WTB: 1 possibly 2 Mame cabinet setups

[lefman]

Hi there, a friend and I are looking to get a MAME cabinet setup. Basically, we'd like them all set up where we just plug in our external hard drives (We have all the emulators, roms, etc) Some we saw online were just way too pricey. Let me know. TX! greg

[Peabo]

Posting a rough location would help you get more responses.  It's about $40 to ship a bartop flat pack and I'm guessing shipping a built bartop would be far more.  If you want a full sized cabinet, then shipping will likely price it out of reason

[EvilNuff]

You need to provide a lot more information.  What form factor?  What materials?  What artwork?  What controls?  Just as one example, if you want to play classic 4 way games your controls would be 1 4 way joystick and a couple buttons, you could probably make do for $50 or so.  If you want a massive 4 player control panel with u360 sticks, 8 buttons each, a trackball and a spinner you are looking at substantially more cost.  Also yes, where in TX.

[pbj]

Hi there, a friend and I are looking to get a MAME cabinet setup. Basically, we'd like them all set up where we just plug in our external hard drives (We have all the emulators, roms, etc) Some we saw online were just way too pricey. Let me know. TX! greg

This might be the dumbest post in BYOAC history

[lefman]

Ok, sorry, I could've been a little clearer.. I just thought someone that makes these as possibly a hobby would contact me and then I could give more details. What we have is a hard drive with all the emulators, roms, music and videos on it. We are looking for someone to make us a ready to play cabinet, 2 player, track ball, spinner, possibly gun, LCD screen. I'm very green to the process, so would like to be able to plug in the harddrives and pretty much be ready to go. (If that's possible) . I'm in Mi and will pay shipping. Tx for any help!

[pbj]

$5 on kid without any money.

[EvilNuff]

Ok, sorry, I could've been a little clearer.. I just thought someone that makes these as possibly a hobby would contact me and then I could give more details. What we have is a hard drive with all the emulators, roms, music and videos on it. We are looking for someone to make us a ready to play cabinet, 2 player, track ball, spinner, possibly gun, LCD screen. I'm very green to the process, so would like to be able to plug in the harddrives and pretty much be ready to go. (If that's possible) . I'm in Mi and will pay shipping. Tx for any help!

I would recommend that you read some of the wiki's and FAQ type guides here.  That will give you a better idea what questions you should be asking and what information you will need to provide.  Your original post about "way too pricey" I think indicates that you probably don't have a solid understanding of what a realistic cost would be for a full cab.  As an example just using ultimark prices:
2 u360 joysticks $118
20ish buttons $40
ipac 2 $40
aimtrack gun $95
trackball $79
spinner + knob + flywheel $91
After shipping that's $500 just for the controls (and no LEDs).  Computer + LCD screen is another several hundred.  Add in the cost of wood for the cabinet, plexi, etc.  You're looking at over $1,000 just in cost of materials.  (And I have not even mentioned wiring or connectors or art.  There is time in constructing the cabinet, painting, adding artwork, installing controls, wiring the cab, and a silly amount of time in setting up and configuring all the emulators.  I doubt experienced cab builders could do it in under 40 hours.  If you lowball their time to an insultingly low level of $20 an hour that's $800 more.  (I bill my time when I do woodworking furniture builds for people at far more than that fyi.) Then there is shipping on top...  I wouldn't even start talking details of the project with you for less than $2,500-$3,000.

So to repeat myself, I would suggest you do some research.  Spend a little time so you understand what goes into building a cabinet and then you will understand better what you are asking.  My recommendation is you look for someone doing a bartop kit who cnc cuts the bartop cabinet and you order and install the controls and computer yourself.  But that's just my 2c.  Good luck.

[yotsuya]

$5 on kid without any money.

Remember that one dude who was on disability who was putting together a PowerPoint of some sort to present to his grandparents on why he should be able to build a cab? Wonder what ever happened to him?

[monkeybomb]

Hi there, a friend and I are looking to get a MAME cabinet setup. Basically, we'd like them all set up where we just plug in our external hard drives (We have all the emulators, roms, etc) Some we saw online were just way too pricey. Let me know. TX! greg

This might be the dumbest post in BYOAC history

And let that be a warning to the 184 guests who are not participating with the 34 members online right now.  It would be awful if people felt comfortable and posted more.  (Having said that, I'm not taking that bet with pbj)

Here is how I would go cheap with the whole thing.

First, that HD needs to stay on a computer, cheap way or not.  Hook the computer into your TV and play console games there.  Zelda on a stand up sucks the big one.  Most console games aren't so extreme on that, but if there are trigger sticks, get me to my couch already.  I like the retro gamepads and they are $10 shipped on amazon.

With arcade games being the focus of the arcade cabinet, just buy a jamma cabinet and throw in a multiboard.  For $400 you can get a nice condition unit playing 520 games with an actual arcade monitor.  How many trackball and spinner games do you actually want to play.  I was so excited to have a spinner, but I really just don't use it all that much. 

What are the main arcade games that you want to play?  If you don't play Mortal Kombat or 3D fighters, then you can get by cheap.  If you want those games and newer, then you are going to spend a little.

[gildahl]

I always tell people who ask me that given the cost, time, and sweat equity put into it, I wouldn't part with the cab I built for less than about $6K.  And when they look at me and realize that I'm not kidding, they get it.  I would, however, be willing to cut the cost by $50 if you're including your own HD.

[lilshawn]

games are "free" you aren't saving anything by having a drive already to go.

it's the cabinets wood, the hardware, the screens, the buttons, the joysticks, the glue and screws, the paint, the wire, the time, and effort....

THAT is the cost of these machines.

we have people here who dedicate their excess time to building cabinets and it takes them Weeks, months, years...sometimes they never finish them.

if you don't want to put the time and effort into doing it yourself, you are certainly going to pay for it. if not your time, then someone elses.

THIS is why they are expensive.

Think of it this way, The guy who BUYS an already restored classic car.

Sure, you have a classic car RIGHT NOW but you don't get the satisfaction of hand building/polishing/making all the parts to make it what it is. These owners are the worst kind of owners. They don't care it took 10,000 hours to do. They race their car around and ratbag it. There is no pride.

this is what I suggest you do. get yourself an arcade panel like the x-arcade for a buck and a half or 2 bucks, ( http://shop.xgaming.com/ ) hook your TV up to your computer and play your games.

if you feel your arcade experience is still lacking, go get a cabinet from a local vendor or amusement company (likely for free.99) and slap your xarcade on it. (lot's of people here have done that)

[harveybirdman]

games are "free" you aren't saving anything by having a drive already to go.

it's the cabinets wood, the hardware, the screens, the buttons, the joysticks, the glue and screws, the paint, the wire, the time, and effort....

THAT is the cost of these machines.

we have people here who dedicate their excess time to building cabinets and it takes them Weeks, months, years...sometimes they never finish them.

if you don't want to put the time and effort into doing it yourself, you are certainly going to pay for it. if not your time, then someone elses.

THIS is why they are expensive.

Think of it this way, The guy who BUYS an already restored classic car.

Sure, you have a classic car RIGHT NOW but you don't get the satisfaction of hand building/polishing/making all the parts to make it what it is. These owners are the worst kind of owners. They don't care it took 10,000 hours to do. They race their car around and ratbag it. There is no pride.

this is what I suggest you do. get yourself an arcade panel like the x-arcade for a buck and a half or 2 bucks, ( http://shop.xgaming.com/ ) hook your TV up to your computer and play your games.

if you feel your arcade experience is still lacking, go get a cabinet from a local vendor or amusement company (likely for free.99) and slap your xarcade on it. (lot's of people here have done that)

+1 solid advice right there

[yotsuya]

games are "free" you aren't saving anything by having a drive already to go.

it's the cabinets wood, the hardware, the screens, the buttons, the joysticks, the glue and screws, the paint, the wire, the time, and effort....

THAT is the cost of these machines.

we have people here who dedicate their excess time to building cabinets and it takes them Weeks, months, years...sometimes they never finish them.

if you don't want to put the time and effort into doing it yourself, you are certainly going to pay for it. if not your time, then someone elses.

THIS is why they are expensive.

Think of it this way, The guy who BUYS an already restored classic car.

Sure, you have a classic car RIGHT NOW but you don't get the satisfaction of hand building/polishing/making all the parts to make it what it is. These owners are the worst kind of owners. They don't care it took 10,000 hours to do. They race their car around and ratbag it. There is no pride.

this is what I suggest you do. get yourself an arcade panel like the x-arcade for a buck and a half or 2 bucks, ( http://shop.xgaming.com/ ) hook your TV up to your computer and play your games.

if you feel your arcade experience is still lacking, go get a cabinet from a local vendor or amusement company (likely for free.99) and slap your xarcade on it. (lot's of people here have done that)

You can have fast, cheap, and quality, but you can't have all three. My advice to you, take monkeybomb's advice. That's spot on.

[lefman]

Hi again. 1st off PBJ, you lost your bet..I'm 48, own my own business, married, kids. My Ebay username is the same as this if you'd cared to look. Been around arcade stuff for 30 years, but have never dived into arcade machines or MAME. I have 10 pinballs at home, but have absolutely no interest in learning the inner workings of MAME.
Can I apply that $5 towards my MAME machine??
I never said I didn't want to PAY for the machine, I didn't want to have to CONFIGURE the machine..
I guess I've seen cabs here and there, and some were very pricey. I figured someone on here either knew a reasonable place or did it as a hobby. and if they did it as a hobby (and to make some side cash, sure), they might be interested. 
Tx for the other replys--I may not use some of the features much, but I figure if I'm spending the money, what's a few ore bucks for a spinner, etc??
Tx Evilnuff--nice post!
The direction I'm taking with this is I want it plug and play...
Tx to all for the helpful responses...

[Slippyblade]

Ohhhh.

Tx is thanks.  I first thought it was his state - Texas.  Then I thought he meant text...  I'm so confused.

[EvilNuff]

Plug and play is really hard as your configurations will depend on what games you are playing.  Game lists, emulator lists, etc.  There are some really great advice posts here, lilshawn and monkeybomb's in particular I agree with.

[mgb]

I'm not sure what constitutes too expensive but have you thought about the X Arcade Arcade2TV unit.
It's $2500 without any monitor but it's a pretty nice looking showcase console.

I'm assuming by the two expensive ones you've seen, you're referring to those crappy bloated pieces of garbage that sell for $5000 or so on eBay.

[lisowskikevin]

I remember when I finished my build all my friends were like "can you build me one now?" " how much is it to do something like that.....a couple hundred bucks?" Hahaha

[lefman]

Tx fellas for all the helpful advice.. Found someone to make my setup how I want. Not 5g either! We may run into a snag with PC/emulator/harddrive, but the bulk of it will be done. Tx again!!

[harveybirdman]

If you were around enough you'd know PBJ gotta PBJ.....

Check out the OND Metropolis sticky, and least one member is churning those out though not on your neck of the woods.

[lefman]

If you were around enough you'd know PBJ gotta PBJ.....

Check out the OND Metropolis sticky, and least one member is churning those out though not on your neck of the woods.

I'll look for info--tx for the direction.
As for PBJerkwad, way to help a new guy get going..

[mgb]

Just be careful with having someone build for you.
When you build your own, you put love and time into it and build something that you
Can enjoy and be proud of.
Many paid builders rush a product and get paid

[lisowskikevin]

Just be careful with having someone build for you.
When you build your own, you put love and time into it and build something that you
Can enjoy and be proud of.
Many paid builders rush a product and get paid

I also think that one of the benefits of building your own is that if and when something goes wrong with the machine you know how to fix it. ie- loose connection to microswitch etc.

[BlueGhost]

The Xtension cabinets from Rec Room Masters might work for you. They have options that include the cabinet and controller you just add a PC and display.

If you want something a little more DIY you could get a bartop kit from the one of the vendors on this site.