Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: darkmanx on March 14, 2002, 06:53:02 am
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hey everyone.. my fiance's brother who is like 14 has seen what i am doing and now he wants to make a cabinet. of course at that age money is the issue. i was trying to think of the cheapest possible solution for a home built cab. i figure:
(and i mean total barebones, nothing that isnt necessary)
wood = $35
16 buttons and 2 super joysticks = $65
interface (ipac)= $47
Misc screws and stuff = $40
=$187
he has a computer he can probably use, and he can borrow my tools so no problem there. anything i am forgetting? the only other thing is maybe a tv because the 20" monitor might not cut it, and paint.
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Few tips.
go to the local arcade and ask if they have any old shelled out games to buy.
After I spend 400 bucks on mine (shipping to BFE where I live was most of it) I finally got a free cabinet from a friend of a friend who owns an arcade and he was going to give it to me for free... of course my wife wouldn't let me take it... sigh...
This should get you 2 joysticks of decent (but not great) condition and a few buttons.
If you have an arcade CRT that works (make sure first!) then go jpac. Otherwise, I would go TV
Then, look at ebay. Search under arcades
Collectibles:Coin-Op, Banks & Casino:Coin-Operated:Arcade
Then search for control panels, or joystick or joysticks (yes, they are different searches), and see whats around.
I got 100 buttons for about 10 cents each so I have plenty extras that have come in VERY handy.
Remember that joysticks go bad and aren't worth refurbishing in most cases... but a great start.
www.videoconnect.com seems to have the best prices, but a crappy website (mention it if you call). but 10 bucks for a happs joystick.
So what you should hope for.
Cabinet 25" or 19" CRT... free - 50 bucks
10 extra buttons (assuming cabinet has 2 joysticks with a few buttons each... you will probably want to add a few). + a few extra items to fill in an order to make it worth the shipping -------- $25
Jpac ($80 or so... haven't checked)
done.
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:D ;D >:( :o ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-/ :-* :'(
hey everyone.. my fiance's brother who is like 14 has seen what i am doing and now he wants to make a cabinet. of course at that age money is the issue. i was trying to think of the cheapest possible solution for a home built cab. i figure:
well where is her brother located?????
I might be able to find him an el'cheapo cab to get him started off with ::) :o :o :) ;)
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extreme southeast wisconsin, kenosha to be exact.
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A good rule of thumb when building a cab, no matter how simple it might be: you will underestimate the cost. i.e. your $187 estimate should probably be about $250-300 when you have to pay for shipping, transportation, breakage, etc etc.
You might look at the arcade in a box solution instead: http://arcadeinabox.com. The computerless option is $475. I've had no experience with the guy, but he might be willing to make a box /wo the trackball or spinner to cut the price down if you asked.
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well i am basing it on the cost of my cab so far, which i actually over-estimated on. i was planning to spend over $1000 and i am at $500 with pretty much only a computer to go which i will build myself for around $300. add some coin mechs and 1 more 4 way joystick and i am estimating 800-900. as for his, of course there will be more added to that for hinges, and whatnot. i told his mom my estimate based on what i did was $187 plus paint and misc stuff, so i said $250 to be safe.
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If you want the absolute cheapest option, assuming you get NOTHING for free and start from scratch:
I'm going to be reasonable and give you a solution that is a viable option for just about anyone, not a solution that involves getting this and that for free.