1st Bartop build

[Peabo]

Though I've browsed these forums for a little over a year, I never registered.  Well, I finally have something to post, so I registered finally. 

This is a Bartop build for my nieces that needs to be done 2 months from when I was asked to build it. 

So I was given an I3-2120 on a Gigabyte ITX board with a 128gb SSD to run on.

With the short time frame, I opted to buy a bartop kit from ebay. 

Here's the kit assembled (about 1 hour of work)





I added a piano hinge for the control panel to be able to flip open.  I got lucky and the 19" monitor I had fit perfectly without decasing, which saves me from having to make a bezel.  The vesa mounts are also part of the plastic casing on this monitor...



Discovered that the pre-drilled holes in the front for the player 1 and player 2 buttons interfere with the 2 player control panel buttons.



Moved the front panel buttons out and filled in the old holes.



I need to add some more photos, but this is all I have for now. 

• I used some carbon fiber vinyl adhesive (pretty much shelf paper) for the overall finish
• It's using a I-pac 2 and a slim 300watt power supply internally
• The control panel is held down using cabinet magnets
• The monitor gets removed if you need access to the power supply or motherboard

[reptileink]

Nice job on moving those buttons! Are you planning a bezel? If not, I think magic eraser can remove the name brand from the monitor if it's any big deal. Nice clean build here, like the carbon fiber paper too. Seems to be coming together nicely.

[Peabo]

Thanks!  No bezel planned.  I'll give the magic eraser a try.  I'll get some more photos tonight, I've added a piece of rubber to fit between the CP and Monitor that closes the gap, hides the monitor buttons and the monitor power on led. 

[Peabo]

Interior with monitor out



Marquee installed



Control panel flipped open


Shot of the rubber strip between control panel and monitor


Marquee lit with Hyperspin running

[05SRT4]

For a 1st build this looks really good 

Are you using PC speakers?

The only thing that kind of bugs me is the hinge across the front, but its not a deal breaker.

[Peabo]

Yes, I'm using these PC speakers:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XE3X8Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The speakers are 2" in diameter.  The amp is a little noisy, but what do you expect for $13?   

[woosdom]

do you have a link for the kit? very nice build


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[yotsuya]

Discovered that the pre-drilled holes in the front for the player 1 and player 2 buttons interfere with the 2 player control panel buttons.

I use Ultimarc GoldLeaf buttons on the front. Those are very short and prevent any interference.

[reptileink]

Kind of bummed you went with a generic MAME marquee. You said it was for your daughter nieces, was hoping you'd come up with something themed for her 

Nice build though, like the rubber gasket seal. Perhaps a little black spraypaint would make that piano hinge hide a bit more?

[Peabo]

Discovered that the pre-drilled holes in the front for the player 1 and player 2 buttons interfere with the 2 player control panel buttons.

I use Ultimarc GoldLeaf buttons on the front. Those are very short and prevent any interference.

That's a good tip on the buttons.  I think I have some old leaf switch buttons that are probably shallower somewhere.  Not really up to shipping just 2 buttons just for this

I agree, some black paint on the hinge would hide it better.  The hinge is chrome plated and I'd have to sandblast it for it to last, probably not going to happen.  I need to deliver this thing June 3rd.

[Peabo]

do you have a link for the kit? very nice build


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This is the kit I purchased, though the price has gone up now.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/271796908543?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It's just the wood pieces cut out.  You'll need to assemble it with a nail gun (what I did + glue), or alot of screws and pre-drilling.  The edges are a little rough from the CNC machine, but easy to smooth out with an orbital sander.  In short, if you don't have a nailer and orbital sander, you might want to spend a little more for a kit that's ready to be screwed together.  There's also no groove cut for t-molding.

[mafiafan123]

Wow same kit (Mine was $68 at the time) but ours look different im currently on hold working with mine since I need to paint and its non stop humid here.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,145354.0.html Link to mine

Some questions

I noticed your back panel is a little different as well, What monitor size did you use?

Do you have any pictures of the sides? Also did you order the marquee?

Sorry for all the questions but I had to ask since same kit lol, Anyhow looks great! you did an awesome job! 

[Peabo]

I looked at your thread, it's the same back panel as mine

I'll take some side and back photos for you and show you how I did the power input.  I'll take some better pics as to how everything is put together

The monitor is an Envision 19" widescreen 1440x900

I ordered the Marquee from http://www.gameongrafix.com/

[mafiafan123]

I looked at your thread, it's the same back panel as mine

I'll take some side and back photos for you and show you how I did the power input.  I'll take some better pics as to how everything is put together

The monitor is an Envision 19" widescreen 1440x900

I ordered the Marquee from http://www.gameongrafix.com/

Thanks for the reply! 

My back has some random vent holes lol I didnt see them on yours.

I had a spare dell 1901FP Monitor 4:3 but im thinking of changing to widescreen now that I see how nice yours fits.

Mine is running through CoinOPS and is powered by xbox and KADE.

Are you going to add plexi to the front and make a bezel?

[Peabo]

Here's some more photos:

Shot of the back


Power inlet


Power inlet from inside of the cabinet


Another shot of the control panel.  The rubber piece between the control panel and the monitor is a screen door swipe

[mafiafan123]

Here's some more photos:

Shot of the back

Interesting yours doesnt have the vent holes mine does ill post when home also whats the red button for? I like the power switch and nice wiring for first bartop  im ocd with wires so hopefully I can make mine clean or ill probably go crazy 

[Peabo]

The red button is a momentary switch that turns the pc on/off