Custom Arcade Cabinets & more

The Build Page

Doing-It-Myself since 2000-something.

<<July 25, 2014>>

New Clock! Thanks to Shayna for drawing 58% of the artwork.

<<July 24, 2014>>

So My B+ was not DOA... I had to format (the slow kind of format) the SD card for the B+. It is a picky update Pi. My SD card needed to be TOTALLY clean of any old data, so a quick format was no good for this. I used the "overwrite" format with the SDFormatter tool. I'm in the process of setting up the image from scratch. I'm also working on uploading a new Porta Pi image with RetroPie v1.10 that will work for B and B+. Stay tuned. I'm waiting for a 4GB SD to come in the mail (I only have an 8GB as luck would have it).

Until a solution is found for GPIO input, I'm holding off on using RetroPie v2.3. I agree, it does look very nice :)

All 9inch kits are updated to fit the RPi B+ model, just note my image does not work for the B+ at the moment. I will upload a new image for the B+ soon(ish).

I also have a big show this Saturday in Cleveland ,Ohio. So, this new image will have to wait until next week.

Show details are on the bottom left. Please stop by if you're in the area!

<<July 19, 2014>>

Update the CAD files to fit the RPi B+. Reworked most of of inventory to fit. Did a test fit on the 9" Model. Looks ok. Will try the 7" cabinet later. Again, check the Shop pages to see if current kits fit the B+. The change is minimal, but at the moment I have a mix of kits that fit one or both. I liked to sell old inventory before I make the offical update, as it is easier to manage fewer variations of the arcade kits.

Unfortunately my B+ came DoA. I will test the image when I get a different one.

<<July 14, 2014>>

The Raspberry Pi Model B+ is out! More GPIOs and USB ports!!! Once my B+ arrives in the mail I will update kits to fit the new Pi model. All the pages will be updated to show this added compatibility. So until then all kits are for the Model B still....

<<July 7, 2014>>

Nintendo DS and 3DS game case coming soon. SD card case too.

<<July 5, 2014>>

New kit prototypes are coming along well. These will be bare-bones kits/ plans aka wood kits or drawing files only. They are geared for a two player layout using PC monitors 15 - 23 inches. See more pics here.

and...

MAKING THE BEST BEVERAGE COASTERS YOUR EYES HAVE EVER SEEN!

<<June 22, 2014>>

Vote for the Porta Pi Arcade in the Instructables Epilog laser contest!
It would make me so happy if you Porta Pi Arcade fans would support me. Having my own laser would reduce many of my costs and help new protypes come to life faster :)

Thanks for stopping by my page!

<<June 20, 2014>>

A proper video showing the Porta Pi Arcade in action! I realized I didnt have an updated video for those wondering "How is it with games?".

<<June 19, 2014>>

I made a video demonstrating all the steps for Full Kit assembly. The 44minute video covers all the major steps, required tools, and tips when building. So, if you're on the fence, or just curious what building a cabinet is like, this will help. The video is also a compliment to the PDF manual. It will help with the assembly as it serves as a detailed visual guide.

<<June 13, 2014>>
I'm working on new kits right now. A CNC kit of a bartop-styled arcade. Here 's the first mock-up and trial run. It needs a few adjustments for sizing. The goal is low cost. The monitor will be mounted from a bracket system cut from the same plywood as the cabinet. Since this is entirely CNC'ed I have the feeling it will take some time to perfect the design/CAD drawing. I do like the look of it. These kits will house a 17-19inch monitor and have room for two players. They can either fit a small PC or RPi.

<<June 11, 2014>>
My GPIO cheat sheet. Cut out and carefully push this onto your headers for a fast and error free wiring when using my SD card image.

GPIO header mapping cheat sheet.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [112.8 KB]

<<June 2, 2014>>
Want to use an Xbox 360 [wired] controller with your Porta Pi Arcade? Or just want controller support with the awesome Porta Pi SD card image? Check it out here.

<<May 28, 2014>>
I tried some stain-in-a-can. Seen below is a side-by-side comparison. This is after 6 spray coats. I painted this after I assembled the cabinet panels together. I painted a fully assembled (empty) cabinet. I think this is the easiest way to paint, as one does not have to worry about 1) the cabinet not fitting together if you get paint in the joints or 2) using up the floor to layout all the pieces individually for paint. A can of this will set you back $9.50. It feels like it could do another cabinet of 5 coats. Color is 'Pecan Gloss 420'.
Verdict: I would buy it again. Results are not as good as the brush/rag method, but spray can is 10x easier.

Custom order done for Jeremy W.

<<May 19, 2014>>

1) The first 30 pages of the Porta Pi Arcade Manual are now FREE.

That means you can view the Bill of Materials, see the tips/tricks for building, and view the cabinet shell + monitor mounting assembly steps.

Now, before you buy the Kit you can see exactly what is included by veiwing the Bill of Materials (BoM).

2) The Porta Pi Lite is done! Check it out here.

3) I added a hall of fame gallery of those who sent me a pic of their finished porta pi:)

<<May 17, 2014>>

New-er website layout. Removed some clutter.

New SD card download link. I re-uploaded the image. Should fix the broken Zip file.

Thanks to Kahne for letting me know it wasnt working.

And this button panel cover made by Spiros (a Porta Pi Backer!!)

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:334157

and that paint job. It's superb!

<<May 7, 2014>>

Many thanks to my buddy Kevin for doing some quick renders of my CAD model.

<<May 5, 2014>>

Uploading a video to explain some new features on the Porta Pi Arcade's design.

Also to grab some traffic from youtube :)

<<April 29, 2014>>

The download link is back up for the image!

It appears to auto-reset every day. When the link reaches the 20GB/day bandwidth cap it will go down, then reset the following day.

I took a decent photo today

<<April 28, 2014>>

A few things:

1) Site is updated and ready for new orders!

2) The Kent Ohio Gamer's Con was a fun trip!

3) I've upload the link to download the OS image for the Porta Pi! Feel free to test it out. Please consider buying a kit!

<<April 22, 2014>>

I'm still updating the site. This is one of those things that needs to work right the first time. Pardon the wait.

<<April 16, 2014>>

As of today ALL but two Kickstarter Kits have been shipped. Of those last two, I either just got your address info this week, or you have still not filled out the address survey.

This means I'm done with the kickstarter. Finished by the dead-line too! From what I hear this is a rariety for Kickstarters.

"Are you taking new orders?" Yes, in a few days.

I'm adding Paypal buttons to the website. I am also revampping the layout in some areas to make this site easy to find what you're looking for. I'm not a web designer, but I will do my best.

Look for the big update in a few days.

I also need to restock inventory and make a few changes to the kit. These changes will be to aid me in the time it takes to pre-assemble kits. Expect to have to crimp, strip, and solder wires to build the Full Kits. When I say solder, I mean solder wires to panel-mount DC jacks, and wires onto speaker tabs. Nothing difficult like PCB soldering...

Stick around..

I will also be closing up shop on Etsy. This website gives me more control and power (and way less fees :)

<<March 27, 2014>>

Laser cutting is 80% done for all the Kickstarter kits. Everything is looking to be on schedule.

For those of you who missed the kickstarter, I have made the Porta Pi Arcade Instructional PDF Manual available on my Etsy store:

If you want to buy a Kit, please continue to be patient. Things appear to be running smoothly; therefore, I will able to take new orders soon :)

Thanks as always for coming to my website, and checking out my stuff.

<< March 12, 2014>>

Still cutting cabinets. I've reached the halfway point for laser cutting. Shipping information to come via kickstarter.

I can't emphasize how crammed my apartment is with inventory. It's almost silly.

I've uploaded a video showing how to mod/hack a game console to work with a Porta Pi cabinet. It doesn't go into extreme detail. But shows the basics.

<<Feb 22, 2014>>

Still cutting cabinets. Getting ready for the first initial shipment; some prepwork is involved. Every cabinet I cut I will do a dry-fit assembly. Just as a feel good to make sure everything fits ok and I don't forget a piece when it goes out.

Here's a neon-red cabinet I made for a 'show'.

I've also been working on a controller box version of a Porta-Pi Arcade. Essentially it's the Porta-Pi without the monitor, speakers, and upper 2/3rds of the cabinet. The RPi was relocated so you can plug a HDMI cable straight from this box to your HD TV. It's a hybrid of the old Plug-n-Play tv games from 2010 mixed with a beefy fight-stick controller.

This will become a kit too. But not for a few months.

<<Feb 1, 2014>>

Nothing new to report. Just working diligently as usual. Took this picture of all the different prototypes I built.

<<Jan 13, 2014>>

"The Kickstarter has ended, but I still want a Porta-Pi Kit/PDF! Can I get one?"

The answer is yes! Thanks everyone for all the requests, inquiries, and general questions about the availablility of the Porta Pi after the Kickstarter. I can assure you, the Porta-Pi's life has just started"

At the moment, I'm getting some things situated, mainly placing part orders for the Kickstarter backers, and getting a handle on building the kits.

I will make the Porta Pi kits available for anyone outside kickstarter; but, not until I have my backers' rewards on schedule and the best I can make them.

So until that happens, please continue to check back here or my Etsy store for updates!

My Etsy store is RetroBuiltGames.

<<Jan 6, 2014>>

Happy New Year!

Kickstarter is coming to a close on a very high note.
Check out the latest built of the Limited Edition Porta-Pi Arcade!

<<Dec 10, 2013>>

NEW KICKSTARTER LAUNCHED!!!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2103217949/porta-pi-arcade-a-diy-mini-arcade-cabinet-for-rasp

And it's taking off!!!!

First 24 hours and already 91% funded. Insane.

Thank you backers. Thank you so much!

<<Dec 8, 2013>>

The Porta Pi Kickstarter fell short of its goal at $21,815 of $36,000 making it the most successful failure ever.

I will be relaunching the kickstarter.

I've had many requests to sell a prototype or whatever I have completed.

Trust me guys, I want to say yes. However, making just one exception would hinder the re-launch of the kickstarter.

I'm hoping to have the relaunch "Porta-Pi Kickstarter: Revenge of Success" up this week.

The new goal is less than half of the original $36k.

Many others features, rewards, and shipping options have been improved, so, please stick around.

The pic above is a teaser. It's worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ryUa7CwBo

Thanks everyone,

<<Oct 31, 2013>>

THE KICKSTARTER IS LIVE!!!!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2103217949/the-porta-pi-a-diy-mini-arcade-cabinet-for-raspber

Go there now, check it out, and maybe support me if you'd be so kind!

And thanks for visiting my site!

<<Oct 23, 2013>>

Prototype phase is just about over. Approaching alpha phase!

Check the "DIY KIYS" tab for why you should care.

ALSO.

Get ready for a Kickstarter......

<<Sept 29, 2013>>

DIY Kits are taking shape!

I spent a few hours (about 6) drawing this cabinet for a 7" screen and Raspberry Pi.

See the photos in DIY Kits. It's still in the prototype phase, but I cut 3 of them. So If you've like what you see, let me know.

<<Sept 3, 2012>>

Built the Spapeoko. It's very cool!

I've run out of room in the apt. So only small projects until I can clear out space. I have figured out how to wire and use the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins. So that has made working with it MUCH easier. No need to program a Teensy 2.0++ as a keyboard encoder. Working on a new RPi project now and revising the Porta Pi with this new discovery.
I will probably do a Guide for the RPi, and how to make a MAME out of it.