My advice to beginners

[Malenko]

Sorry, don't really have a desire to make a video that's just recording my desktop while it pretty much stays a static image of Pac-Matt on CrapMAME and Xarcade's trisync monitor webpage as I yammer on for 20 minutes.


So here's my advice to beginners, in no hard order:

Make sure you have room for a cab
Make sure you have the desire to finish the cab
Make sure you have the money and tools to do the job
Make sure your SO is ok with a cab
Figure out the games you're going to actually play
Don't be afraid to ask for help on the forums
decide for yourself what advice to listen to
LCD and CRT are a matter of preference, each have their pros and cons
No shame in starting off by building something small, like a fight stick or bartop
No shame in buying a kit
Do it right the first time
Cutting corners ends up costing much more in the long run
No harm in rescuing a cab to MAME
Building a cab from scratch isnt as easy as you think it is
If you want to make one from scratch, the VigoLix is a great starter design.
*GOOD* custom artwork isnt cheap
Rethink that frankenpanel
Admin buttons are highly over rated
Dont be ashamed of what you made, make a thread here. We love pictures.
Dont angle the player joysticks.





Feel free to add on your beginner advice but try to keep it generalized ie no "hyperspin sucks!" and be gentle with opinated stuff like "you dont care about arcade games if you use an LCD"

[Hoopz]

Finish the build before making it playable.   

[Generic Eric]

We should make some hay out of this.  I herby hereby suggest "Beginners Guide" as a UCA Category for 2015.

[opt2not]

Right on the money here, Mal. 

[yotsuya]

Don't spend $800 on a monitor and artwork and then ask why your $15 Xin-mo knock-off from China doesn't work right. Spend money on good controls. 

[Hoopz]

There was a thread like this years ago.  One of the best lines was essentially telling people to stay out of EE until their build was done. 

[harveybirdman]

Don't get angry because everyone doesn't immediately love what you created.

Don't try to defend angled sticks on P3 and P4 based on how much money you paid for something.

Don't use game specific artwork on a cab whose control panel bares no resemblance whatsoever to said game.

[Malenko]

Don't get angry because everyone doesn't immediately love what you created.

Don't try to defend angled sticks on P3 and P4 based on how much money you paid for something.

Don't use game specific artwork on a cab whose control panel bares no resemblance whatsoever to said game.

the Kaneda trifecta 


maybe a 4th one along the same lines:
Just because you paid more for something doesnt always mean its better, just like paying less for something doesn't always mean its worse.

[yotsuya]

Don't ask "What do you think about _________?" if you're not really looking for feedback about it.

[leapinlew]

My advice:

Read this: http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/047089153X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424806772&sr=8-2&keywords=John+St.+Clair+Arcade

Advice #2 is build more, plan less

[Generic Eric]

I thought I had the link in my sig.  Just a mention.

[yotsuya]

My advice:
Advice #2 is build more, plan less

Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes.

[harveybirdman]

Kaneda, what a tool..... 

Here's another rule, if you start a thread in which you strap on an aircraft carrier framed with 2x4's to a Stargate cab and nail on your T-Molding no amount of "Well, I like it so there" is going to save you from the inevitable onslaught of ridicule.

[Generic Eric]

Kaneda, what a tool..... 

Here's another rule, if you start a thread in which you strap on an aircraft carrier framed with 2x4's to a Stargate cab and nail on your T-Molding no amount of "Well, I like it so there" is going to save you from the inevitable onslaught of ridicule.

What is presented in public is subject to comment.  Invited or not.

[yotsuya]

Here are two rules I've started to put on myself:

1. Don't comment on a guy's first build unless he specially asks for feedback.

2. Don't offer feedback on artwork if it's already been printed.

[Vigo]

Let me just piggyback off of that comment with more advice. If you got an idea for anything you need to commit money and time to produce, don't wait until only after you throw down the cash to ask for opinions. We can't exactly help you change the artwork you just printed for $150 or reshape your 5 foot wide cabinet with that 19" monitor. Nobody here owns a time machine.

[pbj]

My advice?  If it's local, you can afford it, you can transport it, and you're semi-interested - get it.  Particularly if it's a pinball machine.

We are far removed from the cheap, dead games piled up on E-bay with no bidders.

Just like every other rule list you dorks come up with, Malenko's is far too complicated and long.  The subsequent debate over the various points just continues to reinforce every opinion I have of the rest of you.

 

PS: Okay, one more rule.  Don't call your wife "the wife" and don't use "the wife" as your excuse for cowardice.

[harveybirdman]

I don't know Jennifer is pretty scary...

[yotsuya]

Two more good rules:

1) The deal isn't done until the cash has changed hands and the cab is in your home.

And

2) Cash-in-hand is king.

Thanks to PinballJim for those nuggets of wisdom. RIP, PinballJim.

[Malenko]

advice =/= rules

figured yours would be "always offer $20 cash in hand".

I thought my advice was pretty simple and light hearted , actually made an effort to make sure it wasnt complicated. 

[Brian B]

Before buying a cabinet, make sure it will accommodate the monitor you intend to use...common sense advice, but wish I would have taken it myself.

B.

[pbj]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

[yotsuya]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

You clearly haven't been reading the weird, rambly youtube video creator's other posts.

[opt2not]

Couple more thoughts:

-- With any of these cabinet projects, make decisions that would help you re-sell it later.  Many of times have I seen people half-ass the installation of their hardware, cut corners with the build, or just hacked up harnesses or panels just to make it work for their current situation. But down the line, you may (most likely) want to sell your project, and the more work you can do initially to make it sales-ready the less time and hassle you'll have to deal with later.

-- When Mame'ing up a renovation project, throw nothing out.  Chances are high that there is someone looking for those pieces to restore their projects, and you can make a little bit of coin (or karma) back by selling/giving those parts away.

-- Arcade cabinets are not meant to ferment alcohol in. Just sayin'.

[AzureKnight]

Finish the build before making it playable.   

Amen....

[Vigo]

-- With any of these cabinet projects, make decisions that would help you re-sell it later.  Many of times have I seen people half-ass the installation of their hardware, cut corners with the build, or just hacked up harnesses or panels just to make it work for their current situation. But down the line, you may (most likely) want to sell your project, and the more work you can do initially to make it sales-ready the less time and hassle you'll have to deal with later.

I think this is good advice even if you have zero intent on ever selling your cabinet. If your cab is clean enough of a build that other people would want to buy it, you probably did things right.

[Le Chuck]

I call this the Miyagi approach. 

Step 1) Learn to make a roux
Step 2) Learn to repair a lamp
Step 3) Learn to make a mitered picture frame
Step 4) Learn to replace a bum speaker in a car door panel
Step 5) Learn to write a simple batch file
Step 6) presto-finito you have mastered all the skills necessary to make a fine arcade cabinet that will serve you well for years to come. 

[BorgDog]

I call this the Miyagi approach. 

Step 1) Learn to make a roux
Step 2) Learn to repair a lamp
Step 3) Learn to make a mitered picture frame
Step 4) Learn to replace a bum speaker in a car door panel
Step 5) Learn to write a simple batch file
Step 6) presto-finito you have mastered all the skills necessary to make a fine arcade cabinet that will serve you well for years to come.

Had to look up wtf roux was 

[n3wt0n]

I call this the Miyagi approach. 

Step 1) Learn to make a roux
Step 2) Learn to repair a lamp
Step 3) Learn to make a mitered picture frame
Step 4) Learn to replace a bum speaker in a car door panel
Step 5) Learn to write a simple batch file
Step 6) presto-finito you have mastered all the skills necessary to make a fine arcade cabinet that will serve you well for years to come.

 

[harveybirdman]

Not sure how being able to make gravy translates to arcade building, but it's best not to question Jedi.

[johnrt]

PS: Okay, one more rule.  Don't call your wife "the wife" and don't use "the wife" as your excuse for cowardice.

That's right! Grow a pair! 

Edit: And by pair I mean:

[Le Chuck]

Not sure how being able to make gravy translates to arcade building, but it's best not to question Jedi.

The first rule is the most important for the first rule teaches patients

No wait patients

Patient Lee

My phone's speech to text is retarded

Pastilles

Patio it's

Hey Shell it's

Patience.

[Ond]

 

[Generic Eric]

Not sure how being able to make gravy translates to arcade building, but it's best not to question Jedi.

The first rule is the most important for the first rule teaches patients

No wait patients

Patient Lee

My phone's speech to text is retarded

Pastilles

Patio it's

Hey Shell it's

Patience.

All we need is a little patient.

[harveybirdman]

Ahhh I see now....

Confucius say: Doctor in too much hurry lose patients.

[yotsuya]

I'd hit it.

[shponglefan]

PS: Okay, one more rule.  Don't call your wife "the wife" and don't use "the wife" as your excuse for cowardice.

That's right! Grow a pair! 

Edit: And by pair I mean:

Oh great.  Now I'll probably have to explain this to the IT department.

[Malenko]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

I thought chuffed was a good thing? You mean chaffed or chapped?
Either way, not going to take the negative bait. This thread isn't a response to the video, its my way of giving beginners real advice and having the forum pile on the good vibes and useful knowledge. 

[Le Chuck]

I'd hit it.

It's a nurse.  One should never hit health care service providers. 


I'd split it. 

[Generic Eric]

Ah, turns out this is in response to some weird, rambly youtube video that chuffed malenko's butt.  Should have known.

I thought chuffed was a good thing? You mean chaffed or chapped?
Either way, not going to take the negative bait. This thread isn't a response to the video, its my way of giving beginners real advice and having the forum pile on the good vibes and useful knowledge. 

dammit.  I ruined it by making an Axl rose joke