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New Guy with Questions
Darkjudge1:
So, because I don't have any woodworking tools beyond a screwdriver, hammer and a power drill I've elected to go with this cabinet:
http://www.mameroom.com/Products_Cocktail3_Kit.asp
Part of the reason for this is because of the horizontal set of controls in addition to the traditional cocktail controls. However, I'm curious... has anyone been able to modify any of the pre-drilled holes for a trackball? Would that be necessary to add a spinner?
EDIT: Curious, did anyone try mounting a 19 in LCD widescreen in one of these? I'm trying to decide between that a 17 in CRT that I have.
thatpurplestuff:
I'm not sure you'd want to modify the panel(s) to use a trackball, you could just cut a new one with minimal tools... honestly modifying those existing pieces would probably be harder skill-wise and more expensive than just cutting your own. This way you can still use the pre-made kit and you'd only have to buy a small piece of MDF to replace the existing control panel(s).
To make your own panel you would need two things for your drill... a hole saw for the trackball hole and a forstner bit (or spade bit) for the buttons/joystick. Most spinners fit in the same hole size as standard buttons, so adding a spinner shouldn't be a problem for you.
mgb:
Doesn't look like there'd be room for a trackball.
A spinner can fit in a button hole.
You're best off with a 19" 4:3 if possible
thatpurplestuff:
--- Quote from: mgb on January 01, 2014, 12:22:33 am ---Doesn't look like there'd be room for a trackball.
A spinner can fit in a button hole.
You're best off with a 19" 4:3 if possible
--- End quote ---
That's a great point, I didn't even consider the space needed underneath the CP for a trackball. If you are able to fit a trackball, it's gonna be tight.
Darkjudge1:
--- Quote from: mgb on January 01, 2014, 12:22:33 am ---Doesn't look like there'd be room for a trackball.
A spinner can fit in a button hole.
You're best off with a 19" 4:3 if possible
--- End quote ---
Sadly, those are my existing monitors and I don't think I'd want to buy a third just for this. I'm leaning toward the CRT just because of the viewing angle. The only reason I could see using the CRT would be if I were doing something like split screen (which kind of defeats the purpose of the 3rd control panel.) or strictly cocktail. Then again, I'm not sure this is the right cab if that's the case as the screen might not fit properly without some adjustments...
So, spinner a yes, trackball probably not, unless I add a fourth panel. Hrm... Think I'd like the spinner and trackball on its own panel now that I think about it. This is what I get for trying to make a super cab. ;D
Okay, another stupid question: Let's say I setup the CRT where the monitor controls are facing the long panel, but for cocktail games, I have MAME use cocktail mode... would that damage the CRT? I'd think you could get away with that for the LCD, but it's been too long since I've worked with a CRT to know what the rules are. (Yeah, I tried to search this out, but I couldn't find a way to phrase my question and I'm probably overlooking something obvious.)