Advice for beginning collector?

[xxstatic]

Other than don't do it...

Here is one bit of advice ... if you like playing working games... buy working games... if you like working on games then buy games that need work.

Collecting vs. restoration... these are two different hobbies.

I differ on opinion with this, I agree if you like playing games buy working games but unless your able to or want to pay the retail prices that TNT and Choochoppin pinball sell's theirs at more than likely you will have to do some level of restoration to get it in a decent enough condition to be in your house/gameroom.

To me there are three sides to this hobby in totallity.

1. Collecting- Just putting together a collection of games in varying states of condition, lot's of stuff on the fringe of garbage to pretty perfect condition, wallet size helps.

2. Restoring- Once you have the games doing many forms of carpentry or cabinetry, and of course the elctronical repairs needed to get them into an acceptable condition for you, other tastes of conditon may vary.

3. Playing- Some people want to be the "King of Kong" or other scoring champ, others are content to relive their youth by playing and just having a good time, maybe even just turning them on and watching all of the lights, attract mode sound and such.

 

[SeanMcL]

Spend _less_ on the hobby than you can afford to.

Be open to learning how to repair a game. They break and you have to know how to replace a chip or install a cap kit.

Buy games that look good. They cost more because they are worth it.

 

[back2the80s]

My advise to you

1. warn your wife
2.1 leads to 2 then 3 and so on
3.you will be checking Craigslist every minute
4.space then make more space don't worry honey I will make it fit
5.I think I need a storage unit
6.Yes! it's like your hooked on drug's
7.GOOD LUCK!

 

[parkway]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the help.

 

[Segagee]

If it hasn't already been said, use this forum and the search function to your advantage! There is plenty of great advice and the people here are not snobby or elitist like on many other hobby-related forums. Be prepared to spend many a long night doing research on here!

 

[mort]

Also remember to be good with wife & your friends, they are useful for stopping games that get away on you when moving them down stairs.

 

[spmahn]

The best advice I can give to to always track eBay to figure out what the true value of PCBs are, because a lot of people will try and overcharge you. For example I regularly see WWF Wrestlefest listed in the $60 to $100 range, but when it shows uo on eBay, it'll barely break $40, and that's with shipping included.

 

[Mongo]

Put your city in your profile. I often have things I will simply give away locally but will not bother to ship.

 

[parkway]

Put your city in your profile. I often have things I will simply give away locally but will not bother to ship.

Whoops. Didn't even realize I forgot to put that in there. Thanks.

 

[YellowDog]

Welcome to the madness/addiction. If you are going to collect video games you need to learn how to do simple repairs yourself. If you don't have them yet add some simple tools to your "need to buy" list (in no particular order, except #1):

1) A voltmeter (also referred to as a DVM (Digital Volt Meter), VOM (Volt Ohm Meter) or just meter). They don't need to be the $400 Fluke that will survive a nuclear war. The $2.99 Harbor Freight one will work in a pinch.
2) A good soldering iron. Do a search here for the religious wars that erupt periodically regarding the "best" soldering iron. Be prepared to spend more than $20 for the Radio Shack cheapie. Remember Michelangelo could still paint a masterpiece with a $2 brush, but Bob the painter couldn't with a $2000 brush.
3) A good ratcheting screw driver with interchangeable tips. Electric screwdrivers are nice, but the batteries always seem to die 3/4 through a job. A manual screw driver always works. As part of the screw driver set make sure you have a torx bit set. A lot of games used torx screws as "security" against casual tampering.
4) A good list of reference web sites where you can download manuals, schematics, artwork, etc. Several lists have been posted here.
5) A good socket wrench set. Same reason as the screwdriver. You will find a fairly wide assortment of bolts and nuts used to put these beasts together.
6) A workbench with several cabinets with drawers. You will start accumulating a lot of very odd small parts, electronic component and locks and keys. Having some place to put them in an organized fashion will be a necessity.
7) A labelmaker. I use a cheap ($15) Dymo labelmaker I picked up at Walmart. Trust me you may think you will always remember what that board you pulled from that cabinet is, but 2 years from now it will be "WTF is that thing?". Along the same lines, add the condition and anything else you can think of; working, not-working, strange lines on screen, unknown, etc. Your brain will thank you later.

ken

 

[jawhn]

You asked about leaving the games on... Get wireless remotes to turn the games on and off. Or a switch system to turn each game on or off when you need to. I definitely don't leave mine running all the time. It will use more electricity, open them up to more eventual problems, and eventually wear out the monitors.

I'll search and see if I can find the switch thing I use... It was only $35 shipped, and has blue LEDs in each switch, and looks/works awesome!

 

[kaz1961]

You're also gonna need at least one pinball machine.

 

[jawhn]

Ok, it's in one of these 2 threads... Good reads, btw, a lot of suggestions in them:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=150929
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=152837