Finally finished my "Holy Crap My Room is Small" Mame Machine

[Fritzy]

Started this project about 6 months ago as a full cabinet.  Quickly realized pretty much the only place I would be able to fit it would be in middle of my living room (that probably wouldnt't work to well).  One evening my dad was over to watch basketball and made the comment that I should just hang it on the closet door since it was only being used to store boxes I haven't unpacked in the 3 years I have been living here.  The minute he said those words, the project came to completion.  Less than a week later the project was finished and much drink and fun was had by all.


Shot of the whole door


Distance shot to see relation to rest of room


Side shot.  You can see here that even with people playing it leaves room for others coming down the stairs.  Also you can see my jukebox hanging on the wall here.  I just hung a touchscreen on the wall, drilled a hole, and put a computer behind the wall.  It runs SKJukebox (Best GD jukebox I have ever used btw, god bless you Salmonking).  If anyone has tips on painting a monitor bezel so i could match the wall it would be great.


Close up of the panel and monitor

I used a 22" Acer WS monitor but wished I woulda just paid the extra 50 bucks for a 24.  Will probably end up doing that before a year is up. 

Two things still need to be done though:
1.  If anyone know how to make or where to buy a couple of holsters for the gun that would be greatly appreciated.
2.  If someone knows where I can buy a couple of black or brass cup holders to put on the side that would be great.  Right now friends just set their drinks on top of the panel and I know that sooner or later it will get knocked over during a spirited bowling or pacman session.

Now I just need to find where I can buy the software to make a bartop touchscreen game.  Don't have the means to pay over a thousand dollars to buy one already made.

[IG-88]

I love it!   

The ingenuity of people on these boards never ceases to amaze me! 

[gonzo90017]

How about framing the touch screen. http://www.americanframe.com/

[Fritzy]

well crap...never thought about just having a picture frame built for it.  I was so stuck on having to paint the bezel that i didnt even consider other options.  Great idea, gonzo

[ChadTower]

I like that.  Good use of space.

[pacmandude]

I never would have thought of that. It looks excellent! 

[BMW Z1]

Great idea looks good. How about mounting the monitor in the door and then put some smoked glass over it. And then an illuminated marquee above it would look awesome.

[IG-88]

If thats a hollow core door that would be tough to do. On the other hand, I've re-cored top and bottom of same doors so it could be done. It would help hide the monitor frame.

Taking a second look at it, I'm betting it's a solid door tho, seeings how he has the CP mounted. I wonder if you cut a hole the size to fit the monitor if it would weaken the integrity of it?

[Fritzy]

It is a solid core door.  I decided against a hollow core for strength reasons.  Never realized how much those cp's weigh.  Luckily I live in a amish community that is know for furniture so I just went out to a table shop and the craftsmen gave me a couple of table legs for free.  That is what I am using under the control panel for supports.

Originally I was going to mount the monitor behind the door but went with mounting on the front so that I could rotate the monitor easily for vertical games.  Also so that I could upgrade monitors as better bigger lcd's come out at better prices.

One thing that I did notice though is that mounting the cp to a vertical surface doesnt allow the large amount of trackball movement that a regular cabinet does.  If you spin the trackball too fast in golden tee or bowling you have a good chance of stubbing a finger against the door.

Right now my biggest regret is not staining the door to match the molding around it.