Repair Kits for DIY'ers??

Daviea

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After awhile of watching the wanted posts and the repair/help forum, I realized that there are a LOT of people out there who need some help to get their repair setup up and running. Whether it's people who've either just started in the game collecting hobby or have been in it awhile but have not had a chance to dig up the right parts/tools..... or maybe it's someone who wants start up a repair shop. Whatever, I just see a basic need for help.

After posting up a list of parts in partial tubes, some of the response triggered this train of thought....and it seems so clear to me now.

I was thinking of making some robust (yet inexpensive) "starter" kits -- maybe two or three different levels -- of parts such as a big spread of chips, a selection of sockets, connectors, wires and maybe even tools. I've got MASSIVE stocks of chips and other items related to arcade games, so I'm in a good position to make these special kits.

I just wanted to run the idea by the group and see if I could get some input on what parts should be included, what quantities, etc... I was thinking of making a $100 level, $250 level and $500 level... maybe even a stripped down $50 level. Maybe specialized kits for people who want to work on Atari-only or Bally/Midway-only.....Williams-only? I can definitely offer some serious value for the money since 90% of these items are considered "excess" to me.

So, anyone have ideas on this subject?

Dave
 
I think it's a great idea. As somone just trying to figure out all this stuff, it's good that you will have an entry level option as well as a higher level for the more established guy.
 
I think it would be a great idea as well. As it is now, every time I need I need a small part like a chip or a cap, I need to order it. Sometimes I spend more on shipping than the part.

I want to start learning board repair, so a kit like this could be perfect for me.
 
Interesting idea.

I've only been doing this for ~3 years now so I CLEARLY remember trying to find the tools and crazy parts in 'normal' stores or online.

A toolkit (security screwdrivers/bits etc!!!) would be neat
 
I think the kits should be "vintage" and "Jamma". Or by years, '77-'85, '85-'95, '95-now,
or something like that. It might be easier choosing chips, and connectors to include.

Or by brand. Ataris typically have different chips than Williams than Capcom. But within the brand they have a lot of common chips. As well as connectors, screws, switches, etc.

ken
 
Bob Roberts does this kind of thing.


Cap kits are kind of general, but it's the same basic idea.
G07 deluxe repair kits
Williams CPU battery mod
Various switching supply replacement connector kits
MCR power board rebuild kit
Atari A/R repair kits
Williams power supply repair kits
Pacman edge connector repair kits
Atari vector pot replacement kits

These are pretty much all 'shotgun' type kits. Shoot a bunch of parts at a board to cure many different types of ills.

Individual component level repair takes a new set of skills.

Is this what you're talking about, or are you talking about selling bulk components that are found in a wide variety of arcade-type boards?

Kit of various zener diodes
kit of various rectifier diodes
kit of common bus buffer chips?
 
I think it would be awesome, Im a newbie. Wanting to learn more, ive sat here for hours reading past forums. Imo== jamma kit would be great,cause there is so many out there now. maybe some papers or a book with it to explain basic jamma operation. like can you switch out a jamma board with another that has 3 buttons and the new one has 2 will it work? cause i still dont know.!!! wiring schmatic maybe
nintendo kit = ppl just getting started always want a dk,dkj,mb.. first game they try and score
I know the more you brain storm, the many different kits your going to come up with and thats going to get too wide of a range i would think. but like i said im a newbie.
thanks, mike
 
Bob Roberts does this kind of thing.


Cap kits are kind of general, but it's the same basic idea.
G07 deluxe repair kits
Williams CPU battery mod
Various switching supply replacement connector kits
MCR power board rebuild kit
Atari A/R repair kits
Williams power supply repair kits
Pacman edge connector repair kits
Atari vector pot replacement kits

These are pretty much all 'shotgun' type kits. Shoot a bunch of parts at a board to cure many different types of ills.

Individual component level repair takes a new set of skills.

Is this what you're talking about, or are you talking about selling bulk components that are found in a wide variety of arcade-type boards?

Kit of various zener diodes
kit of various rectifier diodes
kit of common bus buffer chips?

I think he was talking about the second one, but a bit different. Imagine a kit that was for say early Atari games that contained common parts from those games so that you might actually have the part needed on hand be it a cap, resistor, RAM, CPU, whatever. Bob used to sell a bulk set of caps so that you would have a large supply of caps that are normally found in monitors. They were all pretty high voltage, etc. and it seems like there were at least 100 or more caps in the kit. I bought one and it has been great to be able to fix all kinds of crap having all those caps on hand. I for one would be interested.

-VJ
 
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VectorJunkie has the right idea, basically.... a large lot of parts that will give repair guys a head-start on fleshing out their parts supplies to repair a large range of boards. I was originally thinking of covering the hard to find parts, but I'm thinking now that it might be a good idea to provide some of the more common parts as well. maybe not basic TTL, but ram, cpu, sound, etc... and then build from there.

Thanks for all of the input guys. I'm getting a clear picture. Give me a few to think it over and I'll post up my initial ideas for the $50 and $100 parts kits to let you guys comment on.

Dave
 
VectorJunkie has the right idea, basically.... a large lot of parts that will give repair guys a head-start on fleshing out their parts supplies to repair a large range of boards. I was originally thinking of covering the hard to find parts, but I'm thinking now that it might be a good idea to provide some of the more common parts as well. maybe not basic TTL, but ram, cpu, sound, etc... and then build from there.

Thanks for all of the input guys. I'm getting a clear picture. Give me a few to think it over and I'll post up my initial ideas for the $50 and $100 parts kits to let you guys comment on.

Dave

You might solicit some input from the repair guys on here. I'm sure folks like Riptor, Bitslicer, Channelmanic, etc. could give you suggestions for what parts sockets, etc always seem to be bad on their respective class of boards they fix. It reminds me of those acid damage kits on ebay for MPU boards. It was great buying a $9 kit that everything in the area that always took the brunt of the damage.

-VJ
 
Great idea Dave,

I have tons of parts, but never enough connectors, sockets, chips, transistors, etc... oh... an tools... never enough tools...:rolleyes:
 
Bob Roberts does this kind of thing.
<snip>
These are pretty much all 'shotgun' type kits. Shoot a bunch of parts at a board to cure many different types of ills.

Individual component level repair takes a new set of skills.

I was thinking the same thing. Having repair kits is a great idea, but unless you know how (and have the equipment to) diagnose issues you'll end up burning through a whole kit, replacing each chip one at a time hoping each time that the problem will go away.
 
Dave, good idea. I'd be all over one of the kits. I am also STILL trying to find the best crimper/connectors kit....
 
I know the complicated or price problem is the hardware. O-scope, Soldering Station, cap/resistor tester are the tricky ones. We see MANY threads with same questions and usually just an ebay link for reply. It would be nice to list model in different price range with pros/cons. As to soldering stations.. I look at expensive models and my cheapo rod and trying to figure out what the perks are to the big price tag. It's not hard to find caps/resistors/roms/rams/cpus for a good value.

My 2 cents,
Kevin
 
Dave, good idea. I'd be all over one of the kits. I am also STILL trying to find the best crimper/connectors kit....

Frizz, Search BYOAC for a post or two where I mention a ratcheting crimper and a wire stripper. Probably one of the best purchases I've made. I've used a lot of the non ratcheting crimpers and after using the ratcheting ones I think the others should be banned. The wire stripper is great as well and better then a lot of the other ones I've used.


Dave,
I like the idea. Especially the IC side. I'm not sure if I'd be interested in the connectors and tools part, maybe the sockets. I'm not sure the best way to do it though. Years may be better then manufacturer though. I hope you have enough parts for everyone though. I'd hate to see the people here that run a business selling the same type of thing buy all your stock and then resell it for double.
 
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