Cocktail Cabinet with 36" monitor

[zelony]

Hi all,

Now that my Blitz '99 Showcase Cabinet to MAME conversion is pretty much done, just waiting on new artwork for my “special” theme, and I am almost done converting my daughters 4-player Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom to MAME as well; I am looking for something else to waste money on.

So, I want to buy or build a MAME cocktail cabinet that will hold a 36” Arcade monitor.  I decided that would be a good use for the one I took out of my Showcase cabinet.  I plan on have a three sided control layout.

I wanted to buy one from Dream Arcades, but they don’t seem interested in building a one-off design for me.  I love their work and basically just want a scaled up version of their three panel design.

I am quite sure that I could build one, but since I am fortunate enough to have more money than time, I would prefer a kit.  That way I could still have the fun of putting it together while not spending an eternity on it.

So, does anyone know if there is an existing MAME cocktail cabinet that can hold a 36” monitor or if an existing arcade cocktail cabinet that could be modified to hold one?

Any other suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.  Please do not advise me that a 36” is too big for a cocktail cabinet.  I think it will be sweet and that is all that matters to me.  Also, this is really for my wife, since she wants a cocktail cabinet.

Thanks,

Jeff

[CheffoJeffo]

Big cocktails are interesting, but I would REALLY doubt that there is a prefab kit to house a 36" monitor.

This guy's cockail holds a 33" and is GIGANTO:

http://www.angrymods.com/mame/

Cheers & Good Luck.

[zelony]

Thanks for the link.  Size is not an issue for me.  I like his design, although, I am not a fan of wood.  If I end up being forced to build one, I will probably uses a combination of black laminate and stainless steel for the exterior. 

I like the way he gets dual use as a kitchen table.  This would be in our playroom down stairs, so the dual use as a play table would make my wife and daughter happy.

Jeff

[leapinlew]

what about playability? Looking across 3 feet to see the top of the screen seems like it would be very difficult. My showcase has a 32" and it's a bit too big for as close as I am (At least I think).

[zelony]

I agree you would need to space out the controls appropriately for optimum view distance.  My showcase has a 36" and seems perfect.  I guess it all is a matter of perspective and opinion.  Also, you control pedestal may be closer to the screen than mine, hard to say.

Besides, most likely I will get tired of trying to find a solution that makes me happy and I will just plunk down the $1,000 for a Dream Arcades cocktail cabinet.  But I want to flesh out other possibilities first.

Jeff

[mvolke1]

I've got to say that 36 inches might be way too big. The 33 inch project shown in the link above works because the table is so large. I would e-mail him and ask what he thinks.

I have a 19 inch in my cocktail, and it's plenty. It's a kit from Arcade Depot, and I have been very happy with it. They do quite a bit of custom work and might be willing to design one for you. www.arcadedepot.com

Scott the sales guy there is really cool and very helpful. I'm sure other people here would say so, too.

Either way, I'd love the see the finished product. Good luck!

[Ken Layton]

Jeez, how heavy do you want this thing to be? How the hell you going to get it through the doors or up stairs?

[zelony]

I am not concerned with the weight.  I usually pay people to move heavy things for me.  I have no need to take it up stairs and on the remote chance I ever needed to remove it from the house, I have a walkout basement. 

Jeff