MAME Tenttop

[fastbilly1]

You may remember the previous times that I brought up my Nintendo Vs cab. The red Tenttop is still the most favorite cab that I have ever owned, though a Candy may take that spot. However due to the impossible nature of finding Vs Dr Mario and Vs Excitebike for decent prices, and the fact that one of the screens is flakey – will need a capacitor kit in the near future if used frequently, I had an epiphany and started to take it apart. I removed the monitors and started cleaning the inside and realize that the PSU was in poor form and had another epiphany and a couple hours later the entire thing was taken apart, minus the coin boxes and individual service switches which are welded to the coin boxes, tagged and stored in large containers. I can reassemble the game if I need to but now I have a fantastic layout and design for a MAME cab. Now I realize that this plan had been hiding in the back of my head for sometime.

I have removed most of the paint from the control panels and am currently investigating what paint I need for metal. I also have one of the bezels in my car so I can find appropriate LCD’s. And thanks to work I will soon have a sudden influx of money so I can buy the parts, paint, and monitors.

I figured I would update this for those who care to see me commit a travesty – I know Racket has expressed interest in this project in the past. Also for suggestions for 2 player 2 button games, mostly MAME titles - I already have some ideas but thought I would throw it out there because you never know.

So what is left for this project is:
1. Painting CPs and touchup cabinet
2. Buy and assemble controls – Sticks have to be Semitsu or Sanwa balltops due to mounts, buttons will probably be Happs.
3. Find/build a suitable cover for the one panel that is missing on the front.
4. Monitors – originals are 18inch Sharp CRTs, yeah they don’t really make those any more. I have been eyeballing some 17inch lcds, but I want to measure them first.
5 Interface – IPAC, Controller hacking, etc (I think I have some Minipacs)
6. Monitor mounts – I may have figured this out though.
7. Speakers
8. OS – Tiny XP may be the obvious choice but there are some versions of Linux that I want to try.
9. Gamelists

The Pc is 2ghz p4, 768 megs of ddr, pci fx5200, and 40 gigs of harddrive. A second machine that is a 600mhz k6, 256 megs of ddr, 16 meg rage 3d pro, and a 10 gig harddrive will be used if the sides are to run different games (a side mounted KVM would be in order and you have to admit that would be cool). Odds are the sides will be dedicated to games as my fancy changes. Contra and River City Ransom have already been suggested as the two premier titles, but I have been feeling Captain American and the Avengers (4 player beatemup from the early 90s). So anyone have any suggestions for games or in general?

And yes without the twin crts and PCBs the cab is almost 150 lbs lighter


And as a bonus you can see two of the pieces of artwork that will be going above it when it is done in the background...

[vejita]

phew, good luck with that

[paulie12uk]

cool project i'd love to build a mame cabinet if only i had the space

[Ack]

We spoke earlier about this, and you mentioned Cap and the Avengers as well as the Simpsons.

If you DO go with Cap, leave me a slot so I can throw down as Hawkeye.

[racketboy]

Cool Cool!
Make sure to take lots of pictures and document along the way

[fastbilly1]

I do have alot of pictures already Racket, it is currently gutted and I will have a picture of it in its current state as soon as I get a chance.

[jackspicer]

That is very cool...

[ubelaffe]

I can't wait to see your progress...

[fastbilly1]

And a poor quality shot of where I am currently:


I noticed today that I need to hit the sides of the CP mounts with the brushes so I can remove the partial paint and repaint it. Ive still yet to find suitable paint for the metal. Any suggestions?

[fastbilly1]

No updates since I was out of town visiting a friend for the past week:


Best use for a chainsaw controller yet!