First MAME cabinet build - buy or build controls

[Eric1970]

howdy!  I real new to this and am about to build my first cabinet.  To keep things moving do you recommed I start out with a pre-built controller (x-arcade, etc.) or should I build from scratch.  This part of the process is my biggest concern - getting the buttons working, having the right emulator, etc.

  help a newbie out.

thanks.

[quarterback]

My 2-second 2-cents:  Buy a cab, build the CP

[chazbeenhad]

For my 1st cab, I chose to buy an x-arcade. By the time I was done with the project, the only thing thats x-arcade about my x-arcade is the wood, PCB, and wires.

However, if I hadn't choosen to get the x-arcade (and cut it up and put an overlay on it) for my CP, I wouldn't have learned so much. Having the device there in front of you and seeing how everything works is great. I like the xarcade pcb so much I'd say get one even if you gut it and move the guts to your own cp. That is what my brother did with a tank stick. It all works excellent.

[original_maxlamer]

There is plenty of documentation on how to build your own control panel, so there is no need to rip apart an Xarcade to find out how.

The best way to go about it is to buy an IPAC or KeyWiz and the parts you want.  Use crimp connecters and you wont need to solder anything either.  Its easy to do even for a first timer with no electronics experience.

[CheffoJeffo]

If you are going to go to the trouble of building a cab, you MUST build your CP (IMPO, it is the easier part).

Having said that, I agree wih quarterback ... buy the cab, build the CP.

Cheers.

[TOK]

I agree with Quarterback... If you have to buy something, make it the gutted cab. Wiring the CP is very easy with an encoder. The reason I suggest building is that you're either going to want to add stuff, or start on a second cab right away.

I made 3 different panels for my first cab before I was happy with it, even though the layout wound up being pretty basic. Its experience you will use again and again.

[rlemmon]

I can't stress enough that x arcades are junk. Cheap pcb's and controls. You really should try building your own. If you don't want to i would say your best bet is to buy a hanaho hotrod. They use real happs parts rather than cheap knockoffs and you can get the 2 player unit for $100.00,

Ron

http://www.hanaho.com/Products/HotRodJoystick.php

[GameOver]

The best advice I can give you is send me all your money now.  You'll thank me later.  You're welcome.

[jWin]

personally im considering buy the "ready-to-assemble" control panel for $105 shipped at mameroom.net, it comes with t-molding installed and has the nice black melamine finish, all you have to do is buy the PCB(i-pac) and wire/buttons/joysticks.  And you could always add onto it yourself, drill some extra button holes, etc.

Or you could have a custom one made but it costs $100 extra.

Check out http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/mrdesign2.html to get a general idea of how the quality looks.

and http://www.mameroom.com/uacontrolpanel_info2.asp

[Kremmit]

X-Arcade is selling empty, but pre-assembled and drilled control panels awfully cheap right now.  Buy one of those and add controls, wires, and encoder.

[Eric1970]

thanks everyone.  Sounds like it's not as tough as I'm telling myself.  I think I will start with a CP and get things working right and configured with MAME, then buy or build a cabinet.

Thanks again and keep the ideas coming! 

When I finish my first, I'll be sure and post.  At worst it will give a good laugh!

[quarterback]

Take lots of pics and start a thread in the "Project Announcements" forum. 

If nothing else, it's fun to look back at after it's all said and done.

[Gavica]

about how much does it cost to buil just the cabinet (not incluiding the controllers) ? I'm talking about a really simple one, w/o any fancy stuff.

[_) (V) (-)]

You could always start with a simple 'test' board. Making holes and adding things as you like. Once you settle on your configuration, make the board you'll keep, just be sure it'll fit your cabnet. 

[Hawkypro]

eric1970,

build your own cp, its worth it and  you will learn alot from doing so. As far as the cabinet. If you got a grilfriend or wife like mine, who thought it was a total waste of time and money...then prepare for hell. But, the flip side of this for me was that when I sold the completed cabinet for a profit; she saw the light (extra money)..now im doing my sixth cabinet and can complete it in a week and a half.. The people on this board are great and will help you with anything reguarding your project.

Hawkypro

[Kaytrim]

eric1970,

build your own cp, its worth it ...  the flip side of this for me was that when I sold the completed cabinet for a profit; she saw the light (extra money)..now im doing my sixth cabinet and can complete it in a week and a half..
Hawkypro

What parts are you putting into the CP and how are you selling them?

[Hawkypro]

Kaytrim

Im use an ipac from Ultimarc.  I buy the ARCADE PARTS BUNDLE from X-arcade Includes:
20 Buttons/Switches
2 Arcade Sticks
I did not sell the controll panels by themselves, they are sold with the cabinets.

Hawkypro

[ScottS]

You could always start with a simple 'test' board. Making holes and adding things as you like. Once you settle on your configuration, make the board you'll keep, just be sure it'll fit your cabnet. 

I did this last weekend. Took me about an hour to do the layout, drill enough holes for a Defender-replica control panel, mount 8 buttons and a joystick, and wire everything up to an IPAC. Plugged it in and everything except the two-player start button worked on the first try! Two seconds, literally, to fix the button and I was good to go.

So, in short, building your own control panel is actually pretty easy. Lots of good instructions available from this site. Go for it!

[MPTech]

I built my cab just a little over a year ago and opted to install an X-Arcade because I was overwhelmed by the wiring and was on a limited timeline (it was a Christmas gift for the kids).  I regret the decision evertime I play and wish that I had spent a little more time and built my own CP.  (it's my next upgrade sometime in the future).
If construction and wiring is a real challenge, the X-Arcade is an OK solution.
You may need a special USB cord if it doesn't work with your PC. Expensive and further delays.
I replaced a couple buttons with Happ buttons and you can feel and hear the difference in quality.  I had to open it up to run another set of buttons to the side of the cab for pinball flippers too.
It's not bad, but it's not good.  Definately build your CP.

[miles2912]

Build the CP.. buy a cab or if it won't accommodate the monitor you want, build it.   The CP is your key to all the games YOU want to play.  Make a list of all your favs and then work a design that will get the bulk of 'em.  It will pay off in the long run both in playing the games and the sense of pride.

D-