Odd newbie question about guts...

[nortonloaf]

I want to build my own cocktail ms. pac man, and have decided to use a kit from arcadedepot.com for the cabinet.

(Off topic question:  anyone have thoughts on arcadedepot?)

I've been looking around the last few days, and I seem to be finding more information than I would ever need..about everything except what I don't understand yet:  how to install/situate all the stuff inside (monitor,board,speakers,wiring, placement, etc).

Does anyone have a link to somewhere that has good explanations and examples or something?  I've seen the inside of a fullsize cabinet, and have a very rough idea of what things are involved...but its starting to look like the best way is to get a cheap cocktail and look inside.

Any pointers appreciated.

[paigeoliver]

If you are going to build an actual Ms. Pac (real boards, etc), then just get a cocktail Ms. Pac manual, it should have all the info you should need.

If you are going Mame or going with a JAMMA Ms. Pac board and switching power supply, then just put everything wherever you can fit it.

[usedelectronics]

I want to build my own cocktail ms. pac man, and have decided to use a kit from arcadedepot.com for the cabinet.

(Off topic question:  anyone have thoughts on arcadedepot?)

Man..I'm starting to sound like a broken record...
The Arcade Depot "kit" is really really nice.
Well made, fit's together very nicely with minimal "fine tuning".
Worst part of the kit is mounting whatever monitor you go with, and cutting the holes for speakers/etc.
My kit is nearly finished, and a complete review will hit my site eventually.

[slicer_d]

I'm acutally working on my own cocktail cab I did consider arcadepedot but for 300 dollars + shipping + everthing else seemed a little much for my budget.  Instead I used Kyle's plans they are pretty nice and even wiht my limited workworking ability I think I have done pretty well.  Although at this time I'm in college and its winter break so I did have much more time than money.  I dont even think I have spent 300 dollars yet on all the cabs parts and that includes the pc, the monitor, i-pac, controlls, router bits, saw blades, old cocktail glass, old ms pac coindoor, and mdf.

But I can still tell you what I have learned about mounting stuff.  Which isnt a whole lot acutally.  It depends on what you are putting into it a real arcade monitor or a pc monitor an original pacman game or mame.  I'm assuming you have looked around at other peoples cocktail cabs and have noticed that quite a few have the monitor attached the the side/top part that opens to the side.  Personally I really do not like that idea at all yes they did it in the original cabs that way but unless you are getting a real arcade monitor and you get the side mount kit to make sure that its attached securely I wouldn't do but again thats just me I have seen quite a few people do it without the kit with arcade and pc monitors and it seems to work fine.  Personally though I'm going to make a platform out of myabe some old 2 by 4's  maybe something smalles that raises the monitor up to the exact height I need it.  Then I will make 4 pieces 1 for each side near the top to make sure the monitor has a snug fit when the cabinet is closed and doesnt shake.  This does cut down on some of the internal space that I have access to but I think its the best way to go for my pc monitor because I dont want to have to worry about it ripping out of the side pannel every time I move or open the cabinet.  If you are doing mame then I would suggest getting some pcb standoffs for the mobo then you can post it anywhere on the sides or bottom of the cab.  If you are just doing pacman then do like paige said and get a manual and look at that.

Since cocktail cabs are so expensive nowdays all the custom built ones are well custom I know I didnt follow kyles plans to the letter and mine will be much different from and other cab based on his plans.  Also I have gone the very non traditional route in the fact that I'm using metal L-brackets and a nail gun to assemble the thing also I'm getting my Uncle to paint it because he is in the paint biz most people go traditional with the chezy fake look or the marginally better venner wood but I'm going nice glossy black.  

In the end I would say go and look at every cocktail page in the examples and come up with a game plan and just run with it.  The way I figure it as long as it works and gets that WOW reaction from friends that come over I will be very happy.