Building cost estimation

Main > Everything Else

<< < (2/7) > >>

Sasquatch!:
I get this question ALL the time. ;)

When I started work on Arcade Paradise 2, I kept an Excel spreadsheet of my costs, and it's up at
www.arcadeparadise.org/junk/AP2_Materials_Cost.xls

It doesn't have a lot of things on there (paint, brushes, screws, and the other hundred or so "little expenses"), and it doesn't factor in the cost of the PC and monitor (oh, and it's about two years old, so prices have probably shifted around since then), but it should give you at least a decent jumping point to figure it out for yourself.

Brax:

--- Quote from: rampy on April 07, 2003, 08:35:01 pm ---I don't think those 1 grand estimates are taking into account your requested assumptions (i.e. no PC, no monitor, etc...)

I can't imagine wood, L brackets and materials costing more than a couple of hundred bucks max ( you're in better shape already having wood working tools... ) unless you go with melamine or want to laminate the whole thing (even then it won't weigh in at a grand)

*Shrug* there's a couple of good sites that are scratch built that detail their material costs on their websites.... i.e. check the examples =P

rampy

--- End quote ---

Ahh, I took his wording as no computer only.

Probably a good 600 bucks without much trouble then if it's only the cabinet complete with finishing touches.

aj6500:
Just for wood and the little pieces of metal that hold it all together? 3/4"mdf sells for about $15 a sheet, figure on using 2 or 3... casters sell for about $10 set/4... T molding on ebay for $12 for 25'... I'd say less than $100 for the BASICS. Laminate finish will cost more than paint, I got microswitch buttons 20 for $10, brand new w/everything needed, joystick on Happs don't cost much. So with the exception of the monitor and PC to get it all going. It doesn't cost much for a basic cab. There are guys that have spent a couple grand when it's all said and done.

SirPoonga:

--- Quote from: rampy on April 07, 2003, 08:35:01 pm ---I don't think those 1 grand estimates are taking into account your requested assumptions (i.e. no PC, no monitor, etc...)

--- End quote ---

ok, so take $150 off for my monitor.

rampy, have you built one up from scratch?
Parts needed:
wood
screws
brackets
paint
primer
controls (joysticks, buttons, trackball, spinner, interfaces)
coin door (this is optional but makes it look authentic)
speakers
light
marquee
plexi
bezel
replacement bits for all the broken or dulled drill bits :)

I'd say the controls,interfaces, and wood are what takes up most of the cost.. plus I have parts that I bought that are yet on my cabinet, like ls-30s, dual strike twistygrip yoke, etc...

Plus how is a monitor not going to be included in the prioce, you plan on playing by sound? $150 for a 20" trinitron 2 years ago was a killer price :)
It all really depends on how much you want to put on it and into it.
You probably could build a basic, non-original cabinet for about $500 without any bling bling.

said7:
Thanks for the info everyone.

In my origional post i said...
"What I want to get is an estimated cost of supplies for a basic 2 player cabinet. Just the wood frame no PC,monitor,controls or lighting. Just the basic supplies wood, nail, glue, t molding, screws, rails, wheels, etc..."

I got my PC already worked out and i found a 21 inch trinitron for 170.
I have been on the search for an old cabinet but havent had any luck. So im thinking it just might be easier to build. I definetly dont want to spend over 300 bucks.

Thanks for the Excel sheet sasquatch but i dont have excel installed at work. Ill take a look at it at home.

Navigation

 Message Index

Go to full version