Mame Bartop Cabinet

Updated 12-09-2005

Finally built a MAME cabinet. I decided on the bartop due to room (plus I have a bar in my garage). It powers on with one button, shuts off with the exit key for mame. Only one cord out the back gives power to everything.

I also cut a slot (see pictures) for the plexiglass to slide into. I did this with my circular saw and then finished the cut with the jigsaw, it seemed easier than putting in pieces of MDF to hold the plexiglass. If I would have had a 1/8" straight router bit I would have used that.

Specs:
15" rotated monitor (vertical)
Pentium 233 MHz with 128MB of RAM, running only DOS
No CD or floppy in the case, these can be installed by removing the back if any upgrades need to be done

Plans:
I got the idea from Arcade Cab, I downloaded the plans from there and mostly followed them. The actual cabinet dimensions I got from Menace's Cabinet.

Software:
GLITCH77'S BOOT CD 12_13_02 ver. 3.90 Installed with no problem. Just load the ROMS and artwork and it's ready to go. It runs ArcadeOS and MAME for DOS. I initially installed DOSMame and ArcadeOS but had a bit of trouble with getting the compuer to boot properly, this CD made my life much easier.

Supplies:
List of materials here

Credits:
Used the instructions here to put in a relay so the computer would turn on the monitor and speakers.

The Project Arcade book was very helpful.

Things to do differently:

Make it bigger, the computer and monitor barely fit, maybe add an inch to all the dimensions on the back side and top.
- I wanted the speakers to fit behind the marquee but by the time it was put together, the marquee was too small (in height). The speakers sit below the control panel.
- The monitor power plug is too far out the back, I cut out some of the back panel to allow the power cord to recess in and that seemed to help. The back panel does not sit 1/4" in from the side panels like I originally planned, it is flush with the side panels now. While I was building it everything looked good but then I went to plug in the power cord for the monitor and .... too far out the back. I'm going to try and find a thinner power cord for the monitor.
Buy good contact paper, the Wal-Mart stuff doesn't cut it and I hate that I had to go to that anti-union, slave labor outlet to buy it. I should have ordered the adhesive backed vinyl off the internet. It was my first time in Wal-Mart in probably a year.
Should have used plywood, it may not be as smooth, but I had alot of trouble with screwing the MDF together. If the hole wasn't pre-drilled the MDF would split for sure, pre-drill it and some of the screws wouldn't grip as well.
Be more careful with the monitor, it has a "jitter" now, not sure if it's due to the power supply or getting bumped wrong.
I don't think I would use another 4/8 switchable joystick, the Omni-Stik Prodigy is very nice and I like the top mounting but I think I would go with a Happ Universal to save some money. I haven't even switched it yet (I don't play Pac-Man). I think I eventually will once I go through all the games, so far I've only played a few...Satan's Hollow, Black Tiger, 1942, Sky Shark, Rastan......
Get a full list of everything to order online and then try and order it all from one place, online shopping is geat but the shipping adds alot to the cost:
- Happ Controls: Total=$44.35, Shipping =$11.50
- GroovyGameGear: Total=$81.80,Shipping=$11.95
I guess Amazon has spoiled me the the $25.00 super saver shipping. I wish I would have bought the PCB feet and extra buttons from Happ and an extra KeyWiz. Oh well.
Do a better job on the finish, I should have used laminate or better contact paper. I wanted to go with a Satan's Hollow theme but I couldn't find graphics that looked good printed (other than the Satan).

Anyway, pictures below, I'm alreadly thinking about building another one......

Computer	Power supply	mame cab
closeup of the slot for the plexiglass	back view, monitor barely fits	mame cab with vent holes
open it up	closed	fuzzy, bleached out side view
silver lining	running	not enough room...
another front shot	front shot	sideshot (notice the Satan)
the KeyWiz with bad soldering	control panel wiring	complete
closeup of shitty front	another complete shot	eyes of Satan
back view	side view	control panel