New to the site, my projects to date

[Drifter]

Hi everyone, Mike over at ArcadeCab.com suggested that I stop by and sign up for the message board.

Being the "newbie", I guess the best way for me to introduce myself is to show you guys the projects I have built so far. I think this will keep me "on topic" for this topic area as well... 

I built my first cabinet last year. It's a full sized unit based off some plans that I picked up off the Internet. It's a  pretty basic machine with an AMD 1300 processor that runs ADVMame/ADVMenu... The monitor is vertically mounted.

Shortly after that I built this jukebox from a set of plans from MameRoom Designs. Again, I used an AMD 1300 processor, but this time I put in a 100 gb hard drive. I used SK Jukebox (GREAT PROGRAM!) to categorize all the music. This unit has a fully functioning Bill Validator that accepts $1, $5, $10, & $20's...

My latest project is a bartop unit that I built based off of the Oscar Bartop & ArcadeCab Bartop designs. It has a 17" flat panel LCD monitor monted horizontally. To keep it simple, I am using MAME32 with this one.

I have all of the cabinet plans loaded into a CAD program and everything is cut using an OMAX WaterJet. Because its computer controlled the pieces come out perfect every time. Even the control panel holes are cut. Its almost the same as using a CNC machine except it can't do angles, so there is a little hand finish work required to bevel the back pieces and for the routed bits, but all of the major pieces are ready for assembly literally in 10 minutes. (This is a HUGE time saver) From there its just standard stuff with putting in all the internals and wiring in the control panel.

My next set of plans that I am in the process of finalizing will be a full sized machine with a custom control panel two joysticks, trackball, detachable steering wheel & a spinner.

My wife has complained a few times that the black red color scheme of the machines don't match any of the furniture, so this one will be an oak finish and all black trim. This should match the color scheme of the family room a little better.

So that's my intro... I'll keep you all up to date as I begin the next project

[Timoe]

Looks very nice.  I love the bartop.

[JonnyBoy]

Those look great. Welcome aboard, it seems as though you've already caught this machine-building disease.

[Drifter]

Yeah, it can be a bit addictive...

The good part is that my wife is cool with it all, mainly because she likes to play them as well. The down side is that she has put her foot down regarding how many machines we can have in the house... one. So this means the others have to go. I have the bartop and the jukebox up for sale on eBay... It's not a big deal as I learned alot from putting these first few together.

I am thinking that I am going to canabilize most of the parts from the full size machine into the new cabinet.

[divemaster127]

Whats a link to your ebay auctions, do you own the cutting machine, & last question what do you think it cost you to build the juke box
thanks
dm

[Drifter]

Whats a link to your ebay auctions, do you own the cutting machine, & last question what do you think it cost you to build the juke box

Boy I love multiple questions... it gives me a chance to rammble 

I'm actually a the owner of a web development firm. The waterjet machine belongs to one of my clients and I have access to it when I need to run something. It's great for cutting all sorts of materials.

I love doing plexiglass panels on it. The edges come out perfectly straight and smooth with no chips and it only takes about 90 seconds to cut. Talk about a MAJOR time saver. For my first cab (the full sized) I created a plexi overlay for the control panel. I used the same program that I used to cut the wood for the panel (just changed the material type) and when it was done you would swear that they were cut at the same time.
(Here is thier site: www.indusmfg.com)

As for the cost of the jukebox... I'm not sure. I didnt really track it all that well and I try not to think about it because if I did I probably would stop building them. Plus I am sure my wife would have a few choice words as well...

You spent how much to build that thing? 

Here are the eBay links for those that are interested...
Bartop
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6267511672

Jukebox
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6267459161

With the change in plans as to the material that the next machine will be made of I need to get the melamine out of the garage so I have decided to make the shells available to anyone interested. I figure I can make about 6 units out of what I have on hand (either the bartop or jukebox)...

Bartop "Kit", cut cabinet pieces only (there are currently 3 listings for this)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6267968862

Jukebox "Kit", cut cabinet pieces only
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6267462803

[DrumAnBass]

What would shipping be to Southern California for a bartop kit?  Zip code 91307.

[Drifter]

I am estimating that the kit weighs about 30 lbs and the packaging dimensions would be 21W x 5H x 26L. According to DHL.com the estimated shipping would be $26 and it will take about 7 days to get to you from NY (10920). I figure it will be another $5 for the packaging materials. UPS would be faster (4 days), but the rate would be about $35.

Please remember that these are estimates as I have never packed up one of these kits and sent it out. However, I can't see the shipping being more then $5 different either way. I am not out to make a profit on the shipping which is why I am providing all the shipping info so you can compare if you would like.

[leapinlew]

So is the bartop a kit or is it the bartop in the picture?

[MYX]

Um since you didn't build these while on this forum, those don't count. Gotta chuck em and start over. 

[Drifter]

So is the bartop a kit or is it the bartop in the picture?

The picture above is a completed cabinet that I did. The kits will come out over the melamine that I was planning to use for another project.