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Cost Comparsion
shippy1973:
Hey all...
I want to really either purchase an already built arcade machine (in particular the Excalibur from dreamauthentics) or build one myself. Honestly, my carpentery and patience skills are low and I don't know that I would ever finish. So....I guess I would like to know if the Excalibur is currently a well priced, reasonable solution to get my arcade gaming started. If not, what could I expect to pay myself for the same type of machine. I don't want to get ripped off but I also do have a limited budget so "best bang for the buck" certainly applies here. And if anyone is in or near Colorado Springs and wants to get one off their hands, let me know. ;D Thanks for any help everyone!!
DrewKaree:
Dude, it seems as if you aren't confident in your ability to complete a cab. If that's the case, only YOU can decide whether or not 3 G's is too much for a cabinet.
There are people who have built cabs just like that one for far less, and others who have prolly spent close to that much (but with far more bells/whistles than that one).
I think a large percentage of folks would say that cab is priced kinda high, but if YOU think it's a good deal and will help you obtain a completed working cab in a reasonable amount of time, who cares what anyone else thinks?
You could go to an auction and purchase a similar game for at LEAST a grand less, but you'll need a day off, transportation, and setting it up. What's all THAT worth to you?
I think it's an overpriced beast, but I've got mad skillz wit da powa toolz. (or so I like to tell myself ;D)
TOK:
If you're willing to treat it as a learning experience, I think you'll do OK. As far as patience, you can always walk away from it. It's not like you're working on your car or water heater. You can let it sit for a week if need be to clear your head. I'm far from an expert carpenter, but I used the work on my cab as a learning experience. I used a cabinet I bought and only made the control panel. I'm now designing my second panel, and my third project is going to be a totally scratch built bartop. My skills and confidence are better, and that's a cool thing.
The manufactured cabs are nice, but I think they're wickedly overpriced. Before I went that route, I'd look in the buy/sell section here. That could cut 80% of the workload out for you, and save you a couple grand to boot.
monkeybomb:
It seems like used homemade cabs are the best deal. I see people lose money all the time selling those. You could consider one of the kits too.
RayB:
Go for a kit or buy a used arcade cab for under $100.