Donkey Kong Themed Bar Top...for my OFFICE!

[MameMaster!]

Well....I've been taking my time on this one and I stretched this one out over the course of a couple of months.

I've learned my lesson....I love building....so why rush?

Here are the specs-

PC is  P3 running Win98 w/a 10 gig HD

Monitor is a NEC LCD monitor

The cab is a MameRoom bartop kit.

Bitts Unlimited Powerstrip.

Joystick is the Groovygamegear.com 4/8 Retro edition.

Spinner is the new TurboTwist 2.

I'm using Mame32 (despite all of the FE's I love the plain vanilla 32)

Encoder is an XArcade (yes, yes, yes....I love 'em and I like the default layout).

Sound system is a Logictech speaker set up with a subwoofer that was designed to emulate the look of the PS2 (it's a bit old but works great!).

Art is from Classicarcadegrafix. Unfortunately it was done in the wrong color...but Mike was really generous and gave it to me at no cost right before he closed up shop. Thanks again Mike...that was VERY generous of you!!)

Overall this was a SUPER FUN project to do....and I'm so glad that I used an LCD as I have no idea at all how I would have fit in a CRT, a PC, powersupply, subwoofer, powersupply....you get it......I'm sure I could have made it work...but the LCD just gave me a practically empty space to work with that was awesome.

Some quick mentions---- the 4/8 sticks are GREAT and so is the amazing new TurboTwist2.....Randy really makes some fine products.

MameRoom's cabinet is great and was easy to build. Like a few others who have posted about their products....some parts had to be "pursuaded" to fit...i.e....a rubber mallet needed to be used.

The NEC 19" monitor is a PERFECT FIT....literally no room to spare and it's like the cabinet was custom made for it.....it ain't cheap....but I'm thrilled with it.

The machine runs approx. 2,000 games....in addition to Dragon's Lair 1 & 2 and Space Ace.

Enjoy the photos!

[MameMaster!]

more photos!

[leapinlew]

wow! Awesome! I built my last bartop for my office too. Cool! I wish we worked together.

[Donkey_Kong]

Mitch, YOU are TRULY thy MASTER!!

[arcadefever]

  that a very nice looking cab !!!

can you work with something like that next to you 

  another well done project

[theCoder]

Productivity at my workplace would go way down with one of these around.  It would be great however in a waiting room, perhaps with the volume very low.  Looks great.

[MameMaster!]

can you work with something like that next to you 

....not sure yet...I only brought it to the office on Friday....I guess I'll have to see!.....  

[leapinlew]

questions:

1. It looks like you covered the whole side with art and just trimmed it up. Where did the orange CP color come from?

2. Did you buy t-molding from somewhere? I know they come with black, but was wondering if you went with 9/16th white t-mold or did you find some white 5/8ths somewhere.

3. When you ordered the bartop - did the CP top come blank or was it pre-drilled?

4. Did you have to buy a bezel or smoked plexi? How is it retained?

[MameMaster!]

questions:

1. It looks like you covered the whole side with art and just trimmed it up. Where did the orange CP color come from?

Re the side art exactly...I also had a blank piece for the top in blue so I didn't have to paint anything.

Re the orange on the CP...the original DK machine had an orange jump button....I liked it so I when with Orange.

2. Did you buy t-molding from somewhere? I know they come with black, but was wondering if you went with 9/16th white t-mold or did you find some white 5/8ths somewhere.

I went with 3/4 white from tmolding.com and trimmed it to make sure it fit right. It was easy to do. I originally ordered 5/8" but it had gaps in some spots due to the routing being slighly off.

3. When you ordered the bartop - did the CP top come blank or was it pre-drilled?

I went with pre drilled but added the 7 button for Neo Games and of course I added a hole for the spinner.

4. Did you have to buy a bezel or smoked plexi? How is it retained?

The plexi comes with the machine and it's pre drilled with holes. It's clear but the monitor itself has a bit of a smoky look to it when it's off.

[spacies]

Totally cool cab.

Funny thing, the picture of your wife/partner has been viewed double of anything else.

    

Great job.

[MameMaster!]

Funny thing, the picture of your wife/partner has been viewed double of anything else.

    

Great job.

....that IS funny!...and I didn't notice that.....that's a co worker by the way....my wife is way cuter. 

[arcadefever]

i just realise that too  hahahahaha....

so how you coworker react when they saw that cab ? they all went like that 

one time a seller confuse my 2 addresses on ebay and send "operation wolf" at my WORK 
i was able to talk to the driver and ask him to drive couple of extra miles to go to my place...
few peoples saw the cab wrap, and the next day, everybody was talking about it 

[Donkey_Kong]

Funny thing, the picture of your wife/partner has been viewed double of anything else.

    

Great job.

....that IS funny!...and I didn't notice that.....that's a co worker by the way....my wife is way cuter. 

I noticed that right away too. Isn't that how it always goes though. The chicks get all the hits. I believe I was guilty of clicking that pic 1st myself 

[postalp123]

Productivity at my workplace would go way down with one of these around.  It would be great however in a waiting room, perhaps with the volume very low.  Looks great.

I made this one for our Company, it's a great stress-reliever after a hard few hours at accounting or a rough service call (My Boss swears-to-god that it helped reduce his Hyper-Tension and Blood-Pressure). Turning the volume down to around 35% seems to work rather well in the workplace, doesn't bother anyone.



Beautiful job there MM!

PS: How does that GGG Joystick workout?

[MameMaster!]

The GGG stick is GREAT!....

....the biggest let down for me so far is that everyone want's to play TETRIS!!!! 

....these "civilians" kill me......if only we had a BYOAC office....that would be awesome! 

[Donkey_Kong]

Mitch, I wouldn't want to play anything but the greatest on that machine.

Teach 'em all a lesson, pull all the games except DK!


Maybe some of this stuff will look nice in that office too...

[MameMaster!]

WOW THE SIGN LOOKS FANTASTIC!!!!!! 

Thank you!!! 

[arcadefever]

 .....
that is very cool...cant wait to see it done 

[SodaPopinksi]

The Arcade sign looks awesome, I also notice my Punch-Out side art in one of those pics too I am so excited to see the finished product, no rush though!

That Donkey Kong bar top looks so perfect, I love the look of the Nintendo cabs like DK and Mario Bros, the colors and everything just scream 80's arcade fun hehe.

[Dizzle]

Where did you put the speakers on the bartop?

[spacies]

Man I really like this cabinet. I love the Donkey Kong art and all  the colours.

I think I will build one similar soon.

Again, great job. 

[MameMaster!]

Where did you put the speakers on the bartop?

the speakers face out through the heat grills in the back of the cabinet....if you're not familiar with the mameroom cabinet...there are grooves running from top/bottom along the back across the back......

...and thanks for the kind words everyone! 

[IG-88]

I'm using Mame32 (despite all of the FE's I love the plain vanilla 32)

Very nice. I absolutely love these style of cabs.  I have a question or two. You said you like plain ol' vanilla Mame32. Frankly, for ease of set-up I like it too. What version do you use? Can I/we see how you set-up the options, ie: what the game choice screen looks like? What do you like and dislike about it? I wish there was a way to get rid of the darn task/tool bar up above. I know people are gonna mess with it.

[MameMaster!]

I'm using Mame32 (despite all of the FE's I love the plain vanilla 32)

Very nice. I absolutely love these style of cabs.  I have a question or two. You said you like plain ol' vanilla Mame32. Frankly, for ease of set-up I like it too. What version do you use? Can I/we see how you set-up the options, ie: what the game choice screen looks like? What do you like and dislike about it? I wish there was a way to get rid of the darn task/tool bar up above. I know people are gonna mess with it.

the version of mame I'm running on that cab is Mame32 ver .76......

I have a list of folders, games titles with year/number of times played displayed and all of the art tabs avail with the "screen set to larger than the original" so that my screen shots fill a bigger part of the screen.

[Man-Machine]

What's the weight after it was all done?

I'm thinking in putting one together but I might have to make it smaller. I want one that I can take from room to room without too much fuss or even to friend's parties and stuff. Is this bartop hard to move around?

[leapinlew]

I built a bartop of similar size.

The weight on this guy - depending on your monitor probably comes in around 30lbs - 60lbs. I'd say it's best to not plan on moving this from room to room.

On one hand you want a machine thats light enough to move, but on the other, you don't want it moving all over the place when you play a game.

By the way - I love this bartop! 

[Jeff AMN]

I'm a long way from my 2nd machine (I'm just getting started on my first), but I already know that I'm going to do a bartop next. I really like what you've done here and I've jotted down some notes.

[divemaster127]

That is a great looking machine
dm

[clockwork]

Funny thing, the picture of your wife/partner has been viewed double of anything else.

    

Great job.

....that IS funny!...and I didn't notice that.....that's a co worker by the way....my wife is way cuter. 

I noticed that right away too. Isn't that how it always goes though. The chicks get all the hits. I believe I was guilty of clicking that pic 1st myself 

You can certainly tell this is a community of guys. Good thing you didn't put her in all your pics or we still wouldn't know what your cab looks like.

Seriously, it is a great looking cab. The color combinations and art are excellent.

[freckleface]

Ya all aren't fooling anybody.  It's obvious you were interested in her color coordination...fashion freaks.

[Donkey_Kong]

Ya all aren't fooling anybody.  It's obvious you were interested in her color coordination...fashion freaks.

The count is up to 431.   

What is all the writing words in this thread about?    Some bideo game ur somthin? Allz I see is a hot chik!

[Level42]

Great job !

You should hang this one on the wall IMHO. That would look kick-ass great....ideal hight like that thoug
....I was #442. 

That reminds me....

God.....I regret selling that Double Axle.....

[moloch]

How is the LCD working for you?

I want to use an LCD in my next bartop, but want to hear from people that use them.

[leapinlew]

I use one - works great.

[vrf]

I'm using a mini LCD in my cab, and I love the picture quality.

[MameMaster!]

The picture quality is excellent....BUT.....my vector games won't play on it and I have some problems with some of the old Atari Games that run in a higher res.....

[KenToad]

Man, I'm envious of this cab.  I also clicked the pic with your coworker, but only in order to get a better idea of the proportions of this fabulous cab.   

The only thing better would be to get a kegerator with taps on the side as the pedestal under that cab.  I'm sure a few cold brews while working won't decrease productivity.   

Nice job, Mitch.

[MameMaster!]

Talk about a resurrection of an old thread!-- but I just updated the machine so why not bring back the dead.

I recently acquired an Ultracade (boo! Hiss!)- and updated my old machine running an aging Win 95 PC with the ultracade.

I interfaced the controls with an iPac, and updated the spinner interface to work with a newer PC.

It took a few hours for the conversion and I couldn't be happier.

(insert Ultracade bashing here-- and here-- and here).....LOL.