COCKTAIL biznass!

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Hey guys!  New to the forum.  I've been lurking for quite some time but have yet to find the answers to the questions I have. 

So I'm putting a cocktail cabinet together from scratch.  And I'm trying to figure out how best to calculate the location of the screen cut-out on the top.  The dimensions of the top are 33"x24".  And the dimensions of my monitor's viewing area (it's an older viewsonic 19" flat crt) is approx.  17.25"x11.5".

Any suggestions?  Geometry was never really my forte in highschool, unfortunately.

[bfauska]

(33-17.25) ÷ 2 = 7.875 inches from the edge of the table to the edge of the monitor

(24-11.5) ÷ 2 = 6.25 inches from the edge of the table to the edge of the monitor

That would center your monitor on the table.

Here's a drawing of what it would look like.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Dude (<--your avatar), thanks so much! 

[shardian]

Wanna make things REAL easy? Download a set of the Ms. Pac Plans.
http://www.mikesarcade.com/arcade/cabplans.html

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Here's another issue I'm having.

Okay, so my cabinet is going to stand approximately 28" high after I construct it (maybe 29 or 30" once the base and plexiglass is attached).

I'm using an 19" flat CRT ViewSonic computer monitor which measures from front to back, 18".  So, when i turn the sucker on its back, I'm going to have to figure out a way to elevate it 9 or 10" inside the cabinet. 

My initial idea was to do this using a glorified "box" more or less that measures around 10" high.  Then I would add additional support to the monitor as needed to stabilize it.

I thought that in doing this, I could possibly even use the interior of the "box" to house the main computer components.  In theory, I could possibly even leave the computer components in their original case (a modest sized tower).  Of course, in doing so, I would need to ensure proper ventillation in the cab as well.

I assume my other option would be to "suspend" the monitor from the higher portion of the cabinet creating a "cradle" of sorts in which the larger part of the monitor would rest.

Any suggestions?

[shardian]

In most cases, you would decase the monitor, drop it into the opening and then use bolts or screws to hold it in. This is how a real arcade cocktail is done.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

and that's safe to do?  I've been cautioned against doing such a thing.  But it may only be because I'm no electrician.

[shardian]

and that's safe to do?  I've been cautioned against doing such a thing.  But it may only be because I'm no electrician.

Don't mess with the suction cup, the red wire attached to it, and the area that the suction cup covers and you should be fine. If you use common sense, and think before you touch there isn't any danger. If you ever do go prodding around a high voltage area, always keep one hand in your pocket. Those are the rules to LIVE by.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Dude it sounds like you're got me disarming a bomb or something! 

I'll give it a shot with an older monitor.  Or are there any internet resources regarding this aspect of it?

[shock_]

Other people have supported the monitor from underneath on a riser thingo, so don't feel you HAVE to suspend it somehow.  It really depends on what the back side of your monitor is, how flat, stable, how much hackery you need to get it to stay put etc.

an example from the Wiki, which you should check out for loads of ideas if you haven't already:

http://personal.stthomas.edu/arfink/arcade.htm

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Okay.  'Nother question:

What's a good height for the control panels on my cocktail machine (considering the viewing surface is gonna sit at around 29 or 30" with the top and glass in place).

On the "front" of the cabinet, I'm going to have the main control panel with a joystick, 3 buttons, and an insert coin and P1 button.  For classic vertical games (like donkey kong, galaga, etc).

On the opposite side, I'm going to have a trackball, a slider, two or three buttons, and an 'insert coin' and P1 button, for games like centipede, marble madness, etc.

On the side of the cabinet (the longer side), I'm gonna do one lonnng control panel for two players, a la "street fighter 2."  2 joysticks, 6 buttons each.  P1 and P2 buttons, and 2 "insert coin" buttons, for fighting games, or multiplayer side scrollers like the simpsons, x men, etc.

basically, it's gonna be something like this:



I'm just curious what a good average, comfortable, height would be for the controls.

Thanks guys!

[shardian]

Wanna make things REAL easy? Download a set of the Ms. Pac Plans.
http://www.mikesarcade.com/arcade/cabplans.html

Look at the plans already!

They will give you a good idea of heights of everything. maybe even give you a few good tips on assembly.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

So what do you guys think would be the best joystick for playing mostly classic games?  I'm thinking maybe the MagStick Plus (with a ball top) for it's 4-to-8 way 'switchability' without having to go into the control panel.  My only reservations on that is the possibility of it not having the same "feel", given that it's centered w/ a magnet, not a spring...

[javeryh]

So what do you guys think would be the best joystick for playing mostly classic games?  I'm thinking maybe the MagStick Plus (with a ball top) for it's 4-to-8 way 'switchability' without having to go into the control panel.  My only reservations on that is the possibility of it not having the same "feel", given that it's centered w/ a magnet, not a spring...

Get an Ultimarc 360 joystick.  You will be able to play everything and never have to think about what "mode" to use.  It takes some getting used to since there are no microswitches but I don't think I can go back.