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building my first cab
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Franco B:
Welcome to the forum!

If you have a small budget I would suggest building a control panel for a start, even if it is just a 1p panel.

That way you can practice your wood skills (if you need to) and you will learn plenty that you can apply to your full size cab. Once you have a functional CP you will find you will have plenty of time to save as you will be hooked playing games ;) If you are then happy that you still want to build a cab, great :)

As the guys said, this can be a very expensive hobby and the sky really is your limit. Even if you are building a simple cab its suprising how much things add up to. You don't want to cheap out no matter what spec cab you are making. The last thing you want to do is to make a cab and then 6 months down the line think 'if only I had put some extra £$£$ into this/that'.

Start saving money, research the subject, design your cabinet, redesign your cabinet (etc etc) and only start buying components/controls when you are 100% on your final design/spec. Its very easy to get excited in the beginning and buy a load of components/controls that you don't end up using.

Most of all have fun and good luck!  :cheers:

rob_wizard:
yeah i figured it would be one of those things that just adds up and adds up so im gonna take my time and budget wisely.. i just went out right then and bought a computer from my university that the computing dept was getting rid off.. i paid £50 for a fairly decent machine of which the monitor alone is worth easily £60-70 so im pleased with that..   ;)

probably use the monitor for something else but use the unit for this project.. i have read quite a few build threads and such and i would maybe use s- video to a television.. i don't know what the general opinion is regarding using TV's on this forum but to me it seems like quite a good idea?  ??? i don't really like the look of the LCD's people use and i cant really afford an old arcade monitor and i have a 28 inch TV right here.. this should be fine right?

also cheers for the advice regarding the control bundles i had a feeling that it might not be as good as it looked... i will probably think about investing a bit more money and getting some good solid controls that are not just gonna break the second i use them   :)

thanks a lot for the fast response guys  ;D
Turnarcades:

--- Quote from: waveryder on November 07, 2008, 09:18:27 am ---Gremlinsolutions is a good supplier of parts, but you really only get what you pay for. Be careful of those bundle deals. A couple of friends bought one of their Ebay bundle deals. poor quality knock off sticks and "brittle" buttons. The things snap when removing the microswitches. Their name brand stuff is great and there customer service is good but think carefully about what you purchase as it might cost you more in the long run.

This isnt a cheap hobby. Dont cheap out on the controls you'd definetly regret it later. My £0.02

--- End quote ---

Seconded. As a vendor I'm likely to get flamed for this, but Gremlin Solutions is a bit of a rip off. When I built my first couple of (non-customer) cabinets, I took a chance on their goods. I later found it was easier to source all of their parts from their direct suppliers (mostly Ultimarc) for much less. My biggest complaint was that the buttons they bundle in these 'builders kits' are stiff, noisy, and do not have the lovely soft cherry switches most gamers are used to. They are occasionally good for the odd spare part though, like Sanwa ball-tops.

If you're really on a budget, get (can't believe I'm saying this!) an X-arcade and build a cab later to see if the interest will stick. Otherwise, you can get enough parts and an interface for a two-player panel for less than a ton from Ultimarc direct.
rob_wizard:

yeah i was looking at the ultimarc site and the stuff on their does seem to be a fair bit cheaper and also has good descriptions of the various products.

i really don't want one of them x arcade controllers they look awful.. like really awful. its like when your a kid and you buy a 3rd party controller because its a bit cheaper and has extra functions.. then after your home and have been looking at it for half an hour and getting sores of the cheap buttons and sharp corners you just think "why oh why didn't i just spend another 3 rips and get something that doesn't make me wish i was blind?"  :banghead:

no x arcade for me.. though i do dig what your saying.. :)

i think im gonna buy one of the small interfaces from ultimarc and get all my other stuff from them as well.. im not too sure about joysticks at the moment so if anyone has any suggestions that would be much appreciated, im thin kin not a ball top but otherwise im fairly unschooled so any advice is welcome.

thanks again    ;D
ark_ader:

--- Quote from: Turnarcades on November 07, 2008, 09:47:25 pm ---
--- Quote from: waveryder on November 07, 2008, 09:18:27 am ---Gremlinsolutions is a good supplier of parts, but you really only get what you pay for. Be careful of those bundle deals. A couple of friends bought one of their Ebay bundle deals. poor quality knock off sticks and "brittle" buttons. The things snap when removing the microswitches. Their name brand stuff is great and there customer service is good but think carefully about what you purchase as it might cost you more in the long run.

This isnt a cheap hobby. Dont cheap out on the controls you'd definetly regret it later. My £0.02

--- End quote ---

Seconded. As a vendor I'm likely to get flamed for this, but Gremlin Solutions is a bit of a rip off. When I built my first couple of (non-customer) cabinets, I took a chance on their goods. I later found it was easier to source all of their parts from their direct suppliers (mostly Ultimarc) for much less. My biggest complaint was that the buttons they bundle in these 'builders kits' are stiff, noisy, and do not have the lovely soft cherry switches most gamers are used to. They are occasionally good for the odd spare part though, like Sanwa ball-tops.

If you're really on a budget, get (can't believe I'm saying this!) an X-arcade and build a cab later to see if the interest will stick. Otherwise, you can get enough parts and an interface for a two-player panel for less than a ton from Ultimarc direct.

--- End quote ---

Gremlinsolutions.co.uk is a great place to buy from.  I have always had the best customer support and their gear is top notch.  I really hate to see small vendors :censored: about well established suppliers who who provide a better service, or import better parts. 

I have yet to get any good vibes from you Tunarcades.  From I read in the forums and your comments, it is you I would avoid to buy from.  Perhaps a positive change in attitude will bear you some fruit, in this highly competitive marketplace.  In fairness I would say Gremlin's prices are excellent for the commercial consumer, but you need to make a profit at the end of the day.  I bet even you want to make money for your efforts.  >:(


--- Quote from: rob_wizard on November 08, 2008, 09:48:30 am ---
yeah i was looking at the ultimarc site and the stuff on their does seem to be a fair bit cheaper and also has good descriptions of the various products.

i really don't want one of them x arcade controllers they look awful.. like really awful. its like when your a kid and you buy a 3rd party controller because its a bit cheaper and has extra functions.. then after your home and have been looking at it for half an hour and getting sores of the cheap buttons and sharp corners you just think "why oh why didn't i just spend another 3 rips and get something that doesn't make me wish i was blind?"  :banghead:

no x arcade for me.. though i do dig what your saying.. :)

i think im gonna buy one of the small interfaces from ultimarc and get all my other stuff from them as well.. im not too sure about joysticks at the moment so if anyone has any suggestions that would be much appreciated, im thin kin not a ball top but otherwise im fairly unschooled so any advice is welcome.

thanks again    ;D

--- End quote ---

I agree with the comments about making your own control panel. I would look at Groovygamegear.com and check out the Eco Keyqwiz.  With a couple of sticks and a few buttons (even with the poor exchange rate) you would be able to build a cool panel for less than Ultimarc.  Randy's products are really good, and he frequents these boards, so the customer service is even better.

I'm positive with the excellent reference materials and the kind help on this site, your project will look the business.  :cheers:
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