Category: Building Stuff

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Hyper PI Bar Top Retro Arcade. Part 1. Applying Graphics and Starting the Cabinet Build.

First of all the why am i doing this. well i used to collect arcade machines and hack mulit board systems. due to now running family business and life being a lot more hectic i had to shut down my xxxx-in-1.com site after it was taken down by hackers. i sold the office that was housing my collection. but miss my arcades machines so decided to build a small one for the man cave.

will cover full size arcade machines soon as will have 2 that i will be modifying in the future to build the ultimate PC driven full size machines.

Back to the build.

i ordered a flat pack kit off ebay. form http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/arcade_flat_pack

i went with a 24″ cabinet design as had a spare monitor kicking around in storage.

I then ordered a cheep set of red and blue led buttons with zippy joysticks can be found on ebay from http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/extreme-hardware  i ordered some extra buttons as the kit could support more than supplied went with white buttons for player 1 and 2 start

they come with usb encoders designed for raspberry pi as low voltage leds instead of the more voltage hungry 12v ones for main stream machines will cover them in other build.

For cabinet graphics i asked mark from arcade flat pack he recommended rockstarprint.co.uk  ended up buy some side art and 3d carbon fiber for other panels.

there are some other bits you will need. amps and speakers whent with 100mm speakers and some 12mm t-molding. from: https://www.arcadeworlduk.com/

You will also need a raspberry pi 3 micro sd card again size is up to how big a image your going to build  and 2 usb memory sticks or powered hard drive depending on how big of a install you want to do as its quite modular.

Recommend getting the pi 3 from http://www.thepihut.com

Sd cards and usb keys are available every ware

tools:

  • Craft knife
  • Screwdriver set
  • some 200 grit sand paper
  • Hex key set

Starting the build i have already test assembled the cabinet to make sure all parts fitted. there was a issue with perspex that is being replaced as 20″ perspex was sent by mistake.  its in transit as i type.  as the wife is out for a few hours thought i would apply artwork and make a start of installing all the buttons.

disassembled kit

removed parts  that i will cover in graphics and vinyl wrap sanded to scratch up the faces that the vinyl is going to cover and removed dust.

ruffly cut the vinyl to shape then started to peel.

Then start in one corner to peel the vinyl and wipe with a cloth.

now trim off over hangs using sharp craft knife position blade at angel cut out any holes and features.

sides done

Insert t-molding and cut to length then tap in to slot using back of a screw driver handle.

now for other panels.

Part 2  Wiring up the buttons and installing speakers and all pcbs coming Monday the 8th time allowing.

Please note all links are people i have brought off and i am not affiliated with all my views are mine and not sponsored.

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LED Have landed so lets get them prepped for the print and build.

Right as i am waiting for my printer to ship have been getting prepped for adding some mods.  so first project will be adding some LED panels so i can light up the printer and monitor the printer remotely. the reason for doing this is the printer is housed in the man cave and as much as i love watching my prints. i also have to do other things when printing. with  octo print i can keep a eye on prints and stop failed prints before getting a big mess.

Will cover octo print set up on a raspberry pi 3 in a build project in the near future.

have already sliced the print in slicer for some black PLA  the led panels were brought off ebay for a cheep price form Hong Kong and took around 2 weeks to come they are so cheep £2.08

the connectors supplied were for interior lights. luckily the 2 pin connectors that they join to are easily available to buy and have already made up 2 x 1 meter leads.  I have been talking with Scott Smith from prusamk2.com who did the remixed on this design for the lights and he has recommended hooking them directly to power supply so when printer is on lights are on. might add a switch in the near future. have seen several other designs but ended up with these as in have ordered the multi material upgrade for printer so will need the space on top bar.

Tools Used:

  • Wire cutters.
  • Wire stripper.
  • Crimping tool.

Connectors / Materials Used:

  • 2 x 12V Car 48 SMD White LED Lights
  • 2 Pin Dupont Housing Female Free Terminal Connectors.
  • 1 Meter red wire x 2
  • 1 Meter black wire x 2

Cut wire in to  lengths of 1 meter.   Strip tips by 5 mm twist and place in to the crimp connector now for the fiddly bit crimp small crimp part on front of connector to hold the wire then crimp the wire sleeve in the second one.

will add some images of the crimping process.

you can then insert them in to connector they will only fit one way.  Once i have my printer will document connecting them up to the power supply as apparently theirs a 12v spare connection on it.