Yet another Bartop project! It's Alive - and testing has begun.

[eccs19]

I bought a set of plans from Mr. Bubblehead for his bartop, and I have been working away on it.  I had no plans of putting any pictures of it, as there are a few of them on here already, but I thought I'd at least share my T-Molding story with you all.  After I finished my other machine, I had some T-Molding left over, and it looked as if it would be close to having enough, but I was worried I was gonna be short.  See attached pictures to see how close I really was.

[javeryh]

Looks good but I can't believe someone would charge you for the plans...

[Stobe]

Looks good so far.

Out of curiosity, how did you attach the "shelves".  Did you countersink/screw, or L-bracket, or glue, or

Also, whats your plan for button layout?  Looks like a 1 stick setup.  Are you going to do a 2 or 3 button ambidextrous (sp?)?  Or simple 1 sided button layout?

Keep it up!

-Stobe

[eccs19]

Looks good so far.

Out of curiosity, how did you attach the "shelves".  Did you countersink/screw, or L-bracket, or glue, or

Also, whats your plan for button layout?  Looks like a 1 stick setup.  Are you going to do a 2 or 3 button ambidextrous (sp?)?  Or simple 1 sided button layout?

Keep it up!

-Stobe

shelf question - Assuming we are talking about the marquee area, I used a combination of carpenters glue, and a few brad nails.  It's very sturdy, I don't think it will be easy to break.

Plan for layout is one stick, three buttons on the right side, and player 1-2 right up on the very left side.  I think perhaps also a "shazam" button at the mid top of the control panel, then I hope to use the player 1&2 buttons for coin up's and "ESC" to get out of the games.  Just not sure how well that will work.   

[Stobe]

Plan for layout is one stick, three buttons on the right side, and player 1-2 right up on the very left side.  I think perhaps also a "shazam" button at the mid top of the control panel, then I hope to use the player 1&2 buttons for coin up's and "ESC" to get out of the games.  Just not sure how well that will work.   

It should work fine.  I've been able to do everything you listed there without a shazam button, using the "standard" (ipac/jpac, etc) layout.  1P serves as the "shazam" key, and even the functions I don't have committed to memory (tab, volume, etc) I can find withing one or two guesses.

-Stobe

[eccs19]

Plan for layout is one stick, three buttons on the right side, and player 1-2 right up on the very left side.  I think perhaps also a "shazam" button at the mid top of the control panel, then I hope to use the player 1&2 buttons for coin up's and "ESC" to get out of the games.  Just not sure how well that will work.   

It should work fine.  I've been able to do everything you listed there without a shazam button, using the "standard" (ipac/jpac, etc) layout.  1P serves as the "shazam" key, and even the functions I don't have committed to memory (tab, volume, etc) I can find withing one or two guesses.

-Stobe

Does that mean you wouldn't even use a button as I suggested in the mid upper as a shazam key?  Can you actually set up your Player 1 button as a player 1 and shazam?  How would you pull that off?  Or did I just mis-read what you put?

Thanks!

[eccs19]

Thought I would post an update. I'm pleased with the outcome to date.  Basically have all the parts on for final assembly, just need to mount the monitor, install the computer, etc, and figure out what I'm gonna do about speakers. I almost hate to cut holes in this after seeing how it's turned out. I may just run a wire to the inside and have speakers sitting on the bar beside it.  Any thoughts?  I really don't want to cut any holes if I can help it.

[eccs19]

I hope I don't get ostracized for this, but I've picked the following graphics for the side of my bartop. Well not perfect for this game (being as Joust is 2 player, and this machine is only 1 player), I've always liked the looks of this.  It cost me nothing to do, as I used old vinyl I had lying around. (I'm sure the color match will attest to this), but over all I'm happy with the way it turned out.

[muffin man]

looks very good the colors blend in with it.

[eccs19]

One topic that I have seen a few times on this board is discussions about getting a working PC into a bartop. A lot of guys will instead put a Jakks Pacman / Ms. Pacman and go with that.  I had to go for the challenge of getting a PC up and running in this with a monitor.  I have successfully managed to get everything mounted. This picture shows the rough install, but basically what you see is approximately where everything will sit. (minus the power bar, but I have lots of room for that) It is snug, but still nicely fits. I will add a fan to the back cover to help air circulation as well.

[janey]

Oh  I wanna see how u connect the wiring.
i'll be starting mines soon as i get more info...

 keep the pic's and info coming in .. Great....

 thanks

janey

[eccs19]

Oh  I wanna see how u connect the wiring.
i'll be starting mines soon as i get more info...

 keep the pic's and info coming in .. Great....

 thanks

janey

Here's the control panel wired up to the I-Pac.  It's not the fully mounted, etc., but give you an idea of the controls.  I don't have any extra admin buttons on the control panel, but I can add coins, pause the game, and get into the games admin menus with this setup.

[Stobe]

Looks great.  Sorry for not getting back to you earlier about the 1P "shazzam" key, but it sounds like you figured it out.  Keeps it nice and simple, huh? (My 4 year old daughter has figured what buttons = coin up, yet my wife hasn't, lol).

This is the first time I've seen a monitor shelf like that in a bartop, and I have to say that its brilliant!.  I was going to put in a normal full width shelf in mine, but this looks like it leaves more room for both airflow and cpu parts.

Keep it up.
-Stobe

[eccs19]

Looks great.  Sorry for not getting back to you earlier about the 1P "shazzam" key, but it sounds like you figured it out.  Keeps it nice and simple, huh? (My 4 year old daughter has figured what buttons = coin up, yet my wife hasn't, lol).

This is the first time I've seen a monitor shelf like that in a bartop, and I have to say that its brilliant!.  I was going to put in a normal full width shelf in mine, but this looks like it leaves more room for both airflow and cpu parts.

Keep it up.
-Stobe

I was debating the shelf idea as well, but my problem with the shelf was that if I built a shelf for my monitor, then the monitor was to blow up, then the shelf may not have fit the new monitor.  As least with this idea, it's easy to adjust to whatever monitor I'm using, and if I needed space for a CD drive, (or whatever) it could possibly fit under the monitor. I'm not planning on putting a CD drive in there, if I need to get anything onto that machine, then I will just use my flash drive. Damn I love flash drives. I drilled a couple of holes in the base of the monitor, then took some wood screws, and screwed the base to my "shelf", then took a couple of "L" brackets and screwed them to the bottom of the cabinet and the "shelf".  Works well.  I think this thing is going to be fairly heavy to move around once I get it completed.   

[Stobe]

I think this thing is going to be fairly heavy to move around once I get it completed.   

Add a couple of 1.5" casters underneath.  Or maybe take the extending arm out of a suitcase and mount it on the back.  How cool would that be to walk around with? 

-Stobe

[CheffoJeffo]

Hey Mark --- looking good.

A big NO to casters (not sure if the comment was made in jest or not).

You want those little rubber legs on the bottom of this or it will shimmy all over whilst you play. I picked up a working JAMMA Countertop that was labelled as hardware at SB in the summer and you don't want that moving or, worse yet, scratching the surface beneath.

See you Saturday ?

Cheers.

[Stobe]

A big NO to casters (not sure if the comment was made in jest or not).

It was said in jest.  Although it would add a new element to arcade gaming that might make it more interesting:  chasing the machine around the bar while playing.  (again, in jest).

-Stobe

[eccs19]

A big NO to casters (not sure if the comment was made in jest or not).

It was said in jest.  Although it would add a new element to arcade gaming that might make it more interesting:  chasing the machine around the bar while playing.  (again, in jest).

-Stobe

I was hoping that the caster comment was in jest, but you never know.  I wasn't about to do it regardless. (Thanks for the suggestion though!    )

[eccs19]

Hey Mark --- looking good.

A big NO to casters (not sure if the comment was made in jest or not).

You want those little rubber legs on the bottom of this or it will shimmy all over whilst you play. I picked up a working JAMMA Countertop that was labelled as hardware at SB in the summer and you don't want that moving or, worse yet, scratching the surface beneath.

See you Saturday ?

Cheers.

I was figuring on the rubber feet. I'm just not quite at that point yet.  I actually had it all together last night and playing it.  I still don't have any sound though.  I really don't want to cut it up to put speakers in it.  I'm trying to get inspired with an idea that won't look bad, or cut the case to pieces.

I'll be there with my buddy on Saturday to get a Bust a Move.  Will you be wearing that Halloween jacket again?

[Stobe]

You could always cut one small centered hole on the top (behind marquee area) and put a speaker grill on it.  You could even paint the speaker grill to match.  Since most games are mono anyhow, its not like 2 holes is really necessary.

Also, you could do something similar on the back door, and just make sure you have a disconnect for your speakers/power if you ever needed to take the door all the way off.

not perfect ideas, but maybe something will spark an idea.

-Stobe

[CheffoJeffo]

A big NO to casters (not sure if the comment was made in jest or not).

It was said in jest.  Although it would add a new element to arcade gaming that might make it more interesting:  chasing the machine around the bar while playing.  (again, in jest).

-Stobe

True enough ... sorry for missing the jest ... too little sleep lately ...

Cheers.

[eccs19]

Testing has begun. I have found that my older monitor has trouble with the resolution of some of the games, but I was half expecting that. I'll just have to delete them as I find them. So far it's a hit with my kids. Now if I can get them to stop "testing" then I may actually get the finishing touches done.   

[Stobe]

Well, at least for now you can get to the food in your freezer without moving your bartop.

(And what does everyone say about "testing" it before its 100% complete?  Shame on you!)

-Stobe

[eccs19]

Well, at least for now you can get to the food in your freezer without moving your bartop.

(And what does everyone say about "testing" it before its 100% complete?  Shame on you!)

-Stobe

Yes, my wife / we are happy to be able to get into the freezer now.  We get to eat again. Yahoo!  I pulled the plug yesterday, so testing is now over for a bit till I get some more done to it. <g>

[CheffoJeffo]

I'll be there with my buddy on Saturday to get a Bust a Move.  Will you be wearing that Halloween jacket again?

Tks for the reminder ... need to keep my wardrobe consistent!

[eccs19]

I'll be there with my buddy on Saturday to get a Bust a Move.  Will you be wearing that Halloween jacket again?

Tks for the reminder ... need to keep my wardrobe consistent!

In case anyone is wondering about this Halloween jacket, he's got this jacket with pumpkins, Ghosts n Goblins, and other Halloween critters.   

[captainpotato]

Testing has begun. I have found that my older monitor has trouble with the resolution of some of the games, but I was half expecting that. I'll just have to delete them as I find them. So far it's a hit with my kids. Now if I can get them to stop "testing" then I may actually get the finishing touches done.   

If you use AdvanceMAME, you ought to be able to run the vast majority of them.

[eccs19]

Testing has begun. I have found that my older monitor has trouble with the resolution of some of the games, but I was half expecting that. I'll just have to delete them as I find them. So far it's a hit with my kids. Now if I can get them to stop "testing" then I may actually get the finishing touches done.   

If you use AdvanceMAME, you ought to be able to run the vast majority of them.

Actually running Mame Wah.  I don't know if AdvanceMame would make a difference or not. I've never used it.  I think it's more that the older computer monitor doesn't handle certain resolutions.  Most of the games do work, it's just the odd one.

[captainpotato]

If you use AdvanceMAME, you ought to be able to run the vast majority of them.

Actually running Mame Wah.  I don't know if AdvanceMame would make a difference or not. I've never used it.  I think it's more that the older computer monitor doesn't handle certain resolutions.  Most of the games do work, it's just the odd one.

MAMEWah is the frontend - you use AdvanceMAME instead of MAME. Whilst it takes a bit to get set up, it will do a much better job in displaying them. You are right that it is the monitor that is the issue, AdvanceMAME is the way around it. Trust me on this one - you ought to try it as you'll get much nice results I use it on my old NEC 3D monitor that can do 15KHz-38KHz screenmodes, and not only does it display every game nicely, you can even add in scanlines to make a computer monitor look a lot more like an old arcade monitor.