Mikes Mini Mame (Bartop Cabinet)

[vault]

Ok, mostly done now, so officially open for comments...

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Mikes_Mini_Mame

[emphatic]

Fantastic documentation of what looks like a very sweet cabinet! 

[BobA]

Nice writeup.   

[lokesen]

This is really cool!

I love that you use the UltraStik 360 and a SSD. That's just the right parts for a mini cabinet. Harddisk noise totally ruins the arcade experience

[vault]

lokesen:
I totally agree about the need for minimal noise. Actually with the combo of contact-less U360, fanless CPU mobo and SSD I aimed for a ZERO noise-print cabinet.
Do not forget though that cooling of some sort is something you can not escape (even low power components generate heat). Neverthelesss I kept persisting on accomplishing the zero noise goal by incorporating the 120mm inlet fan which came with the PSU. The fan is virtually silent (I honestly put it next to my ear and could not hear a thing when operating). However, believe it or not, I eventually failed by not compensating for the fact that moving air by itself creates noise when forced to pass through narrow openings... So I can now clearly hear some low pitch humming from the opening at the top-rear panel as the exhaust air is forced throught the perforated metal plate that I used there... If all the components are running outside the cabinet I have zero noise, but put them inside the cabinet and the airflow around the components, PSU heat sink, cpu heat sink and perforated plate adds up! In any case the noise is minimal, quite low pitched and does not interfere with the experiense but rather adds a distinct breathing sound which gives more "personality" to the cab :-)

[yankeelaw]

This is amazing work, thanks for taking us through.  Wondering if you had any tips/stories/plans/etc. regarding the woodworking.  What tools did you use?  I am very comfortable with all the electronics, but I haven't done a lot of wood working.  Thanks in advance!

[vault]

Regarding woodworking:
What you really, really need is a tool which can cut the various panels with less than milimiter precision.
Ideally what you should have is access to a factory grade circular saw. Maybe the best solution is to design the pieces and have them cut for you by a professional. However if you feel the urge to exersise your DIY skills then please go ahead.
In my case that's exactly what I did. But how did I achieve the less than milimiter precision? Easy. Just use any cheap jigsaw tool to roughly cut the outline of your pieces. Then use a perfectly straight piece of material (factory cut mdf or plywood) as a guide, in combination with a router and a follow through bit.
To make things more clear, this is the procedure that I used for cutting every straight line for all panels:
1. Measure and mark the cutting line using a pencil.
2. Use an aluminum square to make sure that my lines where at exactly 90 degrees.
3. Measure again just for good measure
4. Use the jigsaw to cut just outside the marked line. (2-3mm outside the line is ideal)
5. Place a straight bar of wood to be used as a guide below the panel and carefully align it with the marked line.
6. Secure the bar using fasteners.
7. Use the router with a follow through bit to make the final cut.
    The router bit wheel is thus touching the guide bar while the rest of the bit is cutting the material on top.
    This way you can make the final cut perfectly every time, even blind folded...!!!

You might also find usefull a power drill stand to mount your drill so that when you open holes for screws you drive the drill vertically.
Also very usefull when opening holes for the buttons etc.

[MINDoSOFT]

Hello Mike I am from Cyprus and today a shipment form ultimarc arrived at my house. I am trying to make a simple 6 button 1 joystick control panel. I know my electronics but I have no idea of woodworking. Your help is greatly appreciated.

If you can contact me at my email which is my nickname with @gmail.com.

Thanks

[kai3747]

hi mike i like a lot your project , iam from Cyprus too how can i contact with you ?

[DeLuSioNal29]

Great documentation!  Would love to see a video of it in action!

Congrats!

DeLuSioNaL29

[Unstupid]

I like the shape of your cab...  If I ever do another bartop, I'll probably steal your design! 

[wildcat]

This ROCKS! Looks like my next design!