How much money do you have into your machine

[Kangum]

my project was started from a kit from arcade depot. when i first started plans on the project i kept thinking because it was a kit the amount of money was known up front. not much work had to be done. then as it progressed it really started adding up. before i knew it over 1000 dollars had been put into it and the machine still is not done.

how much have you all put into your machine and is it finished for good?

[danny_galaga]

about $1200 aussie, back then roughly $1000US. its pretty much finished save for a repair when i can get to it (differnet city at the moment). probably just memory or something...

[paigeoliver]

An individual machine can be done anywhere from FREE to thousands and thousands of dollars. I have done about 30 of them. Most were right around $200, several came in at free-$20, and a few went over $500.

Several actually had overall NEGATIVE costs. Although in each of those cases I was converting a working conversion game I picked up for next to nothing and got way more for the parts inside than the project actually ended up costing.

Conversions on 13" cocktails and 13" mini models are easily the cheapest projects you can do, since the monitor component on those can usually be had for free, or you will have to pay all of $5 for a 14" comp monitor at the thrift store.

[lanman31337]

Maybe 1500 USD for everything?  That's a brand new computer, brand new 32 inch television, wood, controls, etc...

[hypernova]

I think I blew around $2300.

Original leaf switches and buttons are expensive.  Along with many other things I didn't skimp on.

I'm waiting for a reason to make a new cabinet.   

[AtomSmasher]

$850-900 for my galaga themed machine

$290 for the pacman themed machine

[WaRpEd]

I think i spent $550 on my mortal kombat
And maybe $900 on my Gamestation not including the CP

[Jdurg]

Ignoring the money spent on tools because those aren't truly machine specific, I've probably spent $500 so far and I'm not even done with a control panel yet.  So far, that has been for the coin door, coin-door parts, controls (joysticks, buttons, trackball, spinner, etc.), plywood and lexan.  This whole machine will probably cost me around $2000 when I'm done.  I now understand why arcade cabinets that are new cost so much.

Also, I've changed my mind on my artwork.  I was going to go for a god and satan type of artwork, but I think now that I'll make a Family Guy themed cabinet.   

[HaRuMaN]

I spent $150 for my Mortal Kombat, and another $100 for a new monitor chassis and other assorted parts.

[divemaster127]

$1800 on my mame standup machine
$800.00 on my cocktail
$1600.00 on my racer
dm

[ark_ader]

Currently at the moment I have .50 cents in it. 

The quarters level out the floppy drive because my idiot relative bust the drive bay with his stupidity.

Keep idiot cousins away from your computer.  Be warned!!!   

[Chris G]

Been adding this up to include in my project announcement.

I think I'm into mine for about $1600.  I really didn't skimp on much.  Only thing left is art.

I sold about $650 worth of stuff around the time I bought most of it, so that helped.