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Author Topic: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop  (Read 42606 times)

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sdchown

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Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« on: September 02, 2012, 06:02:15 am »
After finishing my Golden Axe bartop http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=121384.0

I decided that I would try making my own from the ground up (the one above I purchased as a kit).

I did some CAD drawings and found a local place that does CNC routing and went from there.

Finally finished the build, now all I have to do is finish configuring MAME although everything is working. Here is the cabinet in all its glory:


bluemini17

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2012, 07:31:19 am »
Looking good! is that pvc fascia board your using for the control panel?  what size of screen is that, 19?
keep up the good work

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2012, 07:46:55 am »
Yes it is! :)

The whole cabinet is PVC constructed. I went for PVC over MDF primarily because it's easy to get manufactured, and its lighter than MDF by a long way and easier to get screws into. Once screwed together its pretty strong too.

The only downside is that you have to buy it in ENORMOUS sheets, so I actually have enough cut pieces to constructed another 3 cabinets, enough screens for another 14 cabinets and enough control panels for another 9.

Here I have been messing with shelling to MALA. I will do a bubble bobble themed MALA layout soon.



- me

bluemini17

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2012, 06:22:46 pm »
the shell programme is good, i did that for my mame cabs too. are you UK based? are we chatting 8x4 sheets of the pvc. i like the idea of pvc, no priming of mdf  :afro:

PL1

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2012, 07:00:33 pm »
Interesting idea on the PVC over MDF.

What thickness of each did you use?

Amazon has PVC sheets ranging from 1/32" to 3/4" thick.


Scott

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2012, 01:56:07 am »
the shell programme is good, i did that for my mame cabs too. are you UK based? are we chatting 8x4 sheets of the pvc. i like the idea of pvc, no priming of mdf  :afro:

Yes, I'm based in Bristol in the UK. Yes I think they'e about 8x4 sheets of 13mm PVC.

Interesting idea on the PVC over MDF.

What thickness of each did you use?

To be fair I can't take credit for the idea. The kit that I purchased for the first one I made was PVC, so I figured that's what I'd use this time. I wouldn't like to try cut it myself either. MDF just makes dust, but drilling and cutting PVC stinks! It makes an awful smell. The board I used was 13mm thick.

Basically I looked at the kit I purchased the first time, and then sketched my own version of it changing stuff to suit myself, and then set about finding somewhere that could cut it to order. I could basically mass produce these things now if I wanted to. Although all I will do for now is build the other few that I have parts for and then ebay them.

- S

bluemini17

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2012, 03:30:31 pm »
Im based just outside Belfast myself. My friend moved to Bristol last year, clifton area, just up from the BIG hill  :dizzy: any joy on the mala layout yet, I made a full size slim line cab with a bubble bobble theme and mala layout. if i get a chance i will nock up a vid of the thing. i had it so bubbles and things would float about in the background of the mala layout

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2012, 04:52:27 pm »
any joy on the mala layout yet, I made a full size slim line cab with a bubble bobble theme and mala layout.

I kept it very simple. Here's a crap photo off my very scratched iPhone.



Here is a comparison of my render off my CAD drawings and the finished product :

RENDER :



ACTUAL :



Here is a rejected street fighter design that I didn't get round to :



- S

selfie

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2012, 05:26:37 pm »
That's very cool. :applaud:

Is the PVC solid sheet or is is a hard skinned foamed PVC?

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2012, 05:38:36 pm »
Is the PVC solid sheet or is is a hard skinned foamed PVC?

The latter I think. It's harder on the outside, so I assume so.

selfie

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2012, 06:43:18 pm »
Is the PVC solid sheet or is is a hard skinned foamed PVC?

The latter I think. It's harder on the outside, so I assume so.

Thanks. I use that stuff daily, I might try it for my next project

EPD

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2012, 12:46:26 pm »
Nice cabinet sdchown - im guessing this is based on the tinyarcade kit? What have you done to make it different? Looks slightly wider??

I'm actually looking at buying the TA kit, but got a bit worried about the pvc not being strong enough & bowing under the weight of monitor, pc etc - how is it working out for you? Have you used much to reinforce it?

Woukd be interested in your experience with the PVC, rather than me making a wooden kit, probably be very interested when you're selling one of the kits too!

Good to see some other local mame builders! Im in Bath, so were practically neighbours!!

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #12 on: September 07, 2012, 12:52:20 pm »
Hi.

Yes the first one I build was a Tinyarcade Kit. But there were a few things that I wanted to change, I also wanted to make a fair few different variants, so at their price it would have been crazy.

It's about the same size TBH. If you want you are more than welcome to pop over and check the cabinet out so you can get ideas etc.

The PVC does bend on huge sheets, but at the sizes it is cut to here, and with being screwed together to other pieces it's strong enough.

- S

EPD

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #13 on: September 07, 2012, 12:57:58 pm »
Nice one :) :) i may well take you up on that offer in a week or two, really i want to make sure it'll fit two of us playing comfortably after a few G&T's on a friday night!! Space at a premium, so cant do a full size build.

 :cheers:

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #14 on: September 07, 2012, 05:07:03 pm »
Had nothing to do this evening so I assembled another cabinet. Takes me about 2 hours at a leisurely pace now.

Here are some photos of the empty shell.

* Assembled Cabinet from the front



* on its face with me testing the 19" monitor will fit ok



* empty insides (with light and speakers in place and motherboard fitted)



I am thinking of doing the Street Fighter 2 design on this one. But I need to Pizzaz it up a bit.

- S

Acids

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #15 on: September 08, 2012, 12:49:01 am »

Unstupid

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #16 on: September 08, 2012, 03:40:56 am »
I really like these!  I'm not a big fan of the weecade shape but the artwork on the side more than makes up for it!  The artwork and the color combinations are top notch!

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #17 on: September 08, 2012, 01:40:51 pm »
Mounted computer, PSU, Hard Drive and 19" monitor inside the new one. The mini-itx all in one boards are great! Look how much space there is in there :P


tom_g

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #18 on: September 16, 2012, 04:46:00 pm »
Good job, your bartop looks excellent, the colour palette works really well together. Surprised it's not sold yet

In your Golden Axe build you mentioned using a "RetroVGA" to create hardware scanlines, could you tell me a bit more about this please as I've got a 310-in-1 Pandora too I intend to use? I'm going to start a new build but finding new/refurbished CRTs is quite a pain so may go LCD again. Did you get it from the Brazilian site? Worth buying? Thanks in advance

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #19 on: September 16, 2012, 04:47:47 pm »
In your Golden Axe build you mentioned using a "RetroVGA" to create hardware scanlines, could you tell me a bit more about this please as I've got a 310-in-1 Pandora too I intend to use? I'm going to start a new build but finding new/refurbished CRTs is quite a pain so may go LCD again. Did you get it from the Brazilian site? Worth buying? Thanks in advance

Hi. Everything you need to know here : http://www.brunofreitas.com/node/36

- S

emb

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Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #20 on: September 18, 2012, 10:28:38 am »
Your cab is looking stellar! What kind of motherboard/ CPU are you using? Is it fast enough to play mortal kombat 3 and killer instinct?

Reason I ask is because I'm in the market for buying a motherboard / CPU for my bartop. I have been eyeing the atoms, although I am not sure if the new line of processors are fast enough to play killer instinct or mortal kombat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #21 on: September 18, 2012, 10:30:16 am »
It's an Intel D525MW all-in-one with 2GB of RAM.

It plays Mortal Kombat 3 fine. I will check killer instinct and let you know.

-  S

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #22 on: September 21, 2012, 02:04:03 pm »
Moved stuff to new SF2 Bartop post since it's no longer my Bubble bobble one.

sho

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #23 on: September 24, 2012, 05:10:21 pm »
Nice, kinda reminds me of a cab I know ;)  (All too well).
Also reminds me, must update thread....
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=120544.0
« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 05:01:25 pm by sho »
Bubble Bobble YAWN

consolas

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2012, 06:09:58 am »
Hey everyone

Original Poser (or someone else), how does the control panel have that plastic feel and look? Is this some special kind of PVC?

Much like the tinyarcade.co.uk, the KIT they have has a really strong and cool plastic shine and feel, I was wondering if this can be achieved with MDF or how to achieved this with PVC

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #25 on: September 25, 2012, 06:16:06 am »
Original Poser (or someone else), how does the control panel have that plastic feel and look? Is this some special kind of PVC?

It's window fascia board. http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/162633?utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=RatingsAndReviews&utm_content=Default

That's just what it looks like. I purchased a huge long strip of it and then had a plastics company bevel the back edge off at a 45 degreee angle so it backs agains the screen better, and had them cut holes in it and cut it to sections. It doesn't prove economical my way unless you're having lots done (I have 7 more control panels made up like this).

I also wouldn't recommend it if your control panel is really wide, as it's got a bit of flex in it if you use it in longer sections.

- S

consolas

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2012, 06:29:48 am »
Original Poser (or someone else), how does the control panel have that plastic feel and look? Is this some special kind of PVC?

It's window fascia board. http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/162633?utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=RatingsAndReviews&utm_content=Default

That's just what it looks like. I purchased a huge long strip of it and then had a plastics company bevel the back edge off at a 45 degreee angle so it backs agains the screen better, and had them cut holes in it and cut it to sections. It doesn't prove economical my way unless you're having lots done (I have 7 more control panels made up like this).

I also wouldn't recommend it if your control panel is really wide, as it's got a bit of flex in it if you use it in longer sections.

- S

Awesome. Thank you very much!

The rest of the cabinet is PVC and you paint over it, right?

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #27 on: September 25, 2012, 06:31:55 am »
Yep 13mm PVC. On the bubble bobble one I painted the inside edges with blue spray paint, but the sides have self adhesive vinyl printing stuck to them.

The new street fighter one I've had done I had a vinyl piece printed for under the control panel too.

- S

consolas

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #28 on: September 25, 2012, 06:33:27 am »
Thank you very much!!

consolas

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #29 on: September 26, 2012, 09:33:35 am »
If  may ask you another question: doesn't the pvc bend when heated?

With the pc and monitor, isn't the temperature a little bit to high for the pvc?

Thanks!

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #30 on: September 26, 2012, 10:01:39 am »
Nah. LCD monitors don't get very hot, and its a low energy motherboard. And I make vent holes in the back panel.

consolas

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #31 on: September 26, 2012, 10:10:50 am »
Awesome!

Mind if I send you a pm so I can ask you a few more things?

sunnyp

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #32 on: September 26, 2012, 10:12:36 am »
Great build.  Good to see a fellow UK bartop builder!  Where did you get your artwork printed?
Also, what does the rear look like when finished?  I'm thinking how to possible keep my bartop tidy by either having a 4-way extension housed in the back of the cab or outside.

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #33 on: September 26, 2012, 10:37:56 am »
Great build.  Good to see a fellow UK bartop builder!  Where did you get your artwork printed?
Also, what does the rear look like when finished?  I'm thinking how to possible keep my bartop tidy by either having a 4-way extension housed in the back of the cab or outside.




You can see what the back looks like on my Golden Axe one. I then wire up the inside with terminal blocks and terminals (connected to a switched IEC socket mounted on the back) and insulate the lot.

- S

jmike

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #34 on: September 26, 2012, 11:37:27 am »
 :applaud: :applaud:
           Nicely done. What size is that chrome T-molding? Got a link?


 :cheers:

sdchown

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #35 on: September 26, 2012, 11:56:04 am »
It's not t-molding. It's self adhesive chrome trim (12mm) like you put on cars (if you have poor taste :P )

Just right for my cabs though.

- S

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #36 on: September 26, 2012, 11:57:57 am »
Where did you get your artwork printed?


Polysigns in Bristol. http://www.polysigns.co.uk/

dmworking247

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #37 on: September 27, 2012, 11:17:40 pm »
Had nothing to do this evening so I assembled another cabinet. Takes me about 2 hours at a leisurely pace now.


What an amazing bartop. When I think of the amount of time it took me to build my bartops to achieve anywhere near this end result (and I never mastered sideart), the thought of you whipping one up in two hours is depressing :)

If PVC is this lightweight and they're that simple to put together, maybe you should consider selling flatpacks, I'd love a bubble bobble one like this :)

In fact, I came across this thread after a google search for Bubble Bobble Mala layouts, as I'm currently planning to convert a lowboy into a dedicated bubble bobble. Did you make that side-art yourself? Its exactly the kind of thing I want on my lowboy, only I need to scale it up a lot!

BuschWolff

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #38 on: October 31, 2012, 07:10:26 pm »
Great Build! love it! any chance you can share the CAD plans?

Thanks

jezwalker

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Re: Bubble Bobble Themed Bartop
« Reply #39 on: January 24, 2013, 04:54:22 am »
Amazing Cab. Do you reckon there would be enough space to fit an (original) xbox in there with ipac etc ...