*Scratch Build - Green Bay Packers Bartop*

[a1pharm]

Howdy folks!  So I have a horrible addiction to building arcade contraptions now (thanks a lot, BYOAC...).  My father-in-law is turning 60 this November, and he is in dire need of an arcade, so I am surprising him with a (scratch build) Green Bay Packer Bartop.  This bartop will have a coin door (kind of unique).

I just finished the artwork this evening, and I have all of the parts purchased and waiting to be put together.

Without further adieu, some pics:

[a1pharm]

Here are my plans on graph paper

[a1pharm]

Here is a picture of my wood (don't worry, its SFW), and other components.

[a1pharm]

And finally, the coin door and the 19" 4:3 monitor.

I'm sending out my artwork to get printed tomorrow, and I should be able to make my first cuts within the next week or so. 

Cheers!
 

[a1pharm]

I'm keeping an itemized list of all costs.  As you can see, only the paint and plexi are missing from the sheet.  I'll pick those up in the next two weeks.  Grand total should be close to $430

Computer   54   
Monitor   25   
Coin Mech   34.95   
GGG order   137.40
Plexiglass      ~35
Artwork   90   
Paint      ~10
Wood   40.26   
Speakers   9.99   
L-Bracket   3.97   

Running Total   395.57 (~430.57)

[a1pharm]

I got the wood cut..

[a1pharm]

Dry fit... (everything is flush, gravity is slightly tipping the CP)

[a1pharm]

Pine boards attached (applied gorilla glue, clamped, screwed) and the control panel was glued and clamped, will be attaching L-brackets soon.

Now I just need to do some final cuts, make the speaker housing, paint, apply the artwork, configure the control panel, attach the LED marquee lights, figure out how I'm going to fabricate a coin door, and then I'm all done, should be quick... (no sarcasm at all...)

Cheers!
 

[a1pharm]

Here is a rough representation of how the coin mech will be incorporated into the cab (MSPaint = original sketchup).  I'm debating using plexi across the whole cab vs. just the screen. 

Cheers!
 

[Unstupid]

you sure that coin mech works when at an angle?

[rablack97]

Yeah was gonna say the same thing, gravity might not be in your favor.

[monkeychunkuk]

Hmmm I don't think I've seen a coin mech on a Bartop,can you not squeeze it in the side?

[a1pharm]

Looks like the real coin mech is a no go.    I could always just remove the mech, and allow any coin to work (I tested that).  Thanks for the info, guys, that would have been a disappointing situation.  Perhaps putting it on the side will work, I'll see how the artwork looks.

[rablack97]

Hmmm I don't think I've seen a coin mech on a Bartop,can you not squeeze it in the side?

Yeah not seeing the real value of having a coin door on a bartop, unless hes' gonna use it for a piggy bank as well, you'll have to open the rear door all the time to get the coins out as well. Typically there is always a space issue with bartops, where's your coin bucket going to fit?

If you wanted the full effect, i would of said do a mini bar-cade.....like this...its still small, portable and gives you the option of a coin door for the arcade feel.



I suggest a credit button, and call it a day.  Putting a coin door on the side probably wont work either and you have to monitor brace to contend with.

The credit button will keep your build nice and clean....

[a1pharm]

I'm slowly coming to terms with elimination of the coin mech/door 

Oh well, guess I'll just have to use it in another project... 

[rablack97]

YES, that's great reasoning to build something else.....

[Superfrog]

Hmmm I don't think I've seen a coin mech on a Bartop,can you not squeeze it in the side?

Then you missed this one 
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131572.msg1360336.html#msg1360336

Great machine he made 

[Unstupid]

put one on the side of one of my test boxes...  am going to revisit that project real soon to finish her up:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128428.msg1314946.html

[a1pharm]

YES, that's great reasoning to build something else.....

I'm not addicted, I can quit anytime I want...

[a1pharm]

Hmmm I don't think I've seen a coin mech on a Bartop,can you not squeeze it in the side?

  Putting a coin door on the side probably wont work either and you have to monitor brace to contend with.

The credit button will keep your build nice and clean....

I have devised a novel monitor mount method which may be unique.  I'll share it if I use it.  As for the coin bucket, I'll fabricate one that would work.

[rablack97]

Cool deal, looking forward to your ingenuity!!!!!!

[a1pharm]

Here is a rough representation of how the coin mech will be incorporated into the cab (MSPaint = original sketchup).  I'm debating using plexi across the whole cab vs. just the screen. 

Cheers!
 

After learning that the coin mech won't work if tilted beyond ~5 deg, I will be installing it in the side of the cab on the right side.  I also may not need to create the novel monitor mount, as I think all of the internals are tucked out of the way.

[sabreerbasAlpha]

Here is a rough representation of how the coin mech will be incorporated into the cab (MSPaint = original sketchup).  I'm debating using plexi across the whole cab vs. just the screen. 

Cheers!
 

After learning that the coin mech won't work if tilted beyond ~5 deg, I will be installing it in the side of the cab on the right side.  I also may not need to create the novel monitor mount, as I think all of the internals are tucked out of the way.

Keep going mate this is going to be a sweet Bar Top my friend. Shame your having issues with the coin mec. But none the less it will be great. 

[a1pharm]

Got my slots cut...

[a1pharm]

Used a rounded router bit to round out the edge on the control panel.  Also: CP holes drilled (used a template from my artwork to ensure the holes matched up perfect)...

[a1pharm]

I made a template for the speaker grill.  I did this instead of using rails and guides because this would ensure both holes are identical...

[CoryBee]

Got my slots...

hehe, slots.....



I am not a big fan of sports team themed arcades but it looks like you are off to a good start

 

[a1pharm]

Yeah, I'd rather do a more classic design (choose an arcade-style theme), but I know this theme will go over good with my father-in-law (he's obviously a die-hard packer fan, and has a sports themed bar in his basement).  I'll be doing artwork for my full-sized cab over the next few months, so I'll get my design fix soon.

[a1pharm]

More update pics:

Here's the control panel assembled and with art applied...

[a1pharm]

A fascinating depiction of paint drying (this is coat #4)...

[a1pharm]

Here's a pic of the keyboard that will be included with the bartop (it will easily fit inside the cab).  Got it off of ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xbox-360-Xpad-Mini-Wireless-Touchpad-Ps3-Htpc-/281061790603?pt=US_Video_Game_Keyboards_Keypads&hash=item417096938b

I bought it a few weeks ago for $15, so it looks like the price went up.  It's a knockoff of the Visontek Candyboard:

http://www.amazon.com/VisionTek-Candyboard-Mini-Keyboard-Touchpad/dp/B007VMCBN4/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1378497462&sr=1-4&keywords=vision+tek+candyboard

I have one for my HTPC, and it works great.  Very nice little solution for the bartop keyboard conundrum.

Cheers!
 

[a1pharm]

Got my slots...

hehe, slots.....



I am not a big fan of sports team themed arcades but it looks like you are off to a good start

 

It’s so nice to meet young men who are so well mannered…
 

[a1pharm]

So I finally bought the plexi for the bezel and marquee, now all parts are here, and I just need to cut the plexi, and assemble this beast.  Hopefully, I'll have time tomorrow to get the plexi cut and monitor mounted.  Then it will be pretty fast going from there.  In case anyone is wondering, here's the final cost of the bartop, down to the penny:

Computer   54
Monitor   25
Coin Mech   34.95
GGG order   137.4
Plexiglass   11.98
Artwork   90
Paint   6
Wood   40.26
Speakers   10.55
L-Bracket   3.97
Keyboard   12.98
GGG order 2   28.92
   
Grand Total     456.01

More updates soon, with plenty of pics!

Cheers!
 

[a1pharm]

So this beast is finally completed.  I did not have enough internal room to utilize the coin door/mech option 

I'll be posting final pics of the build process and final product today or tomorrow.

Cheers!
 

[matt4949]

I love this build. Maybe I should drop everything and build a KC CHIEFS one right now.

[yotsuya]

I love this build. Maybe I should drop everything and build a KC CHIEFS one right now.

Andy Reid wants you to build him one. But cover it with Barbeque sauce.

[matt4949]

I love this build. Maybe I should drop everything and build a KC CHIEFS one right now.

Andy Reid wants you to build him one. But cover it with Barbeque sauce.

hunhh hunhh I walked all the way hunhh hunhh up these stairs hunhh hunhh for a taco

[a1pharm]

Here's a pic of the underside of the CP.  I used lit buttons, hence the extra wire.

[a1pharm]

Here's a pic of the bottom rail of the marquee holder being installed.  I held the plexi in place, and laid the rail on the cab, flush with the plexi.  I marked the cab where the rail should go, then I removed the plexi and rail.  I then applied a VERY thin line of Gorilla Glue to the rail, and then placed it on the cab (along the line I marked).  Then I clamped it in place with spring clamps for 4 hours (probably overkill with the time, but I had nothing else to work on).

[a1pharm]

The marquee light is a strip of LEDs I got with my full cab build (I had leftovers).  As you can see, I use peg board as the LED mount.  LEDs are super cool, but just in case they get warm, the holes in the peg board allow for adequate airflow.  The pegboard also blocks most of the light from entering the cab.  I did not use foil or white paint to reflect the light.  The marquee is perfectly lit with this light amount.  You can also see the wire I soldered on the end of the LED strip being fed into the cab (this supplies 12V power from the computer power supply).  I also put a glob of hot glue over the soldered area.  This ensures that the soldered points do not rip off the strip.  I will be using this trick on every solder job that I can from now on (it is SUPER stable).