"A Barrel of Kong" - A Bar Height themed Cocktail Cab [FINISHED]

[griffindodd]

A Barrel of Kong - A bar-height themed Cocktail Cab

Concept Art


Finished Cab




Barrel Top Art


"The Cab"


I figured I'd do a little side project along with the other two more involved builds that I have going on. This one is an exercise in profitability and the question "Can you really make any money doing this?"

Every time friends or family see my builds they always say the same thing "Oh you should make these and sell them", to which my answer is always the same "It's just not worth the man hours for what I could charge". With that being said there are people quite successfully making bar tops and selling them on a regular basis, and, I assume, turning a profit of some kind.

So, I thought I'd have a go at a 'Build-to-sell' project, trying to maximize the value of the finished product while keeping a very tight record of all of my costs and time to see how practical it is to build for profit. The goal is to build something fun and desirable to a decent standard, while keeping costs and man-hours to a minimum.

To clarify, this is to see if someone who builds on a regular basis can knock out a small profitable project in the interest of raising some extra bucks for their hobby.

Target Sale Price: $1,500

For legal reasons, I will be building a cabinet that is completely ready to play vertical games and has an industry standard Jamma interface to receive any game board that is compatible with that plug and controls layout. 

Costs so far
Used Oak Wine Barrel - $87.00
17" 4:3 Monitor - $25.00 (Craigslist)
Craftymech SLG Scanline generator - $23
Power Strip - $6
Amplifier - $19
Power Socket - $5
4x PCB Feet - $2
Power Supply - $18
2x long shaft zippy sticks - $16
Jamma Wiring Harness - $10
4x Regular Buttons& Switch - $4
3x Player Start Buttons - $3
Speakers - $15
1/2" Bevelled Glass - $84.00
Laminated Control Panel art - $38
Bezel Artwork - $22
Paint - $6
Stain - $13
Shipping to date  - $19.00

Total Build Cost - $415

Hours Spent Total - Approx 20 hours
Sourcing/Ordering Parts - 2 Hours
Vector Artwork Barrel Top - 1 Hour
Wood cut templates - 1.5 hours
Build in general - 15 hours

[dandro]

awesome!! will you be leaving this natural or doing some sort of coating on it? poly, etc? I would also add, that being my garage is my man cave, I would choose this over any other cocktail cab, just by it being the barrel, good idea!

[jmike]

One name comes to mind CoryB, he's selling bartops left and right.

I think if you're building to sell, you might want to have someone who's really going to commit to buying it first. Just cause they might want a specific layout or artwork or even types of controls.

 

[griffindodd]

awesome!! will you be leaving this natural or doing some sort of coating on it? poly, etc? I would also add, that being my garage is my man cave, I would choose this over any other cocktail cab, just by it being the barrel, good idea!

Yep I'm going to poly this to make it darker and give it some more gloss and durability. I figured using the barrel would make the cab way more interesting and desirable for a man cave, home bar etc and hopefully increase it's selling price.

[griffindodd]

I think if you're building to sell, you might want to have someone who's really going to commit to buying it first. Just cause they might want a specific layout or artwork or even types of controls.

That is good business strategy, but unfortunately something I would never be able to tolerate, I'm going to have to stick with the faith that 'If you build it, they will buy' 

[JDFan]

I know you mentioned the $0 cost for some items not being accurate but doing it that way will come back to bite you if\when you decide to actually build more to sell -- If this is truly a test build to see if it can be done profitably I'd suggest pricing everything (this includes all the screws\wiring\tool bits that wear out\ etc.) and ordering new parts for everything used in the build to also get an accurate estimate. Gathering all of the needed supplies can add several hours to the build time (esp. if trying to source lower cost product rather than just using on hand inventory) Plus using on hand inventory fails to include shipping cost on those items which for things like monitors\buttons\wood panels\encoders\etc. can add substantial costs (sometimes even more than the parts themselves) -- and failing to figure in wear and tear and maintenance costs in on the tools can also turn a small profit into a loss once a tool(s) need to be replaced if that cost isn't included. (router bits\saw blades\etc. aren't free to replace or sharpen and need to be accounted for in the costs as well)

At a minimum if using on hand inventory at least include a replacement cost for those items including shipping so that you get a better idea of what the actual build cost would be and add in a % or flat cost for tool depriciation\replacement. It is often very easy to underestimate the little costs like consumables (ie. screws\drill bits\wiring\solder\glue\paint\sandpaper\etc.) and turn what you think is a small profit into an actual loss on the projects when you fail to properly price the item because you forgot some off the build costs !

[griffindodd]

Hi JDFan, I absolutely agree with everything you say above. The thing I do know is that I will never build cabs for an ongoing business model, but if I were to, I would have to take into account  everything you have covered here. This is more of an experiment in how a hobbyist can make some extra bucks to fund his other builds by throwing out the odd 'money-maker' now and again.

[dandro]

I think you would be doing okay if it's better than this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/vgm/3691965752.html

[griffindodd]

Ouch, that made my eyes hurt

[JDFan]

Hi JDFan, I absolutely agree with everything you say above. The thing I do know is that I will never build cabs for an ongoing business model, but if I were to, I would have to take into account  everything you have covered here. This is more of an experiment in how a hobbyist can make some extra bucks to fund his other builds by throwing out the odd 'money-maker' now and again.

Ahh - ok then just didn't want you to forget those costs if you were going to try to make a go at doing this for a side business, as it is easy to do a test case like this using up a bunch of on hand inventory and then start to think you made a good profit because you forgot to add in all of those costs only to start trying to do several and finding out your actually doing it at a loss or barely breaking even when the inventory is depleted.

[JDFan]

I think you would be doing okay if it's better than this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/vgm/3691965752.html

Thought that looked familiar --- http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128796.0.html 

Quess he was happy enough with his first build to try and sell it right after completion !

[Richie_jones]

Ive toyed with yhe idea of making bartops also to fund my addiction. But like you say if you worked out how many man hours you put into a build its just not worth it...but maybe on my next build I may make more than one at a time. So instead of cutting 2 sides id be cutting say 6 or 8.  This would definately cut down on the man hours...
Its also a problem not being able to put any front ends on the cabs.  I think the huge vastness of say hyperspin is really what impresses people, but sadly its not really fair to be selling systems with major front ends installed...ok for friends and family in my book but not for joe public...
Great idea by the way wish you luck with your sales.

[dandro]

I think you would be doing okay if it's better than this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/vgm/3691965752.html

Thought that looked familiar --- http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128796.0.html 

Quess he was happy enough with his first build to try and sell it right after completion !

Yup, I am not poo-poo'ing his work, I just see the quality and detail Griff puts into his work, I think there is money to be made if the quality is there.

[jmike]

I need to find a barrel ASAP!   


Griff you are insane buddy.

 

[dandro]

I always wonder about the aspect of maintenance.. once the cab leaves your premises, is it "as-is" or are you fielding emails/phone calls for tech support, etc... Sort of like in-laws and computers, they ask that I install their new printer, okay easy enough. BAM, printer installed, two weeks later the hard drive dies.."whatever you did to our computer, you killed it!!!!" uh,...... LOL

[griffindodd]

i dont think I'd ever sell a cab with a full computer in it, better to stick to simple Jamma boards

[griffindodd]

Concept art up for fun, I'm not charging any hours to this as it's not needed for the build, I just like to mock-up my ideas so others can see what's in my head too. 

[Typefighter01]

Dammit, dammit, dammit Why does Griff keep coming up with all the good ideas Talk about an obvious choice, you are one smart cookie my good man

[griffindodd]

Dammit, dammit, dammit Why does Griff keep coming up with all the good ideas Talk about an obvious choice, you are one smart cookie my good man

Lol thanks man, I was standing around in a brewery with my wife where they were using barrels as tables and for some reason I just thought about the Little Ms Pac-Man build I was currently in the middle of, then all the links started firing off.... Barrels....tables.....arcade...cocktail.... ZOMG DONKEY KONG IN A BARREL COCKTAIL CAB!!!!! Lol it's funny where ideas pop out from.

[Le Chuck]

I like it.  You'll make a mint.  Maybe that mint will be a lot of money, maybe it will be a delicious after dinner mint.  Either way should be a lot of fun.  One might even say it will be more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  Mwa ha ha, just don't let the buyer get you over a...barrel.  Bwah, mwah, ha ha, please I've barrel-ly just begun!

Ok I'll stop.

I hope this build barrels along.

HAA!

okay, really sorry.

I can't help it, it's like shooting fish in a barrel!

[griffindodd]

 

[yotsuya]

Looks like Chuck picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

[PL1]

If we show a little cooperation, we can stave off the tuns of bungholes who want to declare oh-pun season.   


Scott

[griffindodd]

Lol you guys are such dorks

[CoryBee]

I always wonder about the aspect of maintenance..

I let them know that it if they drop it or break something physically on it, mess with the internals I would charge them to fix it. If it was an issue with windows or a shotty solder job on one of the buttons they would have a warranty of sorts for it.

Only had one guy come back to get something fixed, turned out just to be an issue with the laptop power supply. Needed a higher amp rating, after a few hours on of gaming non-stop on N64 it would shut off. New power brick cured it up.

Loving the barrel Idea, like others wish I had thought of that. I know exactly where I could get a barrel like that too.... Can't wait!

 

[rablack97]

Looks like Chuck picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

[wp34]

Awesome idea.   Another thing that I like is the footprint is actually smaller than a cocktail cabinet. 

[rablack97]

yeah, add to small taps on the side and you have an Arkegorator.....

I'll be damned Chuck's wearing a dress.....

[matsadona]

Finally some new ideas here in the vast volumes of american x-arcade franken cabinets and Weecade clones Great job!

And definitely something I would like to clone

[Seith]

Great idea Griff!  You're on fire on these boards with your crazy ideas! 

[Le Chuck]

yeah, add to small taps on the side and you have an Arkegorator.....

I'll be damned Chuck's wearing a dress.....

Pai Chuck will snatch out your eye!

[griffindodd]

Hoping to get some hours in on this over the weekend.

Tried and tested technique for me, outlines built in illustrator printed out for $5 at FedEx on the plotter and then stuck down for cutting with a jigsaw.


All the pieces arrived quick from dirt cheap trading co and Amazon.


Using a 'free' 17" Dell 4:3 from work, being IT has its perks. I think it would be fair to say you can get these all day long for $20 on CL

[Typefighter01]

Hey Griff,

Be very carefull with that Polyshades concocktion (I spelt that wrong...anyway)...it is not very forgiving. Make sure you do some testing to see if you can get the results you are looking for before you start. As the barrel sits right now, to me anyway, has the classic "barrel" patina and colour. IMHO, it will look like Donkey Kongs arse with that Polyshades stuff slathered all over it. I would suggest you just put some clear poly over it as it sits now, or use one of Minwax's "real" stains in "Early American" shade to darken it up, then clear it (I used this shade on a dining room table I built to replicate the finish you get with Mennonite furniture and it looks pretty good). Test it on the bottom or the inside before you commit to anything...

[dfmaverick]

To increase the difficulty for the player, is there an ignitor switch planned to turn this into a flaming barrel?

[PL1]

Test it on the bottom or the inside before you commit to anything...

+1 to using the bottom. 

The inside may give misleading results if it has been used.


Scott

[rCadeGaming]

Wow.  I think is this is the most creative cab idea I've seen yet.  I love it.  Not only does it look great and match the DK theme, the glass top should actually make it safe to drink around, and set glasses on and such.  If I were you I wouldn't even let liquids in the same room as your other cabs, but this one would be great.  It doesn't even need cupholders...

One problem I noticed is that you don't have any kind of upscaler accounted for in your parts list.  You can't just plug a 15kHz video signal from a PCB into an LCD monitor.  If you do use a cheap-enough-for-mass-production-upscaler plus the SLG3000, the scanlines will not be lined up properly either.

My suggestion is that given all the empty space inside, you could be fitting a real CRT in there.  You could get small TV's cheap or free on Craigslist.  It would look much better, equivalent to a real CRT arcade monitor.  I know some of your customers might not know the difference, but there are a few options to get PCB's working on a standard def TV that could be cheaper than an LCD+upscaler+SLG3000.

[Jigenjuke]

Griff!!  STOP! Heh heh...

I just had a great idea.  (Well, I think it's a great idea.)  Don't stand the barrel upright.  Put it on it's side, Put a bigger monitor in it so as to look like a regular cocktail cabinet.  Put it on legs that will allow the cabinet to tilt to the left 45 degrees and have the ability to add side by side two player controls for your horizontal games (Platform's and Shooters and such)  Think is would look cool.  If you don't make it I might have to.

Jigenjuke

[PL1]

Griff!!  STOP! Heh heh...

I just had a great idea.  (Well, I think it's a great idea.)  Don't stand the barrel upright.  Put it on it's side, Put a bigger monitor in it so as to look like a regular cocktail cabinet.  Put it on legs that will allow the cabinet to tilt to the left 45 degrees and have the ability to add side by side two player controls for your horizontal games (Platform's and Shooters and such)  Think is would look cool.  If you don't make it I might have to.

Jigenjuke

Bonus points if you do this with a rotating monitor setup.   


Scott

[yotsuya]

Where's the feature creep icon?  We need one. 

[z-kun]

Dude, what an awesome idea! I can't wait to see the finished product.