"BENDERAMA" folding portable bartop (quick video of unfolding 6-28-10)

[Bender]

Ok, here are some pics and a video of the design so far
I wanted this to be ultra portable and yet still very playable
I like the idea of protecting the screen and controls while in transit
I'd like the whole thing to run off a laptop so I'll be able to use it for a couple hours without having to plug it in
I'm thinking of bringing this to poker night so all us losers have something to do till someone takes the pot

I'll have in there some usb powered speakers
a couple of usb powered lights for the marquee
A moded U360 with top fire and rotary function
7 button neo geo thumb layout for the buttons
Spinner (up/down maybe)
3" U-Track ball
Laptop (haven't decided on a model yet. any suggestions?)
it will be roughly 21" tall 10" deep(folded) 15" wide

anyway I'm pretty happy with the design
so I'm going to start cutting the wood soon
Any suggestions or ideas are very welcome
Let me know what you think,

Bender

oh yeah I'm looking for some name suggestions too

[javeryh]

Ok, here are some pics and a video of the design so far

 

Don't tease me like that!!!  This is going to be good...   

[punxrus]

I was thinking of a design similar to this except it would be a plug in model and not run off of a battery and it would be a cocktail tabletop. I'm interested in seeing what you come up with! Also...where are the pics?

[Bender]

Ok, here are some pics and a video of the design so far

 

Don't tease me like that!!!  This is going to be good...  

here ya go, there there now

[punxrus]

Nice...that's all that I can say...

[drawfull]

Inspirational! 

[javeryh]

Ok, here are some pics and a video of the design so far

 

Don't tease me like that!!!  This is going to be good...  

here ya go, there there now

Wow!    Now we're talking! That looks awesome.   

[Kronos]

The only think I would be worried about is how well you can see the screen.. that marquee sticks out alot.. over all it is very cool.. Can't wait to see the progress.

[fivslt]

Cool. 

Maybe the handle should be more centered?

[leapinlew]

Should be interesting...

Dirk-on-the-spot
More than meets the eye
MAMECADE (can't go wrong with this combo)
Multigamingsystemthatfoldsupsoitisportableandconvienent

If I were you, I'd probably theme it both in color and artwork with a particular game. Make it a donkey kong with light blue sides, white t-mold, and black inside or Pacman with yellow and orange.

[IG-88]

Looks pretty cool so far! First thing that popped into my head when looking at it was weight. I got one that weighs about 60lbs and I still move it around with the joystick during an "intense" moment if you get my meaning.

Maybe you'll have to use some of those rubber feet so it sticks to the table top? I've also thought of using those rubberized sheets that go between a hard wooden chair and the seat cushion. 

As for a laptop? I'd go for as new as I could afford I guess..

[dmworking247]

Very good idea. I'm sure you've got these dimensions covered already but those joysticks look like they'll have to be pretty short to avoid the screen.

I like the idea of laptop power & screen too (I've used that in my "Asteroid" project) so that you can run it on batteries/completely cordless. The laptop typically has enough built in sound too so you don't need speakers and can keep it very light.

I was going to make a similar project using nothing but one of those aluminum suitcases (often used as comp. tech. toolboxes).

My word of advice is to consider the ribbon cable of the LCD. These are just about impossible to extend, which means I had to basically swivel the LCD 180' (which means the laptop is mounted on the back of the screen).  I'd advise you to pick your laptop and confirm its dimensions before you commit to the build.

Btw on the subject of names... you're packing up a portable mame cabinet right... how could you go past:
PACK-MAN
PACK-MAME
PAC-MAME
PAC'N'GO MAN

etc

Cheesy but oh-so-appropriate.

[DaOld Man]

Neat idea Bender! Cant wait to see how this turns out.
As for a name, how about
"The Bender"

[Kaytrim]

I am definitely going to be keep an eye on this one.    I like the name "The Bender" too.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Bender]

Neat idea Bender! Cant wait to see how this turns out.
As for a name, how about
"The Bender"

"Bender" humm, I like the sound of the for some reason 
or maybe I'll call it "Flex-O" (Benders not-so-evil twin in futurama)

[facesmiths]

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! man I will be watching as well. I would use a tablet for the laptop too may be a bit pricey but it can be folded back on it's self and from the back you can access it. unless you can extend the cables as mentioned in previous post. I see how you plan on having the joystick clear the screen too  with the length of the CPO and the slant. very inventive. I really can not wait




*edit*
crap I forgot to mention. with all that stuff running off of batteries I would look into getting an additional battery pack or two and wire them in parallel so you have the staying power with out extra volts. May still have to use some sort of resistor but I was pretty sure with DC if you don't need the amps it will just lay dormant until needed but I would definetly check into it. (or maybe see what can be done to siphon power from the power pack to charge anotehr battery to light up LED marquee lighting and such.)

[Bender]

facesmith,

I like the extra battery Idea
anyone out there know how to wire that up?
I can wire a mini pac but I'm not an electrician and I have know idea how that would be done

[Kaytrim]

On some laptops you can remove the CD drive and put in a second battery.

[ark_ader]

I was going to do the same idea but for the pinball bartop (if I ever get any good weather) with the 14" wide screen I won on ebay.

My proposed thin cab will have an actuator (I figured it out) that would in fact (by coincidence)  lower and raise your CP per your animation.  It adds money to the project, but it would look cool.  Also it won't slam down (knocks are bad for LCDs) if the lock snapped or came faulty.

Your bartop could be thinner though.  If you are using a laptop LCD, your CP could lose a few inches in thickness, unless you are using a proper LCD display.  It currently looks boxey.  I suggest a James Bond theme, like a briefcase.

I would definately like to see a finished project, and to see how your CP works in real life. 

Thanks for sharing.

[DaOld Man]

facesmith,

I like the extra battery Idea
anyone out there know how to wire that up?
I can wire a mini pac but I'm not an electrician and I have know idea how that would be done

You can wire the batteries in parallel, as long as they are rated at the same voltage.
But charging them may be a different situation. Your charger would have to be able to handle the extra current it would take to charge two batteries, or you could charge them one at a time.

[dmworking247]

If you put a switch in line to select which battery to use you wouldn't have that problem for using the batteries OR for charging... the down side however would be that you'd have to shut down to switch batteries (ie no 'on the fly' changes).

[meany]

Name it Vectrex 3000

[Bender]

Name it Vectrex 3000

[facesmiths]

I would say you need a multi tester to both test voltage output (cause there are sometimes differing tabs for charge input and power outputs controlled by diodes) but also for directional continuity (polarity) and yes parallel is the way to go as the unit will not drain more current than it needs but the voltage is kind of like pressure in a water pipes (to much and they explode!) the amps are more like having a bigger tank so as long as you dont go crazy and hook up enough batteries to weld with you will be fine.

the charging issue should not be a problem either as even small amounts of current under greater pressure than the batteries output will charge them it will just take longer to fill them up. any one here know what a trickle charger is? tiny amount of amperage but under enough pressure to charge up any size of car batterybecause the current is so small there is no chance of damaging the battery but it takes FORRRR EEEEVVAAR to charge a car battery with one.

[Bender]

I pretty much have all the parts now (5/8 T-molding came today) except the computer
I ordered a Dell XPS 1530 laptop, but it won't get here till the end of the month
It just fits into the design, 14" wide exately the width of the inside space of the cab, I was getting a little worried, most 15.4" laptops are wider than 14" and I have the rough of the cab built already, fheww! (probably should have gotten the computer first, but I couldn't wait to start building this thing)
I upgraded to a Hi capasity battery and an LED LCD screen so I'm hoping to avoid adding another battery (thanks for all the input everyone I still might have to do that, we'll see)
something else I ordered that will help with that is a battery powered usb hub which gives me the confidence I can put in some LED's to add some Blinky Bling to the project
the link for the battery powerd usb hub is here

[Franco B]

Looks like an awesome project buddy. I too like 'The Bender'

[Martijn]

The Turn-a-nator 
Click Arcade
Game-boy 

[Bender]

here are some pic of the prototype build



I was able to find a 2" washer at the hardware store to round my cp template corners this matches my 1" radius roundover bit for the front of the cp


the templates



OH this was the scary part to get the trackball to fit into the CP I had to cut it down without hurting any vital parts


fhewww! it turned out pretty well and the trackball still works!


more finagling to get the trackball to fit

[Bender]

more shots of getting the trackball in



I tried a bunch of different cabinet hinges but none of them worked, a piano hinge would work but you'd see it, so after much searching I found these "invisible" hinges at woodcraft and they'll work great!


here we are the prototype coming together


here it is all folded up

a couple things I found along the way, I really have to make it a little wider so there is a little more room for your hand to the left of the joystick.
I think I'm going to make it an inch wider and slide the joystick over an additional 1/2"to the right
I'm using mostly 1/2" MDO for the construction because I want it to be as light as possible and I'm going to use black laminate to cover the whole thing and finish it off with 5/8" black T-molding ( 1/2"+ laminate on each side = 5/8")

I'm still waiting on the computer, I think DHL has lost it!
Dell sent it out on the 19th and I've been traking the shipment since then and it hasen't been updated in a week so I called DHL and they don't know where it is
so If Dell has to make me a new one this could really set me back another month
I guess it's ok I still have to go from prototype to finish and configuring Mala and load all the games, emu's, software, videos, snaps, marquees, custom front end and whatnot which will take some time

[Kaytrim]

Looking real good there Bender.  I hate to bring this to your attention but this is the best time to check the fit of the two pieces with the T-Molding in place.  It will affect the fit because it adds height to the side panels.  And what about the joystick and trackball.  Are they going to bang into the monitor? Just checked your sketch-up drawings.  I had forgotten that you had the monitor slanted back.  I would still check the fit with the T-Molding.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Bender]

Kaytrim,

you have a great eye. That is one of the issues I have to address from prototype to finish. I factored in an 1/8" and there needs to be at least 1/4"  where the two pieces of T-molding will meet when folded

[swaffar]

here's my question....  that wouldn't happen to be a U360 rotary stick would it!?!?!?!?!

i spy a top fire button on that red ball!

[Bender]

here's my question....  that wouldn't happen to be a U360 rotary stick would it!?!?!?!?!

i spy a top fire button on that red ball!

yes it is! ,and it works too. you all don't miss anything

[erictrumpet]

Bender, this project looks great. What a great idea and so far, very well executed!

Although you haven't mentioned it (other than saying "up/down" spinner in the first post), it looks like you are using the Apache Blackhawk push/pull spinner. Great choice - the push/pull will add functionality to your panel.

One of the things I like best about this project is how you are dealing with what is probably the most restrictive amount of space of any arcade "cab" built by people on these boards, but you still managed to fit in basically everything but a flight stick!

Good work, keep it up.

Eric.

[Bender]

Thanks Eric,

I actually have both an Apache and a GGG up/down spinner
overall I like the feel of the Apache better, but it's a matter of space. the GGG spinner is a really nice too, but much smaller so it will fit very easily, I have to see how hard the apache will be to squeeze in there
hey I got the trackball in, so we'll see

[erictrumpet]

hey I got the trackball in, so we'll see

Yeah but don't try to cut the Apache chassis on your table saw!

Looking at your design sketch, it seems like you would just need to gouge out a little bit of the bottom tray of the CP to accommodate the lower edge of the spinner housing.

[Bender]

hey I got the trackball in, so we'll see

Yeah but don't try to cut the Apache chassis on your table saw!

It's just aluminum, have a hacksaw for that

No, I don't think I'll be cutting into the Apache

[IG-88]

Hey Bender, fantastic job so far  I got to ask ya. When you were cutting that trackball chassis, did you know how much to take off or did you just cut a little at a time until it fit? That had to be a bit un-nerving to say the least

[Bender]

Hey Bender, fantastic job so far  I got to ask ya. When you were cutting that trackball chassis, did you know how much to take off or did you just cut a little at a time until it fit? That had to be a bit un-nerving to say the least

I knew how much I could take without hurting anything. I started by taking off a little less than that, then took a little more off with two more passes I think, till I was where I wanted to be
It was a bit nerve-racking but after I made the jig for it to fit into I felt pretty confertable I could do it

[polaris]

this is excellent, i can see a few of these being made by others. the CP is really nicely laid out. very impressive