How much money do you have in your project?

[georgemcfly]

I'll start it off.

Buy or build cab?    Buy, 1983 Fast draw upright
Price?   $50

Screen?   19" Monitor
Price of screen?   Already had it

Computer?  P4 2.8, 1GB of ram and some 7200HD I have
Price of computer?    None, was spare

Controls?   Happ controls probably
Price of controls?  Around 65-80$

Controller?  Either Wiz or I-pac
Other electronics? $40

Software or other costs?  Will try out Maximus Arcade, if so thats 25$ I think

Supplies, paint etc? A few bucks for wire, ends, sand paper and brushes.

I can cheaply build this for about 175$ my cost. If I buy the software or spend more somewhere else I'll still stay around 250$.

Loads less than my RC cars or XBox 360, or Wii, or my Mustang.... all of which I put on hold while I build this thing.

[javeryh]

I probably put in over $1,000 into my last one.  After building a few I can tell you this - whatever you think your budget is at the beginning - double it at least.

[gatordad]

I can't tell ya........ my wife might read this.



More than a couple hundred bucks 

[georgemcfly]

I know the double your budget bit, which is why I AIM low, rather than realistically. If i said it'd cost me 500$ I'd spend a grand. So I'll say it's going to cost me 250$

[Ginsu Victim]

Though we've had a few threads like this already, without a breakdown of items, around $800. In September I'll get a new PC and bump that figure to around $1,000.

[missioncontrol]

if you have to ask, then this isn't the right hobby for you

[Ginsu Victim]

I can cheaply build this for about 175$ my cost. If I buy the software or spend more somewhere else I'll still stay around 250$.

Good luck with that. Shows us the receipts when you're done. 

(Says the man whose budget was $250. "Yes baby, $250 on the arcade, that's all I'll spend." $800 later....whoopsy!)

[TAG]

Controls?   Happ controls probably
Price of controls?  Around 65-80$

That part's probably possible if you're not planning on a spinner, trackball, or specialized joysticks, but I've read that shipping charges if you order direct from Happ might eat up that budget!

[Ginsu Victim]

Probably not ordering direct. If he's considering it, though, we should warn him:

DON'T!

[javeryh]

Also, I don't see any budget for the marquee/artwork, t-molding, coin door, monitor glass, power strip, speakers and some other typical stuff.  You said you paid $50 for a cabinet but depending on the condition it might take a lot to restore and unless you got a great deal on it I'm betting an old $50 cab from 1983 is beat up from the feet up.

[Paul Olson]

After 4 years of buying parts, I probably have about $3000 into mine. It could be more, but I will stick to that figure because it makes me feel a little better.

If you want to do a low cost build, figure out what you want your cab to do, then build it and play it. If you keep looking at new ideas, it will become a money pit quick.

To me, that is half the fun. I want mine to be able to do everything. Everything is very expensive. 

You will find that a wico 4-way is great for all 4-way games. I know this, but I still want the actual sticks. Because of this, in addition to my pair of wicos, I have a nintendo stick, pacman stick, galaga stick, 2 joust sticks, 4 karate champ sticks, a reunion stick (probably going to sell this one, etc. I think there are more 4-ways, but you get the idea.

I think most people start off thinking they are going to do a cheap build. Some actually do, and some of them are happy with the results. Don't be surprised if you blow right past your budget; just try to do it over time, it will make it easier to handle.

Have fun either way. Try to get the wife/ girlfriend to play some games, they will complain a bit less. 

[Kangum]

I have about 1200 into my pacman coctail. that was parts alone i had a spare computer. In the begining i thought it would cost like half that.

my next project im estimating about 1750. now that ive done it before i feel this estimate is alot closer. This time around i will be building a custom machine for it rather then recycle. the woodwork is the hard part so i will tackle that first and build the computer for it when its done.

[georgemcfly]

Also, I don't see any budget for the marquee/artwork, t-molding, coin door, monitor glass, power strip, speakers and some other typical stuff.  You said you paid $50 for a cabinet but depending on the condition it might take a lot to restore and unless you got a great deal on it I'm betting an old $50 cab from 1983 is beat up from the feet up.

Restore will be 2 boards that have water damage *top actually* , sand and paint. Then it needs a new lock for the rear.

The cab has great glass, coin door, I have a power strip APC smart power, Boston Acoustics speakers, all the hardware for PC I could need besides a small keyboard if I want to leave on in it *not planning on it*.

As for art work, I'll keep the Fast Draw marquee and the rest will be black.


I'm not arguing that its possible or plausable, just that my plans are simple. Was going to build control panel to run on PC, but had everything except cab to put it in. So the only added cost to my plan is the cab. I figure this will be my test. If i get it running and never play it again, I wasted little money. If I want to make it better, I'll build my next cab and do a nicer 4 player unit or possible a mini arcade for my kids.

Time proves all things. We'll see if I can do it for that much. Thanks for the info.

[Ginsu Victim]

Plan on paying for it with money from your book?

[ChadTower]

Hey you, get your damn hands off my joystick.

[ahofle]

 

I can cheaply build this for about 175$ my cost.

Hello?!? [knocks on head] Hello, anybody home??!  Come on think, McFly, THINK!
 

[ChadTower]

Hello?!? [knocks on head] Hello, anybody home??!  Come on think, McFly, THINK!
 

Maybe he gets his parts from Iranians in VW busses.

[Ginsu Victim]

Afraid to spend money, dad...dad...daddio?

What's the matter, McFly.....CHICKEN?!?

[ChadTower]

Afraid to spend money?

What's the matter, McFly.....CHICKEN?!?

You mean you have to use your hands to play his cab?  That's like a baby's toy!

[ahofle]

At any rate, building this cabinet...is your density.....I mean destiny.

[ChadTower]

SLACKER!

[georgemcfly]

Glad to see I could bring some smiles to a forum filled with so much negativism.

I mean come on, if you knew your arcade would cost 1200$ when you planned on 600$ would you still have started it? Or better yet would your wife have let you start it

I gotta START reasonable. Or at least make it appear reasonable to the wife.

[cadmium]

Lets see

$100 A gutted Phoenix cab about 4 years ago
$50 For expenses in moving cab around from apartment to garage to new house basement
$340 For new PC (with shipping)
$50 Buttons and joysticks
$50 IPAC (with shipping)
$10 Wood for CP
$25 For Maximus Arcade
$30 Misc wires, screws, etc
$0 Donated Monitor

[georgemcfly]

Lets see

$100 A gutted Phoenix cab about 4 years ago
$50 For expenses in moving cab around from apartment to garage to new house basement
$340 For new PC (with shipping)
$50 Buttons and joysticks
$50 IPAC (with shipping)
$10 Wood for CP
$25 For Maximus Arcade
$30 Misc wires, screws, etc
$0 Donated Monitor

see this is what I was asking for. You've got 655$. Take PC cost, and 100$ off of the price of the cab and its 215$. Its just odd that a 250 $ budget it laughed at.

Its alright though. Like I said, time will tell. If it cost me 250 and i hate it, then its not bad. if it cost me 2 grand and i love it, it'll be worth it.

Still appreciate the info, and laughs.

[ahofle]

I mean come on, if you knew your arcade would cost 1200$ when you planned on 600$ would you still have started it? Or better yet would your wife have let you start it

I think the problem is really that it never ends.  Upgrades, cool new features, new controls, etc.

Oh...and
"Whew! Chad!! Time to change that oil!"

[Flake]

Well in my opinion, to say your cab doesnt cost much because you already have purchased parts in the past (speakers, computer, etc.) and they are simply "lying around" is a fallacy.  You purchased those parts at some point (so it costs you money then) and you incur an opportunity cost after implementing them into your design in that by doing so you cant use them for anything else (say like a jukebox).  

So just because you spent the money over a long period of time rather than from the point you decided to go ahead with the arcade project doesnt mean you actually are spending less.  

Not trying to rain on your parade though.  

My wife tells me I have a bad habit of pointing these little things out and that its annoying as hell.

For purposes of this thread, I have spent about $1850 on my cabinet.  Oh, add $35 to that for the Logitech Driving Force Pro PC steering wheel I just bought on E-bay.

[ChadTower]

My wife tells me I have a bad habit of pointing these little things out and that its annoying as hell.

She also says you should make like a tree and get outta here.

[georgemcfly]

Its not annoying at all. I argue that I did not spend money on the parts that I have.

The 19" monitor is one we upgraded at work so we were going to throw away. The system is the same way. Was missing a HD, I have many that I have pulled from systems that were given to me or i upgraded someone elses drive. So this was no cost.

The speakers I did spend money on. In early 2002 I paid 40$ for them and used them up until  months ago. So you figure depreciation in and its free b/c i meant to throw them away but instead they got stuck in my shop. The power strip cost me nothing, the tools were my dads or my friends, the shop i will build it in, i already have.

Although i appreciate your pointing out why my idea of cost doesn't match yours, you are wrong

[Flake]

Its not annoying at all. I argue that I did not spend money on the parts that I have.

The 19" monitor is one we upgraded at work so we were going to throw away. The system is the same way. Was missing a HD, I have many that I have pulled from systems that were given to me or i upgraded someone elses drive. So this was no cost.

The speakers I did spend money on. In early 2002 I paid 40$ for them and used them up until  months ago. So you figure depreciation in and its free b/c i meant to throw them away but instead they got stuck in my shop. The power strip cost me nothing, the tools were my dads or my friends, the shop i will build it in, i already have.

Although i appreciate your pointing out why my idea of cost doesn't match yours, you are wrong

Well I didnt presume to know your exact situation and my post was more general in nature.  Yes I would agree that if you got your parts for free then you obviously have no cost basis in them.  I have seen others post that their projects cost them nothing because they have parts lying around that they purchased years ago and it was really meant to combat that argument.  Congrats on your low cost project.  I wish I could have gotten away with a $500 cabinet.

I would like to think of a witty Back to the Future line to counter ChadTower but I think they have all been used up in this thread......so.....if you were being serious go --smurf-- yourself, it not then I thought it was pretty funny.

[leapinlew]

The only one I could get under $250 needed no artwork, little t-molding, already had a good monitor and ipac in it when I bought it.

I've done a few machines around $300 out of pocket, because I had quite a few left over parts from various projects.

An arcade cabinet for under $250 is like a car under $500. You can do it, as long as you have the proper expectations.

[Jack Burton]

My cab.




Costs

Mortal Kombat Kabinet:  0$.  I got it for free from a local laundrymat after the monitor died in it.

Monitor: 0$ I got it for free from a computer repair shop here in Lexington, the guy there got it from the University auction for 1$.  It supports 15khz modes.

Controls:  Already had em around, but if you bought them new from Lizard Lick it would be about 30$

PC: Already had it around.  It's an AMD something or other.  About equal to a 1Ghz Intel processor.  Could buy it's equivalent off of ebay or craigslist for 20$

Wiring:  Already had it.  And if you can't find it for free then you fail.

Coin Door, Marquee, T-molding repair:  Didn't care.

Speakers: Used the existing ones and hacked them to a set of PC speakers.

I-pac:  50$ with shipping

Screws, bolts, etc: Already had em.

Hole Saw Kit and other tools: Borrowed.

Bathroom fixture door from Lowes: 7$   I was going to buy a whole sheet of mdf to make the new control panel, but instead I saw this.  IT was already smooth and nice looking.  I sent it through the table saw a couple of times and drilled a few holes and voila, a new control panel.  I used like that for a while before a friend of mine gave me the capcom overlay for free.  

Yes, that is a cardboard bezel.  I made it for fun when my friends kept ribbing me about not having one.  Yes it looks awful.  I am too lazy to paint it black.  I always meant to, but over time it has kind of grown on me.

The cushion is taped to the stool because my roommate kept throwing it across the room.

The picture is grainy because I took it with a ---smurfy--- old digitalcam I had laying right next to the cabinet.

So, I have about 57 bucks in what you see there.  The stuff that I already had could all be bought in a day for probably less than 100$  So a sub 200$ cab is completely doable as long as you can get the cabinet for free or very cheap.

[Kangum]

there is also shipping costs that can kill you if your not careful. had i been smart i would have ordered what i needed all from one place at the same time. would have saved a bundle on shipping.

of course it feels like your spending less when you getting it piece by piece. 100 dollars here. 50 dollars there. oops forgot this and that add another 30 there.

[surface tension]

Glad to see I could bring some smiles to a forum filled with so much negativism.

Whoa there tiger. You didn't even have a smiley after that sentence! 

[TAG]

I think they have all been used up in this thread.

How about, "Wait a minute, [georgemcfly], Ah... Are you telling me that you built a [MAME cabinet]... out of a [Fast Draw upright]?"

Okay, that was a stretch, sorry.

[georgemcfly]

Glad to see I could bring some smiles to a forum filled with so much negativism.

Whoa there tiger. You didn't even have a smiley after that sentence! 

DANG... here's two to make up for the one I forgot. 

[ChadTower]

That's about what you get for fully scrounged up parts.  Most people won't get theirs this nice for $250 because they won't start with a pretty cab like that.  This is a good cab - I'm not knocking it at all - but be sure that if your budget target is $250 that your expectations are at or lower than this one here.

Oh, and don't con me.  Make sure you put two coats of wax on it.

[Jack Burton]

What it comes down to is whether you are building or converting the cab for the joy of building it, which it seems is what the majority of this forum likes to do, or are you building it to play games, and only games, and that's all that matters.

The second choice is especially important if you are only building or converting for playing a select number of games.  I am a street fighter player personally, so I skipped the trac ball and spinner because I wasn't interested in playing those games.  If I had wanted to, then I would easily add anothe $100 to the project. 

I think most of the time when people say "MAME cabinet" they expect it to be a fully finished, slick looking product, with at least a trac ball, spinner, and a way to operate in 4 way mode.  I can appreciate the joy in constructing a well built machine that would great in any garage or living room.

This may be the source of confusion when people think that a working MAME cab can't be built for less than $600 dollars.

[wbassett]

I also have 'free' parts in my cab. 

The PC that's in it was an old AMD Thunderbird I bought around eight years ago.  I built a new system so I gave the Thunderbird to one of my kids, who a couple years later said it was broke so they gave it back.  I guess the mindset that I did pay for it at one time is true, however my other kid gave me a 3.33Ghz system that they said was 'broke' and that's going in the cab!  So my cab PC really was ultimately free!

The sound system is also something my son bought and was going to throw out.

The monitor was a spare 21" Dell Trinitron I had laying around and was given to me for doing some PC work for a friend.

My total though, still around $800!   I don't have access to old cabs, so that was out, and I don't have all the tools I would have needed for getting 4'x8' sheets of mdf and cutting them and then the cost of the hardware so for my first cab I went with an UA-II kit, which is the bulk of the money in my cab.  The rest is pretty much the XArcade TankStick. 

Price will shoot up soon though because the plans have always been to build a swappable cp system.  I'd say by the time I'm done I'll probably have around $1200-$1400 in it.

After this is finished, I want to build a sit down cab and I'll build that one from scratch... but I still estimate it's going to end up being around a grand by the time I'm done with it.

[Ginsu Victim]

I think most of the time when people say "MAME cabinet" they expect it to be a fully finished, slick looking product, with at least a trac ball, spinner, and a way to operate in 4 way mode.  

This may be the source of confusion when people think that a working MAME cab can't be built for less than $600 dollars.

I have no trackball and I built my spinner for about $6.00. I converted an old Track and Field cabinet using a free monitor and free PC.

My cabinet is very basic and is not very polished.

Yet I have $800 so far in it. (Headin' for $1000)

[TAG]

What it comes down to is whether you are building or converting the cab for the joy of building it, which it seems is what the majority of this forum likes to do, or are you building it to play games, and only games, and that's all that matters.

Very true.  And that joy of building is worth something, too, so what I get out of the expense isn't just a cabinet to play games; it's the experience of building something like that from scratch.  It's nice to sit back and look and say, "I made this," whether it's an arcade cab, or a bookcase, or a toy chest, or whatever.

At the very least, that logic helps sell it to your spouse...!

[Jack Burton]

I think most of the time when people say "MAME cabinet" they expect it to be a fully finished, slick looking product, with at least a trac ball, spinner, and a way to operate in 4 way mode.  

This may be the source of confusion when people think that a working MAME cab can't be built for less than $600 dollars.

I have no trackball and I built my spinner for about $6.00. I converted an old Track and Field cabinet using a free monitor and free PC.

My cabinet is very basic and is not very polished.

Yet I have $800 so far in it. (Headin' for $1000)

I'm curious, what is the bulk of cost in your cabinet then?

[Flake]

I think the base line for a fully finished, slick looking product is around $1500.  I consider mine to be slick looking (still could use a couple cosmetic touches) and I purchased my control panel from Arcades R Fun - which is much more expensive than building your own control panel.  The control panel in my case cost me about 1/3 my total project costs.  

Now that number assumes you can get a old cabinet from an auction or something and refurbish it.  Building one from scratch is pretty expensive from what I understand.

[Ginsu Victim]

I'm curious, what is the bulk of cost in your cabinet then?

Side-art, marquee, Happ universal joysticks (replaced by 2 x U360s), Minipac, buttons, new video card, paint, tools, t-molding, new speakers, plexi, cabinet wheels, lighting, wire and connectors, USB hubs, soon a new PC, Logitech trackball mouse, coin mechs, etc

This is from the older thread where I was only up to $680

cabinet itself - $50 (trashed Track and Field)

emdkay - $32 (Tron-style Mame marquee plus lexan)

mamemarquees - $36 (side art from bargain bin)

Divemaster - $103 (2 x Happ universals, 4 x wheels, 17 x buttons, 35ft black t-mold, pcb feet, button wrench, miniature momentary pushbutton)

Mike's Arcade - $36 (2 x coin mechs, coin door lock)

Ultimarc first order - $60 (Mini-pac with wiring harness and ground harness)

Ultimarc second order - $177 (2 x Ultrastik 360s w/balltops, 2 x medium spring, 2 x restrictors, 1 x encoder wiring)

Radio Shack, Lowes, Ace, Wal-mart - ~$100

Newegg.com - $80 (250 GB hard drive)

Total = ~$680 (my wife and I agreed on a budget of $300   )

The computer and 19" monitor were given to me free from the local hospital. (733mhz w/ 384 MB ram)

[leapinlew]

sometimes there isn't a "bulk"...

but artwork, tools, computer/monitor and controls seems to be the biggest offenders. I get dinged pretty hard by all the small stuff: t-molding, screws, brackets, hinges, paint, paint supplies, carriage bolts, marquee light, casters, marquee retainer, plexiglass, led's, fans, power entry module, and surge protector.

[shmokes]

I stopped keeping track.  But there have been endless trips to the stores for things like screws, bolts, usb hub, bits, blades, hinges, dust masks, wire, molex power splitters, etc., etc., etc.  It adds up.  And it seems like the day after I order anything online I'm cursing myself for forgetting to order that one other thing I need and will now have to incur brand new shipping charges for.  It is just really rreally hard to know everything you're going to need right at the beginning.  If I did it again I'd probably save at least $100 in shipping alone.

[miles2912]

2 Deal breakers for me. 
 
-  Less than a 27" monitor?  Need at least 27".  19" is just too small as far as I am concerned.

-  No spinner/trackball?  Come on.  Tempest, missile command, centipede!

With 2 people on a store bought standard 1 player cab it gets a little cramped.  If you just want a 1 player then you are fine.   I think all in my cab was close to $2500 or so.  That includes tools.


Here is the break down

http://www.donsnet.net/cab/Cab%20Cost.htm

[leapinlew]

-  Less than a 27" monitor?  Need at least 27".  19" is just too small as far as I am concerned.

I like a big monitor too, however for classic games - I prefer the 19". Many of the classic styled cabs won't even hold a 27" monitor.

If the 27" is your minimum... how much bigger of a monitor can you put in it?

[miles2912]

Cool thing is on a 27" monitor mounted horizontally vertical games measure 19".  So they looks just like they did back in the day.

If you build your own then in theory any size monitor you want.  27" or 29" tube based are prolly your best bet.  A flat tv just isn't going have that 'classic' look to it.

[Ginsu Victim]

but like leapinlew said, some of us can't support a 27" monitor because our old cabinets aren't made big enough. My Track and Field is made for a 19", and the way it's setup, it looks great.

[Turnarcades]

A couple of hundred pound in my first arcade conversion, then since then I've been building for everyone else! If only I knew then what I know now though, I'd have built from the ground up for even less.

I've had enough of watching everyone else's builds come up now though, so this Autumn I will finally be building a replacement cabinet for myself, exactly how I want it this time!

[georgemcfly]

I cant' justify buying a 27" monitor, nor can I spend 2500$ on a toy. At least not on my first build. Like I've said from the get go, if I figure out this is what i want to do, later i can build one the way I want. If its not, I'm not out 2500$ on something I don't use or enjoy.

[javeryh]

I cant' justify buying a 27" monitor, nor can I spend 2500$ on a toy. At least not on my first build. Like I've said from the get go, if I figure out this is what i want to do, later i can build one the way I want. If its not, I'm not out 2500$ on something I don't use or enjoy.

I think 99% of the people on this board know for a fact they will use and enjoy the finished cabinet - it's a little crazy to build these things to begin with otherwise.  That said, $2,500 on one cab is at least $1,000 more than I'd probably spend... unless I had the money to burn.    

Everyone's economic position is different and everyone's definition of what is good enough to have on display in their home is different.  I have a wife and two kids to support so money is tight but my wife wants "professional looking" craftsmanship if it is going to be in the house so there's a balance to strike for sure.

[leapinlew]

I cant' justify buying a 27" monitor, nor can I spend 2500$ on a toy. At least not on my first build. Like I've said from the get go, if I figure out this is what i want to do, later i can build one the way I want. If its not, I'm not out 2500$ on something I don't use or enjoy.

Who are you trying to convince? You or us?

You said

I can cheaply build this for about 175$ my cost. If I buy the software or spend more somewhere else I'll still stay around 250$.

The $175 number seems totally off base. Tally it all up, and let us know where you end up. 

[Zeno]

Lets see, for my first MAME...

Empty NBA Jam Cabinet - $50
Wood for CP - ~$25
New 24" TV - $125
Computer - Free (old one)
Joys, PBs, Encoder, etc from Ultimarc - ~$200
T-Molding - $20
Bezel - $2 (thank you BYOAC forum)
Laminate - $80
Tools from Lowes - $50
--------------------------------------
TOTAL ~$550


I have also found a knack for parting out, flipping and trading to re-coup some costs.

For example... I picked up a 4 player cabinet for $175 with D&D II board installed.  I sold the D&D board on Ebay for $250 to some guy in France.  Thank you weak dollar!

I also picked up a lowboy arcade with Pooyan installed for $100.  I sold the Pooyan PCB for $85.

Stuff like that to get my costs down. When it comes to the boss lady, I found that the key is to be modest about purchases and to toot my horn every time I sell one for a profit.

[shmokes]

Tools was big for me.  I basically had none.  In the process of building mine, especially in the beginning I purchased a router, jigsaw, jigsaw blades, circular saw, staight edge, clamps, squares, tape measures, level, router bits, calipers, pens, pencils, dust masks, eye protection, drill bits, a mallet, chisels, wire strippers, a big tool box, saw horses, a file, a wet/dry vacuum, electric sander (which I'd gone orbital), utility knife, work light, extension cord, and other things which currently escape me.  I'm easily $500+ into my project on tools alone.  

Of course, the tools have been used in countless non-arcade-related situations since I got them, so it's probably not fair to count them explicitly as costs of my arcade cabinet.  Also, I am more of a man since I got all those tools, so it was really quite a bargain.  

But I'm well over $1000 on materials too (my PC was free).  Off the top of my head I have (all purchased new):

Joysticks x 7
Mounting plate for Ms. Pac joystic x 1
Act Labs TV light guns x 2
Buttons x 35-40
Coin door x 1
Monitor bezel x 1
Marquee retainer x 1
Fluorescent marquee lamp x 1
Logitech MOMO Force wheel and pedals x 1
Act Labs shifter x 1
Cabinet handles x 2
Fans x 2
27" tube TV x 1
4'x8' 3/4" Melamine (prelaminated MDF) x 4
4'x8' 3/4" Plywood x 1
4'x8' 1/4" Masonite x 1
Laminate (a sheet of metal laminate was over $100 by itself!)
Replacement coin reject buttons x 2
3" Happ trackball x 1
Trackball mounting plate x1
2" generic PC trackball x 1
Aluminum t-molding x I don't remember -- enough to cover all my edges
7-port USB hub x 1
Quick disconnects x 200
Button wrench x 1
Smartstrip power strip x 1

And, of course, countless screws, bolts, lights, hinges, brackets, casters, wood glue, contact cement, epoxy, brushes, dowels, heat shrink tubing.

Good lord, listing it all out like that makes it seem pretty obscene.  Thank god I got it all years ago when I didn't have a kid and wasn't in school and had expendable income.  There's no way I could spend even a small fraction of that to build a cabinet today!  

[Paul Olson]

I spent about $5000 on tools, but now I have pretty much any tool I need for whatever project I am working on. I originally started buying them to work on my cab, but now I can use them for everything, so I don't really count those into the cost of the cab. It is really nice to have the tools to work on things around the house.

[wbassett]

Seriously?  $5G on tools?

Wow and man am I in the wrong line of work!

[georgemcfly]

Seriously?  $5G on tools?

Wow and man am I in the wrong line of work!

I say if you got it, spend it... then loan it to me

[wbassett]

And I thought I was 'stylin' when I bought a rotozip with all the attachments for $150!

I rarely if ever count the cost of tools as part of a project if I know the tools will be used for other things and many times.  Projects are just a good excuse to buy some tools!

Still though, that's a lot to spend on tools!

[extendedplayarcade]

Don't think of all these post as discouraging.  Think of them just being really honest (brutally honest).  But they are telling ya like it is.  This is a very addicting hobby.

Just start small and leave room in your control panel for upgrades.

Only advice I can give ya.

Brent
www.extendedplayarcade.com

[Zeno]

Don't think of all these post as discouraging.  Think of them just being really honest (brutally honest).  But they are telling ya like it is.  This is a very addicting hobby.

Yeah... that is an understatement.  I started out looking to spend under $150 on an x-arcade stick for my computer.  Today I have 4 machines in my gameroom (plus the ever present project cab)!  My $500 was just for the MAME.  I'm over $1000 easy on the entire hobby.

It's all about the hunt.  Looking for those diamonds in the rough that can use some TLC.  It's great finding that perfect working cab for $100.

[Paul Olson]

Seriously?  $5G on tools?

Wow and man am I in the wrong line of work!

I drove old beat up cars until a couple of years ago. There was a lot more cash for hobbies without a car payment. 

I actually started out buying cheap tools, and I hated them all. Quality tools are just worth the cost to me. I hated my table saw when I got it, but after I added a Biesemeyer fence, I love it.

[Loafmeister]

It's been a while, so I might be remembering my $$$ wrong but:

Bought mini-cab (Excellent shap!  Came with crappy 2 player 6 button setup, with a 14" CRT and with old pc)=$300

added (includes shipping where relevant):
- spinner ($100)
- trackball ($100)
- various buttons/joysticks ($50)
- got a friend to help me with redesign and build of new CP (thanks Sparky!), personalized Marquee, speaker array/sub woofer, extra CP stuff like trigger stick, pinball accessories,  ($300)
- 19" LCD monitor ($150?)
- upgraded PC ($150 when factoring in selling of older pc)
- GGG steering wheel (works great!) ($30)

So that comes too (AGAIN, looks around to see if wife is looking over the shoulder...): about $1200, give or take a few.  But it's been worth it, play it a lot more than I thought I would.

[bigredsk10]

Im going to agree with the original poster and say that a $250 cabinet is very possible if you are wise about how you spend your money. I built mine for about that much and I am very happy with it, especially the way it looks. You just need to be okay without every bell and whistle there is. A good design sense will keep it from looking like something that was just slapped together.

My cabinet is a 2 player cabinet/ 6 buttons each player

gutted cabinet - $20 (craigslist) (it still had the coin door)
21" monitor - $20 (craigslist)
i-pac - $40
Happ joysticks and buttons - $50
t-molding - $20
computer - used my old one
speakers - $20 (logitech 2.1 something or other that work plenty well enough)
Print of control panel and side art - $30
various paint and wire and stuff - $30 ish
_______________
$230

And thats all I bought and Im perfectly happy with my arcade machine. Granted, Im not a purist in any sense, but I couldnt afford to spend $1000 on my arcade machine. So I built one I could afford and havent regretted it for a second. I still get that authentic arcade feeling when I play it.

Craigslist is an awesome resource. If youre not seeing anything on there just put up a request for what youre looking for and how much you can spend. Who knows, sometimes it works. Thats how I got both the cabinet and the monitor.

Im missing all the specialty controls (trackball, spinner, lightguns) but it just comes down to whats worth the money to me. I would love to have a track ball. I would really love to have one. But not $100 love to have one. I put that $100 towards buying a wii instead.

So if you want to build a cabinet for $250 go for it. Make sure you dont skimp on the joystick or buttons but dont think you have to buy every control option there is out there. Expect to put MONTHS of work into building/programming/tweaking it. Its all fun though.

[Ginsu Victim]

I would love to have a track ball. I would really love to have one. But not $100 love to have one.

Though I don't normally recommend Xgaming products, this is the one exception. On sale for $49.95 right now. Just take it out and put it in your CP.

X-Arcade Trackball Controller

I know there are cheaper trackballs on eBay right now, but those aren't PC ready. However, if you want a $20 trackball, just go here:

Betson 3" Trackball

[georgemcfly]

bigredsk10: Thanks for the info and encouragement.

This week has been a bust. Sinus infection, and headaches have kept me in the recliner watching the Food network, and old movies like Blues Brothers. If I feel well enough this next week I hope to make some more progress.

[leapinlew]

My cabinet is a 2 player cabinet/ 6 buttons each player

gutted cabinet - $20 (craigslist) (it still had the coin door)
21" monitor - $20 (craigslist)
i-pac - $40
Happ joysticks and buttons - $50
t-molding - $20
computer - used my old one
speakers - $20 (logitech 2.1 something or other that work plenty well enough)
Print of control panel and side art - $30
various paint and wire and stuff - $30 ish
_______________
$230

This reeks of someone who didn't keep track of how much they actually spent. 

[TAG]

This week has been a bust. Sinus infection, and headaches have kept me in the recliner watching the Food network, and old movies like Blues Brothers.

Sounds like an excellent opportunity to work on configuring the computer and software!   

[georgemcfly]

So far:

Cab: 50$
Controls: $56.17 (2 Happ joys, 2 player buttons, 1 wrench, and 20 Happ buttons shipped)
IPac2: $46.85 shipped
Have monitor, speakers, wire, and desktop. Cost to me: $0.

So so far I have spent 153.02$
BUT I get ~ $19.80 back from Microsoft Live Ebay promo. Will take a few weeks but it makes my cost of controls and IPAC less than $85

Only things that I plan on buying:
T molding will be 17.99$ on eBay.
I have wood left over from cab project, enough to make CP and fix 2 pieces on top.
Will have to buy no tools, a friend will do the wood work for me.
I plan on panting the cab black but I still have black paint left from a project last month. Didn't have plans for the paint but I kept it anyways.
Piano hinge for CP


SO. $85 + 50 + hardware supplies

[Jack Burton]

It helps tremendously if you have friends who are into this hobby.  Buying joysticks and buttons might cost $50 new with shipping, but I know I could scrounge them up for free from my friends here in Lexington, or at least for fraction of the cost. 

I'm sure most of us have boxes and bins of old used parts that we keep as backups.  I know I do.  If someone here in Lexington wanted to build a MAME cabinet on the cheap I wouldn't have any problem giving them some old Happ Super Joysticks and concave buttons.  I'm probably never going to use them.  But they are fully functional and you could have a lot of fun with them. 

Same goes for other parts like monitors, wiring, overlays, t-molding, etc.  Getting involved in this community can help cut down on costs tremendously.

[Spaced Ace]

Budget?  Whats that?   

[ahofle]

So far:

Cab: 50$
Controls: $56.17 (2 Happ joys, 2 player buttons, 1 wrench, and 20 Happ buttons shipped)
IPac2: $46.85 shipped
Have monitor, speakers, wire, and desktop. Cost to me: $0.

So so far I have spent 153.02$
BUT I get ~ $19.80 back from Microsoft Live Ebay promo. Will take a few weeks but it makes my cost of controls and IPAC less than $85

Only things that I plan on buying:
T molding will be 17.99$ on eBay.
I have wood left over from cab project, enough to make CP and fix 2 pieces on top.
Will have to buy no tools, a friend will do the wood work for me.
I plan on panting the cab black but I still have black paint left from a project last month. Didn't have plans for the paint but I kept it anyways.
Piano hinge for CP


SO. $85 + 50 + hardware supplies

Yeah, well I have you beat.

Betson Multisync arcade monitor - 0$ (bought before the cabinet was built and was just lying around unused)
wood - 0$ (left overs "borrowed" from nearby construction site)
PC - 0$ (stolen from Best Buy)
Wires/connectors/fasteners/screws/paint - 0$ (I don't count that stuff)
Artwork/t-molding - 0$ (birthday present)
Arcade controls - 0$ (Xmas present)
Cup holders - $5.99
Marquee backlight - 0$ (ripped out from kitchen cabinets)

Total cost to me: $5.99!!!

 

[georgemcfly]

 

[Flake]

So far:

Cab: 50$
Controls: $56.17 (2 Happ joys, 2 player buttons, 1 wrench, and 20 Happ buttons shipped)
IPac2: $46.85 shipped
Have monitor, speakers, wire, and desktop. Cost to me: $0.

So so far I have spent 153.02$
BUT I get ~ $19.80 back from Microsoft Live Ebay promo. Will take a few weeks but it makes my cost of controls and IPAC less than $85

Only things that I plan on buying:
T molding will be 17.99$ on eBay.
I have wood left over from cab project, enough to make CP and fix 2 pieces on top.
Will have to buy no tools, a friend will do the wood work for me.
I plan on panting the cab black but I still have black paint left from a project last month. Didn't have plans for the paint but I kept it anyways.
Piano hinge for CP


SO. $85 + 50 + hardware supplies

Yeah, well I have you beat.

Betson Multisync arcade monitor - 0$ (bought before the cabinet was built and was just lying around unused)
wood - 0$ (left overs "borrowed" from nearby construction site)
PC - 0$ (stolen from Best Buy)
Wires/connectors/fasteners/screws/paint - 0$ (I don't count that stuff)
Artwork/t-molding - 0$ (birthday present)
Arcade controls - 0$ (Xmas present)
Cup holders - $5.99
Marquee backlight - 0$ (ripped out from kitchen cabinets)

Total cost to me: $5.99!!!

 

So where they X-mas presents from your wife or where they from other friends/family.  If they are from your wife I assume the money comes from the same pool?

[ahofle]

Oh in that case, they came from friends.   

[Flake]

Oh in that case, they came from friends.   

Your logic sounds flawed to me but whatever floats your boat.  Personnally I think that generally speaking people have more $$ in their cabs than they think they do but in the end does it really matter?  Well I guess if you have to take a loan out to finance your project then maybe it does............

[ahofle]

I guess I need more smileys in my post, it was supposed to be a joke.

[ivwshane]

I've posted this before but I've definitely spent more than whats listed and I haven't even gotten to the artwork and paint yet!:o I also need another gp-wiz and plexi:(
UltraStik 360 Oval Top with USB cable Color: Black               2x   $59.00    $118.00
UltraStik Button / Encoder Harness                       2x   $8.00    $16.00
Electric ICE™ Lightable Horizontal Pushbutton - Microswitch None         14x   $2.25   $31.50
RGB-Drive™ Pushbutton Lighting module
- Configuration Installed RGB LED, Resistors and 24" 4-conductor cable         14x   $3.95   $55.30
   Micro-Leaf™ Arcade Pushbutton Switches                     14x   $2.75   $38.50
LED-Wiz™ 32-port USB Lighting and Output Controller
- Device Number 1 (Use if FIRST or ONLY device of this EXACT type)         1x      $44.95
LED-Wiz+GP™ 16 Output + 16 Input, Output and Gaming Controller
- Device Number 2                           1x      $39.95
Electric ICE-T™ Deluxe RGB Arcade Trackball V2.0
- Trackball Size 3 inch
- Default Port & Cable Type USB
- USB Device Number 1 (Use if FIRST or ONLY of this EXACT controller)         1x      $116.95
Electric ICE™ Lightable Horizontal Pushbutton
- Microswitch Cherry™ w/ RGB-Drive and 2' cable                  4x   $6.49   $25.96
1.125 Inch Wood Boring Bit                        1x      $2.99
Samsung 27" HDTV 4:3                           1x      $399.99
40-0055-00   DOOR ASSY,SMALL, 2 SLOT, $.25
PLASTIC (HP) MECH                           1x      $68.20
42-0517-07    Reject Button Assembly - Red                   2x   $4.80   $9.60
49-1000-00   Retainer for Video Game Marquee                  1x      $13.35
Triple red leds                              2x   $3.49   $6.98
3/4" White T-Molding                           40x   $0.37   $14.80
Whiteside Slotting Cutter 1/16" 3-Wing                     1x      $17.95
Whiteside Slotting Cutter Arbor 1/4" Shank, 2-3/8"OL               1x      $9.95
One day glass 25 5/8" x 23 7/8"
Shape: Square/Rectangle
Glass Type: Tempered
Glass Thickness: 3/16"
Glass Tint: Solar Gray (Light Gray)
Edgework (Step 1): Seamed Edge                        1x      $51.67

                                             
Sub total                                    $1069.24