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Recommendations on Arcade Cabinet Kits?

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Ginsu Victim:

--- Quote from: shateredsoul on January 26, 2010, 02:44:56 pm ---I found this tabletop arcade.. which has the woodwork done, I can probably do the rest.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-PLAYER-BARTOP-COUNTERTOP-ARCADE-CABINET-KIT-MAME-TM_W0QQitemZ290389092508QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439c89e89c

for 30 dollars more they can make it out of Ultralite Medium-density fiberboard.. not sure if that's a good thing..

I'd be happy to have a fullsize cab though

--- End quote ---

That's from Emdkay. Click the link in my signature.

shateredsoul:
Cool! Thanks for the videos. I'm probably going to start off with the 2player one arcade control set. I also stumbled upon this book (I think a moderator from these forums wrote it) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764556169/ref=s9_simi_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1B09Q6RWCQG8CBFEYGTS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

I can get the kindle version for like 11 bucks and just read it on my pc.  Is this book worth it? I know somethings might be out of date, but I imagine somethings stay the same (wood work for example).


--- Quote from: DeLuSioNal29 on January 27, 2010, 12:03:25 pm ---You may want to check out this topic too with vids on how to do stuff:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=80229.0

It's actually easier than it looks.

D

--- End quote ---

DeLuSioNal29:
Yes, the BYOAC founder, SAINT wrote that book.  It's worth it to purchase.

D

shateredsoul:
I just noticed this! Yeah.. my wife would have killed me.  She already says I have too many wires laying around. I wish I had done this when I was living with my friends but, I really was worse of financially then. That's also probably why i'm going with the 2player arcade.

I'm probably going to order the prebuilt 2player one from northcoast, get happ buttons, the tt track ball that Delusional recommended, and hopefully I can get some light guns as well. So far the ones that work best on an lcd tv are a diy project that requires soldering and having an old light gun.. a guy on the hyperspin forums is selling some prebuilt, very nice ones, for 250 for a set of guncons. 250! He has received good reviews.. but I think i'll wait until the company that makes the board releases their own prefab guns (which they will be doing eventually i've read).

Would these be good tools? That is.. if I decided to build my own? (i'm really going by affordability and reviews)

http://www.amazon.com/45-Piece-Power-Tool-Wood-Accessory/dp/B001FKHTKI (router bits)
http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G3312-Saw-Horse-Brackets/dp/B0000DD1MP/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1264634958&sr=1-5 (saw horse brackets)
http://www.amazon.com/Factory-Reconditioned-Skil-5400-01-RT-4-Inch-Circular/dp/B0013MZFT0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1264634904&sr=1-5

Also,

I know this is a dumb question... the router and wood working bits... you attach them to the drill right?

Also, what else would I require? would any of these tools be useful in restoring a cabinet (which is what I hope to do later)

Thanks!



--- Quote from: garnerb350 on January 26, 2010, 02:56:38 pm ---Dont stratch it off yet...(x-arcade)
I went to www.arcadecab.com and I used my x-arcade tankstick...
I had to take my parts outside and then when finished i took them back in (lack of space)
Tools: router, skillsaw, drill, screwdriver, sawhorses...

I'm just saying...you'd be in less debt if you build. (plus more satifaction)

But if you are dead set on buying a pre-fab...

Do a search on Google for "arcade cab kits" There are several places to check out...( prices depend on what type of cab you want....upright, cocktail , caberet...etc.)

one problem you might encounter is shipping costs...(gonna bite the wallet maybe)

On my first cab I did the same comparison ...pre-fab or build?...
I decided to build and incorporate the tankstick..which when i found arcadecab.com I was happy...
Only problem though with the tankstick...Maximus and X-arcade wouldnt work right...so i went to Hyperspin...

I remember when I first came to this forum, there was a thread where one guys threw plastic down in his living room and he built/painted his cab everything...I couldnt believe his wife didnt kill him...i know mine would.

--- End quote ---

DeLuSioNal29:
Your best bet, try to find an old arcade cabinet on your local craigslist.  Usually $100 or under.  Maybe even free if you get lucky.  Where are you located?

It's easier to restore one than building one from scratch.  A lot cheaper too.  That's what I did for all of my MAME cabs.  (new project pics coming soon).  You simply gut it out, bondo and paint it and replace it with new PC parts and such.

As for the router bits, you just can't use it without the router itself.  There is no way to hold the drill steady enough.  You don't really need a router anyway (especially if you buy a used cabinet).  A router is used to cut out the groove for the t-molding (which if you get a used cabinet you don't need) and also to flush mount trackballs and/or joysticks.  But if you buy a pre-fab, you probably won't need it either.  And routers are pricey.

If you do decide to build it yourself, get the blank panel and the following tools:

1)  BYOAC Wiki - http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Main_Page
2)  A good set of Ratchet Crimpers, similar to this:  http://www.sherco-auto.com/wiring.htm  (don't cheap out on the cheap one!  Trust me!)
3)  Wire strippers
4)  Quick connects - If you buy Happ buttons with Cherry switches (.187") you'll need "FDV1-187" connectors from http://www.sherco-auto.com/wiring.htm .  If you get them from GroovyGameGear.com they no longer use Cherry switches, but E-Switch™ instead, which is a bit bigger.  You'll need "FDV1-2" connectors instead.
5)  Bell Wire (found in Home Depot in the doorbell section).  Best bang for your buck.
6)  Controls (joystick, buttons, etc)
7)  Keyboard encoder (I-pac http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html) or (Key-Wiz http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_80&products_id=303)
8)  PATIENCE!  :)

And above all else, we can ALWAYS help you here at the forums if you need help during the process.

DeLuSioNaL29

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