New with questions

[petrosky]

Hi everyone
Very much like timeblade I'm new to the arcade scene and would like to build my own cabinet.

I have been reading the different posts on here and would like to know what's the best way to get started? I'm in no hurry because I want to enjoy this and hurrying will only mess things up.

I would like a cab where I could play different games, I'm not too interested in having a computer in it and using MAME. I would like to buy some boards but I will eventually build a cab w/ a computer.

Sorry if I sound too new and if these topics are on all the time.

Take care
Aaron

[Jabba]

I'm not too interested in having a computer in it and using MAME. I would like to buy some boards but I will eventually build a cab w/ a computer.

Not sure why you don't want a computer with MAME in it...I'm almost positive that if you are interested in getting into the arcade scene, the easiest would be to build a MAME machine (i.e., computer, Mame software, control panel, Keyboard encoder....

A good tutorial is spystyles...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?threadid=19139;start=0

If you want to build a real Arcade machine with no computer you will need.

a) Control Panel.
b) Jamma Harness
c) Power Supply
d) Monitor (Horizontal/Vertical
e) PCB for game (~ $20 each)
f) etc...

You can find out more on this subject in the Arcade forum...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,24.0.html

Building a Real arcade game will cost a lot more than building a MAME cabinet in my opinion...

Just food for though.

And BTW...welcome to the forum
.

[petrosky]

Hi Jabba

Thanks for the help.  I'll def check out spystyles.

I might go the MAME route, especially since it's a lot cheaper you said.
I'm new so I'm going to have some dumb questions and sound like an idiot at times.

I'm trying to gather as much info and read as much as I can. I don't really have the money right now to start tommorrow but I like to learn and even more so when something like this interests me.

Thanks for the welcome 

[petrosky]

I also forgot to ask, what's the hardest thing about all of this? Building the cab? electronic wise?

[Jabba]

In my opinion (IMO), building the cab was the "longest" part of it...

Wiring was simple.

Artwork was the hardest...(only because I'm not that good at graphics/artistic)...

[petrosky]

I see I see.

Well, this is all a foreign language to me but it seems fun already.

[brophog]

Take a few months and search this site. It's like a bible for people like us. Anything you even think of having a problem/question on and search for it.

It's handy, it's fast.

[MaximRecoil]

Building a Real arcade game will cost a lot more than building a MAME cabinet in my opinion...

How do you figure? You can assume the same amount of money for everything that a Mame cabinet and a dedicated arcade machine have in common, but a common JAMMA board is about $20 and you are done. You won't get much of a PC for $20, and then forget about any Whatever-PACs and ArcadeVGA cards, it's keyboard hacks and AdvanceMame (or a PC monitor) if you want to have a prayer of keeping the cost down to a real arcade machine level.

[petrosky]

Now this might sound stupid but I seen this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8241616743&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Could you build a cab, and then put this and a tv into the cab and it be the same thing as creating a cab on your own? you could easily change the boards right?

[MaximRecoil]

Now this might sound stupid but I seen this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8241616743&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Could you build a cab, and then put this and a tv into the cab and it be the same thing as creating a cab on your own? you could easily change the boards right?

You could build a "Supergun" for a lot cheaper than that. Or, you could just buy a generic JAMMA cabinet for like $100-$150. Ask PaigeOliver. Stuff like that falls from the sky in his neck of the woods.

[petrosky]

Thanks Maxim. I appreciate it. I'll have to ask him. Have you built your own machine?

[Jabba]

Building a Real arcade game will cost a lot more than building a MAME cabinet in my opinion...

How do you figure? You can assume the same amount of money for everything that a Mame cabinet and a dedicated arcade machine have in common, but a common JAMMA board is about $20 and you are done. You won't get much of a PC for $20, and then forget about any Whatever-PACs and ArcadeVGA cards, it's keyboard hacks and AdvanceMame (or a PC monitor) if you want to have a prayer of keeping the cost down to a real arcade machine level.

I was thinking more from a perspective of cost per game. With a real Arcade, you can play only one game. Assume $20 per game on average. Even if you only liked 100 games, thats a lot of coin and shipping and handling paying for 100 PCBs....

You could probable get an old P166 with a small harddrive for pretty cheap/free on Freecycle or some other such place (pawn shop, classified, etc). As long as you're playing a low version of MAME (i.e., .55 and lower), mame would work out fine. What $100 tops for a old computer with monitor? Mini-Pac will run ya about $30. Joystick and buttons, about another $30.

Also, real Arcade will probably break more often than not with old 20 - 30 year old PCBs. A lot of threads in Arcade Misc forum where chip legs break, chips fry, bad power suppies, etc, etc.

But, if you just were to play 1 game, then I guess a real Arcade would be the chapest route to go assuming you're pretty good with wiring et al.

[javeryh]

In my opinion (IMO), building the cab was the "longest" part of it...

Wiring was simple.

Artwork was the hardest...(only because I'm not that good at graphics/artistic)...

Heh, I'm the exact opposite - I thought building the cab was a snap (took me about 3 days worth of work - roughly 30 hours - spread out over many months) but the wiring and electronics are giving me a headache because I've never done something like this before.  I still need to wire everything up and hopefully once I actually do it I will think it is easy but right now .... not so much!

[pointdablame]

What you are looking to build is a JAMMA cab that you can swap different games into.

Your best bet is to look around your area and in your yellow pages, etc and get to know a few Operators and/or collectors.  Especially if you aren't in a rush to get going, you'll be able to find a JAMMA cab for dirt cheap.  Unless you are in an area with very few machines, you'll be able to pick up something like a 25" JAMMA cab for probably $100.

Once you have a JAMMA cab, you can add games as you see fit.  Any JAMMA board will fit right in, and assuming you have the controls for it, you'll be up and running in no time.  If its a JAMMA+ game (which means its has more buttons than the JAMMA standard), you'll need some kick harnesses (extra cables for the extra controls) to hook up the other controls.  You'll also need to have a control panel that can accept the new controls of course.

Older classics like Pacman, Frogger, etc aren't JAMMA, but you can get a JAMMA adapter for them and make them pretty much plug-and-play.

That is, IMHO, the easiest way to attack this for you.  Get a working JAMMA cab, even if you don't like the game that's in it... or if it doesn't have a game at all... then just build up your PCB collection as fast/slow as you want.  You can add new art to the cab if you wanted, a new control panel, etc etc... and IMO, its a lot easier to start with an original cab than building your own from scratch.

Just don't butcher a classic cab... we don't like that around here

EDIT:  I also forgot to mention:  If you do wind up wanting a MAME machine, you can use a JPAC and just plug that into the JAMMA harness in your cab.  That way you can add your computer to the cab just like you would a different game board.

[petrosky]

Wow guys. Thanks for the info 

Yea Point that sounds like the best option for me. I have been in contact with a guy from where I live and he has some machines he wants to get rid of.

Unfortunately I live in a small area so there's not many options 

I'm sorry for bugging you guys with stupid and pointless questions and will probably have more lol


I would like to create a few other machines that has been mentioned.
I guess I better start getting more knowledgeable about wiring.

Thanks for the help so far, this is been the best and most helpful board I ever been on.

[petrosky]

I'll never do that to a classic. lol

I really would like a A+ condition Double Dragon cab.

[pointdablame]

Let us know where you are located.  Someone might be local to you.

[petrosky]

I'm located in Brier Hill Pennsylvania. About 40 mins from Pittsburgh.

[RayB]

Petrosky, I am of the same opinion as PointDaBlame. Take baby-steps. Get a used, but working JAMMA cab and a few boards. Then if you want to take the plunge, build a MAME cab. You can never have enough arcade cabinets.

[petrosky]

Sounds good Ray.

That's 99% chance what I'm gonna do. Now just to find a good cab

[petrosky]

I called a vending amusement company today to get prices. They are suspose to call me back. Maybe I can luck out with them.