| Main > Main Forum |
| Help for my first Cabinet |
| << < (5/11) > >> |
| Dazz:
No worries mate. I was just making sure you weren't trying to use it commercially as I don't think any of the front end developers would allow you to. Don't pressure it.... It doesn't sound like you are on any kind of time deadline or anything. Things like this take research and really isn't something you can just expect to jump into. There are many things to take into consideration. The front end should be the LAST of your worries. You just need to slow down a little and take it piece by piece... Rushing a project like this will only lead to confusion and more problems in the long run. Seriously slow down, read, read, read... You might want to purchase Saint's book called Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine by John St. Clair. This has a lot of good information. To give you an idea of the type of research I did... At the time I started researching my cabinet I lived in an apartment. I did not have the room nor the tools required for a project. I knew that as soon as I got a house I wanted a cabinet. By time I actually moved out of an apartment into a house it was about 4 years. So, before I started building I had 4 years of research and drooling over other peoples cabinets complete and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Once I moved I started purchasing tools and the parts for the cabinet. That was another 6 to 8 months worth of saving and purchasing components every two weeks. I had a definite budget set each pay period that I was able to use and just had to wait it out until I had all of my components together. I think you should start out by asking yourself these basic questions: 1. Do you want to build a cabinet from scratch or purchase a gutted cabinet? If building from scratch, do you have the tools required for the wood work? 2. What kind of display do you want to use? Regular TV? Arcade monitor? Computer CRT/LCD? 3. What kind of controls do you want on your control panel? number of players? additional controls? The computer and software to use will all come later down the road. Just don't rush and you will not risk wasting any money. |
| soccercop:
Dazz, While i am feeling pressured to build an arcade cabinet, i am feeling thrilled at the same time. I actually stay up until 4am and eagerly study on cabinets. Its hard for me to describe this thrill in me. Funny because i haven't had this kind of thrill or excitement in a long time..........Last time i had this kind of thrill was when i had to give a speech in front of the whole school when i was primary school back many many years ago. Dont worry, i will slow down and get more sleep. Edit: i stayed up until 4am studying cabinets for 8 days because i am on break for 9 days. But sleeping time will be back to normal today. Jax. |
| soccercop:
--- Quote from: shmokes on September 19, 2008, 11:31:22 am --- And, perhaps better yet, get a copy of The Project Arcade book (that is a link . . . click it). Not only will you find pretty much all the information you need there, you will step-by-step instructions on building an arcade cabinet. It even comes with detailed plans you can use to build the Ultimate Arcade II cab (look at the picture below). Everything you need is there. Exact dimensions. Plans you can print out and use as a pattern for cutting your wood. Lists of materials you will need. List of tools you will need. --- End quote --- Hey shmokes, I dont see any picture. can you link it? |
| Dazz:
I think we all know exactly what you are feeling... I was the same way when I started my project and I am still the same way with any project I am excited about doing. Take time and enjoy... I think the planning stages was just as much fun as building and honestly, I think those phases were more fun than playing. To this day I am still trying to find things I can tweak or create or something on my cabinet. Right now I am planning on building a new control panel and also redoing graphics and t-molding on my cabinet just because I am bored with what I currently have... The point is, take your time and enjoy these planning stages... Look over the WIKI as many times possible and check out other peoples cabinets. Most of us have links going to our sites that have cabinet info (mine is http://dazz.genmaygamers.com). Also, check out the Examples and the Project Announcements forum on a daily basis. These places will give you great ideas on where to start, what to look for, and also ideas on what you might want to have on your cabinet. Also, check out the Month of Mame that Systm did... They built a cabinet and walkthrough many aspects of it. I have them all linked on my site http://dazz.genmaygamers.com/systm.htm for easy reference. While it might not be the best show, it at least shows what it takes to build a cabinet. |
| shmokes:
--- Quote from: soccercop on September 19, 2008, 11:47:59 am --- Hey shmokes, I dont see any picture. can you link it? --- End quote --- Heh . . . whoops. |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Next page |
| Previous page |