Just completed my first MAME cabinet...details and pictures to follow

[dragon13]

Well, I want to thank everyone for all your help. I have finally, after 2 years (and one unexpected child  ) finished my MAME cabinet.

It is a 4 player cabinet, with a 27inch TV as the monitor. I built a slide out keyboard drawer for my keyboard an mouse, and I also mounted my speaker control on this shelf. I designed a Metroid CPO for it, and Scott over at mamemarquees.com did a great job of printing it out for me. The cabinet is based off of Lusids plans, with some mods for the control panel as well as the height.

I used mostly Ultimarc parts, and MagStik Plus joysticks. I also designed a simple two LED circuit for each joystick that lights either red or green depending on if the joystick is in 4 or 8 direction mode. This is quite handy since you can switch the MagStik from the top of the CPO, and can visually tell what mode it is in. If any one is interested in this, I can post some detailed instructions on what I did, it was quite simple.

If anyone has anyother questions, please feel free to ask. I will include a link to some pictures and details a little later.

[superbigjay]

I used mostly Ultimarc parts, and MagStik Plus joysticks. I also designed a simple two LED circuit for each joystick that lights either red or green depending on if the joystick is in 4 or 8 direction mode. This is quite handy since you can switch the MagStik from the top of the CPO, and can visually tell what mode it is in. If any one is interested in this, I can post some detailed instructions on what I did, it was quite simple.

Hello, I'm planning my CP right now.  I have all the parts I need except for the joystick.
I haven't made my mind yet.  The 2 options I'm looking at right now (I change my mind every day  )
is
- 2 magstick plus
or
- 2 happ 360 + dedicated 4-way joystick.

From what I read so far, I think the 360 are better than magstick for 8-way games.

What are your impressions on the magstick? (I love their 4/8 way switch from top feature...)
Some people says it's difficult to hit horizontal or vertical with these.

Can you post the mods you did to identify the 4/8 way mode with a LED.

Thanks.

[psychotech]

Just why & how did you do it?

Should have told us ..a bit earlier

All the best..

[blueznl]

Like to see it as well... I suspect you mounted a micro switch in such a way it is actuated by the white lever on the bottom of the stick?

[bfauska]

I too am interested in your LED setup.  I was thinking about doing this with 4 LEDs backlighting arrows around the joystick while in 4-way mode and then in 8-way the diagonals light up too.  If I had your switch set-up the rest would be a cake walk.

Sounds like a cool project, please share the pics soon.

Later,
Brian