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Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: EvilGreenDevil on March 26, 2012, 10:38:01 am

Title: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 26, 2012, 10:38:01 am
Hey everyone, I thought it was time for me to finally start a thread for my first cabinet build to hopefully get some feedback and advice as I try and finish it. I know I'm one of many who have a first build thread that mimics the Weecade but I'll do my best to try and add my own style to it. I think I fall into the mold of people who have been a longtime lurker but quite honestly, this forum has basically been my homepage for the past two months. I have always wanted to make a cabinet and was almost set on a showcase or maybe a candycab but when I realized I would eventually  have to move the cabinet when In finally buy a house, I realized a bartop might be a better option. I took a lot of inspiration first from the famous Weecade and based my plans off of his.

A few other builds that I was drawn to and will be borrowing a lot of ideas from:


Pretty much the only thing that I didn't have to buy was a 17” Samsung monitor that I had from my old college computer. Here's a quick rundown of the specs

Cabinet materials
½” MDF
Rubber feet for bottom
Aluminum corner molding
IEC inlet for power cable
120mm fan for back panel
Belkin smart strip
Lexan for CPO/marquee
4” car speakers
Cheap motorcycle amp to drive speakers
Cold cathode light for marquee

Computer
17” Samsung Syncmaster 710t
CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2  430W ATX12V PSU
8GB DDR3 RAM - Mushkin Enhanced Silverline (2 x 4GB)
ASUS P8H61-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i3 2100 LGA 1155 3.1GHz Processor
500GB WD Caviar WD5000ABYS 3.0Gb/s 7,200RPM
low-profile video card to play SFIV

Arcade Parts
Seimitsu LS-32 Joystick (x2)
Seimitsu LB-39 Smoke Bubble Top (x2)
Seimitsu PS-14-KN 30mm Pushbutton - Smoke colored (x12)
Sanwa OBSF 30mm buttons for pinball (x2)
Lono2 PCB from Paradise Arcade Shop
Chrome Convex LED Lighted Pushbuttons (x5) – P1/P2 Start, 2 Green for coin, 1 Blue for admin
EZ-Off LED Button control (free but still wondering how I'll use them)
Extended shafts for LS-32 (in case I decide to bottom mount)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/NewArt_marquee.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/ControlPanelArtwork_new.jpg)

I'll be posting some progress pics soon and update as I go along.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - First Build
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 26, 2012, 10:49:19 am
Here's a few starter pictures of some of the woodworking. I originally wanted to widen the original Weecade plans by 2 inches or so to make more room for a 6 button layout...I ended up reducing that because with a 17" monitor, it just looked odd.

Tracing out the side panels
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/tumblr_m0fw16C6QD1qk9z91o1_500.png)

Wood is cut
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/tumblr_m0qzu1QtvQ1qk9z91o1_500.png)

Test fit...originally wanted a 19" wide cabinet but that looked disproportional so I cut it down to 18". The original Weecade was about 17" (450mm)
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/tumblr_m0tq9lQgda1qk9z91o1_500.png)
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/tumblr_m1gg47nNy81qk9z91o1_500.png)

Molding in place
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/0fc6b923.jpg)
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - First Build
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 26, 2012, 11:05:22 am
A few more shots


(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/512954b0.jpg)

buttons as they will be on the front of the CPO (facing the players)
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/1976712c.jpg)

makeshift computer in a box as I set up the front end. I'm going with Hyperspin
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/tumblr_m0fw16C6QD1qk9z91o1_500-1.png)

That's it for now. I'll try and lay off the photobombing for a while.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - First Build
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 26, 2012, 11:18:07 am
Artwork...I almost forgot to share my artwork. As I mentioned, jamieoliver22's Game Over Arcade really caught my attention as I knew going in that I wanted to have a green/blue/black/white theme. His artwork was exactly the style I was interested in. I reached out to him and he was nice enough to provide me with his original psd file. The main difference, his design was for 4 buttons and I knew I wanted 6. Well after much youtubing and trial and error, I was able to modify his to meet my liking.

Also notice, I moved all other buttons to the bottom of the panel and added a coin button for each player
(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/c8101826.jpg)

Then i realized Photoshop wasn't as hard to use as I thought and decided to go back to some of the artwork I had worked on from customizing my Madcatz TE stick that I use to play Street Fighter IV. I loved the thick ink brushstroke look of SFIV and decided to incorporate that into my artwork. Here's where I am with it and would appreciate any suggestions, still wondering how to handle the center line that remains from Jamie's artwork

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/ControlPanel_newart.png)

Marquee will follow the same style and probably be renamed to just say "Arcade" in brushed lettering. Input is greatly appreciated  ;D
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: SNAAKE on March 26, 2012, 03:57:36 pm
digging the sf4 style artwork

that game is still AS$ tho lol
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: Le Chuck on March 26, 2012, 11:05:45 pm
Nice wee-build.  It's a versatile little design and you're really packing in the buttons with a dual 6 at 18in.  Should come out okay, you'll just have plenty of excuses for some "friendly" jostling during heated game play. 
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: Termin8tor on March 27, 2012, 04:44:15 am
Great start, love the buttons by the way  ;D
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 27, 2012, 09:09:15 am
Thanks for the feedback. I'm sorta stuck with the artwork...still hesitant to pull the trigger on getting it printed. I feel like the stripes at the bottom look too much like fire and that I could add more color to the button area. I've also been told that I could switch the artwork between the joystick area and the menu button.

I'm no artist and sorta threw colors up there anyone have an idea on this?
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: Richie_jones on March 28, 2012, 12:50:30 pm
Great build, really neat..

I feel for you with the artwork, it's a nightmare especially on a tight budget..I'd love to have a few hundred dollars spare to get some decent artwork drawn up for mine...
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 28, 2012, 01:31:00 pm
Let me rephrase, I'm not stuck on whether or not to pay for artwork (that's definitely happening) I'm not sure if I'm happy with the final design yet. Here's a quick update on the layout I'm going with. Might push the buttons closer to each stick by maybe an inch to allow a better gap between the two players.

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/7b891ecd.jpg)

Also, I attempted to cut holes for the speakers and realized I am awful at it. I will probably not use speaker grills and have the edges rounded so I'd like them to be as perfect as I can...I'll look into a circle jig. I also have some ideas for the back panel that will look better with perfect circles...here's my plan.

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/628773a3.jpg)

The right side is a push button for the computer motherboard, an on/off switch for marquee/led lights and an inlet for the power supply cable to the wall. Hopefully it's not too "busy"
Title: Re: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: Richie_jones on March 28, 2012, 02:09:18 pm
Id have the fan at the top sucking the air out and the vent holes in the bottom as heat always rises...just my 2 pence but worth a thought...
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: vast on March 28, 2012, 05:21:46 pm
Also, I attempted to cut holes for the speakers and realized I am awful at it. I will probably not use speaker grills and have the edges rounded so I'd like them to be as perfect as I can...I'll look into a circle jig. I also have some ideas for the back panel that will look better with perfect circles...here's my plan.

I used a 4" hole cutter on mine, screw the jigsaw!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 29, 2012, 12:50:29 pm
Great start, love the buttons by the way  ;D

I've worked with the translucent Seimitsus before on a few fight sticks. Once I get the artwork printed, I' debating on keeping the internal white plastic showing, fill it with the cut holes from the artwork, or place paper printed in either green or blue to identify main buttons like this

B|G|G
B|G|G

Something minor...i'll have to decide when the buttons are on and artwork is done.

I used a 4" hole cutter on mine, screw the jigsaw!  :cheers:

16 piece hole saw set ordered :)
Title: Re: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: Green Giant on March 29, 2012, 03:57:03 pm
Id have the fan at the top sucking the air out and the vent holes in the bottom as heat always rises...just my 2 pence but worth a thought...
But if the fan is sucking cold air in, the hot air will leave out of the top vent holes.

Plus they look cooler with the 3 holes at the top.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: Richie_jones on March 29, 2012, 04:55:05 pm
yeah theres no problem with it, just not as efficient...Look at any pc case, the fan in the rear is at the top...
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: vast on March 29, 2012, 06:04:21 pm
I dont have any extra fans on my bartop, just the top vents, the PSU fan and the CPU cooler.  I haven't had any probs with overheating, and sometimes the bartop can be on all day running SSIV: AE.

It's looking nice dude!
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on March 29, 2012, 07:47:17 pm
I dont have any extra fans on my bartop, just the top vents, the PSU fan and the CPU cooler.  I haven't had any probs with overheating, and sometimes the bartop can be on all day running SSIV: AE.

It's looking nice dude!

just got my low profile video card in the mail. can't wait to see how it runs SF....we will definitely have to play somehow.

Also ordered a Forstner bit for the 30mm buttons so I'm gonna take a stab at a control panel using some scrap this weekend.

Also, I understand gluing the molding pieces to the side panel but should I glue any of the other parts (monitor bar, top, speaker piece)?

I can see making it as sturdy as possible but I don't want to be suck if I ever have to disassemble to fix something.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on April 01, 2012, 06:12:22 am
well I knew I was going to mess up at some point, things were going so well. I was about to screw the monitor board in place when I realized the top of the monitor was covering the speaker holes.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c2c3-299d-1e74.jpg)

I have to use a thin saw and sand paper to fix this. After its set at the right angle, I should be good to start painting.

Lesson learned: measure one more time than you think you need to.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: Newgeta on April 01, 2012, 05:28:13 pm
LMAO i love the  :censored:, i seriously LOLed, i feel your pain so much right now!

Cabbies lookin nice, the artwork is top notch!
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - input appreciated!
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on April 09, 2012, 05:07:10 pm
Out of town this weekend for the Easter holiday so I didn't have a chance to do anything on the cabinet itself.  Before leaving, I was able to finalize all the pieces, screw/glue them into place and sand it down. I'm going with a candy white paintjob and following OnD's method of we sanding and multiple layers. I have about two coats of primer on so far and as others have mentioned, it's just a waiting game at this point.

I used the time away from home to finalize the artwork look I'm going for. As I mentioned earlier, I really took a liking to jamieoliver22's Game Over Arcade. That was my basis for the artwork but the more I worked with Photoshop, the more ideas I would get. I basically redid the artwork completely, only keeping some of the basic colors. Anyways, here's what I came up with...gonna sent it to gameongrafix to get it printed.

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/NewArt_marquee.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/ControlPanelArtwork_new.jpg)

Not sure if "Arcade" is the best choice of marquee but I honestly couldn't think of anything else haha.

EDIT: Added these to the first post for new folks checking out the thread.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Artwork Finished (4/10)
Post by: opt2not on April 10, 2012, 04:58:07 pm
Cool looking artwork!  :applaud:
Looks like my painting corner in my home office ;)

Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Artwork Finished (4/10)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on April 11, 2012, 10:49:57 am
Cool looking artwork!  :applaud:
Looks like my painting corner in my home office ;)



thanks, I think i'm gonna go with clear dust covers that slim in size to show off as much of the artwork as I can.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on April 18, 2012, 09:24:10 am
OK so everything is coming along nicely albeit at a steady pace. I finished my final coat of primer and figured I would test fit the PC parts one more time just to make sure before I started putting the topcoat on. I was able to cram everything in pretty well a-la-Tetris which left me pretty happy. The one issue I ran into was that my P1 joystick clips the CP molding by barely 1/4".

Now I'm left with the decision of moving the joystick in (which would also mean moving the buttons and P2 layout in to keep things even) or take to my jigsaw and carve out the small space that I need. The molding is 1" thick which after being trimmed would still be 3/4". Still glued and screwed in, I think it should be fine, I'm just hesitant to start cutting again.

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/photo3.jpg)

(http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/dcm2284/photo1.jpg)

Maybe i'll do both, move the stick in 1/8 of an inch and shave an 1/8" off the molding. Space between each player's layout is at a premium and I'd like to avoid moving any closer.
Title: Re: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: Richie_jones on April 20, 2012, 03:43:07 pm
Do you plan on pinball buttons. These will snag to. Had to redo my cp due to the pinball buttons snagin the joysticks

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on April 22, 2012, 04:23:25 pm
Do you plan on pinball buttons. These will snag to. Had to redo my cp due to the pinball buttons snagin the joysticks

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

They fit no problem, already checked.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: sunnyp on May 11, 2012, 01:28:57 pm
Beautiful artwork  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on May 11, 2012, 01:46:28 pm
Beautiful artwork  :notworthy:

I know this thread has been quiet for some weeks but I've been waiting for my paint to dry. Sending the artwork to gameongrafx will tie it all together. I'll get more pics up soon.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on May 17, 2012, 10:25:23 am
Looking for some help if anyone could chime in. If you see in one of my earlier pictures, the underside of my P1 joystick slightly catches the molding on the left side of the cabinet. I'm torn with how I should go about fixing this. The easy solution is to just move the joystick in and away from the molding but that sacrifices valuable space which is minimal in an 18" wide control panel. The other option would be to take a jigsaw/router/drill and (carefully) shave off a little of the molding to get it to fit. The space needed is 1/4" at most.

As a side note, the weeks of painting in my free time are done (thanks OnD) and I finally can start putting everything together and finish the control panel. More pics very soon!
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: swaffar on May 17, 2012, 04:12:03 pm
Looking good.  I think I'll use those smoked pushbuttons when I gun my old project for my new mini arcade.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on May 17, 2012, 04:16:57 pm
Since the moldings are glued and screwed (not to mentioned painted over), I will first just remove the screws and attempt to take some wood off the inside with a jigsaw. The moldings were pretty big to begin with (a little over an inch). I had just used some scrap wood that was around from old shelves that were built.

I'l really trying to avoid any damage to the paint job....I put a lot of time into it and hoping to not have to touch up anything major.

Good news is that now that I know I wont move my joystick in, I can finalize the artwork and send it off for printing.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: Ond on May 17, 2012, 09:11:22 pm
The artwork looks real nice, it's going to go very well with that nice white finish, I'm glad you've got the paint work where you want it.

 :cheers:

Ond
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on May 20, 2012, 04:10:21 pm
I'm happy with the painting so I moved on to fitting all the parts together. I started with the back panel to make sure it still fit snug after all the costs of paint. I have my power button, 120mm fan and USB panel in place. The plan was to have cabinet door magnets on the inside at the top but they aren't keeping the back panel as tight as I'd like it. I may look to small furniture screws to bold the top two corners flush.  

Here are some update pictures, more to come.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c893-4f43-93a1.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c893-4f64-fd65.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c893-4f8a-fb22.jpg)

much more this week as I wrap it up.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (5/21)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on June 07, 2012, 01:52:52 am
in the wee hours of the morning, I got my artwork set. I am pretty much done now. just have to wire everything up one more time and finish tidying up the wires. I'll post more pics and/or a video as soon as I get the chance.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/4c646235-40d7-6a50.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/4c646235-40f8-5eea.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/4c646235-413e-5194.jpg)

also I'm going to fill the smoke pushbuttons with the artwork cutout instead of leaving them white. I'll post a comparison shot halfway through but I think it will look great.

Lastly, you'll notice a clear dust washer on the left and a standard black one on the right. I am 50/50 on which to go with but leaning towards black.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - 99% COMPLETE (6/7)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on June 08, 2012, 11:24:24 am
Just went with the artwork in the buttons. I think it looks better

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5au1aC1So1qk9z91o1_1280.png)
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - 99% COMPLETE (6/7)
Post by: Le Chuck on June 08, 2012, 11:55:45 am
That is sick  :applaud: :applaud:

Your CP really came together well.  Great job
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: sunnyp on June 20, 2012, 07:55:15 am
The final build looks fantastic. Well done  :cheers:
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: emphatic on June 21, 2012, 05:37:14 am
Very nice work! :applaud:
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: opt2not on June 21, 2012, 02:17:59 pm
It does look really nice. I love how the front button artwork has the dripping paint!
Great choice!

IMO, you should put something for the side-art as well. Perhaps a dripping-paint type decal of some kind to really tie it all together. Perhaps in the green and blue colours you have on the CP to really contrast and break-up the stark white of the sides.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: golden_35 on June 22, 2012, 10:00:10 pm
I'm happy with the painting so I moved on to fitting all the parts together. I started with the back panel to make sure it still fit snug after all the costs of paint. I have my power button, 120mm fan and USB panel in place. The plan was to have cabinet door magnets on the inside at the top but they aren't keeping the back panel as tight as I'd like it. I may look to small furniture screws to bold the top two corners flush.  

Here are some update pictures, more to come.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c893-4f43-93a1.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c893-4f64-fd65.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c893-4f8a-fb22.jpg)

much more this week as I wrap it up.

Where did you get that usb/speaker plate?
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - Update (4/18)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on June 27, 2012, 12:46:54 pm

Where did you get that usb/speaker plate?

Just searched Amazon for one, here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FA9B8M/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FA9B8M/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00)
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: mazterlee on July 24, 2012, 10:42:16 am
Awesome build.  I love the artwork.  I'm currently working on mine and making it 20" wide to accommodate for the 12 buttons setup.  Like you I also have to buy everything except for a left over hard drive and a monitor. 

Danny.
 
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on July 24, 2012, 10:44:48 am
Awesome build.  I love the artwork.  I'm currently working on mine and making it 20" wide to accommodate for the 12 buttons setup.  Like you I also have to buy everything except for a left over hard drive and a monitor. 

Danny.
 

Thank you

What size monitor? I thought about this myself but after fitting a 17" 4:3 LCD, I didn't like the way it looked. I felt that the space created on either side of the screen was a little disproportionate. I say go with 20" width if you are using a bigger monitor or one that is widescreen
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: ark_ader on July 24, 2012, 10:48:16 am
I snagged a cheapo 15" today so I am going to start my delayed Weecade project today.

Love your project.  You did a great job!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: mazterlee on July 24, 2012, 10:51:50 am
I'm going to use my gf's 19" monitor and get her another 23" for her dual monitor setup (she has a 23" and 19" dual monitor setup right now).  I haven't mock anything up yet.  I just barely cut the two side pieces and sanded the rough edges yesterday.  I figured I can cover up any empty spaces with plexiglass.  Where did you get your buttons?  Also do you mine sharing your artwork?  You can email me if you like. danny@ziff.net  Thanks.  

Danny.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: rablack97 on July 24, 2012, 10:57:51 am
FYI,

I know bartop speaker covers are hard to find, I found this guy....Super Cheap and the covers looks sweet.

http://www.8linesupply.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=b61337688c9092db57f99aa8aee070cd&Screen=SRCH (http://www.8linesupply.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=b61337688c9092db57f99aa8aee070cd&Screen=SRCH)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=187788;image)
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: retrofuture on July 24, 2012, 11:02:20 am
Really nice build  :applaud: Looks really comfy to play on.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on July 24, 2012, 11:59:27 am
I'm going to use my gf's 19" monitor and get her another 23" for her dual monitor setup (she has a 23" and 19" dual monitor setup right now).  I haven't mock anything up yet.  I just barely cut the two side pieces and sanded the rough edges yesterday.  I figured I can cover up any empty spaces with plexiglass.  Where did you get your buttons?  Also do you mine sharing your artwork?  You can email me if you like. danny@ziff.net  Thanks.  

Danny.

I used a router round the edges of my side panels, I figured sanding would take forever and I didn't trust myself to keep it even. I would suggest making a cardboard cutout of your monitor, just trace it and cut it out. Then cut a few of your center pieces (top panel and bottom panel) at the width you are interested in. Take the cardboard mock-up of your monitor and place it in between your two side panels to see if you like the dimensions. I did this when I first wanted a 19 or 20" width and realized it just didn't look right. I ended up settling with 18" which made cutting the Lexan easier since I was buying pieces that were 18"x24".

Go with what works best but try to think a few steps ahead so you don't have a middle finger moment like me.

I got the translucent smoke buttons from focusattack.com (http://focusattack.com) My first choice was paradisearcadeshop.com (http://paradisearcadeshop.com). They are Semitsu PK14s I believe (I can't remember offhand). The front LED buttons were from Paradise Arcade and the side and power buttons were extras I had lying around from some of the fightstick builds I did for Street Fighter IV.

PM me for the artwork if you're interested.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: mazterlee on July 24, 2012, 12:41:09 pm
I used a router round the edges of my side panels, I figured sanding would take forever and I didn't trust myself to keep it even. I would suggest making a cardboard cutout of your monitor, just trace it and cut it out. Then cut a few of your center pieces (top panel and bottom panel) at the width you are interested in. Take the cardboard mock-up of your monitor and place it in between your two side panels to see if you like the dimensions. I did this when I first wanted a 19 or 20" width and realized it just didn't look right. I ended up settling with 18" which made cutting the Lexan easier since I was buying pieces that were 18"x24".

Go with what works best but try to think a few steps ahead so you don't have a middle finger moment like me.

I got the translucent smoke buttons from focusattack.com (http://focusattack.com) My first choice was paradisearcadeshop.com (http://paradisearcadeshop.com). They are Semitsu PK14s I believe (I can't remember offhand). The front LED buttons were from Paradise Arcade and the side and power buttons were extras I had lying around from some of the fightstick builds I did for Street Fighter IV.

PM me for the artwork if you're interested.

I used a friend's belt sander for the straight edges and hand sanded the rest.  I had some pretty straight cuts, so it's mainly for clean up.  Thanks for the site.  What size are the buttons?  I see 24mm and 30mm?  Thanks for the cardboard mock up idea.  I'm try to do that today.  Thanks again. 
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on July 24, 2012, 12:51:07 pm
Standard push buttons should be 30mm. Problem with this size is that the closest US drill bit is 1 1/8" which is slightly smaller than 30mm. Happ buttons should fit into a 1 1/8 hole no problem but the Japanese buttons will require a little sanding to make them fit. I was not really up for sanding 14  buttons (6 per player + 2 side buttons) so I just bought a 30mm forstner bit like this:

http://www.amazon.com/CMT-537-300-31-30mm-Forstner-Bit/dp/B000P4LLFY/ref=pd_cp_hi_0 (http://www.amazon.com/CMT-537-300-31-30mm-Forstner-Bit/dp/B000P4LLFY/ref=pd_cp_hi_0)

I used a smaller bit size for the joystick holes I wanna say 1" or 1 1/8" I can't remember. You should have plenty of spare scrap to test what works best.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: Fang Doctor on July 24, 2012, 12:55:26 pm
I am in love with your art. Your CP looks amazing. I am jelly.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on July 24, 2012, 01:01:08 pm
having this topic resurfacing, reminded me that I really never posted any videos or other pictures. I should take a quick one with my iPhone just walking through how I had the internal parts set up and my Hyperspin configuration.

In the meantime, here's a link to a livestream I did playing it for one of the first times. SO rewarding.

www.twitch.tv/evilgreendevil (http://www.twitch.tv/evilgreendevil)

Apologies for the poor quality, again it was a stream and from a webcam.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: mazterlee on July 24, 2012, 04:41:20 pm
I used a router round the edges of my side panels, I figured sanding would take forever and I didn't trust myself to keep it even. I would suggest making a cardboard cutout of your monitor, just trace it and cut it out. Then cut a few of your center pieces (top panel and bottom panel) at the width you are interested in. Take the cardboard mock-up of your monitor and place it in between your two side panels to see if you like the dimensions. I did this when I first wanted a 19 or 20" width and realized it just didn't look right. I ended up settling with 18" which made cutting the Lexan easier since I was buying pieces that were 18"x24".


I just measure my monitors here at work (which are similar to the monitor i'm going to use).  It's 19" 4:3 and 20" wide and it's no more than 18.5" in width.  I might have to make it 18" wide.  Guess I better get some cardboard/paper and make some templates.  Thanks for all the info.  The site on where to get the parts really help.   
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: jdbailey1206 on November 21, 2012, 09:18:42 am
Hey Devil. 

Beautiful graphics.   Just wondering if we could get an internal shot of how you wired your monitor power to the psu.  This has been my biggest hurdle and I would appreciate the help.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on November 21, 2012, 09:59:28 am
Hey Devil. 

Beautiful graphics.   Just wondering if we could get an internal shot of how you wired your monitor power to the psu.  This has been my biggest hurdle and I would appreciate the help.

Thank you for the kind words. The artwork took me a while in Photoshop but once I got the hang of it, the work wasn't so bad. I really suggest that people make the artwork their own because its the first thing people notice.

On the PSU, I had the EXACT same problem and it drove me nuts. I ended up getting a Y-split power cable and had a separate power cord go into the monitor and PSU. I found something cheap like  this.  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002GRQR2/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00)

I'm at work but can try to remember a picture if I get around to it. The way I used was very simple and worked out well for me.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: Eldritch1969 on November 21, 2012, 10:03:37 am
This is a particularly nice variation on the weecade clone.
The artwork is especially good, looks like abstarct painting !  :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: StrikeOne33 on February 15, 2013, 11:38:37 am
Your project came out awesome!... Do you have any more pictures or video, the video you posted wont play for me for some reason.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: EvilGreenDevil on February 15, 2013, 11:41:58 am
I've been meaning to update with pictures and video. This post was the reminder I needed. I may do that this weekend

EDIT: In the meantime I did stream live from twitch a week or so ago about an hour of me playing. The archived video is available at twitch.com/evilgreendevil (http://twitch.com/evilgreendevil)
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: StrikeOne33 on February 19, 2013, 10:36:57 pm
That link doesn't work for me but the other one does... Do you have any completed pics to post?  I'm thinking of starting my a bartop build soon and I love how yours came out.
Title: Re: Bartop/Weecade Clone - COMPLETE (6/8/12)
Post by: e78990 on March 05, 2013, 11:14:32 am
EvilGreenDevil

Love the 6 buttons, 2 player setup.
did you use the standard weecade plans/dimensions?

I m possibly looking to do this on a Control panel which dimensions are: 17.72" X 6.19"
They say that two players six buttons is crammed. What do you think?