Home	Forums	What's new	Resources

Mame Arcade Cabinet

ToMaTo - May 30, 2002

		ToMaTo	May 30, 2002
		Hey everyone, I'ev been wanting a Mame Arcade Cabinet for the longest time and actually have the money now to get one. Any reccomendations on what to get? Where to get one in Canada? Anyone ever tried playing one in an actual cabinet? Is it worth it? Thx for any opinions and help.

		Ratamahatta	May 30, 2002
		Just build your own cabinet, its rather cheap, my whole cabinet made entirely from scratch, has a door on the side where the motherboard and guts of the pc wil be attached to, its nice and big, like the mortal kombat 2 or 3 cabinets and only cost me 45 canadian to build.

		ToMaTo	May 30, 2002
		ok next question where to get a cabinet then? And you have a fully working one you built yourself? I have read many sites about people building them doesnt sound too hard but i dont wanna blow my money on something that wont work in the long run

		Random Hajile	May 30, 2002
		It's usually cheaper and better in the long run to build your own cabinet, that's what I did. I actually did two, a upright and a cocktail table version, the table cost about $70 USD to build (not counting computer and controls) and the upright cost about $90 USD to build, again not counting innards. Most used arcade cabinets are being sold for alot more than that, and shipping is horrible, unless you have a truck and can buy locally. If you can get a good deal on one they are usually beat to h***. I never was able to find one that made me totally happy either, they all had some compromises, so by building my own I got exactly what I was looking for. If you decide to build your own I can assure you that It really isn't difficult to build one you can do it with just a circular saw and some clamp guides, if you know anybody with a drill press or a table saw ask to use them, these tools are helpfull too. I recommend 3/4 inch melamine to build your cabinet because I had good luck with it. if you are careful with your money, you can have a cool cabinet for very little $$$

		ToMaTo	May 30, 2002
		man i should just build it myself gotta find a set up nice blueprints or something..would rather buy a complete one but yes they are very expensive...man i want one so bad it hurts hehe wish me luck i guess any more tips are highly appreciated

		Random Hajile	May 30, 2002
		here are a few links for you that might be of help: http://arcadecontrols.speedhost.com/... http://www.commerce.usask.ca/staff/josephs...ade/l... http://home.earthlink.net/~seanhat/arcade/... note on that last link, the plans at this site are the ones I followed for my upright cabinet, although I adjusted the height to better suit me (i'm 6'6) and I used T-molding on my version, it came out pretty well. I hope these links will give you some ideas, good luck with your cabinet!

		ToMaTo	May 30, 2002
		thx alot man couldnt have asked for more..my father in law owns his own contracting type business and could make the cabinet for me with his eyes closed..so i think ill get him on the job

		Random Hajile	May 30, 2002
		Glad to be of help! I gotta tell you there ain't nothing like watching your friends mouth's drop when they see your new Arcade machine!! Especially when you say "1 quarter please" LoL

		antigov	May 30, 2002
		Well, I bought my cab at a local arcade for $200, which I don't think is so bad. Was in good shape, had a good size monitor, and plenty of buttons. It was delivered, too, so I really didn't have to do much aside from putting the jpac and computer in it.

		ToMaTo	May 30, 2002
		there aint much for arcades around here but i could ask around the bars and stuff and see if i could pick one up possibly i dunno so many choices hehe