New to MAME, Cabinet Build.

[DEIVIONCRX]

This is my first build.  Ive looked into building a MAME cabinet for a few years now, but never followed through with it.  I decided last month i was just going to do it.  After some more research i came up with Arcade Paradise's Version 3 plans i liked the most.  I started with his but didn't like the idea of 3/4" MDF as it would end up weighing a billion pounds, so i went with 1/2" Plywood instead.  Still going to use MDF for the control panel top tho for ease of drilling and smoothness.  This is as far as i got last night, hopefully tonight ill get all the panels fastened and the monitor shelf/monitor installed.  I'm using a old 25" CRT computer monitor(27" Sony TV), donated by a friend.

[DEIVIONCRX]

Got a bit more done tonight.  Need to cut out the CP sides/top and assemble it.  Then i can pickup some plexi and make my bezel.

[yotsuya]

Are you planning to use 1/2" T-Molding?

What are your plans for the finish? You going to woodfill/bondo the knots in the wood, then paint? Laminate?

Welcome to the club!

[DEIVIONCRX]

Yea i need to pickup some wood filler.  I planed on filling the knots, cracks and screw holes.  Sanding it smooth, primer/paint/clear/buff.  I started with the plan of 1/2" T-Molding, but i think ill try 3/4" in Green and try the chisel trick to cut it down to 1/2".

[DeLuSioNal29]

Consider laminate.  MGB did his Vertical Retrace cab with it and it looks amazing.  It's not as hard as you would think.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,108784.msg1154790.html#msg1154790

D

[a1pharm]

Consider laminate.  MGB did his Vertical Retrace cab with it and it looks amazing.  It's not as hard as you would think.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,108784.msg1154790.html#msg1154790

D

I agree, using laminate is very easy, and makes the final cab look pretty nice.  I just finished applying it to my build.  However, you will need a router and a flush trim bit; using a reciprocating saw will NOT work well (you'll splinter/chip the laminate), a circular saw may work, but be sure you cut down thru the laminate.

The laminate option will be more expensive than painting.  Also, if you intend to put side-art on your cab, applying laminate may be a huge waste of money, depending on how you want your cab to feel.

Let me know if you have questions about laminate, I can let you know all about it.   

[DEIVIONCRX]

I like the laminate idea, i don't like the laminate price, lol.  It looks like a black piece big enough to do one side runs almost $50.  Ive got plenty of paint laying around so.  But its an option Ive got a router and a flush bit.  I used it to make the sizes even, and ill use it on the plexi over the CP.

[Yenome]

i would like more info on that 25" crt monitor. the model number is all i really need if you got it. probly on the back of it in case you dont know where to look.

[DEIVIONCRX]

i would like more info on that 25" crt monitor. the model number is all i really need if you got it. probly on the back of it in case you dont know where to look.

Its not a Monitor, my buddy told me he had a monitor, turns out its plain Sony Trinitron TV, it was just something he had kicking around in the corner of his garage, not a big deal.
PN# KV-27S10

[Yenome]

not bad seems its a 27" which is my fav size for a standup. but im not seeing any svideo or component on this tv what you using to hook the pc to it.

[DEIVIONCRX]

I guess it is a 27" I wish it had a S-video.  But it has a RCA video input so ill just use that instead, with a normal AGP Video Out card.

[Yenome]

im liking it so far. i would go the same route you plan on sand and paint if you want to keep cost down. i wonder how much vinyl would cost to cover the sides that will be seen. how wide is that and which plans did you use. Im also curious to see how the 1/2 plywood holds up compared to mdf.

[DEIVIONCRX]

I'm using the Arcade Paradise 3 plans.  There's a link in my first post.  The cabinet is 35"x74".  The 1/2" seems fine so far.  Its stronger than hell at the moment, its only getting stronger.  I don't have the rear lower panel on it yet, and i need to put another 2x4 across the bottom.

[Yenome]

man how did i miss that. on second thought i didnt miss it i read it but my brain didnt remember i had seen it till you told me lol

[chopperthedog]

I would pause for a second and test that TV with your computer setup. I have a feeling you won't be happy without an s-video input at the minimum.


good day.

[DEIVIONCRX]

Ill try it like it is for now, if i dont like it, ill just search out another TV, or monitor.

[DEIVIONCRX]

This is what I've got so far.  I need to move the two buttons in the center closer.
Top to Bottom, Left to Right.
Escape, Player 1 Start, Pause, Pause, Player 2 Start
Spinner, A, B, Top Fire 8 Way Joystick
4/8 Way with 6 Buttons, 3" Trackball and another 4/8 Way with 6 Buttons.

[Yenome]

This is what I've got so far.  I need to move the two buttons in the center closer.
Top to Bottom, Left to Right.
Escape, Player 1 Start, Pause, Pause, Player 2 Start
Spinner, A, B, Top Fire 8 Way Joystick
4/8 Way with 6 Buttons, 3" Trackball and another 4/8 Way with 6 Buttons.

I would say if you're gonna have admin buttons i would have one ea pause,esc, tab instead of two esc buttons and i would also suggest to put them in the center at the top of the panel. so easily reachable by either player. you could move trackball buttons off to one side. or even use the buttons from player one as track buttons.

I would pause for a second and test that TV with your computer setup. I have a feeling you won't be happy without an s-video input at the minimum.

I have to agree far as video goes svideo is the lowest hookup i go with. tho you might like the lower quality of the composit. im just thinking with composite that it will be too blurred together.

[DEIVIONCRX]

I think ill do that.  Put the player 1/2 start buttons above the controls.  And move the Escape/Pause to the center, ill use Pause shifted for Tab.

[Cynicaster]

I think ill do that.  Put the player 1/2 start buttons above the controls.  And move the Escape/Pause to the center, ill use Pause shifted for Tab.

I can't think of a single game that uses a 4-way stick in the P2 position.  Are there any?

[DEIVIONCRX]

Thats a good point, save some money, i dont want the 2 joysticks to feel different tho, does anybody know if the J-stick compares to the Mag-stick Plus.

[Cynicaster]

Thats a good point, save some money, i dont want the 2 joysticks to feel different tho, does anybody know if the J-stick compares to the Mag-stick Plus.

Therein lies the conundrum.  A switchable stick is way more expensive than a standard 8-way, but if you like playing twin-stick games like Black Widow and Robotron, it would probably suck if the two sticks felt completely different. 

That's one of the reasons I opted for the dedicated 4-way.  It definitely does add clutter but it gets used all the time so I have no regrets. 

[Yenome]

take the price of two different sticks and compared it to
the one switchable.even if you don't use four way alot on player two.the games that use dual
sticks would feel  a Lil off with two diff sticks.but this is just my opinion I think two mag-stick plus would work guess you know they switchable from the top of the cp

[DEIVIONCRX]

To hold the plexi i cut a slot in the bottom board, and used a piece of MDF to make a slot between it and the speaker panel to slide through.

[paigeoliver]

Silly question, but why did you make the control panel wider than the cabinet and then leave that extra space unused by keeping everything at least 4 inches from the side? You might as well have just gone with the cleaner look of a cabinet width panel since you didn't use the extra space.

This is what I've got so far.  I need to move the two buttons in the center closer.
Top to Bottom, Left to Right.
Escape, Player 1 Start, Pause, Pause, Player 2 Start
Spinner, A, B, Top Fire 8 Way Joystick
4/8 Way with 6 Buttons, 3" Trackball and another 4/8 Way with 6 Buttons.

[DEIVIONCRX]

I'm just using the Arcade Paradise Version 3 Plans, that's how his is setup.  I changed the control layout around a little bit, but the overhang doesn't bother me.

[DEIVIONCRX]

Made some more progress.

[Yenome]

looking good. cant wait to see it finished. might have to make mine like this one.

[Blux]

Looking good so far.

Also a little weirded out... Never thought I would see someone from Red Pepper Racing over here 

[DEIVIONCRX]

What is your name on RPR.

[Blux]

It was also Blux on RPR.

I had a CRX that I never got started on due to the shear amount of work it needed.

I actually got rid of it last year.

[DEIVIONCRX]

[DEIVIONCRX]

[Ginsu Victim]

That top-fire stick's location seems really awkward.

[DEIVIONCRX]

It actually works perfect, my arm lays between the P2 joystick and Buttons perfectly.

[DEIVIONCRX]

Its up and running, still need to do some finesse work.  Better theme for Mamewah, clean up the cabinet some.  Need to pickup a Smart Strip and wire up the marquee lights and computer power button.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Loving the green theme. :-)

D

[DEIVIONCRX]

Yea, Ive got a green trackball in the mail.  Original plan was for green t-molding, but i dont think i want to try to cut the slot on the 1/2" plywood, i might end up just painting or finding some kinda other green molding to put down the edges.  And eventually ill get this printed for my marquee.