Chopping off a control panel from a Cocktail?

[javeryh]

OK, it's time to get creative.  I have a 3 sided cocktail that I want to redo.  I hate the third side and I just want to make it a head to head machine.  Any crazy ideas on how to chop off the CP and cover the hole AND make it look all nice and finished?

I'm thinking I'll use a saw to cut off the side and bottom panel and then a lot of painful sanding to get it level.  The only thing I can come up with to cover the hole is some sort of thin wood panel - maybe laminated black - like 1/8" or something and then just glue it in place.  It should kind of blend in to the rest of the cabinet since it is blue with black t-molding and controls.

[jimmy2x2x]

got any pics?

[Trap]

Make a marquee for that side!

[leapinlew]

Make a marquee for that side!

Agreed! You won't be able to patch it without it looking like a patch job. You should go the other direction and design some artwork to go over the hole.

[javeryh]

Make a marquee for that side!

Hmmm.... I like where this is headed....

Here's a pic:

[bkenobi]

If it were me and I could find that color of paint, I'd pull all the hardware off that side (CP, corner molding, coin door, top sheet) before sanding and repainting.  If you try to skimp and only do the area that the CP is in, it won't look that good as a finished product.

[javeryh]

If it were me and I could find that color of paint, I'd pull all the hardware off that side (CP, corner molding, coin door, top sheet) before sanding and repainting.  If you try to skimp and only do the area that the CP is in, it won't look that good as a finished product.

It doesn't show from the pic but it is actually a blue stain (minwax) with about 5 coats of poly on top.  This may present some problems but if I am careful in removing the CP (imagine chopping the sides and bottom off with a hand saw - the CP is hinged to open from underneath) and I can set up my router and a flush/pattern bit to remove the excess I might be OK.  Then I'll have to make the trim for the marquee or wood panel or whatever I go with cover the exposed edges where the CP met the cabinet.  I need to think about this a bit before jumping in.  

Here's how it is attached:

[bkenobi]

If you had screwed the CP on instead of building it into the structure, you could have used plastic hole covers (available at any box or hardware store).  I did this with my Area51 cab to cover the screw holes for the guns and it looks fine.

I know this won't help you, but in case someone else ever reads this...

[opt2not]

Why don't you like the third panel specifically?

Reason I ask is that I have a buddy planning his first cocktail cabinet and wants to basically mimic what you've done, having 3 panels.
I prefer head-to-head myself, but he wants the ability to play horizontal games at full-res.

[javeryh]

Why don't you like the third panel specifically?

Reason I ask is that I have a buddy planning his first cocktail cabinet and wants to basically mimic what you've done, having 3 panels.
I prefer head-to-head myself, but he wants the ability to play horizontal games at full-res.

I just think it looks horrible and completely tacked on.  This style cocktail cabinet was designed for 2 players to play head to head.  I wanted to be able to play horizontal games too but the aesthetics bug me too much.

[cmoses]

I have been thinking about doing a cocktail cabinet, was this a kit or did you build it yourself?  I have been thinking about doing a cocktail and have been looking for a gutted one to redo or I have also considered building one if I find some good plans or a kit.

Thanks

[opt2not]

I just think it looks horrible and completely tacked on.  This style cocktail cabinet was designed for 2 players to play head to head.  I wanted to be able to play horizontal games too but the aesthetics bug me too much.

Do you have any admin buttons you want access to?
The reason I ask is that you could convert that hole after removing the panel into a hidden admin panel to get access to mame-function buttons. Not sure how much room you have between the side of the cabinet and the monitor in that space there.  But you can cut a piece of wood for the "door" to match the size of the hole, install that hinge you have there on the control panel. For the admin panel itself, you could take another piece of thin wood, cut some button-holes and attach the wood to the inside of the cabinet.



If admin buttons aren't desirable to you, you could always make this a service door if you need to get even more access to the inside.  

[Stobe]

It'd be easier to just drive that cocktail down here, and I'll give you a nice head to head midway-styled cocktail with no extra holes in it.   

[popsicle]

So, you're finally gonna do it.  You've been talking about ripping this 3rd side off in about 9 other threads 

Are you going to integrate the ripped off cp into another cab?

[opt2not]

The other thing I was thinking was you could turn that hole into a lit-marquee area.
I noticed on your blog you named your cabinet Knights of the Arcade Table. I just grabbed the Knights of the Round title screen and pasted in that spot.



Just another thought...  

[javeryh]

So, you're finally gonna do it.  You've been talking about ripping this 3rd side off in about 9 other threads  

Are you going to integrate the ripped off cp into another cab?

I'm going to smash the CP into tiny little pieces, light it on fire and then and bury the ashes in my back yard.    

I doubt the CP will be salvagable - maybe the panel with the button holes but I don't think I'll have another use for it.  I don't even like the layout.

The other thing I was thinking was you could turn that hole into a lit-marquee area.
I noticed on your blog you named your cabinet Knights of the Arcade Table. I just grabbed the Knights of the Round title screen and pasted in that spot.



Just another thought...  

That looks sweet.  I'm thinking about it.  If I can't get a piece of birch veneer like 1/16" or thinner to cover the hole (that I will patch underneath with plywood) I might go the marquee route.  I'm hoping I can stain the veneer to match and then it won't be that noticeable.  If I can get a piece the size of the entire panel then even better but I don't know where to look for something like that.

EDIT:  I found a source online but it is EXPENSIVE.  I'm also not sure how I'd glue it down to the surface evenly.  A piece of MDF and a few cinder blocks for pressure?  It's good that it is on the long side because I'll be able to use my router to get a perfect fit around the edges once it is glued in place.  The t-molding should cover the edges since the original plywood is less than 3/4".  I think this is going to work.