dsheinem's "MAME Cabinet in a Month(ish)" project - DONE!?

[noiseredux]

amazing, D.

[dsheinem]

You could make the coin return button active. A microswitch behind it to operate the power or coins in Mame. In my Arcade stick it became the Select button in PSX mode and the Return key in PC mode reconfigured for Mame coins.

That would be pretty cool to set up the coin return as the power switch for the Mame computer. Would be easy too since it is just a momentary switch to turn a PC on. I guess the question would be whether your son might become enamored with its candy like glow and push it randomly as it would be in easy reach.

I am envisioning a twenty minute marathon stay alive Arcade game session. Ooooh, Bright Light! Bright Light!

Well, maybe as a key control such as coins in Mame. Let your son feed the free quarters.

It is certainly easy to wire a coin door to the X-Arcade stick's coin button, but the problem is that I want to occasionally take the X-Arcade off the cab (it isn't fastened down) to place the Steel Battalion setup on instead or to hook up the X-Arcade up to a Gamecube or PS3 or something else not in the cab. Hardwiring the joystick to the coin door would make this a problem unless I also wired in some kind of easy release mechanism...

Anyway, all of that gets away from the "no soldering" rule that I put into place when I started the build What I'll probably end up doing is getting a coin door that can be wired but waiting until some far off future where I create a custom CP (maybe next summer) to actually hook it up.

[CRTGAMER]

It is certainly easy to wire a coin door to the X-Arcade stick's coin button, but the problem is that I want to occasionally take the X-Arcade off the cab (it isn't fastened down) to place the Steel Battalion setup on instead or to hook up the X-Arcade up to a Gamecube or PS3 or something else not in the cab. Hardwiring the joystick to the coin door would make this a problem unless I also wired in some kind of easy release mechanism...

Anyway, all of that gets away from the "no soldering" rule that I put into place when I started the build What I'll probably end up doing is getting a coin door that can be wired but waiting until some far off future where I create a custom CP (maybe next summer) to actually hook it up.

For later on custom work
Maybe wire the coin mechanical drop with an added micro switch to the primary keyboard tucked below or to a second gutted USB keyboard? This way its more of a permanent mount that doesn't interfere with the removable Xcade or any other swap out controller. Some work for just one button, but a nice authentic feel when you see the coins ring up when hitting that button.

Here's my Modded Zaxxon controller with Coin button and a Spinner from the Guides section.

[BRIK]

Ages ago when I actually had to plans to make a MAME arcade (one day I will, promise) I had plans to hook up a coin button. That would be awesome.
Anyways, great job man! I hope it gives you plenty of fun for years to come.

[AznKhmerBoi]

wow amazing job! Now are you gonna do side art for it ?

Even not its still looks awesome...

[indecks]

When it comes to MAME, I follow the 'less is more' approach. I basically go for the street fighter config, 2 sticks 6 buttons per player and a P1/P2 button.

All you have to do is hold P1 and hit Button 1 (light punch) and it gives you a coin.

[chupon]

Just wanted to say great work Dave! Looks great and can't wait to see finished pics.

[fvgazi]

I had the huge pleasure playing ESP Ra.De. on that thing.
Astounding job on it. I can't wait to see the finished artwork.

[fedexin]

Eff anyone hating on your project. Some coward posted on your 2nd blog post that they were disappointed. It's about YOUR enjoyment, not anyone else's. Good work!

[Tweekers237]

Bump.

Read the article then followed up on the forum here.

amazing job for your first build. Im new here and just wanted to say that this has inspired me for similar reasons, having a child and all. I remember going to arcades with my dad as early as 3-4 yrs old. Its a bummer that a lot of kids will never have the Arcade experience so Im definitely going to get this going as a pet project once we find a home first HA!

Im good with carpentry so the Cabinet building will not really be daunting but I totally lack in the tecnological part. My brother will probably be involved on that aspect.

Im sure your son loves it and appreciates having a working arcade game built by Dad for everyones enjoyment. And hes proabably the coolest kid on the block with that kind of toy around the house.

Good Job Dad.