New CoinOPS Bartop Build

[mafiafan123]

Hi everyone this is my first post, I have looked into building a cabinet for some time now and have tried to figure out as much as I can by reading fourms etc.

I do have some questions and if you can suggest any ideas please do. I will update as this build goes on 

I have an old xbox v1.3 that was already soft modded since then I have loaded coin ops and set it as the default launch.

Now my build is basicly the following:
CoinOPS Xbox with 2x KADE w USB Adapter


Bartop Kit


Happ Controlls from Ebay

There is a video of the cabinet being put together here but it does not look proper to me 
See

The cabinet was pretty rough when I got it so ive already started sanding and putting primer on

See picture


Ive read about using wood battons and woodglue should I do this or just use screws and cover with wood filler?

Also thinking about doing vinyl overlays but I do not know how to properly get dimensions etc.

Also I do not have a router would a dremel and the following bit work for T-Molding  http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=543

Also sorry if this is confusing im confused myself lol

[yotsuya]

There aren't any pockets or batons on that design? And they didn't cut t-molding slots for you? Ugh. I'd use clamps and glue and pocket holes from the inside. Why marr the outside surface.

[mafiafan123]

There aren't any pockets or batons on that design? And they didn't cut t-molding slots for you? Ugh. I'd use clamps and glue and pocket holes from the inside. Why marr the outside surface.

Sadly the removed it and change the style right before ordering and I didn't notice.

No T-Molding slots either I have a dremel but I hear work doesnt come out clean.

I bought some clamps this weekend at Lowes, Ill finish primer this weekend and start the battons.

I do have one question given that the wood is   ¾” thick (cabinet built is only 19 ¼ wide, 21” tall, and 16 ½” deep) would 1 1/4 screws work for battons also what would I use 1x1?

Thanks! 

[yotsuya]

I use 1 1/4 drywall screws. Work well. Use plenty of glue.

[Slippyblade]

What Yots said.  1-1/4" course thread drywall screws.  Inexpensive, plenty of grab.  Is the wood you are working with a melamine?  If so, the glue isn't gonna do much.  Still use it, but unless you remove the laminate from where you attach the battens, it won't be anywhere near as strong.

[mafiafan123]

What Yots said.  1-1/4" course thread drywall screws.  Inexpensive, plenty of grab.  Is the wood you are working with a melamine?  If so, the glue isn't gonna do much.  Still use it, but unless you remove the laminate from where you attach the battens, it won't be anywhere near as strong.

The wood is Birch (blondewood) plywood I think, Also I haven't applied laminate yet I was going to coat everything in primer first well the outside anyhow. For security I should just do both glue & screws correct?

I know I will wrap the control panel and im really worried if I dont go with t-molding it will look bad. Thoughts?

[ark_ader]

No it will look fine.  Just get some strong Gorilla glue and some clamps.

That kit reminds me of my weecade I got on Ebay.  No batons. 

You could remove the guts of the xbox to get extra room, here is the xbox cabinet master at work:

[mafiafan123]

No it will look fine.  Just get some strong Gorilla glue and some clamps.

That kit reminds me of my weecade I got on Ebay.  No batons. 

You could remove the guts of the xbox to get extra room, here is the xbox cabinet master at work:

  Thats actually one of the tutorials I had been looking at theres a whole section on google docs. I think I might keep the xbox intact except for the power wire I will be running. Unfortunately the weather here has been non stop rain and everything is so humid Ive stopped for now hoping it will get better towards end of the week. Ark do you have pictures of the build without using battens? Im starting to lean towards them now though.

[BobA]

Don't use a Dremel for t molding slots.   It is not only inefficient, it is very dangerous.

[medtech1]

I found a router table to work really well for doing t-molding. 

[mafiafan123]

I found a router table to work really well for doing t-molding.

Budget wise im skipping the router for now ill get one when I start on my next build. I bought wood battens last night so looks like I changed my mind once again lol. Now I just need to find a speaker template and speakers/amplifier.

Do the following look ok?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shielded-Speaker-by-Happ-great-for-MAME-/320451818816?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4a9c6ab540 Speaker

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade-Home-Theater-Speaker-Amplifier-Jamma-Mame-and-other-Stereo-2-Channel-/331033313870?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d131f824e Amplifer

still trying to figure out the power I was thinking xbox wired to arcade switch but im wondering if I solder the monitor button to the same wires if they will both turn on and off at the same time or if I need some kind of junction/hobby box wired up in the tutorial im doing its a euro plug 220v and I cant seem to find the same box he used/ also worried about a strain on the xbox if I run anything off of it.

[opt2not]

I know I will wrap the control panel and im really worried if I dont go with t-molding it will look bad. Thoughts?

Budget wise im skipping the router for now ill get one when I start on my next build.

Wait. I'm curious to how you're going to manage this.  No t-molding to me sounds like you're going to round-over the edges? But how will you do this without a router?  Or are you just going sand the edges?
In my opinion, if you're going to be applying laminate to the wood and not "cap" the edges with molding, it's going to look ugly.

A router is pivotal in cabinet building.

[mafiafan123]

I know I will wrap the control panel and im really worried if I dont go with t-molding it will look bad. Thoughts?

Budget wise im skipping the router for now ill get one when I start on my next build.

Wait. I'm curious to how you're going to manage this.  No t-molding to me sounds like you're going to round-over the edges? But how will you do this without a router?  Or are you just going sand the edges?
In my opinion, if you're going to be applying laminate to the wood and not "cap" the edges with molding, it's going to look ugly.

A router is pivotal in cabinet building.

I agree about the router I think I am just going to wrap the control panel and insert a marque.

Maybe something like this?

- Grabbed from google

[mafiafan123]

Update.

Put some of it together I am at a wall though 

Im thinking of using a dell 1901 FP - Note on the picture (below) I have it on a stand it has not been mounted yet thus no room for marque.

My question is how much of an angle should I do for the monitor should it touch the bottom controls?

Also what mounting hardware should I use the screws in the back are to small maybe a dumb question lol but were can I find some longer screws that wont tear the threads. Do I need to take the monitor plastic off since it will be covered by a bezel, ive seen alot of people do this though.

Also there is a small GAP in control panel and in back but I put wood filler on it and will sand it smooth.

Picture update


Thanks! 

[ark_ader]

I will look for the pictures for you.  It really looks very cool. Leave the monitor plastics on, and get a nice bezel cut and mask off the buttons.

Before you know it, the build will be done, artwork, and coinOPS installed.

I think you did a very nice job there. 

Congrats!   

[Miskatonic]

nice work ! Yeah, I know what you mean about "no room for bezel". A lot of pre-builds don't seem to leave much room and I've seen many pre-made cabinets (that come with innards and all) online that have weird bezels. It seems common to have some space either side but none above and below. That's just weird to me. I don't recall any "real" machines ever having no bezel above and below the monitor, it just looks a bit odd.

I got the monitor in my machine for £10 from a car boot, which is where I find most 4:3 monitors. You can't check someplace like that for a smaller one ? The monitor you have looks good but, yeah, there's going to be little space for it in that build. Depends, you could "force" an artificial bezel as those dell monitors have good menu systems wherein you can scale the screen size. You could just shrink the display a little so there is a black border around the whole thing, thus making sure everyone playing/watching could see all that's going on. I would never put the joysticks at such an angle/distance that they could get in the way of the actual screen.

I'm currently building my first vertical bartop which is proving to be a total nightmare (just in terms of getting the right software) but I'm really happy with the outside design. I made it from £8 worth of scrap wood that I picked up so I'm pretty stoked that I've kept that cost right down. I have a whole box of joysticks, buttons and microswitches kicking around so I didn't need to splash out anything on them, which was nice :-)

I didn't go down the t-mold route, either, as I've no way to cut the channels here at home. I have only a jigsaw and a circular saw so can't really do much complex woodworking but it's enough for me :-) Instead of t-mold I went to the hardware store and picked up a 4 metre length of 16mm wide bowed edging wood and just glued that to the edges, filled any gaps between the cabinet and it and then masked it off and painted it. I should have painted it first, tbh, I put the back parts on it last night (this is an older picture, they're not on in this shot) and I painted them first. Much less hassle ;-)

Good luck with your build and post some more photos as you continue !

[Miskatonic]

one thing I find bugging/weird about these online kits is that they nearly always use 16-18mm mdf or board for the control panel. I think that's silly (unless you route out the underside for the joystick). Arcade joysticks are pretty short and most will give you not much room if you sub-mount on 16 or 18 mil. I used 10 mil mdf for my control panel on the latest cabinet and did so in the past, also, for the horizontal cabinets. It gives much more space for sticks, I find. Then again, each to their own :-)

[medtech1]

agreed.. I had to route out the control panel on the bartop kit I purchased as well.  I also had purchased a 16guage metal control panel off ebay I hope to use as well which is even more optimal.

[mafiafan123]

I will look for the pictures for you.  It really looks very cool. Leave the monitor plastics on, and get a nice bezel cut and mask off the buttons.

Before you know it, the build will be done, artwork, and coinOPS installed.

I think you did a very nice job there. 

Congrats!   

one thing I find bugging/weird about these online kits is that they nearly always use 16-18mm mdf or board for the control panel. I think that's silly (unless you route out the underside for the joystick). Arcade joysticks are pretty short and most will give you not much room if you sub-mount on 16 or 18 mil. I used 10 mil mdf for my control panel on the latest cabinet and did so in the past, also, for the horizontal cabinets. It gives much more space for sticks, I find. Then again, each to their own :-)

Ok, A tiny update. I probably will not get much time to mess with the cabinet until the weekend.
I just noticed something. The holes for my controls are not the same size I am using official Happ controls.

Does anyone happen to know the size of the hole that should be the right for the buttons?

I have an 1 1/8 bit and was wondering if that would be enough but I dont want to mess something up this far along lol

I put the joystick together but can not figure this little clip on the bottom I dont want to break it

Pictures below of everything I have talked about

Should I widen with this bit?


How does this go on here (metal ring in picture) to stop the square part from falling from switches?


Back board buttons fit, He changed his kit the week I purchased. So I am guessing I also got some of the old kit. Seller said he updated the holes to Happ specs.


Bad timing I guess? 

If I can get this sorted out next will be put in speakers,paint ,buttons & kade along with wrapping the control panel and ordering the marquee 

[Miskatonic]

I'd be very careful on widening the holes with that bit unless you have things very secure and are using a drill press, otherwise it's just going to jump about and splinter the buggery out of everything. With regards to what sizes the holes "should" be, it depends, there are a couple of different sizes for standard buttons :-/ Best thing is to just put the bit next to your buttons and check it it's a tad wider, then it's okay. I'm not sure on the collar for the stick, I don't have those kind of sticks. It looks maybe like a restrainer that might go on the bottom to make the stick 4 directional (instead of but that's a total and utter guess and is most probably wrong :-/

Seems like you are having some issues with this kit. I wish people wouldn't sell this kind of stuff on ebay without thinking it through first. It's all well and good to get a "perfect" kit where everything is marked to slot together so mistakes are impossible but people selling things that require work afterwards, hmm, that's a bit lame. Not all of us have access to tools and suchlike (which is usually, surely, why one would buy such a kit in the first place !?!?). We bought a 2 player flat pack kit ages back and this is what prompted me to start making my own, it was a complete mess and was about £90 for a bunch of MDF that would have cost about a tenner and was cut/drilled in a manner that I wouldn't have been happy with had I done it myself. I got in touch with paypal and returned the item for a refund in the end as it was just a piece of junk :-(

Again, the amount of manufacturers who supply with 18mm control panels unrouted is just stupid. It's like some hobbyist has just thought "duh... people play arcades... duh.... I can cut mdf.... duh..... I can use ebay". Not really fair on customers and it's shows lack of forethought.

[Miskatonic]

also, for potential vinyl overlays, can't you just measure the parts then add a 1/2 cm or thereabouts to each side to allow for "bleed" (don't put anything important in this area) and then do the design in photoshop using the rulers function (with guides for the bleeds) so you can make sure everything is hunky dory ?

Should be quite simple. Then just fit the vinyl, flip the board upside down and trim off the excess with an exacto knife :-)

[johnrt]

Take a look here and learn how it's supposed to be done:
http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/stepweecade.htm

[mafiafan123]

Take a look here and learn how it's supposed to be done:
http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/stepweecade.htm

I just wanted to put out there I have been reading tutorials, I've just been updating people as I go 

I have watched Degenatrons along with this link you sent me http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/stepweecade.htm (actually had it bookmarked lol).

The issue is the kit was missing alot parts or correct work done and was just slapped together example holes were not all the same side some was not sanded there was no cut for t-molding alot of little things that added to alot.

Anyhow I managed to fix the holes with a drill a steady hand and some sanding so now I can start work on the control panel.


CoinOPS set to default.xex at boot (Replaced dash-softmod)


Capacitor was blow ewww lol so I just removed it (Clock - I dont mind setting it when its first plugged in it will keep time long as there is power)




Im trying to do everything correctly and working with what I have I posted the pictures for anyone who is curious or may have even bought the same kit if this not the correct place then let me know so other wise  ill update when I have something else.

Next should have speakers, monitor and system wired up. Then will just be paint/vinyl control/marquee im excited lol 

[mafiafan123]

  Kade issue.  EDIT - Nevermind I had a bad ground wire.

[JDFan]

I put the joystick together but can not figure this little clip on the bottom I dont want to break it

How does this go on here (metal ring in picture) to stop the square part from falling from switches?

You have to press up on the black square piece on the bottom so that the metal ring slides into one of the grooves on the shaft - easiest way I have found is to turn the joystick upside done so the stick is on a table surface then using one hand press down on the black square piece so that the groove on the joystick shaft is exposed and then slide the e-clip into the groove (once it is in place a small amount it will hold itself there so that you can then press the ring onto the shaft with the end of a screwdriver or pair of needle nose pliers to clip it into place) - Be careful when putting it on as they tend to fly across the room and are hard to find if you let the black square piece go before the clip is in the groove.

Here's a youtube video that shows installing the clip at approx 3:40 in the video (it shows swapping the happ joystick into an x-arcade but at about 3:40 in the video shows installing the new happ joystick along with placing the e-clip on ( )

[mafiafan123]

Thanks JDFan I figured it out earlier.

Its been a very very slow build  not to mention its my first.

but since my last post I have gotten the following done.

Speakers ordered
New monitor - went widescreen better fit and well I dropped the other. Just like in the tutorial ha 
Speakers fitted
Everything primed ready for paint
Control panel tested with kade and wired up (Fixed a ground issue)

Still need to
Paint *is this kind ok? Everything has been sanded and primed


Design a marquee (I'm horrible at photoshop - I'm a MS Paint kind of guy lol)
Design a background for control panel
Fit Plexi
Order Component to VGA adapter & maybe a SLG (thoughts on this?)

Some random pics also please disregard the wiring in picture ill clean that up when I actually install everything it was just for testing.

Much better fit its an ACER 19in


Happ speakers - Hopefully they sound fine


Wires everywhere Kade test


Since I dont have a router for T-Molding and skipped that part I may go the route that deano71 did with car trim it looks nice. Obviously by my next build I will have one.

[mafiafan123]

Update:

Got the paint on today well still have some touch up to do but I really am digging the orange color no drips or runs.

See Pictures below (im not finished yet)

Im using blue buttons and a blue stick red buttons and a red stick though. Im really trying to come up with a marquee but im drawing a blank. Its running Coinops 4 I did a google search but on the marquee and button background I just cant find anything does anyone have some artwork they dont mind sharing? 







Ideas for a marquee? just google search I would not use the artwork without asking the creator or without permission fyi

Its okay but I just dont know about the whole mame thing just seems to generic



Help please lol

[mafiafan123]

Thinking of doing this marquee


and this control panel


Source here http://solidwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Mortal-Kombat-Logo-wallpaper-android-desktop.jpg

Can anyone do the control panel background without the MK Logo?    , Also any suggestions on LED Backlighting?

[yotsuya]

Thinking of doing this marquee

Holy crap!

and this control panel


Source here http://solidwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Mortal-Kombat-Logo-wallpaper-android-desktop.jpg

Can anyone do the control panel background without the MK Logo?    , Also any suggestions on LED Backlighting?

Now that I like better. Even going with a MK theme might be nice. You have a fighter layout.

Just a friendly suggestion - Why not come up with a single unifying theme as opposed to "Every character, art style, and arcade thing under the sun"?

[mafiafan123]

Thinking of doing this marquee

Holy crap!

and this control panel


Source here http://solidwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Mortal-Kombat-Logo-wallpaper-android-desktop.jpg

Can anyone do the control panel background without the MK Logo?    , Also any suggestions on LED Backlighting?

Now that I like better. Even going with a MK theme might be nice. You have a fighter layout.

Just a friendly suggestion - Why not come up with a single unifying theme as opposed to "Every character, art style, and arcade thing under the sun"?

I think I want to go the mortal kombat route but Im not good enough in Photoshop to make a marquee like that. Maybe have something that says Mortal Cabinet / Bartop Kombat or something similar?

Also add these on both side sides

 

Thanks for the thoughts every bit helps

[mafiafan123]

Marquee

(How hard is it to change the purple in photoshop is it just a filter)




Control Panel art?
1.


2.

Just need to order my componet to Vga and speaker amp this week and I will be done!  Well aside from the art which I will prob order from http://www.gameongrafix.com/

I know my build is slow and its so silent in here lol but any thoughts 

[DeLuSioNal29]

How about Malenko's designs?  You could always ask him.   




DeLuSioNaL29

[mafiafan123]

How about Malenko's designs?  You could always ask him.   




DeLuSioNaL29

  Thanks I sent him a PM I was looking at some of his work its nice! I hope to have that many cabinets one day if my wife doesn't kick me out first ha but I think she starting to like it

[Malenko]

give me dimensions and an idea of what you want, I'll try to help.

The UMK3 marquee was done cause the guy said "I like your MKII Kabinet marquee, but I want it done like UMK3"  very specific!

You just want yours to say Kombat Bartop in an MK style font?   What do you want in the BG? the UMK3 skulls, the MKII thunderbolt, the MK1 dragon?

[mafiafan123]

give me dimensions and an idea of what you want, I'll try to help.

The UMK3 marquee was done cause the guy said "I like your MKII Kabinet marquee, but I want it done like UMK3"  very specific!

You just want yours to say Kombat Bartop in an MK style font?   What do you want in the BG? the UMK3 skulls, the MKII thunderbolt, the MK1 dragon?

Wow thanks for offering to help!, I think that's why this site is so great 

I was thinking something along the lines of it saying Kombat Bartop with MK font yes, I was also thinking MK3 Skulls for the background. Then maybe doing the player thing I posted above for control panel.

Do you think it will clash with the orange and I go a different route? 

I will get you the dimensions today when I get home. Unfortunately I'm at work right now and don't remember off the top of my head.

[conker]

I'm digging the MK theme!

[mafiafan123]

give me dimensions and an idea of what you want, I'll try to help.

The UMK3 marquee was done cause the guy said "I like your MKII Kabinet marquee, but I want it done like UMK3"  very specific!

You just want yours to say Kombat Bartop in an MK style font?   What do you want in the BG? the UMK3 skulls, the MKII thunderbolt, the MK1 dragon?

Sent you PM , Thanks!

I wont lie as a kid growing up I always would go to the grocery store just to play MK lol
I'm digging the MK theme!

[rablack97]

    Yes Malenko is the SHIZZNITTT!!!!  He does great work

But my man coinops 4, do you know its at Coinops 7 now.......lets' get rid of the brick phone and get you an iphone 

[mafiafan123]

  Yes Malenko is the SHIZZNITTT!!!!  He does great work

But my man coinops 4, do you know its at Coinops 7 now.......lets' get rid of the brick phone and get you an iphone 

Ha I'm aware actually have been doing stuff with xbox since back in the day although im new to coinops and this fourm been around forever on X-S look me up same username. I just have coinops 4 set up perfectly how I liked it with 400GB with only a couple of MB left on the hard drive lol. Also I think the folder structure may have changed in 6 or 7 don't want to have to worry about it.

Soon as I get spare time this year Ill TSOP flash another box slap a hard drive in there - I have plans for another bartop (HaRuMaN's kit) since the kits on here are much better than fleabay  I just need to finish this first.

Hobby seems even more addictive not that im actually messing with it

Unfortunately if you have watched the weather parts of Dallas here and some family in Houston have been hit hard. While I work on this im also fighting to repair my fence and my roof blah oh well I always like a challenge.

[rablack97]

Wherebouts in Dallas, i'm in Mckinney 

CO has gotten easier to use, there are builds called massive so you don't have to fool with anything.  Just upload to box and be done with it.  More games added more cores updated, and the speed and game compatability is better.  There is even mouse support now for trackballs games.

It's vision/premium thats a PITA to fool with, but coinops is pretty solid and easy to add to, just more video and marquee folders added for the folks that like to have like 13,000 games