What to do? Revive arcade project or sell/trade the parts?

[NoBonus]

I have taken a 2 year hiatus from my arcade controller project and I am not sure if I should continue on or give up...  I feel like I do not have the time to build anything suitable for reliable gameplay and my workworking skills are apparently terrible.  On the other hand, I have a lot of cool parts to put together something nice (trans blue trackball on a hacked mouse, numerous buttons and joysticks, a keywhiz)... any ideas, opinions, or encouragement either way?  are there any shortcuts? Would someone trade a empty, pre-cut controller box (aka X-Arcade) for the trackball? Is it not worth it unless I keep the trackball?  So lost and discouraged...

[ark_ader]

I had a similar experience when I was building my cab.  I had so many ideas and family commitments that made the project harder to finish.

I think the hardest part of the project is finishing it.  I cannot speak for the others here, but I'm always not happy with the final result and want to tweak it further.  Closure for my cab is a fantasy.

You must have wanted the controller(s) to play MAME or your favorite emulator.  Was it something on the site or Saint's book that got you motivated?  If it was an everything panel, I would understand the difficulty on getting back on track.

Experience is key.  Get some wood and make a simple box control panel and add your buttons and joysticks or your trackball.  You would be surprised what you can come up with with just some simple shelving panels and some 2x1s. 

My woodworking skills are horrible, but are getting better with practice.  I'm sure you will come up with something that will kick start you building that perfect control panel.

If you have questions, just ask.  Most of us have been there before.

Have fun! 

[leapinlew]

I had a similar experience when I was building my cab.  I had so many ideas and family commitments that made the project harder to finish.

I think the hardest part of the project is finishing it.  I cannot speak for the others here, but I'm always not happy with the final result and want to tweak it further.  Closure for my cab is a fantasy.

You must have wanted the controller(s) to play MAME or your favorite emulator.  Was it something on the site or Saint's book that got you motivated?  If it was an everything panel, I would understand the difficulty on getting back on track.

Experience is key.  Get some wood and make a simple box control panel and add your buttons and joysticks or your trackball.  You would be surprised what you can come up with with just some simple shelving panels and some 2x1s. 

My woodworking skills are horrible, but are getting better with practice.  I'm sure you will come up with something that will kick start you building that perfect control panel.

If you have questions, just ask.  Most of us have been there before.

Have fun! 

[MYX]

[corn]Why so glum chum.
Try a smile once and a while. [/corn]
The more you work with wood, the better you get. I will just say that first.
Ark-ader is right the completion is the hardest part. I hit a lul in building and it took a real effort to get r done.
Once the cab was done, there was another major effort to make the cab work. Now I look back on it and am so glad I pushed through. My son and I play almost every night. Great fun.

Plus an unfinished project is ammo for the wimmins. Start a project, finish the project.

"So lost and discouraged"

WE AH HEA TO PUMP (clap) YOU UP!!!
YOU CAN DOOO EET MAHN!!!

Get up off yo butt and build the thing!

Stop dilly dallying.

Just Do it.

Rah rah rah...Rah rah rah and all that.

Everyone else is doing it.

Ok, that is about all I have.

[NoBonus]

My descent from arcade coolness begins...

http://chico.craigslist.org/ele/259079179.html

[davieboynj]

email sent...

[MYX]

My descent from arcade coolness begins...

http://chico.craigslist.org/ele/259079179.html

Then why did you even ask? 

[leapinlew]

My descent from arcade coolness begins...

http://chico.craigslist.org/ele/259079179.html

Then why did you even ask? 

We obviously weren't persuasive enough...

* leapinlew wave hands "You do want to build an arcade"

[Ninten-doh]

My descent from arcade coolness begins...

Aww, man.  Don't do that.  I have an empty 2-player X-arcade box you can have.  Just pay for shipping.

[Havok]

I ex-communicate you from the Church of Arcade!

 

But, we will welcome you back if you regain your sanity...