Project Tempest Takes Shape

After sanding and staining half of the swingset this weekend (ran out of stain), I launched into my latest project: building a replica of the 1982 Atari arcade classic, Tempest. It's made out of birch plywood and 2x2's. It will use a junk computer and will run MAME. My neighbor built a beautiful Centipede machine that will be a tough act to follow.

Last week, I assembled my prototype Tempest spinner. I saw some pitcures of the original and copied the steel 72-tooth opto-interrupter disk. It feels really nice and I'm anxious to play it in the finished cabinet.