In the process of looking for a cabinet for MAME conversion ....e-bay ?

[y2k600f4]

I have been actively searching for a cabinet in decent shape for a MAME multicade conversion. Ideally I want to not hack it up and maintain the vintage look and feel (marquee, coin mechanisms etc). I plan on using an ipac2 encoder, designing custom controls (with the help of the extensive info on arcadecontrols.com !!). I plan on playing mostly horizontal games but will defineately be playing vertical games such as 1942 and pacman.  This is my first project and the techincal aspect is not a problem  but trying to keep the project cost to a minimum (already have computer and spare PC parts). Ideally I would like to find a cabinet with a working arcade monitor (consider arcadeVGA card) but my 2nd option would be to swap it out to a tv (component inputs ??). Any opinions on where to get a decent cabinet would be appreciated....been looking at local papers and ebay for about a month, no great finds yet. I recently came across (2) local options (NC), but to me they are not ideal. One is an Arch Rivals basketball (Bally Midway) and the other is an Ataxx (leland)...however that one looks like not the original cabinet. Also there may be a possible atari tempest but that has a verticle monitor. All are not working. The ebay links for the first 2 are below. Any opinions or suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks !

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300115595234&rd=1&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180124557981&rd=1&rd=1

[stuckpixel]

The two are decent cabs, I'd personally prefer the arch rivals as the CP is more open. The Ataxx has a cool look but two players could be a bit tight.

Have you tried craigslist? I've seen a bunch of cabs in my local area (minneapolis)

[clanggedin]

Call one of the local guys with arcade routes. They may have an empty cab they would sell you.

[DARRYLICSHON]

if you live near Winston-Salem, N.C i know of a auction there , i have bought empty games and working games cheap at some auctions , i don't live near , so i don't know how good that one is. Darrylicshon p.s. i also know of one at Charlotte, North Carolina

[urbecrisch]

There is an auction in Charlotte, N.C. September 8th 2007.  http://www.superauctions.com/launch/cal/index.html 
I know it's a few months from now so maybe you can start designing your CP, setting up your PC, etc.  Usually the designing part of the project takes some time.  I really think it's worth checking out the auction.  You may be able to score a really cool CAB and maybe get one with working monitor.  I recently attended an auction through Super Auctions in Milwaukee and was able to score a CAB with 25" working monitor.  It was exactly the CAB I was looking for so I'm happy I went.  The auction also has some other cool stuff to check out and of course, you can play games for free all day!  Just make sure you read the WIKI regarding attending an auction cause there's more to it than meets the eye.  Good luck!