is this the same book you bought?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Project-Arcad...oryZ1107QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
do i need 'craig's guide'?
edit: i've just bought the book from amazon - should be here by friday so i can see what i need and start planning!
LOL.. sorry - just checked back - see you've been busy!
Ok, in some sort of order:
* I'd never done ANY diy at all - so everything was new to me - woodwork, sawing, drilling and the electrical stuff. For example, it took me about 40 minutes to figure out how the router worked!!
* No, I had NO tools. I managed to get everything I need fairly cheap by buying budget tools (i.e. a jigsaw for £9) - had no problems with them at all, but yes, had to buy EVERYTHING!
* I originally budgeting (naively) £300 for the project. £100 materials, £100 controls and £100 PC... wrong! I reckon so far I've spent...
> £200+ on materials
> £120+ on Tools
> about £300 on the controls
> PC I am looking at will be about £200
So looking at around £800-£1000 depending on what you get. Like I said, I went budget!
* That is the book I built the machine from. Highly, highly recommended, couldnt have do it without it. You dont really need Craigs guide, that was more of a launch pad to get over the fear of doing it.
* The project is almost finished - just need the PC and get the front glass and the marquee done (the panel at the top of the cab that lights up). If I had the money, I could finish it in a weekend now.
* The trackball is SUPERB! I love trackball games, like Tekhan World Cup, DunkShot and Missle Command etc. Plus the lights etc are a nice touch!
Finally - go for it! Seriously, its been hard work, but it really is satisfying to do it yourself and you have a lot more freedom. I've realyl enjoyed it.
I cannot recommend this website highly enough either:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php
They will help with just about ANY problem - its a great community!
Good luck!