Why do we restore it?

SpamManMarc

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So I bought this Ameridarts cab originally because it was $50 and I figured I would use the cab eventually. So I start by cleaning the 8 years of dust off everything. Then I fix the monitor. Then I realize, huh.. I got a working game. Then I'm cleaning up the decals. THen I'm taping everything off. THen I'm painting it. Then I'm ordering a new control panel.
Then I'm fixing the trackball.
Then I realize, Why am I restoring this game???
It is weird how a "NON-PROJECT" game turns into a project game so fast. The game itself is kinda lame, but suddenly its a finished project. You are proud of what you've done, but you start to ask WHY?? Why this game? Why not another? Why didn't I convert it?

Who else has run into this?
 
Yep, I once did a total restoration on a Top Gunner in a Galaxian cabinet. Spent countless hours. Got a whole $200 when I sold it later on. Currently repeating the same mistake with a Cabal in a Satan's Hollow cabinet.

So I bought this Ameridarts cab originally because it was $50 and I figured I would use the cab eventually. So I start by cleaning the 8 years of dust off everything. Then I fix the monitor. Then I realize, huh.. I got a working game. Then I'm cleaning up the decals. THen I'm taping everything off. THen I'm painting it. Then I'm ordering a new control panel.
Then I'm fixing the trackball.
Then I realize, Why am I restoring this game???
It is weird how a "NON-PROJECT" game turns into a project game so fast. The game itself is kinda lame, but suddenly its a finished project. You are proud of what you've done, but you start to ask WHY?? Why this game? Why not another? Why didn't I convert it?

Who else has run into this?
 
That's about the same with this one. Yeah, it looks good, but its a stupid game that might be worth what I have into it. If there is any bright side, its that I have a friend who is obsessed with darts and he does play it when he's over and if he ever had the extra money, he would probably take it.
 
That's what happened to me with Frontline and Clowns.

I got the Clowns game for free. The cabinet paint/art is kind of rough, but the front plexi was really nice. Currently about 85% done. I don't know if anyone will play it when finished - Ha. B/W games don't seem to get much love.

I got a frontline (empty cabinet) for free and was going to multi-jamma it, but decided that it would be nice to restore it. Stencils, redone metal, all new wiring. It looks great. 95% done.

I think I'm going to really enjoy the Frontline, though.
 
Clowns is one of the better B&W titles. I own one. I don't like to play 10 games in a row or anything but it is always a good time for one or two games.
 
I've purchased games simply because, "This one WORKS, and I don't have to do ANYTHING, and it's an ok game." Then I start to notice this bit of dirt..the joystick feels wobbly..the bumpers don't kick evenly..the flippers are sloppy..and god damn this thing is DIRTY. It always starts with cleaning. Then you figure, what's a few bucks in nuts and bolts to bring back the showroom shine? And this flaking paint..ugh. This game would look way better with a marquee in better shape. Stuff like that.

I have to keep fighting the urge to drop thousands on my Magic City. It's a beat-to-hell container game that I bought because it worked and stood up to a whole weekend at a convention, and it was cheap and played pretty well. Every time I open the damn thing up all I can think about is how much BETTER it would play with a new coil here, and a few new light sockets..and I'm sure there's repro plastics and backglass available. But when what about the playfield.

Damn this hobby.
 
Its hard not to just get something because its cheap. There is a 4 player tennis and an Atari basketball not that far from me for $50 for the pair. I love a deal, but unlike some hobbies, our deals are large and space consuming. But on the other hand, oh what a deal. And what could I do with them??
 
I got harassed by friends from turning a LCD 1 n 60 back into a CRT MS Pacman machine with original parts.

They call it my down grade Ms Pacman machine but I am happy with it.

Sometime we do thing not because the money we can make with it.

Just for the sure joy of having fun.
 
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