| Main > Main Forum |
| to convert or build ??? |
| (1/3) > >> |
| sriddle99:
hi, i've been using mame for years and now that im moving to a larger house i have decided that its about time i got an arcade machine. i have two real issues. 1) should i build a cabinet from scratch or should i convert an old arcade cabinet? 2) should i use a large pc monitor or use an original arcade monitor? please bear in mind that i dont want the cabinet to look "cheap" and i also want to play vertical and horizontal games. thanks for your help, sriddle99 |
| Texasmame:
--- Quote from: sriddle99 on August 28, 2006, 06:24:18 pm ---hi, i've been using mame for years and now that im moving to a larger house i have decided that its about time i got an arcade machine. i have two real issues. 1) should i build a cabinet from scratch or should i convert an old arcade cabinet? 2) should i use a large pc monitor or use an original arcade monitor? please bear in mind that i dont want the cabinet to look "cheap" and i also want to play vertical and horizontal games. thanks for your help, sriddle99 --- End quote --- I'm widening/converting a DK Jr. cab right now. It's not too bad to do. I've never built one from scratch. If you think you can get all the controls you want on it AND can get a large enough monitor to play both V and H games, I guess I would just convert. |
| CheffoJeffo:
My personal preference, absent wanting a frankenpanel or totally unique cabinet, is to convert an existing JAMMA-wired cabinet with a 25" arcade monitor. It is super fast and easy to get up and running. Something like one of the big 4-player Midway cabs is a good choice and the interfacing is easy. The video, along with P1 and P2 controls can be easily handled using a JPac and ArcadeVGA from Ultimarc. There is virtually no wiring required (need to connect buttons 4-6 for P1 and P2 to screw terminals on the JPac, but that is easy). Then, if you want P3 and P4, you can use an IPac (or Keywiz from Groovy Game Gear) for those controls. Spinners and/or Trackballs will require another interface. I like the JPac/ArcadeVGA because it takes care of most of the wiring issues (e.g. connecting to an arcade monitor). The weak spot is that the JPac does not amplify sound, so you need to add amplification (or rip out the eisting speakers and use amplified speakers). You may, on the other hand, want to use 49-way or Ultrastik 360, which requies non-JAMMA wiring and obliterates the advantage of the JPac. A lot of people here build their own cabinets from scratch with spectacular results (and some not so spectacular, including me), so you may want to browse the Examples section of the wiki. Of course, MAMEing a classic or rare cabinet may result in scorn and flames. Cheers. |
| severdhed:
i decided to convert when i started my first cabinet, and i am happy i did. I mean, there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods, but it seems like less work to convert an existing cabinet. i got a mostly empty cabinet for $20, i coudlnt have built one for that little money. Yeah, you are somewhat limited to components you can use this way, but it takes alot of guesswork out of the situation too. It is espially good to convert if you dont have alot of power tools or woodworking experience. Everything i did to my cabinet was done with a drill, dremmel and a jig saw. It would have been nice to be able to say i built a cabinet from scratch, but i know with my skills, it wouldnt have turned out nearly as nice as mine did. |
| ArtMAME:
I converted a non-working Midway-style cab using a 27" TV and made swappable control panels because I did not want a Frankenpanel. I left the original graphics on and it looks great. I stored all the original parts in case I wanted to re-convert to the original. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54556.0 It was very easy and I love the results. 27" monitor works great for H and V games. Now I am building one from scratch modeled after the one I converted. I have a nicely equipped shop, and some experience in woodworking. I tell you, building from scratch is quite difficult, even if you have a model cab to refer to. I could not imagine building one with no model unless you have really good plans. I know it is possible, but it is quite a challenge either way. If you gonna convert, find a cab that is common like a Midway or Konami cab. These are a lot better suited to MAMEing than the classic and rare cabs anyway. If you want to avoid scorn and flames from the forum members, just remember this: "Please be wise, do not baster-dize..." ;D |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Next page |