Just Another Bartop MAME Unit...

[Sinner]

Actually if you use a hinge you could just use heavy velcro on the underside to keep it

[markrvp]

It doesn't appear that your slot bit needs anything else.  There is not a separate guide roller on top, just the bottom.  If your MDF is 3/4" then the depth of the slot bit's center needs to be at 3/8" so that the slot is in the exact middle of your material. 

I normally set the bit with a precision ruler and make a test cut in some scrap material.  I measure both sides of the cut to make sure the amount of wood on each side is the same measurement.  If not, I adjust and make another test.

See the pic below:

[AlanS17]

Why is it that Mark always has a picture for everything... Oh yeah... He's a photographer. 

I will definitely second the comment about a test cut. I found that one out the hard way once. And do it before you paint or apply laminate or sideart. Also, it wouldn't hurt to extent the groove around the bottom a little bit so you can tack it down and hold the ends in place.

[Sinner]

Thanks for the tips guys...
Tonight my GF and I worked on the unit, and what a time we had...
I measured and marked the middle of my MDF, then I setup the router and did a test cut...everything went fine, I pounded in a piece of T-molding (a very tight fit) and it was good...I then grabbed the bartop and started to route...this is when the trouble began...
I have the whole thing screwed and glued together...the problem with that, is that I screwed it from the sides and used metal "L" brackets for support...
The next thing I know sparks are flying and a chunk of something scratched my arm enough to make it bleed...the screws are too close to the side to route the whole thing using the guide...I did my best to not go so deep near the screws, and I finally finished...I tested with a piece of T-molding to make sure it would fit where the screws were, and it did...

Lesson learned: Route T-molding slot, before you screw everything together...

We put on 2 coats of primer, and I got one coat of paint on, just before I went to bed...
I also installed the TB mounting kit...I can't wait to start wiring, but I can't until I can design / find some artwork, and figure out how to cut the plexi I bought...

I'll post some more pictures tomorrow...
Thanks again...I really appreciate all the help...

[AlanS17]

If you screw into the surface, the base won't glide across it easily. I microscopic little bump on the wood can make the base jump.

[dphirschler]

Somebody suggested routing the t-molding groove before applying laminate.  I disagree.  The laminate adds about 1/16th" to the thickness of your wood (per side).  That needs to be considered both when cutting the groove, and in choosing the thickness of the t-molding.  It's especially important to laminate first if you are only laminating one side of your wood as I am (the other side will be stained).


Darryl

[NinjaEpisode]

Somebody suggested routing the t-molding groove before applying laminate.

[Sinner]

Somebody suggested routing the t-molding groove before applying laminate.

[Sinner]

Somebody suggested routing the t-molding groove before applying laminate.

[markrvp]

My T-molding seems to be a little on the short side...when it's on, there seems to be about 1/32 or so of wood showing...once it's painted, this won't show...maybe I need to pound it flatter or something...

Hammer it in a little farther to flatten it out 

[Sinner]

My T-molding seems to be a little on the short side...when it's on, there seems to be about 1/32 or so of wood showing...once it's painted, this won't show...maybe I need to pound it flatter or something...

Hammer it in a little farther to flatten it out

[Sinner]

Well, I've got about four coats of paint on this thing now, and I decided to finally put the T-molding on...what a job, but I think I finally got the hang of it...I had to cut notches out of the bends in the corners, and I had to trim a little off certain areas, because of interfering screws...I'll know better for the next one I build...the least amount of screws I can put in the sides, the better...

[Timoe]

Looking good.

What are the dimensions of the thing?  Overall width etc?

[Sinner]

Looking good.

What are the dimensions of the thing?

[Sinner]

Just a little update...I tried making a bezel...it's OK, but I may try again later on...

[cbmeeks]

looks damn fine to me!

What kind of computer did you use?

cbmeeks

[Sinner]

looks damn fine to me!

What kind of computer did you use?

cbmeeks

Thank you very much...I actually haven't built the PC part of it yet...I have an old PII 450, that I think I'm going to use, for now at least...I have an AMD 733MHZ and I've been using that to play with I may put it in an upright...so far I've setup MAME, DAPHNE, Nebula, and a few console emulators...I've also setup Ultrastyle, GameEX and MAMEWAH...I think I'm going to go with Ultrastyle for the bartop, because that's the one my GF likes the most...I haven't even been thinking of the PC and setup, I guess I should start, as I think I'll be finishing soon...

[CJK]

This project is turning out great! I've been thinking about building a cab for a friend for a housewarming present (he has a game room in it that I'm envious of), and a bartop would be perfect. Thanks for the inspiration!

Can't wait to see it in finished form!

-- Chris

[Taborious]

I saw you were going to post some measurements but I don't see them anywhere. I built a fullsize cab but Im looking to build a bartop for the father-in-law and liked your layout the best. Can you post the deminsions for the bartop? thanks...

[Sinner]

I saw you were going to post some measurements but I don't see them anywhere. I built a fullsize cab but Im looking to build a bartop for the father-in-law and liked your layout the best. Can you post the deminsions for the bartop? thanks...

I will do some measurements tonight and post them...right noe I know it's 19.5" wide and has a 15" monitor, but it could fit a 17"...

[Taborious]

Thanks Sinner, I'll wait patiently...

[Sinner]

OK, 19.5" wide, by 27" deep, by 25.25" high...
A little on the big side, I think...

[Timoe]

"OK, 19.5" wide, by 27" deep, by 25.25" high...
A little on the big side, I think... "

Yeah, I dunno.  I think I'd need to see more completed pictures and pictures of the machine running. 

[Sinner]

"OK, 19.5" wide, by 27" deep, by 25.25" high...
A little on the big side, I think... "

Yeah, I dunno.

[Taborious]

Guess I'll have to just eyeball it from your pics on the post. There are some good pics so hopefully I'll be OK. Id doesn't have to be exact it would have just been a little easier. Thanks for taking a look and good luck with you uprights...