1st MAME Cabinet - Arcadia 2007

[vidmouse]

Just started assembly on it last month, figured it was time to get my website up and post some pics and history.  Although I'm a first-generation arcade cab builder, video game history is in the blood (check out my Inspiration/History page on my cab site).

Right now I've had a lot of good feedback from people on these forums, and the cab is coming along nicely, my opinion.  The 4-player panel was a test shot from some scrap wood on the top (although the box is "final").  Am considering a few things now:

Originally, wanted a 4-player cab (heck, STILL want it) but not quite sure how to do it with my space constraints.  I never noticed the elbow room problem before because I'm left handed and always tested position with a right-hander to my right side (ie the dominant elbow points out, so as long as we were like that, we were ok).  Now I'm seeing the problems with it and it's got me buggered.

I have the opportunity to start fresh with a 2 or 3 player cab and add a trackball and/or spinner... I'm considering using ezarcadesolutions' spinner with the wheel -- anyone have any expertise on how to mount it all?  I know there are a lot of anti-Frankenpanelists but it doesn't seem to bother me as long as it's playable.

See the site, more to come soon...

http://www.freewebs.com/vidmouse

[patrickl]

Sorry, I just got some spam clicking on that link. No cab.

If you want some input better post some pictures here

[danny_galaga]

working now...

[vidmouse]

Photo...
Note, the control panel will be changing, found it too cramped
(what is on there is a scrap top anyway)

This marquee is just a mockup; will go with mame marquees for a custom job when I get around to ordering it...

[javeryh]

Looks good - how did you paint it?

[vidmouse]

1 coat grey tint primer with a disposable roller and 2" foam brushes,
then 2 coats black semi-gloss with roller and foam brushes.

The brushes don't make the front of the CP box as nice (plus
I just drilled before, I didn't wipe off some of the dust) but
the roller does.

Probably going to redo the CP box as it is... will post a plan pic for review soon.

[vidmouse]

Ok, posted the new CP plan under Main forum, but here's the pic again..

4 player, 8-way joysticks
1 top firebutton 4-way stick
ezarcadesolutions spinner with optional steering wheel
dark blue buttons in front are for pinball

[vidmouse]

Been getting a little further...

[theCoder]

Note, the control panel will be changing, found it too cramped...

I'm not sure about your situation, but in my case, I don't live in a frat house, have dozens of friends over every week, and/or have 6 kids.  I'd go for a 2 player panel, spread things out, and put in a spinner and track ball.  But that's just me.  Good luck with the build.

[vidmouse]

Thanks.  Actually the panel shown in the photos was just a first mock-up.
I'm currently considering a 2p with trackball, spinner and then 2 "wing" modules
that I can attach/detach for 3p/4p.

[vidmouse]

Finally got a lot of work done last weekend (thank you holiday).
Still not done yet but in MUCH better shape than previous photos.
Decided to ditch the spinner idea and just use a trackball for
now, but there's space leftover for upgrades later if need be.
Still have to mount those speakers and touch-up paint too...

Welcome comments!

[vidmouse]

Just hooked up the trackball for the first time last night,
here's a few photos of my mouse hack (edited:  my site
just got updated with a full description on how I did it,
check it out!)

[BobA]

Nice bit of cab construction.  Interesting link to console games in your family and the name of your cab.  It is also good to see a mouse hack that works out OK.  Much underrated for TB and Spinner interfaces.

 

[vidmouse]

Really?  I was thinking most people do it this way and I was behind the curve.
Wonder if it's worth a quickpoll to see if people use mousehacks or
commercial interfaces.  Eh.   

Thanks for the compliments.  I've been pleased w the results so far
although the artwork is pretty much non-existant compared to
some of the fantastic stuff seen here.