Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: F|end on July 09, 2003, 10:25:33 am
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Ok people!
My spoke to my mum and she encouraged me to make a cab and now i'm gonna really into making one! I need simply the best opinions you have ok!
This project needs to be as close to a "arcade public cab" as possible!
Let's start with the best wood i can use!
I sugest MDF but i don't know wich one! Any sugestions!
Should i laminate the wood or buy laminated?
I'm thinking in buying 8-way happs balltop joys! Do you agree?
Ok, that's it for now! Furtherly i'm gonna need some help because i'm haven't got much money...
...in fact i'm haven't got much money for nothing in my life... ;D
Thks anyway!
PS: Please don't make insults on this thread! The last ones were shut down because of that...
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if you want look and feel like a real arcade cab....
and you don't have much $$$....
I assume you will be willing to put some time and hard work on it.. right ?? ;D ;)
then my suggestion is....
go buy a gutted arcade cab.... gutted cab can be bought very cheap....
or buy a cab in decent shape... maybe for a few hundred $$...
then sand... fill.... paint.... and so on....
you'll need minimal power tools....
and you can finish quickly... and since its a real arcade cab to begin with.... you'll end up with a look and feel like real arcade when you're done....
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I agree with hyiu.. Buying a gutted cab (or maybe even one with a monitor) would be the cheapest way to go about this little endeavor.
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Hi and no insults here... (this board is USUALLY completely insult free... Howard can squash a newbee like a bug somedays though ;D)
between wood or buy laminated... Find out what you can get cheaper. I initially went laminated for the control panels only because I got some cheap stuff. But I replaced it with wood and vynal *(sp?) later. The wood/vynal was easier, but the end results where very similar. The laminate doesn't cut as nice on the edges, but you couldn't see it because of the buttons hide it a little. But my vote wood. Wood also has the advantage of being able to test the control panel and see if you like it before you vynal it... So that you can test layouts before you spend any real cash on it.
Wood - MDF is right... but thats one type.. Most people use 3/4 inch. I don't think there is anything elst then that you need to know. Go to a lumber yard and you will see it. Also, you will want some 1x1's for construction at the joints. Easy to do, strong connections, no screws on the outside. There are some threads on this elsewhere, but basically you glue and screw the 1x1s to the side boards (screws on the insides with 1 1/2 inch screws so they don't go all the way through. The 1/2 inch and the glue should be enought to hold).... Then screw in (from the inside on the front... back doesn't matter as much) the front panel. If you don't glue the front/back, you can break it down... but you loose some strength. Up to you really here. I would go with extra screws myself.
If you are building a whole cabinet. Use wood on everything and paint with rollers. Spraycans really doesn't do it. Also consider that you will want a few coats. Paint before you put all the stuff in helps. And also paint the inside of the cab enought so when mounting everything, you have some slack (so you don't end up with some wood color sticking throught at parts.
As for joysticks. I like the bat style happs super. But thats what I'm used to.. But get one like what you where brought up with... That will be the best for you. Joystick preference changes. Some say ultimates are the best... and I really don't like them... Oscar has a great review of all the happs ones. I personally think Wico for ball tops myself. I have some 4 way ball tops and like them. I don't know if their 8ways are any good.
One thing to look at is where you can buy from in your country.. That will make a HUGE difference. It will be worth getting happy with whats available then spending a ton for shipping!
Have you decided on what monitor type your going for? (I would go true arcade monitor with ArcadeVGA as best, then TV out with SVid (or the european standard... I don't know what the quality is for your area... stay away from composite).. Then Industrial VGA (large low resolution monitors)... Then SVGA monitor...
Have you considered buying an old arcade and converting it? (this I wouldn't recommend unless you can get it super cheap because it's basically dead)..
Have you also considered if you need/want a trackball? Other specialized controllers? You might start thinking about doing hot swappable control panels. This is nice... but 90% of the time I have my 2player 7buttons each control panel... but it's nice to plug in my asteroids one or some of the others when the games is right.....
Have you decided on a keyboard encoder yet? I would highly recommend getting one... But if thats not an option, I would look at hacking a joystick first (they usually don't have ghosting problems since they are usually desigined to have all the buttons pressed at once)... Then a keyboard (works for some, but expect a lot of playing with matrix's and such... Lots of time getting a 2 player control setup)
And last...
I'm sorry for bringing up more questions then answers...
I love this hobby!
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The most important thing (and sharing it would make it easier for people to make reccomendations) is to get a clear sense of what your goals are.
Hopefully you've skimmed through the byoac faq, and have browsed the examples or at least some of them to get an idea of what you like and more importantly don't like in a cabinet/control panel.
I often ask people... well what were your favorite games when you were in your golden age of arcade playing? i.e. classics vs modern/fighters.
would you be happy playing some games really well (i.e. the way they were meant ot be played) or are yoru intent on jamming as many controls as possible on to your cp (me --> guilty) ???
2p vs (arg!) 4p cabinet.
convert vs build from scracth
*shrug* when you think of your cabinet what do you envision, besides it "looking like a "real" public arcade cabinet"? Is there an existing design you have in mind? Upright vs Cocktail vs Cabarate vs showcase vs oddball vs european cabs vs us cabs
Planning is an important step... and one you can do while you are saving money (and if you plan well and research well you can save additional money -- by, buying the right parts, the FIRST time, and from the most economical vendors)
rampy
PS fyi --> i'm with the previous posters that converting an existing cab CAN be an affordable/quick way to getting that authentic arcade cabinet look... (and often distributors are throwing away/giving away empty husks of cabinets... so!!!!)
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PS: Please don't make insults on this thread! The last ones were shut down because of that...
Err, actually I think I got the last thread shut down b/c I used some bad words in your defense in wondering why you were being jumped on. Sorry for that (getting the thread closed and the language, I mean), not sorry for defending you.
AFAIK, Happ doesn't sell a ball-top 8-way, In Portugal, you might want to look at the J-Sticks or E-Sticks from www.ultimarc.com, or see http://www.oscarcontrols.com/joycompare/joyreview1.shtml for the Happ comparisons.
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Ok, after months of research and experts advise, i think i'll try this for options!
1st option: I live in Portugal! The arcade scene here is dying in a slow death... >:(
So i'm gonna try one arcade vendor for a generic jamma gutted cab!
I'm sure that the guy is gonna try to explore me and try to see if it sells the damn cab for 300
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OK, ok!
Since i live in europe and happs has a affiliated vendor in spain, that 8 way ball top shouldn't be a problem at all...
I have a local vendor too but i think that they only sell stuff for big companys and arcades...
I'm worried about the cab prices...
This people think that cabs are like gold and allways try to exploit them at max, so i'm f...
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Don't be too pushy about getting the controls in the cabinet. They may wanna keep them and they'll be used anyways. Important things are a coin door and monitor. Making a back door is really easy.
Also, make sure you get the coin mechs with the coin door. They are the interchangeable part inside the door that actually validates the coins. (They are also called coin validators.) If you don't have that part then dropping a coin in the slot won't do anything except let the coin fall somewhere to into the bottom of the cabinet. A coin door without the validator will have the switch so you can still open it up and flip credits manually, but you won't be able get credits by dropping in a coin. Operators like taking this part out since it's interchangeable with other machines.
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Just a little warning. If you dont have the money to spend dont expect to have a bomb ass arcade.
When i started building mine i went on the super tight budget. But as i was going along I said to myself.....
"Self, If your gonna go through all this trouble wouldn't you rather just go all out."
So I did and i'm well over my origional budget. I just hope it was all worth it when I finish. Im getting close :)
It really has become a fun hobbie and i hardly consider it work or painful to build my cab from scratch.
Good luck!
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The problem is that i live in a unresourceful country were everything comes expensive and arcade buisness is low...
I have to import everything and build what i can't!
Other problem is the space i have to make my own stuff...
I'll try my gramma's garage... ;D
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Unfortunately the arcade scene is dying a slow death all over the world....
Whiskeroids, you might want to check out Cleric's thread (http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=8161;start=msg61333#msg61333) as he also lives in Portugal.
As far as parts are concerned you're in luck as you have one on the best (possibly the best) arcade manufacturers in the world on your doorstep - www.industrias-lorenzo.com. They make most of Happ's joysticks. unfortunately however they don't sell ball tops.
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The problem is that i live in a unresourceful country were everything comes expensive and arcade buisness is low...
I have to import everything and build what i can't!
Other problem is the space i have to make my own stuff...
I'll try my gramma's garage... ;D
It really is a shame... here they are like free (free). It would almost be cheaper to fly one out to you than to buy the 300 euro one!
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Here we have no problem getting cabs, they are virtually free. The problem is getting all the controls and interfaces and stuff over here.
P.S. Sorry if I jumped on you Whiskeroids, I didn't really mean much by it. I was just tired and had had a couple of beers. I didn't see how the rest of your thread turned out but it sounds like it turned to custard pretty quick. If it was my fault I apologise sincerely.
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Well people say Texas is a great place to get deals on cabs, but they've never lived in south Texas. All the deals are in north Texas and Texas is the size of any 3 other states put together. Dallas has the arcade auctions, but there's around me within a range of probably almost 200 miles. Dallas is about a 9 hour drive for me, and that's without leaving the state.
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Testify!
...
Ahem.. sorry :D
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Unfortunately the arcade scene is dying a slow death all over the world....
Whiskeroids, you might want to check out Cleric's thread (http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=8161;start=msg61333#msg61333) as he also lives in Portugal.
As far as parts are concerned you're in luck as you have one on the best (possibly the best) arcade manufacturers in the world on your doorstep - www.industrias-lorenzo.com. They make most of Happ's joysticks. unfortunately however they don't sell ball tops.
THKS for the thread and the contact! :)
Now i think that my job's being simplified! :)
I didn't know that i wasn't the only portuguese guy in the scene! :)
I'll try also the industrias-lorenzo site but i don't think they sell to particulars, only to major companys and big arcades! :)
Thks a lot guys! []
:)
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P.S. Sorry if I jumped on you Whiskeroids, I didn't really mean much by it. I was just tired and had had a couple of beers. I didn't see how the rest of your thread turned out but it sounds like it turned to custard pretty quick. If it was my fault I apologise sincerely.
Yeah, with that one, you made my essential thread bazoom...
I'm sorry if i'm a newbie on the scene and have several questions to make!
Well, what is done it's done! Probably i'll just U2U to enlight my doubts! ;D
Ciau
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Whiskeroids, do yourself a big favor and research your project before you jump into it.
Find out the parts on the PC, Monitor and Controls before you worry too much about a cabinet.
You can build a cabinet from scrap wood if you HAD to......but those other parts you can't manufacture on your own, so you'd better know how much $$$ you are talking about first.
The worst thing will be having to cut major corners cuz you can't come up with the cash......
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If your looking for a used cab... Things to consider...
Find what you can get...
1) Wood control panel is GREAT... Allows you to replace it or add buttons easily.
2) CRT is GREAT! You will need/want to get an ArcadeVGA card... but if you are going with an IPac/JPac anyway, it will be worth it.
3) Even a crappy looking arcade is WAY FUN! I havne't finished mine yet and it's been up for years. I keep changing it... but I never put the finishing touches....
So if you get a great deal on one with a working monitor and a few joysticks, but its cosmetically not so hot... Go for it.... Make sure there isn't too much water damage at the corners. Not a big deal, just not super easy to fix.
Once you find out what you can get... Figuring out whats needed is easier.
And this thread is back to the way out groovy cool peace lovin' stuff that we love around here man! Peace out!
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Well, that's the best part! I have all the time in the world to do my project and my mother's going to help me with the financial part! ;D
I'm already finding some arcade vendors, that are cheap and planing the 'perfect cab' for months! :))
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I rushed into mine. I bought a cab on EBay for $300 and spent $150 for shipping... And 2 weeks later I was offered a free one... Sigh...
But when I started mine... They didn't have jpacs for direct jamma connections. Or ArcadeVGA for easy access to the original monitors...
I really wish they had. What I would have done would have been very very different.
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Isn't technology ironic... ;D
Hey, consider yourself real lucky! I live in Portugal and belive me, this is true hardcore to 'get in the scene' if you know what i mean...
;D
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Sorry to threadjack, Whiskeroids... But can any of you Texans tell me where can I find listings of the good arcade deals around Dallas? I'm in NC Oklahoma and have a friend wanting to jump into this hobby. A trip to Dallas (Arlington actually I guess) is being planned sometime this summer and if we could pick a cabinet on the way back that would be worth it.
Thanks,
BillyJack
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You Threadjacker!
I'm calling the copS!!!
I'll be in jail making stuff you don't want to your cellmates!
Now tell me how does it feel! ;D ;D ;D ;D
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but wait! i'm on your side! remember!?? :'( Don't send me to threadjack jail! I won't survive on the inside! I'm delicate!
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(http://4colorreview.com/interviews/heman_art/skeletor_detail_lg.jpg)
Ahahah, you fool!
Do you think you're gonna get away with this!
Nobody gets away from the Skeletor g*y power!! ;D
We'll meet again in the Threadjack jail of g*y power!!!
PS: Sorry if i'm abusive! No offense really! ;)
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1) Go to your local arcade and ask... Hang around. Get to know the managers.. Let them know that you aren't interested in a working machine (unless cheap) but the cabinet... maybe a CRT if available.
2) Look at ebay. Search your area from there. Search the ones in driving distance.
3) Search to see if there are any arcade machine super shows that come to your area. These are good places sometimes. Usually you can get cheap working machines there. I haven't heard to many people buying gutted machines.
4) Wait...
Or build your own... It's not hard and cheaper in most cases. You can get all the wood you need for less then 100bucks... If you have to tools already. Then its all the other stuff.
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Well, there ain't arcade shows in this country! ;D
I haven't got wood working skills!
There's like 10 arcade known vendors here and they are very northern (rednekcs)!!!
Hum, a gutted machine it's the solution! Or a used one! :))
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Well, there ain't arcade shows in this country! ;D
I haven't got wood working skills!
There's like 10 arcade known vendors here and they are very northern (rednekcs)!!!
Hum, a gutted machine it's the solution! Or a used one! :))
I think LilWolf was replying to BillyJack.
I always thought Rednecks was an American (especially Southern and Western) term. Didn't know it was used in Portugal as well!
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Hey what are you trying to say about us Texans? j/k
I'll kick your butt in Street Fighter with boots and a cowboy hat. ;) j/k
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Sorry! I mean slobs!
That's the right term!
Belive me, the Portuguese slobs are worst than Vikings!
;D ;D