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My plans for a cheap cab
cbmeeks:
Ok, someone out there that has built a cab please correct me if I am wrong but these are my plans for a cheap cab. I have a small space and an even smaller budget but I DO have some resources. I want to go for authenticity but I can sacrifice some of that if it saves money. I also want to build a two-player upright.
Here is what I have already:
AMD 1Ghz CPU/Mobo
15g HD
PSU
17" monitor
Friend that is a carpenter (well, he's good enough to build decks) that has all the tools I need.
Here is what I want to get:
20" TV - $99
Plans for an upright - $20 - $40 (anyone used the book??)
Two 8-way sticks - $40 or so
One 4-way stick - $20 or so
Spinner - $90
Trackball - $120
About 20 buttons or so - $40 or so
Video card with TV out - $40 or so
Two sheets of 4x8 MDF $20 each (I assume two is what I would need??)
Does this budget look ok?
I have looked everywhere and NO ONE in chattanooga has an existing cab to modify.
Thanks!
cb
GadgetGeek:
You can cut down costs a little by getting a 4/8 switchable joystick (ultimarc's is really nice).
Unless you are going to hack your keyboard, you need an encoder (IPac from Ultimarc if you are getting the 4/8 switchable joy or keywiz from groovygamegear). Trackball s/b much less than that if you watch ebay or if you can handle a smaller trackball, ultimarc carry's a 2 1/4" and at that point, you can change from an ipac to a mini-pac and get the nice interface that should handle the trackball and spinner)
Paint or laminate and t-molding (if you are going to use any) are also needed.
cbmeeks:
Yeah, forgot about the little things and the IPac. lol
One thing I DON'T want is a noisy, clicking joystick.
Any suggestions? Clicking sounds irritate me...lol
cb
DaveMMR:
--- Quote from: cbmeeks on June 04, 2004, 05:12:29 pm ---Yeah, forgot about the little things and the IPac. lol
One thing I DON'T want is a noisy, clicking joystick.
Any suggestions? Clicking sounds irritate me...lol
cb
--- End quote ---
The Perfect 360s at Happs are on sale. No clicking.
You could also save a few bucks by not buying plans (sorry if I'm taking money out of someone's hand there) as there is a wealth of information in the examples page. But the other school of thought is if you buy the plans, you cut down on expensive mistakes. But you have a carpenter to help so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.
You may need three sheets of MDF depending on what you're making (though if you're careful and you're cab is smaller than the standard Lucid design you may be able to get away with two 4 by 8 or at least two 4 by 8s and a 2' by 4' MDF.)
And yeah, you can get the trackball and spinner for cheaper (unless you absolutely need the 3" Happs Trackball and the Push/Pull spinner).
I didn't budget my project - I just buy things when I have the money. Some nice sales pop-up along the way.
OHHH - almost forgot - http://www.therealbobroberts.com has joysticks and buttons for cheaper than Happs (as long as you don't mind paying by check or MO). He doesn't carry the P-360s though.
Overall you can do it for less than you budgeted (of course, not a guarantee).
paigeoliver:
Wow, that isn't cheap, that is probably more expensive than any machine I have ever done, and I have done like 15 of them.
A few suggestions.
Drop the 19" tv. Either get a 19-21" used VGA display for the same money, or get a trash 19-25" TV out of the paper/thrift store for $10, and then get the 8liners harness to make it an arcade monitor and then use arcadeVGA.
Now, your actual "cabinet" budget is way low. MDF is the smallest part of that budget. The REAL money is in the extras, glass, t-molding, cabinet feet, etc, etc, etc.
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