Control panel construction

Researching different types of cocktail cabinet control panels I decided to go for a classic vertical mount instead.  The joystick will be mounted into the front of the drawer, this time by a professional carpenter. So, stay posted, this will probably be ready beginning next week.

Below are two types of classic control panels, I will go for the top one but at 90°. A protruding control panel will destroy the look of the cabinet so I wanted to try this first. I can always adjust the angle later.

Control panel construction

I've been thinking about how to replace the drawer with a proper control panel. Dismantling the Namco joystick was pretty easy and I decided to try to use the parts for my control panel.

Mamebook

Speakers

The weak built in Powerbook speakers will be replaced with Labtec Pulse 285 2.1 speakers. I choose the Labtec for several reasons, they were the cheapest, the subwoofer is small enough to be built into the top of the Ramvik, out of view and last but not least, it has a wired volume control for easy to reach volume adjustments. The satellite speakers will be mounted inside the control panel that is to replace the drawer.

Todo

I have a few things I want to do before I consider this to be finished.

1) Smoke coloured PVC foil between the glass and the bezel.

2) Speakers

3) A proper control panel

4) Select a few vertical games that work well. 

5) Play!

Mamebook cocktail

Ramvik

I decided to use Ramvik from IKEA as the base of my Mamebook Cocktail. The best part is that the tempered glass is included.

Mamebook tablet

The portable Mamebook!

Photo by Geekporr

Cocktail Mamebook

How to build your own Mamebook (continued)

1) For this step, you need a Ramvik side table from IKEA. Before assembly, take the top shelf, and make the necessary measurements for the hole where the Powerbook will sit. Allow for some extra space for cables:

2) Once the hole is made, check that everything fits. The hole will be covered later with a bezel so don't worry too much about looks at this point.

3) Since the Powerbook is thicker than the shelf I added spacers to make the screen flush with the top. 

4) Here, Ramvik is almost finished and you can see how thin the Powerbook really is. It's merely 9 mm thicker than the shelf. The bezel and glass in in place here as well. The bezel is made out of 160 g black paper. Be sure to get the kind that's dyed through, otherwise you'll end up with white lines where you make the cuts.

I just connected a Namco PSX Arcade stick with a USB adapter and put it inside the drawer. Coming up; replacing the drawer with a proper control panel. Stay posted!

How to build your own Mamebook

1) Remove the hinges from an old Powerbook G4:

2) Double sided tape:

3) Fold the screen the wrong way around:

Front

Back: