LeapinLew: Galaga Themed Small Bartop -COMPLETED

[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.