Fix it Felix Jr. CRT Bartop | DONE | Final update - Page2

[arno]

It is about for me to start a new (at this forum my first) project. I will start with a small version (bartop) of a Fix it Felix Jr. cabinet.

I choose to use an old small television as a monitor, this is quite a challenge because of the small dimensions of the cabinet. To control the television i will make a "VGA to SCART" cable and let the video card output a 15Hz signal.

Specifications:

• Pc: AMD Dual-core, 4GB memory, 250GB drive, Ati Radeon HD4350
• Speakers: Mono speaker from TV
• Monitor: TV
• Software: Soft15hz, Windows XP
• Joystick: Upgraded Zippy long shaft joystick with zippy switches
• Pushbuttons: Concave classic pushbuttons
• More specs on next update

In order to determine the shape of the side panels I have printed a template to scale. The template will be used later on 18mm MDF.





Long straights cutting with a circular saw. The angles are later completed with a jigsaw.



I placed on the inside a 18x18mm wooden beam to get a solid compound at a later stage.



The outside panels are done!



The monitor

An LCD or TFT screen would obviously been the easiest option to process in a bartop. I will take the challenge to use a CRT screen (TV). It will be tight, the question is whether it's all working. We'll see ...

I can get the TV working by using the SVIDEO output on the Radeon HD4350 card, but this will not be giving us the image we are looking for. I will try to make a VGA to SCART cable so the TV will work in RGB. (Red, Green and Blue separately). The benefit is that we can start using the audio from the TV.

Get the diagram (great topic BTW!) and let's try it out:







It is working, but it needs to be calibrated.



Discharged the monitor, scary...





Tight fit...

It is very challenging to place the CRT.





The computer has been disassembled



Testing the artwork:











A grid for the speaker is routed out and holes for extra buttons are cut with a speed drill. Also, at the locations where it will later be inserted T-molding is a slot of 2mm ~ routed out.









3 very little service buttons for START - PAUSE - STOP are placed under the monitor beazel. I know that it is not original, but I need them at reach... I think this is the best position.











The back is covered with a low model arcade lock and fused power switch.



For the monitor, cabinet sides and controlpanel the vinyl has arrived. The marquee is made ​​of printed plexiglass so that it can pass through this light.







Hope you guys like it! More to come soon...

Greetz,
Arno

[Cobolisdead]

That is pretty awesome man!

[arno]

That is pretty awesome man!

Thanks

Next step is to sand it and get the cab in primer.

[Sjaak]

Nice work! Do you need the (dutch) color numbers for the paint?

[arno]

Nice work! Do you need the (dutch) color numbers for the paint?

Thanks Sjaak! I just got the numbers from Superfrog last week.

[mvolke1]

Looking really great so far! Can't wait to see it finished! 

[talkgeek]

Looking really good, i'm following - creative Monitor Discharge Tool, you should patent 

[DaOld Man]

DaOld Man likes!

[nitrogen_widget]

Looking really good, i'm following - creative Monitor Discharge Tool, you should patent 

I have the same screwdriver.
Good to know it has another use.

[johnrt]

This is like!!!   

So you actually did fit a CRT inside there? Are you using the plans from http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/ ? (that's my site btw  )
And did you resize the side panel plans (made them bigger)?

When I made made mine I tried to fit a CRT computer monitor inside but it was too deep, but then again, a TV may not be that deep. I ended up using a 15" LCD. Well, great job so far! 

I will follow your build closely. Maybe I'll install a CRT myself in the end.

[wildcat]

Very nice! Are the plans custom or did you find them somewhere?

[arno]

Nice to see the good reactions! Thanks guys!

This is like!!!   

So you actually did fit a CRT inside there? Are you using the plans from http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/ ? (that's my site btw  )
And did you resize the side panel plans (made them bigger)?

I need to say that i used some files for the artwork from you, very, very nice work. I need to thank you a LOT for sharing .

I will measure the side panels, the inside width of the cabinet is about 38CM. I think it is about the same size as your cab Johnrt.

Very nice! Are the plans custom or did you find them somewhere?

The plans are from Johnrt, see the link above

[cools]

Worlds biggest thumbs up for a CRT bartop. Proper job

[jdbailey1206]

Fix It Felix?  Psh.  Who does that? 

[javeryh]

Very cool.  Does Fix-It-Felix run in MAME?  I've been out of the loop for a couple of years due to life but I've got the itch again so I'm trying to catch up...

[johnrt]

Very cool.  Does Fix-It-Felix run in MAME?  I've been out of the loop for a couple of years due to life but I've got the itch again so I'm trying to catch up...

Nope. Fix it Felix is a standalone executable (.exe) you run from Windows (>=XP I presume).

[arno]

I am not sure how to fit the monitor plexi plates. On the top behind a alu profile, but how can i secure it at the bottom?

Any idea?

[johnrt]

I am not sure how to fit the monitor plexi plates. On the top behind a alu profile, but how can i secure it at the bottom?

Any idea?

I used an aluminium profile:
http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/pics/2013-12-16%2020.21.01.jpg
http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/pics/2013-12-16%2020.24.06.jpg
http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/pics/2013-12-16%2020.24.27.jpg

[arno]

I am not sure how to fit the monitor plexi plates. On the top behind a alu profile, but how can i secure it at the bottom?

Any idea?

I used an aluminium profile:
http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/pics/2013-12-16%2020.21.01.jpg
http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/pics/2013-12-16%2020.24.06.jpg
http://www.379009.net/nintendo-bartop/pics/2013-12-16%2020.24.27.jpg

Looks good, behind the small plate. Did you get a square out of both sides from the plexi?

[johnrt]

Looks good, behind the small plate. Did you get a square out of both sides from the plexi?

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm just using one piece of Lexan for the bezel. The bezel artwork is adhesive and just sticked to the Lexan.

[arno]

You have your lexan behind that small wooden bar on top of the control panel. But there are 2 blocks behind it to fix it on to.

Did you have to cut this out on both sides of the lexan to get in the strip?

[johnrt]

You have your lexan behind that small wooden bar on top of the control panel. But there are 2 blocks behind it to fix it on to.

Did you have to cut this out on both sides of the lexan to get in the strip?

Yes, of course.

[arno]

You have your lexan behind that small wooden bar on top of the control panel. But there are 2 blocks behind it to fix it on to.

Did you have to cut this out on both sides of the lexan to get in the strip?

Yes, of course.

I get it, thanks!

[jond]

I have a dumb question what program do you use to print the plans to scale?

[arno]

I have a dumb question what program do you use to print the plans to scale?

I am using a 30day free trail of Photoshop CC

[jdbailey1206]

Where did you send your artwork to get printed arno?

[arno]

Where did you send your artwork to get printed arno?

I send it to Pixartprinting.com
The quality is very good. 😃

[jdbailey1206]

Where did you send your artwork to get printed arno?

I send it to Pixartprinting.com
The quality is very good. 😃

Awesome!  I might want to check them out.  I got my marquee done through them.  They produce high quality work.

[arno]

Where did you send your artwork to get printed arno?

I send it to Pixartprinting.com
The quality is very good. 😃

Awesome!  I might want to check them out.  I got my marquee done through them.  They produce high quality work.

Good! Make sure that you pick the HD vinyl type.

[jdbailey1206]

Where did you send your artwork to get printed arno?

I send it to Pixartprinting.com
The quality is very good. 😃

Awesome!  I might want to check them out.  I got my marquee done through them.  They produce high quality work.

Good! Make sure that you pick the HD vinyl type.

Mine was printed right on the plexi.   

[yotsuya]

Mine was printed right on the plexi.   

Still think that looks awesome. 

[jdbailey1206]

I have to cut it to size over the weekend.  I am not looking forward to it.   

[Sjaak]

I have to cut it to size over the weekend.  I am not looking forward to it.   

Just squeeze between two pieces of mdf and use a router with a flush trim bit.

[mike boss]

Gorgeous project.

[floriske.nl]

Good to see you building again Arno!

Looking very promising so far 

[arno]

Thanks again guys!

I will post a new update tomorrow!

[jdbailey1206]

Because someone is too good to post on the forum...

[arno]

Because someone is too good to post on the forum...

Haha give me an hour 

[jdbailey1206]

BUT I WANT IT NOW!!!!   

[arno]

***************************
***           UPDATE 2               ***
***************************

Finally i had some time to update here 

The bartop is fully painted and coming together.

First a base coating:


The monitor had a metal band around it. I sprayed primer around it.


The marquee area is sealed. Next step is to place a LED in here:


Cutting a slot for the t-molding.... at the wrong side 


2nd layer of primer:


I see black in here


First layer of black paint:






I found a new smaller CPU fan, installed here:


One layer of paint is not good enough, again and again... 






There it is! Blue paint:


First layer:




Monitor is painted:




I will use a long shaft zippyy 2/4/8 way stick. I installed genuine Zippy switches (200gr) for a small improvement.












The neckboard doen't fit, so I made a small adjustment:










I ordered 2 and 3mm plexi for the CP. I will go for 2mm


Sandwich it between the CP and a piece of MDF and start drilling!










Also the marquee is made to the correct size. I used a dremel tool for this. My router bit was missing...




Control panel: (with black washer a.t.m.)






The cab:




That was it for now. Hope you like it guys!

Grtz
Arno