Building a bartop cabinet. Need some help.

[booty900]

I have always wanted an arcade cabinet since I was 10 years old.  I am now going to try to build a bartop cabinet since I don't want to spend a lot of money.  Since I have no wood working skill at all I am taking the easy way out and just buying a pre cut cabinet for $165.  Now before I buy everything I want to make sure I have everything I need to get it to work.  Heres what I am buying / already have.

Cabinet:
http://www.mameroom.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID=UABARTOPKIT

Buttons and Joy Stick (I'm going to have some left over buttons and one joy stick):
http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/arcade-parts-bundle-2-joysticks-20-buttons/

The thing that lets me hook up the buttons to my computer.  Have no idea what it is called.
http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/x-arcade-byo-arcade-usb-ps2/

The monitor.  I already have this but will get a new one if I need to.  It's native resolution is 1280x1024.  But that puts black bars on the top when I play games.  So I play on 1024x768.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=E173FPF-R&cpc=SUGG

And then I have my two year old dell laptop with MAME and a bunch of other emulators and games on it.

Is that everything I am going to need?  The final price is about $295.  The cabinet will be one player only.  Also if I have any questions I will probably come here.  Thanks for the help.

[NIVO]

i would add a minimum of $50 for miscellaneous. For whatever reason should you want to make a change or adjustment/modification(s). Would you want a small spinner for those games as well? Thats $75 shipped(rough estimate) Would you like a 2nd joystick in an ambidextrous layout(joystick at either end and your buttons in the middle) so as to play robotron or crazy climber, etc etc. Cooling for the cab=fan(s) any graphics, decals, sideart? Im not trying to make your budget go through the roof partner hehe, just some things you may decide youd like to have. Cheers.

[apfelanni]

why would u put an lcd monitor into a bartop cabinet made for crt use ? the reason goin for a bartop is 2 have a full working arcade machine without the dimensions of a fullsizer. u better scout for lcd designed one with less depth.  whats the point in taking ure mame laptop with internal screen + a dell 17 inch lcd ? doesnt make any sense 2 me .  sell ur laptop and go for a micro atx mainboard or ripoff a cheap p4 comp like dell optiplex , ibm or hp . i bought some dell optiplex barebones 2,4 + 2,6 g for 30 euro around .

[Dizzle]

I'd give the other bartop from Mameroom a look.  It's a little more expensive but it looks to be specifically designed for LCDs if that's the route you want to go.

Then again, you might be either looking to save a little money or prefer the look of the larger bartop.  If that's the case, you can put an LCD in it, but it might take a little extra work on your part to do so.

[javeryh]

I am now going to try to build a bartop cabinet since I don't want to spend a lot of money. 

This is a myth, like elves, gremlins, and eskimoes.  If you have the space, a full sized cab will cost just as much!  The building materials are almost a non-factor and most of the money is spent on controls and internal components.  Bartops just pack everything in a little tighter.  Also, a one button power on is tricky because there isn't room for a SmartStrip but there are other trickier solutions to get it working. 

I would rethink the design if you are going with an LCD too.  Check out Bender's awesome BENDERAMA or the Wee Cade for some examples.

Good luck!   

[BobA]

Go for an ipac or keywiz for your interface.  Screw terminals are alot easier to connect to then pins.   Go for the xarcade only if you want the ability to buy adapters for consoles.   Check Divemaster127s prices on Happ parts.   The buttons and joys will be better quality than the xarcade pieces.  You are buying a CRT size cab so the other LCD size cab will give you a much more compact build.

[booty900]

Ok I changed what I am getting.  Here it is.

Cabinet
http://www.mameroom.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID=UAIIBARTOP

Ipac2
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=6140475&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=IPAC2Interface&cat=Arcadevga&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:Arcadevga

Joystick (should I get the super joystick instead?)
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=4291743&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=Competition+Joystick&cat=Joysticks&catstr=HOME:Joysticks

Buttons

9 of these
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=1681771&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=Competition+Pushbutton&cat=Pushbutton+s&catstr=HOME:Pushbuttons:Pushbutton+s

one and two player buttons
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=1681771&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=1+-+4+Player+Pushbutton&cat=Pushbutton+s&catstr=HOME:Pushbuttons:Pushbutton+s

What wire should I get to connect the buttons and joystick to the ipac?  Also since I am using a laptop I should buy the USB cable for the ipac?  Also are all pushbuttons the same size.  Since the cabinet has pre cut holes for the buttons I might have to make the holes bigger if they don't fit.  Thanks for the help so far.

[Dizzle]

I think that bartop will work better for you.  You'll be set on the buttons -- you won't been to make the holes larger.

You might want to ask Scott about changing that front panel so you don't have cutouts for all those jukebox buttons.  It looks like that control panel also comes with a cutout for a trackball.  If you're not planning on installing one, that's something else to ask about changing.

And yeah, if you're using a laptop you might want to use the USB wire unless your laptop has a PS/2 port.

[javeryh]

I'd consider getting a ultrastik or something that can accommodate multiple joystick configurations.  That 8-way stick is going to be tough to use for a lot of the classics.

[Epyx]

This is a myth, like elves, gremlins, and eskimoes.  If you have the space, a full sized cab will cost just as much!

Ain't that the truth. The main difference is space and portability.

[booty900]

I'd consider getting a ultrastik or something that can accommodate multiple joystick configurations.  That 8-way stick is going to be tough to use for a lot of the classics.

Should I get this one:
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=519331&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=SuperJoystick&cat=Joysticks&catstr=HOME:Joysticks

or this one:
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=5089727&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=MagStikPlus&cat=switchtype&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:switchtype

or this:
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=5089727&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=JStikBallTopRed&cat=switchtype&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:switchtype

They all say that they can switch to 4 or 8 way.  Which one is the better one?

[saleem]

everybodys suggestion will be based on their preference and realy not on which joystick is actualy the best.its the same old,you want to play fighting games,so are you use to long throw or short throw?some people prefer long and some short so you will end up with 2 answers and not realy have a definate one.some people prefer short throw for vertical and some prefer long,so once again you dont get a definative answer.

the first cabinet i had,i got sanwa sticks,trust me they took a lot of getting use to and now i am use to them for galaga/vertical shooters but,i think they are pretty naff for pacman.i got a pair of magsticks (they are on a cp) i have not used them yet but,i am thinking the 4 way mode will work good for pacman type games.but,i have not tried the throw these sticks have,it is very short compared to sanwa.i wont know till i actualy try them.

[booty900]

I am wondering what wire do I need to connect the ipac to the buttons?  And how do I connect them?  Is is solder or something else?

[booty900]

Ok sorry for all of these questions.  It seems like everyone on these forums know how to build these things but me.  But I think I found a better cabinet.  Here is a link.

http://emdkay.net/catalog/player-bartop-arcade-cabinet-p-123.html

Are there any bad reviews about this site?

[javeryh]

everybodys suggestion will be based on their preference and realy not on which joystick is actualy the best.its the same old,you want to play fighting games,so are you use to long throw or short throw?some people prefer long and some short so you will end up with 2 answers and not realy have a definate one.some people prefer short throw for vertical and some prefer long,so once again you dont get a definative answer.

This is definitely true.  Everyone has their own preferences.  I was suggesting the U360 joystick because it is easily mappable to act as a 4-way, 8-way, 2-way, 4-way diagonal, etc. which I think is a good solution for a bartop.  Trying to play Donkey Kong with an 8-way is maddening and switchable sticks are nice and all but no one but you will know or care about it - I'm a big fan of making cabs as easy as possible for guests to operate.

Ok sorry for all of these questions.  It seems like everyone on these forums know how to build these things but me.

There is a ton of information on this site.  Most people don't know anything when they first come here (myself included) but you just accumulate the knowledge after reading and reading and reading and reading.  When you are done with that, you read some more!  If you just found this site and decided to build a cab I'd at least wait a few weeks until you learn more and have a chance to read through other people's build threads before spending a lot of money on one of these things.

I am wondering what wire do I need to connect the ipac to the buttons?  And how do I connect them?  Is is solder or something else?

No soldering required.  Just strip the ends of the wire and screw it down to the iPac.  As for the microswithes, get some female quick disconnects and crimp them on.  I've built a bunch of cabinets and I've never soldered anything in my life.  Oh, I use 22 gauge stranded wire for everything - works great but there are a million different things you can do for wiring...   

[Bender]

I'll second the U360 as the most versatile stick.
If you want to play the most games that is the one to get.
If you want a dedicated 4-way, or 8-way cab then something else may be in order.

[booty900]

I am going to buy the UltraStik 360.  But it says that it comes with a usb connector.  So does this mean I don't connect it to the ipac?  Heres a link to the joystick.

http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=121224&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=UltraStik360OvalTopwithUS&cat=UltraStick360AnalogDigita&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:UltraStick360AnalogDigita



Also is this the wire that I need?

http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=5089450&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=Wiring+Kit&cat=Arcadevga&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:Arcadevga

[javeryh]

If you can keep your buttons to 8 or less (15 shifted) then you won't even need an iPac if you get the U360.  As for the wiring, go to RadioShack - it should be like $4.

[booty900]

If you can keep your buttons to 8 or less (15 shifted) then you won't even need an iPac if you get the U360.  As for the wiring, go to RadioShack - it should be like $4.

So I would just connect the 8 buttons to the u360?  That saves me $40.

Edit: Just saw I need this.

http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=1070784&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=UltraStikButtonEncoderHar&cat=UltraStick360AnalogDigita&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:UltraStick360AnalogDigita

[booty900]

I am going to order all the things I need now.  Just to make sure I have everything I need I will list them.

Cabinet:
http://emdkay.net/catalog/player-bartop-arcade-cabinet-p-123.html

Joystick:
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=8283975&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=UltraStik360OvalTopwithUS&cat=UltraStick360AnalogDigita&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:UltraStick360AnalogDigita

Harness for u360:
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=1874501&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=UltraStikButtonEncoderHar&cat=UltraStick360AnalogDigita&catstr=HOME:Ultimarc:UltraStick360AnalogDigita

Buttons:
http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1458778&rnd=4389559&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=Competition+Pushbutton&cat=Pushbutton+s&catstr=HOME:Pushbuttons:Pushbutton+s

And I am getting 22 gauge wire with crimp on connectors.