Art Install

Put the side art onto the two bartop's for sale, they look good. It makes a big difference, I'm really happy. Tomorrow I'll install the t-molding and side art onto the "keeper" making it %100 complete and finished. I was going to wire the other two bartop's tonight but a storm that was said to hit kept my plans at bay. I do however plan on picking up my own soldering iron and giving it a try. Worst case scenario I'll call my buddy.

** I also included a sneak peak at my next project **

Top One Done....AGAIN!

With my new power supplies on hand I was able to get my keeper cabinet running again.
I installed the power supply this evening and just went over all the wiring to ensure nothing was missed. I even cut the end off of my monitor power cable to tie it directly into my terminal block inside. Now I only have the one plug coming out from the machine and once plugged in and switched on everything powers up nicely. Something I will do again when I complete the other two units this week.

All the power supplies have been tested and are ready for install. I also purchased additional fuse protection to connect directly to the fan lines. My only real issue comes from the fact that my crimp tool broke and I would like to re-check all the connections. I guess the last real issue is that I have 0 soldering skills......but my buddy who helped me with round one has offered to come back and help me wrap this project up. So if all goes well they should be done this weekend and ready for sale.

I've jumped the gun a little and posted them for sale on the local Kijiji. Hoping to have these outta the house come the holidays.

New Found Power

Saturday I went to the local coin-op auction to pick up some parts.
Thanks to my buddy Nick V I got an extra power supply that has found a happy home in my "keeper" bartop. Also picked up an additional 3 new power supplies, what would have been one for each. Today I tested them to ensure they were all working correctly, and adjust the +5/+12 accordingly. All is a go! I installed the used power supply in my keeper as mentioned giving me a backup should I require one.

I Got The Power ! ...Well, I'll Get The Power

Picking up some new power supplies on the weekend.
I also found a good deal on one of two LCD monitors I need.
I hope to finish the wiring on the weekend and get the adds posted on Craigs List & Kijiji.

Well...........Almost Done!

When my friend came over last week we were not able to get as much done as we had hoped. He is a real perfectionist and didn't want to do a sloppy job. He knew two of the cabinets were for sale, and instead of wanting to rush them, or simply just make them decent he wanted them perfect. It does make sense, I'd hate for someone to buy a shotty product off me. In the end one bartop was fully wired and playable. In fact I got a few games of PacMan in that Sunday. However during play the game just died. The monitor was fine, as was the board. Turned out the power supply had gone.

I tried to test the other two I had but got really odd readings. When I told my buddy he suggested I bring them to him. Turns out all three were shot. One of them he thought I should save and is doing the repair for me. I'll keep that for testing purposes. He suggested I get new ones, not only for the keeper,but the two cabinets for sale. I agreed, when I do sell these I want them to be great machines. I want people to enjoy them and not feel the got taken for a ride. I'm just waiting now for a quote and expect to order the new parts this week coming.

Since I was going with new power supplies I thought it would be a good idea to switch all the bartops to LCD. From a selling stand point I think that would be a huge plus, from a buyer standpoint replacing the LCD is for easier than an arcade monitor. I'm sourcing out Kijiji for some good deals!

In the end I'll be into the bartops for a little more then I expected, but I think the outcome will be well worth it. No matter what I don't see myself taking a loss on them...so that's good. Not to mention I sold the existing monitors for $50. So that helps to offset my cost.

Top One Is DONE!

Had my friend come over last night to help me out on the bartop's.
Took a little longer then we both had expected, but bartop number one is DONE!
A few minor things, like taping of some wires, and cutting a bezel remain. But the hard stuff is done. I might end up tying the monitor into the power supply that way I only require the one switch. My friend (who is an electrical engineer)said that wouldn't be an issue. Here is a pic of the bartop in action.

I should note the image on the screen is too large. It's cut off to both the left and the right. The monitor is not allowing me to re-size the image. So I will need to find a solution to this.

The Art Is In, And It Looks Awesome !

Not much to report.
Should get these completed for the weekend.
The art came in today and it is awesome !

Final Touches

With the monitors now installed in the last two bartops the end is around the corner.
All that really remains is to wire up the electrical elements of the project and install the power switches. A co-worker friend of mine was formerly an electrical engineer and offered to help. He is going to give everything the once over to make sure I've done it all correctly. He's also going help me to ensure the proper voltage is going out to the monitors and arcade board. With two of the cabinets for sale (prior to the holiday season should all go to plan) I don't want to take any chances.

I've got side art coming in this week, and I also have a lead on some cheap 15" LCD monitors should any of these monitors be on the fritz. I'm excited to have this project coming to a close. They look pretty good ! I'll also have a better idea of what needs to be done once fully wired up. The original incarnation of the cabinets had the protective film left on the back side of the plexi. The middle was cut out serving as a bezel. I've got some bristle board to serve as a bezel should I need it. I'm hoping with the monitors on and the cabinets illuminated the frosted plexi will hide some of the inner workings. If I do need to add a bezel I will.

As is some of the wires are sort of loosely placed inside the cabinet and the monitor support just plain unpainted MDF. Should I need to paint it black I will. If I have to wrap the wires in black electrical tape to hide them, I will. But for now I'm hoping these minor details can be left as is.

Once fully complete I can begin the push on my Donkey Kong Jr project.

The Final Countdown !

I promised myself I'd make a strong final push this weekend to get stuff done. Not only did I work on my bartop cabinet's, but I also found time to work on my DK JR project (BONUS!). Most of the jamma wiring was done last week. I'll still need to install the fans and speakers but that will be really simple. Today I got the monitors installed. WOW! These suckers have no room inside. It's really really tight. Not to mention the weight they add. I'd like to get some LCD's in them, but they aren't keepers, they are for sale. And the more I put into them money wise the less I get out.

ALMOST All Done...........ALMOST !

Today I managed to complete most of the Jamma wiring. All the joysticks and buttons are done. I'll try to install the monitors this weekend and get them wired up.
The electrical part of the wiring I'm going to seek help on. My brother's are electricians, and I just want to ensure they are done correctly and properly grounded.
With two of the machines for sale I'd rather not take chances.
I did install the monitor supports, and the monitor into the keeper cabinet. It looks good! I'll need to clean up the wiring a little and cut a bezel and then it's pretty much done. PUSH PUSH PUSH !

Jamma Wiring

I decided today I'd take a little time and try to wire up what I could.
Still a little more left to do. I hope to get both cabinets wired up this week.

Putting It All Together

So I've got the control panels built, shaped, filled, sanded, and painted.
I started this weekend getting the cabinets put back together again.
The goal is to have them ready for sale come Christmas. I think I should easily
make the deadline. They are looking good, I'm happy with how the control panels
turned out once sanded. I wish I would have primed them since the really soaked up
the paint. But all in for two cabinets I plan on selling I think they look good.
With tomorrow being a holiday Monday (Canadian Thanksgiving) I'm hoping I can
get some of the Jamma wiring started if not completed.

Control Panels ... Shaping Up Nicely !

I haven't picked up any wood filler as of yet, but decided none the less to give the control panels a sanding. I was able to shape them quite well, taking off the hard corners. I think they came out quite nice. Only problem is I rushed when drilling out the button holes. To be honest they are rather close together. AH WELL ...these are for re-sale !

Panels About Done

Got the rest of what I needed built this weekend.
I still need to drill out the control panels, fill the staple holes, and paint them.
But honestly I don't think it will be that much work.
I also got my plexi retainer cut for my keeper cabinet, as well as some monitor supports. The NEW hope is to have these complete and ready for sale by the holiday season.

The Low Down On What Is Left.....

I have a few things left to do before I can get these bartop's completed and sold.
I need to fashion a bracket to mount the LCD to the inside of the "keeper" cabinet.
Both the yellow and orange bartop's need to have their monitors installed also.
I'm still waiting to get help building the control panels for the yellow and orange bartop's. I'll also need to prepare a simply bracket the holds the plexi in place in the "keeper" cabinet. All the cabinets will have to wired up and I am indeed going to order the side art. I was very impressed with the samples I had printed up.

Room To Spare !

With one of the three bartop's being a keeper I don't mind spending a few extra bucks on it. With the monitor broken I have no choice but to spend a few extra bucks on it.
Went out this week and picked up a $15 LCD monitor for $40 used. Came with all the wiring and a 90 warranty. It was tested and worked, and best of all it easily fit. The great thing is a monitor that size should easily fit into all of the bartop's.
So should I need to provided an upgrade when selling the buyer would have a great option.

Oh Man A Broken Neck !

I've come to realize three things as of late.
I need to stop counting on people for help with this hobby. Which leads me to......
If I'm going to stick with this hobby I need to build an even better tool kit.
I should not be so rough with my stuff !
Not having all the proper tools often comes to bite me in the ass in the world of coin-op. I can't always get things done when I want. I need to wait for this person and that person. I end up going back to things time and time again. And as I have learned the more you mess with something, the better your odds of breaking it are.
I've considered getting LCD monitors for the bartop's, or even just having it as an option at the time of sale. I had to remove the monitor from its mounting bracket so I could take the bracket with me and size out the monitors. Well me, like a bull in a china shop as my mom would say poked,prodded,and pulled until I ended up breaking the neck of the monitor. Now I have no option I NEED an LCD !

Side Art Samples

Picked up some side art samples on simple photo stock.
Wanted to look at the overall print quality.
I'm very happy with the look.
Shortly I will get the images printed on sticker stock and install them onto the cabinets.

Check List

So with the "four month fuck" out of the way it's time to move forward.
All three cabinets are painted. All the jamma harnesses have been bundled.
Most of my tech questions have been answered by the good people over at the BYOAC site.
With that said I thought I should make a check list so I would know what remains.

* Cut out monitor support for yellow & orange bar top
* Build control panels for yellow & orange bar top
* Paint control panels
* Install joysticks & buttons into new control panels
* Wire up joysticks, buttons, and monitors (replacing existing monitor connection)
* Install new power switch in all cabinets
* Wire up the AC elements of all cabinets

That's pretty much it !
Not that much left to do really.
This coming weekend I am going to my brothers house. He is an electrician and will be helping me when it comes to wiring the cabinets. For the time being he is going to help me with the monitor supports and control panels. Once they are done I think I'll only need an hour or so to get the joysticks,buttons, and monitors all wired up. Starting with a new jamma harness really does simplify the project. Once I've got that done it will time for trip number two to my brothers house. We will (and by we I mean him) get the electrical wiring done. From there list & sell the machines..... I hope !

The Last Of The Three Musketeers Gets Put Back Together

So after the "four month fuck" as previously posted about I decided I needed to forge ahead. This week I completed the paint job of the third and final bar top. After giving it about 24 hours to cure I started to put it back together this week.

I'm hoping that next week I can get the control panels built and new monitor supports cut out. From there it's just an issue of wiring them all up.