NEWBIE !!!!

[mattbrook]

[maxlamer]

First of all, welcome to BYOAC 

Second, mame is the arcade emulation software and not an arcade company.

Third, building your own cabinet from scratch is going to be far more satisfieing than buying a premade cabinet.  Thats what this forum is all about.  Oh and when you do, take photos and show us all in the "project anouncements" forum

Oh and the cost is mostoften less than what you would pay for a simular featured and quality cabinet, and more importantly it will be how YOU want it to be.

[markrvp]

[mattbrook]

Hey guys,

Sorry about the caps there  and I did buy the book 
Well I went to this site http://mameroom.com/ so I guessed it was the same company.

markrvp your page is GREAT !!! WOW. I printed it out Anyways I just got my 3 sheets of MDF so there is no stopping me now. Once I build my own from there I will determine if I'll buy a cabinet next time.

This any advice on the above question ?

[mccoy178]

I would say to really research the style of cabinet you want to build and also your control panel.  Be sure to look into this long and hard.  I am a golden tee guy, so I like the laid back monitor look.  Others are of the pacman variety and like the sunken look.  So on and so forth, there are many many options.  Go somewhere that has arcade games and get a feel for what you are looking for.  Sounds like you are really gung ho here, so take a few minutes and catch your breath.  Been there, done that, and now five cabinets later(for friends and family), I am building one last machine for myself, and it will be nothing like my first.  Oh yeah, and welcome!

[mattbrook]

NICK BURNS !!!! Hey Tx's for the advice. May I ask why you are not building anymore after this last one ?

[mccoy178]

Let's just say these take a ton of time.  My first one I busted out in no time flat except that the software took me a long time to configure.  My next one, I plan on putting forth my best effort.  Since I feel that I have done this on everyone, I plan to try things I never would have before.  I have access to a cnc router and I think I'm going to give it a shot.  I also have a few tricks up my sleeve, so I want to build it and just walk away from the construction end atleast.  I know that the software part will never be over.  I am also working on a touchscreen jukebox and that is another reason I want to end the construction phase of this hobby.  Hopefully, I can start making baby furniture soon!(I'm 27 also)

[Buddabing]

For future reference, the cheapest way to make a MAME cabinet is to take a working generic (not a classic) JAMMA cabinet and hook a JPAC-equipped PC to it. Saint did not spend a lot of space on this topic in the book.

Also, you might consider wiring up your scratchbuilt cabinet to a JAMMA wiring harness (which are available from Bob Roberts). That way you can plug in real arcade PCBs rather than having to play through MAME.

Costs vary greatly depending on what kind of components you get, whether you get them new or used, and so on. You'll probably spend $1000-$1500 or so if you buy stuff new.

One last thing. Don't use "MAME" or "CADE" in the name of your cabinet, and you'll be in good shape. 

[GGKoul]

Welcome to the BYOAC!! 

Everyone here is very helpful and all we ask is you do alittle research on the various forums pages and read the FAQ.  As 99.5% of the questions you will have during the building have been asked before.  Also, whatever you do.. don't enter the Everything Else forum.. as you'll never escape.

You got the Project Arcade book which is a good start.  Probably easier to get an empty cab from a local vendor as a starting point.  But as someone mentioned earlier, DONT MAME A CLASSIC!!!  Or if you want to be adventurous, you could build your cab.  Its actually not that hard given you take your time and measure everything correctly.  The hardest part in the build with be deciding on your control panel layout.

Also I see your Canadian.  There are a bunch of Canadians on the forum too (I'm from Hamilton, Ontario)  So we'll be able to give you some Canadian vendors to purchase your goods from.  You may want to also sign up too www.cgcc.ca  as its full of Canadian arcade collectors and you should be able to find some local to you people there as well.

Well enjoy your stay!!
-GG

[GGKoul]

One other thing... building a MAME cab can be done as expensive or as cheap as you want.  If you have money to spend, get a pre-build cab.  But you can probably build the exact cab for $100's less.  Also, dont go spend $$$$ on a  new computer for your cab.  As a pre-owned 2-3 year old machine will run 90-95% of the games found in MAME.

[CheffoJeffo]

Welcome !

Since you're in Montreal, you'll want to check out http://www.maaca.org as many of the folks are local to you and they have a decent classifieds section.

Cheers.

[Bones]

Welcome!

I would like to also echo Kools Stewie's comments.

If your budget is tight, buying some crapper cab that nobody loves will work out about 10 times cheaper in the long run. (Just make sure you have enough money left over for some real beaut orange paint.)

If you can afford the expense and manage the time commitment, nothing beats scratch building your own though...

Best of luck and remember, we like pics.

[loremtr]

Congrats on starting your first cab.  Im in the painting stages of my own right now.  Primed it just a few minutes ago and will put first coat on tommorrow. 

its really not that hard to build your own.  I used the arcade paradise 3 plans and am quite happy with how things turned out.  I know Im no pro at this, but if you have any construction questions, feel free to pm me. 

[mattbrook]

Wow you know what I like the best about all this.. YOU GUYS !!! You have been MORE than helpful to me. Gonna start cutting the wood after new years and start from there. I will take pics and once done show you all.


HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU ALL !!!

[mccoy178]

A few more reminders about the dangers of this hobby.  Please prepare yourself mentally before lurking into the Everything Else forum.  Those waters are deeper than they appear.  Also, you may want to watch a couple Australian and British movies to learn some of the lingo.  You'll get a whole lot of, "Maybe the Dingo ate your baby," and other weird comments like that, that make no sense to us state side.  Also, Stingray, Drew, Chad, NIVO, Bones, etc.... should have parental advisory tags on them when you meet them.  Don't let your children around them. 

Other than learning how to setup mamewah, that's the most important things I've learned in a little over a year around here. Good luck!!!

[markrvp]

Also, Stingray, Drew, Chad, NIVO, Bones, etc.... should have parental advisory tags on them when you meet them.

[missioncontrol]

hehe I didn't make the list either 

[markrvp]

hehe I didn't make the list either

[missioncontrol]

Mission, I guess we need to go start some trouble again.

hmmmm let's go find another newbie to pick on then

[spriggy]

..also, do a decent search of the forum prior to posting your questions.

[mattbrook]

Will do guys. Thanks   

[missioncontrol]

but don't feel bad if you ask and then search... a good nevermind thread is allways fun.....

[GGKoul]

hehe I didn't make the list either 

Me neither... 

[More Cowbell]

Do NOT, under any circumstances hook up your computer and monitor to your control panel before your cab is done. You will never finish your cab. Trust me here, I speak from experience. My cab is still 90% done and has been for 2 months. It's just too easy to fire it up and play a few games of NBA Jam or Reactor.
Good Luck!

[pointdablame]

hehe I didn't make the list either 

I'm with Stupid ^^^

[mattbrook]

EVERYONE is on the list 

[missioncontrol]

hehe I didn't make the list either

[pointdablame]

hehe I didn't make the list either 

I'm with Stupid ^^^

ha... I was way too lazy to find the pic.

+1 slacker point for me, -2 for you

[missioncontrol]

ha... I was way too lazy to find the pic.

+1 slacker point for me, -2 for you

ummmm, I had purgatory allready open in another window. There was no real amount of work involved. just a simple cut and past......

[GGKoul]

Do NOT, under any circumstances hook up your computer and monitor to your control panel before your cab is done. You will never finish your cab. Trust me here, I speak from experience. My cab is still 90% done and has been for 2 months. It's just too easy to fire it up and play a few games of NBA Jam or Reactor.
Good Luck!

Mine has been that way for the past 2 years.. 

[GGKoul]

Hey guys,

Sorry about the caps there  and I did buy the book 
Well I went to this site http://mameroom.com/ so I guessed it was the same company.

Hey, if you want to go the pre-build way, there are alot of other manufactures you can look at.  Goto http://www.mameworld.net/ and look at the ads at the top of the page.

[mattbrook]

Stewie: You are too kind. I got the MDF so I'm gonna start building this one all on my own... and take it from there. 

[LiquidFire]

Here's another good suggestion to help you get over the "gotta play games with controls now" syndrome which will lead to a rough if not unfinished cabinet. (You know who you are!)

Build a test panel with your controls in the layout you would most likely enjoy. There are no standards unless you enjoy one game in particular. Using your components you can decide what cabinet configuration is going to work for you.

I grew up on Omega Race, can't play it enough, have my own mint original but my MAME test rig actually plays the software better than any original machine ever did. My control layout has evolved many times since I can easily modify it.

My MAME unit will be a cocktail design to enhance its friendliness in the home as a sit-down internet terminal and coffee table. There are many many designs that the good people here have made available for you to adapt from.

My plan is to finish the control panel, make it standalone and make a gift of it. Then build the cabinet I designed from it.

As a lot would agree, the real fun is designing your next machine so either way you are certain to have a blast.