Newbie-tastic MAME-alicious cabinet...

[lharles]

Hello!

So, I'm embarking on the building of a MAME cabinet. I've been waffling about this for several years now.

Recently, during time off from work, I managed to get my hands on a gutted cabinet, ('Rad Mobile'). I always knew if I ever managed to actually get a hold of an arcade cabinet, I would ACTUALLY build a MAME...er, machine/cabinet/behemoth/wife annoyance.

Now...I find out why I subconciously have put this off for so long. While it wasn't a personal flaw that I was unaware of, it has effectively crippled me in terms of proceeding forward with the build...I am a carpentry idiot. The PC part, no problem. The monitor, no problem. Eventually purchasing and wiring the control panel electronic components, no problem.

I could really use some carpentry assistance though. I'm not well off nor do I have any wonderful gifts to give for assistance, (although I do have access to a lot of previous generations of computer hardware that I can have for free), so the best I could do is virtually endless supplies of inexpensive pizza and non-imported beer...but I'm throwin' out a call for help in the event anyone can and is willing to help me out. I just need some direction, some instruction, and perhaps someone to make fun of me to inspire me.

My dream setup would be a four player configuration with a joystick and seven buttons for each player, plus a single spinner and trackball. I've got almost an entire starting basketball team worth of kids so I've got to build out a console that they can all be on at the same time...if at all possible.

Anyway...if anyone can and will help, I would be enormously and eternally grateful.

Finally, I am in the Seattle, Washington area.

[lharles]

I guess I'd like to add that I'm not lookin' for someone to do the work for me!

[Harpal]

Hi there,
if i wasnt across the atlantic i would have helped you out, but as i cant, i can supply you with endless designs, just pm me and let me knowexactly what sort of design and how you would like the cab to be and any plans i have that match i will email them to you, if you look at the plans it aint that hard i was the same as you not a clue on how to even messure, or mark on wood till i got stuck in, have had a few cut here and there but my cab has come to light and i feel much better all the sweat and blood was worth it..........
you can always purchase the project arcade book it is really helpful i have only just purchase itof ebay(still aint come YET!!)
anyway hope it all works out and pm me for the designs....

[lharles]

Harpal,

Thanks for the response!

[subcriminal]

Best way to do it is make a crap one... think about the money you wasted when building the second. Improves carpentry skills no-end!