Williams Robotron cabinet for MAME?

[FG2Troy]

I am finally getting this project I have wanted to do for ever on the road. I have found a Robotron cabinet that I want to use but I have a few questions first:
-Screen size I was wanting to do a 27 inch screen but not sure if that would be a good fit
-Control panel I want a 4 player 6 button setup with trackball, of course I would have to custom make this for the cabinet has it been done?

About the cabinet it was a robotron cabinet that was converted into an altered beast setup and basically has been stripped the guy only wants $50 for it so I thought it would be a great start

[harveybirdman]

I was about to scream at you for hacking up a Robotron, but I guess the damage has already been done so it doesn't sound like it's horrible start for a project.


Personally though I think hanging a four player panel of the front of a Williams cabinet will look freaking retarded.  One time a dude hung a four player panel off a working Stargate and he was road outta this forum on a rail. 

If I were you I'd look for a Midway cab that was meant to be 4P or build a pedestal.

[Automark]

I would restore it.
This baby can still be fixed. maybe with a jrok pcb?

Also worth a lot more than a mame cab.

[Malenko]

where ya at? Bring me that and I'll give you an MK4 cab with both an MK4 CP and an NBA Jam CP for it.

[FG2Troy]

I was about to scream at you for hacking up a Robotron, but I guess the damage has already been done so it doesn't sound like it's horrible start for a project.


Personally though I think hanging a four player panel of the front of a Williams cabinet will look freaking retarded.  One time a dude hung a four player panel off a working Stargate and he was road outta this forum on a rail. 

If I were you I'd look for a Midway cab that was meant to be 4P or build a pedestal.

You kind of convinced me away from this cabinet now haha, I'm pretty set on 4 player and don't want it to look stupid.

I would restore it.
This baby can still be fixed. maybe with a jrok pcb?

Also worth a lot more than a mame cab.

Possibly, but that's not really what I want out of the cabinet I am going to build

where ya at? Bring me that and I'll give you an MK4 cab with both an MK4 CP and an NBA Jam CP for it.

I'm located in northern california

[Malenko]

Im in Delaware, so thats a no go.  If you want a 4 player MAME cab, thats not the best starting point.  Try to find a midway or konami cab.

[FG2Troy]

Deleware is kinda far haha So heres the other options I was considering for a cabinet setup:

http://mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=CABMIDWAYUR
http://www.recroommasters.com/32_Pro_Upright_Xtension_Arcade_Cabinet_For_The_X_p/rm-xt-32-pro-t.htm

The problem with these is its hard to pay that much just to cut into them to add the things I want in it. and also shipping cost is $156 for shipping the extension cabinet.
So that leaves me with my last option to build one from scratch, I will be able to customize it how I want and not have to pay for shipping which will go to other cost for the machine.

[harveybirdman]

Building it from scratch is nice because you can build to suit your available assets (i.e. you can design with a specific display/hardware in mind)

[Jamesbeat]

If you are reasonably handy and find the idea of building from scratch even remotely appealing, that is the best way to go.

I'm close to finishing my first upright, and I'm having even more fun than I thought I would.

Here are some advantages:

You don't ruin a classic (that Robotron could be restored).

You get to build exactly the cabinet that you have in your mind's eye.

You will learn new skills.

Pride of ownership - no conversion or pre-made cab will be remotely as satisfying as one you built yourself.

I'm sure there are many more advantages that others might chime in with.
This forum contains all the information you will need, and if you need help or suggestions, all you have to do is ask.

[jtslade]

Restore as a Robotron with a Jrok and you can literally name your price.. They go for crazy money...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dmckean]

Restore as a Robotron with a Jrok and you can literally name your price.. They go for crazy money...

This is true.

[ark_ader]

One time a dude hung a four player panel off a working Stargate

Thanks for the idea. 

[CheffoJeffo]

Personally though I think hanging a four player panel of the front of a Williams cabinet will look freaking retarded.  One time a dude hung a four player panel off a working Stargate and he was road outta this forum on a rail. 

If I were you I'd look for a Midway cab that was meant to be 4P or build a pedestal.

This.

The Robo cab won't work for what you want. One of the most elusive lessons for new folks can be not starting from the wrong place.

[dmckean]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=94966.0

[behrmr]

Just for the record fixing up the cab and putting a JROK board in it is not a restoration.  It's more of an homage to Robotron. it is still a very cool cabinet and probably a good idea, but not a restoration.

[ark_ader]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=94966.0

That was an epic thread.

I know now not to multi Williams my stargate, or multi player it too. 

[paigeoliver]

Don't hack up a Robotron for a 4 player conversion.

Don't even build a 4 player cabinet in the first place, you will scroll through exactly one 4 player game with your buddies one time and it will never see 4 player action again. I have owned multiple 4 player games and people would rather wait in line behind them and play 2 at a time than they would squeeze in to actually play them in 4 player mode.

[dmckean]

I know now not to multi Williams my stargate, or multi player it too. 

And don't do this to a cockpit Pole Position:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,91545.0.html

[Slippyblade]

I know now not to multi Williams my stargate, or multi player it too. 

And don't do this to a cockpit Pole Position:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,94966.0.html

Dear god, that's just wrong.

[P.H.U.]

I'm located in northern california

Where in NorCal specifically? I am in Manteca. Might I trade you for a non-distinct cab for your your MAME purposes?

[Jamesbeat]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=94966.0

Oh my...

[Automark]

Just for the record fixing up the cab and putting a JROK board in it is not a restoration.  It's more of an homage to Robotron. it is still a very cool cabinet and probably a good idea, but not a restoration.

But a million times better than a frankenpanel mame conversion

[MaseMan]

Don't hack up a Robotron for a 4 player conversion.

Don't even build a 4 player cabinet in the first place, you will scroll through exactly one 4 player game with your buddies one time and it will never see 4 player action again. I have owned multiple 4 player games and people would rather wait in line behind them and play 2 at a time than they would squeeze in to actually play them in 4 player mode.

This. I'd love to think I'll have three buddies over all the time to play through TMNT and X-Men or whatever, but the truth is my friends rarely have time to hang out as it is! I'm glad I skipped the idea I briefly had of doing a four player setup and just went with a standard two player cabinet.

[dmckean]

The only reason to do a 4 player panel is if you have 3 or 4 small children around.

[Malenko]

This. I'd love to think I'll have three buddies over all the time to play through TMNT and X-Men or whatever, but the truth is my friends rarely have time to hang out as it is! I'm glad I skipped the idea I briefly had of doing a four player setup and just went with a standard two player cabinet.

Well I had 2 buddies over a lot and we ran the gambit of all the "Fight and Go Rights" , put a bunch of time in Saturday Night Slam Masters, and scored hundreds of goals in Open Ice.  I dont have any regrets about having a 4 player panel. Great thing about Midway cabs is you can just unbolt the 4 player CP and put a 2 player one in its place. That being said, I think actually using 4 players doenst happen as often as people think it will. I'm actually quite surprised there aren't more 1 player panels.

To note, my MAME cab is getting reverted back to JAMMA; I just prefer legit hardware.

[MaseMan]

That's awesome. Unfortunately a lot of our friends are in that stage in life with young kids, etc. Getting people over to do anything seems like an often tall task.

Maybe someday. I do like four player games and cabinets.

[Automark]

Lol, indeed, im already happy if i find a friend who has 15min  to play a 2 player game. Normaly after 4 minutes one of the kids needs attention some how.
A 4 player game will never be used, ever.

[nitrogen_widget]

The only reason to do a 4 player panel is if you have 3 or 4 small children around.

This is why i'd end up making one.

[FG2Troy]

I'm located in northern california

Where in NorCal specifically? I am in Manteca. Might I trade you for a non-distinct cab for your your MAME purposes?

I never ended up getting it but if you look in the sf bay area craigslist its on there and I believe the guy is located in Fremont plus I am located in Modesto so to get it here would be a pain in the ass.

Don't hack up a Robotron for a 4 player conversion.

Don't even build a 4 player cabinet in the first place, you will scroll through exactly one 4 player game with your buddies one time and it will never see 4 player action again. I have owned multiple 4 player games and people would rather wait in line behind them and play 2 at a time than they would squeeze in to actually play them in 4 player mode.

This. I'd love to think I'll have three buddies over all the time to play through TMNT and X-Men or whatever, but the truth is my friends rarely have time to hang out as it is! I'm glad I skipped the idea I briefly had of doing a four player setup and just went with a standard two player cabinet.

I was thinking this also and might end up going with a 2 player setup. Just need to find the plans to make it I'm sure there is tons of info on this forum. Anybody have an idea on full sized templates? I know mameroom.com used to sell them but I don't see them anymore I believe they changed ownership.

-EDIT
http://www.arcadecab.com/CabinetPlans2/CabinetPlans2_Background.html
I think this is the plan I am going to base it off of