Any Ideas for a cheap Strong Box to use for an all in one unit?

[monkeybomb]

The unrealistic dream scenario is that someone has a SFII showcase cabinet control panel, with reasonably condition original lexan, sitting at their garage sale for $20.  Since that's not going to happen, I'm wondering if anyone has any cheap ideas for a strong box that can be re-purposed as an all in one control panel.  It needs to be able to hold the guts of a windows computer, power supply and all.  But the box also can't be too big or crazy heavy.  It will be a little heavy for sure, but I want to be able to bring it places on my own.  I think the originals are about a yard wide and slightly less than a foot deep.  They have a slight slope as well, but I don't think I can realistically get that if it's something intended for storage or shipping.

[BadMouth]

The unrealistic dream scenario is that someone has a SFII showcase cabinet control panel, with reasonably condition original lexan, sitting at their garage sale for $20.  Since that's not going to happen, I'm wondering if anyone has any cheap ideas for a strong box that can be re-purposed as an all in one control panel.  It needs to be able to hold the guts of a windows computer, power supply and all.  But the box also can't be too big or crazy heavy.  It will be a little heavy for sure, but I want to be able to bring it places on my own.  I think the originals are about a yard wide and slightly less than a foot deep.  They have a slight slope as well, but I don't think I can realistically get that if it's something intended for storage or shipping.

Will controls be limited to a SF setup? (no trackball, spinners, etc)

[monkeybomb]

At the moment, I'm just thinking a SFII layout.  I'd like to just drill the button holes, secure the computer, wire it and start playing.  But since I'm being so cheap about it, I know I will probably need to mod something a little more than that. 

[BadMouth]

If you're using a small form factor computer, aluminum cases off ebay are pretty cheap.
The poker chip ones might limit you to Japanese sticks and buttons due to the depth.

There are bigger ones for guns and such, but if you're going to pay that much you might as well order a CNC cut control panel kit off someone.
I thought this looked like a pretty good deal for the price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Player-Arcade-Control-Panel-Kit-great-for-MAME-or-Jamma-/281338414260?hash=item41811384b4
Look in the retail vendors subforum to see what members here offer.

Again though, we're talking about having to use a small form factor pc.

[monkeybomb]

During my first go at this hobby, I bought way too much stuff and have all the parts.  So I'm looking at using supers or optical sticks.  In terms of those, I might end up with something like that.  I just really like the idea of taking something either off of a real arcade machine or from something cool that has an entirely different function.  If I were at all into guns or military collectibles, I would probably use a grenade crate and add a Guile vs Bison CPO.  I haven't looked, but I suspect there is a grenadecade out there somewhere.

The computer is a small form factor, but not tiny or anything and I am using a regular size atx power supply.  That computer has a serial port that I need if I'm going to use an old keywiz, but if needed I can use a laptopand just buy a usb interface.

[keilmillerjr]

This sounds like a raspberry pi build. Could use a small metal briefcase. Link the second one wireless with that module from adafruit?

[Well Fed Games]

A Golden Tee control panel might serve your purpose as well, and those come up on Craigslist (at least in the Chicago area) more than any other cabinet.

[paigeoliver]

This sounds like a raspberry pi build. Could use a small metal briefcase. Link the second one wireless with that module from adafruit?

Don't listen to the pi-tards. You don't want a pi.

I have seen countless people over the years try to build what you are talking about. It is a bad idea. It is about 85 percent of the cost of just really building a real arcade game. Just plug fight stick into a laptop and come back when you are ready for a real cabinet.

[monkeybomb]

I have seen countless people over the years try to build what you are talking about. It is a bad idea. It is about 85 percent of the cost of just really building a real arcade game. Just plug fight stick into a laptop and come back when you are ready for a real cabinet.

Whoa... this is serious.  Why don't you think I have a "real" cabinet.  The stand-up cabinet I have is running the Uo Poko board that you sold me.  Are you saying you sold me a fake board?  I know there is a statute of limitations and it was like 9 years ago, but that doesn't apply to the court of public opinion if right now, on this thread, it is coming out that the all knowing tbbk sells boards as "real" when they are in truth Chinese bootlegs.  We ALL need to know what happened here paigeoliver.  Is that a real Uo Poko PCB in my real cabinet or not?

Since I did this before and I loved the inexpensive result, I'm going to agree that this isn't a good idea...it's a great idea!  I have the computer, 14 buttons, two sticks and keywiz needed for this, so the cost after the box is $0.  Onward!

After looking on CL it looks like a golden tee CP might actually pop up soon.  That would probably work and I never looked at how much golden tee stuff is out there.  I might end up doing that if someone will let one go without making me haul off the whole cabinet.

Regarding the Pi, I actually have a Parellela that I never ended up doing anything with.  I have no idea if it has the power for MAME or not.  Also, I would need to figure out a usb solution and then I know nothing about linux.  So while I love the pi units, that's a good idea I'll have to get back to.

[Typefighter01]

I thought this looked like a pretty good deal for the price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Player-Arcade-Control-Panel-Kit-great-for-MAME-or-Jamma-/281338414260?hash=item41811384b4

That's a great price considering all the extras (as long as shipping doesn't kill you).

*3/4 inch CNC cut Birch Wood   (furniture grade)
*2 Joystick Design Layout
*8 Buttons Cut Outs Per Player
*22 Total Buttons Cut Outs on Panel
*Pre-Slot Cut out For T-molding
*Piano Hinge for Access to Panel 
*Hand Assembled Base
*Link to Download Photoshop file to Design your own
custom graphic overlay
*Pre-Sanded with a 220 Fine Finish

[keilmillerjr]

This sounds like a raspberry pi build. Could use a small metal briefcase. Link the second one wireless with that module from adafruit?

Don't listen to the pi-tards. You don't want a pi.

I have seen countless people over the years try to build what you are talking about. It is a bad idea. It is about 85 percent of the cost of just really building a real arcade game. Just plug fight stick into a laptop and come back when you are ready for a real cabinet.

It's cheap, possibly as low as $50 with ac adaptor and 4gb sd card for new hardware. It's tiny. It's silent. It's an all in one package. It has pre-built distros for arcade/retro gaming, including distro's to easily run only a single arcade game. It has a gpoi and might not require a separate controller. So, what's with all the rpi hate? It might not be perfect for every scenario, but it certainly excels in certain projects.

[nicwald]

Have you considered a pelican-type case?

http://www.pelican.com/

They are available in various sizes and configurations and are made of plastic (light weight).

[JDFan]

I thought this looked like a pretty good deal for the price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Player-Arcade-Control-Panel-Kit-great-for-MAME-or-Jamma-/281338414260?hash=item41811384b4

That's a great price considering all the extras (as long as shipping doesn't kill you).

*3/4 inch CNC cut Birch Wood   (furniture grade)
*2 Joystick Design Layout
*8 Buttons Cut Outs Per Player
*22 Total Buttons Cut Outs on Panel
*Pre-Slot Cut out For T-molding
*Piano Hinge for Access to Panel 
*Hand Assembled Base
*Link to Download Photoshop file to Design your own
custom graphic overlay
*Pre-Sanded with a 220 Fine Finish

Extras  -- only extra I see there is the Piano Hinge - the rest just describes the cut outs and design layout of the Panel - It wouldn't be much of a CNC kit if it didn't come with the holes for the buttons and joysticks cut and they don't do any recess on the bottom of the panel for the joystick mounts which would be better for the CNC to cut. - Also would think shipping the assembled Base is going to add to the shipping over just sending as a flat pack 

$110 for a birch CNC'd Control Panel box is not too bad but I wouldn't say a "great price" - considering the design is pretty much just a rectangular shape with no real complex angle cuts that would be difficult to replicate without the CNC.

[BadMouth]

$110 for a birch CNC'd Control Panel box is not too bad but I wouldn't say a "great price" - considering the design is pretty much just a rectangular shape with no real complex angle cuts that would be difficult to replicate without the CNC.

Only comes up to $85 total including shipping for me.
I was going to build my nephew something for Christmas.
I'm seriously considering just buying one of these to save myself the time.

[keilmillerjr]

$110 for a birch CNC'd Control Panel box is not too bad but I wouldn't say a "great price" - considering the design is pretty much just a rectangular shape with no real complex angle cuts that would be difficult to replicate without the CNC.

Only comes up to $85 total including shipping for me.
I was going to build my nephew something for Christmas.
I'm seriously considering just buying one of these to save myself the time.

That's not a bad deal. Don't have a power tool to make that? Now your in for over the $85. Plus time.

[JDFan]

Only comes up to $85 total including shipping for me.
I was going to build my nephew something for Christmas.
I'm seriously considering just buying one of these to save myself the time.

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