Bartop Mame - Merit Cabinet (Updated with Pics)

[ashardin]

I'm about 95% done with this new cabinet.

[ashardin]

Guts and booting XP

[ashardin]

In action.  I measured 6 ways to Sunday and that damn button #3 still came up off a little.  I've got to tweak that with a file.

[nullb0y]

mount the last button lower it would probably work better then mounting the 3rd one up

[ashardin]

Now here is where I need some ideas.  The bottom of the panel is hinged, and as you can see it swings down.  Of course in testing this worked great but I neglected to think of 2 things.  The joystick brings the center of gravity up plus when you pull down, it makes the panel swing open (hopefully that is evident in this picture).

Due to space constraints, I have to be able to get in there quickly (among other things, the computer power switch is mounted in there).  Any ideas on how to easy and quickly secure this?  I've got a know with a long thread that I was thinking about mounting part on the bottom of the control panel, and then drilling a hole through the side of the cabinet.  Then I could just undo the knob and the panel would be lose, then tighten it back (I butchered the explaination here, but anyway...).    I'm wondering if anyone else has a better plan before I go cutting, drilling and mounting junk. 

[Bones]

There was something in the main forum a couple of months back that you could probably use. They were known as "D-tents" or something like that.... They had a little spring loaded ball that locks them into place.

I had a quick search but couldn't find it.

It might be worth your time to search or perhaps somebody else will remember the thread and post the link.


Interesting BT by the way!

[arcadefever]

good job i like it how did you install the monitor? i got such hard time but finally did it ! i mounted to the top frame.

[arcadefever]

[arcadefever]

i found this stickers on ebay !!!

[ashardin]

arcadefever, glad you stopped by!  My cabinet was sitting in the garage for a year or two and then I saw your design and pictures.  It inspired me!

I took the case off of the back of the monitor like you did and then I mounted it to the metal top of the cabinet.  You can see the carriage bolts in the first few pictures that hold the monitor on.  Believe it or not, two bolts hold the monitor very well.  I was at a disadvantage because my top is not hinged like yours, so it was very tough to work in.  I finally got it all working though!

How do you keep your control panel on?  Is it permanently screwed on, or is it kept on in some other manner?

[arcadefever]

well wasnt easy at all to found something i'm sure you realise like i did how the lack of space is on this little cabs, i put 2 screw on each side under the control panel and it doesnt move at all now.

[ashardin]

Well, I think I solved my problem with the control panel.

[ashardin]

more pics...

[Bones]

Simple solution is usually the best and the knob doesn't look out of place at all.

[Franco]

Nice job on the BT. 

Why o why do I keep seeing so many projects that keep inspiring me to build more things! There is just too much talent on this forum for my wallet!

[arcadefever]

cool idea i like that