Where/ how make CP replicas.

[zumbito]

Hi,
I am trying to make a bunch of blast city and astro city CP replicas cause my CPs are badly rusted. Any ideas or tutorials about materials and high quality art work ?

[waiwainl]

Get them from alberto1225, much easier and he has a knack for quality.

[zumbito]

Thanks,

Thing is I prefer doing them on my own, I need a bunch of them and can't afford retail prices.

[RMRM]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but i'm interested in a overlay reproduction. Please let me know how you will do it.

I've done some in the past, but the quality isn't near the originals...

Regarding the "metal" part, i have that covered

[zumbito]

Most welcome. Hopefully we will all learn. What kind of material did you use?

[RMRM]

I have a friend who used to work in the area, and has a contact with a company that does laser cutting and CNC cutting. Regarding the material, it's something called "zincor" but i have no idea how to call it in English.

[zumbito]

I have a friend who used to work in the area, and has a contact with a company that does laser cutting and CNC cutting. Regarding the material, it's something called "zincor" but i have no idea how to call it in English.

What is CNC? Ok, that is something, I can try looking for that at least. Thanks!

EDIT: Ok, Zincor is the galvanized metal, I am not sure if that is as crucial as the surface finish for the overall feel of the CP. I was more worried about the overlay material and finish (satin, mate, PVC, methacrylate, vinil, etc).

[RMRM]

A CNC machine is something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKLdrHo2RWs

This is how mine were done.

My concern is exactly the overlay material, i've used some kind of Vinyl but i'm not happy with the result.

I've read in the past about a material from "3M" (i can check the name tomorrow) but i couldn't find that locally to try it out.

[zumbito]

Reagarding the metal part, I've seen some have like a soldered part where the mounting plate goes, while others have just 4 screw soldered. Which is the correct way? Seems just suldering 4 screws is easier.

Another question, I think I have found somebody that can cut me the cp steel slabs, but don't know the right depth. How many mm thick is it?

[DaveyD]

Without getting my callipers on a panel I'd say they are probably 1.5mm thick

[zumbito]

wow 1.5mm seems really thin. BTW do replica panels have the two latches original panels have?

[Shadolf]

My HOT-2005 NAOMI cp is about ~1,7 to 1,8mm thick. I don´t remember the exact measures but I remember them to be between 1,5 and 2mm. I think with the original overlay they are about 2mm over all.
As its hard to get metal sheets with other thickness then 1.5 or 2mm.
I would recommend to use stainless steel (in Germany I would use WNr. 1.4301 (X5CrNi18-10), AISI 304 (V2A)) with a thickness of 2mm or a little less if possible.

[zumbito]

Good, so far I have spotted 2mm sheets, they can laser cut it, but not sure about welding the screws for the joystick mounting plate or the top latches. Would that be difficult?

[FrancoB]

Use 1.5mm stainless. All the original panels I've measured have been ~1.5mm. I do have a 2mm thick panel here that someone made and IMO it's too thick.

I would choose stainless steel over galvanised.

Personally I don't think you need to add the top latches.

I use self clinch M4 x 12mm studs myself as they give a nice clean install.

Your best bet is to send an email off to ten or so fabrication companies and see what prices they come back with.

[RMRM]

but not sure about welding the screws for the joystick mounting plate or the top latches. Would that be difficult?

For the screws, the best solution is to find someone who has a spot-welding gun, that will look great, i used that to make mine.

Here is what i'm talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVpN8s_qNsA

[zumbito]

Use 1.5mm stainless. All the original panels I've measured have been ~1.5mm. I do have a 2mm thick panel here that someone made and IMO it's too thick.

I would choose stainless steel over galvanised.

Personally I don't think you need to add the top latches.

I use self clinch M4 x 12mm studs myself as they give a nice clean install.

Your best bet is to send an email off to ten or so fabrication companies and see what prices they come back with.

Thanks for the insights! Very Helpful!

For the screws, the best solution is to find someone who has a spot-welding gun, that will look great, i used that to make mine.

Here is what i'm talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVpN8s_qNsA

Thanks too!

[zumbito]

One last question. The screws for the joysticks, what diameter are they?

[FrancoB]

M4.

[zumbito]

Thanks

[codecrank]

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=339714

I still have a pile if you need some.

there are 3 correct ways to get the sticks mounted

- welded brackets. you'll need those fab'd , threaded, spot welded.
- CD welded studs. thoe CD stud are very expense...
- self clinch studs. you'll need a drill press and an arbor press.

CPOs, the good stuff is either painted on with polycarb coating on top, or backprinted 20mil polycarbonate.

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=299488

none of that stuff is cheap to make. so unless you plan to make a lot, and sell the extras, you should just buy someone else's stuff.