1st Bartop Build! COMPLETED 16/10/11

[vast]

So. looks like I'm finally done.  I let the build slide a little due to real life commitments and the fact that I only had some cosmetic additions to make to the CP.

The fact that the machine was playable didn't have anuthing to do with it    I was really struggling with drilling my acrylic CP overlay and had tried 7 TIMES to do it crackingf the acrylic or having the holes not match.  I posted in the main forum and followed the advice of routing using the metal cp as a template.  Well, that did the trick.  I had ordered 2 pieces of acrylic for my last attempt; the first one had the router slip and enlarge the final hole for the pause button  . No Biggie, got one more shot, all the button holes were fine, and I drilled the mounting bolt holes with a hand drill - they worked a treat! 

Unfortunately, the 2nd piece of acrylic hadnt been cut that well and one edge is jagged  I'm super lucky that the jagged edge is at the side nearest the screen so it's not super noticeable.  If it really gets to me I'll re do it using the existing acrylic as a template.

Anyhoo, here are the final pics;





















Thanks for all of the help and advice guys, I couldn't have even thought about doing this without such an awesome resource and community!

[dandare]

WOW! what a great job you've done, looks amazing!

Its been quite funny following your project, as i had almost all the same ups and downs when i built my first bartop (especially the acrylic!  )

the speaker holes and air vent holes are beautifully rounded and everything looks nice and clean. 

So you gonna build a full size one next. (notice that's not a question, its inevitable!)

Well done mate!! 

[emphatic]

Really awesome result. 

[vast]

Thanks guys, means a lot 

A full size machine?  I'd love one - it's finding the space in the house.  The room that the bartop is in at the moment is the loft which is my area for gaming and work.  Due to the pitch of the roof I can't get a full sized cab in there... 

[dandare]

how about a centipede style cab! 

[brad808]

That bartop looks wicked I think I might try and make one for a friend at some point and this is exactly how I would want mine to turn out.

[Unstupid]

Where did your sideart go?

[TopJimmyCooks]

You're so fresh and clean

Very nice result.  Bet it won't be your last build.

[vast]

Where did your sideart go?

It became one of the things that was easy to abandon in the end.  I was very weary of messing it all up applying it.  ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?---, I know...

[Woodshop Flunky]

Very nice... very clean. 

[mgb]

Awesome looking build. Very slick and well done. 

[Worthing Gooners]

That is a lovely finish to a great project. That is the kind of standard i am aiming for.........................(Hopefuly )

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Really high quality finish, very impressive 

[s-alice]

I really like this build, i was acutally thinking of doing something like this. Is it possible to get your plans somehow?
Would really appreciate it!

[vast]

I have the sketchup files if you would like them?

PM me your email and I'll pop them over 

[PL1]

Welcome to the forums, s-alice.

Vast hasn't logged on since July 26th, so it might be a while before he sees this. Ummmmm. . . . Never mind.

He mentioned that this build is based on the popular (with almost everyone BUT pinballjim  ) Weecade design.

The plans are available here.

If you have any questions for someone who has built one, just search for "weecade".  You should find lots of hits like rablack97's recent Cowboys-themed build. (He's from Texas)


Scott

[s-alice]

I have the sketchup files if you would like them?

PM me your email and I'll pop them over 

I'd love that!

I can't seem to PM yet, probably some kind of "minimum posts" restriction, but perhaps i can answar you if you PM me?

[s-alice]

Welcome to the forums, s-alice.

Vast hasn't logged on since July 26th, so it might be a while before he sees this. Ummmmm. . . . Never mind.

He mentioned that this build is based on the popular (with almost everyone BUT pinballjim  ) Weecade design.

The plans are available here.

If you have any questions for someone who has built one, just search for "weecade".  You should find lots of hits like rablack97's recent Cowboys-themed build. (He's from Texas)


Scott

Thank you!

I've actually seen the weecade before ( i built his Project Mame-cab last summer!) but i liked this version better, for about the same reasons thats stated in the first post!

Will check out that thread though! Thanks!

[tony.silveira]

beautiful build!

I notice on the inside you have a microsoft 360 wireless gaming receiver.  i'm assuming thats for a third player?  If you ever need to push the button on the unit to synch a controller, you'd have to pop the back off.  i'd suggest wiring a momentary button to teh receiver and mount the button on the back.

[PL1]

I can't seem to PM yet, probably some kind of "minimum posts" restriction, but perhaps i can answar you if you PM me?

Only 5 posts required to enable sending PMs.  Receiving them should already be enabled.


Scott

[vast]

beautiful build!

I notice on the inside you have a microsoft 360 wireless gaming receiver.  i'm assuming thats for a third player?  If you ever need to push the button on the unit to synch a controller, you'd have to pop the back off.  i'd suggest wiring a momentary button to teh receiver and mount the button on the back.

I have it for console games mainly. I haven't had the controller forget about the receiver so I haven't needed to pair them up again.

[vast]

Just a little update, really.

I replaced the marquee with a redesigned one that works a lot better in my opinion.  The print quality is much better and the light comes through much easier.



The other addition is of an SSD.  This one was pulled from a MacBook Air that had been in a little accident.  I needed to use an adapter as the connectors on the blade SSD are not traditional SATA & power connectors.



I only have my OS loaded onto the SSD.  All Emu's & Roms are stored on the original 1TB.

[Richie_jones]

Looks great mate..big improvement with the SSD?

[vast]

Looks great mate..big improvement with the SSD?

Cheers buddy!

The big difference is just in startup and shutdown times, I can be in Hyperspin about 15 secs after pressing the power button which is nice.  If I didn't have an SSD lying around I might not have bothered...

[Nindor]

I have the sketchup files if you would like them?

PM me your email and I'll pop them over 

Awesome build!

I'd also love to have the sketchup files.
I've been lurking here for some time, but i realy never write anything, so i'd love to get a PM from you so i can get the files.
Been planning on building a bartop for some years, but the usual (family, work and kids) have stopped me from doing more then a prototype, wich was a few years ago.

[moosekatdeluxe]

Hi Vast.
Sorry to bring up an old thread. Love the paint job on your cab. I am trying to build a bartop at the moment, and was going to go decals, but since seeing yours, i think I am gonna just paint it. Have you got any tips and tricks to get it that smooth?? How has it lasted over the last year or so??

Thanks


Nick

[vwalbridge]

This is one of the best (if not THE best) BTA builds I have seen out there. I too would love to see how he got the paint so smooth. I wanted to do graphics on my BTA but that is proving to be difficult to get the sizing just right. So doing a really simple and nice paint job would be better.

Also what is the little black knob or button between the 2 speakers? Is that a volume control?
Thanks!