Bartop Flatpack Build Help

reni10

Looking for some help in trying to build up my first Bartop Arcade!

I don't have the woodworking skills necessary to build the cabinet so I am going to spend a few bob and buy one of the flatpack builds on eBay so that will give me the shell etc. that is needed.

I am then going to use a Pi3 with Emulation station to power it and I have an old 19" LCD Monitor that I can use as well.

So no issues in terms of the flatpack and Raspi, where I come a little unstuck is around the other pieces that are needed especially around the best places to purchase from etc.

I take it I need the following:

1. Joystick and buttons: I prefer the Battop style of joystick and only really need the standard Blue, Red, Yellow, Green etc. buttons so no need for anything like LED buttons etc.

2. Joystick and Button Controller: There are a few options it seems so wondering what would be the best in terms of the Pi3 that would make sure that there is no lag etc.?

3. Speakers: What type of speakers would be the best to use and is an amp also needed or can it just be outputted directly from the Pi?

4. T-Molding: Where is the best place to get a length of Chrome T-Molding for the cabinet?

5. Vinyl covering: Where is the best place to get some matte black vinyl covering as I am not too interested in having loads of Artwork etc. on the cabinet itself.

6. Anything else I am forgetting about?

For all of the above I am in no way looking for the highest and most expensive stuff, this will be my first build so just looking for decent budget components and can look to order from China or wherever to keep the costs down.
So any advice on any of the above would be most welcome...

For my budget I had about the following in mind:

€200 for the flatpack cab
€50 for the joystick, buttons and controller
€20 for the speakers
€30 for the Vinyl
€50 for the Pi3

So about €350 all up as I already have the monitor.

Is this a realistic budget?

reni10

No one been down this route and can offer any advice?

Also are there any forums etc that anyone could recommend so I could look to get some answers if people here can't help?

Steve X2

If I were you I’d spend a little more on the buttons and stick. €50 won’t get you far if you want a half decent stick, 6 buttons and a keyboard controller. I prefer Sanwa buttons and sticks, others prefer Seimitsu, most will agree Happ style buttons are absolute muck.

I-PAC would be the best keyboard encoder to use, but its definitely not the cheapest. You're talking about €40 for the cheapest version they sell on Ultimarc.
http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=2

There are cheaper options, but I've not tried them myself.

Myrddin

reni10 wrote: »

For my budget I had about the following in mind:

€200 for the flatpack cab
€50 for the joystick, buttons and controller
€20 for the speakers
€30 for the Vinyl
€50 for the Pi3

So about €350 all up as I already have the monitor.

Is this a realistic budget?

It is a realistic budget, but like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. I got a user here to make me my bartop (an empty wooden shell), and in doing so, saved quite a few quid. I put that saved money toward the likes of a proper keyboard/button encoder, as I'm not a fan of those cheap joystick/button controllers. If you can, research more about getting someone to build you the body of the bartop, & put any savings toward a good set of sticks, buttons, and a real IPAC. You'll be glad you did, those cheap buttons are awful (mine still has the cheap buttons, & when I get around to it, I'll be replacing them). So by buying cheap, you might be costing yourself more money in the long run.

It's also worth considering that for €350, you'd likely pick up a real arcade cabinet...something that just oozes authenticity.

reni10

Would something like this for about €40 be suitable for the Buttons, Joystick and USB Encoder?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAME-Arcade-DIY-Part-Kit-USB-Encoder-Joystick-10-Happ-Push-Button-Full-color-/162044211033

Myrddin

reni10 wrote: »

Would something like this for about €40 be suitable for the Buttons, Joystick and USB Encoder?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAME-Arcade-DIY-Part-Kit-USB-Encoder-Joystick-10-Happ-Push-Button-Full-color-/162044211033

I'm sure it'd be suitable, but suitable doesn't mean good or easy to set up/headache free. An IPAC, while pricey, is the best solution imo

Steve X2

reni10 wrote: »

Would something like this for about €40 be suitable for the Buttons, Joystick and USB Encoder?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAME-Arcade-DIY-Part-Kit-USB-Encoder-Joystick-10-Happ-Push-Button-Full-color-/162044211033

Happ style buttons :0(
I mean it will all work, more or less. But as Myrddin says, you do get what you pay for.

reni10

Steve X2 wrote: »

Happ style buttons :0(
I mean it will all work, more or less. But as Myrddin says, you do get what you pay for.

Thanks for the feedback, would you have any links to a button kit with everything I need that would be a bit better and not also break the bank?

Steve X2

reni10 wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback, would you have any links to a button kit with everything I need that would be a bit better and not also break the bank?

Not sure really, usually with Sanwa and Seimitsu buttons the are sold per button(about 2-2.50 euro each) and a standard Sanwa JLF stick will be about 20 Euro.
That’s just the UK prices, if you check out some places in China or Japan you might get it cheaper(beware the Chinese clone parts)

Check out ArcadeWorld UK(UK based, clearly ) and https://www.akishop.jp/ (Jap based)

CiDeRmAn

I have used one of those cheaper encoders and they are a pure pain.
Better to go with a proper ipac or jpac and be done with it.
At least, if you plumb for a cheaper set of clone button and sticks you can swap them out later, but for now make your life as easy as you can.

There should be a sticky for this type of question.
Nearly everyone that asks it ignores all the advise anyways and goes the cheap route.
I went the cheap route myself the first time with happ stuff and was very happy until I knew what I was missing

eddhorse

Same for me with the zippy joysticks and cheap 28mm buttons.

Steve X2

eddhorse wrote: »

Same for me with the zippy joysticks and cheap 28mm buttons.

Could be worse, my cousin made a full size cab a few years ago. Awful looking thing, and he used 16mm buttons :0/

reni10

Can someone please post a link to a button, joystick and encoder kit that is good quality and reasonably priced?

I am not wanting to go super cheap or super expensive so somewhere in the middle but because there is so much choice it is hard to know if you have never had a chance experience the differences.

A sticky is a great idea which would have links to all the necessary items for a build and maybe have it broken down into cheap, middle and expensive for each item with links to where they can be purchased.

Steve X2

reni10 wrote: »

Can someone please post a link to a button, joystick and encoder kit that is good quality and reasonably priced?

I am not wanting to go super cheap or super expensive so somewhere in the middle but because there is so much choice it is hard to know if you have never had a chance experience the differences.

A sticky is a great idea which would have links to all the necessary items for a build and maybe have it broken down into cheap, middle and expensive for each item with links to where they can be purchased.

Stick:
http://www.arcadeworlduk.com/products/Sanwa-JLF-TP-8YT-Ball-Top-Joystick.html

Buttons:
http://www.arcadeworlduk.com/products/Sanwa-OBSF-30-Arcade-Button.html

Encoder:
http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=2

So you're talking €90 for your stick, buttons and encoder. The encoder is the priciest bit, but you dont want to skimp on that.