JP's TMNT Restore (Scratch Build)

RetroGamerJP

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Donor 8 years: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019-2023
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Just finished the TMNT today... this game was on my to-do list very early on (about 3 years ago) but i ended up finishing several other projects before it.

Cabinet was scratch built which i did in tandem with my X-MEN cabinet. It is actually a bit of a hybrid XMEN/TMNT in terms of cabinet design. it has the mono speaker cutout but in the back of the cab it has the cutout for the XMEN/SIMPSONS power supply. I was using an old hacked-up XMEN harness to start with so it made sense to use the update power supply as well.

Just like my 4 player XMEN, I did the Control panel overlay a bit different from the original design... I didn't want the bolts showing through for each joystick and I also didn't want to see the dust washers on top so it built this more like a Kombat cabinet. The CPO is mounted to a thin sheet of lexan which allows me to place the dust washers underneath in a small recess (like the midway cabinets)... the joysticks are held in place by screwing in from the underside into t-nuts in the panel (also under the artwork/lexan layer)

I also, did not like the fact that the Control Panel hinge originally is mounted on the outside of the cab so (again like MK) I router'ed a recess in the from of CP box so that hing could mount on inside of box.

again, like the XMEN, I did a little custom work to fit in 27" Makvision CRT as you can see from some of the early build photos. Since it's a 27" it cannot go in from the front like the original monitor so I had to come up with an alternate method... The bottom monitor bracket/shelf is identical to the original cab but the top is built with a removable mounting block. basically with that top block/bracket out you hoist the monitor in the cab from the back, let it rest on bottom shelf and then place the bracket in the top... then you can let the monitor lean back onto that brace. Then everything gets screwed down.

Also wired in and additional coin up switch to each coin return button ... this way you can press the coin return button to credit/start each player.

Marquee, CPO and side art are from Dretoit44's TMNT ART restoration initiative via Szabos Arcade (EXCELLENT QUALITY!)
Entire cab was painted inside and out (satin black) before assembly
All metal was sandblasted and re-powder-coated (including coin boxes)
New buttons and ball top joysticks from Twisted Quarter (i know, not WICO but honestly I just prefer new controls)
New custom cut Lexan
New T-Moulding
New Power Supply
New Satin vinyl on front face of cab and control box
New GLASS
New Plastic Monitor Bezel
New Makvision 27" Tri Mode















 
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I am curious what color and kind of black paint that is? What kind of set up do you use to get it that nice? Looks amazing.
 
I am curious what color and kind of black paint that is? What kind of set up do you use to get it that nice? Looks amazing.

Thanks! --- I use Behr Satin Black latex primer + paint, two coats inside and out. I sand the exterior between the two coats.

THEN, i sand the front of the machine and the control panel box again and cover with 3M 1080 Series Satin black vinyl. The top, back and speaker area are still the exposed painted areas. It all blends together quite well.
 
You are making this look easy and fantastic!!!! With that being said you need to start selling these konmai cab "kits" to us like some IKEA furniture that we need to take out of the box and just assemble. Fantastic work as always!
 
You are making this look easy and fantastic!!!! With that being said you need to start selling these konmai cab "kits" to us like some IKEA furniture that we need to take out of the box and just assemble. Fantastic work as always!

Thanks buddy! --- I actually scratch built my MK/MKII/MKII/XMEN/TMNT cabs in tandem so I've managed to burn myself out on the cabinet building side of the hobby. For a while anyway.

Now I am on to assembly of each which is the part I really enjoy. Hopefully I will have some MKII progress to share in the next couple of weeks.
 
OMG - now that is how you do a restoration job! Truly amazing - Congratulations!

Thanks - i really appreciate the feedback. The 4 Player TMNT is once I had always wanted to do but wasn't really motivated until you took on remastering the side art. it really did turn out fantastic.
 
What is the trick to getting the vinyl around the control box corners? It looks like you round the corners? Do you wrap the underside? What is the benefit to painting before you apply the vinyl? Beautiful machine. Very well done
 
What is the trick to getting the vinyl around the control box corners? It looks like you round the corners? Do you wrap the underside? What is the benefit to painting before you apply the vinyl? Beautiful machine. Very well done

Many Thanks,

Painting the machine before vinyl is a good, sand-able surface that helps smooth things out and the vinyl adheres better to the paint than the raw wood.

I use a heat gun to heat up the vinyl at the corner to stretch it over, i tuck the vinyl under the t-molding wherever I can which helps keep it from pealing back.
 
Beautiful work. Did you learn how to build these cabinets or do you have professional wood working skills? Looks very well done.
 
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