MAME Cabinets

[dermaestro]

Anyone here build a MAME cabinet? I'm looking into building one into the future and wanted to know what kind of road bumps people hit.

I know there are some great MAME resources out there, and have joined some of those forums, but figured we could start a thread here to start posting info, how-tos and resource links in general.

[Admin]

Talk to Moddy, or PM him to get his attention.
He's done quite a bit of research on it and IIR is mid MAME Cab.
As was Jiggs I think.

[Richard Cranium]

I'm midway into the cuts of the cabinet on my MAME box. I built a jukebox first using arcade buttons so I could do a smaller project and get the hang of the wiring, marquee, etc.

I've done a lot of lurking at a different forum for MAME stuff, and found a couple cabinets I wanted to base my stuff off, then drew everything up on paper and thought it out for quite some time before I started making cuts.

The big issue for me (besides finding the time to do the work) is the control panel. I think I will need someone with a table saw to make the cuts because I'm going for a mitered control panel box.

Also, I've heard to not wire the thing and make it playable until the very end. Otherwise, if the thing is working it seems to never get completely finished.

[pie taster]

I'm in the middle of building one now...

I would recommend buying the book Project Arcade (http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/0764556169/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217769444&sr=8-1). Its nice to have some of the items written in the book and it has a CD with some plans on them.

I used the Ultimate Arcade II plans that were included in the book (it costs more to download the plans then the book, go figure).

I've been tinkering with it for over a year now, but i just finished putting the controls on CP. I still need to wire it, finish up the artwork, and mount the bezel.

I agree with brat... i mounted and wired a test joystick... and my progress slowed down as i started working 15 minutes on the machine, and 1 hour playing Dragon's Lair.. or Ms. Pac Man, or Galaga.. or.. oh you get the picture.

[Shadow]

My B-I-L builds them as a second income. I have one we built in my basement. Used an old Nintendo/Donkey Kong cabinet to house it. I kept it pretty close to a Donkey Kong machine, only adding one button to the control panel. So my selection of games is limited. But Nintendo cab's are narrower than most, so not a lot of stuff will fit on the control panel. What you have to keep in mind is how much room the underneath takes as the sticks and buttons take up much more real estate on the bottom than the top.

[Haps]

My Cabinet (http://users.vianet.ca/gscott/mame/mame.htm)

It's been awhile since I built it but I'd be happy to answer any questions I can.

[Richard Cranium]

Here's the side panels for mine, its going to be pretty skinny against the wall. I am going to use an LCD instead of a tube based monitor to save on space. It should work well in my basement since I don't have a lot of room for a normal sized cab.

http://www.santapoco.com/images/arcade/cabinet_sides.jpg

[JbaIV]

I think Chuckerin has one aswell.... shoot him a PM.

[pie taster]

My Cabinet (http://users.vianet.ca/gscott/mame/mame.htm)

It's been awhile since I built it but I'd be happy to answer any questions I can.


Kind of ironic that a guy named Haps built a mame machine... don't you think?

[Richard Cranium]

I'm hoping my son falls asleep this afternoon for a nap so I can route the slot for the t-mold and cut the dados in the sides for the bottom and back panels. Doesn't look promising.

[mccoy178]

I have built about a half dozen. My personal one is Ohio State themed and built entirely from scratch. It has dual monitors and visual pinball functionality. It plays everything, including mame, up through the ps1.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50889.0;attach=601 65;image

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50889.0;attach=601 67;image

The control panel was done completely with Photoshop CS and printed professionally:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=634 56;image

Here are the dimensions in google sketchup:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50889.0;attach=104 500;image

[dermaestro]

I have built about a half dozen. My personal one is Ohio State themed and built entirely from scratch. It has dual monitors and visual pinball functionality. It plays everything, including mame, up through the ps1.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50889.0;attach=601 65;image

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50889.0;attach=601 67;image

The control panel was done completely with Photoshop CS and printed professionally:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=634 56;image

Here are the dimensions in google sketchup:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50889.0;attach=104 500;image

Holy crap! That thing is awesome!

How much do you think this set you back?

[Richard Cranium]

I've seen that cab over at BYOAC. Very nice!

[mccoy178]

Thanks for the compliments! I have about 3k into it, but I've added all the bells and whistles. It is in the top three of my favorite made things.

[pond007]

BUMP...Any updates from some of you that have one in progress? I'm thinking of starting one soon.

[pie taster]

i'm actually unveiling my mame at poker game this friday. Here's the most recent photo. I just finished the bezel.
http://sdunlop.com/images/mame.jpg

here's me being really witty.
http://sdunlop.com/images/mamescat.jpg

[Magic Rat]

For fuck's sake mccoy...that shit is awesome.

Great job.

[dermaestro]

i'm actually unveiling my mame at poker game this friday. Here's the most recent photo. I just finished the bezel.
http://sdunlop.com/images/mame.jpg

here's me being really witty.
http://sdunlop.com/images/mamescat.jpg

I like the marquee. What's the bezel around the monitor look like?

[pie taster]

Bezel is nothing spectacular. Just lexicon with black spray paint. I decided to put two buttons on it (exit, pause).

I also want to replace the coin and start buttons with lighted buttons now.

I'll take some pictures and post once i get the artwork and t-molding in place....

This project never seems to end.

[Guma]

These things are kickass... When I get my poker room back, this will be on my list to build for it.

[pond007]

Anyone in the Indy area looking for a cheap cabinet? Check here on Craigslist. $80.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tag/894819253.html

[dcms]

I posted a link to a free cabinet in the AV section

[Richard Cranium]

I just ordered a biscuit joiner to help build my cabinet, so I'll hopefully make some more progress this weekend.

[gator20]

Crap Crap Crap.....I have noticed this thread many times.....wish I wouldnt have owned it!!! I just got a new project for the third floor game/media room!!!

[mikeyinsd]

has anyone used an x-arcade dual joystick? can you help me trouble shoot it?

[Richard Cranium]

I've never used one. What is wrong with it?

[mikeyinsd]

I plugged in a radioshack serial to usb port but the computer doesn't recognize it at all.

[Richard Cranium]

So you have an adapter between xarcade and pc? What kind of port does xarcade use? Did you install the driver for adapter?

[mikeyinsd]

Finally got it working. bought the x-arcade adaptor for 40 bucks! so i'm in it $50 and it works like a champ! had to reprogram the mame for the joystick though. I think I'm going to make one... looks pretty simple and I'll use a trackball as the mouse so I can run it without a keyboard. I'm going to make it a 4player one so I can play 2player smash TV!!! that game ROCKS! Now gotta get some cash for parts... ;)