Author Topic: My first mame bartop cabinet (wip) (Read 7575 times)

sinatra · « **on:** January 13, 2009, 12:26:31 pm »

For many years I've seen these home made arcade cabinets running various game systems and emulators. I've always wanted to build one myself, but never got past the scary part of the woodworking involved in the process.

I found this forum a few weeks ago, and decided it was time for me to "man up" and start this project.

So. I have ordered the i-pac and some buttons and joysticks.

Yesterday I bought a piece of MDF and started cutting the pieces. I have no drawings to work from.
Just pictures from this forum, and a general idea in my head.

Here's a few pictures from my start up day:

Some of the parts cut out

The router scares me the most. This is the top board where the ventilation will go

Some progress on the top board

Done. I think it came out quite nice for a first timer

I started to glue some mounting brackets to the bottom panel, just to realize I had forgotten all the screws at home.
(I'm doing this in my dad's garage, cause I don't have the room in my apartment)

Because of that, this day just stopped by itself.
Hopefully I will have some more progress by tomorrow, as I'll have a few days off from work.

-sinatra

andy p · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2009, 01:19:49 pm »

Well you've made a good start!

Keep us posted of your progress!

You might want to make a list of things you need as it's easy to forget something (screws) and end up stopping mid flow

IG-88 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2009, 05:34:16 pm »

Welcome! Looks like you are well underway. What are you using for hardware and software?

sinatra · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:14:41 pm »

Quote from: andy p on January 13, 2009, 01:19:49 pm

Well you've made a good start!

Keep us posted of your progress!

You might want to make a list of things you need as it's easy to forget something (screws) and end up stopping mid flow

You are right. Things do stop when you run out of parts. I'll think everything through before I go tomorrow.
And, I'll keep you posted. It's kinda making the whole process much more fun. It's nice to get feedback other than "why would you make that" , "what do you need that for" or "what a waste of time"

Quote from: IG-88 on January 13, 2009, 05:34:16 pm

Welcome! Looks like you are well underway. What are you using for hardware and software?

I've got an Acer computer and Acer 17" LCD to use. I'll get back with more info on the hardware on a later point (when I know what it is)

It runs Windows XP Home now. I guess I'll use that. Dont know what front end to choose yet.

sinatra · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:08:18 am »

Just got a phonecall from DHL. The i-pac will be delivered today

Guess todays work will involve the CP. (better not forget the soldering iron and wires)

update: DHL was here

Package from UK to Norway took five days.

Only seen pictures of these. Heres another one

sinatra · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2009, 05:12:12 pm »

I didn't get as much done today as I had hoped.
Simply too cold for woodworking in my dad's garage.
So I stayed inside and soldered the microswitches for the CP.

Player one was ready, so I just had to try out some 1944.
What a difference from using keyboard or gamepad.
Now, I really look forward to get this thing finished.

Player one wires soldered and connected to the i-pac

And player two

Coin and exit buttons added. It looks like some Italian dish, but works perfectly

Let's hope it's not this cold tomorrow, so I can do some more on the cabinet itself

IG-88 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2009, 07:57:09 pm »

I get that same thrill whenever I get new one set up and running!

What kinda joys are those?

Oh, and what is the temp there? It's -6 right here at the moment. Not conducive to outside activities!

sinatra · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2009, 10:47:15 am »

Back at my dad's garage today. It's -4 (Celsius) right now. But I managed to put some clothes on so I could do some MDF cutting. It's the side panels that needs to be cut out.

Here's the left (or right) side cut out.
It's not perfectly straight, so I need to sand it down or something before I use the router and flush bit to cut out the other side.

sinatra · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2009, 10:55:55 am »

Quote from: IG-88 on January 14, 2009, 07:57:09 pm

What kinda joys are those?

The joys are suzo universal 500 with 38mm ball handles. I chose them because they reminded me of one of the joysticks I had for my Commodore 64 back in the days.

This one:

sinatra · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2009, 01:21:22 pm »

Sanded down inperfections to the sidepanel and routed the second one flush to it.

Last thing to do with the wood before I can start mounting it, is to cut a hole for the monitor.
*Scratching my head*
Should I do it right away. I feel like I'm on a roll here.
......
update: Decided to do it right away

Here it is. Upside down.

Now. Time for mounting the pieces together

sinatra · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:56:22 pm »

I might come out too eager in this thread. But here's another update. I have mounted the light box for the marquee.

Is it possible to use too many screws?

It should stay put. I need a marquee design

I didn't mount it together, just couldn't resist getting a visual of what it will look like when finished.

I guess everything should be mounted tomorrow. Ready for primer and paint.

oops. Just realized I did not think about the build of the plexi for the bezel and control panel

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2009, 08:20:34 pm »

Looks great, I really like the shape.

sinatra · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2009, 10:48:12 am »

Started mounting pieces together today

Left side panel mounted

The top panel with the ventilation isn't flush with my measures. It seem it tilted when the mounting bracket was fastened to the bezel. I didn't have clamps that where long enough to push it in place. So I had to force it down with a screw

Glue for the right side panel

Top panel, marquee box and bezel mounted to the side panels
And it's totally straight. I'm kinda surprised about that.

Now it starts to resemble an arcade

sinatra · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2009, 10:50:56 am »

Quote from: stephenp1983 on January 15, 2009, 08:20:34 pm

Looks great, I really like the shape.

I like it too. Somehow I think it has some resemblance to old school arcades. But with a more modern design.

It's based on this design by Kator Legaz: http://www.katorlegaz.com/arcade_cabinets/bartops/05_lcd_marquee/index.php

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2009, 08:10:53 pm »

I looked at those plans a couple of year ago I believe. I always liked that one out of all the ones listed. The bartop I'm putting together has a similar shape, but slightly different.

sinatra · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2009, 08:36:00 pm »

Last night I made the mount for the monitor. Came out okay. The buttons extends 1-1,5mm from the front, so I can't get it all flush with the plexi. I might paint the bezel black just to hide it. Gonna use a tinted plexi in front anyways. Dunno how it will look yet.

Monitor mounted

My niece and nephew came over and played some '88 games amongst others. And they enjoyed it

Spackled some of the screwholes (today)
It does not come out too good in this picture. But i routed the slot for the t-molding today too

I also rounded the front of the CP today. But that was a total disaster. It does not match the corner of the side panels at all. Might have to redo the whole CP. And I might do it in aluminium. Will decide next week.

Hopefully I'll be able to order t-modling and plexi this week. And I will have to kick someones butt to do the artwork for the marquee, cp and side panels too

Arch · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2010, 12:14:33 pm »

Hi!

This is my first post here on the forum. I have been lurking around for a little while, and I stumbled across this post so I decided to register to reply. I have also been thinking about using the exact same Kator Legaz-design combined with some features from the Wee-Cade for my first building project, so I would love to see the end product here, Sinatra. Did you finish it? I am also curious about what you ended up using when it comes to the hardware. I am a real noob when it comes to this, but I imagine it would be wise to use a mainboard with onboard graphics. And if anybody can point me to a nice setup that doesn't cost the world but would work nicely in a barcab like this virtual hugs are due.

Incidentally, I live in Norway too btw.

Stobe · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2010, 03:15:27 pm »

Last Active: January 18, 2009, 01:21:59 PM

My guess is he fell into the same trap that everyone around here does at some point. He made the darned thing functional before finishing it

Arch · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2010, 02:32:25 pm »

Hehe, I guess that can happen. Better make myself a promise that I won't play until everything is set. Too bad though, as it would be cool to get to know another Norwegian who's into this. There aren't that many I think. $:-\$

sinatra · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2010, 06:40:28 pm »

Bazinga!

Not finished. Not used since the last post. Everything just came to a standstill when I did'nt get the CP right.
Might pick up on it again. Or just give it away as it is.
Any Norwegians who wants it?


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