Hey guys, I will have lots of extra free time to finish all of my projects (and possibly make some cash on the side).
This will be a minor build log (two, actually...may end up selling one or both of these. One will be built most likely for myself, one that will likely be offered for sale)
Looking for opinions and inspiration on what to do for a unique build with specific constraints. What we are starting with today is: (2) 46" multitouch tables, the Promethean ActivTable:
A reasonably modern looking (but simple and utilitarian looking) table originally sold for the educational market (my kids love it) with: a 46" 1080p screen, an m-itx with an i3-3120, 4gb ram, and a GT720 vid card.
It already has half of what I need for a pinball build done, but creates unique constraints for the rest. This "assembly video" shows the underside of the table, and gives a good idea of what I have to work with, including the height, how much room I have in the table edges, current controls, etc:
Project goals:
- Quality, but cost sensitive - no crazy expensive custom solutions to anything, try to use what I have on hand if possible
- Maintain the basic aesthetic and not make this look like a frankenstein
- Finish with something that wouldn't look out of place in a living room
I actively want input on all points of this project, good, bad or otherwise.
One of the things I definitely will be doing: covering the dark grey border on the topside:
...I don't hate the 2 tone grey (keeps it neutral) but there are a couple of issues with it: a) It's got obnoxious logos on it and b) it's covered in that "soft-touch" rubberized coating. Anyone who has had electronics or devices with this coating can attest to the "stickyness" that always eventually develops after years when the chemicals in the coating break down. It's fine now, but if I need to sell this for some real coinage later, I need to make sure it *stays* nice. I am thinking black leatherette. It keeps it somewhat neutral and timeless (and I already have it on hand) Thoughts?
That brings us to the rest of the aesthetic. Not sure if I should paint anything else. the finish is nice (probably powder-coated) and I want to keep it as neutral as possible, which leaves the only real option going all black, which I am not really a fan of. The orange edging details provide nice contrast, but bright orange details are guaranteed not everybody's cup of tea. Don't know if I should hide them or leave it well enough alone.
Height: you can see in the video, it's nearly cocktail table height. More like "end table" height. Perfect for small kids standing up, but adults will be sitting regardless. I am highly debating chopping the legs and bringing it down to "coffee table" height. I have tested the ergonomics using my current coffee table and it doesn't seem like it will be that bad.
Electronics:
Luckily it has standard pc equipment stuffed into it. However, I don't think it'll be strong enough. I plan to upgrade it to an i5/i7 3000 series (3570/3770, etc), 16gb, and I can just barely squeeze a dual slot graphics card into it, so I am thinking gtx 1050/ti/1060ish. Again, cost being an issue, I'd like input on the minimum I can reasonably get by with, specifically the graphics card. If a 1050 can do 4xSSA on 1080p I'll skip maxing out the graphics.
Pinball:
This is where I really need help with you guy's creativity. For the (super slim) "backbox" I am envisioning the entire panel on sliders mounted underneath the table that can slide out and then fold up with a discreet locking mechanism. Something kind of like a "reverse" rackmount kvm console with the hinge on the opposite side:
I have 21.5" TOTAL space between the legs on the short end. So I can do a full custom panel with ~22"/14" dmd monitor (like this one):
...but this will definitely require a ton of work. My woodworking skills are mediocre at best. I have a router, but I've never used it (too scared to w/o some training). I also have to accept that this is not going to look anything like a real pinball machine no matter what, so I also question if I should even try. What I do have on hand is a number of HP ZR30w 30" lcds:
...they are beefy af but the black and silver case would match aesthetically and I could maybe inexpensively rig up something using sliders and a monitor arm. One of these in portrait is 17.5" wide, and will give me enough room for both screens. Any masking or anything I want to do I could literally just attach straight to the front of the screen. I did however want to use a Kinect for BAM, and if I go this route, there'd be no hiding it.
I have 2.5"-3" interior most of the way around the unit in the framing, so I should have just enough room for a full set of DOF contactors. Other toys like shakers and such are obviously out of the question.
For buttons, I want discreet, in order to keep aesthetic. Flipper buttons are unavoidable; I'd like a "lockdown bar" fire button but even black on black, it might be too much of an eyesore. I'd like any input on which buttons are absolutely necessary and recommendations on good small buttons that I can stash on the underside in the space allotted. I will also have to forego any type of plunger unless you guys know of some tiny psuedo-plunger that would be worth doing with only a few inches of depth?
Video games:
Here is really where I am on the fence, and I'd really love some input/ideas. I really would like to add some controls to this unit, but they would have to be some kind of fold under hide-able contraption or they would need to be removable with attachment points that don't destroy the looks of the table. I could build 2 modules, with an attachment point of either end and 2 on one side, so 2 controller sets would work for cocktail or horizontal games. I'd really like something that looks like it "belongs" on the unit, but cost and my skills are a factor here as well. Another (probably more realistic) option is just get some good looking fight sticks that fit the aesthetic of the table and figure out a good way to hinge and/or attach them. At a cursory glance, there should be options that at least somewhat match the look, like the N30 arcade stick:
Well, that's where I am starting, please let me know what you think.