Laptop Galaga Bartop (100% Done - Now with Final Pics)

[Neverending Project]

With my Dad's birthday in May and Father's day right around the corner, I decided to make my Dad a bartop to house my old (somewhat falling apart) laptop. Considering Galaga is one of my favorite games, I love the cabinet design, and when he was over last he played Galaga for about 30 minutes straight on my unfinished cab in my garage. So choosing the theme on this one was easy.

I am hoping to get this done relatively quickly, since Father's day is right around the corner and he's coming to visit in a couple of weeks. So without further ado (OK, so there will probably be more "ado" later, I tend to be a babbler... see?), here is my work so far:

• Design
• Construction
• Finished Bartop
• Lessons Learned (we all have 'em)

[Neverending Project]

Design

Thanks to leapinlew, I saw how cool a bartop Galaga would look. And thanks to jakobud, I had the actual Galaga cabinet dimensions. So I took the jakobud plans into Sketchup and traced the top of the cabinet. Then I thinned it down a bit and sized the whole thing to fit my 15" laptop.

Here is how it will look:


I plan on using a red balltop joystick, probably an 8-way so I can get a few more vertical games playable on it. I also think I will add one more "fire" button, so I can have two-button games as well. There will be a 1P and 2P start button on the panel, and the rest will be shifted.

The computer will be a 15" G4, which has a broken latch and broken hinge. I plan on taking off the hinges and flipping the screen around to the back of the laptop. I also plan on getting an I-Pac for the controls.

In the picture above, the CP graphic is messed up. This was just to give me an idea of how it would look. Like leapinlew did, I plan on modifying the Galaga artwork to make a CPO fit my (pretty small) panel. I also plan on making a Galaga themed marquee and side-art (not shown on Skethup).

[Neverending Project]

Construction Begins

Today I got most of my pieces cut. I drew the bartop side on a 2x4 piece of 2/4" MDF, and cut it pretty accurately with a jigsaw.  I took a sanding block to the edges to clean them up a bit, and then traced the finished side back on the remaining 2x4 sheet. I was going to roughly cut it out using my jigsaw (leaving about 1/4" outside my line) when I broke my last jigsaw blade. These things happen when you're rushing.


Pieces all cut

So I finished the bottom cut on my table saw (so it would be nice and straight), and then cut it exactly the same as the first side using the router and the flush trim bit. A little sanding to both pieces together, and they are good enough to call done.

The bartop is twelve inches between the side panels, so I set the rip fence to 12" on my table saw and cut the rest of my lumber all at once. This would (hopefully) make sure all pieces are the same width. My design calls for a couple of angled edges, so I tilted the blade and finished all my cuts. I don't really like doing this, because I am not very good at it. Not only am I not very accurate, but my table saw is old and there is a relatively high margin of error. You'll see some of that in the pics to follow.

Anyway, I got most of the pieces cut, but I could not cut the center out of my laptop frame, since I need a new jigsaw blade.

Next I used the nail gun and good ol' wood glue to get the frame together. I will most likely be painting the sides of this cabinet, or I may even use vinyl, so I can use some wood putty to fill in the holes. I much prefer the nail gun to clamps.

Beginning to make the frame

The back will be hinged, as will the control panel, so basically I just have a bottom and two top pieces that make the frame. When I get the laptop "frame" installed, this will also be glued to the sides.

So here you can see the bartop coming together. This whole thing is about 24" tall, and about 16" deep at its widest.

Bartop view

Side view - don't you hate those damn stickers they put on MDF?

Back door open - more stickers!

On the top I have a bunch of angles to try to maximize my marquee space. While the angles are simple (30° and 60°), as I said before my accuracy is not so hot. Nothing a bit of bondo can't handle, but I did miss the length of the back door by about a quarter inch. I will need to fix this somehow...

Angle schmangle

I have the control panel pieces cut, but I can't mount them until I get the holes drilled and the bottom routed for the joystick. That's all I have so far.

[spacies]

Good choice.

[Neverending Project]

Small update at lunch today... I got the CP drilled and routed. It is really tight under the CP, so I will be under-mounting the joystick. I left about 1/4" of the CP, and I may need to drill a hole in the bottom panel just to give room for the joystick to move around. The buttons shown are just place-holders.


Does anyone know if there are other (shorter) joystick shafts available that will fit a Happ competition. A am looking for a ball top, and don't need it to stick more than about 2" above the CP. But more important, I can't have it stick too far below the panel either!

[Neverending Project]

Another lunchtime update for those following at home...

I got some new jigsaw blades yesterday, so today I was able to cut the bezel frame out. I added a chamfer to the edge about half-way through the thickness of the frame to help soften the transition. I also got the marquee brackets cut from some aluminum angle the other day as well.

Here is what it looks like so far:

Does anyone have any tips for preparing the routed edge of MDF for paint? Or will a coat of primer plus paint be good enough?

And here is a close up of the bezel:

[leapinlew]

Does anyone have any tips for preparing the routed edge of MDF for paint? Or will a coat of primer plus paint be good enough?

Awesome - looks great.

T-molding?

[Neverending Project]

I am going to use t-molding on the sides of the cab, but I am asking about the inner edge of the monitor bezel. The close-up in the previous post. Will this look decent primed and painted, or should I try to seal the edge first?

[markc74]

You can seal the edges of mdf using decorators caulk - goes on smooth and is easily painted over in the end.

So is your cp artwork only one piece curving down the front? I'm thinking of doing that to my project but not sure how I'm going the bend the plexi yet...

[leapinlew]

I am going to use t-molding on the sides of the cab, but I am asking about the inner edge of the monitor bezel. The close-up in the previous post. Will this look decent primed and painted, or should I try to seal the edge first?

As an option skip the bevel all together. Put Plexi over the whole thing and paint it, or buy some artwork.

[Kaytrim]

One thing I have found that works well on sealing MDF edges is regular Tightbond II wood glue.  of course any wood glue would do the trick.  While the glue is still somewhat wet wipe it down with a damp rag.  This will smooth it out and you won't have to sand it as much.

[Neverending Project]

Great, thanks for all the ideas. I already made the bevel cut and glued the monitor frame into the bartop - so it is in there for good. I am putting a piece of plexi (polycarbonate actually) over it, so I may opt to just prime and paint.

But as of now, the race is on. I just found out my Dad will be in town a week from Thursday. It was my plan to have it ready and in his place waiting for him to surprise him when he gets here. It is going to be close, but I think I can make it.

I finished fitting everything inside, made some monitor brackets to hold the laptop in place, and got my GGG LED Marquee and speakers installed and wired up. Basically, here is all I have left:

• Procure and install the joystick (more on this below)
• Get artwork from Mamemarquees
• Prep for paint (fill holes, smooth)
• Prime and paint
• Configure software

It doesn't sound like much, but it is always the last minute things that can take forever. I have a joystick on order from Mikesarcade, but it has a 2-week backorder on it, and I placed the order less than a week ago. If I can't get this in time I may scramble to find something to use instead. I actually ordered a ball-top handle from GGG thinking I had a Happs Competition that it would fit on, but it turns out what I had was actualyl some sort of Wico micro-switch joystick that looks like a Happs. So the shaft is slightly too large on the ball-top that I bout to fit. This is why I ordered the Ms. Pacman/Glaga joystick from Mikesarcade.

The next pics will probably be after it is painted, but I am feeling the crunch!

[Neverending Project]

I have a joystick on order from Mikesarcade, but it has a 2-week backorder on it, and I placed the order less than a week ago. If I can't get this in time I may scramble to find something to use instead.

Sweet! I just got a call back from Mikesarcade (I left a VM last night), and they are going to rearrange some priorities and ship me out my joystick today! It is great when someone goes above and beyond to do you a favor. Props to Mikesarcade! 

[JeepMonkey]

Nice progress, that is good looking.  I am in the planning stages of a bartop myself so I am interested in seeing this progress.

[Neverending Project]

I just got the following e-mail from Scott at MameMarquees:

The comments for your order are

Shipped 6/16/08

Sweet!

Turns out my Dad will be in town on Friday evening, so I have one extra day. So here is my punch list:

• Procure and install the joystick
• Get artwork from Mamemarquees (shipping!)
• Prep for paint (fill holes, smooth)
• Prime and paint
• Put last coat of paint on last side (will be done today)
• Let paint "vent" for a good 2 days before installing art (should be perfect timing)
• Install t-molding
• Spray-paint laptop frame black (it is silver now, and it sticks out)
• Re-assemble bartop
• Wire joystick (crimp/solder 4 quick-connects onto wires - the rest is done)
• Get software sitch figured out and installed/configured
• Install art
• Hope it all works

[Neverending Project]

Well, the artwork came today from Mamemarquees, so I am almost done! Last night I installed the t-molding, and tonight I was able to install the artwork, reassemble the guts, and get it all put back together. Unfortunately, the braces I have holding the laptop in place are pressing against one or more keys on the keyboard, so I will need to make some adjustments before I am able able to boot it up (it boots in safe mode right now).

But shown here is how it looks without power. More pics tomorrow night, when it is all complete!


Side view:


Front View:


Control Panel:


Back (Power Entry Module and Volume Knob):

[leapinlew]

Looks good!

You having any issues with heat? I always have some sort of exhaust fan on all my bartops. I don't know if it's absolutely necessary, but it seems like a good idea.

[Ginsu Victim]

Looks good!

You having any issues with heat? I always have some sort of exhaust fan on all my bartops. I don't know if it's absolutely necessary, but it seems like a good idea.

I don't see any sort of exhaust port. Laptops get HOT! There should really be a blowhole on top (or at least on the back at the top).

[Neverending Project]

Yeah, to be honest it hasn't been running long enough to determine if I will have issues with heat. There is a lot of space in the box, so I didn't initially put in a vent-hole because I wanted to see how the laptop would do. If it needs, I will cut a hole in the back and add a speaker grill. Maybe I'll even go crazy and add a fan! 

[Ginsu Victim]

Though it may not cause any visible problems, that heat build-up could significantly reduce the life of the components inside. A fan should be added.

[Neverending Project]

I finished the bartop and took it to my Dad's the next day, so I haven't had a chance to take the final pics. So here is a shot of the guts, and some shots (with and without flash) of the bartop (the DougOut) running. Mark this one done!

The guts:


Final bartop:


Without flash:

[Blanka]

OH NO! Its a head-chopped-off titanium!!! 

[leapinlew]

It turned out great! So, how do you add credits to it?

[Neverending Project]

OH NO! Its a head-chopped-off titanium!!! 

No fears... the hinge had broken (which is common for these), so I just removed the hinges and flipped the screen around the back. The latch was also broken, so the cost of repair for these two fixes alone would have been several hundred dollars. And in her new home, she is getting much more use than she would have being sold for parts - and more fun use too.

It turned out great! So, how do you add credits to it?

P2 button is the shift. So P2+P1 is add coin. P2+Fire1 is Esc. P2+Fire2 is Pause. P2+joystick does some stuff, but the rest of the mapping can either be done with a bluetooth keyboard, or by plugging a keyboard/mouse into the hub inside. This pic shows the button labels:


I dropped it off at my Dad's house before he got there, so it would be there when they got in. I left an instruction card telling how to use it. I talked with him the next day, and he played for an hour without even looking at the instruction card. And for someone with the computer skills of my dad  it shows that the ease of use paid off. He was able to figure it out no problem.

[ChadTower]

That's pretty damn sweet.  Nice job.   

[TalkingBull]

I am thinking of building a similar bartop for my dad.  His favorite game is Galaga and I think he would really like it.  Where did you get the CPO?  I think doing the CP would be the most difficult thing...  Is it just a vinyl sticker over the wood or something else?

[Anubis_au]

Awesome build. What's the front-end you used and what was the final list of games on the system?

Can you upload the front-end graphic or release it as a full theme? I'm sure there are fans other than me out there who'd appreciate a look in...

[Neverending Project]

I am thinking of building a similar bartop for my dad.  His favorite game is Galaga and I think he would really like it.  Where did you get the CPO?  I think doing the CP would be the most difficult thing...  Is it just a vinyl sticker over the wood or something else?

I got the CPO graphic from localarcade, and I just modified to fit my size and button layout. I also added the text above the buttons to help the novice user remember what the functions were. I had it printed at mamemarquees, which looks amazing. It is on a self-adhesive vinyl material with a polycarbonate UV coating. It looks very professional. Make sure you prime the bare wood before applying the sticker, maybe even clear-coat it or use gloss paint. It will help with the adhesion.

Awesome build. What's the front-end you used and what was the final list of games on the system?

Can you upload the front-end graphic or release it as a full theme? I'm sure there are fans other than me out there who'd appreciate a look in...

Thanks. The laptop is an Apple PowerBook, so there was very limited front-end software that looks good in an arcade. I used a program called emulaunch. It is OK - not great but it works. And it is customizable. There isn't a theme for this software, only a background. So I made my own based on the galaga CPO and artwork. It is custom to my desktop size, but I attached it here in case you want to take a look (I attached a jpg version so it would be small enough to post here - PM me if you want a higher quality png version). It looks very surreal, like the border is floating above the background.

Oh, and for the list of games - basically I hand picked games that were vertical, non-clones, two or fewer buttons, and 8-way joystick or less. Not quite all of them are playable on this machine, but it is pretty good nonetheless.

[Bender]

did you find a way to start emulaunch from power up?
 in other words hide the desktop

I have an old powerbook I'd like to use for something like this

[TalkingBull]

Thanks for the tips, I am getting really excited about building this thing!

[Neverending Project]

did you find a way to start emulaunch from power up?
 in other words hide the desktop

No, I just set it as a startup item. Basically on boot you see the apple logo (sideways). Then you see the OS X loading window for a few seconds. I have my desktop set the same as the emulaunch background, so you see the desktop (and menu bar) while emulaunch loads. Then You see the emulaunch loading screen, and finally the menu. Takes about 30 seconds.

I haven't looked into hiding the Apple logo or startup screen, nor have I looked into hiding the menu bar. It is good enough for this machine. Eventually when i set up my machine, I may try to figure out how to conceal things a bit better.

The one down-side to emulaunch is since it just uses simple scripts to launch the roms, you see the menu bar appear before and after games launch. Not ideal but again, good enough for my dad's machine since he doesn't care.

[ark_ader]

I love small projects, and you did that bartop very well.

Mac OS too eh?  I'm impressed.

Great Job! 

[Hemi]

I was just curious, why waste a laptop when it looks like you could have fit a desktop in there. Looks good, though.

[mcdubbin]

I decided to make my Dad a bartop to house my old (somewhat falling apart) laptop.

BTW

You did one hell of a job there!!!

[javeryh]

I was just curious, why waste a laptop when it looks like you could have fit a desktop in there. Looks good, though.

This is probably why:

The computer will be a 15" G4, which has a broken latch and broken hinge.

[jholman76]

Very nice.. I would love to make one similar to that.. I noticed similar bar tops.. are the plans availible online?

Joe

[TalkingBull]

Can I get the font you used to make the Marquee and Sideart?  I have been looking all over the net and I can't find it!

[Cameronj]

Wow that is incredible work!!!!!

[Neverending Project]

Thanks for all the compliments. 

Very nice.. I would love to make one similar to that.. I noticed similar bar tops.. are the plans availible online?

The plans are in a Sketchup model I made. It is a bit too big to post here, even zipped. PM me your e-mail and I will send it to you.

Can I get the font you used to make the Marquee and Sideart?  I have been looking all over the net and I can't find it!

The font I chose is called Carousel, and I found it at dafont.com. I also considered a font called Funk cause I thought it looked cool, but in the end I felt the Carousel better batched the Galaga theme. Both are attached to this post.

[Hornpipe2]

I know this topic is 4 months old but I just have to say - this is one of my favorite projects.  Small goals executed perfectly and artistically.

You've got me seriously considering a laptop-bartop.  Great job!