Making an old Casine cab into a MAME machine! (NOW WITH PICTURES)

[DKong101]

Hey you guys, I am currently building my MAME cabinet out of an old casino cab. I will put pictured of the cab up soon, all I've done to it currently is paint it black!

I will be using an X-arcade dual for the control panel

HyperSpin is my FrontEnd of Choice
I am putting this PC inside of the cab:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6077140&csid=ITD&body=REVIEWS#tabs

And this monitor:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6378938&csid=_25

I will be running MAME, Daphne, Nintendo 64, NES, and SNES emulators.

If you guys have any ideas or criticisms about my idea please feel free to post them in reply to this thread!

[severdhed]

do you already have the x-arcade? because if you don't, please dont use an x-arcade on a cabinet...it is just not cool.  i've been there and done that, and it didn't last.  no matter what you do, it looks out of place, plus the button layout is less than optimal.  i've even went as far as transplanting the x-arcade components into my own panel, which is also a mess because of they way they wire up the controls. they don't use a common ground, and the wires are very short.  i am still using the encoder from my x-arcade in my vertical classic cabinet because i didn't have the money to spend on a new one, but as soon as i do, that thing is coming out of there.

if you already have it, then i guess you make do with what you have, but if you haven't already purchased it, please get a real encoder from Ultimarc or GroovyGameGear, and some decent joysticks and buttons (i vote happ or sanwa)

and make sure you post pics of these cabinet.

also, for the monitor, did you already buy it?  the reason i ask, is all of these games you wish to emulate were setup for a 4:3 monitor, not a widescreen.  so you will end up with either big black bars on either side, or a really stretched image.  you may be better off with a non widescreen monitor.  for instance, a 20" 16:9 widescreen monitor will display a 16" diagonal 4:3 image.  so a 19" non widescreen monitor will give you a larger picture. (technically 19" non widescreen LCDs are 5:4, not 4:3, but it is still better than on a 16:9).  i didn't see any on tigerdirect, but newegg.com has a good selection of them.  here is one for $139

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254047

i have a similar hanns.G model in one of my cabinets and it works great (mine doesn't have internal speakers).

of course, if you already purchased the monitor, it is too late.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just trying to let you know there are better options out there if you haven't already purchased this stuff

[borals]

do you already have the x-arcade? because if you don't, please dont use an x-arcade on a cabinet...it is just not cool.  i've been there and done that, and it didn't last.  no matter what you do, it looks out of place, plus the button layout is less than optimal. 

A massive +1 on that.

[BadMouth]

I don't think the x-arcade would look all that horrible on a cab if it were mounted like a normal control panel
and extended slightly past the sides of the cab (the dualstick may be too narrow for that).  
Something like this, but the cab would almost have to be black with black t-molding to look like the x-arcade belongs.

I've never seen it attempted that way (or any way that looked decent).  
People always try to build some type of huge blocky frame to hold it.
The worst version is the one x-arcade sells themself that has giant cutouts on the sides that you have to reach into for the pinball buttons.

Like they said, if you haven't bought it yet, build your own.
If you already have it and don't want to get into building your own control panel,
here's a mounting idea for you:

I've been using a tankstick on my "temporary" setup for the past year.
It's just sitting on a plank that has been drilled for the rubber feet to drop down in.

Take the bottom off, use the screw holes in the bottom to mark where the feet sit, drill those spots out with a spade bit just big enough for the feet to slide down in.
That's about it.  No giant conraption around it. It doesn't budge unless you pick straight up on it

[DKong101]

Yes, I already have the X-arcade. Plus, the relative who is helping me says that we aren't experienced enough for woodwork, so making a control panel won't happen for me. I will definitely get pictured up as soon as possible!

      No, I do not have that monitor yet and I will probably check out the one you showed me!

Once again, any ideas for a name or criticisms are accepted!

[DaOld Man]

Would it be a crime to remove all the components on the X-Arcade, paint the panel black (or whatever color you want), then re-mount the components?

[DKong101]

that might be an option, I will see when the time comes!

[BadMouth]

Don't let the ripping on the x-arcade discourage you.

You'll learn a lot from this one and maybe you'll use that knowledge to build another one down the road (or just keep modifying this one).
You'll also have a lot of fun while you learn 

[DKong101]

thanks, I do plan on using this machine as a stepping stone so that some time I can build one from scratch! I already have Saint's new book pre-ordered for a reference to my materials and instructions.

Also, the machine I am using has no place for a marquee, so waht do you guys think I should do in stead of a marquee to make it look cool?

[severdhed]

there is nothing wrong with x-arcade...heck, if it wasnt for me buying an x-arcade 2 player panel many years ago, i probably wouldn't have ever ended up with a cabinet at all....x-arcades are like the gateway drug of our hobby, they introduce you, get you hooked, and get you itching for bigger, better stuff.

as for the marquee, i'd say we really need to see pics of this cabinet before trying to advise you on what to do with it

[DKong101]

I will be moving the cab into my house this afternoon, and I will post pics as soon as possible

[DKong101]

Here are a couple pics of the cab


I have stripped all of its original components and have a makeshift paint job on it at the moment

[severdhed]

cool.  how about a shot from the side, or at least slightly from the side so we can see the profile of it a bit better?  looks like you will have a good bit of work on your hands, considering there is no front or back on the cabinet at all.  at least that opens up more possibilities for customization on your part.  i look forward to seeing how this project turns out.

[BadMouth]

I came across this pic in another thread.  No idea of the source.
Control panel looks mounted too high, but other than that, it ain't bad for being based around an x-arcade.

[leapinlew]

I came across this pic in another thread.  No idea of the source.
Control panel looks mounted too high, but other than that, it ain't bad for being based around an x-arcade.

The problem to me, it looks totally generic and devoid of any personality. If I put all the hard work into my arcade, I want the arcade to reflect my personality. Perhaps he could've have changed the marquee/sideart to make it more personal, but I think trying to shoehorn a theme based on a CP isn't the right way to do it.

[Rick]

The problem to me, it looks totally generic and devoid of any personality. If I put all the hard work into my arcade, I want the arcade to reflect my personality. Perhaps he could've have changed the marquee/sideart to make it more personal, but I think trying to shoehorn a theme based on a CP isn't the right way to do it.

I agree.  If I owned that cab, I'd spray paint "SE" in front of the marquee title and customize the sides...  ...maybe.

 

[BadMouth]

I think trying to shoehorn a theme based on a CP isn't the right way to do it.

I wasn't recommending an x-arcade themed cab.
I wanted to find the kid an example of a halfway decent looking cab with an x-arcade as a cp so he'd have some kind of reference.
Based on what he's said, doing much woodworking isn't an option.

Hopefully the pic will give some idea of how to notch out (or add to) the cab he has so it can be mounted.

Dkong, Lowes or Home Depot will make a few cuts for you if you buy a sheet of mdf or plywood.
If you have them make a couple passes the inside width of your cab, you won't have to make too many cuts.
Hopefully the relative that's helping you at least has a circular saw and basic skills.

Stick with it.  It may not end up looking like some of the $1,000+, multi-year projects on here,
 but I bet it's still going to be better than what any of your friends have.   

[DKong101]

Thanks guys, I will be updating you guys as news comes in, I think I will stick with the X-Arcade and ,if the chance arrives, Maybe build my own in the future

[JustMichael]

That X-Arcade cabinet is the ONLY cabinet I have seen that an X-Arcade control panel looks proper on.  Any other cabinet should have its own control panel.

[DKong101]

SO, Do you guys have any ideas of what I could do in place of a marquee?

[BadMouth]

Get the monitor in there and see how much room you have.  You might be able to add a marquee even though the cabinet didn't have one originally.
Another idea is to make the marquee part of the bezel.  Google space invaders arcade images for an example.

[Skeptic73]

I'm kinda working on a similar Cabinet. And the funny thing is I also have an X-Arcade Dual whatchamafudgin'. I have an elo 19 inch touchscreen I'm going to mount in her and Ultracade On a desktop PC with 137 games on it. I am thinking of also putting in an alice in wonderland touch enabled video poker board on a kvm switch and toggling between the two through a button programmed on the X-Arcade. I would like to see what you figure out for a marquee. I have a Silver Strike Bowling topper but I also have the computer a high res CRT and the whole set up for that game if I ever find a cabinet for it. I have a couple poker Plexis that I may attempt to cut for a Bezel. I just got done Patching up and making panels for my cabinet today. I'm going to leave a bill acceptor on the front for the poker machine if I can get that to work with the KVM. Are you planning on and side art? Have you found anything or any good sites?

[thatitalian]

I am just about to embark on such a project too! My mate has the attached cab and wants me to MAME it.

It will be interesting watching your build as we need to finish this by Christmas. Luckily he has a decent garage!

Skeptic73: Do you have a thread? I wouldn't mind checking out your progress also.

[Skeptic73]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107089.msg1134819#msg1134819

[Rick]

[Message deleted by Member who doesn't know how to read entire thread.]

 

[thatitalian]

Sorry, my bad. I was asking the question.

Why not put in an LED text scrolling thingy in place of the marquee?

[DKong101]

Skeptic73: That can is the exact same one as mine was before I painted it!! I found a way to mount the X-arcade through another thread if you want to link. However, I think I will only keep the X-arcade on there until I get the tools and supplies to build my own control panel. If you figure out anything about the cab that will make both of our lives easier, please post it!

[Skeptic73]

Yeah, I just primed and painted it today. The X arcade fits nicely because it is a smaller cabinet. If you have the link on how it was mounted I'd like to check it out. If I can get a hold of a full size cabinet then I'd build my own control panel. I'm ok with this for now. I just needed something to put my computer with Ultracade in. I would like a trackball but maybe in the future.

[DKong101]

Skeptic73: I used this idea to mount the control panel
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106638.0
it's all in pictures, but it's pretty easy to follow