Matt Antonellis
05-06-2008, 03:27 AM
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this or if people have done this sort of the thread hundreds of times over before.
I know there are some great resources out on the intarwebs for people that want to build MAME cabinets, but my project will be slightly different than the others for a few reasons which I explain in the list below.
I thought it would be a good idea if I kept a log of my progress here for anyone else interested, and also to help me keep track of things.
So... I've finally decided to put theory to practice and start building my MAME cabinet. It's been one of my long-term goals to build a MAME cabinet, but just recently while talking to a friend (and after seeing Nate's at JCR) I decided it's time I build it.
My plan is as follows:
1. Build a lightweight, relatively easy to transport MAME cab.
2. Use existing parts to cut down on cost.
3. Keep design easy enough due to complex power tool limitations.
4. Be able to access the PC with keyboard/mouse/usb/etc. for updates and such.
5. Have MAME boot directly when the PC powers on.
The parts that I already have:
1. Monitor (LCD monitor)
2. PC capable of running most emulators and MAME (very new PC, dual 2.0Ghz CPU, 2GB RAM, etc. should be good enough for most anything I want to emulate)
3. Power cords, power strip, most cables
4. keyboard and mouse
5. Soldiering kit (solder pen, solder, wiring)
The parts I bought:
1. joysticks and buttons from HAPP controls.
2. I-Pac interface from Ultimarc.
Now I know what you're thinking: LCD/TFT displays are not nearly as good as authentic arcade monitors or even a normal CRT TV, but I may purchase the arcade-native resolution video card for it later if I don't end up finding a decent free CRT monitor. Alternatively, I want to see how light the cabinet can be, therefore this is more of a test if anything to see how light I can make a full-size cabinet, but still structurally sound and able to withstand a good thrashing.
This week I'm buying the wood, nails, paint, vent, fan, etc. from the hardware store and hopefully start to cut the sheets into form.
All together, I've spent roughly $100 on the project so far which really only accounts for the arcade controls interface and joystick & buttons bought shown above. The parts that I already have I did spend a lot of money on originally, but they could easily be substituted with low-cost alternatives such as an old Pentium 4 PC and a CRT monitor which people are just throwing away these days.
I was originally looking for any arcade machines in the area which I could gut either for the case or controls, but I couldn't find anything viable, at which point I decided I would rather just build the thing completely from scratch with new wood, new buttons, and other parts I owned.
I'm expecting all cutting to take about a day and painting to take roughly one day too. Sanding and assembly should be fairly short if things go as planned.
Pictures will be taken as soon as a good portion of the project starts (Wednesday most likely).
I know there are some great resources out on the intarwebs for people that want to build MAME cabinets, but my project will be slightly different than the others for a few reasons which I explain in the list below.
I thought it would be a good idea if I kept a log of my progress here for anyone else interested, and also to help me keep track of things.
So... I've finally decided to put theory to practice and start building my MAME cabinet. It's been one of my long-term goals to build a MAME cabinet, but just recently while talking to a friend (and after seeing Nate's at JCR) I decided it's time I build it.
My plan is as follows:
1. Build a lightweight, relatively easy to transport MAME cab.
2. Use existing parts to cut down on cost.
3. Keep design easy enough due to complex power tool limitations.
4. Be able to access the PC with keyboard/mouse/usb/etc. for updates and such.
5. Have MAME boot directly when the PC powers on.
The parts that I already have:
1. Monitor (LCD monitor)
2. PC capable of running most emulators and MAME (very new PC, dual 2.0Ghz CPU, 2GB RAM, etc. should be good enough for most anything I want to emulate)
3. Power cords, power strip, most cables
4. keyboard and mouse
5. Soldiering kit (solder pen, solder, wiring)
The parts I bought:
1. joysticks and buttons from HAPP controls.
2. I-Pac interface from Ultimarc.
Now I know what you're thinking: LCD/TFT displays are not nearly as good as authentic arcade monitors or even a normal CRT TV, but I may purchase the arcade-native resolution video card for it later if I don't end up finding a decent free CRT monitor. Alternatively, I want to see how light the cabinet can be, therefore this is more of a test if anything to see how light I can make a full-size cabinet, but still structurally sound and able to withstand a good thrashing.
This week I'm buying the wood, nails, paint, vent, fan, etc. from the hardware store and hopefully start to cut the sheets into form.
All together, I've spent roughly $100 on the project so far which really only accounts for the arcade controls interface and joystick & buttons bought shown above. The parts that I already have I did spend a lot of money on originally, but they could easily be substituted with low-cost alternatives such as an old Pentium 4 PC and a CRT monitor which people are just throwing away these days.
I was originally looking for any arcade machines in the area which I could gut either for the case or controls, but I couldn't find anything viable, at which point I decided I would rather just build the thing completely from scratch with new wood, new buttons, and other parts I owned.
I'm expecting all cutting to take about a day and painting to take roughly one day too. Sanding and assembly should be fairly short if things go as planned.
Pictures will be taken as soon as a good portion of the project starts (Wednesday most likely).