Building a MAME cabinet, and asking for some advice.

[link459]

I need a cabinet to put all of the stuff in, and I really don't want to build one, so I was thinking of buying an old cabinet, gut it, paint it, and put my MAME set up in there.

Only thing is I don't know where to buy a cabinet.

Does anyone know where I can find a cabinet for free or really cheap? Maybe one that's not working or missing a monitor or chips or something, because all I really need is the housing anyway, and I'd think that would make it cheaper.

Thanks.

 

[kobykaan]

I need a cabinet to put all of the stuff in, and I really don't want to build one, so I was thinking of buying an old cabinet, gut it, paint it, and put my MAME set up in there.

Only thing is I don't know where to buy a cabinet.

Does anyone know where I can find a cabinet for free or really cheap? Maybe one that's not working or missing a monitor or chips or something, because all I really need is the housing anyway, and I'd think that would make it cheaper.

Thanks.

google for MAME cabinets and you will find guides HOW TO BUILD THEM from scratch and how to make the gfx for the cabinet etc etc

edit just re read that about not wanting to build one ... not sure where you would get one for free ?? maby ask about at some local arcades etc

 

[chuckstudios]

Go on craigslist. Look up 'arcade'. On my craigslist (Raleigh), I see numerous people selling cabinets such as this one. If you're serious about this, I recommend looking into Maximus Arcade as a frontend. It's worked incredibly well for me as a 'sit down and play' type of menu system.

On the left is my arcade cabinet, which I won in a Mountain Dew contest:

 

[TrolleyDave]

Go on craigslist. Look up 'arcade'. On my craigslist (Raleigh), I see numerous people selling cabinets such as this one. If you're serious about this, I recommend looking into Maximus Arcade as a frontend. It's worked incredibly well for me as a 'sit down and play' type of menu system.

On the left is my arcade cabinet, which I won in a Mountain Dew contest:

Sweet, you've got the cabinet now. What's it like? It looks pretty good in the picture.

 

[Gore]

That is beautiful!
And it actually just shows from the computer!
Easy setup for games... very nice.
Could even play Flash Games like Pang96 with arcade controls.
That'd be fun.

 

[Lazycus]

I need a cabinet to put all of the stuff in, and I really don't want to build one, so I was thinking of buying an old cabinet, gut it, paint it, and put my MAME set up in there.

Only thing is I don't know where to buy a cabinet.

Does anyone know where I can find a cabinet for free or really cheap? Maybe one that's not working or missing a monitor or chips or something, because all I really need is the housing anyway, and I'd think that would make it cheaper.

Thanks.

Check rec.games.video.arcade.collecting. Many people post there when they are going to throw away old gutted cabinets. Also make a post requesting an empty cabinet and make sure you indicate what your location is. You may be surprised by the results if there are lots of collectors in your area.

 

[raulpica]

Try the local arcades and ask them about old cabinets depots, or ask for their repairing service number. Then ask the repairing service if they have some old cabinet they have to trash away.

A lot of times they have old ('80s or '90s) cabinets left to rot in old deposits, and will ask from zero to ridiculous sums for taking away one. After all you're doing them a favour taking one away

It won't be in the best of shapes, but most of times they're still usable

 

[link459]

Man it's impossible to find one on craigslist... Everyone emails once and they never respond again. :/

 

[link459]

Are there any other sites like craigslist?

Btw, asked my arcade today, they didn't know sh*t. ._.