Quick question - in search of advice on how to start

[Hockeyboy]

I've been bitten by the "I wanna make a cabinet!" bug too.    A guy at work is offering to give me a gutted-out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cabinet for free vs. me going out and buying wood to build my own from scratch. The cabinet itself is in good condition - maybe a little wear around some edges and I'd need to replace the t-molding too...I guess my question is which way should I go? Stick with the pre-built cabinet and build my own control panel and such or build one from the ground up looking at plans others have done?

What have others done and how did it turn out? Did you have regrets not going the other way afterwards?

Thanks.

[brophog]

Personally, I think a lot of the enjoyment is designing and building something of your own. I can certainly appreciate those that get cabinets to restore though.

[vizzinni]

I'd take the free cabinet, even if you only use if for a later project, like maybe a restoration of the original game (bone thrown to the purists...). 

I've asked myself the same question, and concluded that if I could find a decent cabinet I'd start there rather than from scratch, at least for the first project.  But that's just because I don't have a lot of workspace, money, or time.  A little more of any of those three and I might go from scratch.

I figured that among the things to consider are control panel size and monitor size; judging by the picture of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cabinet at KLOV, there's plenty of room in both cases.

[Bones]

The Project Announcement forum has an awesome collection of projects. Some are scratch built, and some are gutted cabs given a second chance at life.....

It really is a personal preference. As far as a budget goes you will be better off with a gutted cab but nothing beats the fun or satisfaction of scratch building in my opinion. 

[Hockeyboy]

Thanks already for the advice. I know I can do the woodwork myself - I have several power tools that would easily do the job and I know enough about woodworking to be able to do the project. I'm still up in the air about it though - on the one hand, I'd like to stay true to form and have stuff like the coin door and original cab with just my own (or close resemblance to others) CP; on the other hand, with my woodworking abilities I know I could have a blast building one from scratch. Besides, what's an extra $100 in cost?    

Have to say visiting this forum is tremendously exciting -- the only roadblock right now is not money but the fact that the wife keeps telling me we don't have the space available for building and where in the h*** am I going to put a cab once it's done? Of course, my kids (16, 16, 11) are all telling me to go for it - being able to play vintage arcade games sounds like a blast to them.

Thanks again for making me feel welcome already.

[MYX]

I decided to go with building my cab. I am finding that I am really enjoying working with wood. Who knew? I say build it. Then it is yours to completely customize. Play PIMP MY CAB.

[markrvp]

I've done it both ways.  The nice thing about taking the TMNT cab is that you could see how the monitor was mounted and be up and running faster.

[HOTR6]

I say build your own. I have read on here that lots of wifes agree to the cab if you can make it wood grain. I personally wanted a black cab with graphics, it was my husband who wanted wood grain! So maybe wood grain could be something you could appease your wife with, she could even pick what stain she likes best!
There is a lot of satisfaction in building your own cab. There is a bit of woodowrking but if you can get a good guy at Lowes or Home depot (wherever you buy your wood) they can make a lot of the cuts for you. There are a bunch of straight cuts they can do on the big saw that make your life easier! Make sure to account for the blade though!!
I don't know what size the TMNT cab is but what if you don't want that size monitor? How about if you want more or les players on the CP? I know all of these things can be dealt with but if you build your own you decide right off what you are getting and you build accordingly. You could build a smaller one for your wifes sake!
That is my .02

[CheffoJeffo]

I had a big, long post written (in my head) debating the position of using the TMNT as a basis for your (presumably MAME) cabinet, but am feeling lazy today.

Most often the "use existing cabinet" option is presented as the "quick and easy" way out (which it is), which sadly comes across as some kind of copout.

Then again, having a single cab run an emulator instead of multiple dedicated cabs running original hardware is pretty much as quick and easy as you can get.

From my personal POV, I would suggest using the TMNT as a basis for your MAME cabinet unless you:

1) want to do something unique with your cabinet design (if you're just going to build another UAII or Lucid clone, don't bother) or go with a woodgrain finish (my original plan)

2) want a woodworking project to involve your kids with (my twins are 11 years younger than yours so aren't ready for power tools, but are happy to clean buttons and playtest)

3) want a woodworking project for your own benefits (including a sense of accomplishment), away from everybody else (I fully understand this one)

If, later, you want to change things up and build a cabinet, you will still have that option ... along with all of the experience and equipment from your first build.

From your posting, it seems as if your have built things with wood before, so perhaps would not get quite the "hit" off of building your cabinet as the first-time woodworker.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Cheers.

[rwhip41]

Just my opinion, for what it's worth...

Use the TMNT cab and go nuts on a custom control panel and custom art/nice cosmetics for the cab. Be wary of the monitor size you want to use. If it's a big TV (or monitor), you may be "stuck" with building your own cab.