LeapinLew: Galaga Themed Small Bartop -COMPLETED

[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