Nervous noob, (k)nows nothing, needs (k)nowledge

[ubermick]

Right, let's get one thing out of the way. I hate you all. That's right, I hate ye. And if you think I detest you, wait'll my wife gets a load of what your evil influence is doing to me.*

See, there was I, thinking about getting a MAME system. They had 'em at Costco, $2,000 or so. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!!" the boss shouts, putting her foot down. Ah well, worth a try.

A few months pass, and I think "Y'know, all I really need is an old PC, and an arcade stick. I don't need the fancy cabinets!"

So I look around, trying to find a decent stick, and spotted the X-Arcade. Which, apparently, everyone LOVED. Apart from one google result which pointed me here.

I'm ruined. Destroyed. I started seeing things like Knievel's Woody (Well, I didn't see THAT woody... you know what I mean!), Martijn's Street Fighter cab, and my fellow Irishman Lumberjackass' fine system (along with his excellent tutorials. Maith an buachaill!!). Obviously, my plans of just having a computer on a desk with a joystick are in tatters, and now I **MUST** have a cab!

So here goes nothing. Hopefully down the road I'll have something worthy of showing everyone, but before I get started, a couple of questions...

First, the computer. I know people have asked something along these lines before, but I can't say I've seen a definitive answer on "What's the minimum system requirements?" It doesn't help that I know NOTHING about pee-cees, having used Macs all my life. But to sum up what I'd like to run, it's basically MAME with the older games (I've got a PS3 and a Wii for anything demanding!) from my childhood with maybe some Golden Tee action for drunken evenings in the Man Cave. I'd like the old consoles - Amiga would be FANTASTIC, Sega, SNES, and maybe some old Playstation stuff. In terms of computers, a friend of mine has an old E-Machines D2046 I might be able to scrounge from him, which comes with (I'm assuming): 2ghz Celeron Processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB HD (I'm already assuming this needs to be replaced with something 10 times bigger), and Intel Extreme Graphics 3D video (built into the motherboard, I assume). Would that be enough for what I want, or am I going to need to go bigger?

Second, the control panel. I've looked at some builds, and putting them together seems fairly straightforward. One wire from the button to something like an ipac, and then one wire going around acting as a ground, then the ipac plugs into one of the computer's USB ports. Joysticks have me scratching my head, tho. I'm assuming all I'd want is 8-way, I don't really need anything analog, but the selection of just 8 way sticks has me overwhelmed. I like the idea of the Ultimarc Mag Stick Plus, but is it really worth the money, given that one of those is four times the price of other sticks I see used? So do folks have a "preferred standard stick"?

The trackball is something that has me wondering, too. I'm assuming that folks are using something like Ultimarc's U-Trak, or one from Twisted Quarter which goes directly into a USB/PS2 port? If so, is one better than the other? And if not... well, got any recommendations?! (I gravitate towards Twisted Quarter for some stuff, since I have a bunch of ebay gift cards I can use for their stuff!)

Thanks in advance for all your help - which I'll be asking for on a regular basis, because God help me, I'm just not that bright. Keep up the mind blowing work, your stuff is amazingly inspirational - and has caused even someone like me to attempt a build!





* Actually I don't. I'm massively impressed by the work here, as well as by people's willingness to help. Can't wait to get started!

[Donkbaca]

These questions come up all the time. " I have x-computer, will it run y"?. Well get a 500gb or bigger external drive, load MAME up on it and see how it runs. The computer is free, you are going to need to set up MAME anyway, see if runs what you want. If it does you are set, if it doesn't then you already have it set up to move to your new computer.

As for joysticks, that's like asking where the best pizza is. Ask 10 people you get 10 different answers. Let me ask you this. Do you like your x-arcade?  If so then just use those joysticks and buttons. Itll save you some money to. Personally I like the x-arcade sticks.

Most people don't like the magstick. I would get u360s from ultimarc if I were to start over

[SavannahLion]

Right, let's get one thing out of the way. I hate you all. That's right, I hate ye. And if you think I detest you, wait'll my wife gets a load of what your evil influence is doing to me.*

That's why we have a politics and religion forum, so we can openly vent our hatred for each other.

[Donkbaca]

Oh yeah, and as for trackballs, I don't think there is a strong preference for one over the other. just get a ps2 one so you don't have to buy an oPtical encoder.

[mgb]

Hey Ubermick,
  Welcome to the forums. It's a wonderful addiction. don't forget that mame is a gateway drug. You may even stray into the dark underworld of classic game collecting. Oh won't wifey be glad.
Yeah alot of those things are preferences. I like Sanwa JLWs and GGG Electric Ice buttons while another guy may like Ultrasticks (very popular) and Happ buttons.
You try some stuff and figure out what you like.
If you can get a free pc with 2ghz and a 40 gig harddrive, why not.
That will take care of alot of classics. I would recomend 512MB of memory but even the 256MB will be a great start.
I ran my Mame for a few good years on P3 900Mhz with 512MB memory and a 40 Gig hard drive and I had no problems running all of the classics plus the fighters from the 90s.
Now I couldn't run Hyperspin but it was a decent cheap setup.
So keep looking at the forums and you'll see some patterns of what seems to work for guys and what seems to be common problems.

By the way, I use Twisted Quarter a lot my self, a very good dealer. never had a problem.
Good luck

[ubermick]

These questions come up all the time. " I have x-computer, will it run y"?. Well get a 500gb or bigger external drive, load MAME up on it and see how it runs. The computer is free, you are going to need to set up MAME anyway, see if runs what you want. If it does you are set, if it doesn't then you already have it set up to move to your new computer.

As for joysticks, that's like asking where the best pizza is. Ask 10 people you get 10 different answers. Let me ask you this. Do you like your x-arcade?  If so then just use those joysticks and buttons. Itll save you some money to. Personally I like the x-arcade sticks.

Most people don't like the magstick. I would get u360s from ultimarc if I were to start over

Cheers for the reply. Good call on the computer, although it's far from a guarantee I'll get it, and if I do I wouldn't accept it for free. That said, if it works, it'll for sure be a cheaper option, even though I see 2.8ghz P4s with a gig of RAM and a chunky hard drive going for under $100 on ebay.

Actually don't have a joystick, have absolutely zero parts for this upcoming build. I guess that's where I'm coming from with the questions - if I have to amass parts, I might as well try to do it right. Buy cheap, buy twice, as I've often found out to my annoyance. (Certainly the case with my main hobby, brewing!) I dunno if the budget will stretch to kitting myself out with the top of the line sticks, tho. Although maybe I'll upgrade them down the road when Christmas comes (likely when this build will be finished anyways, haha)

That's why we have a politics and religion forum, so we can openly vent our hatred for each other.

Aw man, I'll be avoiding *that* like the plague.

Hey Ubermick,
  Welcome to the forums. It's a wonderful addiction. don't forget that mame is a gateway drug. You may even stray into the dark underworld of classic game collecting. Oh won't wifey be glad.
Yeah alot of those things are preferences. I like Sanwa JLWs and GGG Electric Ice buttons while another guy may like Ultrasticks (very popular) and Happ buttons.
You try some stuff and figure out what you like.
If you can get a free pc with 2ghz and a 40 gig harddrive, why not.
That will take care of alot of classics. I would recomend 512MB of memory but even the 256MB will be a great start.
I ran my Mame for a few good years on P3 900Mhz with 512MB memory and a 40 Gig hard drive and I had no problems running all of the classics plus the fighters from the 90s.
Now I couldn't run Hyperspin but it was a decent cheap setup.
So keep looking at the forums and you'll see some patterns of what seems to work for guys and what seems to be common problems.

By the way, I use Twisted Quarter a lot my self, a very good dealer. never had a problem.
Good luck

Bwaaahahaha! Yeah, about two years ago I convinced wifey that home brewing would actually *save* us money in the long run. That was before I dropped thousands last year on fabbing a brew stand, building (multiple) keezers, snagging conical fermenters, kegging stuff... you want a cheap hobby, making beer REALLY isn't it.

So I guess the overall answer is... there's no real overall answer! Just try stuff out and if it works it works. And since there's no real right answer, I guess I'll just order what I was planning on getting - plain ol' microswitched buttons, a couple of eight way joysticks (Happ Competitions, because the Ultimates suck?), a four way stick, and a trackball, and attempt to copy Knievel's panel. And if it all sucks, I'll pawn them off on here and start again!

[wweumina]

Most people don't like the magstick. I would get u360s from ultimarc if I were to start over

I hate (perhaps too strong a word) the u360s and love the Mag-Stik and I don't think I'm alone.  I've just rebuilt my CP so I don't have to use the u360 anymore.

That's why they make chocolate and vanilla, cause you like crappy ice-cream.

[Savannan]

yep +1 to above.....

hate u360's also.. they cant with-stand games like robotron/smash tv...where the player just mashes the sticks .....granted the u360's are very nice...i have some..but i had to replace them after a month of use. now i have the undestructable joysticks from xgaming..been using them over a year and not one complaint.  they even have a lifetime warrenty

[Donkbaca]

More expensive does not necessarily mean better. Most people get the mag sticks because they are switchable 4-8 way from the top. But from what I read the throw is really short and the stuck is not smooth and most people don't like them.  The u360 is nice for 3 reasons. First it let's you connect buttons to it without needing an encoder which makes the stick a decent deal. Second it is programable, so it switches between 4 an 8 way mode automatically in MAME. Finally it now has a top mount restrictor kit.  If you mostly want to play classics, this is the way to go. Playing Pacman and donkey kong on 8 ways sucks for most people. Plus you can get ball or bat tops.

The happs sticks are the sticks you will find in most arcades in games made in the 90's.  They are bat tops, and are all 8 way. The ultimates are not liked because they feel flimsy. Comps are preferred by people who like fighters, supers seem to be better overall sticks.  The x-arcade sticks are knockoff Happ supers.

[mgb]

Ubermick,
 The regular Happ buttons paired with Competition joysticks makes for a decent control panel, I think, especially for fighters.
here are some links to those parts:
Competition joysticks http://www.lizardlick.com/Happ-Joysticks_c_162.html
Buttons http://www.lizardlick.com/Happ-Pushbuttons_c_154.html
for the buttons, go with the classic if you like the old school concave feel. The competition buttons have a slight convex that some perfer for fighters. I had them but I perfer the concave. again its about what you perfer.

Just beware too that the joysticks at twisted quarter are not competitions, they are competitors.

Heres a 4-way stick that seems pretty cool http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=340


Again, just a preference thing, I don't like haveing 3 joysticks, so I use Sanwa JLWs. that way I can easily just have two joysticks and I can rotate the restrictor as needed to put them in either 4 way or 8 way mode. Happ supers say they can be either 4 or way but thats not really true

[EVEGames]

Happ supers say they can be either 4 or way but thats not really true

Why do you say that, MGB?  Happ Supers can be switched from 4-way to 8-way by flipping over the hourglass-shaped actuator at the end of the shaft.  It is not a true restricted 4-way, if that's what you mean... you can still move the joystick in circles, you don't have that diamond-shaped physical restriction, but the actuator will only hit 1 microswitch at a time while flipped to 4-way mode.

Ubermick, I like Happ Supers myself for a good all-around 8-way joystick, but I may be in the minority on these boards.  I agree however, if you're looking for a dedicated 4-way joystick or a 4-way/8-way switchable, you can do MUCH better than Happ Supers.

-EVEGames

[mgb]

I'm sorry, I didn't fully explain.
flipping the actuator isn't really a do it on the fly kinda thing like rotating the restrictor on JLW.
And with the super set for 4-way, there are dead zones.

[Epyx]

First, the computer. I know people have asked something along these lines before, but I can't say I've seen a definitive answer on "What's the minimum system requirements?" It doesn't help that I know NOTHING about pee-cees, having used Macs all my life. But to sum up what I'd like to run, it's basically MAME with the older games (I've got a PS3 and a Wii for anything demanding!) from my childhood with maybe some Golden Tee action for drunken evenings in the Man Cave. I'd like the old consoles - Amiga would be FANTASTIC, Sega, SNES, and maybe some old Playstation stuff. In terms of computers, a friend of mine has an old E-Machines D2046 I might be able to scrounge from him, which comes with (I'm assuming): 2ghz Celeron Processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB HD (I'm already assuming this needs to be replaced with something 10 times bigger), and Intel Extreme Graphics 3D video (built into the motherboard, I assume). Would that be enough for what I want, or am I going to need to go bigger?

Looks like you are on the right track already ubermick...that celeron would be just fine with a bit more Ram...I would see if you can scrounge another 512mb or so?  It would then be fine for Winuae (Amiga), Zsnes (Snes), Kega Fusion (Genesis) and Playstation (Epsxe).  Hard Drive you could get by with 120gb so maybe 3 times larger...10 would be nicer but not necessary for your requirements.

Second, the control panel. I've looked at some builds, and putting them together seems fairly straightforward. One wire from the button to something like an ipac, and then one wire going around acting as a ground, then the ipac plugs into one of the computer's USB ports. Joysticks have me scratching my head, tho. I'm assuming all I'd want is 8-way, I don't really need anything analog, but the selection of just 8 way sticks has me overwhelmed. I like the idea of the Ultimarc Mag Stick Plus, but is it really worth the money, given that one of those is four times the price of other sticks I see used? So do folks have a "preferred standard stick"?

My personal favourite joysticks (as with mgb) are the Sanwa JLWs...they are perfect in 4 way and perfect in 8 way and im a fussy as hell guy...ive tried almost every joystick out there and would agree that the Magstick Plus while Ok in 4 way is not a great 8 way and feels very mechanical with its short magnetic throw whereas the JLW just feels "right" no matter what game I play and can be switched with relative ease, depending on how your CP is designed.  I use two sticks and kepe the right one on 4 way...I "only" change it for 2 player 8 way games or games like Robotron that require 2 8 ways for single player...the rest of the time I just leave them 8 way on the left and 4 way on the right...ie playing Donkey Kong I use the right and Black Tiger the left...easy.

The trackball is something that has me wondering, too. I'm assuming that folks are using something like Ultimarc's U-Trak, or one from Twisted Quarter which goes directly into a USB/PS2 port? If so, is one better than the other? And if not... well, got any recommendations?! (I gravitate towards Twisted Quarter for some stuff, since I have a bunch of ebay gift cards I can use for their stuff!)

Most people bash XGaming...and I do as well with their CPs, buttons, joysticks and controller card but one thing they make well and cheap is their Trackball. It is a Betson Imperial clone and is fully compatible with GroovyGameGear's electric upgrades (I am using his kit with the 3" ball in my trackball).  My favourite two features with the XGaming trackball are they are easy to mount flush (IE under your artwork or laminate) with no bolts showing and they come with full usb mouse support built in (even the 3 mouse buttons equivalent arcade buttons are included and wired), so navigation is nice on the Windows desktop. Plus they are cheap in price but good in quality...I use mine a lot...im a huge Crystal Castles and Marble Madness junkie and 2 years later no issues whatsoever.

Last advice...start with building your own CP but make plans for a full cab (boss doesn't have to worry as its just a drawing at this point!) IE design a cab for your CP to fit on...but for now just build the CP

[mgb]

My personal favourite joysticks (as with mgb) are the Sanwa JLWs...they are perfect in 4 way and perfect in 8 way and im a fussy as hell guy...ive tried almost every joystick out there and would agree that the Magstick Plus while Ok in 4 way is not a great 8 way and feels very mechanical with its short magnetic throw whereas the JLW just feels "right" no matter what game I play and can be switched with relative ease, depending on how your CP is designed.  I use two sticks and kepe the right one on 4 way...I "only" change it for 2 player 8 way games or games like Robotron that require 2 8 ways for single player...the rest of the time I just leave them 8 way on the left and 4 way on the right...ie playing Donkey Kong I use the right and Black Tiger the left...easy.

I do the same thing, works great.

Last advice...start with building your own CP but make plans for a full cab (boss doesn't have to worry as its just a drawing at this point!) IE design a cab for your CP to fit on...but for now just build the CP

+1

[ubermick]

Epyx, you won world-class brownie points with not only your help, but mentioning THE greatest arcade game of all time, the one, the only, Black Tiger. My God, I lost count of the amount of 10p pieces I fed that thing growing up. Honestly, if my cab ends up only having Black Tiger and R-Type, I'd be happy enough.

So looks like the plan of attack will be snagging that Celeron machine (if he's willing and able to part with it - he's going to be building a cabinet right along with me, great friend and fantastic help in everything I've done brewing related, and there's no way my man cave can have one of these without his having one, too! But he has a few machines, including a newer server and a few higher end Macs that he's planning on choosing from) this weekend, and in the meantime I'll be ordering up an ipac2, two Sanwa JLWs (I assume these are the same as the J-Stik from Ultimarc, who I'll have to order from anyways, to get the ipac?), a few dozen buttons, and an X-Arcade trackball. Already have more wire than you can shake a stick at from building up my brewing equipment, and will build something akin to the Tankstick, but... homemade. Which was kind of the original plan all along, but this time, cabinetry will be coming into play, mwahahaha.

Seriously lads, thanks a million for the advice - it's a big help. If any of you are (ever) in the SF Bay Area, I owe some pints...

[Epyx]

Epyx, you won world-class brownie points with not only your help, but mentioning THE greatest arcade game of all time, the one, the only, Black Tiger. My God, I lost count of the amount of 10p pieces I fed that thing growing up. Honestly, if my cab ends up only having Black Tiger and R-Type, I'd be happy enough.

Agreed and if you like Black Tiger then give Black Dragon a shot...same game only the Japanese version so much harder And ya same with R-Type...great game and also one I play almost daily.

So looks like the plan of attack will be snagging that Celeron machine (if he's willing and able to part with it - he's going to be building a cabinet right along with me, great friend and fantastic help in everything I've done brewing related, and there's no way my man cave can have one of these without his having one, too! But he has a few machines, including a newer server and a few higher end Macs that he's planning on choosing from) this weekend, and in the meantime I'll be ordering up an ipac2, two Sanwa JLWs (I assume these are the same as the J-Stik from Ultimarc, who I'll have to order from anyways, to get the ipac?), a few dozen buttons, and an X-Arcade trackball. Already have more wire than you can shake a stick at from building up my brewing equipment, and will build something akin to the Tankstick, but... homemade. Which was kind of the original plan all along, but this time, cabinetry will be coming into play, mwahahaha.

My first real control panel I actually used the X Arcade as an exact template via my router but put my parts into it.  Your parts are a good first choice and I don't think you will be disappointed. Good luck! 

[Donkbaca]

good choice.  If you haven't taken a gander at slagcoin.com  I suggest you do.  Lots of info on buttons, joysticks, Templates.  Its where i got my joy and button layout from

[ubermick]

Cheers again, lads. I've decided that my (eventual) build will be an attempt at copying Knievel's woody (I somehow doubt it'll end up looking THAT good), but the spacing info from slagcoin will come in handy when drilling out the top. Blown away by the volume of buttons on there (I count 28?!?!) but understand that two of them will be unnecessary (the two for the 4-way/spinner area, although may leave them in to use as left and right mouse buttons?).

Epyx, I'll be sure and have a look at Black Dragon. I haven't even pondered the software side of any of this, downloading the emulators, frontend, and whatnot - will cross that bridge when I come to it. (That's the part that's got me seriously worried, given my absolute lack of PC skills.) Was planning on following Mike Trello's advice from arcadecab.com, and send a hard drive to monstarcade for Jeff to load up. (Although a tad sketched on sending a complete stranger an external drive, he seems like a standup bloke from what I've read?)

[Donkbaca]

Doh!  Can't talk about where to get roms from.  Against the rules.  We can help you with pretty much everything else, how to set up mame, run emulators, just can't tell you where to get anything from.

[ubermick]

Yup, read the rules, and wouldn't dream of it. Saint's got a fantastic site going here, and last thing I'd do is try and harm it by discussing anything untoward.

That said, now that I'm looking at all those buttons, I'm starting to think... WTF?!? Okay, I understand the six buttons per player for controls. I understand two of the additional three buttons per player for coin in, 1/2up. But how come four buttons for pinball? And I assume the four buttons on the front panel are admin controls, but thought you only need pause and exit?

[ubermick]

Also, this site is killing me. I've gotten absolutely ZERO work done today. Ahh, the joys of telecommuting! 

[Donkbaca]

I can explain...

Well if you don't want to play fighting games, you can get away with 4 buttons, and the will cover most everything else.  The six buttons per player are for street fighter type 6 button games.  I have 7 buttons on mine, that way I have 4 buttons in a row on the bottom for Neo Geo.  Its also convenient to use as a "run" button for MK3

The pinball buttons are for the flippers and for nudge.  I don't have pinball in my cab, but I am pretty sure that's what they are for.

I think all you need is exit, maybe pause.  The other two are lists and genre, which are for the front end he is using.

If you were really ambitious, you wouldn't need mouse buttons, seperate, you could just wire the mouse buttons to player one buttons 2 and three or soemthing like that.  All sorts of options.

[Donkbaca]

Yeah, and I hate this sight because it is soo interesting and feeds this ridiculous obsession

[ubermick]

Alright Donks, last question, then I promise I'll leave you alone (for a couple of minutes!)

With all those buttons - especially the pinball ones - where are they wired to? Do they just go into the same slot on an ipac as, say, buttons 1-4, or is this a situation where I'd need an ipac4? (Which I assumed were just for four player setups?)

[dfmaverick]

Just count up the inputs.

I believe Knievel was using the trackball wiring for the mouse buttons in the upper left and right halos. He was also doubling up the player 1 buttons 1&2 by the 4-way/spinner along with 4-way joystick doubling up the player 1 joystick.

By my count:

2 joysticks x 4 = 8
24 buttons (Player 1 & 2, coin, start, pinball, admin)

32 inputs.

Everyone else correct me if I'm wrong.

[Epyx]

Cheers again, lads. I've decided that my (eventual) build will be an attempt at copying Knievel's woody (I somehow doubt it'll end up looking THAT good), but the spacing info from slagcoin will come in handy when drilling out the top. Blown away by the volume of buttons on there (I count 28?!?!) but understand that two of them will be unnecessary (the two for the 4-way/spinner area, although may leave them in to use as left and right mouse buttons?).

I will differ in my opinion with Donkbaca in that you don't need an exit button. The IPAC2 allows for shifted functions so you can just assign a two button combo to act as exit...I use Hold Player 1 Start and quickly press Player 2 start to exit.  All other admin commands can be likewise configured.  6 buttons per player is fine for pretty much anything short of some console emulation (but even then isn't make or break).  Here is what I would recommend...a setup similiar to my aliens cab with 6 buttons per player...left joy set to 8 way...right to 4 way...player 1 start button and player 2 start button on the CP...then the left and right trackball mouse buttons to the side as flippers for pin games or along with the coin 1/2 under the front lip of your control panel...all within easy reach but not crowding your cp...ok mine also has a spinner but you get the point


Here is a shot of how I laid mine out before mounting (full thing in thread). Yours would look less modded as you are going Woody classic of course but forget the lights I mean placement.  Then I had 5 buttons underneath the front part of the CP out of sight for coin 1/2 and mouse 1/2 and a power button:

[Donkbaca]

I love that cab.  But I am an exit button guy  

[ubermick]

I love that cab.  But I am an exit button guy  

I can't imagine why you *wouldn't* want some way to exit out of a game and back to the main screen? But I like the idea of having a dual button version, to prevent accidental exits.

Also Epyx, that Alien cab is friggin' gorgeous. And where'd you score the black 1up/2up buttons? All I've seen are white ones. How's about you fly out to San Francisco, I'll let you crash here with all the beer you can drink while you build one for me! 

To clear up tho, I won't be making it a "woody" per se, just copying that design. I'll probably be laminating it, and making it either a Liverpool FC-themed cab (soccer, red and white), or a black and orange SF Giants themed one to keep the wife happy. I'm guessing black and orange would be easiest, since the black laminate and t-molding would be easy, as opposed to trying to match up various shades of red.

[dfmaverick]

I did a cab years ago for my nephews.

Had a couple admin buttons on it. I hurried to get the cab done for Christmas, so I didn't wire up the admin buttons and left the default I-PAC shifted functions. I've never heard back about them, so the shifted functions must be working out.  

My suggestion: Leave the admin buttons off the control panel. If you leave an area like Knievel has under the monitor, you can always drill holes and wire in admin buttons later if you so desire.

[dfmaverick]

And where'd you score the black 1up/2up buttons?

I've seen them on lizardlick

http://www.lizardlick.com/Player-Imprint-Pushbuttons_c_228.html

DM also has them listed in his thread in the Buy/Sell/Trade area

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=47066.0

There may be other sources.

[Donkbaca]

SF huh?  My wife is a huge Giants fan, she is trying to nab tix for opening day.

I am doing a woody inspired design.  Staining mine.  Kinda wish I wasn't painting would be easier

You might want to check out knievel's evolution design, its basic a black laminated woody.

I assume you are going to be using an LCD. Get a 21.3 inch 4;3 screen off ebay.  Its the biggest 4:3 screen you can get, and those monitors are super nice.  You can get a used one for like 150 bucks. 

If you are using a woody type design, it makes sense to put admin buttons on that wood strip right above the CP, and that wood strip is kinda necessary since it cuts down on the bezel

[dfmaverick]

Knievel's Arcade Mania (Woody II)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=58647.msg578324#msg578324

[ubermick]

Knievel's Arcade Mania (Woody II)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=58647.msg578324#msg578324

Bingo. That's the exact cab I have in my head, minus the spinner (can't see why I'd want it, it only seems useful for a handful of games, and is a spendy luxury to have?). Only decision is the colour - black with orange trim, or red with white trim. (I'd rather have a red cab, but am thinking it'll look way too loud).

[Donkbaca]

White with red trim.

Black with orange trim would look decent

[Epyx]

I can't imagine why you *wouldn't* want some way to exit out of a game and back to the main screen? But I like the idea of having a dual button version, to prevent accidental exits.

Also Epyx, that Alien cab is friggin' gorgeous. And where'd you score the black 1up/2up buttons? All I've seen are white ones. How's about you fly out to San Francisco, I'll let you crash here with all the beer you can drink while you build one for me!  

To clear up tho, I won't be making it a "woody" per se, just copying that design. I'll probably be laminating it, and making it either a Liverpool FC-themed cab (soccer, red and white), or a black and orange SF Giants themed one to keep the wife happy. I'm guessing black and orange would be easiest, since the black laminate and t-molding would be easy, as opposed to trying to match up various shades of red.

@Donkbaca,

Im an exit functionality guy Hate the button for it

@ubermick

Thanks for the props but it was due to others on the forum that it turned out like it did.  If you look at the difference from my first cab to that one it was night and day.  

As for the black 1up/2up I got them from an awesome German company -> http://www.arcadeshop.de/Start-Buttons-1P-Start-Button-CV-black_618.html

Great shop, great service.  Im just above you in Vancouver and it wasn't a long wait or expensive shipping...same with Ultimarc although Ultimarc uses faster than lightspeed service out of the UK...I kid you not the J sticks (yes they are jlws) can get to you within 2 days from England.

*LOVE* the Liverpool theme...course im a huge Amsterdam Ajax/Borrusia Dortmund fan but being Dutch/German will do that

[ubermick]

White with red trim.

Black with orange trim would look decent

White with red trim would be too bright - it's going in the downstairs room with my kegerator (which I built myself and used to think was decently done, until I saw the craftsmanship on here) and the furniture down there (eventually) is dark leather/deep colours. Unless I do a darker red, but it's looking like black and orange will be the way to go - basically the same as Kneivel's, but with the blue replaced. And it'll make the boss happier.

*LOVE* the Liverpool theme...course im a huge Amsterdam Ajax/Borrusia Dortmund fan but being Dutch/German will do that

Nice! Sorry for swiping Luis Suarez from you guys over the January window, but after losing Torres we need all the help we can get. Oof, it's painful seeing my club which used to be the Kings of Europe struggling like they are...

[DNA Dan]

Hey Ubermick,
  Welcome to the forums. It's a wonderful addiction. don't forget that mame is a gateway drug.

Dude this had me rolling on the floor! Pass it my way!

[ubermick]

Dude this had me rolling on the floor! Pass it my way!

No. Please god no. The LAST thing I need is yet another uberexpensive hobby! Nooooooo!

Anyways, just wanted to shout thanks to all for the help. Buttons (orange and black) are on their way, along with a pair of Sanwa JLWs, and a trackball from X-Arcade. Plus, in a stroke of ridiculous fortune, spotted a guy on Craigslist selling a P4 3.0ghz with a gig of RAM and a 250gb drive, plus 20" 4:3 LCD for $120 that I'll be picking up this weekend.

It has begun. Dear Lord. It has begun.

[Donkbaca]

THat is a flippin good deal on that computer.  Hopefully the monitor is in good shape, and hopefully you will get done before me

[ubermick]

We'll see how it goes - I'm about 50/50 on Craigslist, in terms of getting great deals, and getting the shaft.

I wouldn't worry about me getting done before you, Donks - looks like you're way ahead of the game already. Plus, see above in terms of my complete and utter lack of PC skills. Getting the software setup is going to be an absolute nightmare for me. (Hey, did you mention you were in the Bay Area?  )