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help estimating costs? List of what I need

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shateredsoul:

I was wondering if someone could help me estimate the cost of building my cab? I have the control panel done, a monitor, and computer.  I just want to know how much in addition so I'm making a list of stuff I need, anyone see anything missing? My friend has wood working tools, so i'll be using the tools he has.  I only really need to build the actual cab to hold everything now.


I want to use this slim design http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=78494.0 but I have a touch screen monitor I will either implement on the cab (previously I had thought on the side) but I may just make it it's own separate frame (so I can hang it near the cab). It also has to be able to hold a control panel the size of mameroom's panels.

2 sheets of MDF
2 buckets of paint (probably glossy black)
1 sheet of plexi (to make a bezel for the monitor)
4 Wheels (for the bottoms)
1 usb plug to go on the outside the cab to connect the touch screen.

Anything else? I wanted to make a a pull out drawer for the keyboard that can be locked.. what can I use for that? He can guide me through whatever I need to do.



mwong168:

Well for the player controls you will need the following:

IPAC-2  $39.00

http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html

This keyboard encoder will give you just enough inputs for a typical 2 player 6 button layout with 4-8 extra buttons you could designate for admin buttons like TAB, ENTER, ESC, etc.  It also comes with a nice easy to use program you can flash to the chip if you don't want to use the default key assignments.

All the following parts I recommend getting from Chad over at Lizardlick.com  He's a great guy and ships really fast.  I placed my order for some parts late yesterday afternoon and this morning I got notification my stuff has shipped :)

iL 8-Way Eurojoystick  $9.95 x 2


Trust me pay the extra $2 per stick to get the iL over the Happ 8-Way Competition Joystick.  They might look the same or similar in the picture but there is a difference and history behind these two sticks.

Happ  Competition Pushbutton with Horizontal Microswitch  $1.70 x 12


or

Happ  Pushbutton with Horizontal Microswitch  $1.55 x 12


Solderless Quick Connect, 18-22 AWG Red  $0.10/each or else you could get a pack of 100 for $5-6.


Depending on what sort of controls you go for American (HAPP/iL) like I have listed here or Japanese (Sanwa/Seimitsu) these quick disconnects come in two different sizes.  American = 0.187 Japanese = 0.110.  Always get extra in case you mess up, there is nothing that running out of quick disconnects or wire when working on your control panel wiring.  Trust me I know  :angry:

This gives you a rough idea of what you need to complete your control panel.  Depending if you need more then 2 players or want to have a dedicated 4 way stick like in the penny arcade you posted you will need a controller that can handle more inputs like the IPAC4 or get an additional IPAC2.  Keep in mind buttons count as one single input each and joysticks count as 4 separate inputs. 

I also want to note that there are other alternative for parts such as groovygamegear.com.  RandyT has keyboard and LED controllers as well.  I've used many of his products like the KeyWiz, GPWiz, LEDWiz+GPWiz in all my projects.  If you have any other questions feel free to post it here.  Good luck.

mytymaus007:

i believe he said he has the control panel complete just needs a cab :dunno

shateredsoul:

Cool thanks! So I have the control panel done. Joysticks, buttons, ipac, wired and working. I just need a cabinet to put the control pane and the screen on, unfortunately my lcd screen doesn't have any mounting holes  :angry: so i'm probably going to have to make a shelf for it.. I don't want to decase it.

BobA:

Screws, glue, sandpaper, 1x1 wood for supports and extra stiffening, hinges, marquee retainer, cutter for plexi, T molding,  slot cutting bit, router, ac input plug, smart power strip, and a bit more that will come up along the way.

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