Building a bartop- some questions

[Tupin]

Hey, I'm trying to get back into arcades after years of inactivity, and figured I should start with that bartop I always wanted. My initial plan was to stick a Raspberry Pi in it, but that doesn't seem to be powerful enough for most things. I found an Android TV box, so I'm possibly considering doing putting that in there, but the concept of those X-in-1 boards, and I still have some JAMMA boards kicking around...but really, the thing that's holding me back is the lack of a good plan for a bartop. I can't seem to find anything specific, nor many people using Android as a way to run one of these.

Anyone have some insight into where I should go from here?

[yotsuya]

Start with this - what is it that you want this bartop to play?

[Tupin]

MAME, and pretty much everything pre-1995 or so. If I decide to go with the Android thing I may set up a console for it but I want MAME to be the focus. Unless I decide to take the JAMMA route, I guess.

[leapinlew]

MAME, and pretty much everything pre-1995 or so. If I decide to go with the Android thing I may set up a console for it but I want MAME to be the focus. Unless I decide to take the JAMMA route, I guess.

I think Yotsuya was asking what games do you want to play. MAME is the emulator which plays a ton of games with lots of controls. On a bartop, you are limited on space and to help with a design, it's probably a good idea to start narrowing down what you want to play on it.

As for Android, I wouldn't. Mainly because of the lack of front end. I have used stripped down PC's with good success. I've built bartops from 15" tall to 24" tall and I've always been able to fit in a PC. Easy on the budget, known to work without any problems, and easy to repair - it's hard to come up with a reason to not use a PC.

[yotsuya]

Lew is correct - Do you want to play horizontal games? Vertical? 4-way? Once you decide the game types, you can then best determine the type of bartop you want.

[Tupin]

See, that's always what I'm so indecisive about. I can never decide whether I want a vertical or horizontal arrangement. Ideally I would make two cabinets, but that would be prohibitive at the moment. And I'm guessing it's sacrilege to consider a vertical game on a horizontal cab....

But let's go for a horizontal.

[PL1]

If you are torn between horizontal and vertical, you could use the Le Chuck manual screen rotation trick ( 1:20 in the video below) from his Darkade build.




Scott

[Tupin]

That does look pretty cool, considering it would probably be in horizontal most if the time though, not sure. But I'll definitely look more into it.

[yotsuya]

And I'm guessing it's sacrilege to consider a vertical game on a horizontal cab....

But let's go for a horizontal.

Actually, I think it's easier to play a vertical game on a horizontal monitor than vice versa. So good call!

[Le Chuck]

And I'm guessing it's sacrilege to consider a vertical game on a horizontal cab....

But let's go for a horizontal.

Actually, I think it's easier to play a vertical game on a horizontal monitor than vice versa. So good call!

+1

Being able to rotate is nice, having one that autorotates is even better, having a giant 3:4 that fills every corner of available space so it doesn't even matter is best 

[Tupin]

Aw man, that's really cool! I think I might do that autoswitching joystick thing if I can figure it out. In the mean time, any links to plans and such? I guess I'll use TinyXP.

[jdbailey1206]

Aw man, that's really cool! I think I might do that autoswitching joystick thing if I can figure it out. In the mean time, any links to plans and such? I guess I'll use TinyXP.

Ultimarc has done it for you.   

[Tupin]

Aw man, sweet! Now, just to find a good set of plans...

[Tupin]

So, stumbled into the popular WeeCade clone scene. That definitely looks like something that I could manage with a little bit of time (and purchases of tools I should have anyway).

I've never done anything like this woodworking wise, and I don't know if I just found bad plans or don't know how to read them. I saw someone use an overhead to trace it on a piece of MDF, but I can't seem to find any specifics...

[leapinlew]

So, stumbled into the popular WeeCade clone scene. That definitely looks like something that I could manage with a little bit of time (and purchases of tools I should have anyway).

I've never done anything like this woodworking wise, and I don't know if I just found bad plans or don't know how to read them. I saw someone use an overhead to trace it on a piece of MDF, but I can't seem to find any specifics...

Just buy a cab from Haruman. Save yourself some work and get down to installing controls.

[jdbailey1206]

So, stumbled into the popular WeeCade clone scene. That definitely looks like something that I could manage with a little bit of time (and purchases of tools I should have anyway).

I've never done anything like this woodworking wise, and I don't know if I just found bad plans or don't know how to read them. I saw someone use an overhead to trace it on a piece of MDF, but I can't seem to find any specifics...

Just buy a cab from Haruman. Save yourself some work and get down to installing controls.

I can't speak for Harumans cabs but you can find the flat packs pretty much everywhere.  Having built one it's really not worth the hassle to build it from scratch.  A full size, yes.  A bartop, no.  Ebarlow99 also sells flat packs at bartop-arcades.com.  If you want to build one that's fine.  Thats why we are all here. But from personal experience it was frustrating and truth be told I am parting mine out for other projects.

Remember too Tupin that you don't have to go with the weecade.  It seems over done anymore.  I would check out the 2013 BYOAC User Bartops to get inspiration.  And don't be afraid to ask for plans from those who built them.  Most people are layed back on here and have no problem helping those of us new to the forum.  Just don't get 'beggy'.   

Post any progress you have in the Project Announcements section.  We as a community love pictures also.  You will find that if you post most people will help you with your progress without hesitation. 

Finally if you have any lingering questions I would recommend giving a quick perusal of the BYOAC Wiki.  Slagcoin is also a good place to start it you have any Control Panel questions.

You'll always have questions.  Even the seasoned guys do.  Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[HaRuMaN]

So, stumbled into the popular WeeCade clone scene. That definitely looks like something that I could manage with a little bit of time (and purchases of tools I should have anyway).

I've never done anything like this woodworking wise, and I don't know if I just found bad plans or don't know how to read them. I saw someone use an overhead to trace it on a piece of MDF, but I can't seem to find any specifics...

Just buy a cab from Haruman. Save yourself some work and get down to installing controls.

 

Check my sale thread here or www.harumancustoms.com 

[yotsuya]

So, stumbled into the popular WeeCade clone scene. That definitely looks like something that I could manage with a little bit of time (and purchases of tools I should have anyway).

I've never done anything like this woodworking wise, and I don't know if I just found bad plans or don't know how to read them. I saw someone use an overhead to trace it on a piece of MDF, but I can't seem to find any specifics...

Just buy a cab from Haruman. Save yourself some work and get down to installing controls.

I can't speak for Harumans cabs but you can find the flat packs pretty much everywhere.  Having built one it's really not worth the hassle to build it from scratch.  A full size, yes.  A bartop, no.  Ebarlow99 also sells flat packs at bartop-arcades.com.  If you want to build one that's fine.  Thats why we are all here. But from personal experience it was frustrating and truth be told I am parting mine out for other projects.

Remember too Tupin that you don't have to go with the weecade.  It seems over done anymore.  I would check out the 2013 BYOAC User Bartops to get inspiration.  And don't be afraid to ask for plans from those who built them.  Most people are layed back on here and have no problem helping those of us new to the forum.  Just don't get 'beggy'.   

Post any progress you have in the Project Announcements section.  We as a community love pictures also.  You will find that if you post most people will help you with your progress without hesitation. 

Finally if you have any lingering questions I would recommend giving a quick perusal of the BYOAC Wiki.  Slagcoin is also a good place to start it you have any Control Panel questions.

You'll always have questions.  Even the seasoned guys do.  Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Easy there, JD. You're drifting into Scott's territory.   

[Malenko]

Actually, I think it's easier to play a vertical game on a horizontal monitor than vice versa. So good call!

Depends how big the screen is

[yotsuya]

Depends how big the screen is

True dat.

[jdbailey1206]

So, stumbled into the popular WeeCade clone scene. That definitely looks like something that I could manage with a little bit of time (and purchases of tools I should have anyway).

I've never done anything like this woodworking wise, and I don't know if I just found bad plans or don't know how to read them. I saw someone use an overhead to trace it on a piece of MDF, but I can't seem to find any specifics...

Just buy a cab from Haruman. Save yourself some work and get down to installing controls.

I can't speak for Harumans cabs but you can find the flat packs pretty much everywhere.  Having built one it's really not worth the hassle to build it from scratch.  A full size, yes.  A bartop, no.  Ebarlow99 also sells flat packs at bartop-arcades.com.  If you want to build one that's fine.  Thats why we are all here. But from personal experience it was frustrating and truth be told I am parting mine out for other projects.

Remember too Tupin that you don't have to go with the weecade.  It seems over done anymore.  I would check out the 2013 BYOAC User Bartops to get inspiration.  And don't be afraid to ask for plans from those who built them.  Most people are layed back on here and have no problem helping those of us new to the forum.  Just don't get 'beggy'.   

Post any progress you have in the Project Announcements section.  We as a community love pictures also.  You will find that if you post most people will help you with your progress without hesitation. 

Finally if you have any lingering questions I would recommend giving a quick perusal of the BYOAC Wiki.  Slagcoin is also a good place to start it you have any Control Panel questions.

You'll always have questions.  Even the seasoned guys do.  Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Easy there, JD. You're drifting into Scott's territory.   

 

[PL1]

Easy there, JD. You're drifting into Scott's territory.   

Actually all of BYOAC is Saint's sandbox and Felsir has done more on the wiki than I have -- I just blab about the wiki more than they do to encourage use and participation.   

It would be nice to get more people throwing their two cents in there other than Saint, Felsir and myself -- since the new wiki started only one letter of content (Insallation changed to Installation) has been changed by someone else.   


Scott

EDIT: Forgot that Generic Eric uploaded an image and added a page and Raygun added a page -- even adding those, there are less than 10 edits.

Also I forgot to thank those like jdbailey1206, EMDB, RandyT, AndyWarne, and others who have granted permission to use their pics.   
(Thanks for keeping me honest, JD)

[jdbailey1206]

It would be nice to get more people throwing their two cents in there other than Saint, Felsir and myself -- since the new wiki started only one letter of content (Insallation changed to Installation) has been changed by someone else.   


Scott

Hey.  In my defense I added my superb hand modeling skills that someone cropped out of the picture.   

[Tupin]

Wow, thanks for all of the help and links. A kit definitely sounds like a good plan, given my limited woodworking skills. I'll try to figure out a bunch on my own, and will keep it to this thread when I have questions. Thanks all for being so helpful!