Another Cheap Bartop - Vertical This time

[CoryBee]

Good buddy of mine begged me to build him a bartop, and I caved as usual. He is not one with a ton of money so I am building this as cheap and effective as possible. Which will be relatively easy considering I still have a ton of spare wood left (mainly particle board) and arcade buttons\joysticks. Using a shite Dell Latitude CPi laptop as the base hardware with 20gb of hard drive space.

This will be my first vertical arcade and has proven to teach me some much needed things about configuring MAME, Mala (including getting layouts right) and Xp boot logo to make the Vertical theme seamless. The design for the shell itself is something my little brother came up with which is basically my design I used in the past but without the curve and marquee area. I quite like it.

In progress shots of Xp install and the bartop itself.

[CoryBee]

Stupi laptop, spent stupid amount of time trying to install windows on it cause it stupidly doesn't have a stupid cd drive, and can't boot through USB. Doesn't even have a stupid ethernet port for network booting! 

fret not, I bought a dell inspiron 600m for 5 dollars and runs the vert games with ease. was trying to speed things along, could have been done by now

thanks for reading

[CoryBee]

Okay, new laptop is installed and software is a go. Decided to go with a different mala theme for this one, I really like it but it lacked a marquee placeholder so I added one to it at the bottom. As soon as I got all the parts I needed from home depot (Acrylic, rubber feet, black spray paint, etc) I made quick work of this.

Picture Log





Inside Shot









Finished





I still have over 30m of the RGB led strips I got from china,  why not under-glow?





Boot Screen



Main Menu



Pac-Man - First time playing it in over ten years on a vertical screen.





A quick look at the concept picture I made in paint to get a quick idea for controls\look



There is about 350 games, all playable and all vertical. This one is too much fun, shmups are definitely my favorite in regards to game play type.

Thanks for looking again, can't get enough of these bartops. Much fun to play and even more fun to build and watch friends enjoy them.
 

[Le Chuck]

You are really banging out the builds.  I would like to see you do a build where you hide the hardware and focus a bit more on basic craftsmanship and aesthetics.  I believe it is absolutely fun to play but isn't that fun to look at.  I find that going that extra few steps for a smooth finished appearance is worth the effort.   

[pinballjim]

Wood putty and sandpaper, bro.  Makes everything look better.

[rablack97]

Dang man, i wanna live where you are.  If folks are buying those looking like that, I'd make a killing.

Are you selling those or just making them for friends as gifts....

LeChuck and I hardly ever see eye to eye, but I have to agree with him on this one.....

If your building these things with a chisel and hammer, great job.  Invest in some good tools that will allow you to improve on your builds man.  Seems you have the know how, not sure why you keep tossing stuff together.

Bang out a masterpiece, it's in there somewhere.....

[CoryBee]

Thanks for the reply, I agree they aren't the prettiest. Aren't supposed to be really, not yet anyways. I am not using the best wood for these, only making a functional piece in my head. If I put more time and love into making them, plus cash for better parts (art, t-molding, MDF, etc) I would want more money for them and then I wouldn't be able to sell them so quickly. I am still learning how to use my Router and new tools I have, not the most skilled woodworker. Plus for building them at less than $100 I have been happy.

I live in Sacramento, and there are always people selling arcades on craigslist and what have you. They are always over a thousand bucks as well. I can make these awfully cheap which means I can usually sell them around $240 - $400 depending on light-up buttons, friends or not, etc. I work in computer repair\acquisition as well as general electronics repair like with TVs and have been satisfied with the extra money and fun in testing out my wood tools. I am really hoping Clyde's Corner is going to turn out all pretty, it has been very fun to build. I am not throwing all my money at it though, skimp where I can to make sure I don't put it all out there and it looks like shite. Spent a lot of time thinking about the artwork. Will be spending a ton of it sanding and trying to make everything perfect on this one.

Anyways, thanks for not completely gutting me for the rough bartops. I expected worse 

Oh what I would do to get my hands on a CNC machine and\or my high school woodshop teacher for a day.

[rablack97]

Wow, your lucky if your getting 240-400 for those....

I need to move out there for real.  I barely got $400 for this,



More power to ya man....congrats on killin em like that....

[CoryBee]

Jesus man, how much did it cost you to build that one? Always wanted to try some acrylic bending.

I would not be happy with selling that for $400, looks like you did a stand up job.

I still have a few more people who want me to build them one just like the rest and at these prices, so yea it is a nice bit of extra money to have for better builds. The more money\time I spend on one thing makes me want to keep it. I finish these laptops in 2-3 days.

Where do you live rablack?

[rablack97]

Trust me I'm not either, but oh well....Either i suck at advertising or gaming just isn't that big around here.  I started at $800.00 and ended up selling it to a good friend for $400.00 who loves the Cowboys

I still profited, but not like i wanted to...The cost isnt bad at all, just a bit labor intensive.

The acrylic bend was done with a hot air gun, and some clamps, very cheap and easy to do....

I'm in Texas......

[yotsuya]

If it weren't Cowboys themed, you probably would have gotten $200. People are cheap.

[Le Chuck]

Oh what I would do to get my hands on my high school woodshop teacher for a day.

It's not to late to go back and tell him how you feel.  Who knows...sparks may fly. 

[CoryBee]

Oh what I would do to get my hands on my high school woodshop teacher for a day.

It's not to late to go back and tell him how you feel.  Who knows...sparks may fly. 

Son of a bi*** I knew that sounded odd in my head 

[leapinlew]

I haven't sold an arcade in 3+ years. The market just fell apart. I've sold quite a few though. When I was selling them, I didn't have any luck for anything above $850.

$800


$800


$375


$400


$800


It was fun for a bit, to make some spare scratch, but I thought I'd make more. I'd see arcades advertised for much more, but I don't think anyone was buying them.

[rablack97]

If it weren't Cowboys themed, you probably would have gotten $200. People are cheap.

Your probably right, I guess it's just the market, hell, Cory is gettting 250.00 for the Sanford and Son builds.  I mean my man is racking up on these models, and prime builds can't get didley.....

It's timing as well, aint getting jack sold like this with WII U coming out next month.....Kiddies over-ride mom and pops desire to relive the past with an arcade cab.

Awesome builds leap....

I guess I should be more reasonable on the price, I have like 4 more kits i have pre-cut I need to get ride of....

The ironic part is some say $200.00 oh no thats too much and some say $600.00 wow thats cheap for that, make me one....

So it comes down to the market I guess. 

[yotsuya]

If it weren't Cowboys themed, you probably would have gotten $200. People are cheap.

Your probably right, I guess it's just the market, hell, Cory is gettting 250.00 for the Sanford and Son builds.  I mean my man is racking up on these models, and prime builds can't get didley.....

 


No offense, Cory, but you're the Wal-Mart of custom Arcade builds. Hey, people want them, and you're fullfilling the need, so more power to you! 

And you're right, rablack97- eveyone wants them, but no one wants to pay for your time and effort and creativity. I hate when people ask me "How much for one", because I honestly don't know. Each case is different. How much do you want to spend?

[pinballjim]

Jeez, a Midway cocktail for $800?  Those things are unattainable here at any reasonable price. 

I've got a MAME cabinet I want to sell... guess it's time to break out the sledge hammer.

[CoryBee]

Haha, yes yes they are not so pretty I get it. None the less, in no time and not much effort\money I had a bartop to play. Just sold it for $400 an hour or so ago too.

leapinjew - I'm not too fond of the other ones, although they are of great quality, but those cocktail cabinets are figgin sweet.

Maybe it is just the people I know and the area, but I have two other people willing to pay the same for these things. I am not worrying on the quality as of now, I am planning on building some better ones when I get back but will have to ask for more than the usual to feel comfortable. The only reason that I keep shitting out builds like this is because I still have a ton of this particle board left and a template to go with it. If people that see the first one I made would stop asking for them I would focus on quality to keep for myself. Until then I could use the extra moneys for what-have-you. (beer\arcade\beer\travel)
 

[yotsuya]

Haha, yes yes they are not so pretty I get it. None the less, in no time and not much effort\money I had a bartop to play. Just sold it for $400 an hour or so ago too.

leapinjew - I'm not too fond of the other ones, although they are of great quality, but those cocktail cabinets are figgin sweet.

Maybe it is just the people I know and the area, but I have two other people willing to pay the same for these things. I am not worrying on the quality as of now, I am planning on building some better ones when I get back but will have to ask for more than the usual to feel comfortable. The only reason that I keep shitting out builds like this is because I still have a ton of this particle board left and a template to go with it. If people that see the first one I made would stop asking for them I would focus on quality to keep for myself. Until then I could use the extra moneys for what-have-you. (beer\arcade\beer\travel)

If you can get $400 for those, ---fudgesicle--- what we say!!! 

[CoryBee]

If you can get $400 for those, ---fudgesicle--- what we say!!! 

 

[rablack97]

Like I said, I need to move to Cali, and set up shop.....

[CoryBee]

Like I said, I need to move to Cali, and set up shop.....

Sounds like a plan. Keep in mind too that Sacramento County has over 1.5 million people, so it isn't difficult to find someone willing to pay for something like this. I sold the red&black one to a guy on craigslist a week ago and he left an email the other day to make him a two player version of it for around $550 or so. Also I barely had it on craigslist for 10 hours before I got several hits.

[rablack97]

had mine on CL for a week and nothing....

unreal....I guess Cali is where all the gold is.....

If shipping wasn't so nasty i'd ship em out that way...

i'm seriously thinking about putting together some Oscar the Grouch style kits and putting them on CL, you may be on to something....

Maybe men like their Arcades like they like their women......TRASHY......

Loving this man, much respect to you and your success....for real, just giving you sh*t.....

[CoryBee]

I guess Cali is where all the gold is.....

I get it cause gold rush 

Also, it is what it is. They aren't as put together as your guys, I will get there, but I love these things. I think I did a good job on the software as well, so yea.....uh....you play ball like a girl!

[menace]

I've never gotten less than $500 for a bartop--the key was to have generic artwork and a clean build--As soon as you plaster a team onto it, you've slashed your market into a fraction of what it could be.  Same with uprights--I have never gotten less than $1000--2 players, six buttons appeal to the widest range of people so even though I never use six buttons, plenty of people like the fighters and will pay that price to own their own...

BTW I sort of like your quick and dirty builds--with very little extra effort you could up the aesthetics very easily but in the meantime it all helps to improve your skills --so thats got to be worth something...

[rablack97]

I've never gotten less than $500 for a bartop--the key was to have generic artwork and a clean build--As soon as you plaster a team onto it, you've slashed your market into a fraction of what it could be.  Same with uprights--I have never gotten less than $1000--2 players, six buttons appeal to the widest range of people so even though I never use six buttons, plenty of people like the fighters and will pay that price to own their own...

BTW I sort of like your quick and dirty builds--with very little extra effort you could up the aesthetics very easily but in the meantime it all helps to improve your skills --so thats got to be worth something...

You may be right, but I didnt even get an inquiry.  So maybe the market is dead where I am for arcade builds, who knows.  My builds are pretty clean I think.  On my end it may have been timing mostly, and the fact someone has to be looking for one of these things.  It's a niche market, like i stated before I posted this thing at the same time WII U announced its launch.

People walk in my house and see my arcade and drool over it, saying they want one, then I never hear from them again.

So to your point, maybe that's why Corey is moving them so fast, generic.  I guess i'll build one thats as generic as possible and post for the masses and cutomize based on request....Makes sense...

Just need to find a quicker less labor intensive way to build these things so I can keep the price point at around 500.00, the painting and the electrical on these things can be a bear....

[CoryBee]

^^ Menace gets it. ^^
Thanks by the way

I might try and build one today with a bit more flair and see how that goes. Maybe a two player 6-button version. I went to Home Depot yesterday and raided their scrap pile for wood, turned out they had a bunch of 1'-2' x 4'-3' boards of mdf and others. They were un-marked as of their price and when i asked a guy how much he happened to have his green paint on him and just tagged each piece with the green ($0.50). Will be able to put t-molding on it, we will see what happens with this one, if I end up keeping it I will be happy but if I can sell it as well we will see the difference in price I get for it from my "Walmart" builds.

On the point of generic, when I asked them if they wanted me to print some graphic for them to put on the side (inkjet sticker paper) they said that they had some ideas they wanted and would buy the stickers online if they wanted them. So maybe generic is the key, for example I wouldn't buy a sports themed arcade even if I was a fan of the team. Doesn't really fit in with gaming in my mind.

[rablack97]

On the point of generic, when I asked them if they wanted me to print some graphic for them to put on the side (inkjet sticker paper) they said that they had some ideas they wanted and would buy the stickers online if they wanted them. So maybe generic is the key, for example I wouldn't buy a sports themed arcade even if I was a fan of the team. Doesn't really fit in with gaming in my mind.

I guess my thinking was wrong, live and learn...I know folks that etched the dallas cowboy star in their garage.  So i live around some serious die hards.

I sold a modded xbox to a guy and asked him about the theme...his answer dallas cowboys.....

So i get what your saying, either i listed it really bad, or the price was wayyyyy to high.

Trust me, it's all in fun man, my dallas barcade got ripped to shreds by the forum due to the theme.  So don't take offense to the hacks, it's just INCONCEIVABLE how you get that much coin for those.

I'm off to get some particle board, and throwing away all of my wood putty, in fact im going to get some staples and just staple it all together.

You've convinced me, your theory works.....

[CheffoJeffo]

I've never gotten less than $500 for a bartop--the key was to have generic artwork and a clean build--As soon as you plaster a team onto it, you've slashed your market into a fraction of what it could be.  Same with uprights--I have never gotten less than $1000--2 players, six buttons appeal to the widest range of people so even though I never use six buttons, plenty of people like the fighters and will pay that price to own their own...

BTW I sort of like your quick and dirty builds--with very little extra effort you could up the aesthetics very easily but in the meantime it all helps to improve your skills --so thats got to be worth something...

Wow -- he lives!! How are you doing, man ?

I was actually out near your brother's place (how I do enjoy the drive out to God's country!) the other night, which reminded me that I still need to fix that PITA monitor.

The part of Cory's builds that I find is almost unexcusable is the damned chip particle board.

Well, that, and he keeps calling them arcades. 

[menace]

Wow -- he lives!! How are you doing, man ?

I was actually out near your brother's place (how I do enjoy the drive out to God's country!) the other night, which reminded me that I still need to fix that PITA monitor.

Yup just got back into the hobby after a long hiatus--building a cnc machine so I can crank out bartops faster than CoryDee    Well maybe not that fast    (btw if that monitor is the one i'm thinking of, a shotgun may be the best tool...)

I agree with Cheffo though the particle board just adds work--go mdf--almost as cheap and holds generic semi gloss black paint real nice.  End of the day though do what makes you happy--its a hobby after all!

[CoryBee]

CheffoJeffo, 

Good news on the particle board, I ran out. Only scrap pieces left and template pieces to work with. Had bought two 4' x 8' pieces when I started and made some use of them (as well as money).

I didn't realize that was your build log menace, am subscribed. How much do you think you are in it moneys wise?

One thing I like about these "monstrosities" as cheffo would probably say is that they are only 12.2"  in width so they don't take up much space. Just enough for the screen and the control panel, also makes for a light bartop and still stable thanks to the rubber feet.

[CheffoJeffo]

My particle board comment was that bad ?  It has been said a number of times and still holds true.

Or are you misunderstanding my comment about the word 'arcades' ?

[CoryBee]

My particle board comment was that bad ?  It has been said a number of times and still holds true.

Or are you misunderstanding my comment about the word 'arcades' ?

No harm done, just messing about. 

 I am taking in this forum more and more and learning much, can only get better (I hope)