First timer, looking at a cab to start my MAME project

[JustAskJack]

I been poking around looking at some cabs... to start a MAME project in.

Found this one, good condition, was wondering if there's any known problems with these kinds of cabs that would make this a bad one to use for a starter. ( I know it only has 4 buttons, I was planning on a custom CP down the road, unless that's not possible with this cab)



Thanks in advance

[paigeoliver]

That one will work just fine. I wouldn't be surprised if the missing streetfighter 2 button holes were already drilled underneath the overlay (the spacing makes me think they are).

[JustAskJack]

That one will work just fine. I wouldn't be surprised if the missing streetfighter 2 button holes were already drilled underneath the overlay (the spacing makes me think they are).

Thank you for the reply. What would you consider a fair price for that cab?

[Drnick]

I would probably go $150, but then again I am a cheapskate.

[kahlid74]

That cab will work fine.  Price wise it depends what you're getting.  If I'm buying a cab with just the coindoors I'm not going higher than $75.  Empty cabs I'll pay $50-75.  If it's got a working monitor and all of the previous stated I'd go $150-200 and if it's a working cab I'd look on Ebay/CL and see what those are going for.

[CheffoJeffo]

It's a nice cab to work with, but finding replacement CPs can be a problem. I'm going to disagree with Paige and bet this was previously an MK3 (e.g. 5 buttons instead of 6).

Cab is worth what you are willing to pay for it ... my numbers would all be lower that kahlid's, but that may be because I have no room for any projects or I have too much access to cabinets.

Check the wiki for links to articles about dealing with crazy button holes on metal CPs.

[JustAskJack]

Thanks for the input guys, the owner was asking $300. I might pass on it...

I was talking to guys at work about it today, and one of them said he used to be a carpenter and actually has all the tools needed to build one from scratch so he is willing to go in it with me to see if we can't put together something.

I've been eyeballing the #2 plans on arcadecab for a while now, so that is probably the route we will try.

Time to start buying materials

Thanks again   

[MTPPC]

You'll save yourself a ton of time and money if you just call a few local amusement operators and find a cabinet on the cheap. This video series shows it's a lot bigger project than it seems on the surface: . You should be able to find a non-working but complete game for under a hundred bucks. Materials to build your own cabinet will probably be over $150 when you count hardware and surface finish.