Main > Project Announcements
Custom Cocktail (finished!)
popsicle:
Hi everyone -
My first cabinet 'Digital Gems' (needs a new name - can't help but think 'Digital Exam' anymore lol) has been done for a few years, and now I want to try my hand at a cocktail cab.
Since the upright runs horizontal 6-button layout games, a vertical cocktail with spinners seemed appropriate. However, I'd also like to include a pseudo third side with trackball that is flush with the top of the cocktail where players play standing up, removing the need for the cumbersome 'third side shelf'. I'm trying to keep a similar look with the curves and black/wood style of the upright. Also, I wanted spinners on both long sides and one on the third side too, for 3 player warlords, super sprint, off-road, etc.
I tried to decase a 19" crt with no luck - I unscrewed it and peeled the main plastic housing back, but a big part of it seemed attached to the guts? I was too chickensh*t to sally forth. Cased, I am paranoid about heat dissipation with the screen face up in tight quarters.
Please forgive my lack of knowledge of 3d drafting programs, free or otherwise. Here are some rudimentary ms paint examples.
Thanks in advance!
apfelanni:
i would recommend not to go with the classic pacman-midway or williams panel design. monitor on a high level and the panel significant lower leads to unergonomic gameplay , coz either the viewing angle is bad or the panel is so low ure hands will hurt after 10 minutes. i own a refurbed astro invader table and believe me , after aprox 15 minutes i m done with it . on the other hand i can play for hours on my modified rebuild of a vanguard table without risking any injurys .
some more things ..
- keep the controlpanels close as possible to the screen
- construct everything around the monitor u intend to use
- consider an 20-21 or 25 inch screen , depending on the kind of games u want to play
- build a cardboard mockup to avoid major bugs and to check everything comes out as planned
- try to resist the all in one arcade stuff with overstated control setups
the pic shows one of my selfbuild cocktails
popsicle:
Any thoughts on cased crt heat dissipation? I already have the 19" crt, but I suppose I could go Craigslisting again. Trying to leave a small footprint.
The three player (spinner) thing is enticing to me. I suppose in theory I could lose the third side spinner and use trackball instead. There would only be two or three buttons max on the short sides.
popsicle:
It seems that many ppl who have added a 3rd side to their cocktails are generally disappointed with the results, whether it is with viewing angle, space, or symmetry. Your suggestions make sense... I suppose a dedicated trackball cab would be a good project for later.
New design incorporates
1. players sitting closer to the monitor
2. cp a bit higher and a more shallow angle
3. 2 x U360, 2 x TT2, 3 buttons + admin buttons
4. no 3rd side panel
Still concerned about cased crt heat dissipation in such a cramped space. Hopefully an open vent at the bottom and fan blowing out at the opposite side at the top are enough.
Is there any need for an interface since both the joys and spinners are usb and support buttons themselves? Is a usb hub all I'll need?
javeryh:
--- Quote from: popsicle on July 21, 2010, 04:24:42 pm ---It seems that many ppl who have added a 3rd side to their cocktails are generally disappointed with the results, whether it is with viewing angle, space, or symmetry.
--- End quote ---
Add me to that list. I can't wait to rip the ugly 3rd side off of my otherwise cool looking cocktail cabinet (it's stained blue!).