Project Update

Been very busy as of late and had some major life issues that kept me from projects.
However the Nintendo Twins (DK & Popeye) are coming along well.
I found a local source who was getting into the "Arcade Art Business" and gave me some DK & Popeye art that he had done for someone. It did come with a catch, the art had some wrinkles in it. I thought I would be able to smooth it out, but I couldn't. I can honestly say that with them installed I'm not so sure I made the best choice installing FREE DAMAGED art. I think I would have rather paid and had the art flawless. I guess the saving grace, or silver lining is that when in place only one side of DK will be visible. You wont even see the Popeye art. It's more that I know it's damaged and I see it when I look at it. I'm sure we all have something like that.
I'll snap some pics soon and post them on the blog.

Really all that remains now is to pick up my coin door which if all goes well I'm hoping to do the 1st week in December. I also need to pick up some additional hardware such as marquee bracket which I'm also hoping to do the same day. December 3rd is the local Coin-Op auction and if the seller of my Popeye cabinet is at the auction he will have a few parts for me. That day I'm also going Christmas shopping out in Vaughn, that just so happens to be the location of my coin door. So fingers crossed it all works out.

My buddy and fellow coin-op enthusiast offered to help me wire up my monitors and help with the jamma wiring. He's also busy with a bunch of projects so finding the time isn't easy. I myself had some major issues as of late and have been really taken back when it comes to the hobby. On a positive note I hope to be starting my basement man cave soon ! So all my cabinets will have a nice home to be displayed, played and enjoyed. Realistically if I don't do the jamma wiring until the spring I'm OK with that.

Painting All Done

Last weekend a push was made to complete all the body work and painting on both cabinets. They both came out really good and I had to test all my plastics and control panels. LOVING THESE ! This weekend I'll be wiring both cabinets for JAMMA. One horizontal, one vertical. These will be a sweet pair ! Full project gallery to date : http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll85/vibefxdesign/Popeye%20and%20Donkey%20Kong%20Restoration/

I'll have some more detailed entries later focusing on specific areas of the build.

My GRILLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't like the holes that were drilled for a speaker grill.
Have no way of recreating the Nintendo original look.
Don't feel like having one shipped and adding that expense to the project.
So in the end I decided on this look.

I'll need to sand it tomorrow, add a skim coat, I should be able to paint it in 48 hours. It should be an easy fix that will not show any sings of repair when done.

Coming Together

Had a get an idea for how it was going to look.

A Few More Pics

Just a few shots of the cabinets all patched up, then painted.

Popeye Progress

Got some time over the weekend to paint my Popeye cabinet.
It's coming along well.
I'm still waiting on my t-molding and side art which I do expect this week.
I decided to today that I'd rather add a speaker grill as opposed to the "custom" look of drilled holes to let the sound escape. I think it's a step in the right direction.
Cabinet is looking good, I'm excited to wrap this up shortly.

A Few More Panel Pics

Working with the vinyl was really easy.
I mad sure to soften the edges of my panel so that when I pulled the vinyl tight I would not damage it. I used a squeegee to bond the vinyl tight to the wood. On the underside I am thinking of running a bead of hot glue to make sure the vinyl remains in place. I paid $7 for linear foot of the vinyl which made my buddies laugh because the MDF I "wasted" was only $2. But for what it's worth the panel looks amazing and I know now I'd work with this vinyl all the time. Sometimes I don't like the easy simple "paint it black" fix, but black is so universal and works for so many things. Not sure if locally I could have found this product in different colors, but for my Popeye cabinet the black works. I used the buttons and balltop's to pop the panel with color.