Newbie Project: Roll Top Art Deco Bartop

[Mordwaffe]

I am new here, and I have always wanted my own arcade system. Case that I always loved was the Tempest One, and I had in idea to do a bartop in that style, well that has been done here. quite well to.

I wont lie I am complete noob at this and I plan on keeping the mechanics of my first one simple; Find a decent 4:3 LCD at a thrift store, make it a JAMMA compliant case that uses a JAMMA PCB (or possibly a one slot MVS board not decided yet). No rotation, possibly no LEDs.

This is more of a project to get me started gathering the tools and experience in making these things.

Why a roll-top? I love them. And my wife has a slight aversion to the look of traditional cabs. So making something that when closed looks like decoration is a bonus. And like I said I want the practice, if this turns out I will want to scale it a bit make a "roll-top desk" sit down version.

What do I have? a sketch, a drill, a hammer, and a circular saw..... to say this is in its infancy is an understatement, but hay lets light this puppy and see where it goes.

I used this as inspiration:


Here is my rough sketch:

[leapinlew]

Thanks for referencing the Tempest cab. It's still going strong.

My wife has always been super cool with my gaming habit. If you want a tempest cabinet, build it, and then put it away when you aren't playing it. Is that an option? You could build yourself a decent arcade with a 15" LCD that would be light weight and probably play the games you are wanting to play.

Another option that is popular now is the pedestal cabinets which connect to your TV. Those are a little heavier, but you could easily roll it in and out of a closet.

Personally though - I'd see if you could carve out some space out of the house for a game room. Good luck. Your design is intriguing.

[leapinlew]

Another suggestion, build a real small cabinet. There are several examples out there, but here is a galaga I built:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,68683.0.html

If I had to do it again, I would go with an iCade and a LCD. A smidge bigger, and I could have fit in a 15" LCD. Speaking of measurements. What's your idea as far as measurements?

Oh, check out the barrel of kong thread for a decent looking furniture inspired cabinet. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131202

[Mordwaffe]

Thanks for referencing the Tempest cab. It's still going strong.

My wife has always been super cool with my gaming habit. If you want a tempest cabinet, build it, and then put it away when you aren't playing it. Is that an option? You could build yourself a decent arcade with a 15" LCD that would be light weight and probably play the games you are wanting to play.

Another option that is popular now is the pedestal cabinets which connect to your TV. Those are a little heavier, but you could easily roll it in and out of a closet.

Personally though - I'd see if you could carve out some space out of the house for a game room. Good luck. Your design is intriguing.

Thanks, I am still not ruling tempest style for me, I just want to try something new (for these boards anyway) for practice. This was my Visio mockup years ago I never followed up on. I love the shape of this Cabinet and TRON for some reason.

My wife would let me do just about anything I want in my office (we just moved into a larger house so I have an office ), so my working with her sensibilities is a courtesy more than a mandate.    Also I work in an office full of old arcade gamers, if I can do this artfully enough it can be an office toy.

New house comes with a garage, so I have a workspace, which is what stopped me before.

Another suggestion, build a real small cabinet. There are several examples out there, but here is a galaga I built:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,68683.0.html

If I had to do it again, I would go with an iCade and a LCD. A smidge bigger, and I could have fit in a 15" LCD. Speaking of measurements. What's your idea as far as measurements?

Oh, check out the barrel of kong thread for a decent looking furniture inspired cabinet. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131202

 

Smallish, one player 10-15" LCD monitor.  The iCade is the route I was thinking for this build, low space requirements for a small build, less heat (I would think).  Once I get the size of the components written down I am going to do some more detailed wireing and cab plans.

PS: when I said older gamers I meant my age (Mid 40s) not trying to insult anyone 

[leapinlew]

Looks good. The only thing I would recommend is you angle the monitor back a little. Odds are you'll be looking down at it, opposed to looking straight at it.

[Mordwaffe]

Ok for clarification, PCBs are powered over the JAMMA connector correct? Or do I need to get a standard PC Power Supply or will the lower wattage arcade one do?

[PL1]

The only thing missing from your block diagram is the "Power Outlet" connection for the monitor.   


Scott

[Mordwaffe]

Well I have been thinking more about this build; And I think I want to cram a one slot MVS into it.  Any of the one slots more reliable/desirable than another?

I realize now that i would need to use a video converter increasing cost (above getting a NEO GEO MVS PCB.

I have toyed with "draft" more. I think I will go for a black lacquer-ish finish with chrome trim

The idea would be then to get a black ball top joystick, and black buttons with chrome plated cylinders. I prefer the concave buttons, but the only "Chromed" one I seem to find are the convex LED buttons. Is it possible to buy both (Normal concave and these) mix and match?

Another option I think is to do the trim white instead of chrome/silver and buy white and black push buttons. I also thin that if i am doing any side work (the words NEO GEO) it will probably be white, and that may look more uniform, but the chrome may make it look better.