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First Time MAME Cabinet - Need Help

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Rick:

--- Quote from: drummererb on September 25, 2011, 07:39:51 pm ---So my question is this: Why would I build my own as opposed to just buying the Tankstick? It seems to be cheaper for someone like me who does not own a garage full of tools. I've heard that people can build these things for cheaper, my question is: How?
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Honestly, I built my control panel with a circular saw, a jigsaw and a drill with the appropriate drill bit.  I definitely recommend this over buying a Tankstick, if at all possible, if you are looking to make your arcade stand out in any way.  That being said, if you don't care what anybody thinks, I believe the stick is more than adequate to accommodate playing games quite well.  I'm sure there are technical differences - and you'll definitely come across the purists on this site, but in the end, it will all come down to what you want your game to look like.

It's all personal preference, really.  You can find EVERYTHING you need to 'build it yourself' on this site alone, and hey, it never hurts to ask.  (Check out the opening of my thread - link in my sig - and you'll find I had no end of questions that I found the answers to here.)

yotsuya:

--- Quote from: drummererb on September 25, 2011, 07:39:51 pm ---So my question is this: Why would I build my own as opposed to just buying the Tankstick? It seems to be cheaper for someone like me who does not own a garage full of tools. I've heard that people can build these things for cheaper, my question is: How?

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I was going to do the SAME exact thing about a year ago, but after some research I decided to build my own- it was the best thing I ever could have done. I've learned so much about electronic and this hobby by building my own. I've just about finished my second cab, and I am helping a friend build his own. It's definately worth doing if you want to learn more about arcades and how they work. If you just want to play some games, then the Tankstick is a good option- but knowing what I know now, I wouldn't go that route.

Baldark:
I bought the tankstick a long time ago because I was afraid of having to build my own control panel.  Once it's all set up and I've been playing it for a while, I decided to take apart the tankstick and build my own because I was not satisfied with the way it looked.  Could have saved me money if I just bought the parts myself.  I didn't have any experience with wood, but I decided to learn and am now currently building a dynamo cabinet.

Just my 2 cents.

Vulgar Soul:
Aaaah that ole X-Arcade Tankstick. X-Arcade is a huge sponsor of BYOAC, Ya gotta wonder sometimes how they handle half the community never recommending their products lol.

It might seem tempting to go the easy road with one of those sticks.  but I can't remember one person who ever went with it, citing their lack of woodworking skills, and was happy. That all-black CP with the big logo across it is gonna sit out like a sore thumb while you wonder how much better and more authentic your cab would look if you designed it yourself. The X-Arcade sticks work for what they do, but they can make even the most otherwise well designed cab look amateurish.

If you really, REALLY, and I mean REALLY have no deep interest in this hobby, in the look and feel of your machine, and just want to hook something up and play then you can go with the Tankstick. Don't be shocked if you end up hating how it looks on your cab though.

But if you have even the mildest interest in hopefully restoring this to a nice, authentic machine you can be proud to have in your own home - and if you found this forum, I think you do - relax, slow down, take the time to explore this forum and learn some simple shop 101, and build a control panel just the way you want. You won't regret it and it's worth ever minute and penny.  

portugese pirate:
Id also like to know if a better controller than the tankstick could be built at half the price?.....I cant see how some people on this site stated that they can build a controller for a cabinet for $50......please if this is true someone please do tell with specifics and examples......as for me other than the graphics on the tankstick I dont think it could be beat, especially if you get it for $149.....not saying I wouldnt want to build one at some point in time....but money is a factor for many of us

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