DEREK'S ARCADE

Yes, I'm a geek. Now that we've established that, here's my next project. After buying and outgrowing the Jakks TV Games I've started building a full-sized arcade machine for myself.

Specs will include a 21" Viewsonic monitor, 1ghz P4 (it's a Dell so I don't mind taking it apart a bit), and my own homemade controls from a hacked up keyboard and authentic Happ parts. Initially it will be 2 player but I also plan to have controls stowed away underneath (probably in the form of old NES controllers, of which i would love 2 donations).

Anybody with any ideas, plans, links (arcadecontrols.com is the best I've found so far), spare parts, etc... would be greatly appreciated. Greatly needed right now is an old trackball mouse. Bigger the ball's the better.

I will keep this updated to document the progress.

The cabinet will most likely resemble this one and will use his dimensions for the build.

Buttons: Thanks to good old ebay, my joysticks and buttons should be on their way soon.

Control Panel: Most important panel completed, here is the original design and completed peice. I left room for a trackball (expensive) and a third joystick in the center. The wood is medium density fiberboard (MDF). There will be a piece of lexan or something similar covering it to give the panel a nicer feel.

Control box done and working

SIDE PROJECTS
Everyone needs a change now and then, something interesting. While these detours may not always be the best use of my time, too bad.