Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: stephenp1983 on January 04, 2009, 09:52:03 pm
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Nothing really spectacular like a lot of builds here, but I think its coming together nicely. This is a CNC'd bartop I purchased from Cronin (http://www.ccarcades.com/). It was the same price as Mameroom's bartop kit, but I liked this design more and it gave me the option to chose a color other than black. Here's what I have so far:
1 - u360 balltop
8 - ultralux buttons, clear with white insert and blue led
1 - pac drive for the led's
1 - 2 1/4 blue translucent happs trackball
17 inch lcdsmall form factor P4 pc.
What's left -
1. Choose a theme :)
2. Mount the USB speakers and purchase grill covers
3. Setup the PC
4. Get some plexi cut and measure for a bezel
5. Order some fans and fan covers for air flow
6. Get a new back cut that is more sturdy.
I think the white inserts with the white tmolding really turned out nice. The blue led's which I'll show later look good as well:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00385.jpg)
Here is a shot at the wiring, again pretty messy but it works. This is my first time wiring an intereface board (pac drive) so I'm just happy its working correctly:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00380.jpg)
Another picture of the front:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00383.jpg)
Picture of the side:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00382.jpg)
Another close up of the monitor to the side:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00387.jpg)
View of the monitor:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00386.jpg)
Back view:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00381.jpg)
Closeup of the control panel:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00384.jpg)
Other thoughts:
I am debating on whether to place a tt2 spinner where the third button on the top is located. I am using the u360 button harness, and forgot it only supported 8 buttons, so that one really isn't functioning right now. I am afraid the spinner will be too close to the monitor, but haven't decided yet.
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Really nice and sleek. Can't wait to see it finished.
What are the specs of the PC that you're using?
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I haven't decided on the pc yet. Its either going to be a small form face dell optiplex gx240 which has an older p4 1.8ghz processor and 512 ram or a slightly newer decased HP p4. I'll probably go with the dell as it fits rather nicely.
Atleast I got one comment after 123 views :)
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Ok, maybe some people can give their options on a couple of things:
1. Does anyone think there will be enough spacing for a spinner where the center top button currently is? I'm afraid when I put the plexi in, it will be too close to be functionable.
2. Does anyone know if Lowes or some place similar will cut a custom peice of wood for me. I'd like to just get a 18x18 inch piece of 5/8 mdf cut for the back. I'd rather not buy an entire sheet for just a small piece.
Oh also I order http://www.nicemite.com/LightmiteTB/images/complete2.JPG today in order to light the trackball. Should plug into the pac drive without an issue.
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Looks like it may be a little tight in there for a spinner. Depends on the size of the knob I suppose. I'd go ahead and try it. If it doesn't work you can always use it on another project.
I'm not sure about Lowes, but Home Depot and Menards sell pre-cut pieces of ply and mdf and particle board ect.. in 24"x24" pieces. Fairly cheaply too. I've made a couple bartops out of this stuff alone. Since it's the back you can use cheaper material seeings as no one will be looking at it. I think they even sell pine in precut sizes also. Glued up to make larger widths. Try looking over in the shelving area.
By the way fine looking cab. Sorry I didn't say earlier, but I have been following the thread :P
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Thanks IG, I think I found what I need at Home depot, and a buddy of mine at work has agreed to cut the piece to the size I need.
Small update: Thought I'd add some pictures/video of the led's in action. It hard to see them with the still shots, but you get the idea. The video is using gameex led plugin:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00392.jpg)
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/DSC00390.jpg)
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/lights.flv">
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You could fit a turbo2 spinner from groovy game gear in there for sure!
I have a spinner, but I rarely use it...
I love the colors scheme!!! To bad you could recess the mounting plate for the trackball and cover it with the reset of the laminate.
Great look!! Can't wait for updates
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I'd be really interested to see how the PC fits inside :D
Pics when you're finished please? :notworthy:
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You could fit a turbo2 spinner from groovy game gear in there for sure!
I have a spinner, but I rarely use it...
I love the colors scheme!!! To bad you could recess the mounting plate for the trackball and cover it with the reset of the laminate.
Great look!! Can't wait for updates
I'm sure I could get the spinner in there, I'm just afraid it would be to close to the plexi covering the monitor. It would have been nice to hide the track plate, but with it being premade it wasn't an option.
Here are some new pictures, not much progress, as I'm redoing my main arcade machine atm. The pc fits nicely, but there doesn't seem to be a way to wire a button to the motherboard for powering it on. Its got some sort of proprietary dell component going on. The power buttons connects through a couple of smaller boards and a small ribbon cable.
I plan on using this small opening to reach in and power the system on. It was meant for a fan, but this seems to be the best option for powering the system on. I will cover the hole with some sort of fan grill that will still allow me to hit the button:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/IMG_0075.jpg)
Here is a picture of the pc. It's an older dell P4 small form factor:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/IMG_0074.jpg)
I replaced the peg board back with a 5/8 inch mdf sheet. I primed and painted it with a roller brush. I think it turned out nicely and gives more support than the thin board it came with:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j81/stephenp1983/blue%20bartop/IMG_0073.jpg)