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Newbie Question!
Scott84:
Hello All.
IM super new at this. Im hoping i can get my question answered in a way that i can be confident enough to do this! Im sorry if this is asked alot and you get annoyed by it but here she goes!
Ive known about MAME Built Arcades for two years but my dad has always said NO to be doing it. Thats until i convinced him that its for me and him to do as a project together. Well, he asked me what the hardest part was... and i said the controls (obvious).... well, my dad said that if i can get a Street Fighter style controller up and running on our current comp then i CAN build a mamecade! :o
Well heres the questions!
1. What is reccomended to use for a newbie? Hagstorm, IPAC? Im leaning towards the IPAC56.... is it good? USB IPAC good?
2. What kind of joystick would be good for most games? 8 Way? 4 Way? Leaf? Micro? And what joystick is the best?
3. What kind of buttons should i purchase? I dont know alot on this subject but i could sure use some help!
4. What kind of wiring do i need? And where can i buy it? Radio Shack?
5. How thick should the wood be for this type of project? And what kind of wood?
6. Once i have all the parts, how easy is it to learn how to wire it all together?
7. Is it worth it for me just to buy the XArcade or HotRodSE? Which is better of the two? Is it cheaper for me to get a Xarcade then to build one myself?
These are all the questions for now. I would really appreciate some answers!
Build Your Own Arcade Controls ROCKS.... i will donate money to the site once i get my credit card (June!)
CustomArcade:
#1 I use Hagstroms, alot of folks Use Ipac both excellent choices
#2 8 way Happs
#3 competive is my choice
#4 #22 gauge get it from RS but a electronics wholesaler will be cheaper (you'll need alot)
#5 3/4"
#6 easy to wire
#7 none
Sasquatch!:
--- Quote from: Scott84 on April 06, 2003, 10:28:54 pm ---1. What is reccomended to use for a newbie? Hagstorm, IPAC? Im leaning towards the IPAC56.... is it good? USB IPAC good?
--- End quote ---
I use the KE72, but lots and lots of people here use and love the IPAC.
--- Quote ---2. What kind of joystick would be good for most games? 8 Way? 4 Way? Leaf? Micro? And what joystick is the best?
--- End quote ---
The consensus here seems to be that the Happ Super 4/8-way is probably the best "do-all" stick. I personally use and love Wico 8-way leafswitch joysticks, and OSCAR here just gave a good review to the Happ P360s, but for a first project I'd say that you can't go wrong with the Supers.
--- Quote ---3. What kind of buttons should i purchase? I dont know alot on this subject but i could sure use some help!
--- End quote ---
Happ Pushbutton with Horizontal Microswitch. Hands-down.
--- Quote ---4. What kind of wiring do i need? And where can i buy it? Radio Shack?
--- End quote ---
I'd say 20-gague stranded wiring. You can get this almost anywhere (hardware store, Home Depot, Radio Shack, etc.)
--- Quote ---5. How thick should the wood be for this type of project? And what kind of wood?
--- End quote ---
The majority of us use 3/4" MDF.
--- Quote ---6. Once i have all the parts, how easy is it to learn how to wire it all together?
--- End quote ---
Provided that you read through this website, not that hard at all! Seriously, check out all of them there links you see on the left.
--- Quote ---7. Is it worth it for me just to buy the XArcade or HotRodSE? Which is better of the two? Is it cheaper for me to get a Xarcade then to build one myself?
--- End quote ---
You're honestly not saving THAT much money by building versus buying a HotRod or X-Arcade, but you won't have the ability to customize it as much as you would if you built. Besides, you'll be proving your father right if you buy, and we can't have any of that! ;)
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Scott84:
Thanks alot!
I finally decided what im going to do! Xarcade it is! Well the layout anyways! :P
Im going to use something very similar to that!
For the buttons i plan on using: Happ's Pushbutton With
Horizontal Microswitch http://www.happcontrols.com/index.html?http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/5891xxl.htm!
For the joysticks... Happ's Super 8's! Im gonna get two of them!
What am i gonna use to put the joysticks and buttons together? An Ipac 28! thats all the info i have for now... i will update once i finalize my orders!
anthony691:
The earlier resopnses were VERY competant. I really can't say it enough, but DON'T get an X-Arcade or prebuilts of the sort! they usually look like trash in a cab.
PS: Sort of funny, mine was a project between me, my Dad, and my bro. My Dad actually made a contact with a opertator and got us a free fully working (4 year old) JAMMA cab! I was really excited about this! Working w/ your father, must be someone around my age.
Keep us up to date with your project, good luck (you shouldn't need to much with the info at this site)
Oh, and I had Bigger problems with monitors than controls. It is sort of arguable, but I would say monitors are the hardest.