Author Topic: Homemade arcade cabinets.  (Read 553 times)

July 26, 2012, 11:11:55 AM
Reply #15

subzero187

  • **
  • Information Offline
  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 68
That is an awesome MAME cabinet! I have been wanting to build one of those for the longest time. My goal is to convert a Mortal Kombat 3 arcade cabinet into a MAME. I have already purchased all of the artwork, joysticks, buttons and whatnot. Now I need to find a Midway cab at the right price.

I love arcades!

July 26, 2012, 12:38:25 PM
Reply #16

wiggy

  • The one.. the only... whatever
  • **
  • Information Offline
  • Maximum Volume Poster
  • Posts: 8241
  • Extra cheese please!
    • Rose Colored Gaming
That cabinet is purdy.  How much did that set you back, if you don't mind my asking?  Minus the PC, I'm not worried about that part.

July 26, 2012, 04:51:00 PM
Reply #17

fiatbravodriver

  • ****
  • Information Offline
  • Sr. Member
  • Posts: 428
    • Lets Talk Retro
    • Email
Quote

cool cabinet was that a custome built one or a kit ?


Thanks, Its actually all built from scratch. I would not consider myself anything more that a keen DIY'er.

Here is a great site ran by a great guy. He hosts free plans also.

http://www.arcadecab.com/

Its all made from 18mm MDF. The screen is a 19" 4:3 monitor. The pc is an old machine running xp sp3. The experts build their own controls but I cheated an got an X-Arcade joystick from ebay.

Id suggest anyone have a go. Its not a quick job by far it took me about 30-40 hours for the cabinet and about 4hours installing the OS and setting up Gamex. This is the frontend that allows you to select games with the joystick.

The graphics are home printed including the Marquee. This is back lit by using some 12v lighting.

Best advice I can give is Give it a go. Materials are cheap.

Any questions Just ask.


____ From the site ______

James P is driving the cabinet with an AMD2400 processor running the Gamex frontend.  A 19" ViewSonic LCD provides the display.  If you look carefully, you'll note he reduced the depth of the cabinet because he used the LCD.  James said that did create a few problems when it was time to insert the PC, but he successfully maneuvered a smaller case in at an angle.

Some of the other features he included: Mini-USB keyboard and mouse on his slide-out tray, cold cathode marquee lighting driven by the PC's power supply, hidden power button and marquee light switch, Power Griffin USB that controls the volume, and a home printed marquee and side art.

He estimated the entire project, software included, took about forty hours.  Great job!
Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/m97kauk

If you love thecoverproject please also support Nintandbox.net A great FREE site for Game Boxes.

July 26, 2012, 05:01:53 PM
Reply #18

fiatbravodriver

  • ****
  • Information Offline
  • Sr. Member
  • Posts: 428
    • Lets Talk Retro
    • Email
That cabinet is purdy.  How much did that set you back, if you don't mind my asking?  Minus the PC, I'm not worried about that part.

Thanks Wiggy, I had most of the parts from old PC gear. The best thing is Mame needs little power.

Here is a quick checklist.

Old PC
Old Monitor
Old speakers
Old keyboard
Old mouse
Xarcade control stick £120
MDF £20
Wood for Battons £15
Paint £10
4 gang power adapter £5
Casters £15
Lighting £10.
Wires £2
Power switch £1
Plastic for Marquee £15
T-mounding £20
Screws £5

Optional:
Coin door £30 ebay
USB volume control £30
Wifi card £15

J
Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/m97kauk

If you love thecoverproject please also support Nintandbox.net A great FREE site for Game Boxes.

July 26, 2012, 05:47:11 PM
Reply #19

CommunistGamer

  • ****
  • Information Offline
  • Sr. Member
  • Posts: 340
    • Email
I might have to make a cabinet for PC gaming.

July 26, 2012, 07:05:13 PM
Reply #20

wiggy

  • The one.. the only... whatever
  • **
  • Information Offline
  • Maximum Volume Poster
  • Posts: 8241
  • Extra cheese please!
    • Rose Colored Gaming
That's not bad at all!  I just cleared room in the basement, and I'm looking to fill it with something like this :D

July 27, 2012, 04:57:58 AM
Reply #21

Vt102

  • 1631 Covers
  • *
  • Information Offline
  • Devoted Member
  • Cover Admin
  • Posts: 1581
I've been working on my cabinet for a few years now.

I got all the parts with the exception of a JAMMA to PC converter (they cost about $50.00 usd or so.

Im using an old 1988 SNK cabinet I got for free from a used game store that was closing.
If you have nothing to do... Don't do it here!

July 27, 2012, 09:23:03 AM
Reply #22

fiatbravodriver

  • ****
  • Information Offline
  • Sr. Member
  • Posts: 428
    • Lets Talk Retro
    • Email
If you can find a cabinet to use thats half the battle.
Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/m97kauk

If you love thecoverproject please also support Nintandbox.net A great FREE site for Game Boxes.