Bartop attempt(Now 2-players)

[jmike]

I've been toying with the idea of building a bartop for some time now. It's been a while since my last build (which you can check out here http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=83337.msg940825#msg940825).

Anyway. As most of you know every now and then you end up with extra joysticks and buttons and even t-molding. I have plans of building a full upright with my little brother in the summer but though I'd give a bartop build a try. I'm trying to keep costs down by using an old IBM and a monitor ( ).

My wife and I were blessed with twin boys in aug 09 so as you can guess I have no time at all building anything. I think I'm off to an okay start considering....

Here's where I'm at now.

Sides are cut (with t-molding slot ready to go). Also some shots of the CP layout and even the monitor  ()
 This is actually for another brother who loves Street fighter. None of the artwork is mine, just found it through Google search. Also I ordered some black vinyl through ebay (self adhesive) so hopeful it works.

[jmike]

Okay, had a little time last night while my boys took a nap. Here's what got done. Was able to install the self-adhesive vinyl to one side of the bartop. Again this is my first time using this stuff but I think it came out pretty good.
I'm sure there's probably an easier way ( ) to install but here are the pics.
Was going to put the red t-molding to see what it looked like but the kids woke up    

[jmike]

Here's two more pics.

[bertthedefender]

The vinyl finish looks pretty good!  Looks like a good idea for a smaller cab like a bar top.

I know what you mean about having twins though.   I have a twin son and daughter (born Nov 2007) and the Jamma cab I bought to convert to MAME in April 2008 is only just now playable... 

Not to mention my big plans for swappable control panels, removable pedal boxes, replacing the t-molding, painting the body... <fade to silence>

Also, the little buggers draw all over the cabinet which meant I did have to find time to stitch a fitted cover for it! (looks pretty good too)

[Nacimroc]

Thanks for posting the pics of the vinyl! Looks good! Think I might try it out! Is it adhesive backed or you use some type of contact adhesive?

[jmike]

Thanks for posting the pics of the vinyl! Looks good! Think I might try it out! Is it adhesive backed or you use some type of contact adhesive?

No contact adhevise necessary, it sticks pretty good. The only down side is that it really is thin. I hate painting, so this definitely works for me. (good price too )

 

[jmike]

Back to work on the bartop. Wasn't happy with the large monitor so I was lucky to find a cheap 15 inch LCD for $20. Here some progress pics. LCD mounted, plus I was able to insert artwork inside the buttons which was a must with these buttons. Questions and comments welcomed.

I know the back might seem a bit large but this was initially made with a large monitor in mind.

[jmike]

Here's 3 more pics. Closeup of control panel with 3 holes underneath. One will be for the PLAYER 1 button, the middle with be for a fan and the one on the right will hold the GGG coin drop replacement button. Ordered a custom fan grill cover skull symbol.
Third picture shows the side art. As you can tell street fighter will be the theme 

[BobA]

Looks good.  Glad to see that you had some time to get back at it. 

[upprc04]

Do you have a link to the ebay listing you got the vinyl from?  I've searched a little bit and found some, but the price seems pretty low (which is a good thing I guess).  Very nice build - I'm looking to start a bartop of my own soon.

[BurgerKingDiamond]

Why weren't you able to use the CRT. That would have been sweet.

[jmike]

BobA
      thanks. Seeing your bartop really got me inspired again. I'm hoping to mount the speakers on the marquee and put the decased PC on a pull-out drawer for access in the back.

upprc04
       this is the seller I bought the vinyl from. Again it's a bit thin but does the job. He has different sizes available.
                http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-CONTROL-PANEL-OVERLAY-CPO-MAME-MULTICADE-24-X-36-/360178910480?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53dc560510


BurgerKingDiamond
                    I'm going for a more lighter bartop. I still might have some use for that CRT (since someone donated like 3 or 4 of them). My basement looks like a pawn shop, so many parts stacked all over the place.

 

[jmike]

Even with a busy Thanksgiving weekend, I was able to do a little work on the bartop. Here's what I got done today. Mounted the roof with the  fancy  () fan grill cover, cut out the draw base/face and mounted draw hindges. Also i was able to cut out marquee plexi. The reason I wanted a pull out draw was in case I needed to access the PC motherboard or components. 

[BobA]

Nice to see your progress.  The pull out door looks handy for your motherboard mount. 

[jmike]

Been a long time since I updated. (not finished  ) but there has been plenty of progress. For one I thought about making the bartop a 2-player which only made sense, I mean who wants to play street fighter against the PC anyway. So I cut the front of the CP off and build a new 2-player control panel. also found some alien fan grills which I used as speaker grills. Let me know what you think.

 

[jmike]

Was looking over the bartop last night and realized that new CP is quite heavy and now I'm wondering how to safely attach it to the frame. Anyone got any suggestions? I was going to use pocket holes and dowels at the base but the CP is pretty heavy and I'm afraid the front will just break off when we attempt to lift it. Currently the CP slides in to the frame but I was hoping to have it all in one piece.

 

[mgb]

I can't quite see how the front of the frame is constructed but what if you had the cp done so it can come apart for moving. maybe have two threaded studs sticking out of blocking in the frames front and then attach the cp with wing nuts.