What part do I buy first? I'm building a cabinet from scratch...

[sofakng]

Well, I've finally decided to build a cabinet following "Jeff's ULTIMATE MAME Arcade Machine".

The problem is that I'm poor as dirt and will need to build this very very slowly.

Here is what I've decided:

1) I'm building the cabinet from scratch.
2) I need to buy a 24" S-Video TV.
3) I do NOT need a computer OR video card.
4) I want to add a trackball later on, but not initially.
5) I will add a coin door down the road (this will be the very last modification)

I'm thinking about saving up for the TV first (I used to work at Best Buy, so I might be able to get a used one [eg. Open Box] for a good price).

My other option is to save up money for the wood, etc, to build the actual cabinet itself.

It looks like I will order my controls from happcontrols.com and an I-PAC (do I need 2 or 4 player?) from ultimarc.com... unless there are better places to order from.

What do you think?

[Generic Eric]

Before you buy anything from happs, check out Bob Roberts
Then check out Video Connect

While its a great product, there are options to the I-PAC

KeyWiz
MK64 The latest upgraded models have built in rotary support.
Several Hagstrom Models

[Paul Olson]

I am in the same position.  Poor, and anxious to get started.  I would suggest building the control panel first.  That way you can play the games while you are waiting to build the rest.

I bought some cheap joysticks and buttons from xgaming on ebay, and built a little 1 player cp to use for now.  It is an unbelievable improvement over the keyboard.

Paul

[1UP]

You didn't mention controls, which I think is probably the first thing you'll want to buy.  That way, you can start figuring out exactly what configuration you'll want on your CP.  Make a few prototype panels from cardboard, or even better, cheap shelving, and play your favorite games!  When you're ready for the real thing, you'll have it all figured out...

[sofakng]

Thanks for the suggestions.

After doing some more research I'm really confused as to what joystick and buttons I should get.

Happ's P360 seems to be the best, but at $40 a piece that is way too much.  Happ's competition seem to be well liked among the fighter-crowd, but I don't play many fighting games (maybe I will start though).

I'm more interested in Metal Slug and Final Fight type of games, but I might get into fighting games later on (actually its pretty likely).

The I-PAC keyboard encoder isn't that much more than the other encoders so I'll just go with that one.  However, should I get the PS/2 or USB version?  Should I get the 2-player or 4-player version?  

EDIT:  Actually the Keywiz looks quite a bit cheaper.  Is it any worse than the I-PAC?

I'm also going to order a trackball, but I didn't have time to search the forums for suggestions yet... I'll do that later.

Sorry for so many questions ...

[GSXRMovistar]

For buttons I'd say go with the standard Happs hoz Push buttons, and for the sticks have a look as Oscars page www.oscarcontrols.com for a comparsion of a few sticks.

[AlanS17]

The first thing people need when they're building... TOOLS!

drill
jigsaw amd/or circular saw
dremel (optional)
sander (optional)
router (optional)

I've used all of these, though.

Oh yeah... Don't forget the screw bits for your drill or otherwise have an electric screw driver. You'll be doing plenty of that.

[paigeoliver]

Also. If your main concern is truly budget, then you don't want to build a cabinet. Building is much more expensive than buying a used one. It is way easy to spend $300, $500, even $1000 building a cabinet (counting tools), before you even get to the part about the controls and the monitor. I personally prefer to refit existing cabinets (I prefer to use oddball dedicated cabinets that don't work, but that no one wants either, currently have a King & Balloon mini (vertical 4-way, finished), and a 1976 Amazing Maze upright (street fighter 2 controls).

[sofakng]

I'm not very handy with wood.  My father on the other hand, definitely is.  He is constantly buildings decks, ponds (not those "kits" that you buy, they are garbage) and tons of things.  He will be the one really cutting the wood and so-forth.  I will paint it, etc.

He has a couple drills, a jigsaw and circular saw, electric sander, and a router.  He does not have a dremel but we could most likely use the circular saw instead.

I would buy a used cabinet, but I am a perfectionist (since I broke I definitely shouldn't be, huh).  I want to build this so the end result is something to be extremely proud of.  If it takes me a year of saving, then thats what it will take.

I was able to scrounge up $300 to start.  I'm thinking about buying a TV (so I know dimensions to make the cabinet) and the controls themselves first.

The only thing I'm not sure of is the keyboard encoder.  Should I get a KeyWiz or an I-PAC?  2 or 4 player?  ...and if I want to add a trackball later on (and I will), what should I buy NOW so I save myself money down the road  (meaning, should I get a 4-player IPAC instead of 2-player... does the trackball even use the IPAC?)

[jakejake28]

best trackball encoder is opti-pac, similar to i-pac but only supports trackballs, spinners, and 2 buttons. a lot of people (myself included) used the ipac2 or the keywiz instead of larger encoders like mk64 and ipac4, so only 2 players are supported. if 3 or 4 players are needed, plug in a usb gamepad or two.

[anthony691]

In your case I would recomend an I-Pac 2. It is COMPLETLY personal opinoin... I am just coming around on the KeyWiz as RandyT is REALLY helpful to all the people with KeyWiz problems... I would say I-Pac 2 and a hack for a trackball.

[sofakng]

Ok, I'm almost ready to order.  I've decided on the I-PAC/2 and Happcontrol's horizontal buttons (I'm assuming they are better than the competition buttons).

The only thing I'm not sure about is what joystick I should get.  Should I get J-sticks, Supers, or competitions?  I can't afford a P360 joystick though.

Lastly, does anybody have any trackball recommendations?  Buying an OptiPAC from ultimarc.com doubles my cost so far and thats not even including the trackball itself.  Could I add this later?  Is there a cheap but VERY good way of doing it?

[jakejake28]

if u can afford it, buy j-sticks. they are amazing. plus they are 4-8 way switchable, with a real 4 way restrictor

[AlanS17]

If you don't plan on having multiple trackball/spinners you could always use oscar's interrface from his website: http://www.oscarcontrols.com

I think it runs like $20 with the trackball attachment. Plus if you don't mind doing some of the wiring yourself I think the price can go as low af $12.50 or something around there.

If you don't wanna pay full price for a Happ trackball I'm pretty sure the Betson Imperials go for alot cheaper. Plus you never know what kind of deal you can get on Ebay.

If you leave enough room on your control panel (about a 7.5" square) there's no reason why you can't just add a trackball later.

Edit: Do keep in mind, though, that this means a 7.5" square BELOW the control panel, too. Not just above. Some controls like joysticks are much larger underneath than they are on top. Don't forget to compensate.

[sofakng]

Betson's 3" trackballs are around $70 plus shipping.  That's still way more than I can afford right now, but I definitely want to add it later.

Does everybody seem to agree that J-sticks and Happ's horizontal buttons are the best?

I'll probably order tommorow or the next day:
IPAC/2 (PS/2 version but also ordering USB cable just to be safe in case I want to use the other way)
J-sticks x 2

(should I order directly from Happ's?)
Happ's Horizontal buttons (around 16 buttons plus p1 and p2 buttons).

Thanks everybody!

[AlanS17]

Most people would recommend not to order from Happ and I would have to agree. Check out:

http://www.therealbobroberts.com

He has slightly better prices on the same (Happ) parts. I haven't ordered from him before, but I will soon. People around here usually agree he's the way to go. Plus his shipping prices would be considerably less than Happ. That is where Happ can really eat your lunch.

[sofakng]

Ok, which buttons do I want to order from him?  (which are the standard happs horizontal buttons?)

[AlanS17]

He may ONLY carry the horizontal microswitch pushbusttons (which is what you want anyways). He only carries what most people order. Just make sure you're buying the full button with the palstic nut and microswitch. Unlike Happ, he actually sells just parts of buttons sometimes for the people that don't need the whole thing.

[bionicbadger]

Lastly, does anybody have any trackball recommendations?  Buying an OptiPAC from ultimarc.com doubles my cost so far and thats not even including the trackball itself.  Could I add this later?  Is there a cheap but VERY good way of doing it?

If you don't want to add an optipac and want cheap, look at a Crayola kidsball.  You should be able to find one on ebay for $25-30 its a 3" trackball and hooks right into a serial port.