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Arcade Stylee - First MAME Cab - 99% Complete

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MikeyMerse:
Firstly, hello to all you BYOACers. This is my first post and I want to let you all know what I have started

I've been coasting these forums for the past few weeks to learn common practices on building a MAME cabinet.  I had no idea this hobby had such a dedicated forum and I am glad because there are so many bright minds here who have built AMAZING cabinets.

For my first attempt a cab build, I wanted to start with an existing empty cabinet but customize it to my terms.  I got a deal from a guy who was selling these on Craigslist.  It was originally wired for Jamma so I gutted it and put all that aside.  Since gutting it I have picked up some parts:


* 24" Flatscreen TV w/ S-Video
* 2 Sanwa JLW-UM-8 Joysticks (Picked these because I heard good things and they are easy to switch to 4-way)
* Happ Buttons
* 1/2" 4x8 sheet MDF to replace a few parts
* Casters
I have mounted the casters and have replaced/hinged the back door (rather than having it just come off).  My next step is to piece together the marquee and lower the monitor platform (to make room for the larger 24" TV).  Also I want to replace the front of the cabinet and lower the coin door hole.  One thing that I realized is that I won't have any room for a keyboard tray, which is quite common here.  Instead, once I create the control panel and have it hinged on the front, I will mount a keyboard on top of plexi-glass on the reverse side of the control panel above the guts of the controls.  This way I will be able to use the cabinet as a computer comfortably and easily (there will be a mouse too).

I picked this specific cabinet because it was smaller than the usual cab (and also smaller than LuSiD's plans).  I wanted a cabinet that wasn't too large but still had that nostalgic feel to it.

I am going with a black & white theme.  Black cabinet with white t-molding and also white designs on the side and on the control panel.  Right now I am going with space invaders on the right and asteroids on the left.  I haven't quite figured out what to do with the control panel, suggestions are very welcomed!

One thing I may do is leave a space for a trackball to be installed at a later time, but I am still on the fence about this because I never played too many trackball games.

This is just another "plain jane" cabinet, no steampunk style here, but I am just going for something that will be fun to make and fun to play.

NeoFlynn:
seems like you have a nice start going, good luck and keep posting with the progress

Ond:
Why no steampunk? Steampunk iss de ultimate!....  Just kidding, welcome to the forum and the madness MikeyMerse.  You can check out any time you like but you c....Oh wait somebody else already said that.  My advice to you is (if you havent already) read the FAQ and use the search features to get the info you need.  Asking for help is good too, but there's so much great info available so keep 'coasting' as well.

cheers

Ond

MikeyMerse:
Thanks guys.

I've definitely been reading up a lot on these projects. I made it to page 12 or 13, and learning methods on the way.

I worked on it this morning and got some battens in place and cut the TV casing to fit inside.

More pics will be on the way!



EDIT: Added a picture of what my intentions are for the keyboard and mouse on the underside of the control panel.

MikeyMerse:
*UPDATE*

I would have pics here, but they would have the same quality above, I will get a better camera soon to show you all.

I have replaced the front and lowered where the coin door will go; replaced the TV stand to compensate for the larger TV (24"); Removed various old battens that wouldn't work for my design.

Also, I got my sticks, buttons and IPAC in! Also got wire, quick connects and an additional button to mount underneath the lip below the coin door to turn the TV on and off.

Also, looking for help with hinges:
I still want to get the CP to fold back 180º to act as a desktop for the mouse and keyboard... The issue is I can't find the right kind of hinge. I could easily get a piano hinge, but then the butt of the hinge will be sticking out and I think it would be an eyesore. Any solutions?

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