Noob starts cookie cutter. Sees builds in this community. Hangs head shame :-[

[Snuggletron 5000]

Hello!  I'd like to start by noting that this is my first post to any forum/message board anywhere ever! (Until now, I don't think I've even seen a forum that wasn't just full of trolls and irritating ---meecrob--- nozzles)  So please accept my apologies if I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to proper etiquette or anything.

A couple months ago, I was itching like bad rash for some kind of distractionary project, and after a bit of thought, I came to the conclusion, hey, I should make a dedicated mame box.  Then I thought, hey, why not put together some arcade controls to go with it!?  Then I thought, hey, why not just build a whole arcade machine!?  Obviously this was a good idea, as everyone here knows (duh ).  Started building an ultimate 2, which isn't real exciting, but has been great learning experience (I haven't done any form of woodworking since highschool shop class), and even it has given me a bit of a bug, and I'm already thinking of ideas for my next one!  WhenI found this forum I was blown away by the shmorgesbord of talent I've been witness too thus far!  Suffice it to say, I feel inspired to come up with something more original and personal.  Problem is, I can't afford to be stockpiling these things, and I've already finished the base and cut everything out, so I'm pretty committed to building this thing as it is for now.

I'm wondering what kind of luck people have with selling their work on craigslist and whatnot, for at least a bit more than material cost?  I would also be highly appreciative of any advice/tips on how to make such an endeavor the most cost effective ie: where to put the most money into for controls/artwork/screen and such (all I've bought is wood and hardware so far).  I'm not looking to make any kind of business or anything out of it, just trying to think of how to best make room in the budget for the cab I actually want to build, which I'm already imagining to be significantly more complicated and expensive!  (I tend to like over the top stuff) 

[Acids]

I dont have a simple answer covering your questions.
However what i can say is read, read and read some more.

This place has an amazing wealth of information..   if you cant build it from all this information then you're simply not reading enough.
Don't be afraid to ask questions but make sure you read first!!

Are you getting the hint???

If you are new to woodworking, controllers and stuff don't worry.   just plan everything through and make sure everything is though-out before you cut.
Don't rush the project, take an extra few seconds and double check measurements and keep things trim and square.
It may slow down progress slightly but the outcome is always better.

That said, enjoy the experience as its very rewarding to have a game machine of your own!!
OH, post heaps of photos, we all like photos 

[Drnick]

I'm wondering what kind of luck people have with selling their work on craigslist and whatnot, for at least a bit more than material cost?  I would also be highly appreciative of any advice/tips on how to make such an endeavor the most cost effective ie: where to put the most money into for controls/artwork/screen and such (all I've bought is wood and hardware so far).  I'm not looking to make any kind of business or anything out of it, just trying to think of how to best make room in the budget for the cab I actually want to build, which I'm already imagining to be significantly more complicated and expensive!  (I tend to like over the top stuff) 

Look for Corybee on here.  He seems to have a lot of luck selling on his projects

As for the most cost effective solutions, I'm going to work on the basis that this is a build and Flip unit.

Zippy Joysticks are a good all round joystick that are at the cheaper end of things. Do not skimp on the buttons, they aren't much more then a dollar or so each anyway.
As for artwork you can save some money there by finding generic posters that you can cut down to size for the Control panel. Alternatively cover the control panel in 3m Carbon Fibre. (If you use Poster then protect with Plexi, if you use Carbon fibre then you don't really need the plex.)   You can make your own Marquee if you have an inkjet printer that will allow the use of banner paper. If not then get it printed on some card stock or similar. To save some real money don't worry about art on the side of the unit, This is one of the most expensive parts of the build in my opinion.   You can cover the sides in Laminate or Vinyl for a professional look. Scour Craigslist or gumtree or Freecycle to find a screen for the unit.  Basically if you want to shift this and get on with building your dream machine then build it as cheaply as possible.

[CoryBee]

Look for Corybee on here.  He seems to have a lot of luck selling on his projects

[Drnick]

Hiding out In Paris somewhere, Either that or he found the joys of Blackpool

[CoryBee]

Hiding out In Paris somewhere, Either that or he found the joys of Blackpool

Hanging out in Dublin, Paris was for the weekend.

The Bartops funded my trip and left my bank untouched (well you know what I mean). So once again to the BYOAC community, Thank You!

On the note of the art, the ones I made recently have been printed at an Office Max\Depot store. On photo paper, the single player ones cost me $5 and the two player art cost $7 - $10 to print. Turned out nice and not a big issue to replace it if\when something happens.

[Snuggletron 5000]

Thanks for the advice guys!  I've definitely been doing a lot of  reading, and will do much more.  As for photos, I actually haven't figured out how to do that yet, but I'll look it up