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So you want to build a Project Arcade and want to know how much?

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bigdady92:

Again if you are reading through WHY I did this it's simple.

I took the Project Arcade book that is being sold on the front page and went to the stores and priced it out. The cabinet and controls alone are $700 that's a given. This is going by Saint's guidelines and specs he chose when suggesting what to buy for your project. He recommends to have a bolt and hinges for the door for easy access so I put it in there. He says "2 inch L-brackets!" so I go out and look at them.

Everything in the prices for are not static and can be bought FAR cheaper elsewhere. BUT this is not for those that have some knowledge in the field (I just started 2 weeks ago!). This layout is for those that go out to Barnes and Noble, buy the book and wonder "Hmmmmm how much does all this cost if I were to do it by myself?"

Do I like happs? Dunno, never bought from them, didn't know about Bob roberts? How much does his prices vary in comparison? Oscar? Didn't check his stuff out. Saint recommends Happ allot in the book and I went there and priced it out.

Computer is chosen for the sheer sake of power and perfomance that one can get 'cheaply' and be consider in the "A" grade of system. That means you can play games for computers AND MAME simply and easily. Video card can be considered in that same line of thought. I went off the recommendations of my own experience in the industry as well as what was put together on the other thread that says "What kind of computer do you need to play MAME?"

Now I didn't put in a Wells monitor in there as those suckers are $500+ or even a computer monitor that can be had for $150 or more. I went with a TV that you can pickup from BestBuy, Circut City, Sears on the cheap with S-video.

Again this boils down to what you plan on doing with your cabinet and computer. It's personal preference and nothing more.

This is like anything else this is a primer. I fully expect y'all to find parts of it and say "I can find this cheaper!" Again, understand that I am going off the "Project ARcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine" book as my guide.

BASSOFeeSH:

The book DOES say that the budget for a cab can be as high as $1,500 though. ;)

And Saint DOES mention Happs alot, but that's because they pretty much sell everything.  He also mentions Ultimarc, Bob Roberts, Oscar, Ebay, AND these forums more than anything.

If I had to name ONE place, I'd say Happs but that doesn't mean it's the best place to get everything.


And welcome. :)

Tailgunner:

One small suggestion I'd make would be to keep track of what's on sale at Happs. They publish a monthly sales flyer that's downloadable from their home page as a PDF file. If a prospective builder is willing to procure the needed parts over time, they can save a substantial amount just by buying the stuff they need when Happs puts it on sale.

For instance, this month the Golden Tee 3" high lip trackball is $60. The difference in price would almost pay for the Opti-pac needed to interface it to a MAME cab.

zaphod:

Just browsing your supply list, I found ways of chopping down your costs:

Two gallons of black paint for one cabinet?  I think a more reasonable number is 1/3 - 1/2 gallon per cabinet, provided you prime first ($8).  In the past  I painted three cabs with a single gallon (4 coats exterior, 2 coats interior).

With quality paint, the clear coat is not needed.

60 feet of T-molding?!?!  At least you'll be assurred of having plenty left over for at least one more cab.

Glue sticks won't be needed if you use the proper slotting bit.

The smallest tub of wood putty will still be wayyy more than you will need.  The $6 bucket might be a bit much.  The stuff will dry out.

Lowes has some nice casters much cheaper.  



And I'm still waiting for my copy to show up from Amazon.  Curse them! :)

bigdady92:


--- Quote from: BASSOFeeSH on May 10, 2004, 11:19:57 am ---The book DOES say that the budget for a cab can be as high as $1,500 though. ;)

And Saint DOES mention Happs alot, but that's because they pretty much sell everything.  He also mentions Ultimarc, Bob Roberts, Oscar, Ebay, AND these forums more than anything.

If I had to name ONE place, I'd say Happs but that doesn't mean it's the best place to get everything.


And welcome. :)

--- End quote ---

oh by far I am not aruging that Oscar and Ultimarc, and ebay are great places to get good stuff....

I think that the $700 pricetag for controls+cabinet is a good ball park range if you're building it from scratch.

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