NathanJ
New member
Don't post a picture of a mint vintage Williams cab turned into MAME with a "new and improved" CP that matches the wingspan of a 747 on the KLOV forums...
Mistakes you've made / Things you need to know about this hobby
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- excellent thread.
don't buy more games unless the ones you already have are working 100% and presentable. Otherwise ya end up like me, having alot of games that need alot of work.
Tom
Tom
mc300baud
Well-known member
thanks for that spare tube for my K7000! it worked out great!
Oryk Zinyo
Well-known member
So you got it installed? That's great! I just picked up a couple of old TV sets last week, a 19", a 25", and a 27". Hopefully the tubes are useable but if not, I will still scavenge the neckboards (for rejuvenator adaptors) and rubber wedges.
incrediblegamez
Well-known member
Good logic but at same time too in this hobby if something you want or have been wanting appears you have to jump. Filtering down of these games from the ops to the collectors is winding down IMO. Soon it will be collectors selling/trading with collectors only.
Mike Doyle
Well-known member
If you find a Race Driv'in Cockpit at and Estate Sale cheap, in a walk out basement with a freshly sodded steep sideyard; just leave it there man, because it's gonna almost kill you getting it on the truck.
Lots of lessons learned on that one, but let's just say make sure no matter how much of a screaming deal it is, make sure safely getting it home is part of the plan. Some of the larger cockpits and big monitor uprights are a real bitch to move.
Lots of lessons learned on that one, but let's just say make sure no matter how much of a screaming deal it is, make sure safely getting it home is part of the plan. Some of the larger cockpits and big monitor uprights are a real bitch to move.
SSilver2k2
New member
Always wait the day to get the right tool for the job. Button Wrench is amazing. And it only cost $2 on ebay.
Learn your tools.
Learn your tools.
Laschek
Well-known member
Don't move a game in and then rebuild the basement so that it won't fit through the door anymore. Had to cut it in two pieces when moving it out 
Laschek
Well-known member
Don't put a Jamma plug on every PCB that has 2x28 pins, there are some other pinouts that size (System 16 etc.).
Laschek
Well-known member
Don't brag to anyone that you just repaired game X, it won't work anymore when you want to show them...
If you have a chance to pick up loads of cheap stuff and are worried about transportation/storage, then worry about the transportation/storage later.
The auction guy was right about that one.
Also-
A free game is not always worth picking up.
Kerry
The auction guy was right about that one.
Also-
A free game is not always worth picking up.
Kerry
Another monitor suggestion - When buying a game, before moving it or loading it in the truck, make sure that the monitor is actually fastened down securely. I've seen many games where the monitor was sitting in there loose - all bolts missing, or with just a drywall screw to hold it in place.
Of course, the monitor may be securely bolted to its shelf, but then the shelf breaks loose from the cabinet during the trip home... (Yes, I speak from experience.)
Of course, the monitor may be securely bolted to its shelf, but then the shelf breaks loose from the cabinet during the trip home... (Yes, I speak from experience.)
MIKE96
Well-known member
don't use blue painters tape to mask off the back of a glass bezel on the art to clear coat it, it'll peel the art right off.
always check inside cabs you pick up from various places, warehouses,garages,etc.
there may be some critters waiting for you in there, roaches,spiders,scorpions,etc..
always check inside cabs you pick up from various places, warehouses,garages,etc.
there may be some critters waiting for you in there, roaches,spiders,scorpions,etc..
shred
Active member
Here's one I learned last night:
When wiggling wires to find out why the picture comes and goes when they are wiggled, don't put your hand near the top of the focus block on a G07 without checking to make sure that the little rubber protector sleeve is fully in place.
Hey what was the problem? I have that exact problem with a g07 in a gorf I need to take a look at. At first I thought it was the power connector.. I redid that but now it is back again...
Dave
Over the years, I've only sold a handful of games. However, it seemed like the buyers were rarely collectors but more typically someone buying their very first video arcade game. To have some sort of information to hand them (or email them), I wrote a two page document of basic "hints and tips".
I think that it's a useful thing, so the (zipped) PDF is attached to this post. Feel free to read, use, and distribute.
Alan
I think that it's a useful thing, so the (zipped) PDF is attached to this post. Feel free to read, use, and distribute.
Alan
Last edited:
Riptor
Well-known member
Here is a good one from Phet. Its something I am guilty of and delayed my Galaga restore by 6 months.
"-Don't put the game that you are restoring together enough to 'just play it once' before actually finishing it."
Dont go large scale when buying! Good example, I was in a friends warehouse a couple weeks ago and he had some megatouch bartops. I decided to get one and ended up buying 5 of them. Sure it pays off most of the time but sometimes I end up with 5X the junk laying around. The megatouchs happpened to be a great deal so im excused on this one.
Dont buy stuff you dont have space to store! Not too long ago I bought 26 bally slot machines for a great price. I borrowed an enclosed trailer and loaded them up and drove home. About 6 months later they were still sitting in the (borrowed) trailer and I had nowhere to put them and no time to work on them. I finally started selling them off cheap to recover my money but still ended up loosing a little on the deal. I still have a few of them left that I might work on and get running. If I can get one running it would put me ahead $$ on the deal.
Another tip is dont be afraid to repair the games yourself. Dont jump into it blindly either because it will just cost you money and likely ruin some hardware. Start off by learning to solder/desolder and practice on some junk first. ASK QUESTIONS on the board. Thats why the boards are here. Spend time browsing other peoples questions in the repair section. Do not assume one persons answer to your question is true, verify from another source. There are but a handfull of real "experts" on the board. After a while you will know who the gurus are(no not me!).
Ok my last tip. If you really enjoy these games dont make it a business. It starts off as finiding great deals and reselling them now and again but eventually it will become all work and no fun. I do alot of repair work for friends and dont mind doing it but im finiding I spend all my time on other peoples stuff while my games are sitting collecting dust. I have artwork and parts for half dozen machines waiting for restoration. I also have a backlog of repair work on the shelf. Try to find the right balance of making a little profit to help pay for the parts you need VS trying to make a living off it. Its great when you do a cap kit for someone and it pays for 6 cap kits you need for your games.
There's alot of great people in the arcade community. Help others out when you can and the favors will return to you later.
"-Don't put the game that you are restoring together enough to 'just play it once' before actually finishing it."
Dont go large scale when buying! Good example, I was in a friends warehouse a couple weeks ago and he had some megatouch bartops. I decided to get one and ended up buying 5 of them. Sure it pays off most of the time but sometimes I end up with 5X the junk laying around. The megatouchs happpened to be a great deal so im excused on this one.
Dont buy stuff you dont have space to store! Not too long ago I bought 26 bally slot machines for a great price. I borrowed an enclosed trailer and loaded them up and drove home. About 6 months later they were still sitting in the (borrowed) trailer and I had nowhere to put them and no time to work on them. I finally started selling them off cheap to recover my money but still ended up loosing a little on the deal. I still have a few of them left that I might work on and get running. If I can get one running it would put me ahead $$ on the deal.
Another tip is dont be afraid to repair the games yourself. Dont jump into it blindly either because it will just cost you money and likely ruin some hardware. Start off by learning to solder/desolder and practice on some junk first. ASK QUESTIONS on the board. Thats why the boards are here. Spend time browsing other peoples questions in the repair section. Do not assume one persons answer to your question is true, verify from another source. There are but a handfull of real "experts" on the board. After a while you will know who the gurus are(no not me!).
Ok my last tip. If you really enjoy these games dont make it a business. It starts off as finiding great deals and reselling them now and again but eventually it will become all work and no fun. I do alot of repair work for friends and dont mind doing it but im finiding I spend all my time on other peoples stuff while my games are sitting collecting dust. I have artwork and parts for half dozen machines waiting for restoration. I also have a backlog of repair work on the shelf. Try to find the right balance of making a little profit to help pay for the parts you need VS trying to make a living off it. Its great when you do a cap kit for someone and it pays for 6 cap kits you need for your games.
There's alot of great people in the arcade community. Help others out when you can and the favors will return to you later.
RyDawg
New member
Game boards are a lot cheaper and still play great in a jamma cabinet. You should keep a nice, generic jamma machine in your collection so you don't feel the need to go buy that game you want and don't have room for.
Also - there is a very big difference between a mame machine and the real board. You won't know until you put them side by side - and you'll never want a mame again!
Also - there is a very big difference between a mame machine and the real board. You won't know until you put them side by side - and you'll never want a mame again!
SilverCoin
Active member
Not my experience but wise anyways.... And yes, happened to an old friend..
-Never spend your family's VACATION money on arcade games if you wish to stay married!
-Never spend your family's VACATION money on arcade games if you wish to stay married!
Ouch....that sucks.
