First cabinet, What do you think?

[ryguy425425]

One day, about 6 months ago, I was looking for something to do with my collection of old computers. After a few hours of Googling, I decided to build an arcade cabinet. I cut out the sides a few weeks later, using a custom design based of one I cant even find anymore, right after I did this I found a bunch of plans for real cabinets. The dimensions are a little weird. I wasn't expecting to have a problem finding a computer to put inside it, but 2 computers wouldn't turn on (They worked 8 years ago when I put them there!), and the other one didn't agree with Mame. I ended up borrowing the only computer in my basement that wasn't mine, but please don't tell my sister. I am running Mala, and the computer is set up so that it can easily be pulled out and upgraded. The computer in there is running windows 2000, and I can't find anything to hide windows (Stuff like change boot screens).  Right now turning it on and off takes some time, but I turned the computer around so that I can do everything from the coin door now. I was planning on using the power supply from one of the broken computers to power the coin door light, but I had a desk light that works perfectly (It's taped to the side of the machine). Like the keyboard? If you have seen the keyboard hidden like this, please don't tell me. I want to think it is my own original idea. I have an I-Pac2 VE in the mail, and I just need to buy the joysticks and buttons. I am going for a 2 joystick, 6 button per player design. What should I do for joystick and button colors? I probably won't be doing much for decorating the rest of the cabinet any time soon, so the cabinet will be black for a while.What do you think? Any advice? Thanks!

[Jack Burton]

Looks pretty good.  Excellent for a first timer. 

Honestly it reminds me of the kind of cabs you used to see around the internet 10 years ago when this hobby was first getting started. 

[shateredsoul]

Looks pretty good.  Excellent for a first timer. 

Honestly it reminds me of the kind of cabs you used to see around the internet 10 years ago when this hobby was first getting started. 

I think it looks good, might want to give it some artwork though, wish I could make one too

[bradx]

not bad, but its begging for a larger monitor...

[ryguy425425]

Yeah, all I had was a dell 17". The origional plan was to use up everything in the  basement, but I can upgrade the monitor in about an hour if I come across a bigger one. It will get some artwork eventually, but I'll probably just slowly work away at that after I get the control panel done. It makes sense that it looks like the ones that appeared 10 years ago, the one I based my design off of is 10 years old, and so are all the computer parts .

[shateredsoul]

Cool keep us updated, I would especially like it if you shared how you wire up your control panel.  I oredered a control panel (precut) and have been looking at how people decide to wire their cp. Some are very neat and orderly with color coded wiring.. some are messy but work just as well.

I'm trying to go for the neat version, I have everything ready.. the buttons, joysticks, wire, easy connects, crimper.. I'm just waiting on that cp.

[ryguy425425]

Cool keep us updated, I would especially like it if you shared how you wire up your control panel.  I oredered a control panel (precut) and have been looking at how people decide to wire their cp. Some are very neat and orderly with color coded wiring.. some are messy but work just as well.

I'm trying to go for the neat version, I have everything ready.. the buttons, joysticks, wire, easy connects, crimper.. I'm just waiting on that cp.

It won't be very clean. I only have one color of wire that I grabbed at Radio Shack a while ago, and I don't have any easy connects yet. I'll put up some pictures though before I permanently seal it in there!

[HanoiBoi]

What should I do for joystick and button colors? I probably won't be doing much for decorating the rest of the cabinet any time soon, so the cabinet will be black for a while.What do you think? Any advice? Thanks!

"None more black"

You know, you can get black joysticks and black button....or, were you looking to add some color?  What are you planning for the marquee?  I'd look to try to get joysticks and buttons that would match the marquee, if you have no plans for side art.

Quite frankly, your cabinet is simple, bland and dark, and then your photos are even darker , that I'm wondering why you even posted this.   

Do you really just need ideas for button colors?

[Ginsu Victim]

Quite frankly, your cabinet is simple, bland and dark, and then your photos are even darker , that I'm wondering why you even posted this.   

Why are you being that way?

[shateredsoul]

Yeah.. Anyways...

I decided to go for streetfighter color buttons, but ended up looking at the wrong image, I bought blue,green and red. Here's an image of what I think most ppl do for the street fighter control panel. I also thought maybe all blue buttons and joystick would look pretty nice.  I like blue on black.

Quite frankly, your cabinet is simple, bland and dark, and then your photos are even darker , that I'm wondering why you even posted this.   

Why are you being that way?

[CheffoJeffo]

Whoa ... what's with the photography critic ? 'Boi is just looking to fill Ummon's shoes.

There is nothing wrong with a plain cab -- my first cab was a plain, black 3-sided cocktail and I still like it.

The only issue I have is that the marquee sticks out pretty far and taller folks might bash their skulls.

[ryguy425425]

I'm thinking black joysticks, and probably something like the street fighers colors. I'm not realy sure what I'm doing for a marquee, and as for it sticking out, I'll do some research before I cut out the next one (Found all the good designs after I had the side panels cut out). It won't be black forever, just until i find a cooler color   . I'll be adding more artwork after I get the basic functionality worked out. I also haven't picked out a final spot for it yet, no point in wasting money on artwork thats behind a wall.

[HanoiBoi]

Quite frankly, your cabinet is simple, bland and dark, and then your photos are even darker , that I'm wondering why you even posted this.   

Why are you being that way?

Sorry.  I guess that sounded a bit wangy.  Is just that there are like 6 pics that I maximized 3 times each, and I still really couldn't make out what I was looking at.  Especially the last photo.

[Ginsu Victim]

Then insult the pictures, not his cabinet ("simple, bland, and dark").

[DCsegaDH]

Nice start! I'm using the SF-style red, green, and blue buttons, I like them over the red, white and blue buttons, its just a preference. The one thing you should do is look at what other people have done and learn from that and whatever you do don't put many buttons on the control panel, its better to go simple.

[shateredsoul]

by the way, get concave buttons.. the other ones feel weird =/.. to me at least

[HanoiBoi]

Then insult the pictures, not his cabinet ("simple, bland, and dark").

The OP asked "What do you think?  Any advice?".  In my opinion, "simple, bland and dark" are all adjectives that describe his current configuration.

I do think it's a good job for a first timer and it's most likely better than I could do.  I started with an old cab and really only added an MDF CP so far.  And guess what, the MDF/CP is black.

Oh, ryguy, I know you're only asking about button and stick colors, but I would suggest adding color to that bezel (black, dark blue or dark red.)  It would only cost a dollar or two for a large sheet of paper/posterboard at Walmart or a Dollar Store.  

[Ginsu Victim]

"simple" and "dark" seemed okay, but "bland" just didn't sound nice.

[Malenko]

really any color will go with black, most common is Blue , then red. You have a SOLID foundation, so build on it. I do have to agree it does look like a cab from about 10 years ago, which isnt a bad thing since we're emulating games twice that age.

[ryguy425425]

All good advice, Thanks! I can't find any of my cameras, so these were all taken with my phone. That room is in the basement on the dark side of the house, and the lights down there aren't really doing it. That's why they look so dark. I don't have any artwork yet, but I will be printing of or buying  a bezel in the near future.

[bkenobi]

If you change things in the future, you might consider tilting the CP a bit more level.  I'd guess that the angle you have may become fatiguing to users.  Nice job!

[CheffoJeffo]

Here is my first MAME cab, just before I finished up (put in proper carriage bolts and t-molding on the long side CP)



It wasn't flashy, but I still like the coloured controls on plain black, despite the fact that folks might call it simple and bland. I still have the cab and have no desire to change anything about it.

[ryguy425425]

That is nice! My next cab will be either a conversion, or a cocktail table (and I'll get some REAL plans too)  I cut out the side panels before I did any research, and I didn't want to waste them. Thanks again for all the advice!