Obviously.
It is the silk screened artwork
You have a point about cost there but how realistic is it to do custom screened art for one game? If you're planning to involve a professional artist and printing company then you might even need more than $3500. Again, seems a little unrealistic.
I would definitely be re-using wire from parted out games. If nothing else, for the huge array of color codes available. Not to mention saving hundreds of dollars of other people's money and countless hours of my own time.
and the countless amount of odds and end things that can chew through money.
Right. I know what that stuff can cost too because I've bought it all as well many times over. I still feel like $3500 is way more than a minimum budget for a custom pinball machine (you're building yourself) especially when you've already spent $500-$600 and especially when it's other people's money.
The P-Roc and Beagleboard are the least of the costs involved!! LOL
Actually, the P-Roc and Beagleboard are far from the least of the cost. I'm not really seeing what's so hilarious about that. If you're smart about it you could do the whole playfield (not including art) for what those 2 pieces cost. Personally I would probably use a PC over the Beagleboard. The cost/horse power ratio is going to be a lot lower and you've got all kinds of room inside a pinball machine. Things like sound, etc... will also be easier because you have way more expansion options (sound cards, etc...). I would also be buying a couple parts games to use for parts. With your budget you could even get a couple blown out System 11 playfields for parts and still have a pile of money. Those mechanisms are about as good as you can expect. With some new linkages, sleeves, stops, etc... you've got a kick ass pile of parts to work with and something to start with in terms of a harness. You also haven't spent thousands to do it. You'll need a driver board too. Gottlieb system 3 is the best bang for the buck (IMO) and should do what you need. Take a look at the schematic. It's a great overlooked option for custom pinball. There are lots of options.
Money and parts are only one piece of the puzzle. Hundreds of hours and a lot of skill are also required. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
But thanks for taking the time to look anyway. Also, I dont get $3,500.00 in the end after Kickstarter and Amazon take their respective chunks of that money!!
I'm going to guess that's a pretty small percentage.
I know! We should do one where people give $3500 to me and $3500 to you and we'll both build one and film a build-off show about it. Now there's an idea I can get behind!