Thinking of building my own arcade machine.

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Lifer
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
I've been looking into building my own arcade machine for a couple of days now, and wondered if anyone here had any experience with this stuff. I've found lots of good info, but I don't quite yet know what to make of it all. My plan is to stuff a computer inside with Mame or something similar.

I don't expect much traffic in this thread, so if you look, bump if you don't mind. Also, if you know someone who has done this, tell them to shoot me an email. Thanks.
 
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CarlKillerMiller

Diamond Member
Jul 14, 2003
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I think that a user named MAME or something of the sort does. I know he had pics of a built cabinet in his sig for a while.
 
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FleshLight

Diamond Member
Mar 18, 2004
6,883
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I thought about building one at first but I couldn't live with myself after transferring all those warez from one computer to another.
 
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Lifer
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
Originally posted by: Chraticn
I think that a user named MAME or something of the sort does. I know he had pics of a built cabinet in his sig for a while.
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I remember someone posting their shots of their homemade arcade machine here, but couldn't find it via search after a minute of searching (I'm too lazy to search indepth). Maybe I'll search a bit more. Thanks.

EDIT: I searched for him, and he does still have the pics in his sig. Thanks again.
 
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jcovercash

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
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I have made several. For both me and for a few people off AT. There isnt really alot of difficulty to it once you decide on all the aspects of the cabinet, the hardest thing is finding the time to actually work on it. Just plan it out really good. Some good links are

Main thing is try to find a gutted cabinet locally to start with, this is much simpler and more quthentic than building your own, plus you normally get working coin mechs.

Ultimarc. Ipac controller card, good for hooking up controls.
Mame Marquees (Great place to order marquees/side art from)
T-molding.com (best place to get t-molding)
Happ Controls (Get your buttons here)

And just reasearch EVERYTHING before you decide on ANYTHING.


Josh
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Just search the archives for Mame. I'm sure you can find some posts. Can search for posts by the user Mame too as he's posted pics of his own machine.
 
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Lifer
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
Nice links guys, thanks for the info. Haps, great job on your cabinet. I will be constructing mine from scratch, as I have easy access to a CNC router here at work that will make my job much easier in construction. We also can get sheets of wood at a nice price, so I should be fine.

Thanks again guys.
 
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flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
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If you're going to do it, do it right. Here's mine - it really wasn't ALL that much work, I started mine from scratch and to the point where it is now was probably 70-80 hours of work. However, I'll admit that there is still a good 10 hours work until it is "finished" - the first 40 hours took me about 3 weeks, the second 30 hours took me about 3 months, and these final hours are probably stretching out over years. But that's just me and projects - I like to get the crazy parts done, and then slack off on the details.

http://www.adamlotz.com/gamealmostdone.jpg

Edit: In all honesty, no one would ever guess this isn't a real arcade machine from 10' away. In fact, if I ever get around to decals, etc, my intent is that no one would ever suspect it came from home depot as a few sheets of plywood. :)
 
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Lifer
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
Thanks for the pics and info guys. My plans are to cut the cabinet on the CNC router at work out of MDO, then hopefully I can find some great artwork that I can print out (I work at a sign shop :)). My imagination is the limit, as I can print full artwork to cover the sides of the cabinet.

Anyone wanna draw me some artwork? :D :D
 
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Biggerhammer

Golden Member
Jan 16, 2003
1,531
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Here are a few pix from the construction. It's a sit-down game, called 'cockpit' or 'driver' style. The whole project is called Distraction.

Early pic showing the TV
Same angle, with paint
I thought I had a few others, but no dice. If there's interest I'll have him email me a few more. The project now has full paint, carpet, the drivers' seat from an Isuzu Trooper, and the start of a 4.1 speaker system installed. We've got a few ideas for watercooling it once everything is installed.
 
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ZeroEffect

Senior member
Apr 25, 2000
916
1
0
I would love to have one to play Robotron on... with the correct joy sticks.

You just can't play that game on a computer.

That was one F of a game!

... you guys have done some really nice DIY work, congrats.
 
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Lifer
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
Originally posted by: Biggerhammer
Here are a few pix from the construction. It's a sit-down game, called 'cockpit' or 'driver' style. The whole project is called Distraction.

Early pic showing the TV
Same angle, with paint
I thought I had a few others, but no dice. If there's interest I'll have him email me a few more. The project now has full paint, carpet, the drivers' seat from an Isuzu Trooper, and the start of a 4.1 speaker system installed. We've got a few ideas for watercooling it once everything is installed.
Click to expand...
That's looking pretty nice. I would like to see some more pics of it if you don't mind.
 
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PTCvette

Banned
Sep 26, 2002
870
0
0
Originally posted by: blurredvision
Originally posted by: Biggerhammer
Here are a few pix from the construction. It's a sit-down game, called 'cockpit' or 'driver' style. The whole project is called Distraction.

Early pic showing the TV
Same angle, with paint
I thought I had a few others, but no dice. If there's interest I'll have him email me a few more. The project now has full paint, carpet, the drivers' seat from an Isuzu Trooper, and the start of a 4.1 speaker system installed. We've got a few ideas for watercooling it once everything is installed.
Click to expand...
That's looking pretty nice. I would like to see some more pics of it if you don't mind.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing.... I would love to build a rig for M$ Flight Sim that looks something like that... Been dreaming about it for years! It would be so sweet to have a little mock cockpit to get in and fly around in :)

-J
 
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