Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: dstone on August 11, 2009, 11:57:07 pm

Title: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: dstone on August 11, 2009, 11:57:07 pm
Just thought I'd share a project I finished up. A local arcade was throwing out a pinball machine that had been stripped down (nothing left but the playfield, a few solenoids, and a transformer in the box); I picked it up and used the playfield as a centerpiece for a coffee table. Work log is here (http://forum.okcoin-op.com/index.php?topic=1113.0).

(http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/glass3s.JPG) (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/glass3.JPG)    (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/powers.JPG) (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/power.JPG)

(http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final1s.JPG) (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final1.JPG)  (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final2s.JPG) (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final2.JPG)  (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final3s.JPG) (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final3.JPG)

This has been quite a fun project stretched over a two year period (there were a few months when no progress was made while I focused on school). It's been quite enjoyable and extremely educational.
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: HaRuMaN on August 12, 2009, 09:07:01 am
Wow.  Cool idea.  I like that a lot....   :cheers:
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: Queeg on August 12, 2009, 11:30:10 am
Very nice, I like the fact that you used the original coffee table glass as the overlay instead of plexi or something else.
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: drventure on August 12, 2009, 12:42:18 pm
Very cool idea.

Does it actually play or is it just for the effect?

Either way, it's a very nice build! Great job!

I've been wanting to do something similar with a big LCD and make it a playable virtual pinball coffee table, but that's a whole other project...
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: severdhed on August 12, 2009, 01:36:12 pm
very awesome :applaud:
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: newman25 on August 12, 2009, 05:18:40 pm
That is very cool.  I bet it is a great conversation piece too. 
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: dstone on August 12, 2009, 05:31:23 pm
Thanks, everyone. It does make a great conversation piece, either about the gaming aspect or the woodworking aspect of it. The table is completely non-playable, it only lights up (I've been amazed at how often that question comes up; it would be rather cool, though). All the circuit boards were gone (all the glass as well) and some of the solenoids had quite a bit of damage from years of wear. The body and head were still in decent shape, however the cost to acquire all the missing parts would have been substantially more than if I were to purchase a nice working Firepower outright.

I used a Plexi top on the cocktail MAME machine I built, got scratched up rather quickly and knew I would have to use glass for anything else that I did. I did, however, use Plexi on the bottom so the lights create a nice soft glow on the lower shelf.

I suppose I should add that all the small photos are click-able to enlarge, however my web uplink is a bit slow and can sometimes be a bit unstable.
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: Angry_Radish on August 14, 2009, 08:12:06 am
That looks great!
I'm planning on doing a wall box similar to what you did with a table, now I'm wondering if I shouldn't build a table instead  ;D


(http://radishville.com/arcade/blackrose/blackrose1.jpg)

Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: bleargh on August 14, 2009, 08:04:47 pm
Ok, that's a freakin awesome idea....
/me now goes to look around and see if he can find a playfield anywhere within 100km...
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: Shortbus on October 04, 2009, 10:52:05 am
that is very awesome and unique. I like it alot, especially at night, gives the room a warm feeling, like christmas, always.

I wish I had an arcade that was throwing anything out......I'll take it.
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: ammitz on October 04, 2009, 04:21:30 pm
very nice build
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: Ryglore on October 19, 2009, 11:28:16 am
Oh wow. that looks amazing! I swear the things on this site never cease to amaze me.  :applaud:  :cheers:
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: spOOf on October 28, 2009, 11:10:44 am
This would also be a great idea for a bartop...  :cheers:
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: BamBam on November 01, 2009, 09:28:54 am
Quite possibly one of the best woodworking projects I have seen.
Excellent work.  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: BamBam on November 01, 2009, 09:30:43 am
That looks great!
I'm planning on doing a wall box similar to what you did with a table, now I'm wondering if I shouldn't build a table instead  ;D


(http://radishville.com/arcade/blackrose/blackrose1.jpg)



The window box for that table would look awesome, especially if she was lit up.  Courier it up to Canada.  I am sure I have room in the family room for it.
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: Trebeck on November 05, 2009, 05:56:48 pm
Wow I am really impressed with this idea.  I may have to put my jukebox on hold......

 :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: ChadTower on November 06, 2009, 03:10:44 pm

A Black Rose playfield that doesn't have cannon wear all the way into the wood should find a home in a real machine... not many of those around.   :)
Title: Re: Pinball Coffee Table
Post by: Angry_Radish on November 06, 2009, 10:51:59 pm
It looks great in that pic, not up close  ;D

The host cabinet was outdoors for a bit:

(http://forums.arcade-museum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11958&stc=1&d=1251055001)

That being said, I stripped the playfield saving the ramps, and all other parts, the playfield is on a shelf next to a poor condition stripped STTNG playfield that was out in the same conditions, need one?  ;D