So Cal new builder looking for local help/advice.

[Lormax]

I've always loved the idea of building a Mame cabinet.  Things have changed for the better and I'm now in a position to make it a reality.  Anyone else in the So Cal area that either have an interest in, or have built before?  Would love to get together, pool some ideas and resources and get something going.  I'll have the space and tools...looking for some ideas and a work buddy. 

[Lormax]

So been poking around the site, looking for ideas and such.  I know I want to build a 4-player Mame cabinet.  Is it easier to build a cab from scratch, instead of converting an already existing cab?

This cab I can pickup for around $250.  Is it worth the money to get it, then convert the control panel to the layout I want?  It's a 25" screen.  The game is supposed to work as well.

[ItzMR2u]

Did you ever get going with this?  I wouldn't pay $250 for a working cab only to turn it into a Mame machine.  I would either try to find a non-working cab(which is what I did~$25) or build it from scratch.  IMHO the problem with going 4 player and using an existing cab, from what I can tell, is you get a bigger cabinet than you might really need.  Only the control panel needs to be larger and if you build the cab yourself you can size it to what works best for your space or if you mod a 2 player cab into a 4 player you might be saving room, weight ect compared to a 4 player model.     

[JohnEDollar]

Lormax:

What is the arcade cab you are considering purchasing?

If it is a "hard to find", or "scarce" arcade cab, it might be a better idea to restore the cab, instead of MAMEing it.

(Just my 2 cents worth....)

- John