Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Johnny 5 on September 16, 2008, 04:17:41 pm

Title: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: Johnny 5 on September 16, 2008, 04:17:41 pm
Alright so im FINALLY going to build my cabinet, i have the time, i have the cash, and now i just need to get either the plans or buy an old cabinet.

What im having troubles with is that I found out the old drive in theatre outside of the city has a bunch of old (like really old) arcade games forsale for 100% each.

I went and took a look and alot of them are pretty old but the cab is still in alright condition. nothing a little TLC wont fix.

its either get one of thsoe and change the CP so it can play all my fighting games (mainly stf and samurai showdowns) or just build one from scratch.

the one i was looking at was an old Pit Boss game, its the only one thats screen looks in better condition then the rest.

the other choice i have is take the old 30" tv that i got from my parents when they got a better one a couple of years ago and make a custom cab for that.

any suggestions?Alright so im FINALLY going to build my cabinet, i have the time, i have the cash, and now i just need to get either the plans or buy an old cabinet.

What im having troubles with is that I found out the old drive in theatre outside of the city has a bunch of old (like really old) arcade games forsale for 100% each.

I went and took a look and alot of them are pretty old but the cab is still in alright condition. nothing a little TLC wont fix.

its either get one of thsoe and change the CP so it can play all my fighting games (mainly stf and samurai showdowns) or just build one from scratch.

the one i was looking at was an old Pit Boss game, its the only one thats screen looks in better condition then the rest.

the other choice i have is take the old 30" tv that i got from my parents when they got a better one a couple of years ago and make a custom cab for that.

any suggestions?

Btw the old cab would be 100$ cash is what they want.

thanks again
Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: CheffoJeffo on September 16, 2008, 05:25:03 pm
Alright so im FINALLY going to build my cabinet, i have the time, i have the cash, and now i just need to get either the plans or buy an old cabinet.

What im having troubles with is that I found out the old drive in theatre outside of the city has a bunch of old (like really old) arcade games forsale for 100% each.

I went and took a look and alot of them are pretty old but the cab is still in alright condition. nothing a little TLC wont fix.

its either get one of thsoe and change the CP so it can play all my fighting games (mainly stf and samurai showdowns) or just build one from scratch.

the one i was looking at was an old Pit Boss game, its the only one thats screen looks in better condition then the rest.

the other choice i have is take the old 30" tv that i got from my parents when they got a better one a couple of years ago and make a custom cab for that.

any suggestions?

Alright so im FINALLY going to build my cabinet, i have the time, i have the cash, and now i just need to get either the plans or buy an old cabinet.

What im having troubles with is that I found out the old drive in theatre outside of the city has a bunch of old (like really old) arcade games forsale for 100% each.

I went and took a look and alot of them are pretty old but the cab is still in alright condition. nothing a little TLC wont fix.

its either get one of thsoe and change the CP so it can play all my fighting games (mainly stf and samurai showdowns) or just build one from scratch.

the one i was looking at was an old Pit Boss game, its the only one thats screen looks in better condition then the rest.

the other choice i have is take the old 30" tv that i got from my parents when they got a better one a couple of years ago and make a custom cab for that.

any suggestions?

Are you sure that you're Johnny 5 and not Jacob Two-Two (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Two-Two) ?

 ;)
Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: shmokes on September 16, 2008, 05:33:48 pm
I'd say it depends.  You will derive much more personal satisfaction from building it yourself, in terms of the accomplishment and being proud of it and all that rot.  But it is A LOT of work.  If you don't get off on that sort of thing, and you just want your own cab as soon as possible to be able to play games on, the conversion is probably the better bet.
Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: Johnny 5 on September 16, 2008, 07:38:23 pm
I'd say it depends.  You will derive much more personal satisfaction from building it yourself, in terms of the accomplishment and being proud of it and all that rot.  But it is A LOT of work.  If you don't get off on that sort of thing, and you just want your own cab as soon as possible to be able to play games on, the conversion is probably the better bet.

Im not afraid of the hard work, i have all winter to work on it and my dad was saying he was going to lend me all the tools since he does alot of wood working.

I would actually rather have my own cabinet, i was just wondering if its worth getting the old one for the monitor or just using my tv.

Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: leapinlew on September 16, 2008, 07:49:11 pm
I'd say it depends.  You will derive much more personal satisfaction from building it yourself, in terms of the accomplishment and being proud of it and all that rot.  But it is A LOT of work.  If you don't get off on that sort of thing, and you just want your own cab as soon as possible to be able to play games on, the conversion is probably the better bet.

I've done both. I'd say I'm equally proud of either way. For your first cabinet, I would say gauge your wood working skills and if your currently not very skilled convert. If you've done plenty of wood working projects building could be for you. 
Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: Hemi on September 16, 2008, 07:54:54 pm
I'd say if you find a big enough cab that can support 4 players and a big monitor, I'd grab it off the street. Other than that, I'd build it.

Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: Johnny 5 on September 16, 2008, 08:08:53 pm
well i recently got Saints book (just started reading and its really good) and was thinking of using the UA2 arcade plans off there.

now i was reading up on their site and it says fits MOST 25" TVs well i already have this 30" one.

I'm sure i can make some adjustments to the kit to accommodate the TV. but what about the CP? anywhere to get a good set of plans? or should i just try to create one myself?
Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: leapinlew on September 16, 2008, 08:24:30 pm
or should i just try to create one myself?
Welcome to BYOAC!
Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: Hemi on September 16, 2008, 08:48:49 pm

what about the CP? anywhere to get a good set of plans? or should i just try to create one myself?

I once went to a local arcade and found the CP size and type I liked on a certain cab/arcade machine, I then took some brown wrapping paper and a razor and cut out the basic shape and design and where the joys and buttons were placed, then went home and cut it out.

People at the arcade may be looking at you and wondering what you're doing, but so what. Get what you need and go. :)
Title: Re: Need help decided on what to do.
Post by: shmokes on September 16, 2008, 09:42:46 pm
You don't need plans for a control panel.  It's just a box with a bunch of joysticks and buttons in the top surface.  Just browse through the examples on this site and get an idea of what you want.  If you have any questions, that what these forums are for.