A question about Coin Mechs.

[Isometric Bacon]

I did a quick search of the forum, and I couldn't find something that exactly answered my question, so I decided to post here.

I was looking at coin mechs today at a local arcade suppliers, and the cheapest styles they had were the old school mechanical ones for around $25 AUD. This is a reasonable price, and I thought I might go for it. However, I really feel that this type of coin mech wouldn't suit my cabinet. It's just too retro. (it's the 80's style, metal with a metal faceplace) Kind of like this one. I guess i'll go with it if I can't find a better substitute.



What I was looking for, is one with the plastic face and LED lit (red) return buttons. You know, the more modern styled ones. However, the closest thing he had to one, was an electric coin mech, and with a price tag of $150, I decided against it.

My question is would these metal styled coin mechs wire up fine? and what are the advantages of a electronic one as opposed to a mechanical one?

Also, my final question, are you able to get mechanical (or cheaper) coin mechs with the plastic facia? I'm looking to fit one into a 2 bit coin door, (top and under) similar to the one seen on Vectorasters Cabinet

[SirPeale]

It sounds like you're talking about the entire door, and not just the mech inside.

The silver thing you have pictured, IIRC is a mech from a Nintendo cabinet.

[zzsprade]

Isometric Bacon,

Mate you have got me all confused here... either that or its to bloody early in the morning. So anyhow I know where you are coming from about finding coin doors and mechs in Australia... they are really expensive and hard to come buy. I'll see if I can help you out at all... but if i stuff up my appologies mate.

1. An electronic mech allows different coins to be registered (ie $1, $2, 50c , 20c etc), where as a mechanical mech is limited to just one coin type... 20c is really common.

2. Ok essentially it is more if the plastic facia will fit a mechanical mech on the back... that I am not sure. But if you are desperate you could always rig something so that the plastic facia is on the front, you insert a coin, it goes down say chute which drops into the top of a mechanical mech and if it rejects is comes down through another chute to the coin reject slot on the plastic facia. That is only if you are desperate for on of these plastic facias and it doesnt fit.

3. Now this is where you have really stumped me. If you buy an over/under as I did then it will fit the mechanical mechs and it comes with all the slots, coin rejects etc... so I am curious as to where the plastic facia comes into it.

Now if you are looking for cheaper stuff then I can only suggest ebay in oz, and in particular mark.c from melbourne. He regularly has old used stuff on ebay. I picked up off him an old ---smurfy--- over under that needed work (but I won it for $5... for me that was worth getting for the the work). It had everything except the coin mechs so I won them in another auction of his for like $10 or so. I put some work into it... stripped it and now have a gold over/under similar to the one you posted. He is a good man mate, so I can only suggest him. I hoped I haven't a) confused you more or b) made an ass of myself. I hope it helps!

-Alex

[Wade]

What you are asking about is not really a question of classic vs. modern, it is really a question of which "style" of door.  Both styles of doors pictured have been around since the early 80's, the difference is the top one is nintendo style and the lower one is an atari style.

All you need to do is find an entire coin door assembly with mechs in the style you want, on ebay or otherwise.  I doubt you need an electric mech, all you probably want it to do is accept a coin or token anyway, right?

Wade

[Howard_Casto]

Just for the record and only for the record, the mech assembly pictured originally isn't a nintendo mech, it's some sort of nintendo-like reproduction. You can tell because the reject button is to the side rather than being inline with the rest of the mechanics and the coin slot isn't tilted (a nintendo trademark)  Also nintedo coin doors used electro mechanical mechs.  These appear to be straight microswitches, although I can't really tell at this angle.  Very nice though.  

[SirPoonga]

I don't know if they make plastic coin doors.  That wouldn;t be too secure.

You can get coin doors cheap off ebay.  I got mine for $10 US, just need to strip the paint and repaint.

[Isometric Bacon]

Now if you are looking for cheaper stuff then I can only suggest ebay in oz, and in particular mark.c from melbourne. He regularly has old used stuff on ebay. I picked up off him an old ---smurfy--- over under that needed work (but I won it for $5... for me that was worth getting for the the work). It had everything except the coin mechs so I won them in another auction of his for like $10 or so. I put some work into it... stripped it and now have a gold over/under similar to the one you posted. He is a good man mate, so I can only suggest him. I hoped I haven't a) confused you more or b) made an ass of myself. I hope it helps!

-Alex

Thanks, heh. This is pretty much what I have done. I've got a door of him, (over/under case) that was old as hell, but I didn't care because it was only $5. What this basically was, was the door frame, the bottom door, the case behind the door (just an empty metal case, I probably should take a photo) and nothing else at all. I imagine all I need is a mech and facia to fit it right? I had a look through his parts awhile back, but I didn't know what mechs were the right size, and what would fit it... I would do buisness with him again though, it was a good transaction.

Failing that, I might just look for a complete door assembly. Unfortunately there's nothing like it on ebay... (Aus) any other ideas? I'm particularly looking for the "Atari" style of door, like seen on Vectorasters cab.

Oh, and btw, the "nintendo" style mech is just a random picture I got of ebay. The mech i'm referring to has a very similar metal facia, with those buttons.

The guy at the local arcade parts wasn't exactly clear in explaining everything that I asked him, which is why I was a bit confused. He doesn't seem to have anything of the kind, (a full door type assembly) just the electronic mechs and the older "nintendo" style of mechs.

[paigeoliver]

The type of mech you keep calling a "Nintendo" type is a fairly common coin acceptor used in things besides just arcade games. You don't even really need a door with that kind of mech.

[grafixmonkey]

looks to me like the top thing with the metal plate is designed to be a fully contained cheap coin system - it has a little bar for the coin to rest in if it's returned instead of a bin with a flapping door, and a simple cut slot instead of a lit reject button/slot assembly.   It's not just a mech, and not designed to be added to the back of a separate acceptor slot like a mech is.

I looked at those too, but figured getting a coin slot that didn't look good just for the purpose of making my cab look authentic, wouldn't be quite what I wanted.

[Isometric Bacon]

*BUMP*

Is there anyone out there who can give me an idea where I can get one of the coin mech's/facia's in Australia, or for relatively cheap anywhere close?

Thanks.

[Zzap]

Ozstick have the one's you showed above http://www.ozstick.com.au
Highway also seem to have a few different coin mechs and doors here: http://www.highway.net.au

Also, check out eBay, they sometimes have a few.

Zzap

[Isometric Bacon]

Thanks for your help. I don't want the "old" style nintendo mechs with the metal facia.

This is basically the coin door I have, (as seen from highway.net) but I got it from Mark C on ebay.


http://www.highway.net.au/parts/coin_accessories/10.html

I'm looking for a facia for it, and I was surprised to see that the one on highway.net is $100 *gulp* Isn't it just a plastic facia? Will this one fit? and is there anywhere else I can get it cheaper? because I assume i'll have to buy 1p and 2p mechs after this right?


http://www.highway.net.au/parts/coin_accessories/965.html

And would this coin mech fit those doors? (i'd need 2 right?)

http://www.highway.net.au/parts/coin_mechs/381.html

Thanks

[SirPeale]

Now, that's a gyp!  Selling the bottom for dirt cheap, but paying thru the nose for the rest.

I would have held out for a complete unit.  But then again, pickings may be slim in .au