Buy my own arcade controls (project Singarcade is in coma)

[Singapura]

Even immaculate planning can't take way the unwillingness of people to help you. A few months ago I started project Singarcade to finally build my own cab. Here in Singapore, all vintage cabs have disappeared leaving me no choice but to build my own. The problem is that before moving from The Netherlands, I sold all my tools and even if I still had them, I have no room (or wifely permission  ) to build the thing. So I started looking around for a woodshop that could do most of the cutting for me or at least would be able to help me. This proved to be an educational experience. After posting some ads on local forums, the response was very enthousiastic. It seems that the local gaming community hasn't forgotten the classics, just wasn't playing them anymore. One member offered to help me (for a fee) so in good faith I asked him to meet up so we could discuss the plans. In the meantime I ordered all hardware (joysticks, t-molding, key-wiz). The first thing I learned in this experience was that people offer to help and assure you that they'll able to help you build a cab but when it turns out that an arcade cab is a bit different then a standard wardrobe they tend to be a bit less enthousiastic. In this case tehy just stop responding to emails and don't answer the phone anymore. After a month of trying to meet, I gave up and tried the same thing with a member from another (local) forum. He has a carpentry shop or at least carpenters working for him so it wouldn't be much of a problem. Long story short, we agreed to meet and he never showed up. Almost losing faith but unwilling to give up I contacted a professional woodshop and asked for a quote. It seemed very reasonable so I went by the shop with my file of drawings and met up with the carpenter who turned out to be an intelligent guy, asking questions about how deep the routing must be, where the t-molding goes and so forth. The trouble was that once they found out I wasn't a local guy but a western "ang-moh" the quote suddenly changed and became three times as much. 

So finally I've given up on a custom made cabinet and ordered a woody in China.



The cool thing is that I could order an extra CP ($20!) with it to customize and that it includes a 29" multisync monitor. Even with a 1000-in-1 board and shipping it costs me $200 less then the just the wood of the cab, cut to shape would have cost me. Let's hope the quality is okay  I'm planning to trade my Keywiz for a J-pac, replace the joysticks and buttons with the Sanwas I already have and customize the extra CP with a trackball. Even if the quality isn't that good I could still sell it locally.

[TPB]

So finally I've given up on a custom made cabinet and ordered a woody in China.

Link ?   


Good luck with the cab ... I hope it meets your expectations, and has a solid, rugged build quality.

Be sure to provide us with your own evaluation, once the cab. arrives in your hands !   

[TPB]

The trouble was that once they found out I wasn't a local guy but a western "ang-moh" the quote suddenly changed and became three times as much. 

Doesn't that suck ?

Gweilos often end up with the short end of the straw.

The ironic thing is, many locals in South East Asia kid themselves that racism only exists in Western countries.

Far from it !

[Singapura]

The ironic thing is, many locals in South East Asia kid themselves that racism only exists in Western countries

I could tell you stories about that..... Thing is that westerners are looked upon as having too much money and not enough manners.

[TPB]

I could tell you stories about that.....

I'm sure you could, and I'd love to hear them.   

But that conversation's probably best left for the bar, over a few beers ... if I'm ever in Singapore, I'll shout the first round.   

Thing is that westerners are looked upon as having ... not enough manners.

Oh, so bad manners are another scourge confined to the West ?

Please share this with your local colleagues :

http://www.smh.com.au/news/beijing2008/china-sets-gold-standard-in-offending-disabled/2008/05/26/1211653930152.html

P.S.

I'm a big fan of China and HK.  It's a great country.  I've traveled there a number of times, and I can't wait to return.  I love the hustle & bustle of HK, the buzz, the vibrancy, it's a city that never sleeps.

Having spent time there, I'm familiar with the nuances of their culture.  They have a rich culture, but it's not without the odd blemish (as with Western society).

I haven't been to Singapore, but I guess it's like a blend between KL and HK.

[danny_galaga]

I haven't been to Singapore, but I guess it's like a blend between KL and HK.

but without chewing gum or stick mags 

[weisshaupt]

Singapore is not a poor place.. don't the local schools have wood shops? You might volunteer at a high school and see if you can make the contacts that get you into the woodshop on weekends... or do they not need/want  volunteers at schools in Singapore?


 Not ideal, but your situation is not ideal.

[Singapura]

Believe me, I've tried it all. Anyway, the service of the Chinese factory ( http://gzqingfeng.en.alibaba.com//index.html ) is outstanding so far. They mailed me this morning to ask what kind of power plug I needed and for what coins the coin box needed to be adjusted. I didn't even know there was a coin box!

[Ummon]

Singapore is not a poor place.. don't the local schools have wood shops? You might volunteer at a high school and see if you can make the contacts that get you into the woodshop on weekends... or do they not need/want  volunteers at schools in Singapore?


 Not ideal, but your situation is not ideal.

I thought of this, but in many parts of the US Industrial Arts went the way of the dodo years ago. Man, back in junior high (83-85) we had wood, metal, and plastics (and drafting) a quarter each subject. High school was similar, though no plastics, and welding and auto shop added.