6 replies to this topic

[Nostronomo]

Hi all!

 

Probably a noob question....

 

I am in the planning phase for my cabinet. I cant seem to find a decent solution to my lockdown bar problem. I am going to build a non standard sized/custom cabinet, around a 42" none decased tv. I am thinking about getting a custom lockdownbar.

 

There are people who don't bother with the cabinet glass and place the monitor 'on top' of the cabinet. My build will have playfield glass over the 42" tv, we have 2 cats running around and I don't want their claws stuck in my monitor when they jump on and of the table

 

What are the things to keep in mind?

Is it better to route out space for the top playfield glass, or is it better to rest the glass 'on top' of the cabinet?

How far does the playfield glass run under the lockdown bar?

 

Does anybody have links to build logs of custom sized cabinets that use a custom lockdown bar? A lot of builds are based on existing cabinets with standard lockdown bars. It would be nice to see pictures where the lockdown bar is removed and where you can see how playfield glass  lays underneath it.

 

Or is this just a to dumb question, and when I receive a custom lockdown bar it just all figures out by it self? Its that those things are unreasonable expensive an I want to double check before I order one.

 

Thanks,

R

[bosvrucht]

with that playfield TV, wouldnt it be easier to make the cab standard "wide-body" width?  Then you can buy a (second hand) wide-body lockdownbar+receiver.  Wide body lockdownbars are still a lot more expensive than the standard ones, but i guess cheaper than custom.

[mjr]

Is it better to route out space for the top playfield glass, or is it better to rest the glass 'on top' of the cabinet?

How far does the playfield glass run under the lockdown bar?

 

The real machines use a set of plastic channels to hold the glass.  The channels sit on top of the side panels, held in place with spines that fit into grooves routed into the edge of the panel.  The side rails fit directly over the plastic channels.

 

If you go this route, sizing and aligning everything is very straightforward because the parts are all designed to fit together.  You just route the grooves for the spines, snap the channels into the grooves, and install the side rails on top of the channels.  You then fit the lock bar so that it sits on top of the rails (it overlaps the rails, so they provide the alignment reference point).  From that you can mark where the lock bar receiver goes and drill the bolt holes for it.

 

Here are a couple of pics - hopefully these will help clarify.

 

 

[Nostronomo]

Great!

Thank you very much! those pictures and your explanation made it all clear to me!

I was pondering about how to tackle this with a custom sized cabinet, but seeing this I think I am going not only for a lockdown bar, but also a receiver and siderails. That way I know it fits together, an it makes it a bit simpler.

Thanks again!

[Nostronomo]

Ok, after continuing my work I am now at a stage that I need a lockdown bar so I can determine the exact position of my playfield screen. But before that I have some more "noobish" questions:

 

My build is based on the mameman widebody plans. Only a wee bit less wide, the outside of the original plans are 630mm  (24.8031" inch). The width of mine is 608mm.(23.93701" inch) This to reduce the border around playfield screen as much as possible.

 

To achieve roughly the same results as shown in the above pictures need the following items:

- A set of side rails: http://virtuapin.net...&products_id=91

- A custom lockdown bar: http://virtuapin.net...&products_id=34

- A locking mechanism: http://virtuapin.net...&products_id=64

- A set of plastic railing to hold the future glass plate...

 

1) The side rails page doesn't mention the length. It only says :"Set of 2 side rails for Williams/Bally WPC-era machines". I think they are OK to use.... but to be double sure: Are these ok to use with the Mameman building plans?

2) The custom lockdown bar has to be ordered for the width of the cabinet excluding any side rails, they add 1/4 inch to make room for the side rails. Is it save to say that the above mentioned side rails play nice together with the custom lockdown bar?

3) The page for the locking mechanism doesn't state the width of the item. The inside width of my cabinet is approx 572mm (22.519" inch). I figured that because it also fits a standard width lockdown bar, it should not be a problem to fit in my cabinet. Am I right on this?

 

Thanks,

R

[Noah Fentz]

1) I really can't say for certain about the building plans, but I believe they are WPC, meaning the siderails will work fine. 2) The bar and siderails cooperate just fine. 3) The receiver fits both standard and widebody 22"+ cabinets. 4) I'm not sure how you're doing your glass, but I should make you aware of the siderail plastic channel. It fits in a 3/32" slot along the middle of the top surface (end grain) of the cabinet sides and sits under the siderails. Pretty much necessary to hold the glass safely. Feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email at [email protected], if you have any cabinet part questions.

[Nostronomo]

Thanks for the info Noah,

I ordered a custom lockbar at your shop with a width of 23.937" (608mm) with a lock bar receiver and some other stuff.

For the moment I am still exploring other sidebar solutions.

 

Thanks again,

R