Unstupid's Ms. PacMan style cocktail table... Second cocktail table underway!!!

[Unstupid]

That turned out beautiful! It looks ridiculously clean with the Maple plywood and black T-molding. I finally got my dowel jig that you recommended, and it works GREAT!!

Where did you get those spring hinges from? That is an ingenius idea, and much better than the original version that pivoted from the side panel. No need for all of that with a nice, light LCD monitor instead of a CRT.

Again, great job!

Hey thanks... Yea that doweling jig makes things real easy as long as you line things up in the right spot.  I got the lid supports from Woodcraft as well as the "chest hinges".  With the lig supports youll need at least 1 right and 1 left.  The lid is still pretty heavy; monitor, 1" plywood and 1/4" glass as well as lights and hardware.  this is them: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2001040/16/lid-support-right--95125-ip-lids.aspx  Make sure you get the ones with the heaviest rating!

[Unstupid]

Forgot to post a couple of construction images I took while putting everything togesther:


Coin box and base.  Those holes in the corners are for the shafts of the leveling feet.


Sides going on. 


Base complete.  that is the cutout for the Midway coin door.  I still had to drill out the holes for mounting.  Also notice the .3"x1.5" notch on the top of the back wall.  That is for the chest hinge to sit into so that the top will sit flush on the base... and it fits perfectly!

[CWorley]

Looks great!  Hope mine turns out as well as yours.

[Nephasth]

How much for the cabinet boards flat packed?

This.


Your project turned out sweet!

[Unstupid]

How much for the cabinet boards flat packed?

This.


Your project turned out sweet!

Thanks... I don't have plans to offer this in a flat pack.  In Hawaii and you would really eat it on the shipping costs... Besides there are countless others already offering Ms Pac copies out there...

[Unstupid]

Looks great! I would use washers between the JLW's and the panel instead of shortening the shaft. I would also install a Scanline generator to help the LCD display the games as nice as possible: http://wp1114205.wp150.webpack.hosteurope.de/xtcmodified/index.php?cPath=3&XTCsid=kujuikjrac0ngosnscan04j257 or: http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/toodles-scanline-generator-t-slg-fully-assembled-v1-6.145407/

I have the SKG-3000 myself, but Toodles version seems great too when they get back in stock.

I did end up sticking a SLG-3000 in the cocktail cab permanantly...  it looks really good with it connected and there are no banding issues.... I don't know why it doesn't work well on the neo geo... I'm thinking that it has something to do with some incompatibility with the CGA to VGA converter.  I'm not sure...  will have to do some more tests...

[DaOld Man]

Nice job Unstupid! This turned out really well.
How do you like that jamma board?

[Unstupid]

Nice job Unstupid! This turned out really well.

Thanks!

How do you like that jamma board?

I don't!  It kinda sucks!  I mean game play is fine... but when your game is over it kicks you out back to the select game screen... God forbid you want to have another go at DK!  If you want to use it as a dedicated replacement then it may work fine...  but I think I'm going to spring for an ArcadeSD from Phoenix Arcade...

[DaOld Man]

...  but I think I'm going to spring for an ArcadeSD from Phoenix Arcade...

That looks very interesting. Pretty high cost too.

[Unstupid]

...  but I think I'm going to spring for an ArcadeSD from Phoenix Arcade...

That looks very interesting. Pretty high cost too.

Yes, the 60-in-1 sucks that bad!

[Ond]

This is refreshing!  Great to see a material other than MDF being used in a clean build.  Dowel jointing and nice timber finish look as well. 

[Unstupid]

This is refreshing!  Great to see a material other than MDF being used in a clean build.  Dowel jointing and nice timber finish look as well. 

Wow, thanks Ond!  That means a lot coming from a craftsman of your caliber!   

[Woodshop Flunky]

Wow!  This looks great!  I love the finish on this thing!   

[kahlid74]

I like the finish too.  Great look/feel to it.  Can't wait to see more!

[Unstupid]

Thx guys....

I did add the artwork for the control panel... had it printed locally on a vinyl adhesive with a 3m UV resistant overlay...  It came out a little long to where it is starting to wrap down the curve on the front so I may reprint them shorter...  Also I may go back and add some more artwork... maybe replace the generic player start mans with the Ms Pac images on the original CP... I originally wanted the art work to be real simple... I think I may have gone too simple.

[Woodshop Flunky]

Every time I see a cocktail cab like this, it makes me want PIZZA! 

[emphatic]

Exquisite! 

[Santoro]

That came out GREAT.  Excellent work, I want one!

[Vidiot]

Wow! What a thing of beauty! Great job. I wish I had a good place to put a cocktail cab. If I were to ever build one I'll use yours as my inspiration.   

[Kiwi 1]

The original first post:

It's been a couple of months now since I finished my Bartop Neo Geo System and I feel like I'm ready for my next attempt at creating something.  I don't really expect this to be anywhere near as innovative as the Neo Geo, but then again I don't expect this to be nearly as difficult either.  First of all, there are already well documented plans for the cabinet (thanks Kyle Lindstrom), which will only take minor tweaking to make it even easier to cut an assemble with a CNC machine.  The only major changes will be internal to the cab with a redesigned monitor mount assembly and tabletop hinge.  Woodwork should be non existent since I'll be using 2 sided pre-finished plywood.  And the artwork will be the standard Ms. PacMan garb that is already available.  The games will run off a 60 in 1 icade jamma board which I already have a couple of lying around.  Although I may look into picking up a arcade-sd board if the sound issues on the 60 in 1 are actually as bad as everyone says they are. 

I'll post pics when I do something interesting.... Nothing good happening yet.... Still gotta order the parts I can't make like the cp's, silk screened glass top, and other hardware parts.

Thx guys....

I did add the artwork for the control panel... had it printed locally on a vinyl adhesive with a 3m UV resistant overlay...  It came out a little long to where it is starting to wrap down the curve on the front so I may reprint them shorter...  Also I may go back and add some more artwork... maybe replace the generic player start mans with the Ms Pac images on the original CP... I originally wanted the art work to be real simple... I think I may have gone too simple.

Thx guys....

I did add the artwork for the control panel... had it printed locally on a vinyl adhesive with a 3m UV resistant overlay...  It came out a little long to where it is starting to wrap down the curve on the front so I may reprint them shorter...  Also I may go back and add some more artwork... maybe replace the generic player start mans with the Ms Pac images on the original CP... I originally wanted the art work to be real simple... I think I may have gone too simple.

Excellent Post, Many Thanks for sharing this top Project of yours, showing your great work.
Would you be able to post  a control panal  template showing the centres for the buttons & Joystick you used in your project .
this is the perfect layout for a project i,m undertaking.
Cheers

[Unstupid]

I have recently started work on a new Ms Pac Cocktail table.  This one is going to be a wedding present for my cousin and her girlfriend.  It will be a more true replica of a Ms Pac Table; joystick only CP's, standard artwork, walnut wood grain etc...  because it is so similar to the first cab I build I didnt think it would need a dedicated project thread.  I will post more construction pics this time... maybe even a little time-lapse video.  in the mean time I have started with the coin door.  I bought a new midway repro door on KLOV and an old beat up door on ebay for the rest of the door.  I spend some time removing the rust and repolishing the parts you can see.  Also reset the coin counter...  check out the progress:

[jdbailey1206]

Great work Unstupid.  Both my wife and I are huge fans of the Cocktail cabs.  Why I am building a bartop for my first cab is beyond me.    
I have two seemingly simple questions.  1.  Where did you purchase your clips for the wires inside your cabinet?  2.  Are these [url]http://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=PB903[url] the buttons you purchased for the start of player one and player two?
Thank you for the help and keep up the good work. 

[Unstupid]

Great work Unstupid.  Both my wife and I are huge fans of the Cocktail cabs.  Why I am building a bartop for my first cab is beyond me.    
I have two seemingly simple questions.  1.  Where did you purchase your clips for the wires inside your cabinet?  2.  Are these the buttons you purchased for the start of player one and player two?
Thank you for the help and keep up the good work.

Thanks for the kind words.  Answer to question #1 is digikey.com.  Those are .062 molex connectors.  If you go on their site and search for that you'll find it.  You'll need 5 parts for the connector.  Male receptacle, female receptacle, male pins, female pins, and a crimp tool.  The receptacles come in many different pin/circuit configurations depending on how many you need for your application.  Also digikey sells the pins in bulk (like 500) so it much cheaper to but them this way to use for all your future projects

Question 2, yes that's the switch!  You can also get it at twisted quarter for a little cheaper. 

[jdbailey1206]

Not quite what I meant.      I meant the black clips that are on the walls of the cab itself with your wires zip tied on to them.  Hope that makes more sense.  I'm a sucker for organization.   

[Unstupid]

Not quite what I meant.      I meant the black clips that are on the walls of the cab itself with your wires zip tied on to them.  Hope that makes more sense.  I'm a sucker for organization.   

Oops my bad.  Got those from McMaster.  They call em zip tie anchors.  Those are adhesive backed with screw mount.  Here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#zip-tie-anchors/=ly5me4.  Letter E

[dandro]

wow, really nice job on that! I really need to stop checking out these builds, the project wish list keeps going up... 

[sandheaver]

You ever get that feeling where you are all alone in the room just talking to yourself?  Yes I do!  Oh well I guess cocktail tables aren't that popular...  I think you are right!  Oh well... lets just finish this documentation incase someone comes along in the future and decides they want to build one too.  Ok sounds good to me!

Anyways!  I cut all the parts for the cocktail tonight.  I was going to take video of the cut but since no one cares I figure why bother!  All you get is a photo.    2 sided A-1 grade pre-finished white maple veneer plywood.  What you see if the interior surfaces of the cocktail, and all the exterior surfaces are facing down.

I would love to have seen how you cut this.  I LOVE cocktail cabinets, the most under-appreciated cabinet style, and I'm starting to get some woodworking coworkers interested in my hobby. 

[Unstupid]

I tell you what, I'll be cutting panels for the second cab sometime durring the next week.  I'll try and capture some video of the cut process.  Though it's not unlike the cut process used to cut my Neo geo cabs:

[sandheaver]

I tell you what, I'll be cutting panels for the second cab sometime durring the next week.  I'll try and capture some video of the cut process.  Though it's not unlike the cut process used to cut my Neo geo cabs:

Do you cut them yourselves, or do you have them done somewhere?  A coworker's relative has possession of wood CNC machine; It would be wonderful if I could just hand him the files to produce the parts for a cocktail cabinet, rather than redrawing them in whatever CAD program.

[Hidensity42]

Trying to get in touch with unstupid or anyone who can help me save an investment in what turned out to be a pretty botched cocktail cabinet conversion

[Unstupid]

Trying to get in touch with unstupid or anyone who can help me save an investment in what turned out to be a pretty botched cocktail cabinet conversion

What happened to your cocktail?

[sandheaver]

I can't get over what a gorgeous build this is.  I'm probably going to use a darker wood for mine, though, more stock-looking, I hope.

What woods did you use?  Plywood, clearly, but what species?  I know little about wood species.  What would you recommend for a darker look, staining or darker wood?

[Unstupid]

I can't get over what a gorgeous build this is.  I'm probably going to use a darker wood for mine, though, more stock-looking, I hope.

What woods did you use?  Plywood, clearly, but what species?  I know little about wood species.  What would you recommend for a darker look, staining or darker wood?

This one was done in A-1 grade 3/4" prefinished white maple plywood.  You don't find this stuff at home depot... youd have to get it from a plywood specialty store.   It's really meant for cabinet makers...  If you are looking for something more original look for the prefinished walnut.  Infact I'm going to be cutting a couple of walnut cabs in the next week or so... I'll shoot some pics when I'm done.

[sandheaver]

This one was done in A-1 grade 3/4" prefinished white maple plywood.  You don't find this stuff at home depot... youd have to get it from a plywood specialty store.   It's really meant for cabinet makers...  If you are looking for something more original look for the prefinished walnut.  Infact I'm going to be cutting a couple of walnut cabs in the next week or so... I'll shoot some pics when I'm done.

Nice.  Many people say cocktail cabinets aren't very popular, but it's my favorite form factor, and you're pumping them out like there's no tomorrow. 

[sandheaver]

You can download the MCX file here...  http://www.unstupid.com/myfiles/MsPacCocktail.zip
A few notes:

- There is no table top piece.  That was cut separately on a 1" piece of ply.  Although there is space for the tabletop on this sheet if you are ok with it being 3/4" thick
There are 5 tool changes.
1- 1/8" flat bit to drill bolt holes for the vents and speaker grills also to cut out the C14 receptacle.
2- 1/4" chamber bit to scribe the lines where i need to drill 3/8" holes with the doweling jig in the side of the plywood
3- 1/4" flat bit drill out the 3/8" holes for the dowels (using a helix bore toolpath)
4- 3/8" compression bit to cut the holes, coindoor and finally the panel edges
5- 1/8" flat to clean up the inside radiuses on any internal 90degree cuts.

I've found a local CNC shop who has the tooling to make what is defined in this MCX file, however they cannot read MCX files.  Can you provide it in a more accessible format, such as DWG or DXF?

edit: I wound up re-creating the cabinet in SketchUp.

[webman]

Do you have the MCX file for the tabletop?

You can download the MCX file here...  http://www.unstupid.com/myfiles/MsPacCocktail.zip
A few notes:

- There is no table top piece.  That was cut separately on a 1" piece of ply.  Although there is space for the tabletop on this sheet if you are ok with it being 3/4" thick
There are 5 tool changes.
1- 1/8" flat bit to drill bolt holes for the vents and speaker grills also to cut out the C14 receptacle.
2- 1/4" chamber bit to scribe the lines where i need to drill 3/8" holes with the doweling jig in the side of the plywood
3- 1/4" flat bit drill out the 3/8" holes for the dowels (using a helix bore toolpath)
4- 3/8" compression bit to cut the holes, coindoor and finally the panel edges
5- 1/8" flat to clean up the inside radiuses on any internal 90degree cuts.

[Unstupid]

Do you have the MCX file for the tabletop?

You can download the MCX file here...  http://www.unstupid.com/myfiles/MsPacCocktail.zip
A few notes:

- There is no table top piece.  That was cut separately on a 1" piece of ply.  Although there is space for the tabletop on this sheet if you are ok with it being 3/4" thick
There are 5 tool changes.
1- 1/8" flat bit to drill bolt holes for the vents and speaker grills also to cut out the C14 receptacle.
2- 1/4" chamber bit to scribe the lines where i need to drill 3/8" holes with the doweling jig in the side of the plywood
3- 1/4" flat bit drill out the 3/8" holes for the dowels (using a helix bore toolpath)
4- 3/8" compression bit to cut the holes, coindoor and finally the panel edges
5- 1/8" flat to clean up the inside radiuses on any internal 90degree cuts.

http://www.unstupid.com/myimages/cocktailtop.mcx

[webman]

Thanks.  There was an error in the link but i figured it out.

http://www.unstupid.com/myimages/cocktailtop.zip

[sandheaver]

Webman: can you convert those MCX files to something a little less proprietary? 

I wound up re-creating the Kyle Lindstrom Ms. Pacman cocktail into Sketchup, but I noticed that Unstupid's design is modified slightly, and had LCDs in mind (mainly the hinge and fulcrum for the top, as far as I can tell from here). 

I like Unstupid's design better; can I get those MCX files converted to DXF or DWG?  Something I can share with a CNC operator that doesn't have the ability to read MCX?

Many thanks either way.

[Unstupid]

I can post The DWG files if you want...