Let's make a "Well-Designed Cabinet Guide"

[CheffoJeffo]

If "best" design includes whether or not to make a 4-player panel and similar control choices... well that is like saying in car terms that a 2-door coupe is universally "best" versus a 4-door coupe, truck, SUV, etc.  It is Build your _OWN_ Arcade Controls.  If there is a "best", why don't we all just buy a Tankstick?  We don't buy Tanksticks mainly because we either 1) want custom control setups for our favorite games/systems, or 2) want custom aesthetic style (e.g., ONDs Retrofuture or any other cabinet you and I think is cool).

If "best" it is based upon "non-crapmame" principles, then it is really about AESTHETIC design, and maybe we can keep it focused on that.  People can put together Frankenpanels that play like a dream ergonomically, but the aesthetics (e.g., "wing" panels overhanging the sides, Defender button layouts, dedicated Wico 4-ways etc.,) are what is lacking.  If someone wants to sacrifice dedicated controls over aesthetics, that is their call, however we can still help them in other areas to make the cabinet look more pleasing.

Foremost, crapmame cabinets LOOK stupid (i.e., aesthetics).  There are plenty of topics to help reduce crapmames without getting into 4-player joystick angling, trigger sticks, and other nuances that people argue over.

Non-crapmame topics that may be useful:
1) Color schemes & coordination (garish colors that don't match, a crapmame staple)
2) Wing panels (these are plain ugly and often avoidable even for frankenpanels, a crapmame staple)
3) Monitor size vs. cabinet size (small LCDs/CRTs just don't cut it typically, another crapmame staple)
4) Overuse of existing video game art/characters/clip art, particularly if artistic styles are different (e.g. Donkey Kong right next to SF2, classic crapmame)
5) Cabinet naming ("Moms Arcade", MAMECade", other cringeworthy names that make no sense, yet another crapmame staple)

This.

With 2 alterations:
- Monitor size was an issue when CrapMAME came out, but properly sized monitors are not an issue any longer.
- Will it fit in my basement?

[yotsuya]

Well-said, AGarv!

[Monkeyvoodoo]

- Will it fit in my basement?

Can it be moved out of my basement?

This could actually be an important issue. I've heard of people building something and not being able to move it.

[Vigo]

You make a really good statement there AGarv. You are right. I really don't want this to cookie cutter people into what to build, just help guide through the finer points of the build. I would hate to do any work that stomps out creative choices.

I still want to keep the "ideal cab" flowchart as a side project, but the intent of that one is to more help someone determine the genre of cabinet that would work best for their needs. It would ask a series of questions like how much floorspace you have, how much woodworking you want to do, etc and recommend a cab style for you, like cocktail, bartop, slim cab, etc. Nothing to do with specifics.

And thanks to everyone else for their input. Its been really good. Le Chuck, I was really hoping you would be able to provide some of your experience to this project. Thanks. 

I also want to apologize to you, X2. (Really.) I still stand by that I don't like where your comment was heading, there was no intent to use this project this to press my opinions on anyone, or dictate what they should be building. You caught me when I was grouchy and I admit I did over-react in my response. Sorry.

I personally have a busy day ahead of me, so it will be a little while before I can update the list with all the new ideas brought up so far. I think it should not take too long to decide what topics are worthy of covering, but I think a lot of us are thinking along similar lines.

[DaveMMR]

- Will it fit in my basement?

Can it be moved out of my basement?

This could actually be an important issue. I've heard of people building something and not being able to move it.

That's why mine was ultimately destoyed. 

Anyway - good points AGarv! Though I don't know if the intent here is simply to make a "nicer version of CrapMAME."

The way I see it, any given person's definition of 'good cabinet' is subjective. Some people want looks over functionality; others prefer to have the versatility over presentation. Don't see why the guide couldn't address both.

If "best" design includes whether or not to make a 4-player panel and similar control choices... well that is like saying in car terms that a 2-door coupe is universally "best" versus a 4-door coupe, truck, SUV, etc.  It is Build your _OWN_ Arcade Controls.

Well that's the thing - there's no "best". But if you're a new builder on the fence as to whether or not it's worth the time/room/expense, I think some 'to-the-point' info from those who've been down that path would be invaluable. I think there's an understanding there's no "one size fits all" solution.

[Vigo]

Well that's the thing - there's no "best". But if you're a new builder on the fence as to whether or not it's worth the time/room/expense, I think some 'to-the-point' info from those who've been down that path would be invaluable. I think there's an understanding there's no "one size fits all" solution.

I completely agree.

[StragoRx]

Getting close to finishing my first build and these have been the most challenging aspects (for me) since I am a total newb with no skills related to this hobby.

• Art selection/design for CP/marquee, and understanding what programs/resources to use. (already saw this mentioned)
• And this may sound crazy but paint; i.e. what kind of paint, surface prep, dry time vs cure time, selecting roller and brushes.
• More detailed suggestions for alternate marquee retainers

[mcseforsale]

Pre-paint processing of MDF:

https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,122362.msg1310052.html#msg1310052

Cheap marquee retainer:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=117977.msg1268459#msg1268459

The paint I use is Rustoleum Painter's Touch furniture paint.  Dries like laminate and is easy to work with.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Painter-s-Touch-8-oz-Semi-gloss-Black-General-Purpose-Paint-1974730/100113130#.UfqYim2O7wo

For primer, Kilz oil based.

My OP has links for other ideas, too:

https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,117977.0.html

AJ

Getting close to finishing my first build and these have been the most challenging aspects (for me) since I am a total newb with no skills related to this hobby.

• Art selection/design for CP/marquee, and understanding what programs/resources to use. (already saw this mentioned)
• And this may sound crazy but paint; i.e. what kind of paint, surface prep, dry time vs cure time, selecting roller and brushes.
• More detailed suggestions for alternate marquee retainers

[Afterburner]

One point regarding monitor size...

When I first built my cab, I did so with the intention of eventually putting in a 23" TV that we had, but were still using as a TV.

Initially I had a 15" monitor in a cab sized for a much larger one...a crapMAME tenet.  Eventually over the years that got upgraded to a 17", and eventually a 19" CRT monitor, all over several years. 

After a couple more years, my wife eventually agreed to let me have the old 23" TV for my cab.  At last!  I hooked it up and it fit the bezel and cab wonderfully! Unfortunately the picture looked like garbage.   After years of nice clean PC monitor images, I couldn't stand the unsharp, ghosty, low res graphics on the TV.  I hated it.

Last year I found a refurbished 22" 4:3 LCD monitor for under $100 shipped. Same screen real estate,  great picture.

So planned upgrades,  and/or designing for eventual upgrades should be considered. This is a hobby that encourages repurposing outdated PC hardware.

The initial result may be crapMAME, but at least there is a plan to eventually get where you want the cab to go and hopefully ascend from crapMAME status.

[selfie]

Looking at the list of points, at this stage, most of the points are in the planning and design stage. I think it should be separated into Planning, Designing and Building stages.

IMO these should be three different and divided stages to achieve the best results. Squeezing more controls on to a CP than there is room for is a easy way to crapMAME.

I am more than happy to contribute a guide to working with plastics to add to the MDF tips

[Maximus]

Cupholders

Should I accommodate cup holders in my cabinet design, if so how many?

Yes, lots with LED lighting, but make sure not to include them in the final build.

[mcseforsale]

Good idea.  Seems like we're just updating the book online (although I never actually saw or held the book in my hand). 

AJ

Looking at the list of points, at this stage, most of the points are in the planning and design stage. I think it should be separated into Planning, Designing and Building stages.

IMO these should be three different and divided stages to achieve the best results. Squeezing more controls on to a CP than there is room for is a easy way to crapMAME.

I am more than happy to contribute a guide to working with plastics to add to the MDF tips

[ionbasa]

Not sure if this was covered already, but there should be 2 sections per say, one for PC emulation and one for using an original Jamma board. This would be great as some people (including myself) will be using an original Jamma board for their first cabinet.

As for suggestions, I have a few book marks that I can post:


Cabinet AutoCAD files: http://jakobud.com/plan-list.php
How to wire a Jamma harness: http://www.therealbobroberts.net/jh.html
AC wiring: http://www.therealbobroberts.net/acwiring.html#earth
More AC wiring: http://www.therealbobroberts.net/buildit.html
Jamma pinout: http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Gamma.jpg
Jamma + pinout: http://www.therealbobroberts.net/newjam.html
Video Converters:
http://www.jammaboards.com/store/video-converters/
http://www.jrok.com/hardware/RGB.html

Cleaning edge connectors: http://retrorgb.com/cleangames.html

Usefull for using actual 15khz monitors with a PC.
VGA to RGB (assuming 15 khz compatible GPU): http://retrorgb.com/rgbvideocard.html   
VGA to RGB converter: http://retrorgb.com/emotia.html

[DaveMMR]

Here's another topic suggestion, based on a briefly revised thread:
Height of Control Panel

[rCadeGaming]

+1 on everything Badmouth said on the number of buttons.

+1 on ionbasa's suggestions about non-MAME setups

How about these:

-Sticks and Buttons: American/Japanese

-Controller Encoders

-Wood/material choices: MDF/Laminate/Plywood/Hardwood/Hardwood-plywood/others

-Finishing options for all the above

-Speaker choices and mounting options

-CRT concerns: native resolutions, bezels, how to avoid composite and s-video with TV's, safety (discharging)

-LCD concerns: HLSL, lag
I think the importance of low input lag for gaming should at least be suggested, and how to choose a low-lag LCD:
     -response rate is not a measure of input lag
     -monitors lag less than TV's, this type of panel is better, etc., are not always accurate as a general rule, know what model numbers are confirmed low-lag

-Importance of testing the ergonomics BEFORE the final build, making physical mock-ups to try out:
     -button layout
     -panel height and angle
     -monitor position and angle

Is this getting into any software/MAME setup stuff, or are we strictly talking about the physical build here?

[ark_ader]

Can we have a Troll participation section to make the thread a little more lively?