new to arcade building

[timeblade0]

I am buying a computer for $50 and plan to turn it into an arcade machine. The maching is a pentium 3 and can run the mame emulator with no problem.

Is there a usb coinbox? If not, can someone reccomend a good coinbox for me to get that works for pc? I want one with 2 coin slots and posible the standered arcade look.

Also, is there a 4 joystick pad that is compatable with pc?

I can do the wood case, the moniter, and the emulator, but I need help with the rest. Any information on coinbox, joysticks, ect would be appretiated.

[RetroJames]

Welcome to the obsession hobby!

Make sure and check out the main BYOAC pages for some tutorials.  www.arcadecontrols.com

Also, www.retroblast.com for reviews of the type of equipment you are going to be shopping for.

Short answer is you are going to want to get a keyboard encoder that will connect to the pc and then to the joysticks and buttons. The coindoor will also wire up to the encoder.

Take a look at GroovyGameGear.com, Ultimarc.com, and google keyboard encoders for more.

Keep questions comming though!

[markrvp]

Hello timeblade0.

My suggestion before you go any further is to read from start to finish Spystyle's arcade building tutorial.

[timeblade0]

I just read alot about the keyboard encoder. That might work, but it seems way too complicated for me. I have very little experience with soldering, so I don't want to do that. I will probly use an x-arcade joystick to make it easy. I still dont know what to do about the coinbox. I don't want to solder it, so is there another way, such as usb? I can also do the speakers myself, so I think the coinbox is the only part I need help with.

[RetroJames]

I just read alot about the keyboard encoder. That might work, but it seems way too complicated for me. I have very little experience with soldering, so I don't want to do that. I will probly use an x-arcade joystick to make it easy. I still dont know what to do about the coinbox. I don't want to solder it, so is there another way, such as usb? I can also do the speakers myself, so I think the coinbox is the only part I need help with.

With both the encoder connections (i.e at the buttons and joystick, as well as the coinbox), you can just use disconnects that you crimp the wire to. No soldering really needed.

[markrvp]

I just read alot about the keyboard encoder. That might work, but it seems way too complicated for me. I have very little experience with soldering, so I don't want to do that. I will probly use an x-arcade joystick to make it easy. I still dont know what to do about the coinbox. I don't want to solder it, so is there another way, such as usb? I can also do the speakers myself, so I think the coinbox is the only part I need help with.

There is not a "USB coinbox"

[timeblade0]

Thanks for the help. I think I can get it to work now.

PS: This forum is very nice. It is newbie freindly with lots of knowledgeable people. Keep up the good work.

[Bones]

Try not to get overwhelmed about the technical side of this hobby because the truth is, nothing about this is very technical at all.

There are lots of fiddly aspects and mysterious new things to learn but you don't have to be an electrical engineer to have a successful project.

The fact is many of us have trouble with the software so if you have this already mastered you are probably already ahead of the field in many ways.....

Also, go get yourself a copy of Project Arcade. It will be money well spent.

All the best.

[brophog]

The reason people have trouble is they think

"Oh look, I'll do this all next week without bothering to learn software or skills of which I don't possess".

Take your time and enjoy the project. Most will agree that the project is atleast as fun as the games themselves.

[javeryh]

Take your time and enjoy the project. Most will agree that the project is atleast as fun as the games themselves.

I agree with this 100%.  I think I actually like planning and building my cab more than playing the games on it.  Sure, I'll have thousands of games to choose from but at the end of the day, it will most likely be a very expensive Ms. Pac-man/Mr. Do! machine.

[daywane]

whats in your wallet?   
welcome. 
not kidding about the $$$
you can get sucked in.  I have been at it for a few years now. ( many have been at it more than me)
you never finish. if you do ... Its time to start a new one

[c64rulez]

General piece of advice to go along with through the whole project:

Measure twice, cut once.

It applies to wood, software, general planning, anything.

If youre not sure about something, there's no question in the field that hasnt been already answered here somewhere.

best of luck

[TurboC--]

I agree with this 100%.

[digitalpackrat]

Good luck on ur cab.  i too went with the x-arcade controller for my CP.  I bought 2 of the 2 player controlers and gutted them and   built my own 4 player frakenpanel with a 3" happ trackball that way all my consoles would work for it but I didn't consider at the beginning for a coin door and now I want to add one so i too am searching for info on how to hook up a coin door to an x-arcade controller

[RetroJames]

Thanks for the help. I think I can get it to work now.

PS: This forum is very nice. It is newbie freindly with lots of knowledgeable people. Keep up the good work.

That's one of the the best things about this place.