Mame cabinet in the works, help need

[fastbilly1]

Hi there.  Ive been viewing this site on and off ever since it opened, way back in the day.  But its taken till now for me to actually commit the time, and resources to create a cabinet.  

Ive thought about making an ordinary cabinet like everyone else.  As cool as they are, I was looking for something alittle more drastic and not as traditional.  Then I thought about making a cocktail table style one, but one of my friends already built one.  So I decided to try my hand at building a showcase style one, but in parts.  

Im planning on using my pc, the one Im using right now, as my MAME pc also.  Mainly because it has all the hardware in it, and is powerful enough to run every game Ive found so far.  Lets just say Ive gotten it to run several MAMEs and render video at the same time.  So the pc is set.  For sound, Ive opted to wait till I can actually buy some worthwhile home audio equipment.  So for now my KLH speakers.  Video is going to be handled by either a 21 inch Sony Trinitron that I have, or an LCD projector that the aforementioned friend might be giving me.  So it comes down to controls being the problem, well that and the fact that I cant find plans anywhere.

I remember some years back several people wanting to make these.  But to my knowledge no one ever finished them.  I have plans for them roughly drawn up in my head, and I have access to a MvC2 showcase model for measurements.  Controls have become somewhat of a burden though.  I enjoy both classic 2 and 4 way joystick games, aswell as the 8 way.  I want to play both but don't want to have the control panels to be huge.  For now, Im living without the steering wheel, light guns, spinners, and track balls, those will go into a traditional or sit down cabinet.  Or if/when I modify this one in the future.  For now Im planning on getting an 28 input Ipac, PS/2 version and atleast 12 buttons.  I havent decided if I want either stick or ball type for the 8 way controllers.  I figure Ill play more action game than fighting, so Im leaning toward ball type.  But thats somewhat off topic.  For those of you who have used the 28 input Ipac, do you know if I could hook up two 8 way sticks, a 4 way, and atleast 12 buttons?  Im not sure how they work, but Im guessing it would be right at 24 inputs.  But if that doesnt work, Im going to upgrade to the 56 input version.

I've allocated myself roughly $200 to make this into a self standing control panel.  The rest of the rig will be built over the course of the year.  So any of yall have any sage like words for someone first starting out on their quest to make a MAME console?  Best prices, joysticks, materials?

[Brad Lee]

4 and 8 way sticks each use 4 inputs, buttons use 1 each

so 2sticksx4, 8
another stickx4, 12 so far
12 buttonsx1, 24total

If along the line you need more buttons, theres always the option of using the same p1 inputs for an 8way and a 4way, sharing em that way. This would put your total at 20

[fastbilly1]

Alright, that sounds fantastic.  Thanks Brad.