My First Bar Top!

[nedley09]

So i am building my first cab/bar top and so far here is what i have

Partial assembly, primed
MB, CPU, RAM ect

Going to install the speakers on the mount and finish painting today


Monitor mount, speaker panel, control panel and back primed.  I added two more holes to this for (2) 80mm Fans

PSU not shown in this photo.  I just got my arcade interface today (thanks RandyT at groovy!) and i will be setting that up as well. 


All i really need to do is find a 20" 4:3 Monitor and mount the MB.


However i do have questions.  I have two metal trim pieces i plan on adding the lexan to for the monitor, what do i use to attach it?

Same for the marquee, but for this i dont have any metal trims.

Suggestions?

[TheDude]

Hi nedley09 !
So far so good !
Nice first bartop you build yourself here !
Does your question mean you want to attach the lexan to your 2 metal trim pieces ? If it's the case ensure your metal pieces are already pierced, so that you can
drill your lexan for the bezel and attach the thing to cover the monitor.

But this all seems to be complicated. Perhaps what you can do is cut a "frame" for your bezel, that will also cover the edges of your monitor, so that the metal or plastic parts around it don't show, only the screen. Then on this "frame" you can easily screw your lexan bezel without even any use for trim metal pieces other than for decorative purposes.
We have a little how-to about the securing of the monitor on a monitor panel here :
http://bartopmania.com/index.php?t=msg&th=84&start=0&
Feel free to se if it could help !

[Richie_jones]

Is lexan some sort of plastic...I'd use glass mate, would be pretty cheap for what you need and look 100% better. Plus won't scratch easily...nice build so far..

[nedley09]

Thanks for the tips!  What i was planning on doing was using 3D Vinyl to make a bezel to go on the lexan, that way you cant see the strips.  but more pictures incoming, I had used a semi gloss paint (black) but it was sticky and tacky, so i sanded down pretty well and put a coat of behr Premium primer and paint, egg shell and it looks fantastic. 

Its been about 3 hours since the first application, so i think its time for the second.  After that, i am going to assemble my speakers and control panel

Another question, i dont have metal trims for the marquee, whats the best way to connect the lexan to that?

[TheDude]

Glass can be a good alternative for the marquee, true.
If you go with it, just make it hold by screwing mirror holders and then slide the glass sheet in them.
Just like you would do for an ordinary mirror on the wall

[nedley09]

I think i am sticking to lexan.

I might use no more nails on the lexan for the marquee since i am getting a graphic for it.

[Xiaou2]

Typically arcade machines have a lift out and pull system.

 There is a small amount of vertical play, which allows you to lift the glass up a few mm.  You then pull it out past the bottom
edge, and slide it back downwards.

 The monitor glass itself was held in place by the top edge, as well as the control panel, when its closed.

 A select few games used a set of screw-down bezel wood blocks.

 Marquee's are usually held down with small strips of plastic, metal, or plastic and metal.  Many have a channel to slide within, so only
need to remove one of the strips to get it out.

 
 I suggest using Plexiglass instead of Lexan.  Lexan may be easier to cut for control panels.. but its softer and scratches much easier than
plexi.  Plexi isnt that difficult to cut in general squared shapes, polished and cleans well, and is pretty resistant to scratches.  You can also get smoked plexi, to help diffuse glare problems.

 Glass would be nice, but you wouldnt want to use plate glass.  Thats a bit dangerous... because it could break and cut someone very
badly.  Tempered glass is what you would want.. but you cant cut it.  It has to be made to the exact size you require.  If tempered glass shatters, it does so in a pieces which are small and are dull rather than razorblade sharp.

[nedley09]

Just an FYI, i should be nearing completion this weekend.  I got the speaker panel done with speakers and control panel wired up and tested.  Next step is mounting the speaker and control panels, Placing my 3D Vinyl over the lexan for my bezel, mounting the Monitor and pc.  that should do it. 

[Termin8tor]

I've always used lexan its light weight and easy to cut. Anyway I'm looking forward to seeing your completed build. Keep up the good work. 

[nedley09]

Control panel lit up!