Wico or happs illuminated buttons? and some other ?'s

[hsstie]

Hey guys, first off i want to say it is great to be here, and i am truly grateful for all the help that is available here. I've been into Mame for quite a few months and yea, always wanted to build the cabinet. Lack of alot of woodworking skills and mostly plenty of unanswered questions that always came to mind stopped me in the past.  I've hopped around to some of the " i build a Mame cab and you can too" websites before but i was unsure making alot of the decisions about everything so i would be happy with it the first time around.  By reading the faq's and doing alot of searches in the threads here in the past few weeks, and the links ( like retroblast )  you have inspired me to take the plunge. Past few weeks I've gathered tools, router bits, clamps etc and have been talking about it at work with the fellas that work for me. Now all of them want to build a Mame cabinet too! Looks like the plans are to build 2 at a time and then the rest of them will build as they can budget wise. Almost all of my pondering questions have already been answered but i still have a few and would like your input.

1) wico or happs illuminated pushbuttons?  I've seen the thread of kenevil doing the leds in the wico plastic using 2 led's and happs with one. For those of you that have done either....which way would you do it again ?

2) I have seen the keyboard drawer underneath the cp box ( which is the way most people do it ), but also seen the cp front open up and have the keyboard in the cp box. Should i stay away from this thought and just do it the normal way?

3) Lighting up the marquee with a florescent light is the quick and easy, but have any of you done the cold cathode/neon or leds strip lights  ( like they have at superbrightleds ) ? is it worth the difference ?


thx

HsSTie

[Jeff AMN]

1) wico or happs illuminated pushbuttons?  I've seen the thread of kenevil doing the leds in the wico plastic using 2 led's and happs with one. For those of you that have done either....which way would you do it again ?

This is really a matter of preference. Either one can be illuminated, but it comes down to whether or not you like the feel of the mircoswitch or leaf buttons. Personally, I'm a fan of the microswitch Happs buttons, but everybody has their own opinions on this.

2) I have seen the keyboard drawer underneath the cp box ( which is the way most people do it ), but also seen the cp front open up and have the keyboard in the cp box. Should i stay away from this thought and just do it the normal way?

I would make the drawer. It's probably just more convenient to not have to open up your control panel each time you want access to your keyboard.

3) Lighting up the marquee with a florescent light is the quick and easy, but have any of you done the cold cathode/neon or leds strip lights  ( like they have at superbrightleds ) ? is it worth the difference ?

Again, this would be a preference issue. I haven't seen and LED strip lighting personally, but I'm sure it's been done. I like the more classic look you get of a fluorescent tube behind a traditional marquee. It would definitely up the bling factor on your cabinet if you tried some superbrights in a creative way, however.

[Hoopz]

I put my keyboard on top of the computer in the cabinet.  I don't need to use it very often, but when I do, I simply open the coin door and it's right there.  I think that's easier than building a drawer for it.

[somunny]

On my the cabinet I built for my kids, I installed a couple of usb ports on the front.  When I need to use a KB or mouse, I just plug 'em in.

[mountain]

On my the cabinet I built for my kids, I installed a couple of usb ports on the front.  When I need to use a KB or mouse, I just plug 'em in.

This is how i plan on doing it. It makes the most sense to me.

[Jeff AMN]

On my the cabinet I built for my kids, I installed a couple of usb ports on the front.  When I need to use a KB or mouse, I just plug 'em in.

That's a pretty good idea, actually.

[somunny]

I wish I had put in three.  It would be nice to have an extra port to plug a thumb drive into.  Here's a pic:

[hsstie]

On my the cabinet I built for my kids, I installed a couple of usb ports on the front.  When I need to use a KB or mouse, I just plug 'em in.

Yea, i do like that idea alot. Then i have quick access with everything and dont have to deal with all that extra cutting with the keyboard drawer, hinge and roller assembly. I plan on using formica ( found some 4 x 8 sheets here local for 38 bucks at a laminate supplier, since the local home depot doesn't carry it anymore and lowes don't even CARRY black  ) on the outside of the cab so that will cut down on the work even further. Sweet. Where did you get the usb ports and exterior housing from somunny?

[somunny]

I ordered them from Markertek.  The picture is of a silver unit but they also carry black.