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Hello & First Question From a New Forum Member

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WillyByte:

Hello,

Nice forum guys. 

I just registered here a few minutes ago.  My real name is Gabe.  I’m a stay at home dad.  Oh, and I’m planning to build myself an arcade cabinet.  For a shocking bit of personal data I think no one has ever said before.  I've never done anything like this.

I've spent a number of hours (probably about 12-15 at this point) scanning the net for ideas and information but I still haven’t decided what my first arcade build will look like or even consist of.  I've been going back and forth between a bartop and a low profile upright.  What I've been thinking is I want something classic with contemporary features – whatever the heck that means. Fortunately, I don’t feel the need to rush. I expect that decision will come to me when I’m ready. 

The decision I have made however, is that my first project is going to be building a standalone control panel. I’m sure I read that this is the way to go a few times in a few different places. What a fantastic journey it’s been to have read that wisdom early on, forgotten about it by getting caught up in other interesting aspects of building arcade machines, and ultimately coming to that conclusion on my own. 
Now that I’m ready to get some hands on experience I felt it was the right time to register and ask for suggestions.

(My very first hands on project will be building a standalone control panel - for testing purposes - looking for suggestions with CP)

Here are some particulars:
-   Budget: $100.00
-   Number of Players: 1 (keeping it simple)
-   OS: Windows XP
-   MAME Version: latest  (not sure if this info makes a difference in answering my question)
-   Frontend: GameEx (not sure if this info makes a difference in answering my question)
-   Are there particular games I must be able to play with my first CP build? No. But I’m looking forward to learning what games go with what joysticks as part of this project.
-   The computer has USB inputs.

Here is my first question:
Excluding parts and materials for the box itself (i.e. wood, Plexiglas, screws). What is a complete list of parts should I order for this first CP?  Joysticks, buttons, wires, harness, etc.  Please spend as close to $100.00 as you can - going a little over would be quite alright too. 

If I've left something out please let me know.  Also, please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Thank you,

Almost Forgot - added later  :embarassed:

Also, I’d like to point out a few folks in here whose work has inspired me.  As a guest I probably looked over at least 10 threads where people were sharing/discussing their arcade builds. Here are the ones that stuck out the most.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123039.0.html : florske.nl’s “evo XR cade” xbox bartop was great to see.  In particular his impeccable woodwork and attention to details in styling really impressed and inspired me.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,59359.msg1283314.html#msg1283314 :gildahl’s “Project X Arcade” was one of the first cabinets that got me absolutely thrilled. 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,118612.0.html :Ond’s generosity by sharing his “Metropolis” arcade plans made me want to become a member here.  I really like this design a lot.  This very well could be the first upright I build.  Awesome!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121570.msg1289719.html#msg1289719 :griffindodd’s  “Marvel v Capcom: Revolution” insanely good.   And Barrel of Kong is ingenious.

I’m sure there are many other fantastic builds to be enjoyed and I look forward to finding them. 

Thanks again!



Slippyblade:

A lot depends on the type of games you will be playing.

For a first build on the cheap, Happ Super stick is a decent choice - $8-9  or a Zippyy (has restrictor to do 4-way or 8-2ay) is just shy of $10.
Buttons, I like a 7 button setup myself - $1.20 each
Player start - $1.50
Coin, 2 admin (I use exit and pause) buttons - $1.20 each

The encoder is gonna be a decent chunk of your budget.  A Kade DIY kit is $22.  The raw encoder soldered directly into the CP is $14.50. 

lilshawn:


make yourself a fighter stick.

i think if you are going to give this a first try, your best bet would be to pick up an inexpensive USB gamepad and hack it to use a joystick and arcade buttons.

you can go crazy on what kind of encoders and whatnot for another build.

get your basics down, and the next ones will be easy as pie.

Slippyblade:

Gah, forgot about gamepad hacks...  I've been in debating encoders with myself so much lately, those totally slipped my mind.

What Shawn said.  A cheap USB gamepad can be gotten for less than $10.

Here's one for $5
$4.95 gamepad

WillyByte:

@lilshawn and Slippyblade:  Thank you for pointing out those joysticks.  Would you mind spend more of that budget because I'd like as many sticks, buttons, and extras in the box as possible.  The more hardware you suggest the more I'll lhave an opportunity to earn about what controls work best with what games.  Also, I really would like you to suggest an encoder too. 

I am going to look at the Kade DYI but modding a controller doesn't seem like something I want to do.  I want to do things in this build that I would potentially do when making a CP for my first arcade machine.  There must be an easier way to wire a USB.

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