Kong in a Thong -- Donkey Kong Restore

hailrazer

Well-known member

Donor 3 years: 2014-2015, 2017
Joined
Mar 17, 2014
Messages
4,590
Reaction score
323
Location
Manchester, Georgia
Now that I made you look :p

I bought a Donkey Kong from fellow KLOVER "new sheriff in town. He gave me the cabinet with an extra board set and extra power supply for $150. Thanks Wesley! :D

But...................... It needs a bit of work.

The cab is actually in decent shape. My plan is to re-laminate it, new artwork, new CP, new bezel, new t-molding, new marquee and a lot of cleaning.

DK2.jpg



DK3.jpg



DK4.jpg



DK5.jpg



The light is working on it, but look what I found behind the marquee!


DK1.jpg



Ewwwwww..........

I cleaned it up real good with Mean Green, but it didn't make my wife happy. LOL
 
Last edited:
Unfortunately the Control Panel is toast. I tried to save it but everything literally fell apart when I dis-assembled it.

DK6.jpg



DK7.jpg



My plan is to CNC out a new panel. I am using black melamine. I already have it worked up in Solid Works and I'll try cutting one tonight. If it works out I "might" offer these to fellow forum members.


DKCP1.jpg
 
Good luck! I have restored 2 dk cabs. Yours looks like it will clean up nicely with some sweat and bondo. DK definitely looks great when mint!
 
What exactly was that behind the marquee?

Yea a nice mouse nest. Eeewww!

I finally got everything setup to cut the Control Panel.

Here is the test results on plywood:


DKCP2.jpg



DKCP3.jpg



I'm going to do a few with black laminate on top. If they turn out perfect I will offer them for sale.
 
Control Panel is done.

I will be selling these in the future. Here is the thread if you need one :
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=354683

Repro plexi overlay
Repro instruction card
Repro buttons/button assemblies/button switches
Repro Dk controller
Repro joystick assembly mount
Repro strike set
Repro cp bolts

Here she is in all her glory.

reprodkcp3.jpg




reprodkcp4.jpg




And how it looks on my not yet restored Donkey Kong :D

reprodkcp5.jpg
 
Got this one day this week.

I had to :

1. Remove , Sand, Repaint the marquee brackets, bezel brackets.
2. Remove and repaint all the rusted silver metal pieces.
3. Sand and fix broken edges on cabinet.
4. Remove, strip, paint coin door.
5. Clean and polish all coin door parts.
6. Sand and paint all black parts including original back door.
7. Construct/Paint/Install new base
8. Laminate the sides/front with Caribbean Blue laminate.
9. Install new flat t-molding
10. Install new artwork, new marquee, new bezel, new control panel
11. Put it all back together again.

And she looks B-E-A-utiful

DK10.jpg



DK11.jpg



DK12.jpg



DK13.jpg
 
Last edited:
She's a beaut! Where'd you source the laminate from? BTW - your Gauntlet has been a lot of fun for the folks I work with -- especially their kids. It's set up in the office break room :)
 
I think I'm going to go the same laminate route with my DK cab. $120 isn't too bad considering the superior results. I'm a noob on woodworking tools tho - I'm assuming you used a router? Can you recommend a good inexpensive router and some tips?
 
I think I'm going to go the same laminate route with my DK cab. $120 isn't too bad considering the superior results. I'm a noob on woodworking tools tho - I'm assuming you used a router? Can you recommend a good inexpensive router and some tips?

I use a Rigid palm router :

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-5-5-Amp-Trim-Router-with-Free-1-4-in-Sheet-Sander-R24011/202488411

And a flush router bit.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Diablo-1-2-in-x-1-in-Carbide-Flush-Trimming-Router-Bit-DR42104/100660716

I use the router for everything including routing out back doors and side panels. Works great , small and super easy to use.
 
How would you best describe the color match? A little darker or a little lighter? It looks great!

Did you find that to be the cheapest place to order laminate? Been looking for best place to order matte black vertical grade for some new cabinet projects. Thanks!!
 
Back
Top Bottom