Rough and Ready Bartop Project!

[jimmy2x2x]

Hi, I had most of these PC bits just lying around in boxes along with some odds and ends of wood etc.. I had a day off work today, nice and sunny with no distractions so I thought I would build a bartop!

This is where I got to on day 1, the subframe is complete and most of the core is in situ.







Couple of problems to overcome:

The monitor requires a press of the power switch after a cold boot

Design decent air flow

Finalise access, at the moment the back panel is fixed - this may change or I might go with a removable top and bezel
at the moment the monitor can be rotated this might change to a fixed position

[smalltownguy]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have DUCT tape!!   

Very nice work. I haven't seen many CRT bartops that compact. I'll be watching this one.

[IG-88]

Very cool    Looks like you got quite a-ways on your first day. That sucker ought to be solid with the 2x4's.

What are the dimensions going to be? Will you have enough room for a lit marquee?

Don't see enough of these made with good old CRT's anymore. 

ps. Love the duct tape, can't work without it! 

[jimmy2x2x]

haha, well I didn't really want to use duct tape, but it was there smiling at me - I might build a custom enclosure for the psu and dvd drive when I have a little more time

Its packed away in the shed right now, but its roughly 20" wide 22" tall and 25" deep (from memory) and im planning to have a lit marquee, just flying by the seat of my pants with it really no real design as such, just sitting in the sun looking at it, then doing it! lol

[jimmy2x2x]

This very rough sketch is what im thinking about doing for the outer finish and access panels.


The two side panels will be cut identically and routed for T moulding, the glued to the frame and back panel, I will probably add a couple more support struts between the two panels towards the front of the screen

The top and marquee section will be all in one, it will sit in between the side panels and the back panel and have a supporting ridge (green line at top of side and back panels) then will be mechanically fixed, with some kind of bolt and receiver.

The white boxes on top of the monitor are speakers

The two yellow lines directly in front of the display are runners for the bezel plexi to slide into (I will probably scrap that idea and route a channel instead)

...

So, to assemble:

Slide the bezel plexi into the channels, then slide top panel/marquee into position and bolt it down.

This will allow me great access to the internals for any maintenance, rotating the monitor, or just moving it around - it weighs a ton already!

I hope you can follow this!

Again, very rough sketch of the one piece top panel/marquee

Red box = marquee
Blue lines = bolts


Any feedback most welcome

[emphatic]

A rotating CRT bartop! 

[leapinlew]

As for the monitor requires a button press issue - I'd recommend you get another monitor. People are giving away CRT's right now.

[jimmy2x2x]

As for the monitor requires a button press issue - I'd recommend you get another monitor. People are giving away CRT's right now.

True, but this one is very balanced - its exactly the same width and height.  Makes it ideal for rotating.

I have been looking for free CRT monitors, got a live advert on freecycle (UK's version of craigslist) and have no replies!

Im very cautious about opening the monitor to wire an extension to the power switch, I might work up the courage to open it and discharge it.

A redneck solution (which would suit this duct tape project) would be to have something stuck to the back of the plexi above the power switch, and give it a gentle push when you turn it on, not the most elegant solution but it would work!

But in all honesty, you are right - I really need a monitor with a power switch that stays on, I wonder if there is a way to mod this somehow to always stay on - im not too bothered about it switching off really

[leapinlew]

As for the monitor requires a button press issue - I'd recommend you get another monitor. People are giving away CRT's right now.

True, but this one is very balanced - its exactly the same width and height.  Makes it ideal for rotating.

I have been looking for free CRT monitors, got a live advert on freecycle (UK's version of craigslist) and have no replies!

Im very cautious about opening the monitor to wire an extension to the power switch, I might work up the courage to open it and discharge it.

A redneck solution (which would suit this duct tape project) would be to have something stuck to the back of the plexi above the power switch, and give it a gentle push when you turn it on, not the most elegant solution but it would work!

But in all honesty, you are right - I really need a monitor with a power switch that stays on, I wonder if there is a way to mod this somehow to always stay on - im not too bothered about it switching off really

Also, if your using a CRT, you'll need access to the degauss buttons if you are going to be rotating it. When you flip it, it will most likely get those discolored blotches. Bartops are small... why not build a dedicated 4 way vertical and a horizontal layout machine?

[jimmy2x2x]

To rotate the monitor, I would need to have the cab open and be handling the monitor.  After rotation, turn on, degauss the put the cab back together.  I don't intend to be doing this every day!

I would love nothing more than to build another one, and in the future that's something I may pursue.  The same three things that govern most things, govern this for me:  Time, money and space!

I will keep my eyes peeled for a replacement monitor with a more suitable power switch

Got a couple more bits for it tonight, a pair of sony speakers that are nice and compact and a 120gb hard drive

So now i can get the OS on there and configure mala and mame

[jimmy2x2x]

Had a couple more hours to work on it.

Got rid of duct tape

Changed motherboard for something a little more powerful

Mounted new board onto MDF with brass standoffs, installed hdd cage, got rid of dvd rom, made psu cage, installed air intake ports at bottom of case and exhaust ports in the back - hopefully this should give it enough airflow.  Also installed OS, Mala and mame.  Ive hacked a ps1 controller which im going to use for the control interface, along with a seimitsu ls32, and sanwa buttons - probably in a 6 button astro city layout, along with a few admin buttons.

still no luck sourcing a replacement monitor as of yet, but im sure one will show up!



EDIT: The one niggling problem that I had not found a solution to, the damn monitor power switch!

Well I decided that I was going to go in!  I didn't fancy the back door, bit too dangerous for me - so I took the dremel to the front door

Cut out a chunk of plastic, prized the switch open, and soldered on my extension cable, works a treat!

DISCLAIMER - I do not recommend this to anyone.



Next stop: Control Panel

[emphatic]

  Progear is looking good on that screen!

[jimmy2x2x]

Project is cancelled!

Why?

Well I have been pricing up everything I need, and its quite a lot of money really, Slot cutter, T moulding, Mdf, Laminate, Art, Plexi etc..

This decision was cemented by my being able to source 2, TWO! Jamma cabinets locally - One is complete, working fine - the other is missing a few bits, monitor, front glass, joystick etc.. for the princely sum of £45 delivered!

Im getting them on Tuesday and cant wait!

Now to make a little room

[IG-88]

Canceled or postponed?

[jimmy2x2x]

Well, cancelled is a little definite- NEVER SAY DIE!

I'm really not sure which direction I'm going to go in now, but more than likely I will use the guts from the bartop to furnish one of the jamma cabinets, dedicated horizontal and vertical cabs sounds good to me, but I am attached to the bartop idea!

Oooooo decisions, decisions!