My Bartop Arcade Build Is Underway

retroprogrammer

Hey guys @Retroprogrammer here and my build is underway... well sort off, I have the plans ready to go, I am using most of the plans from this fellow from instructables . This weekend, I will go out to Bunnings (local warehouse for Aus) to get some wood to start cutting everything except the controller panel. here is everything I am getting for the build:

and that's about it.

Here is a picture of the side board design

I will be posting as my build progresses make sure to comment and help me while I'm at it. :)

AndersHP

Enjoy the process - it's a ton of fun!
I made my bartop based on the same Instructable, with minor adjustments, and can vouch for the general design.

If I should do anything different though:
I made the sides of 19 mm MDF (fits with 3/4" T molding) and the build is 25 kgs and not very handy! I would therefore have liked to route out some recessed triangles or honeycomb patterns on the inner-side of the sides, to reduce weight without showing.

retroprogrammer

@AndersHP Okay will take the advice, I am think of not having T-molding because I don't have a router to do the job is their a reliable 2nd choice anyone knows about?

AndersHP

The only alternative that I know of is rounding the sides, but that also requires a router.

I can really recommend renting a router to do the T-molding, I think it makes everything look so neat, but that's just my point of view :)

retroprogrammer

or I could just sand it down? I was talking about this in a earlier post here:https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/17270/making-a-bartop-arcade-and-need-some-help/3

Newellj79

I too can vouch for those plans. I used them based on @AndersHP bartop. Some where around here there is a quick write up on mine. Personally I do think the T-Molding is a very nice touch, but I'm sure sanding and painting would look good too. Good luck to you my friend!

retroprogrammer

@Newellj79 Thanks for the reply, I am not going to put T-molding, instead I will just sand it down for a clean look

retroprogrammer

So today I went down to bunnings and got 2 sheets for MDF wood (16mm) for the sides of the bartop arcade. I am also happy to say that my work is letting me use a jigsaw so I am able to cut the MDF board easier AND neater because I cut it on the tablesaw and it looks like a mess. you can see a picture of it here also don't forget to put some tips down in the comments, cheers!

lilbud

@retroprogrammer As someone who has worked with MDF, I swear it is the nicest shit to work with. If you use a bandsaw, it cuts almost like butter and leaves a smooth edge with no burrs, unlike pine hardboard (which I primarily use for projects.)

Few tips (both arcade and general)

have some kind of eye protection
have ventilation in your work area
pocket holes work wonders, and leave no visible fasteners
drill pilot holes before cutting bigger holes
test everything before closing cabinet
make an access panel of some kind

Newellj79

@lilbud Agreed that it is super easy to work with, but holy smokes does it make a mess!

Dipkid

I think a good alternative to t-mold is (chrome) decor lists, the kind you get for cars. Theres a ton of different sizes and styles for cheap at ebay etc. That's what I used..

lilbud

@newellj79 on the other hand, it smells really good when cut.

retroprogrammer

@lilbud Thanks for the tips will use them!
@Newellj79 Will remember to have newspapers under work place :)
@Dipkid I will look into Chrome decor

retroprogrammer

Hey guys, been a few weeks since posting and have got alout done, now just need to paint and add finishing touches. Here are some pictures of what been happening. I am going to be spray painting, never done before :), tips will be great. Cheers @retroprogrammer

Clyde

@retroprogrammer Looks good and very clean built so far. How do you access the interior for maintenance after it's finished? The pictures don't show that clearly.

retroprogrammer

@Clyde here it is: https://imgur.com/a/5zJCJCX

I will be putting magnets so that they attach to each other

retroprogrammer

also @Dipkid is that your on build, it looks clean

caver01

@retroprogrammer Spray painting tip: Less is more, with more coats of less.

What I mean by that is you should establish a good working distance as described on the can, then give your workpiece passes of spray without being too concerned about total coverage at first. Seriously, if there is one thing I always screw up with spray paint is that I try to do too much.

Everything I read about spray paint confirms this. You should have the right distance which can seem a little further than you might expect, give clean consistent passes, and let the spray fall on the workpiece once. Let that dry. Repeat. Let that dry. Repeat. Over several steps, you will achieve good coverage.

What not to do: Don't spray in one spot. By the time it looks good, you will have sprayed too much and you will get horrible drips. It can be so frustrating because it tests your patience. You want to get it finished, but you can end up using too much paint in one place. It drives me crazy every time.

Take your time, do multiple passes with some drying in between.

retroprogrammer

@caver01 okay, mate will do :) also should I sand MDF before spray paint and put primer on?

lilbud

@retroprogrammer No sanding. But do put primer on MDF, MDF soaks up paint like there's no tomorrow, so put primer on before and it'll save you from having put 45 coats on.