LeapinLew: Galaga Themed Small Bartop -COMPLETED

[leapinlew]

I said small because I didn't want to say mini. Projects like vrf's and psychotech are mini's. This is just small.

I want an arcade machine at the office that was small enough to sit on a corner of a desk, and also resemble an arcade. Here is what I came up with:


Based of a Galaga/Ms. Pacman design. (if you couldn't tell)


This is the monitor I'm going to use. It's a 10" CRT 9" viewable. I have 3 of these guys. I may build another machine and keep a monitor as a spare. These guys are hard to find. I have an old laptop that will be the guts and I have a wico 4 way that will be the controls.


Marquee top and T-molding slots routed. The router got away from me a little bit on the left side. Shouldn't be a problem getting the t-molding to fit still.

Here is a comparison shot of a donkey kong I'm rebuilding now.


The small bartop is made of 1/2" MDF. Not real fun to work with. Can't really put a screw in it without pre-drilling. It should work fine for this purpose, but it isn't real high on my list of quality material. The Donkey Kong is priority, but they'll probably both finish in the next couple weeks.

So far I think the bartop is looking good. It's proportions are right that I should be able to use scaled down artwork. I'm currently trying to figure out where to put the speakers and what kind of buttons to use for player 1 and player 2.

Dimensions are 11" wide x 20.5" tall x 19" deep.

[BobA]

Good start, should be cute.  How do you get to work on cabs in your dinning room? 

[leapinlew]

Good start, should be cute.  How do you get to work on cabs in your dinning room? 

she's out of town. I have exactly 10 days to finish both. 

Seriously...

[Donkey_Kong]

Good start, should be cute.  How do you get to work on cabs in your dinning room? 

she's out of town. I have exactly 10 days to finish both. 

Seriously...

Kudos Lew...

Now I tell you how he does it. Two words, "Red Bull"

[Mamed for life]

Hi Lew,

Nice looking projects! I'm only at the "getting the various bits as I can afford them" stage, but I really want to start cutting to show myself that I'm serious. I want to make a Nintendo shape cab, but the plans I got from Jakobud don't show where the timber supports go on the inside. Do you have any plans showing this you could share?

Thanks,

MfL

[patrickl]

Looks great. Me being a Galaga addict I have always been wanting to build one of these myself.

I'm wondering though, why did you make the CP corner in the side so sharp? Did you get that from Jakobuds plans maybe (those indeed showa sharp cornere there)?

[IG-88]

Looks great Lew! Question, why did you decide to go with 1/2" MDF instead of PLY? you can get that with a finished side that takes paint real well. And it's definitely much easier to work with.

[Bond007]

Looks good so far. I'll be following along.

[Neilyboy]

Looks awesome Lew I will deffinately be watching this one. By the way which paint did you pickup for the DK restore. Thats where I am at now and looking for the correct paint code has been tough. Do you think its pretty 'ON' for a match?

Neil

[spacies]

Wicked shape!

Love it.

Go the Classics!

[leapinlew]

Hi Lew,

Nice looking projects! I'm only at the "getting the various bits as I can afford them" stage, but I really want to start cutting to show myself that I'm serious. I want to make a Nintendo shape cab, but the plans I got from Jakobud don't show where the timber supports go on the inside. Do you have any plans showing this you could share?

Thanks,

MfL

There isn't any lumber supports inside. They have some monitor supports, but the cabinet is pretty much held together with blocks and staples.

[leapinlew]

Looks great. Me being a Galaga addict I have always been wanting to build one of these myself.

I'm wondering though, why did you make the CP corner in the side so sharp? Did you get that from Jakobuds plans maybe (those indeed showa sharp cornere there)?

I see what you mean. I'll soften them up a bit. Thanks for pointing that out. I think I could live with it being a bit pointy, but rounding it out a bit will only help the t-molding fit better. Thanks again.

[leapinlew]

Looks great Lew! Question, why did you decide to go with 1/2" MDF instead of PLY? you can get that with a finished side that takes paint real well. And it's definitely much easier to work with.

It was readily available. But, in hindsight, I probably would just buy some 1/2" ply. I think the product your referring to is sandeply. It's pretty good stuff. The widowmaker is made out of it in 3/4". I like it and would use it again.

[leapinlew]

Small update for a small cabinet

I installed the lower marquee and monitor support.


Look at all those screw holes I have to cover up! Eesh. I wish I was going with laminate on it now. I already have the black paint for Donkey Kong though.


Looks like I could've shaved another inch off or so.

Lots left to do.

[psychotech]

Hello!

So, couldn't help but start another

Looks good, yes! Like the dimensions especially; big enough to give that "arcade feel" while simultaneously being small enough to be portable and/or to be placed on a desk. Nice.

Vertical only. Well, do not forget Bombjack ..?!

All the best with the build.

psychotech

PS. Screw holes to cover?! You'd have to see the sides of the juke project..

PPS. Are you using supports under the horizontal panels (ie. marquee top/bottom) or did you just go through the sides and into the MDF (?) panel sides?

[leapinlew]

So, couldn't help but start another

It's all the damn spare parts I got laying around. They talked me into it.

Vertical only. Well, do not forget Bombjack ..?!

No doubt. He'll make it onto this machine.

PS. Screw holes to cover?! You'd have to see the sides of the juke project..

Oh, I'm watching alright. Get to work!

PPS. Are you using supports under the horizontal panels (ie. marquee top/bottom) or did you just go through the sides and into the MDF (?) panel sides?

I went through the sides of the MDF. I don't get that warm fuzzy feeling like I do when working with plywood. To compensate, I'm using the glue/screw method.

[theCoder]

Great lines.  Good luck with the build.  How many cabs have you built now?

[Chris G]

You are a crazy arcade-building fool, Lew.  Puts my glacial progress to shame. 

[KenToad]

I love it.  My only suggestion would be to see if you could fit a bit bigger monitor in there.  That last pic you posted makes it look like there is room for quite a wide bezel.

Keep up the good work.

 
KenToad

[leapinlew]

I love it.  My only suggestion would be to see if you could fit a bit bigger monitor in there.  That last pic you posted makes it look like there is room for quite a wide bezel.

Keep up the good work.

 
KenToad

Thanks for the suggestion. The bezel is pretty much to scale. Galaga had a pretty wide bezel. Hopefully it all works - if not - I'll need to add a bit of art. No biggie. 

[leapinlew]

Great lines.  Good luck with the build.  How many cabs have you built now?

Depends who you ask. Ask my wife and you'd probably get a different number.

[Kaytrim]

Hey Lew, that is one sweet little toy you got started there.  A 10" monitor that is real small.  Also looks like you are going to be rather tight in there with the cables.  What kind of PC are you putting in that little gem?

TTFN

[Donkey_Kong]

Great lines.  Good luck with the build.  How many cabs have you built now?

Depends who you ask. Ask my wife and you'd probably get a different number.

If you count backseat builds, Lews number of builds is equal to the number of project threads on this website...NTTATWWT. 

Seriously man, you are a great cab builder and always usually offer up great advice for the rest of us. I especially love how you can simultaneously p0wn fools at Quake, and mass produce awesome little cabs, all in the same evening. Wait, are you of Japanese descent? 

[leapinlew]

Wait, are you of Japanese descent? 

I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so.

Hey Lew, that is one sweet little toy you got started there.  A 10" monitor that is real small.  Also looks like you are going to be rather tight in there with the cables.  What kind of PC are you putting in that little gem?

I'm using an old laptop. It only needs 1/2" of clearance. It has about 3" - it should fit.

[leapinlew]

Here I covered all the screw holes and softened up the pointy edge that Patrick pointed out (thanks again).


Here is a shot of the back. I cut the hole for the 120mm fan and routed a slot in it for T-molding. I also cut a hole for the power entry module. A little too close to the sides when it was all said and done.


I cut the CP and rounded it off so I can lay the overlay on it. This was a productive day. I got all the major stuff done so I can have accurate dimensions for my art. I'll work on that this evening and get it sent to Mamemarquees. I'm curious how much it will all cost for this small cabinet.


The last thing I did with my last bit of day light was run to the store and get some 1/2" aluminum angle for the marquee retainers. I'll be spray painting these black.

[leapinlew]

One thing I'm kinda sweatin....

Not sure where I'm putting the speakers yet. I didn't want them in the kickplate area because I wanted to show off the artwork. I may not have much of a choice though.

[psychotech]

Nice..

Speakers? Kickplate, YES! Sides, NO!

 

[MinerAl]

Put them behind the marquee mounted to the back. 

[leapinlew]

Put them behind the marquee mounted to the back. 

Will plenty of sound come out like that?

[Kaytrim]

Take a look at flat panel speakers.  You could mount them in the side panels of the cabinet.  I found a set that were only 1/4" thick.

TTFN

[theCoder]

One thing I'm kinda sweatin....

Not sure where I'm putting the speakers yet. I didn't want them in the kickplate area because I wanted to show off the artwork. I may not have much of a choice though.

How about in the bottom, pointing down, toward the front.  Assuming you will be putting rubber feet on the bottom, you should get plenty of sound out of it. 

[MinerAl]

Put them behind the marquee mounted to the back. 

Will plenty of sound come out like that?

I was thinking of a speaker grille on the back.

[leapinlew]

How about in the bottom, pointing down, toward the front.  Assuming you will be putting rubber feet on the bottom, you should get plenty of sound out of it. 

Awesome suggestion. I'll probably use this method and decase some speakers I currently have.

[leapinlew]

Put the paint on and now I'm securing the system and adding details. I've started on the art, and I'm waiting on the art guys to get back to me with a price so I can upload it to him.


Everything is sitting in the machine to see how it'll all fit. Looks pretty good. I've disassembled the laptop to the point that it weighs nearly nothing...


CP is mounted, but not secured entirely. I'll wait to secure it after I've applied the artwork and installed the controls.

I am going to cut the plexi for it today, and then I'll call it a day. It looks like the bottom portion of the plexi will be a bit longer than the bezel art, so I'm going to extend the bezel art - perhaps put an instruction card on it.

[arcadefever]

  looking great ...

is that a wico joystick

[patrickl]

looking great ...

is that a wico joystick

Well he said he was going to use a wico 4-way, so how is that a surprise?

Anyway, indeed looking great.

[javeryh]

Awesome - you sure can crank these out!  Is the paint brushed or rolled on? 

[arcadefever]

looking great ...

is that a wico joystick

Well he said he was going to use a wico 4-way, so how is that a surprise?

Anyway, indeed looking great.

    mist  that part ...

[leapinlew]

Awesome - you sure can crank these out!  Is the paint brushed or rolled on? 

It's rolled on. It gives an ok finish. I wish I had enough laminate left over to do the cabinet with laminate. I love that stuff.

One thing I forgot to mention is I recut a new control panel. The more I thought about it, the more I didn't want to use 1/2" MDF as the CP. So I bought a 24" x 24" piece of 1/2" ply and made this new CP.

Since I won't get the art this week it won't finish this week, but it should be to the point that when the art comes in, I just apply it and I'm done. The next shots will probably just be finished shots.

[leapinlew]

Completed the artwork - printing it now.

Here is the CP (the only thing I had to customize). While it's not authentic, it has the feel of galaga for me.

[superbigjay]

Lew,
Building another cab?!?!
it seems you have too much time on your own.
You should start making children (or more if you already have some)!!!

You make cab building looks so easy 

Cheers 
Jay

[Dmod]

Looking good, Lew.

Can you describe what you did to get the smooth rounded edge on your CP?

[leapinlew]

Looking good, Lew.

Can you describe what you did to get the smooth rounded edge on your CP?

I used a roundover bit attachment on a router.

[leapinlew]

The donkey kong project ended up taking more time than I though, so this one got pushed back a bit. I worked on it today. Got the control panel together:







I think now is an appropriate time to thank Patrickl for his contribution at Localarcade where I got most of this art. If you guys went to localarcade to download any Galaga artwork - Patrickl most likely had something to do with it. Patrick - thanks again. This is my all time favorite game too and I appreciate the work you've done.

[theCoder]

Where did you get the coin button?  Looks very nice.

[leapinlew]

Where did you get the coin button?  Looks very nice.

Novagem from Groovygamegear. It's a nice product.

[leapinlew]

Test fitting everything together.

Man, was I glad when everything lined up ok. 



I need to drop the monitor shelf a bit. The monitor needs to be slid over a little. Minor stuff (famous last words).

[JeepMonkey]

Great work Lew.

I really like the shape of the cab as well as the art.  I need to learn how to make art.  What software do you use?

[Kaytrim]

I was beginning to wonder about this project Lew.  Looks real good just a few minor details and you are golden.

TTFN

[theCoder]

The bezel looks off a bit.  It that an illusion, or did you, uh, plan it that way?

[Malenko]

The bezel looks off a bit.  It that an illusion, or did you, uh, plan it that way?

I need to drop the monitor shelf a bit. The monitor needs to be slid over a little.

[theCoder]

The bezel looks off a bit.  It that an illusion, or did you, uh, plan it that way?

I need to drop the monitor shelf a bit. The monitor needs to be slid over a little.

Doh, missed it.  Sorry

[psychotech]

WTF?
A slightly off center screen just gives it character... And centering the monitor has been done too many times already, anyway

Just take a look - that's the way to go: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~gbh/MameCab/MameCab17/MameCab17.html

 

[leapinlew]

I'm wondering if I should apply some tint to the plexi. I'm leaning towards no, but wouldn't mind hearing some suggestions.

The main question I have is:

Can the stuff be applied with NO air bubbles?
If it can be applied with air bubbles.... can I apply it without air bubbles?

[Kaytrim]

I'm wondering if I should apply some tint to the plexi. I'm leaning towards no, but wouldn't mind hearing some suggestions.

The main question I have is:

Can the stuff be applied with NO air bubbles?
If it can be applied with air bubbles.... can I apply it without air bubbles?

Yes, and you won't know until you try.  Use the lightest tint you can find.  Also purchase the application kit.  This kit should include a squege, spray bottle of application fluid and a razor nife.  The kit will make the application as easy as possible.

Make sure the area you are working in is as dust free as you can make it.  Remove the protective film from one side of the plexi.  Then follow the directions on the application kit and you should be good to go.

TTFN

edit** My suggestion is to apply the tint on the side of the plexi that will be facing the monitor.

[psychotech]

You must mean skateboarding. Yes, you must mean skateboarding 

Or, you just NEED soap water!

All (most) car parts shops have the stuff. I was actually going to use some (can't remember the % at the moment) on Bombjack but as the package stated "Do NOT use on plexiclass" ...

Still, you'll just need to use some soapwater (spray some on the plexi before attaching..) while installing the stuff. Removing the bubbles will then be really easy..?!

still cyko

[Stobe]

Looks great, Lew.  But where are the pics of the sides and innerds?  (And the shrinking ray to get the parts in there).

Also, what's the overall height?  Looks like about 18-19"?

-Stobe

[leapinlew]

Looks great, Lew.  But where are the pics of the sides and innerds?  (And the shrinking ray to get the parts in there).

Also, what's the overall height?  Looks like about 18-19"?

-Stobe

Good guess - height is approximately 20.533242 inches.

Insides eh? Hmm, this isn't going to be pretty - here goes:

Before the CP goes on, here is a shot where I mounted the speakers. I cut a hole through the base and put a 120mm case fan grill on the other side to keep anyone from poking their finger through the speaker.




CP on! The laptop is mounted to the side and bolted down to the side of the cabinet. I extended the power button to 2 wires which I will attach to the back door

Here is a shot from the back looking in - you can see that things fit.

I don't really like the way I mounted the CP on, but I couldn't think of a better way to do it really. There just isn't enough room.

Here is a couple pre-finished test shots. I was confirming everything lined up and the screen was rotated the proper way.



Here it is next to a soda can for scale.

Finishing shots coming up soon - probably this weekend.

[vrf]

This is a great little machine. Nice work on the artwork and such. Really makes the box look authentic.

[patrickl]

Hey, that looks great. But then I guess I'm biased in thinking anything "Galaga" looks great 

[leapinlew]

Hey, that looks great. But then I guess I'm biased in thinking anything "Galaga" looks great 

I know I said it in a previous post, but thanks ago for all touched up artwork. 

[Kaytrim]

My God Lew, that is a small machine.  Didn't realize the scale until you put that soda can next to it.  Nice little build

[Spyridon]

Awesome work!   

[patrickl]

Hey, that looks great. But then I guess I'm biased in thinking anything "Galaga" looks great 

I know I said it in a previous post, but thanks ago for all touched up artwork. 

Oh indeed I missed that earlier, but you're welcome. I'm just glad when people can use it.

I still should finish the bezel, but somehow I just can't get it done the way I like.

[leapinlew]

All done!

Here are the last of the interior shots. It ended up being a big PITA mounting everything inside because I didn't take into account the laptop was going to have a monitor, speaker plug and power plug in it. It didn't fit on the bottom of the cabinet, and I had to mount it along the side.

Prepping to put the monitor in by tying up all the wires:




Monitor mounted:



I used 4 large L brackets screwed into the CRT case to hold it down. While I know this isn't a great method, a 10" CRT is pretty lightweight and I don't think it'll move around too much.

[leapinlew]

Some shots of it all closed up from the back:



The red button is to power on the laptop. The laptop doesn't have a turn on power option.

The 3 holes in the bottom are air inlets and the 120mm fan is exhausting air from the cabinet. It's a very high quality fan and is super quiet. Hopefully this provides enough cooling. I'll leave it on overnight to see how she does.

[leapinlew]

Sideart shot:


Some shots of the completed cabinet:
With flash


Without flash


Another angle with flash

[leapinlew]

Overall - it's a pretty good looking cabinet. Some things I've learned:

• 1/2" MDF sucks. Hard to do much with. I'm getting to the point that I don't like working with MDF at all. I just don't feel like it has the holding power of plywood
• I still prefer laminate to paint
• Artwork makes all the difference between a professional looking machine and a home made machine

I think I'm done till next spring. Working on these kinds of projects in this apartment is tough.

[csa3d]

Fantastic once again.  With having a full garage myself, I have no clue how you are sawing MDF in your apartment! lol.

Those fans you are using, do you have a link on ones you'd recommend?  I gotta grab a few for my project pretty soon.

Given the design, my only real criticism is that I'm not so fond of the two white buttons next to the coin button.  I dig the symmetry, but something about the scale/color/shape of them next to that button detracts from the cool coin button.

That  being said, the machine look super.  I really like the background you used in Mala.  With as many of these as you've pumped out the last few months, you probably need a break to let your lungs recover from MDF damage.  I'm almost with you on MDF sucking  for holding power.

-csa

[psychotech]

That's a great miniature bartop 

These tight fits sure are fun to build ..and will be even more fun if (when) there's need for any major maintenance

I think I'm done till next spring. Working on these kinds of projects in this apartment is tough.

Of course you are! So, you'd announce your next project in, err, let's see ..next spring ..so, something like three weeks from now? 

Still, a great mini! All the best.

psychotech

[Donkey_Kong]

One of the coolest bartops...EVER. Nice job LeapinLew.

[patrickl]

That's just too cool. I'm so jealous   Adding the sideart and the t-molding does give it a more complete look yes.

Looks like all that wiring must have been quite a challenge.

I'm amazed that you did that in your home. I'm living in a temporary place waiting for my new house to be built with a garage. I can't wait to finally start building a cab myself. You actually did this without a seperate place to work on it. Amazing.

[Spyridon]

Fantastic job.    I'm going to keep my eye out for a cheap laptop so I can build one of these.  (not sure where I'd find a monitor that size). 

[dynamite]

hey lew, just curious. Did you use an encoder or just do a keyboard hack on on that? Trying finding it in the thread but didn't see it. Awesome project!!

 

[mccoy178]

Lew,
This looks great!  Galaga is my favorite classic as well and seeing this is just awesome.   Question:  Could you go a little more in depth on how you gutted the laptop, i.e. did you just use the internals as is, or was there more to it, and also, how did you hook up the monitor to the laptop, i.e. did it have s video out or something?  Again, very nice work.

[theCoder]

Next spring?   Yea right.

Congratulations on another completed build.  Looks very nice.

[Zero_Hour]

That's one fine looking bartop. 

[BobA]

You are right about the graphics making the project.  It wiould just be a good looking bartop without them.  With them the whole project POPS and looks great.

[javeryh]

Awesome job lew!  You really build these things fast (or maybe I'm super slow).  I am about to hack a smartstrip the exact same way you hacked your power strip into the plug thingy on the back panel of you cabinet.  I have three wires coming out of the plug thingy and (presumably) three wires in the smartstrip after I cut off the plug.  How did you know how to connect the wires?  Is there a right and wrong way?  I'm assuming the black is ground but what about the other two?  What happens if you reverse them?  I should probably post pics of what I'm looking at to make things easier but I'm afraid of ruining a smartstrip by cutting off the plug...

Anyway, very nice job on your build - I love the art and the fact that you threw a computer in there with MAME instead of one of those Jakks controllers which would limit your game options (and not be arcade perfect).

[Stobe]

I would normally let the person you were asking the question to answer it, but I just wanted to interject real quick (for safety's sake).

Black is not ground!!!  (for AC)

If you have Black, White and Green, then Green is most likely the ground, and black and white are the 120V AC.  Always double check though.  Use your DVOM to check continuity between the green wire and one of the ground ports on the strip.

If your colors are not standard white, black, green (I just hacked a cable that was white, purple, white w/ green stripe!), then you'll have to check anyhow.

Disclaimer - I am not an electrician!!  But I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express!

-Stobe

[Chris G]

Great job Lew, looks fantastic!

[javeryh]

Thanks Stobe... hmmm... I'll have to snap some pics and create a new thread so I can get some guidance.  If I burned down the house my wife would kill me!

[leapinlew]

If I burned down the house my wife would kill me!

Simply make sure she's in the house before hand. 

Alright, let me answer some of these questions. Sorry about the delay - been busy at work.

Fantastic once again.  With having a full garage myself, I have no clue how you are sawing MDF in your apartment!

I have to drag everything outside for my cuts. Cutting MDF in the house... ha! Thats a good one.

Those fans you are using, do you have a link on ones you'd recommend?  I gotta grab a few for my project pretty soon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006 is the fan I used. Very very quiet. A little pricey

Given the design, my only real criticism is that I'm not so fond of the two white buttons next to the coin button.  I dig the symmetry, but something about the scale/color/shape of them next to that button detracts from the cool coin button.

I hear ya... I actually looked for different buttons, but couldn't find any push buttons that were deep enough that I liked. Also, the bottom of the CP is pretty full - there isn't much room left.

Did you use an encoder or just do a keyboard hack on on that?

Yes, a mini-pac. Not bad but I'll buy ipacs from now on.

Could you go a little more in depth on how you gutted the laptop, i.e. did you just use the internals as is, or was there more to it, and also, how did you hook up the monitor to the laptop, i.e. did it have s video out or something?

The monitor is a standard VGA monitor and I connected it to the laptop via the VGA port. As for gutting the laptop. I took the LCD Panel, battery, CD Rom, and much of the case apart. I soldered 2 wires to the power button. I was a little worried the machine wouldn't boot without the CD Rom or monitor, but it didn't have any problems. The biggest issue I had is trying to figure out how to power on the laptop when the power is turned on. The eventual solution was to add the red power button on the back that turns the laptop on.

Ok, so I do have a couple projects brewing, but I doubt I have anything to post here till next spring. Thanks for all the kind words - it's a great little machine - I'm pretty happy with it.

[psychotech]

Ok, so I do have a couple projects brewing...

 

No. I won't ... 

psychotech

[mountain]

Fantastic job once again Lew! 

I love the size of this thing. Where did you locate the monitor anyway? I am going to build a fairly small bartop but can't decide on a monitor. Got a part number?

[mcfreak]

Looks perfect.  How did you do the T-molding?  Did you just use a rubber mallet or did you add any adhesive to it?  That seems like my biggest weakness is putting the T-molding on.

[leapinlew]

Looks perfect.  How did you do the T-molding?  Did you just use a rubber mallet or did you add any adhesive to it?  That seems like my biggest weakness is putting the T-molding on.

If thats your biggest weakness you'll be in good shape.

I cut a slot and put the t-molding in with my muscular well defined arms. 

[Malenko]

wanna sell it? My nephews took over my MAME cab and galaga isnt quite the same on XBOX live

[mcfreak]

If thats your biggest weakness you'll be in good shape.

I cut a slot and put the t-molding in with my muscular well defined arms. 

LOL, fair enough.  That isn't my only weakness but it is up there close to the top of the list.  I think I will do more "rounded" corners next cabinet.

[leapinlew]

If thats your biggest weakness you'll be in good shape.

I cut a slot and put the t-molding in with my muscular well defined arms. 

LOL, fair enough.  That isn't my only weakness but it is up there close to the top of the list.  I think I will do more "rounded" corners next cabinet.

You are cutting the T portion of the molding when rounding an outside corner right?

[mcfreak]

If thats your biggest weakness you'll be in good shape.

I cut a slot and put the t-molding in with my muscular well defined arms. 

LOL, fair enough.  That isn't my only weakness but it is up there close to the top of the list.  I think I will do more "rounded" corners next cabinet.

You are cutting the T portion of the molding when rounding an outside corner right?

Yeah, in a V shape... Correct?  I think my sides arn't completely straight or something.  Maybe not sanding enough or really bad at the wood working.  Did you Jigsaw the pieces and then sand or did you run a router bit around the edge once you cut the piece out?

[leapinlew]

Yeah, in a V shape... Correct?  I think my sides arn't completely straight or something.  Maybe not sanding enough or really bad at the wood working.  Did you Jigsaw the pieces and then sand or did you run a router bit around the edge once you cut the piece out?

I cut the slot off for the most part.

As for the cuts... I have done both methods. For smaller cabinets I'll buy some MDF to make a template. It sands real easy to get the shape I want - then I take a router bit.

On a previous project, I cut one side with a jigsaw and traced the other side on a sheet of MDF and cut it with a jigsaw. The result was a not straight cut:


I then took a small belt sander to it:


This was before I got either a pattern cutting bit or a flush trim bit. Here I am using a flush trim bit to cut from a template.

[mcfreak]

Looks like I am going to need some more tools. Thanks for the tips, I need to go get some more router bits.

[Timoe]

I SO wish I had built 3 bartops instead of a big ol cabinet now.  That thing is NICE.

Props on the rear panel especially.

[csa3d]

Lew,

Is this a MameMarquees print?  Vinyl... paper?  I have a midway cab as well and am trying to figure out how I'm going to do the artwork on the CP.  I don't really _want_ to do plexi over the top, or even as a wrap around... but I also don't wanna replace the artwork due to wear/tear every so often.  Just curious on your material selection and how well it will take normal use.

Thanks
-csa

[leapinlew]

Just so you know, Scott won't print Galaga work. He can't. Some other company owns the rights to it. I used a different place for the Galaga artwork, it cost more but came out the same as MM.

Here is a pic of one of my wifes friends playing the game last weekend.

[theCoder]

You get an idea of its size in the picture with the soda can.  But relative to a person, man, that thing is small. 

How heavy is it?

[csa3d]

Just so you know, Scott won't print Galaga work. He can't. Some other company owns the rights to it. I used a different place for the Galaga artwork, it cost more but came out the same as MM.

Here is a pic of one of my wifes friends playing the game last weekend.

So beyond the printing source, what is it printed on and how is that surface cleaned

[leapinlew]

@theCoder
31lbs.

@csa3d
It's polycarbonite type material... I don't have to worry about cleaning it because I force everyone to sterilize themselves before playing. Actually, I haven't had to clean it but if I did I wouldn't mind using a towel\paper towel and some water, windex or something.

[mcfreak]

Okay I am stuck on attaching my bezel.  What did you use?

[leapinlew]

Okay I am stuck on attaching my bezel.  What did you use?

I've had good luck with Railroad Spikes:


Welding


and Nuclear Fusion


But, what you may want to try is setup some L brackets with some velcro or you may be able to put some velcro directly on your monitor. If you cut your bezel good, it won't take much to hold it on nice and solid. Check out the attached pic and it shows where I put mine.

[mcfreak]

You are going to kill me.  All that work on answering my question and I asked the wrong damn thing.   

Let's try this again.  What are you using to attached the "Marquee", as in, what are the little marquee holders on the top and bottom.

Man I need to stop drinking... 

[Stobe]

Ya, quit drinking and read the first page of this thread.....

The last thing I did with my last bit of day light was run to the store and get some 1/2" aluminum angle for the marquee retainers. I'll be spray painting these black.

Or you could just pass the drink this way.   

[Santoro]

That looks really sweet.  Nice Work.

[mcfreak]

Ya, quit drinking and read the first page of this thread.....

The last thing I did with my last bit of day light was run to the store and get some 1/2" aluminum angle for the marquee retainers. I'll be spray painting these black.

Or you could just pass the drink this way.   

Ahh, Thank you.  Off to the store 

[M3talhead]

Nice job man. How many chicks you think you'll pull in with that cab? I figure at least 2-3.

[janey6152]

Leapinlew
 Hi Which program sre using for galaga ??  and how did u wire it up ??
 I wanna build one too ,  can u send me the layout / drawing  on how to cut out the wood to what size ??
 thanks

janey

jan6152@ptd.net

[Anubis_au]

leapinlew, could you post some more pics of your (MaLa?) front-end... I wouldn't mind having a closer look at your menu, as from the pics I saw, it looks pretty cool...

[Franco]

Aweosme little bar top! 

Good luck trying to get any work done with that thing sitting in your office!

[Barry Barcrest]

I would love that cab for work

Could you not have used the laptops screen and ran it all off the laptop battery?

[DaOld Man]

Great work Lew!!
 

[nexus6]

kawaiiiiiiii! 

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Lew,

NICE!  Can't wait to see your Mortal Kombat Bartop!   

[leapinlew]

Ah! I got a bump!

This machine is still working fine. Only thing I wish I did different was mount the CP with a hinge.

leapinlew, could you post some more pics of your (MaLa?) front-end... I wouldn't mind having a closer look at your menu, as from the pics I saw, it looks pretty cool...

It's a pretty simple JPeg I created - I'll send you a copy of it if you want. PM me.

Hi Which program sre using for galaga ??  and how did u wire it up ??
 I wanna build one too ,  can u send me the layout / drawing  on how to cut out the wood to what size ??
 thanks

What? No. 

[Stobe]

Hi Which program sre using for galaga ??  and how did u wire it up ??
 I wanna build one too ,  can u send me the layout / drawing  on how to cut out the wood to what size ??
 thanks

What? No. 
[/quote]

Just send him the Bartop, Lew.  (or was that what he was asking for anyhow?)

[Spyridon]

Just send him the Bartop, Lew.  (or was that what he was asking for anyhow?)

Cool, as long as your giving these out, I'll take one as well!  Actually, make it two of them, but make one of them a little bigger.  About the size of a full size Galaga would be perfect.

...But seriously...Awesome work     

[LeedsFan]

I've not seen this thread before... but this is fantastic! What an awesome little cab. 

In fact this has given me the inspiration to try one for myself when I finish my current 2 player CP project. I already have a spare monitor but it's not as small as yours. I will also have some spare buttons/plexi/mdf/aluminium sheet after my current project.

My current project is costing me quite a bit because I'm building from scratch. But I'm pretty sure I could one like yours for much cheaper. And if it came out 75% as good as yours I'd be happy.  To have made that thing up from mostly spare parts is simply awesome. 

(Goes off to look for a cheap lappy on ebay) What should I look for on an old lappy? I mean for sockets etc? Anything special for the monitor? Processor and ram shouldn't be an issue vertical classics?

EDIT: In fact I've just had a thought. Is it possible to remove a laptop monitor screen from its hinge and kinda extend the wiring? Then i could just turn the screen vertically and use that. Sorry if this is a silly n00b question but I've never even owned a lappy before so I dunno if it's at all possible. The weight would be greatly reduced also though I would keep the same dims to to keep the proper cab look.

[leapinlew]

I've not seen this thread before... but this is fantastic! What an awesome little cab. 

In fact this has given me the inspiration to try one for myself when I finish my current 2 player CP project. I already have a spare monitor but it's not as small as yours. I will also have some spare buttons/plexi/mdf/aluminium sheet after my current project.

My current project is costing me quite a bit because I'm building from scratch. But I'm pretty sure I could one like yours for much cheaper. And if it came out 75% as good as yours I'd be happy.  To have made that thing up from mostly spare parts is simply awesome. 

(Goes off to look for a cheap lappy on ebay) What should I look for on an old lappy? I mean for sockets etc? Anything special for the monitor? Processor and ram shouldn't be an issue vertical classics?

EDIT: In fact I've just had a thought. Is it possible to remove a laptop monitor screen from its hinge and kinda extend the wiring? Then i could just turn the screen vertically and use that. Sorry if this is a silly n00b question but I've never even owned a lappy before so I dunno if it's at all possible. The weight would be greatly reduced also though I would keep the same dims to to keep the proper cab look.

Thanks!

Yeah, if you find a laptop with a LCD screen that is sufficient to play games (no ghosting and bright enough) you can definitely use the laptop monitor. You may be better off using an external LCD like a 15" and get rid of the artwork on the bezel. I wanted mine more of a to scale novelty.

What you'll want out of a laptop is a video card that can accurately flip the games vertically. Some video cards have a difficult time rotating the display. All that is connected to mine is a VGA cable and a USB mini-pac.

I pull a lot of air through it to keep it cool. Good luck with your build, and I look forward to seeing it in project announcements. 

[jlfreund]

Is there a USB, keyboard, or mouse input on the cab? How do you get into Windows mode to mess around?  Also, I was wondering if you considered using a small LCD?  I imagine they would be pretty cheap and lighter and easier to find than the CRT.

Jason

[leapinlew]

Is there a USB, keyboard, or mouse input on the cab? How do you get into Windows mode to mess around?  Also, I was wondering if you considered using a small LCD?  I imagine they would be pretty cheap and lighter and easier to find than the CRT.

Jason

If I want to use a keyboard or mouse, I have to remove the bezel to access it. I've setup quite a few cabinets, and once configured I don't often have to get back into windows to do anything.

As for the LCD question - good point. This all started because I had some small CRT's I wanted to use. This cabinet could've been 4-6" thinner if I didn't use a CRT. The weight of the CRT is actually a good thing, but I can totally see why anyone building from scratch would use a LCD.

It's funny in a way, I built the cabinet because I had a few parts with a value of about $30 on hand. Several hundred dollars later I used those parts, but now I have other left over parts. 

[MazzMn]

As for gutting the laptop. I took the LCD Panel, battery, CD Rom, and much of the case apart. I soldered 2 wires to the power button. I was a little worried the machine wouldn't boot without the CD Rom or monitor, but it didn't have any problems. The biggest issue I had is trying to figure out how to power on the laptop when the power is turned on. The eventual solution was to add the red power button on the back that turns the laptop on.

First off let me congratulate you on a great looking machine...very, very nice! 

Thanks for posting info on how you power on your laptop...This is a problem I haven't solved on my cocktail machine project. I want to rig up in this fashion but I'm reluctant to crack the thing open and start soldering on it.

I've seen some folks use Wake on Ring or Wake on Lan techniques to wake up a laptop. If anyone has doen this successfully I'm still looking for details. 

[psychotech]

Yes, that's a great build. Lew rules 

Still, before trying anything too radical with your laptop you could just try and take all the batteries off it. Just shut it down and remove all the power. Wait a moment (Your definition of a moment is as good as ...). Then, plug the power cord back to the wall socket... (Still without the batteries, naturally.) ................................................

So, what happened? Didn't explode

Anyway, Tomatocade starts up as soon as it senses power.. (shutdown is thru software) I never touched anything on Tomatocade BIOS as far as memory serves ..it's just a... power on on power available solution Removed all batteries and it tries to power on as soon as it sees any power at all.. ?

Anyway, if this seems just like another too simple a solution to really work  ...I'd still suggest you to try it 

psychotech - it's in the name. (it's all in the name )

[MazzMn]

Still, before trying anything too radical with your laptop you could just try and take all the batteries off it. Just shut it down and remove all the power. Wait a moment (Your definition of a moment is as good as ...). Then, plug the power cord back to the wall socket... (Still without the batteries, naturally.) ................................................
...
Anyway, if this seems just like another too simple a solution to really work  ...I'd still suggest you to try it 

Thanks for the idea...I've already found a software solution to "turn off" the laptop, by going into suspend mode...I'd like to speed up the boot time by using suspend and I think power is required to use suspend...hmm, maybe if I use hibernate mode power is not required for hibernate

[opt2not]

My favourite bartop ever. Even has a crt! Just superb.

Here's mine.

#makeBYOACgreatagain

[leapinlew]

Appreciate it!

Honestly, this was always meant to be an inexpensive build using as many of the parts I had as possible. In this case, I had controls, a laptop, 10" CRT's, and time on my hands.

I took short cuts and made some poor material choices. I wish I used smaller buttons for player 1 and 2 and a different coin up button, but I must have had them already. I really regretted the 1/2" MDF and paint instead of laminate. It was a fast build with the purpose of making it nice enough on the outside, that it could be in my office at work.

I will say, out of all the bartops I've made, it has the right size to be put on a bar/desk and not be the dominant feature. This cabinet needed a replacement computer and CRT and is still alive and kicking.