Lowest Value Game/Cabinet you've sent time restoring?

EagleTG

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Lowest Value Game/Cabinet you've sent time restoring?

I am working on a Dynamo HS5 that is in just plain awful shape. As I'm working, I think back to auctions where the auctioneer can't pay people to take these. That led me to wonder, what game or cabinet have you spent a major amount of time restoring knowing you'd never make your money back (or never make enough on the game to make your time worth it)?

For me, it has to be this Dynamo cab. I'm into it for quite a chunk of money between original cost of the cab, parts, tools to fix it, monitor, not to mention the time I've spent. But something is driving me to fix this thing (maybe it is the buyer's remorse I've had since day one? LOL). I love this cabinet design, and really wanted another after trading my last one. Stumbled on this one, decided to take on the restore. There was not a factory glue spot that was still intact, drywall screws and evidence of at least 3 separate major previous repair attempts by previous owners. It'll get fixed right this time. :)
 
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I recently took this Konami cab from this:

100_4810.jpg


To This:
100_4976.jpg


Knowing full well that it would be a total money sink (read as: labor of love) as I had to replace virtually everything.
 
I am working on a Dynamo HS5 that is in just plain awful shape. As I'm working, I think back to auctions where the auctioneer can't pay people to take these. That led me to wonder, what game or cabinet have you spent a major amount of time restoring knowing you'd never make your money back (or never make enough on the game to make your time worth it)?

For me, it has to be this Dynamo cab. I'm into it for quite a chunk of money between original cost of the cab, parts, tools to fix it, monitor, not to mention the time I've spent. But something is driving me to fix this thing (maybe it is the buyer's remorse I've had since day one? LOL). I love this cabinet design, and really wanted another after trading my last one. Stumbled on this one, decided to take on the restore. There was not a factory glue spot that was still intact, drywall screws and evidence of at least 3 separate major previous repair attempts by previous owners. It'll get fixed right this time. :)

But an HS-5 is an awesome cabinet!
 
Asteroids was the worst, Battlezone was better but still far from worth the money and effort. Neither of these will ever see my collection again.
 
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I would lose money on ALL of my games if I sold them after I restored them. My biggest "loser" would probably be Turbo. I got one for free and $150 for a second one. Bought some other parts that were missing, shipped the chassis off to be rebuilt, and did a lot of body work. I'd be lucky if I could sell it for $250!
 
I recently took this Konami cab from this:

100_4810.jpg


To This:
100_4976.jpg


Knowing full well that it would be a total money sink (read as: labor of love) as I had to replace virtually everything.

Sweet. Love that game. Hey- anyway you could take a straight shot of the sideart and PM it to me? I wanna make that game into model form, but lack a good shot of the artwork.
 
Time Pilot for me. I bought it not-working for $125 in an less than OK cabinet. I found a really nice Centuri cabinet that had been converted and bought it for $100. Swapped the Time Pilot into the good cab then spent money on HSS kit, NOS joystick, NOS overlay and a very nice marquee. I'll be sinking more into it once the side and kick art is reproed. The the little things like coin door clean up and t-molding.

I probably couldn't sell it for more than $250 though.
 
Without a doubt my Operation Wolf. Monitor was dead, gun was dead, power supply was going out, but board worked into for over 300, but cant give this thing away

Andrew
 
A dedicated Neo Geo cab. Those cabs were crapily made in the first place. Took forever to make it look nice and get it working.
 
I am working on a Dynamo HS5 that is in just plain awful shape. As I'm working, I think back to auctions where the auctioneer can't pay people to take these. That led me to wonder, what game or cabinet have you spent a major amount of time restoring knowing you'd never make your money back (or never make enough on the game to make your time worth it)?

For me, it has to be this Dynamo cab. I'm into it for quite a chunk of money between original cost of the cab, parts, tools to fix it, monitor, not to mention the time I've spent. But something is driving me to fix this thing (maybe it is the buyer's remorse I've had since day one? LOL). I love this cabinet design, and really wanted another after trading my last one. Stumbled on this one, decided to take on the restore. There was not a factory glue spot that was still intact, drywall screws and evidence of at least 3 separate major previous repair attempts by previous owners. It'll get fixed right this time. :)

That would be Data East's Shootout. Great game and good memories for me, most wouldn't know the game or really care.
 
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