My Donkey Kong

NERDtendo

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Donor 2011
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It's alive!

It took me a month and a half to get this far and I think it looks amazing. It was my single monitor PlayChoice 10. I sold my game collection and then I sold the guts. I wanted to turn it back to the original Donkey Kong it was. Well, as best as I could. This is the game before...

PlayChoice10.jpg


This is where the game is at now...

DSC00003.jpg


DSC00006.jpg


I removed the side art and cleaned the cab from top to bottom. I got an original DK harness for it (I have a Dokert super harness but decided to go all original for the time being. I left the horizontal mounting brackets in place. This is because I have full kits for Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Junior, Mario Bros., and Popeye and I wanted to be able to use this cab for any of them. That is also why I didn't install side art. This way, no matter the game everything will match.

I still need the proper buttons for the control panel. I need to install new T-molding and I have the Coin sticker. I also have coin return catches for the coin mechs to put on. I also need to buy plugs for the holes that were left where the gun holster was mounted. I think it looks great. I should have taken more pictures, but I didn't this time. Everything inside is all original and all in very clean organized condition. This is one of my last major projects and the finishing touches will probably be done when my brother-in-law comes to visit.
 
Looking at the pictures now next to each other, it doesn't look like much of a transformation. I guess this is just me gloating about the effort I put into this game. I really should have taken more pictures. Oh well.

You can see the pictures of the control panel work I did in the DK CP Restore thread I made...

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=197628
 
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Looking at the pictures now next to each other, it doesn't look like much of a transformation. I guess this is just me gloating about the effort I put into this game. I really should have taken more pictures. Oh well.

You can see the pictures of the control panel work I did in the DK CP Restore thread I made...

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=197628

Hey, I think it looks great! I've been following your control panel thread.

Here's my 2 cents. Hide the horizontal mounting bracket bolts using t-nuts, then apply the Donkey Kong sideart. If you put the sideart on, everything will match DK. Then you might have a Popeye playing in a DK cabinet, but it is primary a complete DK cabinet. Unless you meant you were going to buy marquees, bezels and control panels specifically for all your games.
 
Here's my 2 cents. Hide the horizontal mounting bracket bolts using t-nuts, then apply the Donkey Kong sideart.

I respectfully disagree here. Several of the dedicated DK's I have seen have included all 5 bolt heads installed OUTSIDE of the artwork on the cabinet.

I think it would be closer to original to either have a cabinet that was never drilled for horizontal (does that even exist??) or leave all 5 holes populated with bolts, even if you're not using the 3 for horizontal mounting. You can leave the bolts there, and omit the brackets inside if you want. I'd leave them though, then you've got an easier time rotating the monitor when you want.
 
Unless you meant you were going to buy marquees, bezels and control panels specifically for all your games.

I already have marquees and bezels for all of the games. I am working on getting the control panels. Hence, my sig below.


I respectfully disagree here. Several of the dedicated DK's I have seen have included all 5 bolt heads installed OUTSIDE of the artwork on the cabinet.

I think it would be closer to original to either have a cabinet that was never drilled for horizontal (does that even exist??) or leave all 5 holes populated with bolts, even if you're not using the 3 for horizontal mounting. You can leave the bolts there, and omit the brackets inside if you want. I'd leave them though, then you've got an easier time rotating the monitor when you want.


I am definitely leaving the other bolts. I have contemplated the side art time and time again. For now it will stay blank. I am going to get the rest of the cab finished before I make my final decision since I wll need some help applying it (just lke the T-Molding).

I appreciate the feedback on my DK. I have another repro DK CP wood plank and enough MikesArcade parts to make another control panel. I just need the CPOs. I am happy I got it playable. My wife says she gets more impressed with every game I build. That makes it worth it.
 
I already have marquees and bezels for all of the games. I am working on getting the control panels. Hence, my sig below.

Gotcha. Good luck!

I think it would be closer to original to either have a cabinet that was never drilled for horizontal (does that even exist??)

My DK was never drilled for horizontal.
 
I am definitely leaving the other bolts. I have contemplated the side art time and time again. For now it will stay blank. I am going to get the rest of the cab finished before I make my final decision since I wll need some help applying it (just lke the T-Molding).

I appreciate the feedback on my DK. I have another repro DK CP wood plank and enough MikesArcade parts to make another control panel. I just need the CPOs. I am happy I got it playable. My wife says she gets more impressed with every game I build. That makes it worth it.

I've got a DK Jr. with horizontal mounting bolts and I'm probably going to do something similar. Leave the sideart off and use it as a horizontal mount Nintendo multicab (that runs all original hardware). So, I'll have mario bros, vs., and probably popeye running that I can rotate through. I've got a DK for my vertical mount Nintendo games. The tough thing about the horizontal mount is that it's not a simple PCB swap/CP swap. You have to swap harnesses, and (in the case of popeye) you also have to swap the power supply and the fuse.

Also, the horizontal mount placement you've got there is much higher and closer to the bezel than it would be for a Mario Bros conversion. It might be that the playchoice horizontal mount template was set higher and more vertical and that's why your horizontal mount is so high. You can see in this picture where the standard place for the horizontal mount went (Look at the location of the three horizontal mounting bolts and ignore the extra bolts someone put in there).
donkey-kong-cabinet-02.jpg
 
Still have a bit to do but I am very pleased that my original buttons have come back from the doctor (Tighe) and are now back on the control panel where they belong. Check 'em out...

DKButtonsBackOn.jpg


I also updated my DK CP Restore thread that I referenced above. Tighe did amazing work. The one blue button looks a little faded on the top but that was from my camera work.

What's left to do...

I'm going to have new T-Molding put on.

I am going to put on the coin sticker I have.

I am going to replace the coin mechs with shiny brand new ones.

I bought the plugs for the few holes in the sides, I just need to get some white spray paint to make them match the T-molding.

I will update this thread as long as I continue to work on this cab. I love this machine. It is definitely the shining gem of my gameroom. I have practiced the fine sandpaper and NOVUS trick on a different scrap CPO and it is no longer scrap so I am going to do it to this panel too...eventually. It will be one of my last touches if I ever get around to it.
 
Still have a bit to do but I am very pleased that my original buttons have come back from the doctor (Tighe) and are now back on the control panel where they belong. Check 'em out...

DKButtonsBackOn.jpg


I also updated my DK CP Restore thread that I referenced above. Tighe did amazing work. The one blue button looks a little faded on the top but that was from my camera work.

What's left to do...

I'm going to have new T-Molding put on.

I am going to put on the coin sticker I have.

I am going to replace the coin mechs with shiny brand new ones.

I bought the plugs for the few holes in the sides, I just need to get some white spray paint to make them match the T-molding.

I will update this thread as long as I continue to work on this cab. I love this machine. It is definitely the shining gem of my gameroom. I have practiced the fine sandpaper and NOVUS trick on a different scrap CPO and it is no longer scrap so I am going to do it to this panel too...eventually. It will be one of my last touches if I ever get around to it.

Wow. That control panel is night and day. Nice one!
 
Wow. That control panel is night and day. Nice one!

All the props goes to Tighe for sure. He is amazing at getting these buttons back to usable condition. I thought I was going to have to resort to NEW but not color matched or original buttons and have to make some alterations to the original CPO. I was not looking forward to that (although I did purchase the supplies to do it).
 
I finished the plugs that cover the holes from where the PlayChoice-10 light gun was mounted. I was just going to get three of the same type of plug and just get the proper sizes. However, the hardware store had two plugs in one type and the big plug was a different type. So to make the plugs uniform and match the cabinet better, I used Krylon white primer spray paint and painted the tops all white. After it dried, I used Krylon Triple Thick to glaze the new paint job and prevent it from being scratched off (the two small plugs are plastic and the 1 large one is metal). I think it turned out well.


Here is my updated list of future repairs...

- New T-Molding.

- Put on Insert Coin sticker and get Coin Mech stickers.

- Replace the coin mechs with shiny brand new ones.

- Replace hacked service switch with unhacked replacement.


For your viewing pleasure, I decided to make a video of my Donkey Kong and game room. I don't do a lot of videos. My illness prevents me from holding the camera still, walking is a challenge in itself, and the longer I work on something the more difficult my speech functions and motor skills become. So as long as you ignore the crappy quality of the video, you will get to see the rare tour of my Donkey Kong, game room, and workspace. Here it is...

 
Still have a bit to do but I am very pleased that my original buttons have come back from the doctor (Tighe) and are now back on the control panel where they belong. Check 'em out...

DKButtonsBackOn.jpg


I also updated my DK CP Restore thread that I referenced above. Tighe did amazing work. The one blue button looks a little faded on the top but that was from my camera work.

What's left to do...

I'm going to have new T-Molding put on.

I am going to put on the coin sticker I have.

I am going to replace the coin mechs with shiny brand new ones.

I bought the plugs for the few holes in the sides, I just need to get some white spray paint to make them match the T-molding.

I will update this thread as long as I continue to work on this cab. I love this machine. It is definitely the shining gem of my gameroom. I have practiced the fine sandpaper and NOVUS trick on a different scrap CPO and it is no longer scrap so I am going to do it to this panel too...eventually. It will be one of my last touches if I ever get around to it.

Man that control panel looks so awesome!!! You should post the before photos with the burns and scratches! I didn't see this thread before, that cabinet looks awesome! I say get the side art on that cabinet, and don't worry about the horizontal games! Oh and get a D2K kit!
 
I have a couple of control panels to build. Donkey Kong Junior and Popeye. DKJR will be first. I won't be able to get to that intil the end of November at the earlest.


@ Tighe - Send me a PM with your address (I never store people's information) and I will ship out the next batch of buttons and let me know what kind of swag you want me to include in the box for payment).
 
Whoah, whoah, whoah. Where'd you get that bezel? Is that original? Is it one or two pieces? What's the condition?
 
Whoah, whoah, whoah. Where'd you get that bezel? Is that original? Is it one or two pieces? What's the condition?

I got my DK bezel from pindork1. I think it's original but you would have to ask him. It's missing some paint at the top left corner. It's in one piece. I got the bezel and marquee from him for a good price. The marquee's paint has scratches but the bezel viewing area has virtually no scratches on it. He gave me a great deal on them too. I could take some detail pix of it if you'd like.
 
I didn't realize that DK bezels were in such high demand. I have two of them gathering dust right now.

DK bezels are a dime a dozen. NICE ORIGINAL DK bezels are not. A clear viewing area is key. If I had the strength and extra money, I would be sending you a PM to get yours and restore them if necessary.

Mine I didn't have to do anything to. That's why is was a great deal.
 
DK bezels are a dime a dozen. NICE ORIGINAL DK bezels are not. A clear viewing area is key. If I had the strength and extra money, I would be sending you a PM to get yours and restore them if necessary.

Mine I didn't have to do anything to. That's why is was a great deal.

Interesting. Both mine are near mint. Hm...perhaps I should treat them better.

Funny story - both of my DK bezels arrived by picking up Ninty cabs that had been converted. The Op just flipped the bezel around backwards. The DK side is perfect on both, and since there's no artwork on the backside, removing scratches was a piece of cake. Now I have two near perfect bezels.

I'm keeping one for a DK build I'm doing this winter, but I'll let the other one go soon. I'll start a thread sometime in Dec when I'm ready to sell it.

:hijacked:
 
If anybody has a near mint, one-piece bezel, with no copyright or trademark writing on it I'll make a generous offer on it. I need one for my red DK.
 
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