many questions - help plz

[freddykreuger666]

so i posted here like year ago, when i had no money, now i got some i may make a cab. this is me plans -
full size or near full size cab
computer monitor
nice comp that can handle most mame games + pc games, maybe 2ghz
control panel with trackball, spinner, 7 buttons, 2 joysticks, 1 4 way joystick
4-5 console controllers e.g nes,snes,megadrive, n64 etc connected to pc
maybe a ps2 or ps1 hooked up as well
lightgun
detachable steering wheel + pedals


so my questions -
1) wot price range will this come to. just estimate
2) my being crap at woodwork, is it worth building from scratch + how difficult is it for a newbie like me
3) wot games might i be missing out with 2 ghz computer
4) width wise how much room does a cabinet take up?
5) how to convince parents to give me the space for the cabinet
6) can a ps2 be hooked up easy? any switching of wires or something?

thanks in advance

[ShinAce]

In terms of space and money needed, as well as noise produced, an arcade cabinet is not an attraction to most parents.

Best of luck, you're looking at a fairly expensive control setup.

[PCtech]

so i posted here like year ago, when i had no money, now i got some i may make a cab. this is me plans -
full size or near full size cab
computer monitor
nice comp that can handle most mame games + pc games, maybe 2ghz
control panel with trackball, spinner, 7 buttons, 2 joysticks, 1 4 way joystick
4-5 console controllers e.g nes,snes,megadrive, n64 etc connected to pc
maybe a ps2 or ps1 hooked up as well
lightgun
detachable steering wheel + pedals


so my questions -
1) wot price range will this come to. just estimate
My guess is $1500-$2000, but buy it a little at a time, if tight on cash.
2) my being crap at woodwork, is it worth building from scratch + how difficult is it for a newbie like me
Building can be difficult, but fun, and rewarding....if in doubt, pick up a used/cheap cabinet at auction or dealer (let me know if you need more info)
3) wot games might i be missing out with 2 ghz computer
Way more power than needed for most stuff, except HD games, which (from what I understand) most PC's have problems with.
4) width wise how much room does a cabinet take up?
Depends on which cabinet you go with, and the width of the CP. I'd guess 2ft -  3ft wide with that CP setup, but you can customize to about anything you want.

5) how to convince parents to give me the space for the cabinet
Good luck! Build 1, sell to friend for small profit, and say "see, I can make some money at this...can I have a little more space..(this worked on my wife, you mileage may vary)
6) can a ps2 be hooked up easy? any switching of wires or something?
Not easily, but not rocket science either...plenty of tutorials here for that.

1) I recommend plenty of planning, and doing it in stages (Cabinet, computer, controls, cosmetics).  Do a mockup of the CP before making the real one, to test for comfort.

2) Go slow if your first time, so you can learn the basics as you go.  I thought I knew more than I did when I started..and it's easy to get overwhelmed (at least for me)

3) Plug for SAINT....buy the Project Arcade book.  Even though I knew electronics, and computers, there is TONS of stuff in there I didn't know.  I've been building for a couple years, and still learn more from the book when I read it.

Good luck, keep posting as you go, and these guys will be all the help you need.

thanks in advance

[AtomSmasher]

1) wot price range will this come to. just estimate

Mine cost less then $1000 total, but I don't have a steering wheel and used emulators instead of connecting consoles.  If money is very tight then I'd recommend just building a basic cab and upgrading it later, if you scrimp and save you can build a cab for around $300-400.

2) my being crap at woodwork, is it worth building from scratch + how difficult is it for a newbie like me

My woodworking experience before starting this project was 1 woodworking class in highschool 8 years ago, and I didn't think this project was too difficult.  If you follow saints book, then you should't have much of a problem.  Just make sure to measure 2 or 3 times before you cut and take your time.

3) wot games might i be missing out with 2 ghz computer

you'll only be missing out on a few of the newest games.

4) width wise how much room does a cabinet take up?

Depends on what plans you use, Lusids plans (the one from Saints book) is around 34'' wide and 40'' deep (including control panel width)

5) how to convince parents to give me the space for the cabinet

can't help you there, but my guess is you'd have to keep it in your room.

6) can a ps2 be hooked up easy? any switching of wires or something?

A few keyboard encoders (like the IPac) have adapters to connect your controls to a ps2 or xbox, so thats pretty easy.  Connecting your ps2 or xbox to a computer monitor requires a seperate adapter which I'm sure you can find with a search.
[/quote]

One more thing, why do you say "wot" instead of "what"?  That just bugs the crap out of me, its only 1 more letter so your not saving much time typing wot.  I also read car forums so, to me, "wot" means "wide open throttle" or gas pedal pressed to the floor.

[freddykreuger666]

thanks for the help guys
i got like $1000-1200 to spend
suppose i cud scrimp on the steering wheel
its just that i am really crap at anything "building", im good at electronics and stuff but not woodwork.
dont think there is a good auction in london england

[PCtech]

thanks for the help guys
i got like $1000-1200 to spend
suppose i cud scrimp on the steering wheel
its just that i am really crap at anything "building", im good at electronics and stuff but not woodwork.
dont think there is a good auction in london england

That $ should get you what you want.
Didn't notice you were in the UK, I don't know anything about the auctions across the pond, but there are some folks from UK on this board, if you post looking for cheap cabinets in the UK, someone might be able to point you in the right direction.

Since it sounds like the cabinet part might take some researching, I would probably start with the PC....Get you roms/games, setup you emulators/front-end, and get everything configured and running nicely (took me forever), while you are putting together / locating your cabinet.

If you do look into building a cab (highly recommended, even with no skills), take a look at this sight, for a simple (and overdone) cabinet, that seems to be good for starters.  Lusid has excellent and simple plans on his site, that have worked well for many people

http://users.adelphia.net/~seanhat/arcade/