Where do you start?

TCinTEXAS

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Just out of curiosity...

When you pick up a new game which needs work; maybe electrical/mechanical and cosmetic, where do you start? Do you start inside with the electronics, joysticks and such, making the game work? Do you start with the cosmetics, get the game looking good, then make it work? Do you do a little of both along the way?

I start by cleaning it up a bit. I might do a little cosmetic work on it, but I'm more concerned with getting the game working, then I'll tackle the major cosmetic work. Of course, none of my games, so far, have needed major restoration. That might alter my approach.

How do you tackle a new project?
 
Just out of curiosity...

When you pick up a new game which needs work; maybe electrical/mechanical and cosmetic, where do you start? Do you start inside with the electronics, joysticks and such, making the game work? Do you start with the cosmetics, get the game looking good, then make it work? Do you do a little of both along the way?

I start by cleaning it up a bit. I might do a little cosmetic work on it, but I'm more concerned with getting the game working, then I'll tackle the major cosmetic work. Of course, none of my games, so far, have needed major restoration. That might alter my approach.

How do you tackle a new project?

I start with what I know best! Cosmetics. Cleaning always a first! Usually I check the small things that causes games not to work I.e. Interlock switches, Power Supplies, etc. Click my channel button below to see some restores!

Also, I take most of my boards to a member here on KLOV ( He is local to me ). He checks them out, fixes what needs to be fixed, and then I do the rest!
 
for me, id wanna make sure the darn thing works first , if not then why doesn't it work and see how to fix it.. then work on makeup part........
 
If it's absolutely filthy, I'll clean/vacuum it out first.

Normally, I start with checking the AC wiring, then DC, before plugging anything in.

I got excited and skipped that step on a game last week and was rewarded by getting shocked by a K4900 monitor that somebody wired directly to a power distribution block instead of the isolation transformer.
 
Agree with most - (in order first to last) -

1. get it cleaned up (dirt/dust/grime/poo/stains etc)
2. get it working/playable
3. do structural repairs
4. do electrical upgrades -> capkits etc to make it "reliable" and "better"; reflow headers etc; check harness (remove any unsafe mods)
5. replace art etc to make it more "presentable" (if necessary)
 
An unplayable game in any cabinet is next to worthless. If it isn't booting, that's the first part for me. I might do some clean up while waiting for parts, but first thing is to get it working. Recap the monitor next. Then controls and such. My first build had the game playing on the basement floor while I was redoing the cabinet. That was a lifetime ago...

http://alsarcade.com/magswrd/index.html
 
An unplayable game in any cabinet is next to worthless. If it isn't booting, that's the first part for me. I might do some clean up while waiting for parts, but first thing is to get it working. Recap the monitor next. Then controls and such. My first build had the game playing on the basement floor while I was redoing the cabinet. That was a lifetime ago...

http://alsarcade.com/magswrd/index.html

This is what I do
 
Cool. It looks like we all pretty much follow the same routine.

I'm just getting into this, so for me, it's a mad dash to get the game working, and working well.

I've definitely got to clean it, because bringing 30 years of filth in my house is just nasty. I'll blow it out with an air hose while it's still in the driveway, then vacuum with my shop vac once it's in the garage or gameroom. Dirty control panels and dirty monitor and bezel glass have become pet peeves.

The T-Molding is a big thing for me. Even if I'm going to redo the side art or paint later, I'll redo the T-molding when I get the game, if it's bad. I just can't stand looking at bad t-molding. Weird.
 
Clean it up. Fiddle with it to see if there are any obvious problems like loose connectors (it's just a fuse!) of maybe obvious damage from a burned up part.

But then I usually strip everything out and work on the cabinet. Much easier when it's empty.

Then I start with the power supply and replace anything that needs it. I always seem to wind up working on the monitor last. All my games are vectors so that often turns out to be the final problem.
 
I like to spend some time getting the game to fire up, so I can see what I'm working with. Then I'll start making a list of all the things that need to get done as I go through it.

After that, I start cleaning from top to bottom. I can't stand working on a dirty machine. Wipe everything down on the outside, vacuum and clean up the inside, wash the monitor and boards.

Then I focus on what is needed to get it working so I can play it! My main goal! Monitor work, controls, etc. Cosmetics come last if I have the time.
 
Next question:

Do you keep logs on your machines? I know this is pedantic, but I have a little spiral notebook for each cabinet. I log everything I do to it, every part I order, every part I install, every problem I notice which needs to be fixed.

There's a little OCD man in my head who is absolutely positive this information will come in handy some day.
 
For my new "reproduction" builds, I have pretty detailed Excel files detailing cost, block diagrams of the wiring etc, custom mods, schematic capture, etc. :)

For the rest of the herd, I don't bother.

(BTW, I could not imagine working on the electronics of the game prior to cleaning the cabinet (inside and out); thus, why I put cleaning as #1). :rolleyes:
 
I used to start with the cosmetics first because of the potential for getting the game running awesome then eschewing the cosmetics...

...and I now tend to start with the electronics/controls for the very same reason.

:)
 
New game...
Use to be power cord power supply pcb board monitor and cosmetic restorations last..

Current it is fending off friends who want to buy lease rent trade or borrow my game.
I dont mind but at least let me get it off the truck and fix it frist. Laughs
 
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