Folding or Collapsable Table Arcade??

[Demon-Seed]

Hellot
I am looking at making a wireless arcade cabinet type of unit to play arcade on my tv.  Basically I want it to be like the control panel down on a stand up, but somehow make it foldable or collapsable.  I have seen arcades in coffee tables and have seen bartops but I want something I can tuck away into a closet when not in use. I am wondering if there is any cabinets out there that are foldable, or some sort of tables people have made? I am searching with little luck.. trying to get some ideas..if you can help with links or suggestions please feel free to drop me a line.  I would appreciate it.

thanks
Jim

[javeryh]

The Benderama folds... Might not be exactly what you are looking for though.

[Bender]

One of the first projects I came across was like that, basically c CP with sides that folded down to make a stand
Its been so long a can't remember the link, but I do think it was someone from this forum

I think something like that would be great for a Home Theater setup

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
I have seen the benderma, its cool but I am more after like a full standup but only the bottom half......like a pedestal kinda thing that folds and can be put into a closet... Using the large screen as a monitor like home theatre setup.

Jim

[BadMouth]

You may be able to adapt a fold-able/portable bar plan for that purpose.

I've seen two types:

Ones with hinges on the sides and top, so those parts can fold flat against the front when in use.
They use latches to keep them secure when it's in use.

Another strategy is to make a fairly heavy base with slots that all the walls slide into.
Then the top would also be slotted to stay in place on top the walls.

No idea how reliable they are, but you could hack wireless controllers to make it wireless.

[drventure]

When I originally started on the insanity hobby, I planned on building a 4 player CP into a coffee table, mounted on an electric table lift mechanism. No built in screen (that's what the home theater projector/screen would be for).

Basically, you'd fold the top of the coffee table over to each side (it'd be split and hinged) then the CP would rise up to standing height for playing.

When you're done, lower it and fold the tops back over.

What I ended up doing has been much more fun.

But that coffee table idea is still percolating around, only now I'm thinking "virtual pinball".....

[Turnarcades]

I had a similar idea a couple of years back as a variation on our 'Projectorcade' but never got round to finishing it. The idea was that the pedestal section has a flip-over control panel surface so it looked and functioned as a side-cupboard or something when not in use:

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
That is some neat ideas... has anyone successfully made any of them? I am a "visual" learner.

[BobA]

A variation on this folding table would work.   This one is way too open.   If you used solid MDF pieces and hinged the front and 2 sides you could inset the top to fit  your control panel.   This would be very sturdy made of MDF with piano hinges.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
that is pretty slick, do you have a url for that table?

I appreciate the ideas, if anyone has others please forward them.

thanks
JIm