Coin door/plate and cab suggestions

[bloodyviking77]

Hey guys,

I'm starting work on a scratch-built cocktail cab and want to make sure I plan as well as I can.

I've decided to go with a variation of this design:
http://underworld.fortunecity.com/fifa/294/diagram.html
with the monitor mounted "vertically", i.e. player one and two face across the table on the "long side", with a side by side 2-stick panel on the horizontal.
(something like the "mondo-turtle-head" cab at www.smacksville.com

I'm still looking for a 20" or 21" arcade monitor (hopefully I'll pick one up here in Oz for a reasonable price) which is bigger than normal for a cocktail cab and means I need to modify all the dimensions some.

I'm also keen to use a coin door/faceplate design which is common in Australia but seems difficult to find anywhere else, that looks something like this:

It's listed at arcadeshop.com as a "nintendo coin plate/mech unit" at US$45.  - But I can't find any info on these anywhere!

Anyone have any info on this type of coin door - mounting dimensions, config options (i.e. can I change the coin setting)? Or indeed, does anyone have one they may wish to part with  

On other issues - I intend to leave room for a trackball also.  Probably a (slightly cheaper in Aus) used Atari. Any thoughts at this stage as to whether I should go a mouse hack or plump for one of those expensive happ interfaces?

On the construction side, a mate has suggested framing up the monitor supports (and perhaps the whole cab) with steel for strength. Every write-up i've seen just uses mdf/ply and some pine. Is steel a bit of overkill here?

Sorry for the long post - love to hear any comments you guys might have!



cheers
bviking

[Minwah]

I've got an old cocktail which uses a very similar coin thing - mine has 2 slots for 10p's and 50p's tho.  That is definately the type of coin entry you want for a cocktail - they look great.

My cocktail has a metal frame for the monitor to sit on - I think if I were to build one I would do the same...

[MilitiaMan]

Viking,

I have at least one of those. I may even have 2 or more, if you need them.

Here is a photo of the actual component:



And here is another:



Let me know if you are interested either via PM or e-mail.

E-mail:  steven.moritz@attbi.com

[OSCAR]

OzStick carries that style of coin acceptor, so you could avoid international shipping charges.  I'm sure Chris will help you out with dimensions and such if you email him, he's really good about that.

http://www.ozstick.com.au/

[Distortion]

Don't forget that MilitiaMan's coin mechs are set up for american quarters.  Not much good in australia.

[MilitiaMan]

Don't forget that MilitiaMan's coin mechs are set up for american quarters.  Not much good in australia.

TRUE !!!

[bloodyviking77]

Thanks heaps for the replies:

Think I'll get in touch with ozstick (thanks Oscar) due to locality - must have missed the parts section when I last checked those guys out!

Now to start the plans!