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Planning Before the Build
Woodshop Flunky:
--- Quote from: Silas (son of Silas) on February 04, 2011, 02:54:42 pm ---The only obvious big thing that I see is missing is plexi/lexan/glass/whatever over the screen.
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Yep! Totally forgot the plexi! :)
--- Quote from: leapinlew on February 04, 2011, 02:59:22 pm ---The idea of someone using my mame cab to visit sites just freaks me out. I hate the idea of my arcade machine having malware.
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The idea of internet browsing sounded okay until I read your post. :-\ I may have to revisit the idea of making this an isolated machine. If I end up doing that, I already have an older laptop that I could use as a donor machine.
--- Quote from: leapinlew on February 04, 2011, 02:59:22 pm ---What is "Artist" for $60?
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I was looking at Game On Grafix for some reproduction art. However, I have some minor changes I’ll want done due to my cabinet design, and I think the site listed a rate of $20/half hour. I think I overestimated at $60.
--- Quote from: yotsuya on February 04, 2011, 03:08:39 pm ---GroovyGameGear has the slot cutting router bit for a lot less than what you have budgeted.
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Thanks, I hadn’t even heard of this site yet.
Woodshop Flunky:
If I do end up building the computer, what power supply would you guys recommend? I'm kind of clueless as to what I might need for this type of build.
Thanks again!
Firebat138:
you can save some cash and paint that sucker. :-) Also, if havent got anyone to help ya with the art, look me up in the artwork thread...
Woodshop Flunky:
--- Quote from: Firebat138 on February 04, 2011, 03:56:54 pm ---you can save some cash and paint that sucker. :-) Also, if haven't got anyone to help ya with the art, look me up in the artwork thread...
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I like paint, and I like saving the 90 bucks. I was leaning towards Formica just cause I love the way it looks on some of the cabs here. Thanks for the artwork nod.
Here is a VERY preliminary Sketchup of what I had in mind. The bezel artwork will need to be adjusted a little for my cab/monitor. Also, the CP will be all mine, but I'll use the original elements. Little things like making the gold star larger on the side art and putting a large gold star on the CP front shouldn't be too difficult.
BTW... Thanks for the, "You can get it cheaper here..." comments. I'll likely take this first stab and start figuring where I can shave off.
Donkbaca:
My thoughts, because I like telling people what I think :)
Computer:
Yowser! You have 473 bucks budgeted for your PC. And it doesn't include a case.
Don't build one, for what you want to use this for - 80's classics and light web browsing - a beat up old P4 will do the trick. you can get one of those with XP for under 100 bucks.
I suggest you go XP for your build. It seems most BYOAC stuff is built with XP in mind, I am pretty sure its the most popular OS around here. You can probably get a CRT for free or cheaper if you look. Try a thrift store or craig's list. Nobody wants a 17 inch CRT. Your wifi stuff is also more expensive then yo ulist it. For the type of machine you are building I would put my budget at 250, max, and you can probably get one that will suit your needs for around 100 bucks.,
Also, lets think logistics, the whole cab is going to be 4 feet tall, that means the screen is going to be about 3 - 3 1/2 feet off the ground maybe? That won't be comfortable at all for an adult to use. I know the CP on my cabinet is like 34 inches off the ground, the CP is going to be what, like 25 inches? I would ditch the whole "second workstation" idea, unless your kid is going to be doing work on it.
Controls:
No need to get a mag stik, I have never used them, but from reading on the forums, it seems that they feel really different. I would just get a happs super or competition. A kid is going to use it, you want something tough and rugged, and those things are solid and around 10 bucks. If you want it for the switchable 4- 8 way, well, do you think it matters that much to the kid? Another option is a U-360, since it has built in support for 8 buttons, and you wouldn't have to buy an ipac, and you can map it 4 or 8 way.
Boom, I just saved you like 300 bucks buddy!