JAB! (Just Another Bartop)

[pointdablame]

Well, I wanted to build something over the summer to keep busy, but turns out... I was busy haha.  So, instead, I've been working on this project for the past month or so.  Progress is moving really slow because I am at school, and only come home certain weekends, so I only really get maybe 4-6 days a month of possible time to work on it.  Hopefully I can hammer out a lot during Thanksgiving break, and if not, finish it up during my Xmas break.  Anyway, I thought I'd share even though this thread may be very slow with updates.... on to the cab...

Cab was made with 2 sheets of 2' x 4' MDF, 1/2" thick.  Cab was based loosely on some bartops I saw online, but pretty much freehanded by myself at the end.  I had a few extra computers and monitors sitting around, which is what inspired me to build.  

The computer will either be a 450mhz P2 or a 950mhz Athlon, depending on if I work out a deal for a faster Athlon system for my full-size upright (to be completed later).  Monitor is a 17" CRT.  Encoder is a Minipac, and I have a USB spinner to use on the CP as well.

You can read about some of my control panel ideas here: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=27091

So... onto some pictures.  Here are the two sides of the machine being sanded even.

[pointdablame]

Here are all the pieces in my basement after being cut.  Pretty self explanatory, and the dog seems to approve.

[pointdablame]

Here it is starting to look like something.  I used some 1" x 2" (pine I believe, whatever the Home Depot had at the time) and ripped ti to 3/4" x 3/4" for supports.  All screws were countersunk.

Oh, and again, the dog seems to be at least slightly interested.

[pointdablame]

Countersunk holes being filled with putty.  Took a while to get everything sanded.  In retrospect, it actually could have used a bit more work to get perfectly flat, but overall, I'm happy with the outcome.

[pointdablame]

Getting primed. As you can see in the pic, there isn't even a full coat of primer on it at the time, but I used Kilz primer.  I should have gotten a can instead of a spraypaint, and had it tinted, but oh well.  Cab will be satin black when everything is said and done.  I gave it a quick few coats of a gloss black, but was VERY disappointed in it, and decided on a Satin finish, which at this time isn't done yet (hopefully this weekend).

You can see a rectangular cutout on the back panel in the pic.  I decided that as opposed to a door in the rear, I'd use an air vent grate as a pseudo-access door.  I shot the grate with the same satin black paint, and it will be attached by bolts/wingnuts.  It's a very simple solution, but works very well and allows full access to the rear of the PC.

[pointdablame]

That is pretty much where I stand right now.  The cab has a coat of the satin black on it right now, but is not done being painted.

I'm still debating on the CP, but have all the controls except for the trackball (if I decide to use one).

The whole point of this cab really was the fact that I had everything needed to build it except for the MDF.  So far, I'd say I've spent $30 tops on the cab, and that's including the cost of some spray paint that I had on hand already.

I'm hoping to get some stuff done on the weekend, so I should have an update then.

[dreamcastninja]

nice!
I was just going to buy an xarcade solo (cuz im lazy)
and stick that and my monitor together, get a cheap mobo/hd off ebay and build it...

sort of like a box design

just build a wooden box around the monitor
put the pc under it and close the front off
i dunno
i'm terrible with stuff like this lol

[pointdablame]

You could probably build a cab similar to mine and use the top of the Xarcade (with controls attached) as your CP... assuming you just take measurements first.

I'm not a big fan of the Xarcades, but i dont' see why it woudln't work.