Author Topic: FLYNN'S ARCADE (Project Code Name: Overambitious) - FINISHED (Read 442012 times)

opt2not · « **Reply #840 on:** November 07, 2018, 02:18:52 pm »

Quote from: Malenko on November 07, 2018, 01:59:05 pm

Quote from: Skoobie on November 06, 2018, 05:32:32 pm
Well this build is boarding on legendary at this point.

No, its still a great execution of a bad design; far from legendary. Every time the thread finally fall off the first page (which is tough because the traffic on this site has slowed to a crawl) someone comes along and makes a post that should have been a PM to him or asks for something already answered in the thread.

Yup. It was executed well, but there are some key flaws in the ergonomic design, especially around the Control Panel. It's been discussed in many other threads here.

@Skoobie, do yourself a favour and read more of the other 4-player cabinet projects posted here that didn't follow this design. You'll see a lot of projects that have done a 4-player set-up correctly, and it'll give you a better understanding of how to balance the aesthetics and ergonomics of your project, 2 of the main things that must be balanced in creating a viable arcade cabinet.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #841 on:** November 07, 2018, 02:42:55 pm »

AggieRWC · « **Reply #842 on:** December 11, 2018, 08:43:31 pm »

Quote from: AggieRWC on February 10, 2018, 05:29:00 pm

How did you determine the placements and legnths of all the ledger boards? Do you have a diagram and/or measurements for where to put them?

1) What size boards did you use for your ledger boards?
2) What size screws did you use to attach them to the sides?

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #843 on:** December 12, 2018, 03:23:33 am »

AggieRWC · « **Reply #844 on:** January 01, 2019, 09:10:59 pm »

How far off the ground do your side and front and back panels sit? I’m guessing you don’t want them to sit right on the ground because it would make it hard to move on the back rollers. I just can’t decide how far is a good distance.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #845 on:** January 04, 2019, 12:38:38 am »

Goose1 · « **Reply #846 on:** January 22, 2019, 02:42:36 pm »

Hey Chance! Just wanted to let you know your cab has inspired me to kick the can on my own build! I was flip flopping for a long time whether to give it a shot or buy a prefabed kit. Your build gives me the confidence I can build my dream can myself tho! Really kickass build you've got here.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #847 on:** January 25, 2019, 02:04:55 am »

ehammer85 · « **Reply #848 on:** January 27, 2019, 02:22:25 am »

Finally getting around to putting up my build here. Feel free to check it out. Still in progress.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,159436.0.html

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #849 on:** January 27, 2019, 12:05:16 pm »

yotsuya · « **Reply #850 on:** January 28, 2019, 07:59:38 pm »

Glad to see you getting some pub, Chance!!!

AggieRWC · « **Reply #851 on:** January 28, 2019, 09:53:17 pm »

About how high would you say the top of the front of your control panel is above the ground? I'm starting to put mine together based off of your build and mine feels a little high, but it may be all in my head.

barrymossel · « **Reply #852 on:** January 29, 2019, 08:33:42 am »

Quote from: AggieRWC on January 28, 2019, 09:53:17 pm

About how high would you say the top of the front of your control panel is above the ground? I'm starting to put mine together based off of your build and mine feels a little high, but it may be all in my head.

I guess that would be personal preference. If you feel it's too high and uncomfortable to play (for some hours in a row), it's too high.

AggieRWC · « **Reply #853 on:** January 29, 2019, 09:00:50 am »

Quote from: barrymossel on January 29, 2019, 08:33:42 am

Quote from: AggieRWC on January 28, 2019, 09:53:17 pm
About how high would you say the top of the front of your control panel is above the ground? I'm starting to put mine together based off of your build and mine feels a little high, but it may be all in my head.
I guess that would be personal preference. If you feel it's too high and uncomfortable to play (for some hours in a row), it's too high.

I think I chose my words wrong. It doesn't necessarily feel uncomfortable, but just looks high. I was just curious the height of what most of them would be.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #854 on:** February 01, 2019, 10:41:23 pm »

smitty1141 · « **Reply #855 on:** February 14, 2019, 10:13:28 pm »

First off amazing build. One question though on your cp I saw you posted rough dimensions of the base thank you of that but was curious how much of a hangover you have for the top and if the hangover is on all sides or just front and sides.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #856 on:** February 15, 2019, 07:26:05 am »

grizzhcky · « **Reply #857 on:** March 12, 2019, 01:27:13 am »

Chance- you are an absolute master! I have spent hours upon hours researching building my first cabinet with my dad, and then I found your post---All I can say is WOW!!! He is 80 and loves woodworking/cabinetry, and I am 43 and love building computers and electronics, so we are about to embark on this journey together. I am only hoping I can build something as epic as yours, as this will be the last "project" I think I will get to do with my dad. Thanks for inspiring me to take the leap, I can't wait to get started. Thank you for your willingness to share all of your build experiences in such great detail- definitely a labor of love. From one hockey fan to another- thanks for all you have done and inspired! here we go.... I can't wait

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #858 on:** March 14, 2019, 04:46:27 am »

grizzhcky · « **Reply #859 on:** March 24, 2019, 01:04:25 pm »

Ok- so I have spent many days reading through and organizing my thoughts/plans. One question that i keep coming back to is why did you do quick disconnects (molex) connections on each of your RGB's? What it the purpose/benefit of doing this vs. a straight run from each LED to the controller?

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #860 on:** March 24, 2019, 01:24:56 pm »

grizzhcky · « **Reply #861 on:** March 24, 2019, 04:13:58 pm »

makes sense- as far as time/cost what do you feel that it added to your project overall if you don't mind me asking?

yotsuya · « **Reply #862 on:** March 24, 2019, 08:48:56 pm »

Quote from: grizzhcky on March 24, 2019, 04:13:58 pm

makes sense- as far as time/cost what do you feel that it added to your project overall if you don't mind me asking?

Do it - you won’t regret doing it, but chances are (ha) you will if you don’t.

Nephasth · « **Reply #863 on:** March 24, 2019, 09:08:37 pm »

Always take time to incorporate designs that simplify maintenance.

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #864 on:** March 24, 2019, 09:49:40 pm »

Malenko · « **Reply #865 on:** March 24, 2019, 10:24:56 pm »

Should make for swapping out the terrible control panel for a better design that much easier.

gingecko · « **Reply #866 on:** April 10, 2019, 03:00:10 pm »

Whew, finally finished reading through this mammoth thread. Kudos on having completed your vision! There were so many interesting ideas used in your build. Your attention to detail really shows in the finished product too.

The last time I built a cab was over 10 years ago and the notes in this thread helped me quite a bit in catching up. Granted things have continued to change, but this was a good starting place, especially with all the pictures and notes you took, suggestions along the way, etc. I don't think I'll be making the same shaped cabinet, but will probably borrow a number of ideas.

Your build notes are pretty easy to understand. The volume control is one piece I'm still wondering about though. It looks like you had one idea originally and then opted to use a PowerMate? Do you use that in combination with the iPacs to control volume? It's one of the things I'm not quite clear on, and I'm not much of an electrician so rewiring a speaker volume know might be a bit tricky.

How stable is your cab overall? I noticed after putting wheels on my original one, that the cab would rock side to side a bit, when people got crazy on the machine. I'm considering using two front leveling legs and the two wheels in back like you did.

It looks like you're more into the restoration scene these days. With all your restored cabs, how does the Flynn arcade stand up? Do you and your friends spend as much time playing it or do people tend to gravitate to the original machines? If Flynn still gets decent usage, what games are people playing on there that they couldn't play on the dedicated machines?

grizzhcky · « **Reply #867 on:** April 11, 2019, 09:38:34 pm »

Ok Chance- I am underway in my build! I just received my Ultimarc U-Trac trackball and had a question about your install. If I am correct, it doesn't look like you ended up using the trim ring over the top, correct? If so, are you still happy with that decision or would you have used the trim ring in hindsight?

Thanks again!

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #868 on:** April 13, 2019, 05:56:00 pm »

gingecko · « **Reply #869 on:** April 16, 2019, 04:54:41 pm »

Quote from: ChanceKJ on April 13, 2019, 05:56:00 pm

Thanks for the questions!

Sure thing, thanks for the answers! Your candidness about arcades and all that, is pretty awesome and probably why you keep getting questions from so many people. Double edged sword, haha!

You found a new partner since Flynn? My first wife and I divorced shortly after I finished my arcade machine. Little to do with that, but funny that it coincided. My new Wife (and now kids), don't totally understand this new project, but I have a feeling once they see it completed and what it can do, they will be impressed. My first arcade machine was pretty imperfect, but people who saw it in person were pretty blown away.

Great to hear that Flynn and your dedicated machine play pretty well together. If I had the space, I'd probably opt for more dedicated Mame machines, but for now I got to work with what I have.

Interesting that you got rid of Centipede. I think that it depends on what you grew up on. I'd probably never want a Pong (even though I'm old enough to have played it), but Robotron 2049, Defender, Ms Pac Man, and Centipede would likely be on my buy lists if I had the space for those Arcade machines. Even though there are games with much better graphics out there, something about the gameplay in those games really draws me in.

Okay, one more question from me. Arcade machines are pretty big projects involving a lot of different skill sets, software, electronics, wood working, design, etc. Which parts came easiest to you and which were more difficult?

Thanks again!

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #870 on:** April 16, 2019, 06:16:23 pm »

gingecko · « **Reply #871 on:** April 16, 2019, 09:50:53 pm »

Ah yea, a background in technical theater probably helped a lot!

I haven't had a lot of experience with carpentry or electrical (both of which will really show once I complete my cab!). I'm an amateur artist, which helps a bit. I've done programming quite a bit, but even that doesn't necessarily help a lot with these front ends. Maybe when I delve deeper into them and have to modify things.
Didn't realize you were a Reality TV guy, nice! I still need to watch some of your Canadian Arcade, and will check that out at some point. Good to hear this was just the launch board for many more adventures!

grizzhcky · « **Reply #872 on:** April 23, 2019, 02:00:41 am »

Damn you Chance and your quick disconnects! You convinced me to order a bulk load of them from China. Now I have been up all night trying to learn how to crimp perfectly... It's not easy! Any tips to become a master crimper?

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #873 on:** April 23, 2019, 02:04:35 am »

chadwyk · « **Reply #874 on:** May 04, 2019, 05:55:17 pm »

Hey Chance! Love your work! I’m a total wood working noob starting my own build based off your side panels. Thanks for such detailing your build in such depth! It’s going to help a ton!

Here is my thread.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,160171.0.html

Just an FYI, your pdf version of the template is still not the correct size. I had to have Staples scale it up to 72” tall. The Adobe Illustrator file is correct though. I saw that someone else notified you of that and you uploaded v2, but it doesn’t look like it changed.

bynkan · « **Reply #875 on:** May 12, 2019, 02:48:10 am »

Hey Chance,

Love your work its an amazing arcade, and great photos

I am a newb that is from Sweden, living in Cambodia. Now my plan is to build an Arcade for the neighborhood children using it to teach them to do good by offering them coins whenever they do good deeds and letting them play on the arcade. I will do a time-based system so that each coin offer a certain play time. Since the area where I live most people are poor and uneducated and this is my way to give some inspiration to the children to do better for them self.

Now my question to you since I am not good at cad/cam or SketchUp. My part is the tech and connecting all together, I would like to ask you a major favor, would it be possible for you to send over all the woodworking cad files, sketch files and also the lineout on the graphics, I will manage do the graphic design my self, I think to have the cad/SketchUp and lineout in scale 1:1 would help a lot. I will most likely do some changes but not much on the files, but the graphics will be a big change, I will try to incorporate things to inspire the children even more.

Thank you for reading...

hoping for the help...

ChanceKJ · « **Reply #876 on:** May 14, 2019, 02:15:48 am »

Mike A · « **Reply #877 on:** May 14, 2019, 05:25:31 am »

People are always asking for CAD files for a box with a TV in it. Just sketch it on paper and build it. The cab you want to build could probably support an entire impoverished Cambodian family for a few years. The equivalent of their minimum wage is like 150 USD a month. An arcade machine is probably not the best allocation of resources there.

Mike A · « **Reply #878 on:** May 14, 2019, 05:35:41 am »

I work at my local food pantry. I had the same idea you did. I was going to build a cab to put in the pantry on free play. The director kindly slapped down my well intentioned idea. She handed me a priority list a mile long. The first thing on the list was a functional oven. I used the money I was going to spend on an arcade machine and I started plowing through her list.

grizzhcky · « **Reply #879 on:** May 18, 2019, 09:10:00 pm »

Well here it is... I've finally started. Thanks Chance for all of the inspiration and design. I have started with your side panels and tweaked it a little along the way. Added a spinner, changed the way the marquee mounts, and like you have said many times, just came up with things along the way. Here is a link to my build
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,160304.0.html


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