My first 2 arcade machines....

[Cuba]

Ive been a long time lurker here.  I figured it was bout time I gave my gratitude for all the knowledge this forum has given me, so a big thanks to everyone here who contributes to such an awesome forum.

http://home.comcast.net/~communistcuba/arcade_cab.html

This was my very first arcade machine.  Cut the cabinet from MDF.  Joysticks and ipac came from Ultimarc.  Buttons are happ.  Screen is a regular 27 inch tv hooked up through Svideo.  The magnets were used to shield the speakers.  I never did get around to finishin the paint job, although i might do it some day.  This machine stays at a buddies house right now.

http://home.comcast.net/~communistcuba/capcom.html

This was my second arcade machine. I was commisioned by the family of a friend to build this one as a Christmas gift.  I picked up the blue capcom cab around Dec, at the arcade auction in San Jose, CA.  Bought it as an empty cab: no screen, no game, bad wiring and a messed up control panel. BUT  Working coin door, working light bar, original glass pane, marquee plexiglass, and working speakers.  Anyway, I mounted a 27 inch tv inside. Dissasemble the TV and mounted it by the metal frame in order to make it fit.  Had to make a custom bracket to hold it.  Speakers are powered by a cheap computer amplifier, but sound awesome.  Joysticks, buttons, and trackball are all Happ.  Insides 2 are p360s,  outside 2 are competitions.  Trackball glows in the dark with a superbright LED.  All black tmold was removed and replaced with silver chrome.  Right now the marquee isnt done because i lack art talent, but eventually I will get it done.  In the mean time it plays some wicked games.

Towards the end of February there is gonna be another auction down in San Jose.  I plan to picked up a 3rd cabinet, and maybe even a 4th. Maybe ill even see a few of you guys down there.  Anyway thanks for every thing folk, let me know what you think!

[Redseven80]

What the spider its massive?? Nice cab Im after some barstools like that myself, good for a long gaming session with some mates eh?
also What games use 4 players and 6 buttons by chance?

[Cuba]

I was playing games late one night with my amigos.... Next morning when i woke up and went to turn off the arcade, I found that sucker has spun a web inside the center, right between the computer and the receiver.  Only reason I saw it was cause it moved when I touched its web. Scary stuff.......

And I dunno what I was thinking when I made my first one have 6 buttons for all players. Players 3 and 4 really only need 3 buttons; as you can see I improved the design in the second arcade.

[SirPeale]

Wow...black widow!

[brained]

Becareful with that spider, that critter has b@d @ss poison !!!

[RetroJames]

I would paint the cab witha black widow theme and put that sucker in a small plex box in the marquee until it dies. Then stick it ina  plexi mold for the marquee. 

[GGKoul]

What games use 4 players and 6 buttons by chance?

None.  The most P3 & P4 would ever use is 3 or 4.

[GGKoul]

http://home.comcast.net/~communistcuba/arcade_cab.html

Nice work.  What's the silver thing mounted behind the TV?

[MnMCaputo]

I know theres not games to use 6 buttons for the 3 and 4, but i still like the fact that you put them on there.  I just adds to the symmetry of the control panel.  Nice job

[Cuba]

Nice work.  What's the silver thing mounted behind the TV?

Thats a 2wire usb wireless network adapter.  using a combination of VNC and ftp software, I was able to have complete control of the computer remotely from my room.  I could update any roms or software without ever having to open up the cabinet.  For simple updates its a great thing to have, but wireless isnt fast enough (imo) for updating gigs worth of roms.....

The reason players 3 and 4 have buttons 4, 5 and 6 is because I was thinking beyond mame.  Thought process: "There were some 4 player SNES games, and the snes had 6 buttons!!"  Now I realize that I overthought the situation......

[CthulhuLuke]

Wow, very nice looking cabs man.  looks like some good projects you got going there.
BLACK WIDOW!! SHEEET SHEEEET!!  I didn't realize you guys get them in San Jose, we get em up here in eastern washington, although they're pretty rare in this town.  That must have been scary to see one of those things that big dang, that's a big spider.

[Redseven80]

I would paint the cab witha black widow theme and put that sucker in a small plex box in the marquee until it dies. Then stick it ina

[Com[Plex]]

I was playing games late one night with my amigos.... Next morning when i woke up and went to turn off the arcade, I found that sucker has spun a web inside the center, right between the computer and the receiver.

[mahuti]

I've seen a few in Orange County (thought they're not REALLY supposed to be here according to the experts).

I was surprised by a big tarantula one day when I was mountain biking here... everybody else acted like it was really common. Whatever.

Anyway, the cab looks great. Finish it up, though. At least get the paint on. You'll be glad you did.

2 Coats enamel primer, 3 coats black enamel paint. Sweet

[Cuba]

holy cow dude
thats incredible.
you still got it?  I got a friend who wants that spider.  Ill totaly buy it off you. it should be able to survive a trip from Cali to Maine no problem.

Sorry man, I decided not to keep that one; its one thing to know that they live outside in the woodpile behind the house, its a different matter having one in a cup on your desk while you sleep.  They are fairly common out here, if I come across any worthy specimens I'll be sure to save one for you.

And I like the idea of putting it in the marquee; it would be cool if I could find a couple, then I could make a "Widow Maker" themed cabinet

[RayB]

And I like the idea of putting it in the marquee; it would be cool if I could find a couple, then I could make a "Widow Maker" themed cabinet

Except that MAME cabs tend to be "Bachelor-makers". 

[Cuba]

Except that MAME cabs tend to be "Bachelor-makers". 

Well if your wife/girlfriend/significant other kills you due to the fact that you play too many games, I think that would make her a widow

[Rahzel]

Im from Phoenix I can get you all the black widows you want in my garage as i was looking at those spider pics I kept checking around my feet to make sure there werent any around

NICE CAB BTW

[InsaneDavid]

Except that MAME cabs tend to be "Bachelor-makers". 

Unless your girlfriend likes designing marquee and cabinet art.