Nintendo Themed Bartop Cabinet- 99% UPDATES

[phines]

Stuff I just ordered from GroovyGameGear.com and Ultimarc
Controls Lists:
-A Handful of Happ Buttons
-KeyWiz Max 1.5
-TurboTwist 2™ Arcade Spinner Control
-2.25" Imperial Trackball - PS/2 Interface
-UltraStik 360 Oval Top with USB cable
Stuff I had:
-2.8 Ghz. motherboard
-15" LCD monitor
-40 Gig HD.
-Power supply, ect.

Games: Mame, Game console emulators, some windows games.

I know I'll catch crap for this, but it will be a retro NES nintendo theme of some sort.  Yes I know nintendo has nothing to do with arcade, but I grew up with NES & SNES, I've seen worse themes (Ohio State?!?  I'm a hawkeye fan)

Design so far:




Yes I'll smash my fingers on the monitor with the trackball, but my control method is different from others when it comes to playing golden tee.

Comments on the spinner above the joysitck?
Comments? Suggestions, Tips... I've been reading this forum and researching for years, so I have a pretty good handle on this.  Plus I have vast amounts of tools at hand because I work for a construction company.

There will be buttons on the side for pinball too.

[Kaytrim]

Your layout is nice and compact.  Maybe a little too compact.  If you plan on using side buttons for pinball you might want to extend the sides a bit to give yourself room.  Those trackballs take up more room underneath then you give it credit for.

TTFN from a fellow Hawkeye fan. 
Kaytrim

[Jeff AMN]

It's never wrong to make a Nintendo-themed anything... 

I have Nintendo press access, so if you need any art, let me know.

[phines]

Kaytrim, you are right about the pinball buttons and the trackball, I may have to widen my cab a little, I can modify that during the build...

Too compact, I printed out the control panel on 11x17 true scale and it felt ok, but I could be wrong, what is the average distance from your joystick to the buttons?

Other measurement questions: Control Panel angle, and monitor view angle?

I have 10 degress for the control, and 20 for the monitor as shown now.



Art work will consist of strictly NES feel, no characters of an sort...

Control panel design to come...

Here is the marquee I plan on using... simple, Some of you might recognize the robot from "I am 8Bit" art site... I was lucky enough to contact the artist and get a high rez picture of it.

[leapinlew]

Ahh! Well hello! This looks good!

This is a fine looking cabinet. How big is the marquee area going to be? It might be tough to get much graphics in such a small area.

[phines]

Ahh! Well hello! This looks good!

This is a fine looking cabinet. How big is the marquee area going to be? It might be tough to get much graphics in such a small area.

Your bar cab inspired my design, so credits to Leapinlew..

Marquee area will be 4"x18"

If I crop my marquee design, that elimanates some white areas top and bottom, then the design it's self will be 4"x17", so I think it will work... more to come on the control panel.

Keep the comments coming, construction starting this weekend, or as soon as I get my controls in.

[Jeff AMN]

What if you made the marquee black, and just left a 1"-2" white contoured outline around the Nintendo logo and robot? I think it could look pretty sharp. I'm not at home, or I'd photoshop you an example, but it's worth looking at.

[leapinlew]

Keep the comments coming, construction starting this weekend, or as soon as I get my controls in.

Other things to consider:
What material are you building it from? If your building a Nintendo and plan on using the White T-molding like on the Nintendo cabinets in the arcade - I've only seen that T-mold color available in 9/16" and 3/4".

How are you handling the power entry?

Are you going to setup some external USB for gamepads?

Have you measured for you motherboard and PSU? (these take up the most room. The PSU - almost broke the deal for my bartop)

Got your speakers figured out yet?


Looking great! Get to cutting!

[phines]

I need to figure out the power.. to keep things simple, I'll probably have a power strip with a hole drilled in the side of the cabinet so I can stick my finger in to turn the power on.  I need to do some research on switches for the motherboard power... I may reuse something from the case or find out what kind of switch it is...  The monitor turns on automatically with power... I'm not sure if I'm going to have a light for the marquee... right now I'm leaning towards no for the marquee light...

Speakers, yes... location, not sure, probably between monitor and marquee

I've measured the power supply and motherboard, and they should fit, the mother board is the box on the bottom of the cab on the picture above.  It's not really that thick, but that is the measurement to the top of the fan/heatsink.

Thanks for the tips and comments... keep them coming!

[bmrust]

Im confused on how your CP will look...w/ the arrow buttons, you could put the joystick in the middle of them...

but the 7 button layout, would it just cut right into the Start/Select & A/B you have there?  It also looks like the A/B would be completely cut out due to the trackball.

Just not sure where you're going w/ it, thats all.

[phines]

What if you made the marquee black, and just left a 1"-2" white contoured outline around the Nintendo logo and robot? I think it could look pretty sharp. I'm not at home, or I'd photoshop you an example, but it's worth looking at.

I wouldn't know how do do this, I have photoshop but haven't used it, I wouldn't want to waste anyone's time working on this.

Im confused on how your CP will look...w/ the arrow buttons, you could put the joystick in the middle of them...

but the 7 button layout, would it just cut right into the Start/Select & A/B you have there?  It also looks like the A/B would be completely cut out due to the trackball.

Just not sure where you're going w/ it, thats all.

The graphic I posted isn't my exact CP, I'm just posting ideas and I'll probably cut and paste some details from that graphic, so I would use the control arrows, and maybe outline my buttons in grey, and have the start/select box around the player-start/coin buttons.  I will work on something soon.  I'm more of a technical guy, so all that stuff is just details 

Thanks for all the input and comments, keep'em coming!

[leapinlew]

You could use a power entry module like this:

http://www.interpower.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=ic/p35form.p?w_part=83510160

[phines]

Control Panel... here is a quick rough draft...
I'm not really good at photoshoping.  I'll probably just go with the nintendo logo on the sides, similiar to my marquee minus the robot

Here's what I'm thinking.  Something simple but sharp.

[leapinlew]

I think it looks great.

[Jeff AMN]

Here's what I meant by altering the marquee. I think this would look pretty nice if it was backlighted. This is a pretty sloppy example, but you should get the idea.

[vrf]

I love the Nintendo theme. Can't wait to see how this once turns out.

Personally, I'd lose the seventh button for the Neo Geo layout. Really seems to mess with the Nintendo look. Not sure why.

[leapinlew]

Here's what I meant by altering the marquee. I think this would look pretty nice if it was backlighted. This is a pretty sloppy example, but you should get the idea.

Jeff - Wow!

That seems to fit the theme really well. While I'm used to seeing Nintendo on a white screen I think what you did looks fantastic. Nice work!

[Jeff AMN]

Here's another variation. This one has some depth to it...

[phines]

Here's another variation. This one has some depth to it...

Wow, Jeff AMN, that is really cool, if I send you the high quality marquee, would you edited for me with this raised look?  PM me your email address.  I like that a lot! WOW, that black does look sharp.

I love the Nintendo theme. Can't wait to see how this once turns out.

Personally, I'd lose the seventh button for the Neo Geo layout. Really seems to mess with the Nintendo look. Not sure why.

VRF: How many mame games/neo geo use the 7 button layout?  I'd like to ditch the 7th button, but I don't want to miss out on any games.

[vrf]

The seventh button is not needed for any MAME or Neo Geo games unless you care about the exact layout to mimick a Neo Geo cab. (Neo Geo games only use four buttons at max, but they're all in one row, so people mimick that layout with a seventh button.)

[phines]

well, if that is the case, consider the 7th botton gone.  I'm acutally glad to hear that!  When I was drafting that CP, I wasn't thrilled about #7

[armax]

Isn't that 7th button also used for star gate?

[Jeff AMN]

Heh, I'm glad you like the tweaks to the marquee. If you can email me the hi-res file, I can give you a handful of different looks. Just email it to me at jar155@gmail.com and I'll send you back some different looks.

[phines]

The seventh button is not needed for any MAME or Neo Geo games unless you care about the exact layout to mimick a Neo Geo cab. (Neo Geo games only use four buttons at max, but they're all in one row, so people mimick that layout with a seventh button.)

Dropped the 7th button, resized nintendo, and centered somethings..
I'm thinking about putting the nintendo seal of quality somewhere on the CP

[javeryh]

I love the theme! 

I'm wondering why the CP is so "fat" the way you have it laid out though.  Would there be a way to make it more compact height-wise and still retain all the functionality?  I'm thinking you could get the same functionality out of something that is only 7" tall instead of 12" tall like it currently is.  Like this maybe:

[Kaytrim]

phines,

I like the layout as it sits.  You have a little more room for the trackball that way.  javeryh, I think that the 'button' in the upper left is actually a spinner.

[phines]

I love the theme! 

I'm wondering why the CP is so "fat" the way you have it laid out though.  Would there be a way to make it more compact height-wise and still retain all the functionality?  I'm thinking you could get the same functionality out of something that is only 7" tall instead of 12" tall like it currently is.  Like this maybe:

I did consider that:

The cp is 10" deep, the black circle above the joysitck is a spinner, so I will need some room ahead, plus I need a little room ahead of the trackball too.  I also wanted a little space to rest your hand, I'm not sure if it is enough, but I think it may be functional

Having a deeper CP will keep some of the overall depth and bulk out in the back and allow me to slip some components under the CP such as part of the motherboard and power supplies/power strip.  It will be tight I'm sure, but this is 18" wide, which is wider than most bartops I've seen on here.

Thank you for you comments, the support from fellow mamer's and cab builders is unmatched in any online community, it's really amazing to see all the experience, expertise, and helpful guidence among this forum! Now get back to work!

[javeryh]

Ahh, didn't realize that was a spinner...  If you plan on including a spinner there I think you will need the extra height.  Kaytrim is also right in that you will need a little extra space for the trackball plate - I think they are 6.5" square for a 3" trackball.  Also, spinners (and trackballs) have a bit of depth to them so make sure you plan for that too.

[phines]

Speaking of control depth, does anyone know how deep the Turbo Twists 2 w/ESC from groovygamegear.com are?  I've given my self 3.5" of depth under the contol panel, and I'm going to top mount the joystick on trackball, but I can't find the depth of that spinner.

Hopefully I'll have a better grip on my design when all my controls come in this week.

Frontends: What are some good free frontends that will run mame and other consule emulators?

[Kaytrim]

Frontends: What are some good free frontends that will run mame and other consule emulators?

The top 4 are AtomicFE, Mala, MameWah and GameEx.  you can learn more about them in the Wiki and at their respective websites.

[phines]

Frontends: What are some good free frontends that will run mame and other consule emulators?

The top 4 are AtomicFE, Mala, MameWah and GameEx.  you can learn more about them in the Wiki and at their respective websites.

Lots of choices, haven't thought this far ahead yet... Which one is the easiest to set up?  I'm going to run Mame games, SNES, NES, Genesis games mostly...

[Kaytrim]

Frontends: What are some good free frontends that will run mame and other consule emulators?

The top 4 are AtomicFE, Mala, MameWah and GameEx.  you can learn more about them in the Wiki and at their respective websites.

Lots of choices, haven't thought this far ahead yet... Which one is the easiest to set up?  I'm going to run Mame games, SNES, NES, Genesis games mostly...

From my own personal experience GameEx was the easiest.  You will need at least Windows 2000 to run it though.  I use Windows XP and it is rather stable.   It uses the .NET framework and Direct X 9.  Once installed there is a wizard that will walk you through the setup of your favorite emulators.  Tom is very active in development as well as a few here on the boards developing plug-ins for it.  HeadKazie is the most active on these board and had developed a few of the plug-ins.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[vrf]

Speaking of control depth, does anyone know how deep the Turbo Twists 2 w/ESC from groovygamegear.com are?  I've given my self 3.5" of depth under the contol panel, and I'm going to top mount the joystick on trackball, but I can't find the depth of that spinner.

Hopefully I'll have a better grip on my design when all my controls come in this week.

Frontends: What are some good free frontends that will run mame and other consule emulators?

I think Randy gave some measurements in the product announcement thread. Search each thread page for "depth" and you'll find it pretty quickly.

[phines]

Does anyone know what type of mounting plate the 2.25" Imperial Trackball - PS/2 Interface from Groovygamegear uses?

[Kaytrim]

Send RandyT a PM he should get back to you later today.  Is the owner of GGG and a real regular here on the boards.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[phines]

Final Control Panel Layout:

I increase the D-pad so the dust cover from the joystick won't cover the whole graphic.  My controls are on there way! 

I talked with one of the carpenters I work with and he said he would do all the router cutting for me (i.e. control panel inlays, t-molding slots), so I happy about that.  I could do it, but he is way more talented than I.

[Level42]

Maybe you should move the Nintendo logo to under the buttons....not sure, maybe something to try and see what you like better. I think it's a bit squashed now inbetween the buttons...

[steveh]

I don't know functionally if it is better or not, but aesthetically i would move the buttons to the right and center them better between the trackball and the directionals. 

[Kaytrim]

I increase the D-pad so the dust cover from the joystick won't cover the whole graphic.  My controls are on there way! 

I talked with one of the carpenters I work with and he said he would do all the router cutting for me (i.e. control panel inlays, t-molding slots), so I happy about that.  I could do it, but he is way more talented than I.

How about having your friend route out part of the CP where the joystick is so you can put the dust cover under the CP.  This way you don't cover up the D-Pad.

[phines]

Maybe you should move the Nintendo logo to under the buttons....not sure, maybe something to try and see what you like better. I think it's a bit squashed now inbetween the buttons...

I like the nintendo logo moved.  I can't move the buttons much more, they'll run into my mounting plate on the trackball.

I just made the d-pad smaller.  I think this will be ok.

If I mount my joystick flush with the CP, what size hole do I need in the plexiglass overlay to accomedate the joystick throw?

[Level42]

Yes, I agree, it looks better

[bmrust]

the size of hole i used was 1 1/8" (same as the button holes)  pretty sure that is what others have used, but i could be wrong...

works fine for me though!

[phines]

Started a little construction today, just cut the sides out.  Slow day, so one of the carpenters said he'd cut out the sides for me.  He made a template and cut the 2 out with a router.  Hopefully my t-molding comes in tommorow so I can cut the slots.

2 of the same of course.  I gutted a e-machines computer last night too, lots of parts coming together!

Side are?
I have access to a vinyl cutter, so I was thinking simple red cut vinyl.

[KDOG]

As a suggestion, you might want soften the top edge of you marquee. To make it easy to apply the t-molding

[Loki]

Looks great! But for a NES cab I would go with full NES colors I think... so the light grayish/white top for the sides maybe.. or the gray from the bottom.
But that's just my opinion of course. ^^

[steveh]

i would try to match orignal nes colors, but i would also try to make it the same color as the cp, and have the "nes gooves" go threw the whole thing (markee and all)

[javeryh]

Wow - that's a super slick profile!  It looks nice and compact.

[phines]

All the controls came in, I'm still waiting for the trackball mounting plate...

[Level42]

Since you've got carpenters with routers around: Let them rout out that Nintendo logo, put a red see-through plexi behind it and light it up with a TL or something !!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!

[Jeff AMN]

Since you've got carpenters with routers around: Let them rout out that Nintendo logo, put a red see-through plexi behind it and light it up with a TL or something !!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!

Now that would be almost too sexy. But yeah, if it could be pulled off...that would be pure hotness.

[Level42]

Since you've got carpenters with routers around: Let them rout out that Nintendo logo, put a red see-through plexi behind it and light it up with a TL or something !!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!

Now that would be almost too sexy. But yeah, if it could be pulled off...that would be pure hotness.

You could route out the outer "oval" shape. Than have the inside (black) part cut out of vinyl and stick that on the red plexi....

[Kaytrim]

Since you've got carpenters with routers around: Let them rout out that Nintendo logo, put a red see-through plexi behind it and light it up with a TL or something !!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!

Now that would be almost too sexy. But yeah, if it could be pulled off...that would be pure hotness.

You could route out the outer "oval" shape. Than have the inside (black) part cut out of vinyl and stick that on the red plexi....

I like Level42's idea that would be sweet. 

[phines]

I got a lot done this weekend...

I have access to a really nice woodworkers shop, so I took full advantage of such.  I got the cabinet structure built, and 2 coats of primer and paint on it.  I need to get the artwork ordered today, and the plexiglass cut for the control panel and marquee.

[steveh]

Since you've got carpenters with routers around: Let them rout out that Nintendo logo, put a red see-through plexi behind it and light it up with a TL or something !!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!

Wow.  I think you may have just given me my idea for my project.
I was trying to think of what to make my cab look like.  and i wanted to do something cool on the sides like kneivel.  Now I will probably do this. 

[Level42]

Since you've got carpenters with routers around: Let them rout out that Nintendo logo, put a red see-through plexi behind it and light it up with a TL or something !!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!

Wow.  I think you may have just given me my idea for my project.
I was trying to think of what to make my cab look like.  and i wanted to do something cool on the sides like kneivel.  Now I will probably do this. 

There you go, I got an idea and everyone steals it Whahaha, I wonder how it will look in reality, sometimes I dream a bit too much Keep me informed !!

[steveh]

I will create a thread when i start working on it.  just waiting on the weather now.

[phines]

I got the artwork ordered.  I'm using a local printer for the CP and marquee, and having a sign shop cut the nintendo logos in red for the sides.

I mounted the speakers and joystick/trackball last night, I just needed to get some misc. screws and I should have everything wired up by friday.  My artwork will be in this weekend.  More picts to come tonight.

[bmrust]

i work at a print/sign shop...and i gotta say, im surprised they even printed/cut that for you.  With the Nintendo logo on it, it screams copyright.

But if they do it, GREAT!  Project is lookin really good, can't wait for more pics

[phines]

Wired up the control panel today and dropped the motherboard and power supply in. I booted up the pc, and it won't start unless there's a keyboard attached?  Once I plug a keyboard into the keywiz and flip the switch then the pc boots up???  But when I switch back when it is in windows on word pad, it does nothing??

I've been searching the forums to see if anyone else has had this issue.

I'll work on this tommorrow. I need to temp install a dvd-rom drive to load some drivers.
 
I'm using a keywiz, so if anyone could tell me why it won't read the RAM on bootup without a keyboard attached, let me know.

[leapinlew]

Wired up the control panel today and dropped the motherboard and power supply in. I booted up the pc, and it won't start unless there's a keyboard attached?  Once I plug a keyboard into the keywiz and flip the switch then the pc boots up???  But when I switch back when it is in windows on word pad, it does nothing??

Is it a compaq? I ask because I used a compaq in my bartop and it gave me these kinds of issues. There was a patch available to resolve it. If it's not a compaq - tell us in more detail what it's doing.

It sounds like it will work if there is a keyboard hooked up to the keywiz, and thats the only way it will boot up. That right?

[phines]

It is an e-machine

Is it a compaq? I ask because I used a compaq in my bartop and it gave me these kinds of issues. There was a patch available to resolve it. If it's not a compaq - tell us in more detail what it's doing.

It sounds like it will work if there is a keyboard hooked up to the keywiz, and thats the only way it will boot up. That right?

I need to try entering the bios and disabling key checking on boot-up, I hope there is a setting for that.  I got tired last night and stopped before troubleshooting this issue.

You are correct, it will boot with a keyboard plugged into the keywiz, the the pc will not respond to any functions on the keywiz. I double checked wiring and it looks good.

[phines]

I'm at my wits end here... this motherboard really wants a keyboard installed to do anything, even work a mouse. The bios won't boot from the Keywiz 1.5, but it will but with a keyboard ran through the keywiz1.5...

[phines]

OK, the computer boots fine without a keyboard, and windows is fine with just a mouse, but once I try to hook up the keywiz1.5, then the mouse stops working and the keywiz doesn't work either?
 
Update:
I just tried it on my other computer, and it does the same thing, locks up the mouse and nothing works?

[Kaytrim]

The Keywiz needs to be plugged in prior to booting up as with any PS2 device.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[phines]

right, but the PC won't boot, it just sits...

Things I've tried:
1) Booting with just a ps\2 mouse... OK
2) Booting with just a ps/2 keyboard.. ok
3) Booting with a PS/2 mouse and keyboard... ok
4) booting with a ps2 mouse and keyboard pluged into keywiz15 with switch to KB... ok
5) booting with ps2 mouse and keywiz.. won't boot
6) booting with just keywiz... won't boot
7) booting with mouse and just the cable that came with the keywiz.. won't boot
everything above on another PC... the same

[Unholyknight]

right, but the PC won't boot, it just sits...

Things I've tried:
1) Booting with just a ps\2 mouse... OK
2) Booting with just a ps/2 keyboard.. ok
3) Booting with a PS/2 mouse and keyboard... ok
4) booting with a ps2 mouse and keyboard pluged into keywiz15 with switch to KB... ok
5) booting with ps2 mouse and keywiz.. won't boot
6) booting with just keywiz... won't boot
7) booting with mouse and just the cable that came with the keywiz.. won't boot
everything above on another PC... the same

So if the Keywiz is on ANY PC it wont boot?  It sounds like a short in the Keywiz.  When the switch is set to KB it is routing around the features it provides to allow for normal keyboard use, when its off it uses the Keywiz board, which is where it sounds like the short is.  If its still fairly new send the place you got it from an e-mail and ask for an exchange or if they can pinpoint the problem, but to me it sounds like a short.

[phines]

RandyT with groovygamegear.com and I are trying to get to the bottom of this.  He has been very responsive so far while trying to troubleshoot this problem.

Does it matter if I'm not using any of the arrow keys on the Keywiz?  I have a U360 and I'm using the USB cable for that...  Just a question.

[Mattiekrome]

 

Dude, that is awesome.  I have been thinking of scrapping my plans for a full size cab for something a little easier and smaller, and found this thread when doing a search for bartop.  I must say, the theme is killer, good luck getting everything together!

[leapinlew]

I have been thinking of scrapping my plans for a full size cab for something a little easier

I think your in for quite a shock...

they get more difficult when you shrink'em.

[javeryh]

Wow - looks awesome.  You built it very fast too (or at least fast to me) and it looks like a top notch construction job.  I can't wait to see this thing finished.

[phines]

Bartops are fun, but they do cram a lot of stuff in a small space. Not the easiest projects, an upright would be easier in my opinion...

I got a PS2 to USB adapter and my keywiz works fine through that, so I've been playing all weekend and loving it!  Don't play until your 100% finished, that is what I've learned. I have about 2 more days of work and I'll be done.

Thanks for everyones help, more pictures to come soon!

[phines]

My bartop is fully functional.  I've been running mame32 just temp to get things tested.  They only problem I'm getting is I can't contol my TT2 sensitivity.  I've messed with the windows mouse settings the mouse sensitivity and wheel counts, but it still moving fast with the slightest touch.

I think I'm going to load GameX on the machine as a frontend. I dont have the time to set everything up like I'd like, so I think it will work fine.

Games loaded:
MAME, NES, SNES, GENESIS, N64, VPinball

To do:
Clean up wiring in back
Put back door on
Wire a fan on top
Wire speakers
Apply artwork and t molding.
Don't play it till it's 100% complete! 

My goal is to get this done by thursday night... so I may be moonlighting 

[phines]

I cleaned up some wiring in back, put on the control panel artwork.  I need to trim/sand the plexi a little to fit better.

Next: More t-molding, back door panel...

[Kaytrim]

This is really starting to look good and so is the little one playing with it. 

Now unhook the CP or you will never get it done. 

 
TTFN 
Kaytrim

[steveh]

Looking mighty nice.  I hope you dont mind when i steal... er...a borrow some ideas from your theme

[psychotech]

Looking good

Well, I saw the original "blueprints" and still, it came as a surprise to see it's size..

Can't wait to see this one finished 

[phines]

Hinged back door is on now along with some internal cooling fans.  I also have 2 external USB ports, headphones, and power button on the back.  It's a little rough, but it's on the back, so you don't see it.  It also has a lock so the back doesn't come flying open when I'm moving it.

I also put some more red t-molding on.  Here is a picture of me playing X-men Vs. Street Fighter.

To finish before this weekend:
I need to trim some plexiglass for the marquee and the monitor cover.  Install the last piece of red t-molding on the front of the control panel.

To do later:
Put some sort of volume control on the outside... not difficult, just a little wiring.

This thing is a blast to play!

If anyone wants my plans, let me know, I have either ACAD drawings or converted jpg.

[phines]

Installed the marquee, not the best quality, but it was a free print.  Also put the plexiglass over the monitor screen.

Also some pics of the rats nest under the control panel.  It's really not that bad, just long cords bundled up. 

I can see why people say that bartops are harder... much more stuff to cram in a little space.  Plus a lot of the details and woodworking are smaller scale, and much more difficult.

I screwed all the plexglass down, which isn't the best way to do it, but it doesn't look that bad.  I'll paint the heads of the screws matching the background color later.

Quick story: My neighbor saw this and asked my wife where I bought it, she wouldn't believe my wife that I made it.  I'm new to this forum and hobby, and I'm amazed by the quality and ingenuity I see!  I can't wait until I get a bigger place so I can build a 4 player upright!

[Loki]

Very nice looking cab! I really like that CP

[leapinlew]

It's looking great!

You know what would look good - some kickplate art.

[newbee]

Hinged back door is on now along with some internal cooling fans.  I also have 2 external USB ports, headphones, and power button on the back.  It's a little rough, but it's on the back, so you don't see it.  It also has a lock so the back doesn't come flying open when I'm moving it.

I also put some more red t-molding on.  Here is a picture of me playing X-men Vs. Street Fighter.

To finish before this weekend:
I need to trim some plexiglass for the marquee and the monitor cover.  Install the last piece of red t-molding on the front of the control panel.

To do later:
Put some sort of volume control on the outside... not difficult, just a little wiring.

This thing is a blast to play!

If anyone wants my plans, let me know, I have either ACAD drawings or converted jpg.

I would like a JPG plan, of your Nintendo Bartop.

[beardawg252002]

really great job and excellent look to it.  i bet it is a blast to play.

[phines]

I haven't updated this forum in awhile, well, because I haven't done anything to my cab since the last post. 

I installed a new monitor because the other one I bought crapped out on me.  I had a co-worker weld a metal bracket to hold the new monitor in the cab. 

I also painted the bezel black.  I think it turned out real nice, and I can't wait to I move into a large home to build a full upright 4 player MAME machine!!!

*EDIT* I also forgot to mention that I had to replace the power supply and motherboard a few months ago... bummer

This machine isn't 100%, I want to get some large red nintendo logos and put them on the side, put a light inside the marquee, and touch up the paint a little from all the moving.

[IG-88]

Wow! Forgot all about this baby. Looks great! Can't remember if you posted the dimensions, if not what size is it? Also, if it were mine, I might slap some paint on that bracket you had welded up. It may start to rust on you just from humidity alone    Again great job, I'll bet it's a blast to play.

[phines]

Wow! Forgot all about this baby. Looks great! Can't remember if you posted the dimensions, if not what size is it? Also, if it were mine, I might slap some paint on that bracket you had welded up. It may start to rust on you just from humidity alone    Again great job, I'll bet it's a blast to play.

Someone else has been asking for the dimension sheets I made up on autoCAD.  I'll have to find those, it has been awhile.

The foot print is 20"x20", and it is 27" tall.

For anyone thinking of ever doing a bartop, plan, plan, plan... Its a real pain to cram everything in a small box! 

[IG-88]

Cool. I'd like to see those plans myself.

[phines]

Cool. I'd like to see those plans myself.

control panel overall dimensions.  I wanted to make sure all the buttons fit, including the ones on the side and on the front.


Angles of the sides.  You can take the other sideview drawing and this drawing and make a template on a board.


control panel layout draft


PLAN,PLAN,PLAN! I wanted to make sure the monitor, motherboard (including the heat sink!!), power supply, and track ball all fit inside with plenty of room.

These plans aren't 100% complete, but it helped me keep my thoughts straight while building...

[stephenp1983]

I remember watching this a couple of years ago when you started.  It looks like it turned out really nice.  I love the theme.