Redmist Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 As much as I'd love to get my teeth into some cabinet making, I just don't think I have the time in the foreseeable future. Plus, having never owned one before, I'd like to live with one for a while to see what design ideas I like/dislike before I attempt to build my own. Is there any other option for us Aussies that would like a MAME cabinet? Is there anything remotely like this available? [ame=http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=V6VbZKE10Mk]YouTube - Slikstik MAME Arcade cabinet installation[/ame] If not, how difficult is it to find a retired cabinet these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Tales Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 people sell mame cabs on ebay, people sell mameable cabs on ebay...but stuff ebay! Members sell mameable cabs here, members giveway mameable cabs here shitload of old cabs around, just post in the wanted section :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaizen Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Flat Pack or Pre-assembled Mame Cocktail Cabs I have just cut up enough wood for 8 x 17/21" Cocktail Cabs as seen in the thread posted last week. If any forum members are interested in getting one off me pls PM me your interest and we can talk further. These Cabs take me about 2 hours to assemble (probably 2 days for someone who hasn't assembled one before) and are relatively simple in design. Can be supplied in Flat Pack or pre assembled raw cabinet. (see pics) All panels have been cut and routed in a joinery shop with professional equipment. I have no desire to sell these as a kit commercially as they bring alot more as a completed unit for only a few more hours work, but if anyone wants to build a MAME Cocktail Cab and doesn't have the nescessary skills/equipment this might be an easy solution. Transport can be arranged through a sensitive freight company at a good rate if you're not in the Canberra region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator WOKA Posted October 13, 2008 Super Moderator Share Posted October 13, 2008 I have just cut up enough wood for 8 x 17/21" Cocktail Cabs as seen in the thread posted last week. If any forum members are interested in getting one off me pls PM me your interest and we can talk further. These Cabs take me about 2 hours to assemble (probably 2 days for someone who hasn't assembled one before) and are relatively simple in design. Can be supplied in Flat Pack or pre assembled raw cabinet. (see pics) All panels have been cut and routed in a joinery shop with professional equipment. I have no desire to sell these as a kit commercially as they bring alot more as a completed unit for only a few more hours work, but if anyone wants to build a MAME Cocktail Cab and doesn't have the nescessary skills/equipment this might be an easy solution. Transport can be arranged through a sensitive freight company at a good rate if you're not in the Canberra region. As per the forum rules, any offerings for sale MUST include a sell price. Please ammend your post accordingly. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opm881 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 i thought the pricing part only applies in an official for sale post, not in responding to a guys question about arcade cabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nidzdotnet Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) If somebody could push out a whole heap of these prefab cabinets and do away with all the crap that goes with slot cutting and t-molding then I'd look at one. They look pretty clean and professional looking. The problem is with anything that's already made usually is expensive. It's really only chipboard like those desks you can buy. I'm sure China could pump these out and sell em for like $200 just for the shell and you add in your own button layout panels etc.. Somebody could make a lot of money from getitng these cabs made up. Maybe different colours etc.. Just need access to the places that make up flat pack desks etc. If I had any idea I would peruse it and sell them but I wouldn't have the foggiest where you would start with that kind of thing. Edited October 14, 2008 by Nidzdotnet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opm881 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 If somebody could push out a whole heap of these prefab cabinets and do away with all the crap that goes with slot cutting and t-molding then I'd look at one. They look pretty clean and professional looking. The problem is with anything that's already made usually is expensive. It's really only chipboard like those desks you can buy. I'm sure China could pump these out and sell em for like $200 just for the shell and you add in your own button layout panels etc.. Somebody could make a lot of money from getitng these cabs made up. Maybe different colours etc.. Just need access to the places that make up flat pack desks etc. If I had any idea I would peruse it and sell them but I wouldn't have the foggiest where you would start with that kind of thing. there is a company that has done that, but the cabs look ugly as crap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knight76 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 there is a company that has done that, but the cabs look ugly as crap Yeah, they looked terrible, and he wanted a motsa for them considering what they were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmist Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 There's probably not a big enough market to warrant churning them out. Still, it's a shame that there aren't many options for people who are in it for the games and not for the furniture restoration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nidzdotnet Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 All you need is a generic looking cabinet design that looks good that is a good platform for enthusiasts to build upon and customize. A lot of people out there can't work a router or don't' have access to jigsaw and circular saw and I feel there would definitely be a market with these in a flat pack form. Something any person can assemble and then slot in a pc and arcade monitor and just tinker with. I'd be interested in going into a venture to sell them local but sourcing international companies to make them up and ship them would probably be a logistical nightmare. The thing that would make this successful would be the low cost. If they sold a plain frame cabinet for a few hundred bucks with already had the laminate and molding on it ready to go, I'm sure lots of people would consider it a good option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlwood37 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 were flat packing i-macc's frame work and basic Cp with ours. The Cost so far is Frame £150 and Cp £150 But hopefully we can bring the price down more once this stupid rescission is over as material price is up.. Ive been looking at a Table top frame and we think we would do a steel and wood variant just as cheaply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzStick Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 All you need is a generic looking cabinet design that looks good that is a good platform for enthusiasts to build upon and customize. A lot of people out there can't work a router or don't' have access to jigsaw and circular saw and I feel there would definitely be a market with these in a flat pack form. Something any person can assemble and then slot in a pc and arcade monitor and just tinker with. I'd be interested in going into a venture to sell them local but sourcing international companies to make them up and ship them would probably be a logistical nightmare. The thing that would make this successful would be the low cost. If they sold a plain frame cabinet for a few hundred bucks with already had the laminate and molding on it ready to go, I'm sure lots of people would consider it a good option. All well and good, but it is volume that allows the cost to be kept down and there simply would not be enough demand to get such a thing down to "a couple of hundred bucks". As you would appreciate there is a lot to think about when building a cabinet and it doesn't get any easier when looking to make a batch of them. There is a lot more to it than just having all the panels cut - you have to consider that other people are assembling them, they are choosing their own monitors etc. You said yourself that it is a logistical nightmare and speaking from experience with making and selling kit cocktail cabinets I totally agree. The reason the prices seem higher than they should is that it is a LOT of work in making up a low volume item such as a kit cabinet, so nobody is going to do it to make peanuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacies Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 You said yourself that it is a logistical nightmare and speaking from experience with making and selling kit cocktail cabinets I totally agree. The reason the prices seem higher than they should is that it is a LOT of work in making up a low volume item such as a kit cabinet, so nobody is going to do it to make peanuts. I agree as I also sell a few bits and bobs :D To make just 50 bucks requires you to push the limit of affordability. Then there is the factor of numbnuts emailing you 20 times about what piece goes where, how do I drill an extra hole, where do I put the screen, how do I cut plexi etc etc etc. The list goes on and on. Chris will know this well I suspect. I have thought many times about selling kitsets to the masses (non arcade people) but in the end I remember why I don't already do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nidzdotnet Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 All well and good, but it is volume that allows the cost to be kept down and there simply would not be enough demand to get such a thing down to "a couple of hundred bucks". As you would appreciate there is a lot to think about when building a cabinet and it doesn't get any easier when looking to make a batch of them. There is a lot more to it than just having all the panels cut - you have to consider that other people are assembling them, they are choosing their own monitors etc. You said yourself that it is a logistical nightmare and speaking from experience with making and selling kit cocktail cabinets I totally agree. The reason the prices seem higher than they should is that it is a LOT of work in making up a low volume item such as a kit cabinet, so nobody is going to do it to make peanuts. You got a good point but I think the reason that so many people hold back is the current price of machines out there. I mean if you really search hard you might pickup an old cab stripped out for a few hundred bucks but If you can buy a locking desk in a flat pack for say 300 bucks, why can't that be a machine? I mean you could pick a specific monitor and just have it suited for that and offer it as an added option. Yeah I think cost is a major factor for your home do it yourselfer. But If you say you have already explored this avenue then I suppose that's how it is. I just see the kits available and think why can't somebody offer them at a lower price with just a frame so that people can build upon that. Most offer full kits with wiring and buttons and sticks etc.. This would just be the timber frame kit. You can choose to offer after sale service or not. If you had a simple set of instructions on how it locks together then I don't see how even the most novice of people would mess it up. Making it simple and accessible is one selling point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Tales Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 these look like a great option also: http://www.arcade-game-sales.com/products/new-astro-city/9330-6.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Fairlane Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Very cheap Fish Tales but where is the heart ... :unsure I dont know i guess im a little ole school and prefer the older looking stuff :lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Tales Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 same, old woody cabs are my favs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmist Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 Yeah, those plastic sit-down cabs are hideous enough in an arcade. In a home? No chance. I really like the slikstik style cabinet from the video in my original post. I'd happily pay $1000 for something like that (without monitor) but I recognize that I'm probably in a small minority. :unsure These are an option too for people willing to spend a bit... http://mygamesroom.com.au/item_challenger.html The first thing I'd do though would be to replace the blue laminate with some black laminate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlwood37 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 thouse sit down cabs can all so be stand up cabs - e.g c-macc's its got a booster base Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacies Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Well if you guys are serious I can send you some from NZ flatpacked. My Skinny Ms Pacman came off the CNC. So do my cocktails. Soon I will do a fat version of the Ms Pacman and Williams Defender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmist Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 thouse sit down cabs can all so be stand up cabs - e.g c-macc's its got a booster base That's the least of their problems. They're just so ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmist Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 How much is freight from NZ for a proper sized upright cabinet in flat-pack form? :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspar Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Whats the quarantine rules on that stuff being wood and all ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacies Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I will find out shipping. Its processed wood so there isn't a problem. In fact some MDF is made here in NZ, then shipped to OZ to be coloured/laminated then shipped back here because it is cheaper to be done over there. I have shipped quite a few bartop cabs over to OZ just through the post with no probs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opm881 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 how much would you be thinking of charging for a cocktail cab spacies? with holes for the t-moulding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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