Mameroom Ultimate II & Arcades R Fun

[pinballwizard79]

I spent an hour sifting through the old posts, growing tired of hitting my back buttons & researching over & over 

Anyone have pics &/or comments regarding the Mameroom Ultimate II?

& then the same for the Arcades R fun control panels?

Naturally both of the retailers/owners will be reading this post & recognize my name so um, yeah, um no hard feelings guys I am just getting some feedback before spending precious dough hidden from my GF

[TxGlenn]

I just about have my UA2 cabinet assembled...went together really well.

These two reviews helped me..I don't really have much to add other than Scott at mameroom is great to deal with.  Answered all my questions very quickly and was a big help with all of this.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=79247.0

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57847.0

[Dazz]

I built my UAII from the plans instead of the kit.  I just love the design of the cabinet and also it can be built in separate pieces which was my major reason for the UAII.  I have to take it apart for transportation every now and then, it breaks down into 3 or 4 pieces.  Base, top, control panel and I normally pull my monitor/TV out as well when moving it.  I have the top connected to the base using Carriage bolts and Fly nuts inside.  The cabinet is really sturdy and holds up well to 4 people banging on the control panel.

[Flake]

I only have feedback on ArcadesRfun.  Dont have my panel yet and its been 10 weeks from order date  .  I have read nothing but great reviews on Jack's work.  I am expecting to receive a professionally built, beautiful control panel......the problem is waiting for it.  I also believe he is reasonably priced and is willing to do lots of customizing. 

I just wish I had it in my hands to give you a better review.....

[mountain]

I spent an hour sifting through the old posts, growing tired of hitting my back buttons & researching over & over 

TIP

Right click your search results and select "open in new tab". This will keep the results page open and allow you to keep digging with out searching the same text over and over.

[soup]

I'm building my first Cab (so cant compare UAII to others) from the UAII plans and found them to be pretty straight forward. However mine didn't include on how to build the CPO nor mounting of the monitor (for valid reasons).
Now I just have to work out how to mount the monitor and the glass.

[Droler]

I'm starting my UAII this weekend - but as I usually do, I built the CP first.

For me it always seems like the control panel takes as long by itself as the whole rest of the construction project combined. Like it's 50% CP and 50% the rest of the cabinet (not talking artwork - just construction) due to the controls and wiring.

With the UAII plans they give you hints all the way through about the range of dimensions you can use for the CP so I'm optimistic that I won't have any trouble there. I'm building a more narrow cab due to space restrictions and the fact that I'm using a rotatable 19" LCD from Dell (its own base rotates - and in testing outside the cab it looks GREAT).


Anyone have any tips or caveats on building the cab before I/we get started?

I am going to paint, not laminate, to match the CP. I plan to use MDF instead of plywood for cost and also because of the fact the plywood I got from Home Depot for the CP actually delaminated and had to be glued back together - at least MDF won't do that.

If you built your own instead of the kit - did you add any metal braces, or do any extra block construction on the bottom half?

Any other pointers from anyone who has done a scratch UAII?

[Droler]

My UAII from plans is almost finished - I have to add monitor dressing (bezel, background etc).

Here's a pic. Very generic, but the kids love it.

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn203/prdunlap1/?action=view&current=IMGP0106.jpg

[padstack]

I'm starting my UAII this weekend - but as I usually do, I built the CP first.

For me it always seems like the control panel takes as long by itself as the whole rest of the construction project combined. Like it's 50% CP and 50% the rest of the cabinet (not talking artwork - just construction) due to the controls and wiring.

With the UAII plans they give you hints all the way through about the range of dimensions you can use for the CP so I'm optimistic that I won't have any trouble there. I'm building a more narrow cab due to space restrictions and the fact that I'm using a rotatable 19" LCD from Dell (its own base rotates - and in testing outside the cab it looks GREAT).


Anyone have any tips or caveats on building the cab before I/we get started?

I am going to paint, not laminate, to match the CP. I plan to use MDF instead of plywood for cost and also because of the fact the plywood I got from Home Depot for the CP actually delaminated and had to be glued back together - at least MDF won't do that.

If you built your own instead of the kit - did you add any metal braces, or do any extra block construction on the bottom half?

Any other pointers from anyone who has done a scratch UAII?

I scratch built a UAII, but widened it for a 27" TV.  Fits nice and snug.  I absolutely love the look of this cab.  Now, that was about 2 years ago and I still haven't done a panel that I like...  LOL!  Oh well.  I just bought the plywoood to finish a few months ago so hopefully I will wrap it up this summer.

To your point though, all I added was the widened panels and castors.  I should have used bigger castors though...  I used the 2" diameter ones.  Should have used the big ones.  JMO.

[grbgemen]

My UAII from plans is almost finished - I have to add monitor dressing (bezel, background etc).

Here's a pic. Very generic, but the kids love it.

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn203/prdunlap1/?action=view&current=IMGP0106.jpg

which golden tee is that?

[Flake]

Here are some pics of my panel from Arcades R Fun.....sorry I dont have anymore close ups right now.  The panel is well-built and functions nicely.  The only thing I would maybe change is move over the 4-way stick and the related buttons over a inch or so.

Ahhhh.....finally done.   

[pinballwizard79]

Very cool, I am getting closer & closer to placing my order every day.

[Droler]

Here are some pics of my panel from Arcades R Fun.....sorry I dont have anymore close ups right now.  The panel is well-built and functions nicely.  The only thing I would maybe change is move over the 4-way stick and the related buttons over a inch or so.

Ahhhh.....finally done.   

That is a beautiful machine!

[Droler]

My UAII from plans is almost finished - I have to add monitor dressing (bezel, background etc).

Here's a pic. Very generic, but the kids love it.

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn203/prdunlap1/?action=view&current=IMGP0106.jpg

which golden tee is that?

I honestly don't remember. I have the licensed PC version of Golden Tee which works pretty well with the exception of needing keyboard input from time to time.

[Flake]

Here are some pics of my panel from Arcades R Fun.....sorry I dont have anymore close ups right now.  The panel is well-built and functions nicely.  The only thing I would maybe change is move over the 4-way stick and the related buttons over a inch or so.

Ahhhh.....finally done.   

That is a beautiful machine!

Thanks Droler.  I appreciate the compliments.  I was thinking of starting another project sometime soon - this time building my own control panel with some 49-way joysticks I have from a left over Guantlet legends CP and maybe purchasing a flight stick.  Might even go with a vertical monitor.  Just a thought for now but there is an auction coming up in the STL area in 3 weeks.........

Anyway, back on to the topic at hand.

[Chase]

So for Round 2, I will be building a kit from MameRoom.Com and getting a Custom Panel made from Arcades R Fun.
The reason for a kit instead of an old cabinet was the wife wanted a more clean look of the kits and didnt want to ruin another cabinet.  (How am I to argue?) Smiley

Monitor is TBD as I will be trying my Sony 27" TV first.

Once some of the parts start coming in, I will start a new thread, with the construction.

[rlehm]

I used Mameroom for my cab. I score them 10/10. Quick to arrive, professionally packaged, email response is awesome, and the product met my expectations easily. see my avatar for a pic.

[Donkey_Kong]

rlehm, your cab is very nice. Your avatar looks stretched though.

I took your original and resized it to 120 pixels high (max avatar size) You can use it if you want.

[rlehm]

thank you:P