Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 20, 2005, 04:31:40 pm

Title: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 20, 2005, 04:31:40 pm
I put this cocktail cabinet together over the weekend, using all scrap (except for the Lucite top and inkjet graphics, both of which were cheap):

(http://www.geocities.com/weedzie1/mame/cocktail.jpg)

Everything else - the wood, T-molding, coin door, controls, 17" monitor, even the yellow paint - were all stuff I had lying around.  The computer inside is a 100mhz 486 / 48mb RAM running Vantage under DOS.  No problems running any of the "classic" games I have put on it so far.

Scott at Mamemarquees.com is printing some CPO's for me.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: dfmaverick on September 20, 2005, 05:01:01 pm
 :o

Over the weekend, huh? I am very impressed. I wish I was that dedicated...or that lucky to have so many of the materials lying around.

Good use of an old 486. I have mine set up to run Vantage also in dos. Works like a charm. I've had my arcade(planned on a mini Space Invaders for the nephews) on the backburner since last winter. I put off building back then because of winter and my living in a townhouse. Now summer's almost gone and I haven't done a lick...although, I've become more active on the planning of it (finally got plans drawn up for the cabinet).

Congrats on another nice cabinet. Cocktails are nice. Easy to hide as an end table with some fabric for that significant other that is not so into a cabinet displayed in the middle of the living room.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: javeryh on September 20, 2005, 05:37:00 pm
Wow.  Over the weekend?  It has taken me almost a year to get almost 1/2 way done!  Nice work.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: chopps on September 20, 2005, 07:59:57 pm
Does the 17" monitor seem big enuff?? Ive been thinking of building a similar cocktail.

Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: paigeoliver on September 20, 2005, 09:55:27 pm
Might I make one slight finishing suggestion that won't cost anything but will improve the look.

Take the monitor back out, take the plastic case off of it.

Paint the plastic case black.

Put the plastic case back on the monitor.

Put the monitor back in the machine.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 20, 2005, 11:18:57 pm
Does the 17" monitor seem big enuff?? Ive been thinking of building a similar cocktail.



The 17" is fine for vert games, which is all I will be playing on this cab.
Might I make one slight finishing suggestion that won't cost anything but will improve the look.

Take the monitor back out, take the plastic case off of it.

Paint the plastic case black.

Put the plastic case back on the monitor.

Put the monitor back in the machine.

Yes, I do that with all my machines.  It isn't completely done, I still need to put casters on the bottom as well as add the CP's.  Also I will eventually put some real vinyl graphics, the ones one there now are temporary.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: CheffoJeffo on September 21, 2005, 07:18:13 am
Everything else - the wood, T-molding, coin door, controls, 17" monitor, even the yellow paint - were all stuff I had lying around. 

Gotta respect a man who has Pac Man Orange t-mold lying around ...

Nicely done.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 21, 2005, 10:33:15 am
Everything else - the wood, T-molding, coin door, controls, 17" monitor, even the yellow paint - were all stuff I had lying around.

Gotta respect a man who has Pac Man Orange t-mold lying around ...

Nicely done.

Cheers.

I also have some Galaxian Green here ;)

I actually didn't have enough, there is no t-mold on the other side of the cab.  I need to order some more I guess.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Sinner on September 21, 2005, 10:42:58 am
Do you have some pictures of the build process?
Did you use plans, or did you make it up as you went along?
If you used plans, are they your own??

I love this project...good job...
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: traknfieldSUPAstar on September 21, 2005, 10:58:12 am
ONE WEEKEND!!!
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Grasshopper on September 21, 2005, 11:12:44 am
Looks great.

But one weekend! It would take me that long to decide what colour to paint it.

Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: dmsuchy on September 21, 2005, 12:30:59 pm
How bout some dimensions?
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 21, 2005, 01:51:57 pm
Sorry, I was in "get 'er done" mode, so I didn't take any photos of the build.  Also, I built the cab over the weekend, but it was planned out in advance.  Earlier this year when it was too cold and wet outside I had a lot of free time so I drew up some plans in CAD for several different cabs.

The design is a very simple one that I came up with, very loosely inspired by photos I found on the internet of old Midway tables.  Basically it consists of a box, 19" wide, 22" long, and 30" high.  The top measures 24" x 32", and the control panels are 12" wide x 5" deep.

Keep in mind that I have always enjoyed building stuff as a hobby for the past 15+ years, and also I have a good arsenal of tools (and the knowledge of how to properly use them), so that helps speed things up tremendously.

Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: currygoat11 on September 21, 2005, 02:57:49 pm
That's a real nice looking cab.   I love the t-molding against the yellow.  Looks sweet.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: traknfieldSUPAstar on September 21, 2005, 03:04:50 pm
just curious but what tools did you use in building it?
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 21, 2005, 03:32:31 pm
just curious but what tools did you use in building it?
I didn't need anything real special for putting this one together.  I have a big table saw for cutting all the main pieces, a scroll saw for making all the curved cuts, router w/ slot cutter for all the t-mold, various hole saws for the buttons & etc, a drill press and hand drill and various sized bits for pilot holes and countersinking, etc., power sanders, an air finish nailer for tacking pieces together until I could glue and screw everything, paint sprayers, hand tools including chisels, screwdrivers, putty knives, and razor blades, also I used a lot of adhesive and masking tape.  I'm sure that I'm forgetting something, though.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: javeryh on September 21, 2005, 03:48:28 pm
just curious but what tools did you use in building it?
I didn't need anything real special for putting this one together.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 21, 2005, 04:21:10 pm
Awesome.  I'm putting together a wood shop right now - I'd love to see some pictures of yours.
No, you wouldn't.  It is an absolute mess, all the time.  Think of all the recent photos that you've seen of the hurricane Katrina destruction...that's what my little shop looks like.  If I ever clean it up (which I am supposed to do tonight) I'll post some photos.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: GameOver on September 21, 2005, 06:09:56 pm
Nice job, Bubblehead!   :)
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: Mr. Bubblehead on September 22, 2005, 04:35:34 pm
One cool thing I forgot to mention about the cab...the location of the speakers.  Each of the control panels has one hidden in the bottom of it, I thought that it gave the cabinet a "cleaner" look.

As some of you already know, I am building cabinets on the side for extra $$$.  I have decided to offer these on ebay, since the build time is quick and the cocktail market is on the upswing right now.
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: aumameman on September 27, 2005, 07:35:02 am
love the cab
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: missioncontrol on September 28, 2005, 02:23:01 pm
over the weekend!!!

man your making me feel like a slacker  :(

looks good
Title: Re: Weekend cocktail project
Post by: nullb0y on September 28, 2005, 07:14:36 pm
decent job especially for a weekend fix ;)
my cabs still not done its been years in the planing and months in the building but then again i am trying to cram controls for EVERYTHING into a golf game lol ^_^