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Hey I'm New!
CheffoJeffo:
First, welcome!
I am going to conditionally disagree with those who would dissuade you from the cocktail path. My first (and currently only) MAME machine was a three-sided design that accomodates classic verticals on the vertical and a standard SF layout on the horizontal. I was able to do this easily because the base cabinet was a cheesy after-market cocktail cab that was designed for both vertical or horizontal confiurations. This wouldn't work with a typical original cocktail cabinet.
It ain't pretty (or even finished in this picture), but it's fun to play and was really cheap to make ($100 for working cabinet, $80 for ArcadeVGA, $40 for iPac, $75 for controls, then some black vinyl, paint and computer).
Cheers.
97thruhiker:
Welcome and enjoy it as theirs nothing like your first time, your first cabinet project that is :). Seriously though, I've found just about everyone on here to be very helpful and many will go way out of their way to help you out. Take your time and have fun.
As far as costs go the earlier responses are right on. The only thing I have not seen mentioned yet is your access to tools. Buying saws, routers, drills, etc. can add up really quick if you do not have any.
SithMaster:
beware of EE.
everyone mentioned everything already.
but wait she is a girl so she can borrow tools from people on a whim. and how does a cocktail take up more or equal room of an upright? unless you refer to the wasted space above the cocktail it is less based on its footprint of the more compact ones. o wait then i guess it would depend on the upright design too then. hmmmm.
but she wants a cocktail. my advice is to find a restoration page or find someone who made one from scratch and see what parts go into one. then find prices for those parts locally or online and there you go.
pointdablame:
The footprint of a cocktail is similar to the footprint of an upright. You then have to factor in space on at least 2 sides, and commonly 3 or 4 sides for some of the MAME cocktails out there. Add space for chairs and people and you are using MUCH more floorspace than you will with an upright. That is how it takes up more space.
I still like cocktails though, and you shouldn't be put off on one because of the space. It is a good point to make though since a lot of new folks will think since cocktails are so much smaller they will be better for a cramped area... the fact is that is not true at all.
NightGod:
/sigh 13 replies and I'm the first one
Pic please...of the cab, too ;D
On a more serious note, as many have said, cost is a really relative thing. Do you have a computer you are going to use or do you have to buy one? Are you going to use an arcade monitor, or do you have an old computer monitor or TV lying around you can use? How many players are you going to build for? What kind of tool access do you have?
Personally, I jumped right in and tend to throw money at my problems challenges, but I'm a divorced guy with a nearly paid for house and alot of disposable income. If you are going on the cheap, you'll definately need to spend more time planning than I did. As for finding an old cab without waiting for an auction-either check Ebay, craigslist.com or look up Amusement in the yellow pages and make some phone calls.