The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: sdweim85 on October 10, 2013, 04:07:57 pm

Title: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: sdweim85 on October 10, 2013, 04:07:57 pm
I spend an awful amount of time scouring the internet for that perfect empty arcade case.  The right shape, price, location, and condition.  And It probably just doesn't exist.

Can someone please link me to plans to make one from scratch.  Down to measurements, what wood to use, proper screws, and power tools.

Preferably either a Showcase Cabinet, or a 25inch Dynamo Cab.
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: CaptainMarvel on October 10, 2013, 04:29:08 pm
Well for starters, you've already found one of the absolute BEST resources on the web for just about anything/everything "Build Your Own Arcade Cabinet."  These forums have literally thousands of threads with the very information you're looking for.

Here are a few to help you get started  . . . .

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134875.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134875.0.html)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134138.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134138.0.html)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130690.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130690.0.html)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134379.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134379.0.html)

http://www.thewhistleshop.com/misc/thoms/thoms_arcade.html (http://www.thewhistleshop.com/misc/thoms/thoms_arcade.html)



I know you can also obtain construction plans for both an upright and a "showcase" style arcade set-up from North Coast Customs ---> http://www.mameroom.com/Products_Plans.asp (http://www.mameroom.com/Products_Plans.asp)
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: PL1 on October 10, 2013, 04:49:25 pm
Saint's book (http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/047089153X/).


Scott
Title: Re: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: ppv on October 10, 2013, 04:55:43 pm
Quote from: PL1 on October 10, 2013, 04:49:25 pm
Saint's book (http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/047089153X/).


Scott
Definitely the best start, imho.

Sent from my XT925 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: Generic Eric on October 10, 2013, 05:38:19 pm
3rd on the book.

When I typed "plans" into the search window, it returned 13 pages of results.
When I typed "dynamo plans" into the search window, it returned 3 pages of results.


If I could go back 13 years or so in time and give myself advice, it would be to start small.
1. Set up MAME on the PC first
2. Build fight stick
3. Build Bartop
4. Build bigger if necessary

That is probably all I would have needed back then.  Best of luck

BTW, you need to know about http://slagcoin.com/joystick.html (http://slagcoin.com/joystick.html) too
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: sdweim85 on October 10, 2013, 05:52:42 pm
Sorry I should have clarified my level of skill to begin with, and specified more.  I've already taken an empty Jamma cab and made an arcade out of it in the past.  And made multiple arcade sticks.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/sdweim85/media/Arcade/IMG_1033.jpg.html (http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/sdweim85/media/Arcade/IMG_1033.jpg.html)

This is more about wood cutting the entire thing.
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: CaptainMarvel on October 10, 2013, 06:02:43 pm
Quote from: sdweim85 on October 10, 2013, 05:52:42 pm
This is more about wood cutting the entire thing.

Well ... there's always the WOODWORKING (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,32.0.html) section of the Forum.


 ;)
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: Ond on October 10, 2013, 06:45:53 pm
"Yes...I wonder if you might have "The Amazing Adventures of Captain Gladys
   Stoutpamphlet and her Intrepid Spaniel Stig Amongst the Giant Pygmies of
   Beckles"...volume eight."

I've provided complete building guide plans etc etc in the stickies at the top of the Main Board... not to your liking?
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: Rick on October 10, 2013, 07:04:05 pm
Quote from: Ond on October 10, 2013, 06:45:53 pm
"Yes...I wonder if you might have "The Amazing Adventures of Captain Gladys Stoutpamphlet and her Intrepid Spaniel Stig Amongst the Giant Pygmies of Beckles"...volume eight."

Funny, we've got a lot of books here!

:D
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: yotsuya on October 10, 2013, 07:58:17 pm
Rrick can design you a bookshelf for those imaginary books. >:D
Title: Re: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: Rick on October 10, 2013, 08:51:42 pm
Quote from: yotsuya on October 10, 2013, 07:58:17 pm
Rrick can design you a bookshelf for those imaginary books. >:D

I can! I just ... can't seem to ... deliver any cut wood!

;)
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: yotsuya on October 10, 2013, 08:53:27 pm
Relax, bro- they're imaginary books- just imagine you built it already!
Title: Re: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: Rick on October 10, 2013, 09:02:54 pm
Quote from: yotsuya on October 10, 2013, 08:53:27 pm
Relax, bro- they're imaginary books- just imagine you built it already!

"I'm from Canada, so they think I'm slow, eh!"

(http://static.fjcdn.com/gifs/MFW+I+m+on+9gag.+Obviously+my+face+is+Bart+s+face_c59c0f_3734718.gif)
Title: Re: Tutorials on building a MAME arcade from scratch
Post by: CaptainMarvel on October 10, 2013, 09:47:52 pm
Quote from: sdweim85 on October 10, 2013, 05:52:42 pm

This is more about wood cutting the entire thing.


"Robert Downey" on YouTube has several videos he made demonstrating him cutting his panels, t-slots, flush trimming his side panels, etc.


Check out his YouTube videos here --> http://www.youtube.com/user/rdowney111/videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/rdowney111/videos)