from scratch (using plans I have found on the interweb) rather than restoring one, it's been a mission trying to figure out how the builder has put certain things together, (the U-Nails debacle still comes to mind at this point) and as this seems to be pretty much his own design, (based on a Neo-Geo by the looks of it) I've literally had to reverse engineer everything to figure out how it's put together, and of course; my own design flair has been added here and there to put the new stuff in, like the new control panel and the monitor mount, which is strong as houses! I reckon I could sit on it and not break it, which is definitely a good thing! Anyway, today's photo...

Computer fitted, and test run...

Artwork is on order, so we're on hold until that arrives now, then hopefully more or less finished so I can have people over for "game night" ... Winner stays on of course ... Best I get practicing!!

Anyway, computer has been requisitioned and fitted, and I've play tested it, and it is playing supremely well with the newly bolted down control panel, unfortunately; some of the filler came loose while I was drilling new guide holes, so back to filling a couple of screw holes tomorrow, but that aside... New Marquee also arrived and got fitted, so this is where we're at so far...

Obviously we have to have a look at the marquee first, as we've been waiting a while for that; this is with the lights out so fully back lit; looking very good methinks! Mucho thanks go out to Scott at Game on Grafix for this, he's been awesome about the whole thing after the first read Mr Draco's; a little disheartening at the time, but as Scott is such an awesome person to deal with, he made everything right in quick time, and I'm now loving the newly fitted artwork; if anything Game On Grafix are BETTER than everyone says! The Vinyl work is just amazing; even with the backlight turned off it looks awesome.

Then there's the computer, I must again thank my good friend for the donation; I can't with all honesty say I've double checked the spec, but I do know it's running Hyperspin well, and playing MAME games with ease now it's up and running.

Test run:

And now; to paraphrase The Emperor; we witness the power of this fully operational MAME arcade!

Should probably have opened the blinds to take that one, but hey; we live; we learn!!

The Side Art is going to remain a closely guarded secret until it's fitted, so everyone will have to wait for that!!

That is all.

ready for finishing...

Okay, so another landmark weekend this weekend... This saturday saw the migration into the house for finishing, as the shed is just to damp and rubbish. I've filled in all the screw holes, and any bumps I can find ready for artwork (will need a final sand down). I've sprayed the grill and the rear vent (just a gloss black... works for me) and I've carbon fibre'd (just to keep on my theme with the inner bezel) the metalwork, as it looked like it had been dipped in plastic before, and whilst I did try cleansing the metalwork; it didn't really go so well, so I've smoothed it and the put the carbon fibre over the top, as you'll see; it's actually not to bad.

If the filler has set and spot on when I check it out tonight, and I get the filler that's on the inside where the controller will sit painted, I should be able to mount the control panel tomorrow in its final resting place (for now anyway, I am discovering that it's very tempting to do more every time I do something, however until I have a big workshop (AKA re-purposed garage) this is it)

So, in the house, all fillered up... The bezel is all in place, and whilst it's not the final; I've placed the marquee in position to get an idea (at this point, it's not stuck yet, as the replacement is en-route from GameOnGrafix hence chopping off the top):