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Element 5 - A small bartop (FINISHED)
jipp:
looking good. look forward to seeing this come together. :)
chris.
justinjstark:
I cut the acrylic for my marquee today. I am using 2 sheets with each .1" thick.
So, here is how I am doing my marquee. I made my speaker panel and top piece of wood out of 3/4" MDF to accommodate 3/4" t-modling. Before I glued it all together, I slot cut these two pieces. Then I used my router to cut a 3/16" by 3/16" rabbet in each piece. Check the first picture to see what each piece looked like after I glued it all together. The two sheets of acrylic fit perfectly into the rabbets and the t-molding goes in to hold it all in place.
I like this solution better than using a marquee retainer, angle iron, or window molding. I don't have to paint the retainer and try to get colors to match; I just push on the same t-molding as I use on the sides. Voila.
justinjstark:
Yesterday I unclamped everything from the glue up. Today, I did some sanding, cut the pinball buttons on the sides, and drilled holes for the joystick mounts. I'm using the joystick kits from groovy game gear. I should have drilled from the bottom and not go all the way through the top...but I forgot to drill these holes before gluing it together so I wound up having to just drill from the top. I will fill in the top and make it smooth before I paint the control panel.
Next step: Install the monitor mount and get ready for some paint. I hope I'm not forgetting anything else. :dunno
It could be a while before I go any farther with this project. I want to invest in an air compressor and paint gun before I paint this project. Also, I have school work to do and want to work on some other furniture.
BobA:
Nice work using the t-molding to hold in the marquee. Great idea :applaud: :applaud:
justinjstark:
I finally decided to buy an air compressor. I bought the Makita MAC700. I decided to buy this instead of a cheaper unit because I expect to use it for the rest of my life and it is supposed to be much quieter than other compressors in its class. I also ordered a Critter Siphon Gun. It should all get in next week and then I will be gone for almost a week for thanksgiving. When I get back I plan on working out the final details of the cab and then lay down some paint.
I'm looking at installing this usb and audio hub which mounts easily in a hole. I still have to figure out what I'm going to do about volume controls. I plan on running some version of linux and unfortunately, fulls screen games (such as mame) capture all keyboard input and thus the volume keys do not work so I cannot just install two buttons for volume up and down. :angry: Instead, I will have to use some kind of volume knob. The logitech speakers I'm installing have an external volume control that I could mount somewhere so maybe I will just go that route.
I also forgot that I need to drill holes to make speaker grills in the cab before I paint. I will do that one of these days.