My first mame cab

[Rulkiewicz]

I picked up a gutted MK2 cab off craigslist for 50$.  The marquee light works and I wired the coin door lights to the power supply, thanks to your help.  

I decided to start with the Xarcade tank stick then sooner or later build my own CP.  The guy I bought my cab from made a new, wider CP, I ended up cutting the top to fit the tankstick in.  This was a tough decision, but I can easily replace the top piece of the CP when I decide to make my own layout.

I have a buddy of mine coming over tomorrow, he is a fabricator for one of the Big 3, and he'll help me to make a proper bracket to mount the TV.  I still need to repaint the unit, and install the new t-molding I have (red), install the glass over the monitor, or plexi, what is preferred?  I also need to get a bezel and a marquee, and I have to cut a grove in the top of the CP for the t-molding.

[XNIF]

I would use plexiglass that is darkened. Why don't you use a normal control panel? It would look a lot better than an x-arcade board,,,,

[Smeghead]

wow that looks exactly like mine, keep going its looking great! 

[cmoses]

I used the same cabinet to make my MAME machine.  What size TV are you putting in there?  Save the metal brackets for when you upgrade to a arcade monitor.  I was going the TV route at first but then found an arcade monitor locally while still in the building mode, got it and never looked back.  You will probably want to change out the Tank Stick at some point as well.