7 replies to this topic

[indigoer]

First I would like to say that I am not looking for comments about virtual machines. I have a large collection so do not doubt my intentions about replacing real pins. It is not going to effect my WOZ that is ordered from famaga. Those are different threads.

 

I am considering building a virtual machine with my boys. One of them helps me on my/our real machines but he loves the arcade machines. The other is attending a tech prep HS in the computer type track. I want to get the older one involved in a way and let the yonger one see the difference between real and virutal. I am going to have them build a cabinet and all. Many lessons to the build.

 

There seems to be a few guys who have build the virtual machines. What have you learned that would make it easier to build one of these machines?

 

What parts seems to work the best?

 

What advice can you give to a person that has not researched this at all? Looing forward to positive replies about actually building one.

Edited by indigoer, 25 December 2019 - 10:14 AM.

[Thalamus]

I would start reading what MJR has written about the subject. Those pages has all the info you need and more https://mjrnet.org

If you want to make things easier on yourself, you could buy pre made parts. MikePinball makes Pinscape board (and more). You have Zeb that makes great hardware components too. (other shops exists too) It is all a question about a what level of complexity you want to put into the project. Almost all parts can be bought, pre made, and almost all parts can be built by yourself.

 

Good luck.

[JLPicard001]

Any woodworking skills?

[HiRez00]

Read this thread: https://www.vpforums...0402&hl=hirez00

[bord]

Here is the classiest build I've ever seen. The gold standard for fitting into a collection of real pins.

https://vpinball.com...wars-wedgehead/

Pinscape is the DIY option for a controller and MikePinball's Pinscape AIO is a steal if you're not inclined to DIY.

Using real pinball mechs for force feedback is great, especially if you have parts around. Mine all run fine off a single PC power supply.

Good luck with the project. My virtual build was a project w my son to learn basic circuitry and we had a great time.

[lukpcn]

Mine all run fine off a single PC power supply.
 

what are specs of Yours ? what voltage of toys You run on it ?

[bord]

I'm running pinball coils and mechs from 80s era machines with 12v (bumpers, slingshots, flippers). The chimes would probably cycle better at 24v but 12v works.

 

The PS is a 600W 80plus unit, I think.

Edited by bord, 26 December 2019 - 07:02 PM.

[smithy001]

Hi Indigoer.
Sounds like a great project. Keep us informed.

 

First you want to decide: as original as possible, or build your (boys') custom dream pin with some extra's?

Some things I would surely buy, instead of trying to build myself, for a first project:
A controller for input buttons. I use a GP WIZ 40. For letting the pc know what buttons you're pressing.
A controller for (button) lights and contractors and feedback toys. Mine is a LED Wiz.
Your flipper buttons should be of the 'leaf' type, I use 'true leaf pro'.
'Other brands and types may work just fine too'.

Decide on CPU, MB, GPU, RAM, SSD, PSU and the screens and resolutions you wanna use, and make sure this all fits within your cabs dimensions.
Get a clean Windows running and updated. Make sure you have Admin rights. Follow the Tutorials or run the AIO installer and you should be just fine with Visual Pinball.

Then the fun starts with installing and running and tweaking tables to your likings, and off course: playing Visual Pinball !!!
I hope you have lots of fun, and you try to beat your boys with pinball. Enjoy that, because they WILL beat you eventually 

Edited by smithy001, 28 December 2019 - 02:20 PM.