cheapest cab possible

[darkmanx]

hey everyone.. my fiance's brother who is like 14 has seen what i am doing and now he wants to make a cabinet. of course at that age money is the issue. i was trying to think of the cheapest possible solution for a home built cab. i figure:

(and i mean total barebones, nothing that isnt necessary)

wood = $35
16 buttons and 2 super joysticks = $65
interface (ipac)= $47
Misc screws and stuff = $40
=$187

he has a computer he can probably use, and he can borrow my tools so no problem there. anything i am forgetting? the only other thing is maybe a tv because the 20" monitor might not cut it, and paint.

[Lilwolf]

Few tips.

go to the local arcade and ask if they have any old shelled out games to buy.

After I spend 400 bucks on mine (shipping to BFE where I live was most of it) I finally got a free cabinet from a friend of a friend who owns an arcade and he was going to give it to me for free... of course my wife wouldn't let me take it... sigh...

This should get you 2 joysticks of decent (but not great) condition and a few buttons.

If you have an arcade CRT that works (make sure first!) then go jpac.  Otherwise, I would go TV

Then, look at ebay.  Search under arcades

Collectibles:Coin-Op, Banks & Casino:Coin-Operated:Arcade

Then search for control panels, or joystick or joysticks (yes, they are different searches), and see whats around.

I got 100 buttons for about 10 cents each so I have plenty extras that have come in VERY handy.  

Remember that joysticks go bad and aren't worth refurbishing in most cases... but a great start.  

www.videoconnect.com seems to have the best prices, but a crappy website (mention it if you call).  but 10 bucks for a happs joystick.

So what you should hope for.

Cabinet 25" or 19" CRT... free - 50 bucks

10 extra buttons (assuming cabinet has 2 joysticks with a few buttons each... you will probably want to add a few).  + a few extra items to fill in an order to make it worth the shipping  -------- $25

Jpac ($80 or so... haven't checked)

done.

[delta88]

:-/

hey everyone.. my fiance's brother who is like 14 has seen what i am doing and now he wants to make a cabinet. of course at that age money is the issue. i was trying to think of the cheapest possible solution for a home built cab. i figure:

well where is her brother located??

I might be able to find him an el'cheapo cab to get him started off with

[darkmanx]

extreme southeast wisconsin, kenosha to be exact.

[Elaundar]

A good rule of thumb when building a cab, no matter how simple it might be: you will underestimate the cost. i.e. your $187 estimate should probably be about $250-300 when you have to pay for shipping, transportation, breakage,  etc etc.

You might look at the arcade in a box solution instead: http://arcadeinabox.com.  The computerless option is $475. I've had no experience with the guy, but he might be willing to make a box /wo the trackball or spinner to cut the price down if you asked.

[darkmanx]

well i am basing it on the cost of my cab so far, which i actually over-estimated on. i was planning to spend over $1000 and i am at $500 with pretty much only a computer to go which i will build myself for around $300. add some coin mechs and 1 more 4 way joystick and i am estimating 800-900. as for his, of course there will be more added to that for hinges, and whatnot. i told his mom my estimate based on what i did was $187 plus paint and misc stuff, so i said $250 to be safe.

[Agent Davis]

If you want the absolute cheapest option, assuming you get NOTHING for free and start from scratch:

I'm going to be reasonable and give you a solution that is a viable option for just about anyone, not a solution that involves getting this and that for free.