Buying for new CP, what am I forgetting

[WhereEaglesDare]

Is there an advantage to USB or PS2?  Is the USB cable that is extra just a plain USB A Cable Like I would use on a HP printer (cuz I got tons, PM me if you want a free + shipping one).  Or Does it normally do both, if I order an IPac2 it can do PS2 or USB?

What about its cousin the Keywiz40?

Any Recommendations?

Looking to buy today.

[Hoopz]

USB vs PS/2 was a huge topic here 4 or 5 years ago.  I think the bottom line for most people is go with what works for you.  If you have a spare USB port, go that route.  It allows for a PS/2 keyboard to be connected and kept separate from the control panel.  Or you can connect a PS/2 keyboard to the Ipac and then have it connect to the PC via USB or PS/2.  Again, it really is up to you and what works for you.  Different ways to do the same thing.

If you need to waste time and have time to burn, search for some of the USB v. PS/2 threads from 2004 or 2005.  Some are absolute classics! 

[WhereEaglesDare]

Okay so Im buying today to finally put my CP together.

Shopping at GGG

I got two blue HAPP Comp sticks, Im using six buttons each player so 12 orange buttons, then 3 black and 3 blue for MISC buttons (just in case I want to add admin buttons), a player one and two button, a KeyWiz40, Terminal Connectors, blue T Molding.

I am not getting an Arcade VGA card at this time because Im not sure if I wanna keep the arcade monitor I have or find a cheap TV with RGB.  Soft 15 should work fine for the time being.

Any Suggestions?  Am I missing something Crucial?

Thanks.

[Hoopz]

Two things that immediately jump to my mind:

Button wrench.  Get it.  It's cheap, it's very convenient to have, and you'll regret it if you don't.  Get it.  You'll thank me for this if you get it.  And curse me if you don't for not convincing you to get it.   

What are you using for coins?  Buttons or something else?  I didn't know if that was in your list for the misc buttons.

[WhereEaglesDare]

ADDED BUTTON WRENCH

I was thinking about coins, and I think I will use a MISC button for it, but not totally sure yet, I have a 4 way coin door too.

I think I'll have my MISC buttons like this

Left Side:
Player One Start
Blue Coin Button

Center:
3 of whatever I find that I need buttons

Right side:
Player Two Start
Blue Coin Button

And maybe off to on side have one or two for volume up and down...  Maybe have a Volume down and a shifted Volume Up like (Player1Start +Volume = Volume Up)

Thank you for your input, anything else?

I need the bit for the t-molding, but it is 20 bucks at GGG, I'm thinking HD would have it cheaper...  Would this be so?  What bit would I need for 3/4" MDF?

[Hoopz]

It's been my experience that HD and Lowes don't carry t-molding. 

[WhereEaglesDare]

No, just the router bit, I am ordering the molding, I think that 20 for the bit is asking too much, thats what GGG wants.

[Hoopz]

No, just the router bit, I am ordering the molding, I think that 20 for the bit is asking too much, thats what GGG wants.

If you're doing just the CP, then it (hopefully) is too much.  If you're going all the way around the cabinet, then it may be enough. 

Oops, didn't read the part about the bit.  I gotcha now.

[bkenobi]

Router bits are expensive no matter where you buy them.  I think the ones GGG has are carbide so they should last a bit longer (if you don't burn them up).  You might find cheaper if you look around, but I doubt it will be much less than $20 and you will have to pay additional shipping or tax.

[Triangel7D]

That bit is totally worth it. I'm lucky to like near an amazing wood tools store, and Randy's price was only a couple bucks more.

[WhereEaglesDare]

So, 20 is a good deal for a router bit???  wow...  well then may need to wait a lil bit longer to get that then...

[bkenobi]

Check out the price of good router bits at a hardware store and you'll see that some of them are well over $20 each.  You can get a basic set for ~$20 on sale at Sears (for example).  I picked one up and hope it will work ok for basic stuff.  However, they are not carbide tipped (I don't think), so they won't stay sharp for very long if cutting harder wood (MDF is hard wood...or at least hard on your bits).

[Triangel7D]

$20 is a good deal for the bit + arbor.

[bkenobi]

Yeah, if it has an interchangable arbor, then it's definitely not a bad price.  Cheaper bits have a fixed arbor.  If you already have a usable arbor, you can save a few dollars by getting just the cutting disc.

[WhereEaglesDare]

Do the Happ Comp sticks from GGG come with the mounting hardware, carriage bolts, etc?

[BobA]

No matter where you look, Home Depot, Sears, Lowes, Local Tool Shops. No one seems to carry a thin enough blade to cut the t molding slot.   I ended up ordering one with my t molding online.   Randy's price is good considering you can add it to your order and it will not cost extra for shipping that would be charged if you order it separately from someplace else.