Building cost estimation

[said7]

Sup

Im the Newb here   Just a flash designer (www.said7.com) who recently has become obsessed with building a mame cabinet. So im doing crazy research and trying to weigh my options.

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 have all the wood tools already and a bit of fiberglass  

Trying to see if it would be cheaper to build from scratch or try and find a  junked up cabinet and restore it.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance

[SirPoonga]

The cost sorta depends on how/where you get stuff.  Like what materials you use, if you are deadset on using brand new stuff versus used, etc...

My cab cost under $1000 for a custom build.

[Brax]

It will quickly gravitate near the $1000 range without much trouble.

[Frostillicus]

Plan ahead or before you know it you are buying old broken joysticks on ebay to 'fix up' and living in the half-finished cab on the street, beggin' for tokens  

[rampy]

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

[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]

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

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]

I don't think those 1 grand estimates are taking into account your requested assumptions (i.e. no PC, no monitor, etc...)

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.

[rampy]

I don't think those 1 grand estimates are taking into account your requested assumptions (i.e. no PC, no monitor, etc...)

ok, so take $150 off for my monitor.

rampy, have you built one up from scratch?

nope.

SirP did you read the original post (and you're a moderator, for shame!) ? there's alot assumed excluded in my ",etc"...  which makes sense if you read the original post.  He wants to know how much it costs to build an arcade box.  Now maybe you used gold plated screws in your cabinet, and you did use what was probably very expensive paint on yours, but an MDF box doesn't cost *that* much (although the end product will always costs more than you expect).

Just giving you a hard time, not trying to instigate a flame war (bring it on! =P j/k)

Rampy

[SirPoonga]

He wants to know how much it costs to build an arcade box.

Now did YOU read the original post  I see cabinet, not box, it's a little bigger of a project

Like I said, it depends on the complexity.  Since I will have all the controls under the sun on it it will cost more.

[rampy]

He wants to know how much it costs to build an arcade box.

Now did YOU read the original post  I see cabinet, not box, it's a little bigger of a project

box is clearly a euphamism for cabinet... one could say that an arcade cabinet is a type of a box... my paraphrasing isn't the issue here =)

now the real question is, "is it a sport?"

rampy

[SirPoonga]

one could say that an arcade cabinet is a type of a box

Yep, and we all live in very big boxes.

[rampy]

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.

FWIW (just to give you options):  300 beans could easily buy you a working or non-working JAMMA game from an auction or local distributor... (although the game may or may not suck, or be a little beat up)... you should be able to get a gutted/broken cabinet (if that's your desire) from free   -  100 bucks.

What part of the country are you in (assuming US)?

There's a few ways to skin the arcade cabinet cat, that's why there are so many opinions/preferences...

*shrug* good luck!

rampy

EDIT PS http://home.austin.rr.com/shumate/unicade/cabinet.htm scroll down to the bottom for a parts list for unicade.. the home depot  bill was close to 300 beans but that's for a laminated MDF construction... *shrug*

[Cue-Ball]

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.

Don't forget about all the "little things" that go into a cabinet.  It's more than just wood and screws.  You need 3 sheets of MDF for the actual wood.  Then you need 1x1 or 2x2 wood to put the MDF together.  Then you need joysticks, buttons, some sort of interface (ie: Ipac), wiring, connectors, a flourescent light, plexi for the marquee and CP, etc.  Even without a light-up marquee and a control panel overlay it gets expensive fast.  If you want a coin door that's another big expense.  You'll also either need primer and paint (along with brushes, rollers, roller pans, etc) or laminate and adhesive.  And don't forget all the tools that you'll need as well (drill and bits, sander and paper, router and bits, etc).

I thought my cabinet was going to cost me $600 tops.  I haven't added the costs yet, but if it's under $600 i'll eat my hat (and i'm still not finished).

[Xphile]

$150 max


(they're not reading..:-)

[aj6500]

I'll say.  It's like asking for a price for an oil filter and getting "first you'll need an engine, about 400hp should do, about $5000.  Then you'll need  service bay with a lift, $45000..."

[BobA]

OK no controls, no monitor, no computer just a 2 player cab with no additions.

MDF        65.00   more for plywood depending on type
Wood     15.00    for framing
Lexan     30.00    could be cheaper if plexi
Paint       20.00    more if different colors
Brackets  10.00
T Molding 20.00   add shipping if not local
Wheels    15.00
Spk Grills  15.00   if you can find them
Hardware 35.00   screws hinges and misc
Marquee   30.00   less if printed on inkjet
Lighting    15.00
Glue            5.00
   
Total        275.00  US $

So call it $300.00 minimum.

Based on speakers included with computer and painted cab no laminate.

Just my guess.
BobA

[said7]

Thanks   Finally got my answer j/k

[SirPoonga]

one could say that an arcade cabinet is a type of a box

Yep, and we all live in very big boxes.

Sigh, no one got this comment it looks like.  If you say a cabinet is just a box, then a house is just a box, so building a house should be realy cheap too, right???
Hehe


Anyway, you could think about a cocktail cbinet, much cheaper.  Only one, maybe 2 sheets of mdf

[rampy]

one could say that an arcade cabinet is a type of a box

Yep, and we all live in very big boxes.

Sigh, no one got this comment it looks like.  If you say a cabinet is just a box, then a house is just a box, so building a house should be realy cheap too, right???
Hehe


Anyway, you could think about a cocktail cbinet, much cheaper.  Only one, maybe 2 sheets of mdf

I got it... was just trying to let the thread in a thread die =P

I think if we were to compare costs per square foot of a just a framed house it wouldn't be so bad...  =P A home made shed woudl be a better comparison =P how a bout a dog house?

Plus it's the labor that's expensive when building a house =P  I don't hire 20 different contractors to build my cabinet =P

blah  *shrug* WTFDIK?!

rampy

[SirPoonga]

Plus it's the labor that's expensive when building a house =P  I don't higher 20 different contractors to build my cabinet =P

Maybe you should?

[rampy]

Plus it's the labor that's expensive when building a house =P  I don't higher 20 different contractors to build my cabinet =P

Maybe you should?

boooo! Low blow! boooooo! hisssss boooooo!

rampy

[paigeoliver]

I still wonder why so many people are building cabinets. It really isn't that difficult to find cabinets. I have found them left for dead by the dumpster. Bought them at auction for almost nothing. Bought one bulk buy. Gotten others free or cheaply from other collectors (usually as part of a deal that includes a nice fully working unit). I have even had to junk two cabinets because I couldn't get anyone to take them off my hands. Even had to leave a solid (but painted over) Ms. Pac cab where I found it, because I didn't have room for it (I did totally strip it right down to the wood though, it was a conversion anyway).

I don't want to knock anyone's woodworking skills, but factory made cabinets almost always look better. I have seen a lot of hand made ones, and I made a cocktail once myself. But the real ones are just better, and so much cheaper.

If you are in MO, then I have 2 different ones that I would sell real cheap. I could probably even help you locate others. It is better to drive even 300 miles for a $50 or $25 cabinet then it is to spend $400 building one that probably won't look as nice as a factory one.

[Frostillicus]

I still wonder why so many people are building cabinets. It really isn't that difficult to find cabinets. I have found them left for dead by the dumpster. Bought them at auction for almost nothing. Bought one bulk buy. Gotten others free or cheaply from other collectors (usually as part of a deal that includes a nice fully working unit). I have even had to junk two cabinets because I couldn't get anyone to take them off my hands. Even had to leave a solid (but painted over) Ms. Pac cab where I found it, because I didn't have room for it (I did totally strip it right down to the wood though, it was a conversion anyway).

I don't want to knock anyone's woodworking skills, but factory made cabinets almost always look better. I have seen a lot of hand made ones, and I made a cocktail once myself. But the real ones are just better, and so much cheaper.

If you are in MO, then I have 2 different ones that I would sell real cheap. I could probably even help you locate others. It is better to drive even 300 miles for a $50 or $25 cabinet then it is to spend $400 building one that probably won't look as nice as a factory one.

maybe you should look at the examples page here...lots of nice cabs that are A LOT better than factory - made by everyday people with various levels of woodworking skills.  Yet most turn out pretty good.  Who do you think made your original 'factory' cabs? Master Woodwrights? Just regular guys/girls on an assembly line using cookie-cutter templates.

Our cabs are custom...and built pretty well on average.  Every single 'factory' cab I've seen that go for $25 or $50 bucks looks awful, and there's a reason why they sell that low - they are falling apart (corners broken, water damage, etc) - and I've seen a lot of them(auctions, warehouses, dealers, etc). Most made with some sort of particle board that just disintegrates after time.  

[paigeoliver]

I am not a big fan of particle board cabinets myself. Most of mine seem to be made out of plywood. The particle board ones are a lot like particle board furniture in that they come apart over time. 5 of my machines are at other people's homes, but of the 6 I have at my house, 5 of them are plywood. The other (a Cherry Master type cabinet) is laminated particle board. Of my other 5 I know my Top Gunner is plywood, and that Assault is particle board, not sure about Turbo, Kangaroo, or Crystal Castles.

I will admit I have seen some awesome hand built cabinets on the examples pages. But I have also seen some terrible ones as well.

[aj6500]

And not everyone has good woodworking skills.  I can do body and engine work in my sleep, but everything I make out of wood looks like an accident until it's finished.  And then it only looks ok because I camoflague a lot of mistakes.  I just don't have the patience.

Paigeoliver: where in Montanna are you?  If you have some good items for sale I might have to make a drive once my house is done.

[paigeoliver]

Paigeoliver: where in Montanna are you?  If you have some good items for sale I might have to make a drive once my house is done.

I am in Missouri, not Montana. I live in Florissant, which is considered part of St. Louis. A deal has been made for one of the two cabinets I mentioned. I would probably sell any of my games if you offered the right price, but I am pretty attached to most of them.

[said7]

Ive tried for several weeks and still cant find cabs down here in south florida.

Plus building one is part of the fun isnt it?

[unclet]

I built a 4-player cab (not including TV and computer) for $1000.   Based my design on Scott's Unicade (which is a two-player cab) and he has price analysis for his cab.  He lists some things you do not realize you will end up needing.

Hope this helps,
UncleT

[aj6500]

I never was any good state abreviations.  I guess Montana would be MN, or MT, or FWD for all I know.   I don't think I could get to Missouri and back in time for work.

For me the cab building in a pain the butt that has to be done to give the end result I want.  I'd much rather find a cab and convert it than build my own.  Which is exactly why I don't have a working cab yet.

[paigeoliver]

The only reason I would ever really want to build my own cab would be to use all plywood, and then stain it rather than paint it. I have one Midway Galaxian cab like that, and it looks pretty darn good. I imagine one that wasn't beat to crap before it was stripped and stained would look even better.

Btw, if you are buliding your own cabinet, and want one to copy, then copy a Defender. It doesn't have any tricky curves to mess up on. The control panel is wooden, and the monitor sits on a shelf.

[shmokes]

The $1000 figures were definitely taking that $400-$600 ding Happ puts on your wallet (assuming you're getting at least one trackball).  Do that first, then the sting of multiple trips to Home Depot to pick up "just a couple more things" won't hurt so much.