What do I need?

[Willypill]

Ok, I'm going to tell you what type of cabinet I'm building, and you guys can tell me exactly what I need to order to do it.  Links to sites to buy things would be nice if you have them.

Ok, I am wanting to build a cab using Lusid's plans, but I am wanting 4 players instead of 2.  Also, I don't want a spinner or trackball.  I'm using a 25" TV which I've got, and I've already got the computer to run it on.  I'm picking up some MDF this weekend. 

Now I need to know what else I need to buy.  This includes whatever it takes to put the control panel together and to get it working (wires, interface things, buttons, ect...).

As you can tell, I'm still learning about all of this.  I'd appreciate all the help I can get.  Thanks.

[NinjaEpisode]

No offense but you need this:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764556169/qid=1123203057/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-0625638-5718467?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[Willypill]

No offense taken.

I only need someone to list the items I need to build this cab.

[NinjaEpisode]

The book provides a list as well as the list is one the CD that comes with the book if I recall.

[Willypill]

Ninja, I appreciate the book suggestion.  But I really just want to get started.  This is the best way I learn about things.  Everyone has their own way of learning.  I'm best if I just jump right into things and making mistakes and correcting them.  This is part of the proccess for me.  This is how I like to do things.  I love doing projects like this.  I'm ready to get started, but I just need to know what materials I need.  Specifically the materials used in the control panel.  Thanks for your concern though..

[pointdablame]

There are too many options for us to just say you need X, Y, and Z to finish your cab.

Read the FAQs and look at the encoder options and control options you have.  YOu need to make decisions for yourself.  There is no "right" encoder or joystick for each person.

Read up on what each part does, and decide if you need it or not.

As a general guide though:

- you need an encoder for your buttons and joystick
- you need a mouse hack or optipac if you want a spinner and/or trackball (you say you don't, but I just mention it as an FYI type of thing)
- other controls require special interfaces, or at least special considerations (rotary sticks, analog, optical devices, wheels, etc)
- you need wires and quick disconnects for your controls
- you'll need paint and hardware for the cab. hinges, screws, etc etc
- coin door, bezel, marquee retainer, glass for monitor, tmolding... all needed.

Do some reading and you can decide what you personally want.  WE can't really answer your questions... we can only give you what WE would do.

[tristan]

I would suggest looking through the project announcement pages and seeing what others have done, then decide exactly what you need. Learning what has been done by others has been a large part of the learning process for me.

[Willypill]

Thanks.  That's the kind of post I was looking for.

[PedroSilva]

There are too many options for us to just say you need X, Y, and Z to finish your cab.

Read the FAQs and look at the encoder options and control options you have.

[elvis]

... and the wood? ... 

I was thinking the same thing.

For me, my cab was two projects: the first was the cabinet and carpentry.  This is similar to any furniture/cabinet carpentry task you might undertake.  Get your plans together, calculate how much MDF, pine framing, fasteners and finishing gear (putty/paint) you need, buy and build.

Step two is the electronics.  Wiring, soldering, installing software, hooking up of monitors, etc.

Personally speaking, the carpentry took me HEAPS longer than anything else.  Once the cabinet was built, the electronics and software fell into place within a matter of minutes.

[Tiger-Heli]

Shameless (or shameful) plug

[pointdablame]

... and the wood? ... 

what kind of crazy cabinet are you building that you nee..... oh... uh... yeah, that could come in handy I guess.

Seriously though, his original post said he was picking up some MDF, so I hoped he had gotten that far in his thought process 

[RayB]

Save money and use cardboard.