Starting a cab, some questions

[twitami]

So, I am getting my cab idea together and want a few opinions (Well, really I want that Neon Cab I saw on here, amazing!). I am in a townhouse, so no woodworking tools (or skills:) ). I really want interchangeable control panels, as I have not seen one that does all I want. I am thinking of buying the Mameroom Cabinet Kit, and then using the Control Panel Designer they have to order 4 or 5 different Control Panels. I ordered a mini-Pac already, and have some Happs stuff I ordered like 2 years ago but never used. I figure I will try a basic control panel first, if it goes well, then move on.

The other reason I like the removable controls idea is for my home theater. I have a Home Theater room set up, with a 92" screen and projector and Surround and all that. I just added a Sony VGX-XL2 Media Center (which totally owns btw), and want to be able to play MAME in there as well. With this set-up, I can unhook the control panel, and bring it into the Home Theater and use it on the 92" screen!

So, anyone have any idea/suggestions?

The Cabinet kit is $500.00
Control Panel Kits are $75.00/each (plus 30 shipping, but hoping I can get a break if I order multiples)
Happs controls will be additional (I have a lot already...trackball, 2 8way stiks, 1 4way stik, and about 20 buttons).

Thanks for any help/suggestions!
Brian

[NickG]

I previously thought $500 + shipping (for a UAII) was way overpriced, but now that I have invested so much time,  money, and effort into my cabinet, the RTA kit seems reasonable.  Though, for the price of a UAII, you can often find used cabinets suitable for removable control panel installation.  Complete cabs with monitor and coin door.  That can be good if your don't have a monitor.  That can be bad if you need a multisync or PC monitor anyway.
  Those kits look very nice, though and the design looks easy for removable CPs.  I almost used the same design; I was going to create a swivel for it, so that the monitor angle could be adjusted down to view from the couch or angled back to different levels for upright play.  That two piece design would probably be good for that , too.  The whole top piece could pivot, instead of just the monitor; too bad they don't come like that out of the box.
  Does Mameroom designs use cam and post to join the pieces of the RTA kit?  That's good if you need to be able to break down the cabinet later to fit the cabinet through a narrow door.  That's bad if you want a sturdy piece of furniture that can take a beating.  (every RTA furniture piece I own has at least one bad spot, where the particle board has let go of a post or few.)