Dive right in or test the water?

[Strokemouth]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster here! I've been planning on building a MAME cab for years, but never had the facilities. I am now officially building a house, due to close at the end of June, so I will finally have a place to do some handywork (or at least make attempts at such) including making my first cab.

I've read countless threads here (you guys really are impressive!) and know what I would eventually like to do, but I'm fairly certain I'll be lacking in the skills department. My current power tool collection consists of a drill, circular saw, and electric sander. So, when it comes time to start my first cab, I'm considering starting small with either a mini-cab or a bartop, just to get my feet wet and make sure I'm not completely inept at working with tools. But then that little devil pops up on my shoulder just telling me to go for it. "GO HUGE OR GO HOME," as they say!  There will be a considerable amount more invested, but I'd also be gaining a lot more in the knowledge/experience area. However, starting small with a bartop or mini-cab would allow me to really judge my skills and patience without investing TOO much money. That way, if I suck, I'll still have money left over to go blow at the casino or something.

I've also considered restoring an older cab, but arcade machine hardware is foreign to me and I'd probably end up frying ---my bottom--- on the monitor or something. So, that's out for now. Then, I looked at buying something like a UAII kit (which I love the design of), but you don't get to do any of the fun stuff, like catching lungs full of MDF dust or nearly taking off a finger with a router. So, if I'm building, it's going to be from scratch.  "Ab ovo usque ad mala," as the saying goes.

And yes, I have Project Arcade ordered already, it should be delivered this week. If this question has already been answered in there, then disregard everything I just typed and take this as a "Hi guys, I'm new here."

 

[Xam]

I just "jumped" right in. I used quotations because I researched/lurked for about 6-8 months and read Saint's book before "diving" in. Though I have a few more tools than you mentioned, I still had to buy a few (some not completely necessary...but I used the cab as an excuse), my carpentry skills were limited to rough in type stuff. I never thought I could build something people would actually see. My cab does have flaws (severe in my op) but no one has noticed...or said anything if they noticed. I still have a bit to go to finish (niece is applying side art and taking her sweet time about it ...ahem ahem)
I know if I can do it anyone can!

You basically have to ask if you are willing to go the distance to finish a large cab. It can be frustrating at times...though my frustration came more from painting than woodworking.

Take your time and enjoy the process...whichever path you choose.

Xam

[Texasmame]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster here! I've been planning on building a MAME cab for years, but never had the facilities. I am now officially building a house, due to close at the end of June, so I will finally have a place to do some handywork (or at least make attempts at such) including making my first cab.

I've read countless threads here (you guys really are impressive!) and know what I would eventually like to do, but I'm fairly certain I'll be lacking in the skills department. My current power tool collection consists of a drill, circular saw, and electric sander. So, when it comes time to start my first cab, I'm considering starting small with either a mini-cab or a bartop, just to get my feet wet and make sure I'm not completely inept at working with tools. But then that little devil pops up on my shoulder just telling me to go for it. "GO HUGE OR GO HOME," as they say!  There will be a considerable amount more invested, but I'd also be gaining a lot more in the knowledge/experience area. However, starting small with a bartop or mini-cab would allow me to really judge my skills and patience without investing TOO much money. That way, if I suck, I'll still have money left over to go blow at the casino or something.

I've also considered restoring an older cab, but arcade machine hardware is foreign to me and I'd probably end up frying ---my bottom--- on the monitor or something. So, that's out for now. Then, I looked at buying something like a UAII kit (which I love the design of), but you don't get to do any of the fun stuff, like catching lungs full of MDF dust or nearly taking off a finger with a router. So, if I'm building, it's going to be from scratch.  "Ab ovo usque ad mala," as the saying goes.

And yes, I have Project Arcade ordered already, it should be delivered this week. If this question has already been answered in there, then disregard everything I just typed and take this as a "Hi guys, I'm new here."

 

Do some research to see what you might like for a CP layout, etc.

However, don't get "analysis paralysis" - at some point, you gotta make the first cut!   

[lasersoup]

Read the book first, it'll answer most, if not all, of your questions about how to proceed. Best of all, it's written assuming little or no knowledge. I completed lots of other projects around the house using things I've learned from the book. I prefer to start small and work my way up.

Congrats on the new house.

[Kaytrim]

The cost comparison has been hashed out several times here on the boards.  It really depends on the amount of controls you plan on using.  On a bartop you would typically see the following components;
1 Joystick
3-6 buttons
1 Trackball (optional)
1 Spinner (optional)
1 Monitor 13"-17"
1 Computer
1 Interface card (ipac or keywiz)
1 sheet of MDF or Plywood

On a Stand-Up cab you will see this;
2 Joysticks
12-18+ buttons
1 Trackball
1 Spinner (optional)
1 4-way joystick (optional)
1 Monitor 19"-27"
1 Computer
1 Interface card (ipac or keywiz)
2-3 sheets of MDF or Plywood

The difference between the two types of cabs is really about $100-$200 not including the difference in the monitor.  This covers the cost of the extra joystick, buttons and cab materials.  If you go with a 4-player cab then the cost jumps accordingly.  I would highly recommend that you buy your components from the vendors talked about here on the boards as they usually have the best prices and availability.  The interface cards I mentoned are from Groovy Game Gear (keywiz) and Ultimarc (ipac)  They both serve the same purpose of converting the signals from your controls to a keypress your computer will recognize.  The respective owners are regulars here on the boards.

Welcome to the boards and enjoy the hobby. 
 

[javeryh]

I jumped right in after randomly seeing Saint's Book in a Barnes & Noble and then finding these boards as a result.  I never really built anything before and I owned zero power tools when I started but so far I think I've built 2 pretty good (unfinished!) cabinets.  I say go for it - I actually ended up enjoying the design and build more than actually playing them.  I'll be starting cab #3 later this year assuming I finish #2 by the end of June and I don't think that will be my last one!

[miles2912]

Jump in.  My wood working skills were sub standard at best.  I could not remember the last time I cut a 2x4 and when I started my cab it showed.  I botched the first few cuts and had to toss the pieces out and start over.  Luckily for me 2x4's are pretty cheap.  After re-thinking what I was doing I went slow and made sure that I was consistent on my cuts...  so when the blade meets the pencil line it is consistent.

Cab turned out great and everyone that plays it comments on how nice it is and I should start selling them .. yada yada. 

I did not buy Saint's book but instead just read the forums for a few months before I started and planned out as much as I could.  Almost to the point where I could picture in my head what the next days construction will turn out.  Really the building was almost as much fun as playing.  People here are very helpful (almost every question you can think of has been answered) and will help along the way.

Don
(click on logo below to see my build)

[Chris G]

One vote of encouragement for considering a restoration/conversion project.  That's the route I'm currently taking for my first cabinet due to lack of work space, tools, and time.  It's still been an extremely rewarding learning experience and I'm very happy so far.  The electrical and monitor pieces were definitely challenging, however, I wouldn't worry about frying yourself - if that were a high risk, then I certainly would have done it by now!

[Organic Jerk]

I'm also one who thinks way too much before rushing headlong into something.  I have to say that since I've started, although my progress has been slow, I've never looked back.  In fact I originally bought a cab to restore and ended up fudging it up, so I started from scratch!   

If it were me, I would go straight for the large cabinet, but everyone works at their own pace. I say consider all options and then do what feels comfortable.  Between a Bartop and a Mini I would rather go with the bartop if you plan on entertaining friends and such with it.  It seems like It would be a much more viable option to play around with over drinks and chips.  If you're more interested in making it to share with your kids or family/friend's children, then the mini would probably make more sense.

To make sure you stay on track and don't spend forever planning, I would say give yourself a personal time goal on when to start cutting.  Of course you could change it if you need to, but take your goal seriously and use it to plan out and pace yourself.  Select a design, select the features you would want, start planning/mapping, spend some time practicing your cutting methods and procedures on spare wood, then make the first cut on schedule (with spare wood still avalable... even if you dont use it now, as a Homeowner you WILL need it sometime)...


Above all, always remember that the cab isnt a "job" that takes you to the games, but really half the fun of it all... you're working by your own deadlines, at your own pace, on a project for your enjoyment. 

Have fun with it!

[Hawkypro]

Okay, I couldnt resist: In the words of Van Halen  "JUMP". Anyone on this board will help you out. I built my cabinet from scratch and it was worth it. Also, I learned quite a bit in doing so. Come up with something good and be creative just dont do a "Frankenmame"

[Kaytrim]

Come up with something good and be creative just dont do a "Frankenmame"

Yea, I've already taken that idea after someone else abandoned it.    I hope you eat your words after I have done the final build Hawkypro.  I have some definite surprises in store. 

[johnperkins21]

I say start by building the Control Panel. It's a small enough start to see where your skills are and test your patience with some "advanced" woodworking. At the end of the day, if you decide building from scratch is not for you, at least you have a working CP that you could plug into a PC and play, or even get the UAII kit and hook up your CP to it.

You should also be able to do a most of the work on a CP with your current tools, so you wouldn't have to buy more until you decided that this is really what you want to do. It's the best of both worlds.

Good luck,
John

[Strokemouth]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I will read the book when it finally gets here before I make a final decision, but now I'm leaning towards going all out. "Do or do not; there is no try" and all that.
 
And I'm surprised at how many people actually started this without any prior building experience! You guys sure do make it look like you know what you're doing! 

[Kaytrim]

As far as working with wood it is easy with a little practice if you are good with your hands.    Playing arcade games gives us the good hand eye coordination we need to build. 

[clockwork]

Dive! Dive! The higher the board the better!

I have NO woodworking skills and just cut my first pieces last weekend. It really wasn't bad. Cut yourself a sawboard first (stickied in the Woodworking forum). I'm glad that was pointed out to me as it let me make perfectly straight cuts with my noob skill.

As far as mini or full cab, I have no experience, but I'd think the mini would be tougher to manage. Shorter woodworking time maybe, somewhat lower cost, but a lot tighter space considerations. With a full size cab, just drop in a big monitor and desktop PC and you're all set.

I say start by building the Control Panel.

I opted to start my cab first. I'm afraid that if I finish the CP I'll never finish my cab.

[javeryh]

I don't think there is any difference in building a mini as opposed to a full sized stand up cabinet except for the cost of controls since you can fit less on the CP of a mini.  I'm up to roughly $650 already on my mini and I had a computer to use already (but the end is near!).

[Strokemouth]

I don't think there is any difference in building a mini as opposed to a full sized stand up cabinet except for the cost of controls since you can fit less on the CP of a mini.  I'm up to roughly $650 already on my mini and I had a computer to use already (but the end is near!).

Hurry up and finish your mini already! That's one that I really enjoy following since my second cab (see that? I'm already assuming the first will go well) will most likely be a mini for my niece and nephew. Yours is looking great!

 

[javeryh]

I don't think there is any difference in building a mini as opposed to a full sized stand up cabinet except for the cost of controls since you can fit less on the CP of a mini.  I'm up to roughly $650 already on my mini and I had a computer to use already (but the end is near!).

Hurry up and finish your mini already! That's one that I really enjoy following since my second cab (see that? I'm already assuming the first will go well) will most likely be a mini for my niece and nephew. Yours is looking great!

 

haha - thanks!  I'm in the middle of a deep freeze - literally.  I really can't paint until the weather gets warmer or I figure something out (which I'm working on).  It's making me crazy!  I've already starting thinking about cab #3 - it never stops! 

[deadkenndys1105]

I did quite a bit of research but I should have done more.  When I build my cabinet I kinda make up my own plan and it didn't transfer from paper to real life like I wanted.  The marquee sticks out like a overhang and is 7 inches tall..  It was really boxy looking with almost zero angles and the control panel was about 4 inches higher.  Also this thing is deeper than I thought but thats not a big deal.  After building it and playing on it for a few months I took it down and did some "editing."  I would do this because I overlooked it.  Look at preexisting cabinet plans and just modify them to your liking.  For example I like the the top of the defender game but I don't like that overall size and the front sticking out like that.  So I took that idea and mixed it with some others.  Also go cheep on the first one because you might saw aww to hell with this half way threw.  Im planning on rebuilding the first cabinet and starting a cocktail cabinet when it get warmer out.