Quantum T-Molding ?

mrbill08

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What kind of t-molding was used on the original Quantum Cab? Smooth or leatherette?

Thanks,

Bill
 
Probably super flat Atari molding that was used on Food Fight, Asteroids, etc. However, the only 3/4" molding that is available isn't real flat... But IMO flat enough!


Too bad it is not a flat as that Nintendo true-flat that is available, that stuff rocks. :)
 
Too bad it is not a flat as that Nintendo true-flat that is available, that stuff rocks. :)

I've looked into making the 3/4" Flat Black molding that Atari used. In fact, I have a great looking matting piece from a trashed cabinet and some nice samples. The original molding is pretty stiff and pretty thin (compared to what is out there)... Also, the barb only has two barbs (versus 3). The PVC used on the Nintendo molding is almost too flexible and would show way too many imperfections (many atari's have a very "unflat" edge)...

Just not sure it's a worthwhile project... Especially because I've not heard too many people complaining about the 3/4" that is available.
 
It is definitely a smaller market and to be honest I really don't mind the Atari molding that is available.

For Nintendo there are so many of them out there and there really is a big difference between the true-flat and the other option. I was just at a friends yesterday who is restoring a DK and doing a very good job. I told him there was only one way to do it right and after he thought about it I convinced him (hopefully) it is worth the extra few dollars. I nominate it for one of the best restoration parts made. :)
 
It's worth it. All the Atari color vectors used that nice flat molding. Plenty of other games as well. Missile Command, Millipede, Asteroids, just off the top of my head.

Actually, maybe all the classic Ataris used it...I don't really think that rounded stuff came into vogue until the late 80's anyway.
 
I think it would really be worth it, in fact, I've been keeping the original T-molding on my Atari's because of that very reason !!!

Centi and SW have it too for sure, I'd have to check my VP if it's on that one too....
 
Thanks for the feedback. Even if it was leatherette I think I would have opted for smooth. This "flat" vs. rounded Atari t molding discussion is very interesting. I know a lot of folks are real restoration purists down to using the exact screws to mount the cables inside a cabinet that will never be seen. No guff from me about that. The way I feel about it is that it's your restoration and you can do it however you want. At the end of the day, I like functional, good looking games with smooth working controls that do not reset in the middle of one of my (rare) better games. :)

Bill
 
I looked everywhere for this molding years ago and gave up. I supplied a sample of the staring molding per request to a t-molding supplier and never heard back from them. I have wanted this stuff for years and would buy a few games worth.
 
Atari's molding seems pretty ridged, thin and flat... Not as ridged as Nintendo flat molding. However, by it being this ridged it kind of "hide" the imperfections from the matting piece. What I've noticed with some atari's is that when you remove the old molding the slot sometimes gets trashed. So, I guess this would need to be addressed when making the mold.

I have some good samples and a good matting piece from a donor cabinet. I'd be happy to investigate a little bit. However, in order to get started I'd need to do presales fora couple of weeks in order to see real interest. I've talked to the worlds most OCD collectors and they don't 100% mind the stuff that is available but they all know the difference.

If someone else wants to take this on with a local vendor/manufacture just let me know and I'll be more than happy to step aside.
 
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