Build from scratch or recondition an old cab?

[eggedd2k]

what are the pros and cons of building a cab from scratch vs buying an old cabinet?

[SirPeale]

Building from scratch can be a fun experience.  However, if you're not used to woodworking, it can be daunting.  If you don't have the tools, you'll also have to outlay the money to get them as well.

Using an existing cab is good (as long as it's either a generic cab, or an empty cab that finding the parts for would be hopeless) as there's little to be done, other than rig up a control panel and install electronics.

Control panels vary from person to person.  I don't like cluttered panels, and design as such.  Like choosing a list of games that get along with a certain kind of controls, like a 2 way joystick and a single button runs Galaga, Galaxian, Space Invaders and the like.

[markb]

Seeing as you from the UK as well the first problem is getting hold of a decent cab to convert. I really struggled and in the end gave up and made my own.

I'll start with the not so obvious disadvantages of building your own:-
Getting the wood for a case home depending on your location, they can be pretty big pieces.
It requires more space to make your own than to convert one.
You may have to buy more tools to make your own.
Any mistakes can be costly especially when cutting the sides.
Unless you build to specific plan everything will have to be custom made, marquees, artwork etc.


The advantages
You get to put in it EXACTLY what you want without having to compromise.
Most custom cabs place a big emphasis on large CP's with many controls while arcade cabs in general have smaller CP's.
Actually making the main frame of a cab can take no more than a couple of days and is not difficult if you have any sort of woodworking skills.
There are plenty of plans already available for a self build so you don't have to re-invent the wheel.

I built my own (I was forced to though) so I am a little biased, my advice would be to build your own.

[eggedd2k]

thanks for your input. i don't have any woodworking skills or kit although a fried of the family has offered to cut all the wood out for me - apart from the cp which i'm going to do.

there is one place  - arcade warehouse in the uk although i've not spoken to them yet.

[97thruhiker]

I agree with all of the previous comments.  It may be a little harder for you considering you currently do not have the tools to build one from scratch but don't let that discourage you.  I feel that most people on this board would agree with me when I say building a cabinet is an extremely fun and rewarding experience.  In many cases more fun then actually playing the games! With that said converting an old generic cab would probably give you the same satisfaction also.  My only suggestion to you would be to take your time and don't feel that you have to have something by next weekend (building from scratch, converting, etc.).  If your friend has the tools work with him in making the cuts to gather your own woodworking experince.  It will allow you to see and use the various tools it takes to build a cabinet.  In the end you may end up buying your own tools for things beyond the arcade realm.  Either way enjoy the experience.

[Paul Olson]

I ended up buying a working game (Tekken 2).  It is not an original, the cabinet is from some 4-player game, not sure which one.  The CP is completely removable, and can be replaced with any size I want.  I was able to get everything working in about 2 weeks (mostly waiting on parts and playing Tekken 2).  I may build one from scratch someday, but I kinda doubt it.  This style of cab (like Blitz or X-men, I may have to clean off some paint to find out someday  ) seems to work perfect for me.  If you don't have a lot of tools or experience, I think this would be a good way to go.  There is a lot to do on a cab besides building the box, and this is definately a faster way to get to the fun stuff.  Plus, my friends and I had a great time playing Tekken 2 until I swapped everything over.

Paul

[paigeoliver]

You should be able to find a cabinet on ebay.co.uk within driving distance.

People always talk about amusement companies, but I say forget them. I have owned well over 100 cabinets, and I never got a single one from an amusement company. Other collectors, auctions, the newspaper, and word of mouth got them all for me.