JK Cabinet to MAME - Arcade project Part III!

FRONT PANEL WITH CONTROLS

The front panel controls is used to steer the figure in the games. A joystick is used to control the figure and a number of buttons is used to fire or jump with the figure or do anything else in the game. JK Cabinet has two sets of controls on the front panel, one set for each player. It is important that the controls feel good to get a good gaming experience. Since it is with the controls a large part of the interaction with the game is experienced in addition to video and audio.

The front panel, which sat on the cabinet was a bit worn. As the picture above shows it had an ugly stroke mark in the veneer.

On top of the front panel where the controls are attached to the color was scratched and lots of rust has occurred. Luckily, I got a better front panel with at the purchase of the cabinet which can be used instead.

The second front panel that came with the purchase looks much better on the front. We also see the coin door in the middle of the front of the front panel.

No rust on the top of the front panel. However, the front panel has the old buttons in the metal that is not particularly stylish or comfortable to use when playing. It was common that these were original in the Danish JK cabinet.

Time to unmount those ugly metal buttons from the front panel.

JOYSTICK AND PUSHBUTTONS

The pushbuttons are attached in the front panel with a threaded washer that appear in the image.

There is 4-way "oldschool" joysticks on the front panel and it should be enough to play most of the games in MAME.

There are plastic pushbuttons attached on the front panel which is damaged, this are classic colored pushbuttons with comfortable feeling.

A classic pushbutton!

Which would you choose for your Cabinet?

4-way joystick. I think these "old school" joystick has a wonderful visual retro feel and I will initially retain them instead of replacing them with a more modern joystick.

On the pushbutton is a standing micro switch attached which gives a signal when the button is pressed.

All cables from the joystick and pushbuttons go to a contact that is simular to a terminal-block.

Now are all controls removed from the undamaged front panel and I can mount the plastic pushbuttons.

The newer plastic pushbuttons is moved from the damaged front panel to the front panel without any damages. The pushbuttons have been cleaned in the ultrasonic cleaner because they were pretty dirty.

The final result with the front panel mounted to the cabinet. I have not decided if I will replace any pushbutton with different color or if there is a need of a fourth pushbutton per player. It may be an issue for the future?

CONTROLS MARKII

To get a front panel with a better look, I wanted to replace the pushbuttons that are used to start a single player game or to start a game for two players, also a pushbutton was needed for loading credits. The choice fell on Ultimarc Ultralux "LED Illuminated pushbuttons with stunning real chrome-plate or translucent 2-tone color-keyed surrounds" which has a really nice look. The picture shows an illuminated pushbutton with a logo insert for two players.

Pushbutton for credits is tested. Looks really nice out in the dark!

A hole of diameter 29 mm is drilled for the pushbutton that shall be used for credits.

Hole drill diameter 29 mm.

First, drill a pilot hole before the hole drill is used.

Time to drill with the hole drill diameter of 29 mm.

Drill slowly with a wooden plank underneath for the best results.

A new hole is made in the middle for the pushbutton wich will be used for adding credits to a game.

Grinding and cleaning of loose paint.

Filling of surfaces that are free from color with putty. After painting, the result was not good!

Instead the entire console was grinded free from paint.

A primer was applied.

Console after application of primer.

Here we see the color that will be used, a matte black paint used for cars, suitable for wheels and bodywork.

Console after application of CAR´S rally lacquer, black mat.

Trying out the painted console on the cabinet, i´m pleased with how well the black color became.

New joysticks from Ultimarc, Mag-Stik Plus, "Magnetically Centered Joystick! 4-8 Way Switchable from top of the panel". By lifting the stick upward and rotate 45 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, you can select whether the joystick shall work with 4-way or 8-way direction.

Mag-Stik Plus, view from side.

Mag-Stik Plus, view from above.

Mag-Stik Plus, view underneath.

New joysticks and pushbuttons mounted on the console, note that one pushbutton is orange per each player.

New cable routing.

Detail picture.

All switches transferred from the old console to the new console.

A lamp console from a pinball machine is mounted on the coin hatch for illumination of the coin slot.

The cable routing of +5 volts from the computer is connected with the lamp on the coin hatch.

The cable routing of +5 volts from the computer is connected to the console for lighting of Ultralux pushbuttons, 1 player, 2 player, credits.

The final result with the new joysticks and pushbuttons, I have choseen an orange pushbutton for the one which is most used in the games, shoot, jump and more. Note that Ultralux pushbuttons, 1 player, credits, 2 players are lit but appears bad in the picture.

Now it is complete and ready to play all favorite games from 70's and 80's. The game that is running on the cabinet is named Zoo Keeper, me and my guy just loves this game as many other fine titles.

Pleasure and Pinball

Have You played A Pinball Today?

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