First, let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Bill and I run a hardware hacking website
http://www.i-hacked.com. I basically have a new project every month or so (I like to keep myself busy) and I post it on my site. I recently became aware of MAME cabinets on Anandtech forums. I was shocked. I had heard of emulators before, but never had I seen something as cool as that. I decided that I must have one. Hell, I would save so much $$ on drunk galaga and shoving bills into Golden Tee machines if you know what I mean.
I started by reading every page I could come across, I have read this main page I don't know how many times. I have looked at as many examples as I could, until I got a picture in my head on what I wanted my machine to look like.
I called every place in KC (where I am located) and I only found one place that would take the time to sell me an old cabinet, and I came home with a DigDug machine that reminded me of my childhood. Just looking at the darn thing made me smile.
(cheezy part is almost over, I promise) Before anyone yells and screams at me for destroying a DigDug, please note: This is what I wanted, I wanted a DigDug machine and nothing else. When I was growing up we would visit my grandmother every month or so, and we would always stop half ways (it was a 4hr drive) at a Ice Cream shop in Fredonia, KS and I would get Ice cream and get to play DigDug. Now I know that I shouldn't destroy it, please respect my choice and don't tell me that, as I have already been flamed enough. (see arcadeathome) hehe.
Now, I have been making a journal on my progress and it is updated almost everyday, you can read my journal and see pics
here. And I have learned so much in so few days, hopefully this will help someone else make theirs. Now if ONLY I knew that arcadecontrols had such a wonderful forum, I would probably be a lot farther, I have spent all day reading through it, man there is a lot of information here, and I appreciate the time that all of you have put in to sharing it with me (or us I guess).
Also, my project would be moving a lot faster if Happcontrols would send me my stinking joysticks, they have shipped everything else, but not those. I called them and they said they were missing pieces and it would be about 2 more weeks.. ARRGH
I don't think I can wait that long!
Are you still reading?
I still have a few questions (and I am sure I will answer them myself as I continue reading, but if anyone can provide some pointers that would be great):
1) Can I use a standard PC Trackball for my Control Panel Trackball? (for Golden tee type games)?
2) What is the best bang for the buck material to use for CP overlay (plexi, etc) What about for the Monitor glass?
(Space left black for more questions later)
Again, I really appreciate this forum, I look forward to learning a lot more. Oh I am a terrible speller, so no need to point out spelling mistakes, I know I suck.