Bar Top Arcade Cabinet with a Raspberry Pi (from a single sheet of plywood)// How-To

[@christopherkeeler2530]

Bob, thank you for this video! I just finished mine with your plans and it's a big hit with the fam. My mods: I used an old Dell monitor soundbar mounted on top of the marquee for sound. Volume knob and headphone jack are built-in and readily accessible. Salvaged a 4:3 19" monitor so had to widen cabinet a few inches, but bigger screen. And it was free! Salvaged a removable fan vent for the bottom to access controls wiring. Added a switched power plug to rear door and integrated with salvaged power strip inside. Total project cost was under $200.

[@bkxc]

Oh man, I've been dreaming about building a full-size cabinet for YEARS. But this little thing is so much more reasonable. Have you seen the crazy pinball machines people are building with big HDTVs as the play surface? Really neat.

[@calivalley9056]

BKXC Just checked out the virtual pinball builds, didn't know it was a thing, they are amazing! Thanks for the heads up.

[@bkxc]

Haha, yep, get ready to go down the rabbit hole!

[@tomsharpe8181]

BKXC what are you doing here???!!!!

[@defalt_457]

BKXC try to make a bottom stand to make it a full sized one.

[@isaacsevier7084]

BKXC ¥

[@Nerdforge]

Just google! Everyone knows what that means ;) yet another awesome project though, thumbs up!

[@simonvreman]

Natural Nerd ill make sure he gets to pay for his games.

[@mitchelwb]

I believe it means "I have no issue monetizing a video exploiting the rom files, but I'm going to take the high road on the legality of using them". So I'll tell you: Google 'pleasuredome'

[@Nerdforge]

or it means: "look, I am building a cool arcade machine"!

[@mhendrick]

I am not sure why this is controversial archive.org are achieving and making available tons of old software and emulation tools including many of these games. There is a specific DMCA exemption to preserve vintage software they are operating under.

[@atomichabanero9101]

Thanks guy its worth a look just for the three stooges episodes

[@IslandLooter]

I've built three cabinets now over the past 5 years and each one was a ton of fun to make. First was a full size bartop about a third bigger than this one, second was for my brother built around a 10" iPad screen that is 1 player and I just finished building a mini one built around a 5" screen for my desk. I've learned a lot over the way but I picked up some great tips in this video that will certainly help my next build. I've been told to sell them for $ but like you said in your full size build the cost and time involved can be incredible, particularly when you're hand crafting and designing as you go. Great work here!

[@SpecificLove7]

Love the smaller version

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@claudioscola]

Nice! When I made my sides, I used a 6mm mdf panel glued to a 9mm mdf panel. I routed out 3mm border from the 9mm panel first. This gave me a great 15mm panel with perfect 3mm grove for the T rubber moulding. The advantages of this method is common router bits can be used instead of a 3mm slit cutter, simple and it is accurate AF!.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

The digital plans are now available so that you make your own bar top arcade!! www.iliketomakestuff.com/product/bar-top-arcade/ *for those asking, the printable temples are at the bottom of the .pdf. Print those and UNcheck "scale to fit" to get them to print at full size.

[@BroTechGames]

Thank you for the plans bob, best I could find at a really reasonable price, I look forward to trying this for myself!!

[@wherever.5511]

I Like To Make Stuff Hey bob, I bought your plans for the Bartop arcade and when I prong out the 2 templates it only prints on one piece of paper. Any way to fix it. Thanks

[@GuitarGodgt]

Since the ipac is $40, if people are only going to do a 2 person build I think the control block from petrock block is better for this build at roughly the same cost ($40 plus shipping to the USA). Gives connections for a switch for the pie and an led indicator for boot up and boot down times.

[@radioogretv2089]

I Like To Make Stuff Just one question, how much does the whole project cost, including RetroPi, iPac, cabinett, LEDs etc.?

[@aidanpeel9093]

I've also bought the plans but can't print the side plan to scale it only prints out on one piece of paper how can i print out to scale plz

[@Colinmchapman]

I’m coming back to this video 5 years after I made my first table top arcade now and I’m now working on a full arcade. I forgot how great this video was at explaining things

[@jacksontaylor9878]

I'm thankful for Bob who inspired me to build my arcade this thanksgiving

[@teeallen1217]

Bob I made one of these a year or so ago and sold it. I want to make another one now that youve posted this video. Youve touched on some ideas I didn't think of when making the side panels and monitor mount. Thanks again for the great video!!!

[@jeremygunkel]

I have a raspberry pi 3 running retro pi.... Kids and I absolutely love playing old nes games. Great build Bob!

[@alecswangler6990]

I just want to say that the best thing about your videos is the fact that if something isn't exact or perfect you explain why exactly why it's okay if it isn't, you are also very open about what products may be good or bad and why, but you are also very open to say it's your opinion which I love. This video has made me want to try to make my dad one of these as he loves the game Satan's Hollow, but it is impossible to find. I am hoping Raspberry Pi prices drop soon so I can try since I don't want to spend all my money if I fail lol

[@BruceAUlrich]

Turned out great! if you wanted a different want to diffuse the light on the lexan, you could sand another piece and sandwich your logo between them. Might give a nice frosted look.

[@lifeinthemake4966]

And to think I was just getting ready to recycle the same monitor i have in my garage. I dig all your stuff Bob thanks for being a consistent source of inspiration. Happy thanks giving to you and yours.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!!

[@gregghernandez2714]

Great tutorial, thanks! I am currently collecting the stuff I need for a cabinet build. I bought a Viewsonic monitor recently that was originally 16.00 bucks but I got it for 1/2 off! I guess once the motherboards no longer had the old VGA connectors and the manufacturers went to HDMI, people got rid of their old monitors which still work great. I fired up the Viewsonic and it works perfectly. Thanks again.

[@Arablelecrocket]

Brilliant stuff I'm not in the least bit interested in building a gaming machine but the flow and build quality of this project make it well worth watching. It's also very strange the way various tips come through whilst watching and this is a real bonus. Thanks for all the energy that you put into these projects I have seen all of your stuff and found little nuggets of inspiration hidden here and there.This from a retired cabinet maker who actually started making furniture at the age of six.

[@Scahpah_kyle]

Your like the only wood worker/builder person on KZbin I like because your pretty young and stuff and your videos are enjoyable!

[@Angultra]

Nice and clean with the stock monitor flush against the bezel, no need for disassembly or plexiglass.

[@stevemiller6968]

This is by far my favorite channel on the KZbin!

[@frenchtoast4365]

The KZbin lol

[@jay_mate8739]

would be cool if you could make a pinball machine, full size or mini! i like to think it would require a lot of different materials and techniques

[@sdmcustoms]

that's awesome ,the electronics part scares me though ,it seems easy watching you connect everything but it just overwhelms me

[@Wordsnwood]

That's a good size, Bob! Turned out great.

[@tomypower4898]

Wordsnwood (Art Mulder) Yes magazine

[@DeweyKentM]

I loved your full size cabinet videos, but it seemed kind of overwhelming. This video makes the process seem a lot more graspable. Awesome vid!

[@hole1stdrillpresschannel]

The only one who will dislike it is bowser...

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Oh, HE's the one who always dislikes my videos!!! ;)

[@eqoya]

hole - 1st drill press channel lol

[@masonmcmains2219]

hole - 1st drill press channel Lol

that T molding looks grat, love the black and orange contrast! Also I can´t wrap my head around the fact that you are going to have 1 000 000 subs soon. Congratulations and thank you for your work!

[@TSAlessi]

Perfect timing Bob!! Was going to follow your other build and try scale it down for a Christmas present for my nephew! Well played sir! Thanks & Keep it up!

[@TrevorVera]

great idea i never thought to make your OG design smaller, this would go perfect for my bar

[@RetroGamingOnline]

This is great, i have been debating between the full size and the bar top. Now i have both options from you!

[@tatooldchannelarchive4367]

"Really old monitor" So that's why my school has like 300 of them.

[@KasamS]

tatoPOTATO my school had them aroung 2 years ago but we got some now samsung ones, still the same pc tho

[@sterlingsilver8148]

tatoPOTATO my school has those monitors as well!

[@Out_of_Czech]

Yeah, it's called 'Old School' :D

[@yetyy1]

at least you got those... we still have cathode tube monitors over here

[@wtfPlatypus]

They are great as a very inexpensive 2nd monitor.

[@fununclenerfs]

"Just Google..." lol

[@caseya3579]

Now if that doesn't sound suspicious.. lol

[@GavinMiller2633]

I saw this comment right when he said it lol

[@mmustapicst]

What a genius this man is. Wow.

[@polkod]

Brilliant techniques especially the popsicle stick method.

[@miraclechild_502]

awesome video... I made a full sized on out of one full sheet of plywood and a few scrap pieces I had laying around. I also just made a bar top as well but out of MDF... now I'm working on building a pinball cabinet...

[@timokapitein414]

I saw this on Mike and Laurens channel allready and I was sooooooo exited

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Ah, nice!

[@timokapitein414]

+I Like To Make Stuff ;) thumbs up

[@JoshMakesStuff]

That turned out great!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks dude!

[@bradymann2263]

The P.I. Workshop who watches these kinds of videos but never make it

[@JoshMakesStuff]

Brady Mann is that a question? Or are you saying that I won't ever build one?

[@bradymann2263]

No I accidentally wrote it as a reply on yours

[@BronkBuilt]

Nice video. I think this will need to be a build with my son.

[@tomypower4898]

BronkBuilt of course yes

[@nathanielmoore87]

I love both of the builds you did on these arcades. I'm thinking of copying your design, but I'd like to make a few changes. First, I'd hide couple USB ports on the front in case I wanted to plug in a keyboard, mouse, or adapter for a console controller. Next, instead of emulating the look of a CRT, I'd be inclined to use a CRT. Plugging it to the Pi would just be a matter of using an HDMI to component adapter. This isn't all for looks either. Old arcade guns like the Nintendo Zapper don't work with LCDs, so in order to play Duck Hunt and other shooter games, you need a CRT. Third, even though the Pi 3 has onboard WiFi and Bluetooth, I'd still put an ethernet port on the back of the console. This is just a matter of personal preference. Lastly, I'd use some of that empty space for a subwoofer and higher quality audio components. Anyway, I'd like to hear what you think of my suggestions. Thanks!!

[@headwould]

I am currently building a 2 player bar top machine and I really like this video, and your ideas Nathaniel. I'm going to add an access panel underneath (to switch the 4 way/8 way adapter plates if need be) and a couple of USB ports to the front. I have already put in a set of Logitech Z213 speakers, that I got for 20 Aussie dollars on sale, which have a subwoofer as you suggest. It also has a wired control pad which has an on/off switch, headphone plug, and a volume control. I attached the control pad to the front of the arcade with sticky velcro and it works well and sounds great. Plus, having a headphone jack is awesome!!!. I used an lcd this time but I'm thinking about making a second full sized CRT machine with a bar fridge underneath. Thank you to I Like To Make Stuff, and to you Nathaniel. Cheers and I hope this helps anyone that reads it=)

[@Philbrush]

I was going to make a little single play arcade, but burnt out the 10" monitor...so I decided to upscale, but need to get some player 2 controls, then I will start the bartop arcade...all that waffle aside, this design slightly modified for my donor monitor will be perfect!

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

I picked up a pandora's box 6 for about the same price as a pi zero w, all the hard work was done for me, got to love people selling year old stuff on.

[@amichael3401]

I love your work. I'd suggest if you want to get straight lines with a jigsaw clamp a guide rail to the piece. You did some fancy work with the circular saw but I'd be too nervous going too far and cutting into the workpiece. Keep up the good work friend, if you have time I'd love to see some more electronic work and see how your welding has come along too.

[@samaker4]

I like the way you did the add on this one Bob!

[@AlexandreEYLER]

I loved the popsicle trick :)

[@kaleo738]

Normally I watch these kinds of videos only because I find them interesting but I really wanna try making this! It's so cool~

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Excellent! Do it!

[@AndyGeswein]

Man I wish I had the time to knock this out. It would be so much fun. I'll definitely have to get on this by the time my little one gets a little older.

[@AndyMac40K]

Unreal, definitely working on this during quarantine

[@nickq615]

Awesome job man! I just bought all the parts to build my retro pi inside of an NES game cartridge. If I get the space in my poker room, I may need to add this in there too!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Nice!

[@hydra1668]

I did something like this at school. Wait, no i did basically exactly this with the same RetroPie software. Awesome.

[@Ovni121]

very nice! I like that you included links for parts and tools.

[@LucDesormeaux]

Just bought the plans and will me making thing sometime soon. I have to say the plan are great, very detailed. And adding the full size printouts for the sides and the control panel is an awesome idea. I may end up using a wide screen monitor instead, so I guess that I can just enlarge the whole thing by changing all the 17 ⅜ measurements to the required monitor width. I'll play around and see. :) Thanks again for making this Bob.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Awesome! Yes, just changing the width will work unless the height of the monitor changes dramatically. If you stay in the 23"/24" range, it should be fine. Have fun!

[@LucDesormeaux]

That's my plan. Maybe a 20 or 21" 16x9 monitor. I have on old Samsung lying around. Worst case, if there is too much free space around the monitor, I'll decorate. :)

[@Melo_Vinicius]

Beautiful work brother Your video inspired me not to make an arcade machine (this I intend to do the big version of the previous videos) but to make a jukebox / karaoke machine Congratulations on the work and continue posting expensive quality videos, you go far Ps: sorry for English, I'm Brazilian and I'm using google translator, I understand English well, but I'm not good at writing in this language

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much!

[@DOCDARKNESSREAL]

Great project Bob and very accessible to us all - totally gonna make this in the new year👍

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Excellent!

[@Hubbmade]

Very cool Bob. I would probably never make the full sized version... but I have an old monitor and HDMI adapter, so this version is a possibility. Thanks again for the great content.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Great to hear Ryan!!

[@Booneboarder]

Hey Bob, what size brad nails are you using? I'm guessing 3/4", since the plywood is 1/2". Guessing, 1" might come through. Just bought the plans and will be building this unit soon. Will post a video once it's done. Let me know about the brad nails. You really didn't a great job on the plans. Thanks

[@MrHandwerk]

Something I have always as a child made of cardboard. It has never funkitoniert: D great video! Greetings MrHandwerk

[@thomasongherth1174]

MrHandwerk It never worked u ment right? btw im German

[@MrHandwerk]

No, unfortunately not. I was 10 years old. : D

[@MrHandwerk]

:D

[@hiddel3358]

@Joe Blow Yeah that's not really that hard. Nintendo Labo + Switch = Arcade. This is good

[@KanoWhite53]

Sweet man! I've been playing around with Retropie and have been planning a small cabinet and arcade button kit, so this will be perfect!

[@RSpudieD]

Turned out pretty nice! Nicely done and happy thanksgiving!

[@gabekiakojori2392]

I still don't know why more people don't watch this

[@plumpchicken6147]

do you think could do this with just regular tools and a circular saw

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Definitely

[@hiddel3358]

You do need a wide drill for the button holes

[@IslandLooter]

@@hiddel3358 You would want to generally use a Forstner bit to do them so they stay straight and clean but I've done it with a spade bit, a bit of patience and another piece of wood behind to help minimize blowthrough. They are 1 1/8 but should also fit through a 1" to 1 1/4" hole.

[@WoodenCreationz]

Lexan...... Thank you.. I have been preaching this stuff for about 6 months.. even made a video and had Giaco whatever look into it... By the way... he used it with a laser and... well it didnt work out... But it's amazing stuff.. I have a video on my channel showing Lexan Vs Acrylic if anyones not sure of the difference.( Huge difference) Great video Bob. - Brian

[@andrewlee6030]

Im making a sun dial for my state exam in woodwork next year, can you make one of them to show me what to do? Thanks so much I love your videos! Keep up the good work!

[@leokalaitzis]

it remind's me the old days.Well done!!!

[@ShadowRunner7723]

absolutely awesome work! my only regret is not finding this sooner! I'll definitely be giving this a try soon

[@stephens222]

Just got my plans. I looked around and liked yours the best. Plus you have a video. I may have to adjust the size a bit for the speakers I wanted to install.

[@stephens222]

Already screwed up. Haha. I used the template but the cabinets is way too skinny. I printed at full size too.

[@abovethegaragewoodworking4081]

Excellent project!! Just the right size. Keep up the great work Bob!

[@stephenwgreen78]

thanks for the videos. just finished my bartop for the kids. used melamine (pita) & ideas from your videos & we build stuff channel. it's not perfect, but kids love it & I'm the only one noticing the imperfections. by the way, your video editing is top notch. I can watch, not get bored by 1000 screws being taken out/put in, but still you give every important detail. thanks again & please keep making.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks, I really appreciate that!!

[@JonathanRansom]

Bob, this is great! I hope you make the plans/templates available to purchase. While I love your full-size arcade cabinet, this one is more practical for me to build. Thanks for the great content and Happy Thanksgiving!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

We ran out of time to get the plans put together but I may end up releasing the templates for the side panel and control panel. Thanks and happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

[@007DarthMan]

QUESTION: It seems like a pretty slim machine, have you had any issues playing 2 player games? Would making the machine wider cause you to use more than one sheet of plywood? Or did you have enough scrap wood left over that you could have adjusted?

[@trexsty7736]

I was going to build the larger arcade cabinet but forget it, this is so much more manageable to build and move plus the larger one would have taken up too much space in my apartment

[@98808]

I am planning to do one un the future for a while and I think that this is everything that I need to ser to start right up! Yours turn out so good looking...congrats!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@walterneto670]

he used retropie!!!! the best emulator for raspberry pi

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Yes! It's great!

[@jonathan90881]

holy crap, I was about to start building something like this as a Christmas present. You even have the same monitor I got!

[@ScrapwoodCity]

No matter how many of these you make, they will always be a fun video aand project to watch! Thanks for sharing!

[@randallmasoner]

I love this smaller version!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!!

[@T-RexArms82]

Awesome job, Bob!! Few questions. 1. What button template did you use (do you have it available)? 2. What do all the buttons you created do? 3. What were the reasons you decided on this template and not others? love your videos, keep it up!!

[@TheBRad704]

Very cool Bob. This desktop arcade is something I can actually see myself building. Oh, and the sweatshirts are in the mail!!!! :D

[@LivefreeanddiyTv]

Nice, now you'll have your arcade machine at the maker faire again!! 🤓👍🏼

[@simplediyr]

How did I miss this one. So glad you made this small version. Gonna do this in the next few weeks ;-)

[@krnxemb]

Sweet... I've been thinking about using my Pine64 to make this size since the first time i saw your full-size arcade video, but have been procrastinating. Now, i really have no excuse. Hope my board is still good for this project :)

[@joeymarten8751]

that's so funny! I was inspired by your first machine so I decided to make a bar top cabinet in my tech class and now you made one!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Awesome!

[@turbocobra]

Good one Bob!

[@MikeStange0]

Perfect project Bob! This is now on my to do list!

[@magicrobharv]

That would be a great gift.

[@Imnotimportant555]

i love the fact that it plays old retro games mostly without problems. i have heard that some of the slightly more advanced games of the time dont run to well on them. would it be possible to use a SUPER SMALL computer in place of the raspberry pi? i feel like that might add more flexibility to the system.

[@Wwgeek]

Ok, maybe not the full-size cabinet. But now I want one of these. Dang it, Bob.....I'll be back, going to go build one. I may have questions :)

[@Kopitarko]

damn it Bob, it looks so easy to build this when I am watching you...and I know its not. great stuff, more!

[@pesto12601]

Yeah.. easy when you have a) a shop full of tools all setup and ready to function b) the time needed to measure and make everything c) a reason for making it (ie: youtube channel and the need to upload videos) For the rest of us - I'll just purchase an already cut cabinet and assemble... getting all those wires connected and setup will take me long enough!

[@olympicpoolservices2588]

pesto12601 I

pesto12601

[@scragglewaggle4109]

How is it holding up. I always stay clear of plywood because it's tends to warp over time. Particle board or Mdf is what I like to use but always wanted to use plywood but not sure if it will warp over the years.

[@janineharris3601]

Awesome I had to subscribe. You are killing everyone more people need to look at your stuff

[@chrisunrath8343]

Looks awesome! Totally going to have to get the plans from your web site!

[@jarrodsmith1648]

Hi Bob, I'm 15 and I'm looking to start woodworking. I was wondering for your opinion on what power tools I should start of with.

[@DestructivePixels]

I am 100% going to do this for our taproom in my brewery! Any idea if you'll be doing plans for this smaller cabinet?

[@Iliketomakestuff]

I will be putting some out when I get the time to put them together.

[@SebastianPastry]

Great project! When you say, took your SketchUp file into illustrator and traced it, does that mean your exporting a raster (jpeg or other) and actually tracing it? If so may I sugguest you export a .dwg from SketchUp. I use CS6 illustrator and it won't open AutoCAD 2013 dwg files but by down saving it to as 2004 file you can then open your vector paths straight in illustrator, negating the need to trace what you've already drawn. It's not a big thing but saves a bit of time and needless effort and is massively useful to generate orthographic drawings. Note: You can only export .dwg files from SketchUp Pro (an 'inexpensive' version of which can be easily found when looked for).

[@DavidDavisDH]

Cool, I'm building my bar top cabinet too, I'm making the control panel larger though. It feels too cramped with 2 people playing.

[@alanw305]

I've always wanted to build one of these. Great video! Thank you for all the helpful links!

[@thatguyontheright1]

I like the other one, you can use it as an armoire if you want. This one is still pretty cool. I really need a workshop haha

[@Ckrispbacon]

So this is off topic but I want to make something out of plywood but I want to be able to leave it outside without it degrading as well as making it not look like wood. I am going for like a plastic or just a smooth look. Is there a coating that would help where maybe I apply it and then sand it smooth?

[@darrenhawkeye8215]

thanks taught me a few more tricks and i have made 3 one full size one that suits my 7 year old and a bartop

[@Ggghhhhhhhhhhhjjgjjj]

Hey you probably should use different tops for the spraypaint. I suggest calligraphy ones they have a much wider and even spray

[@aidanfuge2108]

I always feel obligated to make a joke when I'm early but then I remember I'm really not funny

[@lagrottedubarbu]

awesome build, got a project just like that in the making... have the same problem, not that much space so tabletop is the ideal as usual great video, thanks :D

[@GUILLERMO01ful]

Very good machine. I already have a Bartop and i try to finish arcade with one credit.