Cocktail Refurb *update 11/11/05*

[AC.]

     My 3rd project. Need to make it different than the last two.  This was an AstroFighter in its day.  Decent shape, most of the lid is actually REAL WOOD!  the rest is plywood with woodgrain laminate.  Since the pics were taken, I have taken it somewhat apart, cleaned it, cleaned the glass top, removed the old fan and speaker and some other parts.

     I think it will make  a nice breakfast table. I'll put MAME in it, maybe a TV tuner, and Internet connection.

     Question: How to fix / finish the real wood parts, and the laminate parts.  I want this one to remain woodgrain looking.

[AC.]

Also: That is a TIGHT space for controls? Seems awkward that the controls were placed vertically.  I want a 4/8 way joystick with 3 buttons on each side. I may have to build an extension at maybe a 45 degree angle for the controls. Or after I start looking maybe I'll find some small controls.

[RayB]

Ebay the control panels and then build new ones at an angle.

[DrewKaree]

Use that picture of the mustache-lady as your artwork

 

[AC.]

Hahaha I used the shopvac to clean out the cab -- and that picture.

[danny_galaga]

square buttons! cool! ya gotta try and keep that look going (",)

[AC.]

That joystick that is in there is a really small 2-way joystick.  Keeping that look would be easier than building out to support other stuff.  Maybe carpel tunnel IS worth it to keep it unique.  I need some small joysticks?

Dgalaga: your cocktail is cool with the rotating monitor.

[danny_galaga]

That joystick that is in there is a really small 2-way joystick.

[AC.]

Happcontrols has a 'subminiature' and 'compact' 8-way joystick - I think one of those will fit.  They also have square buttons and I think that would be a good look.  The cocktail is clean and somewhat taken apart right now, the screws are all metric - but what would I expect from Data East.  There is a counter in the coin compartment indicating 48,000+ games played.    Next comes the SANDING, ungh.

[AC.]

Sanded!  A rotary sander is golden.  I would have never have done it without one.  What? Sand with the grain? Screw that - this aint going in the Park Palace Hotel Ballroom.   This one may take a while because the old computer and video card I have may not be able to screen rotate - the vidcard is a Riva TNT and it does not seem to have the ability to rotate.  Next is staining and the topcoat.

[danny_galaga]

wow. there are some serious chunks of actual wood there! just like grandma used to make!

[AC.]

Stained!

[AC.]

Legs painted.

 I found a program that will rotate the screen on the old Riva TNT2 vid card. I still have not figured out the controls because the original joysticks were so small.