New Guy Hard Knocks

jacklick

Well-known member

Donor 9 years: 2013, 2016-2021, 2023-2024
Joined
Feb 11, 2013
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Location
Aldie, Virginia
I am not one week into this arcade collecting thing and already have some lessons learned but the tinkering is definitely fun.

Bought a "4 player Madden Season 2" for @ $550. One of the joysticks was loose and not working. No big deal, I figure there are going to issues with every game.

The guy I bought it from said it needed a spacer. Sounds reasonable as it was missing one. Read the manual and it says "Joystick feels loose or doesn't center properly=Bad joystick grommet = Replace the joystick grommet."

Ok, so ordered a couple grommets and a spacer from suzo-happ. Shipping was as much as the parts. Ouch!

Got them today; go to fix the joystick but the spacer and grommet doesn't do the trick. What the ^#$@!

I then realize that the diameter of the joystick handle shaft on this joystick is smaller than all the others. Doh! manual says .313 Diameter Shaft.

Went back to suzo-happ to get the right handle/shaft, as I couldn't find another vendor selling individual parts for the 49-way joystick; went ahead and ordered some security torx wrenches, didn't even know what those were before trying to removes stuff, and some new barrel locks, min $25 order I had to get over and no keys for existing locks. Coin doors that stay closed are nice.

On the plus side, I did find a couple dollars worth of coins jammed in the coin mech. Addressed that and the culprit was a canadian quarter (or whatever it is called).

Might need to do a daily blog as I am likely going to forget all the stuff I encounter.
 
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You have a WHOLE road of adventures waiting for you.. Cap kits, monitor adjustments, big blue caps, AR Rebuilds... Take it all in stride and with a smile on your face, it's all part of the fun. NEVER think this hobby will be cheap, but the more you learn the less you will spend in the long run.
 
I say Welcome friend!

Are you looking to start a collection?
 
yes I am starting a collection. In no hurry but some classics and a pinball or 3 are next on my list.

thanks for the links, advice and encouragement
 
Welcome... the arcade disease is spreading. ;)

BTW, I see you're in NoVA... there are quite a few of us in the DMV area. Keep an eye out for posts about parties, gatherings, etc... it seems that we have some sort of gathering every few months (just had one at Crabtowne last weekend).

DogP
 
your better off buying a stick from someone here or off ebay. happ shipping and they once hit me up with some sort of service fee means I will never order directly from them again. You can get parts from other vendors like twistedquarter.

Gauntlet legends and blitz used that stick so you can find used ones pretty easy. Occasionally the optic board will fail, so getting another joystick or two might be a good idea to have spare parts. Especially if its a keeper game for you. If not, then it might make a good mame box.
 
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