retrograde - surface tension upright build

[surface tension]

surface tension has always been about arcade coffee tables for the home. I design but don't build those as it's not only time, but they need to be of the highest quality. So we have an amazing cabinet maker build these.

I've wanted to build an upright for a long time now and it was my goal for this year, and the Revival expo gave me a shove to get on with it. My woodwork skills were non-existant and this was the first time I had even touched a router! I've always liked the Taito design with the sweeping arc and slightly laid-back look, so this is what I based it on.

Those of you Brits that made it to Revival back in May would have seen it and hopefully had a go. I interrogated most people for feedback after!

I wanted to use a striking veneered board for the sides, so went for an 'engineered' veneer, ebony macassar. To tie in with our products, the centre was finished in a hi-gloss black, keeping a clean flow from top to bottom.

 


Ultimarc 360s and Happ 2 1/4" trackball.


surface tension marquee and flush-mounted tweeters.


Powder coated control panel with grey screen print.


Matching black control buttons.


Speaker cover hiding 2 x 5" woofers. (This can also be removed if you don't have kids!)


Flush-mount tweeters so you can get the sound right into your ear drums.


PC compartment at the bottom with an up-and-over door on Soss invisible hinges. Plenty of room in here for keyboards etc too.


4mm toughened glass with tint covering a 24" 16:10 Samsung LCD.

I got most of it done over 4 weekends leading up to Revival, but was left with a mad rush at the end as I didn't get the components back from the sprayers until Weds/Thurs. Then it was off to the show on Friday, hoping to leave at 9 in the morning, but actually we didn't leave until more like 9 in the evening. Stressful week? Yes. But totally worth it when the first person strolled up to it and started playing.

[BadMouth]

Insides of the side panels should always be black IMO.
It bothers me.  It bothers me bad. 

[Malenko]

love the name though.

[surface tension]

Haha, thanks! It's not all bad then!

[emphatic]

Very home consumer looking. That was a compliment. I agree on the inside colours though. 

[Falk3r]

Love it, man. I would have put a black matte around the monitor... but that thing looks uber mod(ern).

Looks like top notch quality all around.

[surface tension]

Thanks guys. Not something I'd noticed. I guess this is for a completely distraction-free play area.

[a1pharm]

I really like this cab, great work on making it "crisp."  I especially like cabs that have the CP "built in" to the cab, instead of being placed on top of the cab and overflowing off the sides.

Again, great job!

Cheers!
 

[Rick]

Is it wrong for me to ask if you have a website for these? The workmanship looks amazing, and I'm always excited to see retro and modern works collide.

[surface tension]

Thanks A1pharm and Rick. That's really encouraging.

I built this one for myself initially, but we're looking into making a small batch and see how we get on.

Yes, our site is www.surface-tension.net, though it's arcade tables plus a few other retro items.

[Rick]

Yes, our site is www.surface-tension.net, though it's arcade tables plus a few other retro items.

HOLY CRAP! I've been to your site almost a year ago! I was searching innovative arcade solutions, like coffee tables, and I even went so far as to duplicate your build in Sketchup! (I never went so far as to cut any wood, but still, your work is INSPIRING!!!)

Keep up the great work!