Jack Daniel's Barrel of Kong

[The Dude]

I'm sure a few of you have seen my post on the main page about my wiring issues with this set up but I wanted to show my completed project here for those that hadn't seen it yet.

I started this project last summer when I went to Lynchburg, TN to visit the Jack Daniel's distillery an picked up an unfinished barrel. The barrel was rough too. I spent the next month sanding the barrel and applying the MinWax dark walnut stain on it, with a satin clear coat. The next step was doing the build out which I had a good friend of mine help me with.

The internal parts are a 60 in 1 with a Jamma harness, 2 player cocktail, with an LCD computer monitor. I added a scanline generator to improve the look of the screen.

The wood working was the most difficult process because I had the monitor incased in a white oak (to match the barrel) frame and recessed a cut in the top of the barrel for it to sit on. I also built a shelf in the barrel for all of the hardware to rest on. By removing the monitor everything is easily accessible.

The complete project took about a week to complete but that was done over 8 months of time. Most of my time was spent figuring out how to attach the side arms for the controls and how to lay the monitor. This project started with me seeing a Facebook post showing off Maximus's amazing Barrel of Kong, which led me here.

Anyways, I hope you guys approve.

-The Dude

[Nephasth]

This project started with me seeing a Facebook post showing off Maximus's amazing Barrel of Kong, which led me here.

That one is a hack job compared to yours. Great woodworking skills here!

[DaOld Man]

Sweet project!
Ive got a barrel that has dried out and the wood shrank a bit. It did allow me to remove two bands and one end cap, but thats about as far as Ive got with my barrel project.
How did you cut out for the control panel and get it so close? It looks very good. Thats what has been holding me up (that and my bad case of laziness). Ive been wondering how to cut the barrel yet keep it lining up with the CP.

[yotsuya]

I've never been a fan of these Kong Barrels because the control panels seem like an add-on/afterthought, but yours are very nicely integrated. I also like how you kept it all natural-looking. 

[DaOld Man]

I just checked out your other post about this project in The Main forum.
I see you did not cut the barrel for the control panels, you attached the panels to the barrel sides.
Ingenious!
If the monitor I bought for my project will fit the uncut barrel, I may do the same thing.

[The Dude]

Yeah, I didn't want to compromise the integrity of the barrel by removing the bands. I know that other methods had it re-enforced with banding placed inside screwed to each stave. Also the extra screws set to reattach the original exterior banding probably aid some in that regard but I wanted to keep it as original as possible. I was just worried that if it could screw up on me, it would have

What I did to cut into the lid was drill a 1" hole in the top then use a jigsaw to cut out the existing portion. Then I used a miter to cut in 3/4" to create the ledge for the monitor to rest on.

One other thing I did with the barrel is that once I removed the top cut-out I turned it into a bar sign for the garage.

[pbj]

Show us some more pics of how you attached those control panels. 

[The Dude]

Here you go, it's the best I've got. That section of the build was the hardest so taking pictures was the last thing on my mind. Please note that I sanded the  out of the edges to keep it symmetrical and repeat the flow of the barrel. I even gashed some of the areas to repeat the feel. I know that probably sounds odd but I really didn't want it to look like an arcade. More like a table to sit at and rest your drink while playing pool in my bonus room.

[Nephasth]

...in my bonus room.

What are you? A realtor?

[The Dude]

 

No I'm not but what the  else do you call it? My Wreck room? Movie room? Play room? Den of iniquity?


If I were to call it correctly it'd be my "Den of Geek"

[yotsuya]

No I'm not but what the  else do you call it? My Wreck room? Movie room? Play room? Den of iniquity?


If I were to call it correctly it'd be my "Den of Geek"

JUST DON'T CALL IT YOUR MANCAVE!!!!!!!!11!!!

[ChanceKJ]

  This is how a barrel arcade should be done. Great job!

[The Dude]

No I'm not but what the  else do you call it? My Wreck room? Movie room? Play room? Den of iniquity?


If I were to call it correctly it'd be my "Den of Geek"

JUST DON'T CALL IT YOUR MANCAVE!!!!!!!!11!!!

Or that

[yotsuya]

No I'm not but what the  else do you call it? My Wreck room? Movie room? Play room? Den of iniquity?


If I were to call it correctly it'd be my "Den of Geek"

JUST DON'T CALL IT YOUR MANCAVE!!!!!!!!11!!!
Or that.... 

You're all right, the dude. Don't be a stranger.

[The Dude]

This is how a barrel arcade should be done. Great job!

Thank you!

But I would have never made it without seeing Maximus' version. His takes the top place for being the original. 

[dmckean]

I like it too, classy. 

[Kier]

No I'm not but what the  else do you call it? My Wreck room? Movie room? Play room? Den of iniquity?


If I were to call it correctly it'd be my "Den of Geek"

JUST DON'T CALL IT YOUR MANCAVE!!!!!!!!11!!!
Damn straight. Dont ever call it that.

[mike boss]

These barrel projects are awesome, and what an impact have the JD branding on it makes.