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

[bigdady92]

After buying the Project Arcade book I went out shopping and found out how much on avg it would cost for items. Let's just say that the parts are NOT cheap and if you don't have a monitor/TV and computer you are looking at some $$$ if you want A-Grade parts.

here is my spreadsheet (hopefully it will take!) of what I found and where:





Supplies            
Name   Quantity   Cost   Total   Link
Clear coat poly acrylic paint   1   30   30   Home depot/Lowes
Gallon of Black paint   2   15   30   Home depot/Lowes
Galon of Primer   1   15.97   15.97   Home depot/Lowes
3/4" inch MDF   3   18.85   56.55   Home depot/Lowes
5/8" 18"x 35" hardwood for CP top   1   15   15   ?
Screws (various sizes)   1   9.99   9.99   Home depot/Lowes
2 1/2" L-Bracket   6   2.82   16.92   http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=45685-53911-ZAB205
2" L-Bracket   4   2.82   11.28   http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=45685-53911-ZAB205
Shelf Brackets (9")   4   3   12   
Cabinet Hinges   2   6   12   
Surface bolt for Cabinet hinge   1   5   5   
Velcro roll   1   2   2   
Grommet Sleves 2 "   1   1   1   Hardware store
Glue sticks   1      2.99   
Wod Putty   1      5.99   
Sand paper    1   5   5   Home depot/Lowes
Caster (3")   1   15   15   set http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26222&item=3813810127&rd=1
Wood glue   1   2.99   2.99   Home depot/Lowes
Plexiglass sheet   1   $15    15   various sites
T-Molding (black)   60   $0    16.2   http://www.t-molding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=3&cat=16&page=1
            
Subtotal         280.88   
            
            
Control Panel            
Name   Quantity   Cost   Total   Link
3" Trackball   1   96.4   96.4   http://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=56-0100-10
3" Trackball mounting plate   1   11   11   http://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=55-1101-00
Horizontal Microswitch   25   1.85   46.25   http://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=58-9100-L
1 Player Microswitch   1   1.95   1.95   http://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=58-9111-L1PLY
2 Player Microswitch   1   1.95   1.95   http://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=58-9111-L2PLY
Pushbutton Wrench   1   2.4   2.4   http://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=53-8002-00
J-Stik Bal Top   2   14   28   http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html
4-way Joystick   1   13.95   13.95   http://www.happcontrols.com/wp/item_search.html?item-no=50-7604-10
SlikStik Tornado Spinner   1   89.95   89.95   http://www.slikstik.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=4
18 AWG wire 45' spool1   1   5.49   5.49   http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=278-1223
22 AWG wire 45' spool   1   5.49   5.49   http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=278-1221
Quick disconnects-Blade   3   1.65   4.95   http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-3132
Spade Terminal (16 pack)   2   1.69   3.38   http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-3124
I-PAC4 PS/2   1   65   65   http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html
Optic-PAC USB   1   44   44   http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac1.html
Opti-PAC Spare Cables   1   9   9   http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac1.html

Subtotal         429.16   
            
Misc            
Name   Quantity   Cost   Total   Link
MAME Roms   1   30   30   http://www.freemameroms.com/
24" TV w/S-Video   1   144.49   144.49   http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051806303676&skuId=5336237&productCategoryId=cat03003&type=product
Athlon 2600+ computer   1   413   413   http://www.tcwo.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1504&sid=44oBmP0-IMSp7Rn
Radeon 9600Pro w/S-Video   1   135   135   http://www.tcwo.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=740308&sid=44oBmP0-IMSp7Rn

Subtotal         722.49   


GRAND TOTAL         1432.53   

This is not including the tools it would take to build the thing, that alone is another $600 at least for a table saw, jig saw, and other equipment. Best to rely on your friends for that!

[SirPeale]

There are many many ways to make this figure go way, way down.

One project I'm working on has cost me ~$100.  It's not a four player monster that plays every single game, but it will safely play 75% of all the games MAME supports.  You may thing that 75% isn't much, but think...that's 75% of 4000 games, which is 3000 games.  And there aren't even that many loaded on there.

[mahuti]

Many of us here build arcade machines on a shoestring.


Prebuilt  Cabinet, free or cheap at an arcade auction. $125
PC, free... from friend, family.
Ultimarc.com trackball $35, $14 for mounting plate.


Those are just a few places to cut costs.

[libref]

Thought I'd jump in on this topic as well.

I'm up in Canada and my figures match pretty well with bibdady92...except that you need to convert to Canadian

I find this is pretty common with most hobbies though...when you first start off, you tend to go with what you know will work...in this case new parts rather than used, new computer, monitor/tv etc. As you get more familiar with things and make more connections in the community of interest (ie. through BYAOC) you get more comfortable hacking older parts and tweaking components, so the cost goes down as your experience goes up.

I also feel the conservation aspect of building a MAME cab is important to consider. Like many of us building cabs, I grew up in the 80's, so the games we play on our MAME machines help preserve an important part of computer gaming history, as well as allowing us to revist the great times we had playing these games when they were new. I'm getting a little little philosophical I...but I guess my point is that, in the end, the enjoyment we get from building the CAB, getting everything to work and actually playing the games (and watching others enjoy them as well) helps to offset the build costs.

My 2 cents....

[bigdady92]

Here's the thing guys. I KNOW you can skimp and shave corners. I KNOW you can find lil ways here and there to save some $$$.

this is for someone that wants to go out and BUY all the stuff that is in the book and THEN build it.


If you can build it on the cheap, then that's a good way to go. I sure am going to find used parts on ebay to suppliment this. No way I am paying out that much. This is all based and meant to be seen in perspective, nothing more. Use it as a primer, but know that there ARE ways to make it cheaper.

[pointdablame]

What we're saying though is you don't have to spend that, and you won't be "skimping and shaving corners"

If you want to build a cab, that's all well and good, but that roughly $300 for the bare cabinet can EASILY get you a nice 25" cab with monitor, and perhaps even a game board installed and some good controls.  My Xmen cab was only $250 and it was a completely working game, except for 2 microswitches that needed to be replaced.

Your tracball is a Happs... great stuff, but the Ultimarc is less expensive if you're on a budget and arguable just as good. You can recycle old controls or get some cheap on eBay as you said as well.  For example, you can get new buttons with microswitches for about 2 bux all day long on eBay.  If you bought a cab with monitor, you wouldn't need that TV.

The video card in your list is WAY more than what you need to run MAME, and even more "advanced" emulators such as console emulators.  And I would bet money you could find a perfectly capable computer to run MAME for less than that $400 price.

All in all, that's a pretty extensive list, and you did a lot of research. It would definitely make one heck of a cab.  I think what people are trying to say however, is you are misinterpreting a few things.  The suggestions others are giving you are not "cutting corners" or "cheaping out."  It's just showing you that you do not at ALL need to spend that money.  When all is said and done, my cab will probably cost me about $600, and a lot of people here would say THAT is a lot.

No need to buy everything new when you can get a similar, if not better, cab for much less.

[mahuti]

If you WANT to spend tons of money you can, that's the way of any hobby. I don't think that it takes lots of money to build a great cabinet. It only takes lots of money to build an Expensive cabinet.

Many people here spend lots of money on their cabs, some more than what you quoted. I don't think that it's accurate that you have to spend what your talking about to do it right, or great.

[Daniel270]

So far, I've "invested" $300 into my cab... it doesn't have a trackball or any 4-way joysticks (which makes the Pac games a challenge in itself), but, it does play quite a few games very well.  My wife and I continuously struggle with Galaga, Galaxian and Gyruss in seeing who can dominate the scoreboard  

Believe me, it doesn't take that much money to have a working cabinet that does what you want... which should be to have fun remembering all those games you grew up playing.  

As far as I'm concerned, I've already got a heavy return on my "investment" and am still getting more!

[Generic Eric]

ya, well, I'm about $600 dollars into this, and I haven't even started the cab yet.

But I have several unique controls....T2 guns and the SW Yoke(which needs help) and a NOS happs 4" TB and 2 used ones.  Several Dual Strike Sidewinders.  etc, etc, etc

Point is, it adds up quick, even when your not expecting it.

[Sylentwulf]

Just off the top of my head, I know I can get primer from home depot for $7.97. You priced WAY WAY WAY too high on the trackball and spinner. And you priced too many control components from happ (bob roberts is MUCH cheaper on a lot of the stuff you listed) Ultimarc and Oscar are both a lot cheaper on the spinner and trackball.

Most of the hardware in genereal that you have listed is a bit high as well, One bolt for $5?

edit - also half of the cost is the computer, TV and the highly UNneeded video card (you can get a radeon with s-video out for $30) Most people that are this into it can scrounge up an old computer that will work with 90% of mame games. But, don't get me wrong, yes, a lot of people WILL be buying/building computers and buying a new TV for their cab. I probably will.

[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]

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.

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.

[bigdady92]

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).

That little? I figured 3 or 4 coats at least on this beast. The stuff is only $15/gallon so I figured it's better to buy 2 and return 1 later than buy 1 and need 2 now!

With quality paint, the clear coat is not needed.

It's glidden at least. The primer was Kilz, but I hate that junk,  so I went with glidden on that as well. Used to paint homes and kilz is rubbish IMHO.

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

How much do you need for a complete cabinet? It's not in the book and I didn't find an avg footage to use.

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

LO! The book wants you to glue LOTS of stuff and not just the T-mold. There's several 2"x2" pieces that are scattered throughout the book that need to be held in by glue.

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.

prolly a small lil bucket will do...wood putty is good stuff.

Lowes has some nice casters much cheaper.  

link? I searched EVERYWHERE for a set and couldn't find them on HD's or Lowe's site.

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

I called up 2 B&N stores and ran down there when they had it! Someone ordered it and didn't pick it up! Their loss! My gain!


And I plan on updating this to reflect some more common places that people can get these things that are cheaper.

Folks if you know of a cheaper price that is relatively stable please put a price and link it, that way people can get an idea on the cost if they go by the book and go buying brand new. Kind of like a shopping list that changes

[mahuti]

I don't know that it would affect price, but I would always suggest enamel based primer & paint. It takes a bit longer to dry, but you get a very nice finish, and it is more resistant to damage than acrylic.

[bigdady92]

I don't know that it would affect price, but I would always suggest enamel based primer & paint. It takes a bit longer to dry, but you get a very nice finish, and it is more resistant to damage than acrylic.

isn't that a harder paint to apply onto MDF and is thicker? Never used enamel really. Only oil and latex.

[mahuti]

I guess I shouldn't generalize. I would ask the local paint pro... not at Lowes, or Home Depot, at a REAL paint place. Basically a paint that is suitable for use on metal usually provides a very solid finish.

To be accurate, I typically use Acrylic Modified Alkyd Enamel paint. It goes on very thick, so I use an ultra-smooth roller. When it dries, it is very strong, leaves few streaks and has a nice vinyl-type texture, very smooth, and very even.

I sometimes use rust-oleum oil paints, and any others that are recommended to me by the local pros. I try not to mix on any one cabinet.

A good place to start with paintin is at tutankham.com

[MrFish7]

I am also starting out and now I have become worried. When I went to the hardware store I priced out just the wood and and things NEEDED to just get the cabinet to stand up, no paint and such. I came to little over $100. Then I priced out my controls, a four player controller with only joysticks and buttons and an IPAC4, and came to roughly $200. I have a computer and monitor to use. I dont really care about making it look pretty now as I am on a tight budget. So I thought $300-maybe $400 was all I would need. Am I missing a huge part of expense somewhere?

Thank you

[ray_slup]

My understanding of bigdady92 's posting this is to tell us how much it would cost if you made your cabinet using the same parts that Saint did. Not how much it cost to make your own.