First timer, could use a few tips...

[dcsipe]

I'm doing research and trying to get things together to build my first MAME arcade for the house.  I've tried reading a lot of info from different websites, as well as this forum.  I've also ordered the "Project Arcade" book.

My main question right now is about my control panel.  I've never done this before and need some advice on my control panel.  I like the looks (and price) of the X-Arcade Two Player control panel.  I've seen some remarks that people on here don't care of X-Arcade.  Though I wouldn't mind building my own, I'm a little daunted by building my own, as well as getting everything configured.  Any advice?  Is it more cost effective to build my own?  With the X-Arcade at $129, it seems like a pretty good deal and a lot less headache on configuration.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Stobe]

If you already have the tools needed (saws, router, etc), it is more cost effective to build your own.  But it is also entirely likely that you may make some changes/mistakes along the way and end up spending more in the long run.

You basically need to weigh the differences between whether you like a simple 2 player setup, or if you'd rather customize it a little with spinner, trackball, etc.

Your other option is having someone here make you a CP or a CP kit.  If its the woodwork that scares you, that might be the way to go.  Wiring up your CP can be a little confusing if you've never done it before, but you can't really mess it up beyond repair  

Hope that helps,
Stobe

[_) (V) (-)]

Hey,
1st off, welcome to the forums!

It's really all about personal preferences.

I made my own because I need them to fit onto the space on the cabinet, not sit on a table or lap. I've never even tried the X-Arcade setup so I have no right to bash it.
But I do prefer to have things setup/laid out the way I want them to be.

Plus it's really not as hard or expansive as you might think. The links to info collected here are a lot of help. And if you scour around for parts you can get some awesome deals.  Check out the buy/sell/trade section.

The main thing is don't be in too much of a hurry.
(said the guy who hasn't worked on his projects in over 1 month!) 

[dcsipe]

Thanks for the response folks!  I think that the wiring and configuring of a custom built controller is more daunting to me than the woodworking.  Maybe after a little more research and getting the book will put me more at ease with building my own.

[Stobe]

If you fear the wiring a little more than the woodworking, then you'll be just fine.  You'll look back at this post some day and say "what was I so worried about, that was simple!"

-Stobe

[Ayrk]

If you fear the wiring a little more than the woodworking, then you'll be just fine.  You'll look back at this post some day and say "what was I so worried about, that was simple!"

-Stobe

I second this. All the wiring is is literally sliding the quick connect over one plug and sliging the other end over another. If you go with the minipac, you can even get the wiring harness already made for you and color coded to boot.

The best thing about the wiring is that it really impresses people when you say "Yeah, I had to wire all of this up myself." They will think you are a genius.

[javeryh]

If you fear the wiring a little more than the woodworking, then you'll be just fine.  You'll look back at this post some day and say "what was I so worried about, that was simple!"

-Stobe

I third this.  If you think the woodworking is going to be easier than the wiring definitely go for it and build your own.  I was in the same boat once and I can't believe how easy it is to wire up the controls.  Plus you can customize the control panel so it is exactly how you want it to be.  You will learn a ton too!

Welcome!   

[unclet]

Please do not let wiring your control panel stop you from doing the control panel yourself.  It is extremely easy to do.  If you can strip two ends of a length of wire and press a quick disconnect to one end of that striped wire, then that is pretty much the skills you will need.  Everything else is simply connecting the quick disconnect to the push button switch (just push it on) and the other end of the wire you put into a keyboard encoder terminal block (ie: put the wire into a hole and tighten a screw to hold the wire in place).

Do you know what a "quick disconnect" or "terminal block" is actually?   Perhaps the verbage has you stumped?

My 10 year old can wire on the control panel, so I am sure you can do it.

My most important points are the following:

1) You most likely would be much more pleased with the final control panel if you cut everything yourself and then wired it up yourself as well.

2) If a wire comes loose, you will immediately understand how to fix it with no problem at all, instead of calling X-Arcade for help.

3) After understanding basic wiring (and I do mean "basic"), you will then be able to understand how to include other hardware to your cabinet at a later time (spinner, trackball, 49-way joysticks, etc....) since you will understand what the wires actually "do" for the cabinet.


I remember feeling the same way when I started thinking whether I could build a cabinet.    There was just so much information overload going through my head, it was a challenge to keep everything straight.  Although when you break it down into manageable pieces, it  became quite do-able and much more exciting thinking that I could actually build this thing myself.  The feeling is kind of similiar as to how my friends feel when they come over and see my finished cabinet today.  They just stand there with disbelief that I could have built something like this, when in reality it is quite simple, especially with the help of people in this forum.

Do it yourself ...... so much more enjoyable (in my opinion) then ordering a control panel which is fully configured.

 

[GAtekwriter]

But let's be a little honest about the book - I own it and am referencing it as I build my own BUT BUT BUT

It doesn't cover wiring.  It shows the parts you'll need and mentions soldering and how circuits open and close, but when it comes to actually showing you how to wire the CP, you'll have to look elsewhere.  But there's good news... there are so many examples of CP wiring here and on the Internet that this shouldn't be an issue.

I just wanted to issue the warning that if you thought the book would step you through every part of the cab and CP build, it will not.

Jim

[dcsipe]

Wow, thanks everyone!  You have definitely helped to slay any fears I'm having with wiring.  Never having done this before and looking of pictures of the bottoms of custom CP's and seeing the mass of wires is what was throwing me.  Hearing that it's not that bad from the lot of you has definitely swayed my decision from buying a pre-built CP to building my own now.

 Stobe - thanks for the info on the book.  I had a feeling that it wouldn't give me 100%, good to know that I was right.  I feel that I've found enough resources now on my wiring and the cabinet build to get started in the near future.

Though this is my first post on this forum, it's really great to see that responses are helpful and quick!

[shardian]

CP Wiring time breakdown:
Cutting: 20%
Crimping: 25%
Connecting: 35%
Cussing: 15%
Thinking: 5%

It's really that easy. In fact, a caveman could do it!

[_) (V) (-)]

Don't worry, the jackasses will hijack your threads soon enough.

All in good time grasshoppa....