No cab, no problem! Project: Bartop.

[ifkz]

I've been away from BYOAC for a bit, but I started a project that fits the purpose of this site, a scratch built bartop!
I was initally thinking of a way to squeeze just one more cab into either my garage or house.  My first thought was to have a test station laid out on a table that I could use to play JAMMA PCBs.  I just took that idea a little further and created a bartop built from scraps and low cost lumber.

So far it has been three weeks after work and on weekends to get it to the point seen in the last picture. In the end it will have a rebuilt 19 inch G07, two 8 way sticks with six buttons per player.

This is my first major wood working project. I've built little things before, but nothing this ambitious. My plans have been in my head so far, I have assembled everything with wood glue and clamps, afterwards drilling pilot holes for screws and braces. I've learned a couple of points:

1. MDF is a horrible product, it cuts bad, it drills bad. I've tried to use wood and plywood whenever I can.
2. Glue is a lot more forgiving than either nails or screws.  Much better to glue first and then screw into it.
3. Free-hand sucks. It is a lot better to clamp and make a guide to get good cuts.

The build phase is almost done, the next step is to get my wiring harness together and tie it into my switcher. My control panel is good to go, it is out of picture and needs to be re-assembled.

Looks like my AC power center (ISO, fuse) will be $47; Bob Robert's kit. http://therealbobroberts.net/wirekit.html

Earliest build picture:


Test fit:


Current build status:

[leapinlew]

Is that a handle above the monitor?

[ifkz]

Yes and no...like I said, this was built from scraps I had in my garage, that particular piece came from my MAME cab build.  The handle will be filled in with bondo and the whole piece will be painted.  Likely later today.

[ifkz]

I decided I could not do any more woodworking on the project before I started and finished the electronics side of things.  I plan on giving it another coat of paint, adding black to the sides, and painting the interior.  The blue buttons on the CP will be wired up to the coin counter inputs

[ifkz]

After a day and night of work, I present my creation, a completely handmade JAMMA harness out of scraps from three incomplete hacked up converted harnesses that conformed to other standards.  Thankfully Bob stocked a replacement video cable, all of mine were missing.


I started this project thinking it would be a great way to use up my spare parts.  I didn't think it would use up so many basic supplies!  After my work yesterday, I am completely out of quick disconnects for the control panel.  My shrink tube situation isn't much better.  I've had to use other things that I kept around for kicks.  My monitor tray is secured in place with old lock bar hardware.  I had to fish around the bottom of my tools box for any quick disconnects, click cherry switches, and power connectors.  I used ever last one of 'em!

Yes, it works!


I've pulled my Altered Beast cab into double duty.  The ISO is running this monitor and the switcher, FYI.  Looks like that will be the part I get from Bob Roberts, along with a JAMMA+ adaptor for the other three buttons per player.  Time to start saving now that I've gotten this far.

[leapinlew]

It's funny how you start a project to use up old parts and then feel vulnerable when you don't have any spares available.

[ifkz]

Today I cut a back door and added hinges to it, routed the cables around properly, and got everything else mounted where it should be inside the cab.  I moved things around so this can accommodate large PCBs and switch them out with ease (see in the picture).  Now to order an ISO.  I also think a black plastic monitor shroud would help the look of this thing a lot.