Bartop - "NEONCADE"

[firedance]

Hi all,

I'm From the UK, been reading this excellent forum for a while, thought it was about time to join in the fun 

Just getting the parts and plans together stage so far, no pictures as yet.

parts list so far 

HP D530 SFF 3.0ghz - 2GB DDR - 160 IDE HD - Windows XP PRO with COA - got from ebay for £29.99 including del  ( had this for a while as a test bed pc)
AGP 6200 gfx card - from my "parts box"
Dell 19" 4:3 monitor - ebay £35 free del 

2 cheapo ball top "ZIPPYY" joysticks + 14 buttons (cheapish ones) + 1+2 player buttons - ebay £27 inc del
(not sure whether to go for a ipac or similar or a cheap joypad hack to hook up the controls)

120mm exhaust fan (blue led's) - ebay £2.50 inc del
fan grill - a unused disposable bbq grill,cut to size - 99p local shop ( the charcoal will be re-used on a proper bbq in the summer  )

speakers - not sure yet

12mm MDF - local diy shop £10 + £2 to cut to the sizes i need (except the sides), once i know how big i need lol

going for something like this as a rough guide for my bartop -




going to look into hyperspin for the FE 

my aim is to do the complete bartop for less than £150 (UK), don't we all love a bargain 

That's about it for now, it may take a while post an update, you have been warned 

Cheers

Firedance

[Woodshop Flunky]

I like your design... reminds me of the old TRS-80 computer from my high school!

[Le Chuck]

I've checked out those plans in the past, you'll have a lot of fun.  I recommend extending the sides up enough to give you a marquee.  It really helps the project look like a cohesive unit. 

[firedance]

I like your design... reminds me of the old TRS-80 computer from my high school!

can't take credit for the plans as i found them on here -

http://bartoparcade.katorlegaz.com/

[firedance]

I've checked out those plans in the past, you'll have a lot of fun.  I recommend extending the sides up enough to give you a marquee.  It really helps the project look like a cohesive unit.  

Exactly my thoughts about the marquee, got some thoughts running round my head, will have to get them on paper  

[firedance]

Just a quick update pictures of the parts i have so far  

Should be able to use almost all the parts in the pc (including psu, usb front panel etc)

looking at the joystick picture, i've realised the shafts are a little on the short side     will have to look at different mounting options.

the psu as a side exhaust so i will need to use some more of the bbq grill for that  

[Johns Uncle]

looking good ! going to be making a bartop in the near furture so will be watching with interest, you decided on a theme/ artwork ?

[firedance]

was going for a classic retro look but now leaning more towards some sort of cross between sega astro city/vewlix but in a bartop stylee 

[sonia]

I like the idea to make it.. I am so interested in same field, I need your help in same field...
Your quick answer would be appreciated..

[stuckpixel]

Have you tried the ZIPPY sticks before? They any good?

[firedance]

Wow, as it really been this long..........................

Real life and just being plain busy set my build back, well a while 

changes have been made to the PC hardware and controls 

will post again when i have pictures to share..........................................famous last words lol

[firedance]

Hi All,

My 'new' pc, well a used n dusty HP DC5800 core 2 duo (3.0ghz) SFF, 2gb ram, 500GB HD, DVD writer and Multi card reader all for £31 delivered  , at least with this setup "dead or alive" and similar 3D games on mame play spot on now

The GFX card is a ATI HD6450 1GB that i had in my parts box.

and to prove i'm really going for it this time, cut the MDF as well  , will get some plans up when i can work them out from my scuffy doodles lol

Looking around for a joypad encoder i got a bargain again from ebay, 2 joysticks, 16 buttons, 4 smaller buttons, all in white plus 2 "zero delay" encoders and wiring for £21.04 coming from china , should hopefully be here shortly , did have the parts i posted previously but couldn't resist it for the price.

 

[firedance]

Oh the 8' x 4' mdf sheet was a slight 'second', scruffy looking and a damaged corner for £3 from my local diy shop, just enough for 1 bartop and spares if needed or 2 bartops if I'm careful 

[firedance]

Trying to keep costs down so a bit of a impulse buy - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0065RZG88/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

will have to router out a recess as the 12mm MDF is the full length of the threads,oops.

[firedance]

Finally my package from China is here in the UK and out for delivery, will post pictures when it comes

[firedance]

Didn't take a picture of all the parts, they all work great for "sanwa" clones

was going to cut the sides today but er it's a little damp outside 

[firedance]

Just a small update, borrowed a drill press from a friend, used 25mm and 30mm Forstner bits, mine from a case of 5 different sizes, got them a while back but never used them till now

surprised myself how good the bits were, used a template from slagcoin.com, dont we all 

CP size is 495mm x 218mm x 12mm.

So it begins at last.................

[firedance]

Wow, didn't realise it had been 2 months since i last did a little work on it 

got most of the parts routed to size, only took pictures of the side, which measures approx 440x540mm, the entire width will be about 530mm

outside edges were routed at a 45 degree angle, first time i've used the router for this, turned out better than i expected.

[firedance]

This is being worked on as i type...........................honest 

[JDFan]

This is being worked on as i type...........................honest 

HAve you test fit the joysticks yet -- ( looks to be very little depth in the CPO to fit them )

[firedance]

Yeah they fit fine, although I did have to drill a small recess for each shaft, it was that or rebate the joystick mounting plates so I took the easier option

[JDFan]

Yeah they fit fine, although I did have to drill a small recess for each shaft, it was that or rebate the joystick mounting plates so I took the easier option

Good - was a bit worried as I had run into the same sort of issue when building my robotron bartop the Happ competition joysticks fit but wouldn't move so had to remove about a 1/4" of the 1/2" MDF under them - and even though the zippys are a bit smaller it still looked like a tight fit from the pic !

[firedance]

Glad it wasn't just me that encounted this er little oversight

[firedance]

A couple more pictures 

the holes on the top are for the usb speakers i have, might be installing a exhaust fan between the two, not sure yet.

used "inset hinges" so the rear door will sit flush.

the small hole to the right on the rear is for the power on switch, will grab a pic later 

the rear rebate of the bezel i did free hand hence the slight over run 

[firedance]

Here's the Blue LED power switch, £1.29 shipped from china

[mvolke1]

You're off to a nice start!

[Nephasth]

Longest. Bartop. Build. Ever.

[firedance]

Agreed, its been sitting around for a while but this time it's truly happening 

[firedance]

After a quick sand with 240 grit, it's now primed (cheap small tin of wood primer from my local poundshop or "dollar tree" perhaps)

can also see the 2 recesses i drilled with a forstner bit, i know one is slightly higher but no one will see them 

Yes, should have cut the hole for the top exhaust fan before priming, easy enough to sort when finally decided what size fan and where it's going, if i didn't prime now it might be another year before i did 

[firedance]

Just a quick update the PC components (bar the monitor and speakers) are in and working 

will post a picture when i tidy up the wiring 

[firedance]

Sorted most wires still need to sort out the speakers and top mounted fan, getting there 

had to mod the PSU as it only came with 3 sata and 1 floppy connection but needed molex for the fans, cut off the floppy end,  used a old 3 molex connection off a dead PSU,soldered and heat shrunk, knew they would come in handy some day 

fitted my led power switch, again modded the OEM cable, made an error as i forgot to put on the locking nut for the switch before soldering, nothing a little hot glue can't fix 

found a old fire guard in a skip, ideal to use for the mesh to protect the fan and speakers   

the banding that holds the CPU fan/speakers/SSD and plug strip is -

http://www.screwfix.com/p/galvanised-band-12mm-x-10m/18298?kpid=18298&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Electrical-_-Shopping%20-%20Electrical&gclid=CNqIn6y-1scCFU-NGwodeJQAXA&kpid=18298

got loads left, very useful stuff and pretty cheap.


Done more in the last few days than i have in the last few years lol

[firedance]

To mount the motherboard i cut out the tray from the bottom of the SFF pc,screwed that to the mdf then screwed on the motherboard, simply job and saved time

also cut out the OEM serial key then recycled the rest 

[firedance]

Wired up the control panel 

firstly, it was wrapped in some cheapo (£1.49) wrap from Lidl  , got a slight texture to it,will see how it wears.

tidied up the wires as i was going, made a slight error as the button that will be P2 start is a little stretched see middle picture, still works

Used 1"x1" softwood to support the panel, used some Type D insert nuts and M4 countersunk machine screws,like these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M4-Countersunk-CSK-Head-Allen-Socket-Screws-High-Tensile-BLACK-Pack-of-20-/400258269297?var=670017656776&hash=item5d31408071 to secure it, may need to add one to the bottom middle as there is some flex 

Just the monitor surround and marquee,got some ideas, will try a few out   

[Serge]

What is the name of the small white plastic piece and where can I buy these, as seen on this picture



Very nice Arcade!! I am very jealous!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Picture link fixed.

That's called a European Style Hinge.

DeLuSioNaL29

[Serge]

I was talking about the white plastic rectangle, not the metal fixing, sorry for the confusing.

[HaRuMaN]

Fixing block

[mvolke1]

Wired up the control panel 

firstly, it was wrapped in some cheapo (£1.49) wrap from Lidl  , got a slight texture to it,will see how it wears.

tidied up the wires as i was going, made a slight error as the button that will be P2 start is a little stretched see middle picture, still works

Used 1"x1" softwood to support the panel, used some Type D insert nuts and M4 countersunk machine screws,like these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M4-Countersunk-CSK-Head-Allen-Socket-Screws-High-Tensile-BLACK-Pack-of-20-/400258269297?var=670017656776&hash=item5d31408071 to secure it, may need to add one to the bottom middle as there is some flex 

Just the monitor surround and marquee,got some ideas, will try a few out   

I really like the white controls on the black CP. Looking good. 

[firedance]

Wired up the control panel 

firstly, it was wrapped in some cheapo (£1.49) wrap from Lidl  , got a slight texture to it,will see how it wears.

tidied up the wires as i was going, made a slight error as the button that will be P2 start is a little stretched see middle picture, still works

Used 1"x1" softwood to support the panel, used some Type D insert nuts and M4 countersunk machine screws,like these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M4-Countersunk-CSK-Head-Allen-Socket-Screws-High-Tensile-BLACK-Pack-of-20-/400258269297?var=670017656776&hash=item5d31408071 to secure it, may need to add one to the bottom middle as there is some flex 

Just the monitor surround and marquee,got some ideas, will try a few out   

I really like the white controls on the black CP. Looking good. 

Thanks, it's finally taking shape

[firedance]

What is the name of the small white plastic piece and where can I buy these, as seen on this picture



Very nice Arcade!! I am very jealous!

if in the UK -

http://www.screwfix.com/p/white-assembly-joint-pack-of-10/25399?kpid=25399&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Fixings%20and%20Fasteners-_-Shopping%20-%20Fixings%20and%20Fasteners&gclid=CPjRv5-U3scCFQjlwgodqwwFQw&kpid=25399

http://www.amazon.co.uk/plastic-cupboard-fixing-modesty-blocks/dp/B00519D1NI

not sure about other countries tho.