Getting started restoring cabinets

pdw

Hey

I have just recently purchased an old Jamma arcade cabinet, which has really been gutted.

I am in two minds as to restore it as a JAMMA cabinet or just go down the MAME route, I'll need to get a new monitor too btw. So cga arcade tube or Tv/vga.

I am leaning to towards MAME at the moment as I have an old machine I can use doing nothing.

Are happs controls the way to go for the buttons and sticks.

I have seen some very cheap Hong Kong based ebay sets ~ 25 euro these too good to be true? They look as if they are the same kit seller in the uk are selling with a wiring loom for well over a hundred.

Any pointers appreciated, just reading over old posts now in relation to the scene so apologies if this is all asked before.

Any Irish collectors groups etc? Would be interested in getting more involved in the scene. Its an area I always like but never had the storage room for but I have moved recently.

EDIT: Thanks for all the good information, any suppliers to the arcade industry based in Ireland anywhere might make buying screens easier if i could collect.

pool-champ

I would suggest jamma and either add these like i did
pcbs Jamma
playstation 2 to jamma
dreamcast to jamma
mame to jamma
jamma to jvs lastest systems need this
playstation 3 to jamma

so i have bet of every system and its just plug and play most of it

And im selling if intereted

Also joysticks i brought in about 10 so you can have them at cost

cynos

I'd set it up as a jamma cabinet and build a pc on a board with ipac/arcadeVGA and a jamma finderboard so you can plug in and out just like a game.
Using an original arcade monitor is the way to go for arcade games but don't be expecting to run newer consoles, ie.ps2, xbox360, etc on it.
Thats what I've done so I can still play original boards
I'd also consider a 4way/8way switchable joystick for player one as this is a must for 4way games ie.pacman/frogger/qbert/etc

If you need a hand wiring, etc give me a shout

Mitchomagic

If you are looking for a monitor I can get new arcade monitor WG19",220v no need for a transformer
Let me know

defenderdude

Speaking as someone who has done both - I'd say save yourself alot of money and heartache and just go down the mame route. (dons the kevlar):P
I've had over 200 pcbs and probably a dozen uprights in the house at one stage - now it's just a few sets of Williams PCB's and a defender upright and MAME for everything else... just easier. (but then I'm gone old and lazy:D)
sighs, scratches head, rubs chin and smiles


Ahhh feck it - go the proper route - JAMMA and proper monitor. You'll learn so much more and have 1000 time more fun getting there. Guaranteed.

pdw

Thanks for all the feedback. I am going down the jamma route I have the new harness ordered and I am starting stripping the cab back this weekend.
In terms of controls I am going with happs on advice, can someone recommend which joysticks and buttons to go for I am not sure what the differences between each stick is. Competetion joystick etc.

Thanks again for all the answers much appreciated.

pdw

Mitchomagic wrote: »

If you are looking for a monitor I can get new arcade monitor WG19",220v no need for a transformer
Let me know

In terms of a monitor its a 20" cabinet and it did have a 20 inch screen long since gone I have the serial and manufacterer somewhere. If you have a 20" inch one I'd be interested.