New member and arcade collector needs some advice

Vejadu

New member
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Lincoln, Nebraska
Hello, first let me introduce myself. I'm a 33-year-old guy who grew up around arcade games and have recently started collecting these machines. I started with a few games that were in good working order, but last year I picked up a seven machines that are in various states of disrepair, from a Heavy Barrel that just needs a new monitor to several machines that don't power on at all. I would like to learn how to repair and maintain arcade machines, but I have very basic understanding of electronics. Are there any good books or sites that I can use to start learning how to repair these machines? Where would you suggest I start?

Also, all of the machines I picked up have the same round key that opens the coin mechanism and coin door, but the doors are either locked open or locked closed. Do I need to install new locks on each of these doors, or are those round keys standardized?

Thanks for any advice you can toss my way.
 
Welcome! You'll find most of the info you need to know on here. If you can't find it via a search, post specific questions and these guys will be more than willing to help.

Also, check out www.therealbobroberts.net and read his entries- very informative!
 
Thanks! I plan on learning these things slowly, starting with the simpler fixes like replacing the buttons/sticks in a Final Fight cabinet, to installing a new monitor in a Street Fighter II CE machine.
 
Word of advice. Learn to repair your monitors or send the chassis off for repair. CRT monitors are disappearing and the lcd monitors suck for older games. Having them repaired will save you lots of money also.
 
you can get around most of those round key locks by modifying a ball point pen cap like so:
(it really works)
attachment.php


If that doesnt work, you can drill them out with a standard power drill .. i do it all the time (it takes some patience and elbow grease, but it works).

-sleep
 

Attachments

  • Photo 159.jpg
    Photo 159.jpg
    11.5 KB · Views: 256
Be sure you learn how to properly discharge a monitor before you service one, or your in for a shocking experience.

Cam locks can be drilled out easily and most hardware stores sell replacements.
 
Don't start - and you'll be miles ahead of all of us.
You'll get so engrossed that you'll forget you have a wife or kids until your kid taps you on the shoulder and you turn around to realize they're 25 and it's their wedding day. You'll attempt to stand up and fall over because all of your muscles have deteriorated and your beard has innertwined with your feces laden ass hair. Need I really go on?
 
Wow -- now there is a big ol' friendly KLOV welcome for you!
 
Don't start - and you'll be miles ahead of all of us.
You'll get so engrossed that you'll forget you have a wife or kids until your kid taps you on the shoulder and you turn around to realize they're 25 and it's their wedding day. You'll attempt to stand up and fall over because all of your muscles have deteriorated and your beard has innertwined with your feces laden ass hair. Need I really go on?

Nice image.

"Daddy wipe my BUTT!"

ken

BTW, Welcome Vejadu!
 
you can get around most of those round key locks by modifying a ball point pen cap like so:
(it really works)
attachment.php


If that doesnt work, you can drill them out with a standard power drill .. i do it all the time (it takes some patience and elbow grease, but it works).

-sleep

Hmm, did you learn this at Church? ;)
 
the basics are really easier then the look. Since you have a basic understanding Best advise I can give is get a multimeter and play around with the games on the inside, the working ones as well as the others
 
Thanks for the warm welcome and all of the advice everyone! I'm anxious to start getting these machines restored, which will likely become a 2-3 year project.

ZEN, I'll surely IM you if I run into trouble. Thanks for the offer. Luckily, I have a close friend who understands electronics very well who can help me with any monitor-related issues.

In case you're curious, here's what I'm dealing with:
IMG_1150-1.jpg


From left to right:
Super Sprint - Powers on, but makes an awful rattling noise. Controls are not responsive and one of the pedals is stuck or broken.
Final Fight - Only needs a new joystick and 1 button. This will be my 'intro' project
Heavy Barrel - Bad monitor, but might be able to be saved. Also needs a new rotating joystick.
Ninja Gaiden/Magic Sword - Neither of these power on.
Golden Axe - It's gutted, so I'm not sure what to do with this one.
SFII CE - Needs a monitor installed and a power cable. Will probably be project #2.
 
very good machines to work with as a beginner. Start with jamma stuff then work your way back thru history as you become more experienced.
 
Funny, I just happened to have that all ready to go in my desk drawer.. it works.. that picture is of a tried and tested genuine pen cap unlocking device ;-)

Working at Intel I've been faced with having to remove port replicators that were cabled up and no keys. Indeed using a pen casing like this pushing in and turning to widen the pen casing eventually it fits in and it opens the lock. Nice secuiryt huh?

BTW - Jejadu welcome aboard ;)
 
You got yourself a nice set of games there ! Fixing these will be easy . Monitors can always be fixed so learn how to work on them . As for the games missing a monitor , you can buy used , chris25810 here on the boards has a bunch for sale or you can buy new , http://www.arcadeshop.com/parts.htm#Monitors
 
Back
Top Bottom