First cabinet: need some clarification

[greystone]

Hi guys, I've done a lot of reading and searching, but I am  still confused about a few decisions I need to make. I am building a compact bartop around a 19" monitor, PC will likely be Dell Zino which is nice and small. Controls and t molding have already arrived.

Power: I need to be able to provide AC power to the PC, monitor and some sort of audio amplifier. The only practical option I have found is the SmartStrip, though even the smaller (7 socket) unit is overkill. Any other options here?

Audio: I need either a set of powered speakers or a small amp. I'm just using this for gaming so I don't need anything fancy. Any suggestions?

When building the cabinet, how do the control panel and monitor surrond come together cleanly? Should the control panel tuck under the monitor panel? I'd love to have a setup where the control panel can be removed without too much trouble so I can swap in a different set of controls.

Does anyone make 1/2" black t molding? I am using 3/4" MDF for the sides, 1/2" everywhere else. If not I'm hoping I can trim the 3/4" molding to fit.

Thanks,
Paul

[Le Chuck]

I used a Belkin smart strip and with my trusty-rusty hacksaw turned it into a 3 outlet strip (totally easy mod).  I ran a microswitch to the PC power button and now I have a small power solution with a single button on.  

1/2 T-molding can be purchased here.

I used a set of ONN USB speakers for my small build and they are great, but cruise through the bartop builds (there have been a lot lately) and you'll see some really nice audio solutions.

There are several ways to cleanly handle your CP to bezel junction.  One way is to use a metal CP or Plexi cover that turns up slightly and covers the junction.  Another is to have them meet at the edges.  Both will give you a really good look.  I usually have all my CPs turn up and cover the bottom or the bezel and screen glass so I don't have to worry about a glass retainer, the CP does the job for me.  

[elkameleon]

Dammit, Le Chuck, you posted pretty much exactly what I was about to say! It's all good information, so where it comes from really doesn't matter!

[Le Chuck]

Dammit, Le Chuck, you posted pretty much exactly what I was about to say! It's all good information, so where it comes from really doesn't matter!

Type more quicklier 

[yaksplat]

I made my control panel completely separate so i can easily switch to a 4 player later if i wanted to.  I used wood inserts in the cabinet so i can just unscrew the control panel and pop a new one on there.

For the bezel i just have the plexi laying over the screen with support on both sides and then it lies in a groove in a piece of wood that is the same height as the control panel.  Basically the back of the control panel box sits against a piece of wood of the same height.  I rabbeted this piece of wood and the plexi sits in the rabbet.  Nothing holds the glass down and it's easy to remove if needed.

[yaksplat]

Type more quicklier 

Damn LeChuck you live on this forum.  You have one of those jobs like me where you're always online?

[Le Chuck]

Type more quicklier 

Damn LeChuck you live on this forum.  You have one of those jobs like me where you're always online?

Job?

[Le Chuck]

Actually I'm a student this year after more than a decade in the "real world" so the University has these free wi-fi thing and I have an Ipad... well there ya go.

[elkameleon]

Type more quicklier 

Damn LeChuck you live on this forum.  You have one of those jobs like me where you're always online?

I do! I love it!

[Le Chuck]

I'm a total work-a-holic and school just hasn't filled my time the way a job does so I'm left with a productivity vacuum which leads me here.  I can't wait to get back to work.

[wp34]

Actually I'm a student this year after more than a decade in the "real world" so the University has these free wi-fi thing and I have an Ipad... well there ya go.

I did that myself a few years ago.  Great experience.

[greystone]

There are several ways to cleanly handle your CP to bezel junction.  One way is to use a metal CP or Plexi cover that turns up slightly and covers the junction.  Another is to have them meet at the edges.  Both will give you a really good look.  I usually have all my CPs turn up and cover the bottom or the bezel and screen glass so I don't have to worry about a glass retainer, the CP does the job for me.  

Thanks for the input, 1/2" molding ordered. And a hacked up SmartStrip may be the best solution.

I'd rather not put plexi on the control panel; I'd love to do a metal one but don't have the means. So I may need to miter the two pieces to fit together better.