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Burgertime bartop-mini
opt2not:
--- Quote from: DaOld Man on January 11, 2011, 07:13:02 am ---Nice project.
Suggesting for laying out the curves for the top of the cab:
Maybe use a piece of 1/2" MDF and make a template.
If you can find the original radius of the curves, you can use a router set up as a circle cutter to make the radius cuts on the template, then lay the template on the side panel and cut the "keeper" side panel with the router, using the template as a guide.
Just a suggestion.
I suggest using a template, because with the router circle cutter I made, you need to bore a hole in the inside of the radius, for the circle cutter's pivot point. This might mess up your keeper panel, but you could always fill the hole(s) with bondo I guess.
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Thanks for the suggestion! I could go either route, template or circle cutter gig. But from the shape of the top, they're not really round circles, but more like oblong semi-ellipses. The thing that I'm contemplating with the design is that the shape on an original cabinet is like that due to the artwork of Pete's hat. In my bartop version, as you can see from the concepts, the hat doesn't line up to the contours. I was thinking two things: either A. adjust the artwork so it matches up more, or B. messing with the contours of those curves to fit the artwork. I might have to compromise the two.
I'll have to put more thought into the design and create a few passes on it.
RetroACTIVE had a good suggestion in Spyri's Star Castle thread about using Masonite (aka hardboard) to template it. I'm more inclined to do this, as Masonite is easy to shape out, and light weight to use as a template.
Besides, I'm going to avoid using MDF as much as I can. Can't stand the stuff. I'm planning on primarily using Plywood.
leapinlew:
If I had to do it all over again, I would use 3/4" plywood. I used 1/2" MDF. The bartop I built after this one (Tempest) was using 3/4" - much better. I would suggest 1/2" MDF over the hardiboard as you can shape the MDF very easily and it's thick enough that it's more forgiving to trace with a router.
One of the first things you will want to do is test the monitor to ensure it can handle all the weird resolutions that MAME runs.
Can't wait to see how this turns out.
opt2not:
--- Quote from: leapinlew on January 11, 2011, 01:13:20 pm ---If I had to do it all over again, I would use 3/4" plywood. I used 1/2" MDF. The bartop I built after this one (Tempest) was using 3/4" - much better. I would suggest 1/2" MDF over the hardiboard as you can shape the MDF very easily and it's thick enough that it's more forgiving to trace with a router.
One of the first things you will want to do is test the monitor to ensure it can handle all the weird resolutions that MAME runs.
Can't wait to see how this turns out.
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Thanks lew! Your Galaga is so kickass looking that it made me want one for my desk too! Thanks for the inspiration. :)
Definitely going to go with the 3/4 plywood. Also definitely installing some piano hinges on the CP and back door, based on your notes.
Thanks for the advice on the MDF. I was trying to avoid using MDF, perhaps I still might, but we'll see what I can get away with using the hardboard first. If it doesn't work out, I'll go the MDF route.
When I get my hands on the monitor I'll do some vigorous testing on resolutions for sure. Looking to ordering the stuff I need later on, as I'm not going to start this till later this year. All planning for now.
The games I primarily care about running on this machine are:
Burger Time
Galaga
The DK's
The Pac's
Dig Dug
newmanfamilyvlogs:
Just putting out some feelers here for interest.... What would you be willing to pay, after shipping, to have two of those side panels custom cut out of MDF/Plywood/Whatever? To further qualify the question, even if you have no interest in actually doing that and want to do it yourself, would mind estimating what you think that would be worth to you?
leapinlew:
--- Quote from: cotmm68030 on January 11, 2011, 04:08:47 pm ---Just putting out some feelers here for interest.... What would you be willing to pay, after shipping, to have two of those side panels custom cut out of MDF/Plywood/Whatever? To further qualify the question, even if you have no interest in actually doing that and want to do it yourself, would mind estimating what you think that would be worth to you?
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Very little. Probably less than the material and shipping would be. The reason is: if I am going to be cutting everything else (CP, back, braces, floor, marquee) I can cut the sides. I can build the arcade to the size I need for artwork and internals.
A kit would be useful, but I never choose a kit. I can't ever justify it. Sure it would speed things up, but I'm forced to shoehorn my equipment into it and hope for the best. Not to mention they cost too much. It's not that I have a lot of time. I value my time, but I don't mind cutting out the side panels. That doesn't take a lot of time in the overall build.