Wall-mounted arcade designs?

[jlfreund]

Hi,

I'm going to have a 32" LCD TV mounted to the wall in the garage (for use with a treadmill), and was thinking it would be good to get some use out of that as a mame machine as well.

Has anyone seen any good examples of a wall-mounted MAME machine?  This way, it's not taking up floor space and is easier to keep clean.  Maybe one with a retractable CP of some sort?

Thanks!

[Sig00]

I haven't, but I'm really digging the idea. Good luck getting it figured out!

[thehammer12]

You can rig up one of those short golden tee half cabinets to do what you want, I seen a couple of them already out there.

[rablack97]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130522.960.html

Scroll down, Haruman just designed something like your asking for.

[2084]

I've built a few wall mounted units.  All of these run MAME on the Raspberry Pi with LCD monitors.  I am currently working on a Fix it Felix Jr.

[SavannahLion]

What did you use/do for mounting on the wall? I was considering a French Cleat but I was told that standard wall mounted toys use an H style bracket...

[2084]

I used flush mount hangers similar to the ones in the link below that I got at the local Lowes.  I placed 2 exactly 16" apart on the back of the cabinet and placed the wall ones on the studs.  On the first one I did I put an screw on the bottom to prevent the cabinet from accidentally being lifted off the hangers, but this doesn't seem to be necessary.

http://wedo.hillmangroup.com/item/picture-hanging-accessories/flush-mount-hangers/121158

[edekoning]

I've built a few wall mounted units.  All of these run MAME on the Raspberry Pi with LCD monitors.  I am currently working on a Fix it Felix Jr.

Those look awesome! but the power cables look really messy, you should hide them using cable channels.

[Unstupid]

Hi,

I'm going to have a 32" LCD TV mounted to the wall in the garage (for use with a treadmill), and was thinking it would be good to get some use out of that as a mame machine as well.

Even better idea, build your control panel into the treadmill so that you have to walk while you game.... You will be the healthiest retro gamer evar!   

[JDFan]

I've built a few wall mounted units.  All of these run MAME on the Raspberry Pi with LCD monitors.  I am currently working on a Fix it Felix Jr.

Those look awesome! but the power cables look really messy, you should hide them using cable channels.

I was thinking the same thing but figured he just hasn't finished mounting them - should be easy to add some recessed outlets into the wall behind them :

[edekoning]

I was thinking the same thing but figured he just hasn't finished mounting them - should be easy to add some recessed outlets into the wall behind them :

I think that depends on the type of wall you have. Mine is made out of concrete with lots of stone pebbles, and is a nightmare to cut into (don't even get me started about all the fine dust that this produces).

[michelevit]

I've built a few wall mounted units.  All of these run MAME on the Raspberry Pi with LCD monitors.  I am currently working on a Fix it Felix Jr.

those look great. Did you use original Marquees or repros?
Well done and thanks for sharing.

(just use white power cords or spray paint them to match the wall- or F*it, it looks just fine)

[JDFan]

I think that depends on the type of wall you have. Mine is made out of concrete with lots of stone pebbles, and is a nightmare to cut into (don't even get me started about all the fine dust that this produces).

True -- but in actually reading the posts He says :

I placed 2 exactly 16" apart on the back of the cabinet and placed the wall ones on the studs.

Which would indicate he has drywall over wood framing that is 16" on center !

[yotsuya]

(just use white power cords or spray paint them to match the wall- or F*it, it looks just fine)

Actually, it doensn't look fine. At least tack them neatly to the wall.

[2084]

To answer a few questions, all the CPO, marquees, and bezels are replicas.  For Stargate the size of the CPO, is the same as the original.  For Robotron it is slightly smaller, and the Rampage has a custom bezel and CPO that I painted myself. 

As for the cords right now it is a temporary installation as the other half of the room is a castle and dollhouse table for my kids who are currently too young to appreciate these games.  As they get older and I build more games I imagine making this into more of an arcade room.  I've thought about building kickplates to give the appearance of the bottom of the arcade cabinet while hiding the cords.  It would also be possible to put outlets higher on the wall behind the cabinet and that would look better, although that would make it difficult to unplug them.  In any case this is in the basement and the cords aren't an issue while playing the games which is 99% of the time I spend in the room.

[pbj]

If you're going to have them side by side like that, you could always daisy chain the cords to the bottom of one cabinet, mount a power strip on the bottom of it, and only have one cord dropping to the ground.

[2084]

If you're going to have them side by side like that, you could always daisy chain the cords to the bottom of one cabinet, mount a power strip on the bottom of it, and only have one cord dropping to the ground.

I'd actually thought about this.  It is a good idea.

[thatpurplestuff]

If you're going to have them side by side like that, you could always daisy chain the cords to the bottom of one cabinet, mount a power strip on the bottom of it, and only have one cord dropping to the ground.

I'd actually thought about this.  It is a good idea.

I second this idea.  Those machines are gorgeous and the cords are a bit distracting... having just one cord coming down would clean it up considerably.  Great work though you're making me want to build a wall mounted cab (but first I have to build my normal cab and cocktail haha)!

[michelevit]

The cords are only distracting because there is nothing to complain about when looking at those awesome cabinets.
I bet if you were in that room you with that those 3 awesome machines you wouldn't bat an eye at the power cords.

The internet is funny because we all felt we needed to mention something negative about those cabs. In real life if we stumbled across that room, we'd probably have nothing but compliments and praise. We'd then ask if its ok to play some Rampage.

[yotsuya]

The cords are only distracting because there is nothing to complain about when looking at those awesome cabinets.
I bet if you were in that room you with that those 3 awesome machines you wouldn't bat an eye at the power cords.

The internet is funny because we all felt we needed to mention something negative about those cabs. In real life if we stumbled across that room, we'd probably have nothing but compliments and praise. We'd then ask if its ok to play some Rampage.

No, I'd probably trip over that cord that strung out on the floor, knowing my clumsy ass.

Look, pointing out a flaw doesn't mean you're doing it to be negative. You can do it with constructive intent. Unless, of course, we're just going to be sunshine, love, and gold stars, which in the long run does no one any good.

[JDFan]

The cords are only distracting because there is nothing to complain about when looking at those awesome cabinets.
I bet if you were in that room you with that those 3 awesome machines you wouldn't bat an eye at the power cords.

The internet is funny because we all felt we needed to mention something negative about those cabs. In real life if we stumbled across that room, we'd probably have nothing but compliments and praise. We'd then ask if its ok to play some Rampage.

I agree that the machines are great looking and don't think anyone was complaining about the cords just saying it does take away from the overall look of them - Here's just a quick change that shows how it would look without the cords dangling there as an example 

[yotsuya]

I agree that the machines are great looking and don't think anyone was complaining about the cords just saying it does take away from the overall look of them - Here's just a quick change that shows how it would look without the cords dangling there as an example 

Great visual. Exactly the point we're all trying to make.

[2084]

The cords are only distracting because there is nothing to complain about when looking at those awesome cabinets.
I bet if you were in that room you with that those 3 awesome machines you wouldn't bat an eye at the power cords.

The internet is funny because we all felt we needed to mention something negative about those cabs. In real life if we stumbled across that room, we'd probably have nothing but compliments and praise. We'd then ask if its ok to play some Rampage.

I agree that the machines are great looking and don't think anyone was complaining about the cords just saying it does take away from the overall look of them - Here's just a quick change that shows how it would look without the cords dangling there as an example 

You guys are right of course.  I'm sure my wife would be on my case about the cords (she is always right also), but she would probably prefer to divert my attention away from these machines and towards other projects.

[yotsuya]

You guys are right of course.  I'm sure my wife would be on my case about the cords (she is always right also), but she would probably prefer to divert my attention away from these machines and towards other projects.

Pfft.... tell her those broken appliances aren't going anywhere! 

[Player 3]

I've built a few wall mounted units.  All of these run MAME on the Raspberry Pi with LCD monitors.  I am currently working on a Fix it Felix Jr.

The only concern with these designs is how little weight you can put on them before they go crashing from the wall. That or I'm just underestimating the strength of whatever you're using.

[jimmer]

Love this thread.

I didn't see the chords in the original photo. But once it was pointed out I was like:  "yeah, that's horrible"

I installed my plasma TV in  2002. The power chord dangled for 3 years, then it got some trunking but that still hasn't been painted wall colour.

[DGP]

Excellent work, love the Robotron. 

Jason

[2084]

The only concern with these designs is how little weight you can put on them before they go crashing from the wall. That or I'm just underestimating the strength of whatever you're using.

There are two anchor points on each cabinet that connects them to adjacent studs.  They will hold my weight so I'm not worried about the cabinet crashing down during normal play.

[brihyn]

I love this design and it's got me to thinking of maybe building one or more in the future.
2 questions-
1) would it be possible to maybe show how you're anchoring it to the wall? there's no way in hel   could play Track and Field with one of these (I end up as sweaty as I do when watching Cops), but it'd be great for Gyrus.
2) I assume you're booting the RPi directly into each game?

[2084]

I love this design and it's got me to thinking of maybe building one or more in the future.
2 questions-
1) would it be possible to maybe show how you're anchoring it to the wall? there's no way in hel   could play Track and Field with one of these (I end up as sweaty as I do when watching Cops), but it'd be great for Gyrus.
2) I assume you're booting the RPi directly into each game?

1.  I used use flush wall mount hangers I linked above that I bought at Lowes.  Other places they are called "Selby" hangers.  You put one on the wall pointed up and a matching one on the cabinet pointing down.  I put two sets on the back of each cabinet 16" apart so that can be directly attached to the studs.  I did not use the screws they came with but rather 2 1/2" screws on the wall side.  The anchoring is solid enough that I think you could play any game.  I also put some furniture pads on the back of the cabinet to keep it from scratching the wall up.

http://www.wwhardware.com/selby-interlocking-flushmounts-syk-418-z


2.  The RPi s are set up to boot directly to the game.  On the Stargate cabinet I made a button that attaches to the GPIO.  There is a C-shell script that runs on start up so if the button is pressed it launches using the Defender ROM instead of Stargate.  All of the games have a power button that turns off the LCD monitor, marquee, and speaker.  The RPi is powered whenever it is plugged in.  That way when it is "turned on" it is not necessary to wait for it to boot but the game is already running.

[mann0mann]

Love the cabinets 2084...nice work.  That Robotron design is super clean and tight.

Not that you asked for any input on this but I'd almost envision like a shallow bartop shelf on the wall for those.  Just underneath the bottoms like they were sitting on them.   Kinda like how you might see in a pool hall.  It be a great place to set a drink, cell phone or something down.  You could probably hide a power strip and the cords underneath as well. 

Thanks for sharing the picture!  It definitely got a right-click save in my book.   

[2084]

Love the cabinets 2084...nice work.  That Robotron design is super clean and tight.

Not that you asked for any input on this but I'd almost envision like a shallow bartop shelf on the wall for those.  Just underneath the bottoms like they were sitting on them.   Kinda like how you might see in a pool hall.  It be a great place to set a drink, cell phone or something down.  You could probably hide a power strip and the cords underneath as well. 

Thanks for sharing the picture!  It definitely got a right-click save in my book.   

I did design all of them with a flat bottom so they could be used as bartop games.  The problem with these as bartops is that they aren't very deep so they might fall off a shelf or bar if they weren't also anchored to the wall.  I suppose they could be anchored to the wall and have a shelf under them which I think is what this post is suggesting.  I can see how that might have some advantages, but it is not the direction I had planned to go.

[brihyn]

Thanks for the info!

The anchoring is solid enough that I think you could play any game. 

You have obviously never seen me play Track and Field!

[Bambam1963]

I've built a few wall mounted units.  All of these run MAME on the Raspberry Pi with LCD monitors.  I am currently working on a Fix it Felix Jr.

I love the Robtron-Well done

BamBam

[Bambam1963]

I've built a few wall mounted units.  All of these run MAME on the Raspberry Pi with LCD monitors.  I am currently working on a Fix it Felix Jr.

Those look awesome! but the power cables look really messy, you should hide them using cable channels.

Just what I was thinking

I was thinking the same thing but figured he just hasn't finished mounting them - should be easy to add some recessed outlets into the wall behind them :

[Xerobull]

Bumping this topic as it has some good info.

I'm looking at building a point-and-click games (think Big Fish or PopCap) cabinet with trackball and a few buttons, but I want it to be both portable and take up just a small amount of space.

I'm thinking of a build similar to the Arcade1up 'Partycade' that is both wall-mountable and can mount on removable leg supports.

The reason I like this design is that it's -very- thin at 7.5 inches wide and I can stick it on the door for my gaming area, but move it out into the house for semi-mobile-play.

Here's a link at HSN








Measurements:   Approx. 18.5"L x 7.5"W x 28.75"H
Weight:   Approx. 25.8 lbs.


I'm thinking of going this route but trying to shave off even more width if possible.

Anyone else have experience with this sort of setup?