Author Topic: A Mame Machine Renovation Project. (Read 3439 times)

DreamWeb · « **on:** January 22, 2005, 01:41:56 am »

Hey folks. I am considering purchasing this cabinet from a fellow in my area.

My questions are.. I am really wanting a cabinet that can play titles like SF2, Golden Tee, etc. So, obviously I would need to completely replace the control panel and probably put a new monitor (or television) in there. Does anyone recognize this cabinet? What size of monitor do you think it could accomodate? It looks a bit smallish to me.

Also.. do you think that it would be realistic to replace a control panel on something like this with a panel that would be large enough to include 2 standard sf2 setups, 1 4 way, a track ball, and a spinner?

It looks to be in pretty good condition.. so, it's tempting. He's asking $330.00 for it. (that includes the p3 733 comp inside it as well). Thanks all!

General Zod · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2005, 02:09:49 am »

That looks like a fairly decent cab for that price! I think I'd buy it just to have it for at least a vertical setup.

It would probably make a good classics cab. As for what you're wanting to do, check through some of the examples on this page. I'm sure it could be done if you really wanted to hack it up.

Me, I'd leave it the way it is, and keep the vertical setup ... while it's still cheap and running ... and then go out and pick up a nice horizontal cab.

That's just my opinion though.

krick · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2005, 02:34:12 am »

It seems a little expensive to me. But we all know what supply and demand can do to prices. In the end, all that matters is if it's worth it to you once you've been informed of all your options.

With that said, I picked up a nice machine at an auction for $250...

http://mame.3feetunder.com

It has a horizontal 25" monitor, a wide 4 player control panel, 4 slot coin door, no water damage (or any other damage that I can find), and it came with a working CPS2 game, GigaWing, which can fetch $50-100 on eBay by itself.

You might want to look around for the nearest auction to see what you can find.

tmasman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2005, 02:56:33 am »

If you're wanting that particular one, you'll be able to fir a 19" or maybe 20" TV in it...
You caould also just rotate the monitor that is there & replace the bezel (artwork around the monitor).

As far as a 2 player set-up, you could squeeze a 2 player 6 button layout on the existing size panel, but no trackball. You'd have to build an enlarged CP to fit everything you listed. Check out the examples page, there are a couple of cabinets like that one that people have done just that to.

It's all up to you. If there are local auctions (http://www.superauctions.com), check that out first if possible. It will at least help you to get informed about prices for cabs in your area.

Good luck 7 welcome to the obsession.

- tmasman

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2005, 02:58:09 am »

Seems like a decent deal to me... although it does seem that that CP is a bit slanted for a SF2 style setup....

SirPeale · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2005, 07:35:58 am »

I believe that's a Taito cabinet, though I could be wrong.

It's a vertical cabinet, and you'd have to do some serious retrofitting to get a horizontal monitor in there.

Where are you located? Someone's bound to have an empty in your area.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2005, 04:07:35 pm »

Hey folks. What about this one instead?

Do you think this one would be in good enough shape that I could restore it back to 'like new' condition? I'd rather build something myself that have a junky looking cabinet sitting in my living room

But with that said, I'd rather buy one I could fix up (with minimal effort) than spend the time building one from scratch.

Do you think I could fit 2 8 ways, 1 4 way, a trackball, and a spinner on this thing?

Thanks for letting me take advantage of your expertise, guys.

SirPeale · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:14:19 pm »

How much? Looks decent.

Kremmit · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:24:29 pm »

Definately keep the artwork on the bottom. It's just so.. Miami Vice!

Raven.. · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:58:52 pm »

The first one is a Taito mini cab (one of my personal favorites!). Not too hard to go horizontal in it. My first one had Silkworm inside when I got it. You can put a fighter panel set up in there with little problems. The bottom one is OK, but a monster for space.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2005, 06:09:59 pm »

The cost for the second one is

$165.00 US dollars.

And that includes a working 19" monitor.

Without the monitor, I could probably get the cab for half that. He says he's open to offers.

I'm a bit worried about putting a 19" in monitor in there though. Do you think that that would look kind of small inside that cabinet?

David

krick · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2005, 06:13:24 pm »

That cab needs at least a 25" monitor. You won't be happy with a 19", trust me.

I'd buy it without the monitor, and then put a 27" Wells-Gardner D9200 in it.

tmasman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2005, 06:39:55 pm »

If you're looking for a good MAME set-up with all the controls you mentioned, I'd get the second one without the monitor.

Put in a 25/27" TV.
Design & build a new control panel to fit all your controls.
It will take up a little floor space, but it's a great cab!

If you're limited on space, I'd second EyeDoc's suggestion for the first cab. But you won't (cleanly) be able to have all the controls you listed in it without a monstrocity of a control panel on that cab. It could be done, but you'd have to be creative to make it look right.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2005, 01:03:48 am »

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

I ended up getting the Cabinet + glass + coin doors (no mechs) for $80 U.S.

I decided against the 19" monitor.. Partly due to the minor screen burn-in, and because I do want to put a 27" television in there, like you folks suggested.

Now... time to refinish this thing!! (the "Miami Vice" sideart has GOTS TA GO!)

d.

krick · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2005, 01:12:39 am »

Good choice.

I don't know what your TV budget is but you might want to consider getting a real arcade monitor instead of a TV.

Wells Gardner currently has the D9200 for $470.00

http://www.wellsgardner.com/wellsgardner31/finditem.cfm?itemid=691

DreamWeb · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2005, 01:56:39 am »

It's a bit on the pricey side for me.

I'm one of those people that don't really know the difference between a TV and a Monitor, and probably wouldn't care for the difference anyhow....

Actually, made I should educate myself here.. What IS the real difference? I know the older arcade monitors used to have very noticable scanlines. But, what's the difference these days? How would it improve my arcade experience?!

Thanks!

David

DreamWeb · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2005, 02:13:32 am »

And yet another question.

Would these :
eBay Link

Fit the coindoors displayed above? I'm buying this cab with the door... but, it doesn't come with the mechanisms? Also.. the ebay auction says that they're for U.S. .25 coins. Will these also work for Canadian quarters?

Thanks!

d.

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2005, 05:09:26 am »

Nice grab.

The much desired "Mortal Kombat" cab.

RetroJames · « **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2005, 06:38:40 am »

I'm still liking that vert cab, where is it? I have a feeling it is in the South East no?

tmasman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2005, 09:00:30 am »

Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on January 24, 2005, 06:38:40 am

I'm still liking that vert cab, where is it? I have a feeling it is in the South East no?

I was wondering why you would think the cab was in the South until I looked back up at the pictures...

LOL...

Nice big Rebel flag hanging on the wall behind it.

Anyhow, he's asking about Canadian quarters, so I'm guessing at least DreamWeb is not in the SouthEast...

LeedsFan · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2005, 09:09:38 am »

I think you made the right decision there. You definitely need a big screen in that cab. But the best bit was the size of the control panel. You've so so much room to add extra controls. I'd junk the top panel and make another from scratch to include dedicated 4-way, spinner, trackball and maybe some others. Needs careful planning though.

RayB · « **Reply #21 on:** January 24, 2005, 11:04:14 am »

Take your time. Coin mechs can be the last thing you buy... when you understand better what you need.

And just FYI, mechs can be "configured" for different coins. How exactly, I don't know.

Stingray · « **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2005, 11:33:42 am »

Those mechs will fit that door, yes. Be careful when buying plasic mechs though. They tend to get cracked from people hammering on the coin reject button. Once they're cracked they work sporadicly at best.

-S

DreamWeb · « **Reply #23 on:** January 24, 2005, 01:25:21 pm »

You're right. Take it slowly. I'll hold off on the coin mechs for now.

So.. this was a Mortal Kombat cabinet? And it's "much desired"? Why's that? Looks pretty generic!

d.

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2005, 08:31:10 pm »

Beats me. Just seems like someones always going nuts trying to locate one.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #25 on:** January 24, 2005, 09:44:19 pm »

I guess it was a pretty popular game.. So, people looking to own a dedicated MK machine would proabably sell their first born for one. Aww well.

d.


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