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How long did it take you to build your cab?
Todd_H:
I expect it to take at least a good year to finish my cabinet. So far all I've done is buy the wood and play around with my software options, like which FE to use, what emulators, etc. I've pretty much settled on Game Launcher with MAME, ZSNES, and VirtuaNES. I'm still deciding on joysticks and other parts. And Plus I work at lot and don't have much free time. But I'd rather be patient than rush and make mistakes. I'm a perfectionist. What can I say?
ddebuss:
I started my prototype almost a year ago. Was playing it a bit within two weeks.
About a month later, re-wired the control panel.
About two weeks later, had to re-layout the control panel because I couldn't close the front door. (It's a countertop so there is very little clearance under the control panel.
While re-doing the control panel, I decided on a better way to make the control panel interchangable. Had originally created my own disconnect using sprinkler signaling wire and 25 pin seriel connectors. A lot of work to solder all those wires and the harness itself was cumbersome. Thanks to a wonderful idea from this forum I redid this interface with a monitor extension cable cut in half. (Depressing how long I spent on the old one, but the new one is MUCH better.)
I've been playing all along, but just last week I got it more or less completely together. I just got my Robotron control panel together so I now consider it mostly done. This was my main inspiration in getting started. No progress since last week because everytime I approach the thing I got to spend 3 hours playing...
Over the last 6 months whenever I have my tools out for another project, I do a bit on my "production" cabinets. I've got all the pieces cut for 4 more additional systems. Just a couple modifications to the original and cut 4 pieces for each part.
First unit: 1 year (60 hours work - 5 to go)
Copies 2-5: About 6 months (15 hours work - 10 hours to go for all 4)
telengard:
It took about 3 months to get mine to the point I could play
games on it theway they should be played.
Features mine has:
Rotating monitor
Swappable metal panels
I still have a few more panels I want to make and someday I want
to raise the monitor about 3/4" because it hangs a little too low.
Other than that, the cabinet does *everything* I'd like it to. Someday
when I have copious amounts of free time I want to make a cabinet where 4 people can play at the same time, ala Simpsons.
Tehrasha:
Rapidly approaching the two-year mark for my cab.
I had it designed, cut, and operating within a month, but that was the mistake... I put it together to test it, and then sat and played with it for months instead of finishing it.
Then other projects got in the way... with any luck, Ill have it finished by Labor day.
http://www.tehrasha.mamehost.com/monolith/
--Teh
SNAAAKE:
tehrasha,,,
you know whats really funny??i had the same problem..instead of finishing up..i kept playing on that PROTYPE of mine..today i did most of the work on my cabinet...the new one ofcourse...i will post up pictures as soon as i am done....anyways...good luck to anyone who is thinking of making one..i say...GO GO GO for it..because the result is toooooo damn great...what can i say..all the work is worth it...