Moved out, couldn't take arcade. Need ideas

[sdweim85]

I moved out a few months ago and I couldn't take my mame arcade with me.  I wanted to buy a empty showcase cabinet and put it in my new garage, but I can't find any online for sale in NJ.

I'm trying to find alternatives to getting some kind of setup that I can use in my house, or garage that is cheap and effective.  Things like just having a 4 player control panel under the couch, taking it out, and plugging it in.  For use on the LCD TV.  Though that would hardly be ideal for a arcade experience.  I'd rather be standing, using a CRT TV or arcade monitor, with arcade speakers.

Anyone have any ideas, or know places in NJ or the surrounding area that might be selling empty showcase cabinets.  Or even have a subtle idea for a mobile control panel, like integrating it into a coffee table, or on a rolling stand?

[BadMouth]

I have a gauntlet legends showcase CP with buttons (no joysticks) and a 36", 230lb 4:3 Sony HD CRT TV that I want to get rid of.
They are free if you want them.  I am in central PA.

I couldn't use the TV because the built in line doubler that can't be turned off screws up my light guns.
If you run a PC or HD signal to it, it puts a smaller 16:9 image in the center with black bars top and bottom.
Over S-Video, you get the full 36" 4:3 and it looks pretty awesome IMO.

The TV is going to recycling soon if I don't find a home for it.

The CP is the CP only.  No pedestal.  Everything but the joysticks and backlight is there.

[Jumpman64]

How about a slim cab build?  There are a few good examples in the Project Announcements forum, here's one for starters:



Martijn's Slim Marvel vs Capcom

[Javy3]

Dude just go with an arcade Pedestal.  If you have a wall for your cabinet just mount the TV there instead and buy or make a pedestal.  The control panel I would buy unless you know what your doing.  That's what I did.



This is an example, not mine (I like mine better, lol)

[sdweim85]

I might be interested in that Gauntlet legends CP and maybe the TV.  Just a few hours drive.  I have to really think If I want to completely build a arcade again, I did it once and it was fun, but I really don't have the time anymore.  The slim arcade is nice,  but I wanted a 4 player.  That mounting the TV to the wall is probably the direction I will go.  Just end up making a pedestal, and new CP.  It won't be the authentic feel, but I can't put in the time for that stuff anymore.

[sdweim85]

Dude just go with an arcade Pedestal.  If you have a wall for your cabinet just mount the TV there instead and buy or make a pedestal.  The control panel I would buy unless you know what your doing.  That's what I did.

Do you know of any places that make barebones 4 player pedestals for fair prices, under $300?  I can paint, route, and put in sticks and buttons myself.  I've seen some places that just do barebones once for 500+ which seems totally ridiculous.

[jammin0]

Dude just go with an arcade Pedestal.  If you have a wall for your cabinet just mount the TV there instead and buy or make a pedestal.  The control panel I would buy unless you know what your doing.  That's what I did.

Do you know of any places that make barebones 4 player pedestals for fair prices, under $300?  I can paint, route, and put in sticks and buttons myself.  I've seen some places that just do barebones once for 500+ which seems totally ridiculous.

Homedepot where I live will do any number of cuts for you.  Sometimes it takes forever to get someone to do it and generally the older the worker, the more accurate cuts you get.  There isn't really any reason you couldn't get 90% of all your cuts made that way and then you're just cutting a few angles on the CP.  I know I wouldn't make a barebones pedestal for someone for much less than $300 since that is the majority of the work involved.

Just a thought.  Even as I get more and better tools it usually saves me a ton of headache and mess if I have HD cut for me.

[sharpfork]

I like Javy3's pedestal idea.  As the owner of a slim and former owner of a pedestal, what do you think jammin0?

[jammin0]

Wife loves the slim and it is in the front room.  The pedestal always had to go out in the garage when not in use.  Need I say more?

I would definitely say pedestal though if you're set on 4 player.

[Felsir]

Anyone have any ideas, or know places in NJ or the surrounding area that might be selling empty showcase cabinets.  Or even have a subtle idea for a mobile control panel, like integrating it into a coffee table, or on a rolling stand?

This is how I got the coffee table converted to an arcade. When powered down no one will notice it is an arcade so it is seamless with the living room. Just plug in the power and ready to play. Added USB ports to plug in extra controllers for those 4 player games.

[danny_galaga]

Pedestal and wall-moounted TV seem like a good idea.

As an aside, I just can't help but point out that an arcade is an establishment where you might find arcade cabs 

[kixfan]

Am I the only one who read the title and thought you meant your wife (or GF) moved out cause she couldn't take all your arcade stuff being in the house?

[danny_galaga]

Am I the only one who read the title and thought you meant your wife (or GF) moved out cause she couldn't take all your arcade stuff being in the house?