Another noob question.

[adanthang]

Hi all.  I am new to the forum and I want to build my own arcade machine.  I have purchased Project Arcade, but I am only about 4-5 chapters into the book.

I came across the following today: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/for/3282956913.html

I don't think I am interested in restoring the cabinet back into a Tempest game, though I am not ruling out that option.  I figured that the cabinet was cheap enough that I could use it as my first project.  Ultimately, I want to build a MAME.  I really like Knievel's Neon, but I think I could do something like the Cowboy Arcade with this cabinet.

It is mine if I want it.  I am going to look at it on Saturday.  Can anyone give me some advice as to whether or not I should buy this cabinet?  Am I jumping the gun or is this worth my time?

[DaOld Man]

My personal opinion: I would not restore this cabinet because it is missing so much and you are a newbie.
Mame it? I would say yes, but most people on here would most likely disagree with me.
You could mame it but keep it as is, so that it can be restored someday (perhaps by you), but it looks to me like it needs a lot of work to make it original.
You might remove the control panel and store it away some where so that you dont ruin it by adding more joysticks and buttons.
I would also offer the guy 25 shucks, because it doesnt have a lot to offer, and it needs some panels, coin door, etc, which you will have to buy, cut, paint, etc.

[Slippyblade]

I agree, MAME it.  I'd keep the side panels though and just touch up the paint - they look so cool.

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Adanthang.

I agree on the decision to MAME it only because there is so little of the original left.

You can probably sell the CP on KLOV and make back a decent percentage of the cab cost.   


Scott

[paigeoliver]

Mame away, there aren't enough vector monitors to go around, you would just be keeping a better machine from being fixed and encouraging even more people to part out color vectors.

Also, you could buy a nice Tempest for less than it costs to put one together from an empty cabinet.