To build or to buy? "High Impact" Cab

[KnightofTruth]

Wow! Its hard to believe its been nearly 3 years since I've been around here officially.  (I've lurked from time to time). I started my very first build back in '09 I believe and through all of life's ups and downs it never got finished... in fact, it barely got started beyond the planning stages.

But now I'm back into the swing of things and am looking to complete this project over the next 12 months or so.  So here's a question that I would love to get some recommendations from you "experts".

I want to build a dedicated 4-player Cab.  I originally was going to do this from scratch with MDF or black melamine, but I just found a 4-player "High Impact" Arcade Cab on CL for only $200 in fairly good condition.  While the CP obviously needs to be removed, and I want to do all original artwork, I'm wondering if the frame and any of the components would be worth getting this? For a first time build, would you recommend I pick this up and hollow it out, or should I just go with the "from scratch" idea for that DIY thrill and leave this one alone?

Thanks for the tips and I'm excited to be back on board, well,... with the board!

[Javy3]

Honestly it's really up to you.  It completely depends on the time you truly have to dedicate to this project and how quickly you will lose interest with slow progress.

Honestly for me, I chose to get an arcade pedestal kit for my 4 player arcade and work from there.  I chose this to allow for a 40inch TV because it's more comfortable then having 4 people crowd around a controller and a 27-32inch screen.

I would recommend making it as easy on yourself as possible to guarantee you end up with an arcade this time.  Besides the software side takes quite a bit of time too.

[KnightofTruth]

Great points there.

I've got alot of the software side done from previously, just need to update to some of the newest versions, and finalize my layout/themes, but I enjoy doing that and can take it with me on the road, so that's the part I'm not worried about.

Part of the problem before was having no room to work on such a project, now I've got that taken care of at least.  Honestly, one of the main concerns I have with picking up this is the monitor - I don't necessarily care about that "classic CRT" monitor feel (particularly since many of the games I played at the arcade ended up being on a showcase style arcades (with the exception of simpsons/TMNT/etc.). 

I had really wanted the option to do a setup that was TimeCrisis (or similar type games) capable - but I'm not a fan of having two monitors so that potentially wipes that idea out.  I think you bring up a great point regarding monitors... so I may have to hash that out before I make a purchase either way.