Missile Command Cocktail Table with a "twist"

[jahilbert]

I have been utterly inspired and awed by a bunch of the contributers and projects on this site! I have finally come to the point where I have the guts to put my work out there and it will either be mildy epic or a complete and utter failure. Let's be optimistic! It'll rock!

I was specifically inspired by the "Barrel of Kong" project. Besides it being amazing, I couldn't get over the fact that the shape of the barrel evoked the old time 1950's sci-fi rockets.

With this, I have begun on my own "barrel-based" project...... A Missile Command cocktail table built from a half-barrel instead of a full barrel.

I decided on a half barrel for cost and versatility. I found a whiskey barrel planter at Home Depot for $40 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Real-Wood-26-in-Half-Whiskey-Barrel-Planter-G3056/204661482 and that is what I'm using for my cabinet. It is being raised off the ground to the standard Ms. Pac-Man table height by an "x" shaped foundation or "table" built from 1" plywood that the barrel with be attached to via bolts or screws. The legs of the table will be shaped like fins of an old rocket. The top of the table will feature the sideart from Missile Command that I found on eBay. It will feature aluminum pipe reducers on the underside at the rockets that I will paint to look rusted. I will be using the color scheme from the old Saturn V rockets so it'll have a lot of white, black, and red.

This will also be a jamma-based project. I am using the Game Elf 412-in-1 vertical card AND the Game Elf 128-in-1 vertical card run off of a 2-in-1 switching card. This is where the "twist" comes in. The circular shape of the table will allow the top to be unlatched, then twisted, and latched again to play BOTH orientations of games.

Now if I could only figure out how to embed the dang photos in my own posts.........

[jahilbert]

Here is my general plan..............

Then add the legs and the control panels

[jahilbert]

Step One: Cut two circles from plywood. One that fits under the bottom of the barrel and another that is 4" wider that the width of the top of the barrel.

Step Two: Create cross beams that with form an "X" and will serve as the legs that the barrel with rest upon. You got to cut a notch so they fit together.

Step Three: Attach and reinforce the legs to the circle cut to go under the barrel.

Step Four: See how that barrel snuggles inside the base

[jahilbert]

So here is the general look I'm going for....

[jahilbert]

I had another circle of plywood cut to hold the monitor that was exactly the diameter of the barrel. I then cut out the space for the monitor and attached it. This circle of plywood will be bolted to the top of the table and the bolts will be countersunk to hide them.

[jahilbert]

Now the table top must be routed and the bezel added. This leads us to this point......a wood colored rocket. Not so awesome or epic.

[jahilbert]

Found some great "rockets" for underneath the base at Home Depot. I think they are pipe reducers back in the plumbing or HVAC section. Eventually, I'm going to paint them like they've been used.

[jahilbert]

Okay, time to paint the barrel. I did absolutely NO prep to the stained surface. I just went for it with Rust-Oleum spray primer and spray paint. The stain was too deep and the metal bands on the barrel keep the integrity of the shape. This is is just prayin' and sprayin'..........

Turned out pretty well. Then I painted the gloss white, taped off the black to look like the Saturn V rocket. I am very surprised and relieved.

[jahilbert]

Time to sand the "fins" to a nice round edge. I use my orbital sander after starting with the Diablo Drill Extension Sander. Orbital has waaaay more control. Then I filled the holes, sanded and primed.

Hopefully, I can get the base primed with the second coat tomorrow but here's where I stall.......

[Drnick]

You do some nice work  Looking forward to seeing this one completed.

[menace]

Awesome!  My only concern is where the fins meet the circle--seems like a skinny amount of wood in there?  I'm hoping the loading is being distributed around those skinny spots some how..Only reason for this is my buddy made a small coffee table in much the same configuration (legs that jut out and down) and that spot is exactly where it cracked when someone (*me*) leaned on it..

[jahilbert]

I have the same concern. I'm going to connect the cross beams underneath to form a box to spread the weight out and reduce the wiggle. The cross beams also will be atached to that base circle. Hopefully, this does it.

[yotsuya]

When you first posted this idea, I was like... "Uh, suuuuuure....". But your build photos have come out quite nice. Can't wait to see the final product.

[hsr]

Time to sand the "fins" to a nice round edge. I use my orbital sander after starting with the Diablo Drill Extension Sander. Orbital has waaaay more control.

Of course orbital.  It is a rocket...  Okay, it was funny to me!

Did you make or buy the bezel?

[jahilbert]

I think it's funny for sure!

As for the skepticism, I'm right there with you. Every step I take, I've been "ummm, sure" as well!

My true concern or pain will be the control panel contruction because of the slope and curve of the barrel. The sides of the control panel need to be cut at an angle to meet the curve of the barrel plus rise and run of the barrel. The top and bottom panel need to be curved to meet the barrel.

Any suggestions would be welcome. I'm posting my schematics this weekend

[Generic Eric]

I think if you made a cabaret styled cabinet shaped like that retro rocket would be cool. 

Missile Command is screaming for a viewlix styled console.  Oh man.  The idea is so good in my head, but I'm afraid I can't impart it with words.

[yotsuya]

I think if you made a cabaret styled cabinet shaped like that retro rocket would be cool. 

Missile Command is screaming for a viewlix styled console.  Oh man.  The idea is so good in my head, but I'm afraid I can't impart it with words.

Why? The original cabinet is pretty much perfection for the game style.

[Generic Eric]

I think if you made a cabaret styled cabinet shaped like that retro rocket would be cool. 

Missile Command is screaming for a viewlix styled console.  Oh man.  The idea is so good in my head, but I'm afraid I can't impart it with words.

Why? The original cabinet is pretty much perfection for the game style.

So it would look like the guy with the cool helmet on the side art.   

[yotsuya]

Ok, but only if it comes with the cool helmet. 

[jahilbert]

Starting to paint the fins. This is going to take a few coats to get that glossy finish I want. Here is coat #1.

[jahilbert]

Just so you can envision where we are going.

I'm going to secure the fins to the sides of the barrel by screwing from inside the barrel into the fins along with securing the base of the barrel to the circle that the fins are attached to for stability. Lastly, like "menace" mentioned, I'm going to create cross beams under the beams to form a box and lessen the wiggle. I think that's a job for tomorrow afternoon along with wet sanding the red and putting on a third coat of red.

[jahilbert]

Finalized sanding and painting. Time to start putting the stuff together......Added the mock up "USA" and Flag to get the lock rolling.

Still no progress on the control panel.

Should the top circle have black or red t-molding or some other color? I'm leaning towards red.

[yotsuya]

Black would probably blend better, but red will really pop. Great job so far.

[jahilbert]

Thanks. I'll post pics of both when I get there!

[jahilbert]

Some progress this week.

1. Added Power Supply and Speaker to barrel
2. Built temporary legs to help fit the monitor.
3. Wired up monitor, power, PCB to prove it could work!
4. Routed and cut sections of top to see the control panel
5. Cut repro Missile Command Sideart for underlay (it looks weak right now as it is just clamped on)

[jahilbert]

More Pics

[yotsuya]

Funky! I like it!

[jahilbert]

Finally got my act together and started building the control panel. The problem I had was that the barrel was slanted, the top and bottom of the control panel were different curves where it met the barrel and that you had to cut the sides of the CP to match the curve of the barrel away from you........math, who knew.

[jahilbert]

Next I had to decide on artwork and I decided to take the art from the standup CPO of Missile Command and rework the elements so that they fit my design. I also stuck with the white with black t-molding to keep the color scheme rolling.

That is 1/2" mdf with artwork sandwiched between it and 1/4" plexi. I then routed it as if it were 3/4" mdf and added the t-molding in front. I cut the holes in the plexi myself with a speed bore but the whole she was cut at a "Tap Plastics" in San Jose. I actually am proud of how it turned out.

[jahilbert]

Next I had to figure out how to attach the sides to the barrel. Drilling at the correct angle is key. I have screws from inside the barrel to the end of the side pieces and I have "L" brackets with bolts and big washers on the inside of the control panel to the exterior of the barrel.

[jahilbert]

Now getting that barrel back on the fins and the base for a look..... more in a few weeks.

[jahilbert]

Glass arrived. Heck, it may look better without the artwork on top. Thoughts? (You can't hurt my feelings.......critique away)

Hopefully, I can get this bad boy wired and playable by Sunday!

[emphatic]

I think that a solid red (same as the legs) would look good instead of the artwork on top.

[jahilbert]

Finally finished the Missile Command cocktail table! Here are the final pictures.

Loved the challenge but I will never build something ROUND again

[Generic Eric]

Cool!

[Le Chuck]

Trackball?

[SpaceHedgehog]

Cool!

Took the word out of my mouth 

[Vigo]

Trackball?

This is very cool looking project indeed, but I am wondering about the same thing.

[emphatic]

Neat!

[jahilbert]

The shape of the barrel would have made the addition of a trackball impossible. The game has two multigame PCB's in it so it has a vertical 412-in-1 and a horizontal 128-in-1 inside.  Just having a trackball alone would have been severely limiting.