Finally started the bartop....

[thedyingmatt]

So I finally got my friend to get out all his tools and get to work.  I used the basic schematics from the happy hour bartop unit by Oscar. I used 3/4 inch thick mdf. So the first thing you will notice is that I kept the outer plastic casing on the front of the monitor because I plan on just painting it black maybe even making a cheap plastic bezel down the line.  I also opted for the x arcade dual joystick setup, so we measured in the extra 7" for the x arcade cp.  So with that in mind we totally just cut of where the control panel would come out.  We recessed the monitor a bit for the true "arcade" feel, which again might be covered over time with a bezel.  We managed to get the bottom done with some bracket style work, as well as the rear monitor brace.  All in all pretty good I thought for one day with two dudes that haven't really done that much woodwork before.Here's the link to the pictures:  http://groups.msn.com/MCCHEVROWSK/shoebox.msnw?Page=Last
 Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!  Thanks!!!

Also, if anyone knows of where Mr. Oscar bought the fans for his project, I would love you.  Thanks yet one more time!!

Matthew

[javeryh]

Looks good so far - do you have any plans for the artwork?

[thedyingmatt]

Yes Actually I did have some ideas for the art.  First off, I'll probably pay Oscar respect and at least use the Mame graphic he has on his website that he used for his bartop.  I am ordering the X Arcade 2 player setup on Saturday, so I might even put an X Arcade logo on the cab as well.  I'm also going to take the X Arcade to a paint shop when it arrives to see if the shop can mix together the closest shade of black that the X Arcade comes in. 

So basically I have an idea of what color I want it to be and a couple of graphics, but I'd love to hear any ideas that any of you may have!!!

Thanks again!!

Matt

[thedyingmatt]

So after three days of construction this is where we stand right now:

http://Http://groups.msn.com/mcchevrowsk

Now I'm sure some of you are wondering about the front grill idea...  Yeah it looks rugged right now, but once I'm finished I plan on having the plexi sitting directly on top of the front panel.  I think after I bezel and place the plexi, it will look decent.  As for the hole on the right, it's for the x arcade output. 

The fans are just simply wired through the switch with the twelve volt adapter coming out the back (black cord).  It has to be plugged in and all but I think it's a good design.  I know it definitely needs sanded, puttied, and all that junk, but I think for a first time build with only a jig and table saw it is ok. 

I will definitely just take off the temporarily grill covers and put on ones mountable via screw.  Hole on bottom left of the back for x arcade.  So my question is, what would be the best bezel option for me??  Classicarcadegrafix.com??  It's a 14 inch monitor.

Well all in all it was fun building it and I'd definitely build a standup next!!!! 

Matthew

[Witchboard]

How much noise do those two fans put out?

[thedyingmatt]

seems about the same amount as my e machines does.  But after I turn on my two 15' speakers it doesn't even matter.  I've taken a liking to playing robotron EXTREMELY LOUD....One of the better emulated games sound wise.

[thedyingmatt]

And on that note where the hell did my other thread go entitled bartop update?  Was it deleted???  I thought it would be ok since this flinkly fellow has started two or three different threads on his metalslug machine......  That kind of irritates me.....

[BobA]

For my bezels on bartop machines.  I have used 1/4 inch plywood, art board from a craft shop and matting from a frame shop.  Of the three the foam art board from a craft shop was the cheapest.  You can get a foam board covered with black paper. I think it is used for presentations and is much stiffer then bristol board.  Only thing is cutting the board exposes the foam core so touched it up with a bit of black acrylic paint. The same paint can be used on the edges of the screen on your monitor so no plastic will show.   It all blends in quite well.

Put your artwork or instruction info on the foam board and cover with a very thin plexi or lexan.

Examples are on my website.

BobA

[Witchboard]

But after I turn on my two 15' speakers it doesn't even matter.

Whoah! 15 foot speakers!? 

Just ribbin' ya. 

I can't tell from the pics, but it doesn't look like the holes for the fans are round nor as large as the fans are.  If you make the holes as large as the fan blades it will cut down on air turbulence, thus making them more quiet and improving air flow.  Then you wouldn't need to turn your 15' speakers up so loud. 

[thedyingmatt]

haha my typo....

We didn't have a router or anything of the sort, so we cut out octagon shapes...

[SirPeale]

And on that note where the hell did my other thread go entitled bartop update?  Was it deleted???  I thought it would be ok since this flinkly fellow has started two or three different threads on his metalslug machine......  That kind of irritates me.....

Not deleted...merged.

I'll check the other one as well.  Multiple posts are cool for other forums, but project announcements *should* be limited to one.

Multiple posts happen sometimes (of course) but they mostly get taken care of.  But hey, we're only human.  If we missed one, it's oversight.


Edit: after some checking, what other threads are you talking about?  I dont see any other announcement threads.

[thedyingmatt]

I guess they were merged like you said.  I had initially wrote a new topic entitled "Bartop Update!!!!!"  and see that halfway down the thread the title changes to bartop update.  So all is good, as like you said, you merged them.

To me that really rocks because it shows how maintained this board is..

So I guess what I really should be saying is thank you for taking to time to merge my threads...This shows me that people read my posts and follow them well enough to know that they need merged.  Once again I thank you.

And does anyone know a good step by step guide to getting mamewah to work??  When I d/l it I couldn 't for the life of me, get all the in mamewah options to pop up i.e. emulator options, etc....'

and I couldn't get emul.ini files to show up in the files folder after repeatedly starting up mame wah.  Thanks

Matt

[thedyingmatt]

In case anyone cares about my project, I painted it the other day.  http://groups.msn.com/mcchevrowsk

I'll be posting more pictures later as I have since painted the monitor casing black as well.

more pics to come

m.c. chevrowsk

[captainpotato]

*thinks* Hmmm, I should finally start a thread with the progress of my bartop, especially now I've looked at the progress of your cab... Nice.

*thinksmore* Ah, the fumes of oil-based paint in this room I'm in... Yes, in the next few days I should definitely show some pics of my bartop...

[thedyingmatt]

thanks for the comments.

You should put up pictures!!  I do fancy me the bartops so let us know when the time is right.

[thedyingmatt]

So I bought some black on black foam/posterboard for five dollars and did up this removable bezel.

[captainpotato]

thanks for the comments.

You should put up pictures!!  I do fancy me the bartops so let us know when the time is right.

I plan to - I just need to find the time to scale them (not to mention doing the website...). I have taken more than enough to keep everybody happy.

I put the first coat of the top coat on last night, so it's coming along well