Cost of doing biz - What would u choose?

[tonyarcade]

Ok, being the biggest procrastinator ever (and having a wife and three kids to further slow progress) I'm finally getting serious about building my machine.

Doing the math, with plywood at basically $30 a sheet (give or take) and mt rudimentary building skills, I'm wondering if I'd best go this route finanically and time wise.

First is an empty cab for like $10. Not the prettiest, rather Darth Vadaresque (possible theme??)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6183275678&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Next is a fully functioning game with monitor for $100...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13716&item=6183164014&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

My initial thought was to go the 21 inch computer monitor route (I have an extra 1-2 lying around, last checked in good order)...
Not looking to buy a large tv ($) at this point, but updating the monitor is an option.

The $100 comes with working monitor (not sure how clear) and is a working game... which brings with it the Mame conversion headaches/costs to hook up to computer...

Any thoughts? I'm leaning toward cheap empty cab...using existing parts and sinking the extra $90 into a trackball/encoder.

Tony

[AlanS17]

The price difference between a j-pac and an i-pac is negligible. Wiring is the single suckiest part of building a cab (at least in my opinion) so if you can find one with good wiring that would probably be best. Plus, a machine with a working monitor (assuming it's working well) is a good price. You won't do any better without some luck.

Extra cost may come in when trying to get the PC to play on the arcade monitor, but there are ways even for regular video cards so long as they're newer. Otherwise an ArcadeVGA video card will run around $100.

Taking the $10 cab and adding a universal mount monitor would be the easiest method and best fit, but you'd have to buy the monitor. Making a 21" PC monitor fit in there could prove to be a royal pain in the butt, though.

If it were me...

Either take the $10 cab or buy the $100 cab and sell the monitor. Then buy a VGA 19" universal mount monitor. It shold plug straight back in where the original 19" came out. Then you're already almost halfway done.

P.S. Plus if you're looking for a trackball, I have a used Imperial 3" PS2 trackball for sale for $50 plus shipping. So it's an arcade trackball with a bnuilt-in encoder.

[tonyarcade]

Also one more...working 3-player Contratribes for $90 to consider...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13716&item=6183747734&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

[AlanS17]

Oh that dude in Ohio always has stuff for sale. If you think those cabs are ugly, just wait til something prettier comes along. He always seems to have stuff. I've never bought from him since he's so far away, but I see his stuff on ebay all the time.

[Avery]

Starting fresh from quality materials is probably much faster than glueing, puttying, sanding, reputtying and resanding a cabinet.

This assumes you have the skills and tools to make your own of course.  If you have to fix a half-dozen ooopses along the way then the refinish job might be easier for you.  If you have to buy two kinds of saw and a router it will definitly be cheaper.

[Veinman]

Oh that dude in Ohio always has stuff for sale. If you think those cabs are ugly, just wait til something prettier comes along. He always seems to have stuff. I've never bought from him since he's so far away, but I see his stuff on ebay all the time.

Wow, I didn't know that guy existed. I live 25 minutes from BG.