Anyone built ArcadeDepot Cocktail

[vader]

Normally I would just prefer to build one from scratch myself, but I have somewhat of a time constraint.  I'm not home too much and when I am here, my little brother won't get off the computer.  Track & Field/ Hypersports Addict.  Since I'm not home that much, I was considering www.arcadedepot.com kits.   Just wanted some opinions on the people who did puchase them and what they thought of them.  How much is the basic kit shipped ?  Should I add the 3rd panel option ?  Is the quality of the build as solid or more than doing it yourself, if you were to purchase on, what would you advise as far as controls....any comments are highly appreciated..

Tim

[Vicious]

If you add the 3rd panel and go with longer or custom panels on the end, you might get up near the $400 mark (and that's with the bare, stain-it-and-put-your-own-molding-on kit).  On the other hand, if you can find the time to build a cocktail cabinet, it will wind up costing you the price of one sheet of wood (about $20-25).  Maybe two.

From personal experience, I recommend not getting one.  The company is great to deal with but the difference in price is even greater.

[Vicious]

Forgot to add that shipping is about an additional $65 dollars, so stick that on top of the other cost and you'll see that financially it's just not worth it.

[vader]

Sat and thought about it for a minute Vicious......as far as cost, I realized I was still in a upright mindframe as far as cost was concerned.....I figured woodwork would cost me around 75 bucks and that is with me staining it myself....probably a weekends worth of work......

Tim

[shafor]

I think that there are a lot of factors involved in deciding in purchasing a kit or building your own cabinet.

I am very new to the MAME community and I have been researching cabinets, controls, etc for the past 3 weeks.  I feel there are a lot of things to consider in whether purchasing a cabinet kit, refurbing a cabinet, or building your own cabinet is right for you.  I took the following factors into play before I made my purchase with Arcade Depot.

1.  Learning Curve - With every project something is bound to go wrong.  In my case 2 sheets of MDF would turn into 3 and what about opps I never used a router before. UGG - Nuff said

2.  Tools - With any hobby there is a need to obtain some of the very basic tools necessary to complete the project.  I have read many tutorials on building basic cabinets, and they just about have the same tool set recommendations - Router (T Molding), Jig Saw or Circular Saw.  Do not forget the basics like Saw Horses / T Squares, etc.    I added up the cost of the basic tool set and that cost alone made it realistic to purchase a kit.

3.  Availability - I wanted to start out with a basic upright cabinet.  I have been unable to locate a cabinet in my area that was reasonably priced.  For example one amusement company would not return my phone calls, and the second one that I contacted quoted me $300.00 to $500.00 for a gutted cabinet (no control panel, no coin door, etc) just an empty wood shell that had been sitting on in the elements.  For that price I could purchase the kit and it was brand new.

I was pleased as punch to locate ArcadeDepot on the internet and they have been very helpful in answering my questions.  Please note that I have not received my kit yet from ArcadeDepot but it should arrive by Friday and shipping was only $33.00.  WOW!

The best thing is my wife is paying for the complete project as a wedding gift to me!  I am a happy man.

[vader]

Thanks for the reply....I already have all the tools necessary to build the cabinet since this will not be my first build ( check out my link )......time was a major concern, not cost,  I have no doubt in my ability to build a cocktail....after sitting down and pondering a bit, I  realized it would not talke me long to construct one of these....

Tim

[shafor]

Good Luck

Hey

[vader]

Game On !! lol

[shafor]

Kewl - I will send you an IM with my contact info.

[Vicious]

I think that there are a lot of factors involved in deciding in purchasing a kit or building your own cabinet.

I am very new to the MAME community and I have been researching cabinets, controls, etc for the past 3 weeks.  I feel there are a lot of things to consider in whether purchasing a cabinet kit, refurbing a cabinet, or building your own cabinet is right for you.  I took the following factors into play before I made my purchase with Arcade Depot.

1.  Learning Curve - With every project something is bound to go wrong.  In my case 2 sheets of MDF would turn into 3 and what about opps I never used a router before. UGG - Nuff said

2.  Tools - With any hobby there is a need to obtain some of the very basic tools necessary to complete the project.  <snip> I added up the cost of the basic tool set and that cost alone made it realistic to purchase a kit.

I thought exactly the same way as you did.  I felt that it would be harder than I could do so why not just get a kit?  I was surprised at how easily I was able to pick this up.

1. Learning Curve:  it's not as great as most think.  Even so, you would have to screw up about 13 or so sheets of wood before the cost got near a kit.  I don't think anyone's that bad.

2. Tools:  a lot of people base their decision for kits because of the cost of tools.  The upside is that you own them and on your next project they'll already be there.

Whatever gets you closer to the arcade experience, it's all good.  Best of luck with your kit.

[Tilzs]

I think those kits are a pretty good deal if you don't have the tools, don't want to buy tools, don't have the space to use tools, or dont' want to use tools. I also think they are a good deal if if the cab is designed to spec as to what you'd build yourself. Yes you can save a bit of money building it yourself. The question you need to answer is do I want to build it from scratch and can I do a just as good/better job? Also, is the price difference worth my time or not?

[RayB]

Exactly. There are plenty of pieces at Ikea that we could build cheaper, but how many of use have or WANT the tools required?

[fingermouse2004]

whats this about ikea??? i just getting into building and want to keep my costs down, i ordered a mame rom set off the net and need to find some cheap or free cocktail plans, or this ikea stuff!? whats that all about help would be apppreciated!

[DrewKaree]

whats this about ikea??? i just getting into building and want to keep my costs down, i ordered a mame rom set off the net and need to find some cheap or free cocktail plans, or this ikea stuff!? whats that all about help would be apppreciated!

Perhaps you read the thread incorrectly, or haven't read anything else about building a cab.  Perhaps look around here a bit.  If you'll invest a little of your time, you'll see how to turn just about anything INTO a useful box for a cab.

Perusing IKEA's wares will show you that they do NOT sell cocktail cabinets, plans, or anything else related to ARCADE cabinets, but they DO sell cabinets.  Plain ol' cabinets. 

You sound a bit out of breath!

[danny_galaga]

If you add the 3rd panel and go with longer or custom panels on the end, you might get up near the $400 mark (and that's with the bare, stain-it-and-put-your-own-molding-on kit).

[DrewKaree]

yeah, but they blend in a lot better, in case you were going for the "natural" finish on your MDF cab.

I dunno what else is included in those kits, but factoring in screws?  I think you'd be hard pressed to use an entire 2 lb box, which is ~$3.  The rest of the stuff, from all the kits I've looked at, are options, for a price.  That's the stuff to factor in - how much are the options, and how much can you get them for in your area?

[danny_galaga]

from my list:

feb 04: pvc parts for fan ducting       $9     
       feb 04: 240v cooling fan       $27     
       feb 04: hookup wire         $1     
       feb 04: adapter- din to ps2 for keyboard (not used on new machine)     $9     
       mar 04: monitor extension while testing mame on 2 computers $15     
       mar 04: end caps for 't' legs (6 of)     $5     
       mar 04: 6.5M of t-molding       $9     
       mar 04: 6mm mdf and ply for monitor case and swivel   $15     
       mar 04: tube of liquid nails       $4     
       mar 04: 2 x 6mm sheets mdf (kick panels)     $10     
       mar 04: 608 bearings, bits and pieces for rotating platform $10     
       mar 04: 3 x 16mm sheets mdf (cab structure and top), fixings $52     
       mar 04: lock, hinges, stays       $20     
       mar 04: desk stays, hinges, lock     $20     
       mar 04: 3mm pre-finished ply for top and edge veneer   $26     
       mar 04: quad, paint for bezel. primer, roller cover for cab $39     
       mar 04: legs         $67     
       apr 04: power supply        $30     
       apr 04: cordless keboard/mouse       $20     
       apr 04: micro switches, heatshrink     $22     
       apr 04: relay         $4     
       apr 04: door stops, suction hooks     $10     
       apr 04: resistors (for tamiya motor)     $1     
       apr 04: screws, paint (for legs)       $15     
       apr 04: cable clips, flywire (for vent and speaker holes), vinyl  $11     
       apr 04: sandpaper         $3     
       apr 04: araldite         $10     
       apr 04: glass top         $126     
                         
       total  (less monitor, computer and controls)     $590   

granted, i needed more parts since it's a 'schooldesk' with a rotating monitor, but surely ONE sheet of mdf will be the least of the costs? paint, clips little rubber feety things?

[DrewKaree]

I believe the kits to be simply the wood shell.

If so, the rest of your list would be needed anyhoo.

[DrewKaree]

I just looked.  It's just the wood, a piano hinge, some angle brackets, braces, dowels, and glue.

This is for $195.  Add T-molding and stain/poly - it's now $275

Let's use your pricing, danny:

       mar 04: 6.5M of t-molding       $9     
       mar 04: 6mm mdf and ply for monitor case and swivel   $15     
       mar 04: 2 x 6mm sheets mdf (kick panels)     $10     
       mar 04: 3 x 16mm sheets mdf (cab structure and top), fixings $52     
       mar 04: lock, hinges, stays       $20     
       mar 04: 3mm pre-finished ply for top and edge veneer   $26     
        apr 04: sandpaper         $3     

~$140 - half of what they sell their cab for.

Oh, and that's not for the additional 3rd panel, which I think, danny, I've factored in your extra wood, which would be used for the third panel, saving yourself $90.  Their glass top would actually save $31, making the grand total you'd save over their kit price come to ~$200.

[missioncontrol]

don't forget to add to the total the trips to the ER

[DrewKaree]

THAT price is billable to stupidity. 

The cab shouldn't have to suffer 

[erikthecat]

lucky you guys don't live in the UK.

the one thing p!$$3$ me o** here is the price disparity between the US and UK prices,
What's the 'big deal' with line ...

"NOW shipping direct from the united kingdom"?!

arcade depot advised me that this was coming, and it may be beneficial to wait.
i did as they surly know what they're doing:)

i naively thought there would be some kind saving,
as the pieces must be sourced fabricated locally,
thus some form of saving on shipping and import duty (and maybe a little VAT).

not a chance.
how does this look?
Kit price USD 275 US website = UKP 328 UK website.
doesn't look too bad?
,but UKP 328 = USD 632!?
that can't be right can it? i would love to be wrong!

there doesn't seem to be much point in buying from the UK, does there?

i would love to get an informed response from someone at Arcadedepot,
i've tried e-mailing them (both US and UK) but no reply?

just my 2 pence worth:)

your i'm not bitter(ly)

GaRy:)

[DrewKaree]

the one thing p!$$3$ me o** here is the price disparity between the US and UK prices,
What's the 'big deal' with line ...

When did OFF become a curse word 

[danny_galaga]

I just looked.

[erikthecat]

i think you spoke too soon,

www.vinatgeschooldesks.com

[Daniel270]

Another option that's been sorta overlooked is possibly having friends who have the tools....  for the cost of doubling the lumber, you and your friend could both have awesome cabinets and you'd have someone to help you move the new cab into your gameroom 

[DrewKaree]

i think you spoke too soon,

www.vinatgeschooldesks.com

I'm betting your link will work if it's spelled correctly

[danny_galaga]

well spotted! but this:

http://www.vintageschooldesks.com/

doesn't seem to work either. now i'm curious...

[DrewKaree]

Danny, try this one...I had to do a little digging for it:

www.oldskool_desks.com

That's prolly gonna work better than his link.