source for tokens?

[papaschtroumpf]

My kid's friends are pocketing the quarters in my game room!
I switched to using washers instead (I don't have a real coin acceptor, just a slot in a panel with a cherry switch rigged to trigger when you insert it)
Any idea where I could get some kind of tokens that would look like money (better than washers) for cheap?
The hoyle brand poker chips are too "plastic" looking.

[Thenasty]

are you in NJ ? I have COIN mech that comes with 200 tokens for $10.00.

[TalkingOctopus]

You can buy them at Happ, but I don't think they will be considered incredibly cheap.

[JustMichael]

Have you tried Ebay?  

[Lilwolf]

What I did is take the coin mechs out and hacked them (removed everything I could) and added straws to make them accept all coins... just make sure that the coin goes down the slot you want.

Then put pennies out.

Makes for a GREAT coin jar!

[Wade]

Try emailing sweetestcocguy@aol.com, I bought 500 used 0.900 23mm tokens from him for $15.

Wade

[Captain Rotundo]

What about custom MAME logo tokens?
Custom tokens arent too expensive in quantity, and it would make a nice addition
If enough people were interrested it may be worthwhile

[papaschtroumpf]

I like that! anyone knows of a source and price range?
By the way, how many tokens are "enough", so that you don't constantly have to go dig in the coin bucket?

[dirt]

What about custom MAME logo tokens?
Custom tokens arent too expensive in quantity, and it would make a nice addition
If enough people were interrested it may be worthwhile

i'd be in on that.


dirt

[mp2526]

http://www.tokensdirect.com

I believe there is a $195 die fee for custom tokens (that's $195 per side, or you can use one of their stock designs).  5000 minimum for custom tokens and they run approx.  $72-$76 per 1000 depending on the size.  The price per 1000 get cheaper the more you buy.  I came across this site while researching for my company and they are about the cheapest I can find.  My company is in the process of creating custom tokens to be given away with coin mechs and doors that we will sell to the hobbiest/individual MAME type user at more of a hobbiest price.  We will probably be open within the next month or two.  The URL is http://www.miavio.com (not much to look at right now).

[papaschtroumpf]

Any idea on the type of prices you guys might charge?

[Captain Rotundo]

I actually found tokensdirect.  unless someone sees there is a market for mame tokens the quantity/prices required seem a little high for a few guys chipping in.  I hope the previous posters company offers a decent product
- of course next time I have a spare grand I'll look into it!

[mp2526]

Any idea on the type of prices you guys might charge?

Still in the process of securing some of the suppliers, so I don't have any price points yet.  The whole arcade/mame idea is more of an off shoot of the original intent of the company, but the ultimate goal is to make the products as affordable as possible.  We intend to add value to the products and specifically market to the hobbyist.  Again, it's more of a side business for the company, we are in design and research phase for other product lines in other areas, but that's not to say we are not serious about this line of business either.  I'll let you know more as we progress.

[telengard]

My kid's friends are pocketing the quarters in my game room!
I switched to using washers instead (I don't have a real coin acceptor, just a slot in a panel with a cherry switch rigged to trigger when you insert it)
Any idea where I could get some kind of tokens that would look like money (better than washers) for cheap?
The hoyle brand poker chips are too "plastic" looking.

I bought a bunch of tokens on eBay ( which has been mentioned ) but mostly for collecting.   I wanted ones for some of the arcades I frequented as a kid.  I've seen bulk token auctions too.   Also, have you tried any of the vending machine dealers in your area?
Maybe a locking coin door would help.  

[2slk]

 One of my friends modified his mechs to register anything as a credit - pennies, dimes, slugs, tokens - whatever. Makes a cool way to save all your change. If you are stuck on Tokens though, Ebay is probably the way to go.

[mp2526]

I would agree, that eBay is probably the best current way to get some tokens.  I currently have about 500 used tokens for my setup at home that came from a guy off eBay, but I forget his username, he sells the nickel plated ones, which I prefer.  They work perfect in my altered quarter mechs.  I used to have a search on "Tokens" set up in eBay to email me when new stuff comes along and he would pop up every now and then.

[shmokes]

I say, for the original problem, get yourself a real coindoor.  They're expensive if you get them new from Happ, but you can pick one up on Ebay for what you'll end up paying for a bunch of tokens.

A locking coindoor would not only solve your problem with disappearing quarters, but it would also look quite a bit nicer than a slot cut in the front of your cab.  

The biggest downside to tokens, in my opinion, is the loss of the great piggybank a coindoor makes.  Just bite the bullet and buy one, and then tell your wife that every quarter that gets dropped in the door will go toward paying off the coindoor for the next however long that takes.  There...it paid for itself  

[Lilwolf]

btw, if they get too expensive...

you can always get lots of 50 at chucky cheeses for about 20 bucks

If anyone is serious about getting mame tokens... I would be up for getting some.  I think it would be over my pricerange...

but If enought of us get together, it might be doable... and sudo-cheap.

And it might be a good additional item to sell for Andy or Oscar.  They might be able to sell a few hundred with ever few encoders / spinners... If they are looking for more items to sell..

[mp2526]

Not that I'm promising anything in the real immediate future, but if I where to buy a quantity of tokens, what is the typical diameter most of you would like to have.  I'm partial to .984 but some like .900.  Also, what designs would you like to see on them?  I would guess the Mame logo would be an obvious choice.  Does anyone hold a copyright on the logo that I would need to get permission to use before putting them on a token?

[Radical]

What makes you think they won't take the tokens also?  

[Lilwolf]

Why not try to get them the same size as a quarter... so most of the coin mechs work with them?

But I hacked my coin mechs to take any coin... So its not a big deal to me on the size.

And I don't think there is an issue with the mame logo.  Its pretty much everywhere 'emulation' related...

but go and ask over on the mame board... You will probably get more people wanting some.

Before you do order though (if you really consider it).  Get a quote and send the prices around.

[tmasman]

the actual cost (MAME logo on one side, generic logo on the other, 5000 tokens, + shipping) will be just under $600...

To make it worth putting up that kind of money I would expect them to be sold for like $18 (+ shipping) for 100 tokens. (& 250 for $40)

I would be willing to do this if I KNEW I could sell enough to get my money back, but I would have to sell 35 lots of 100 (or 15 lots of 250) to recoup the $$$.

If some one is willing to front that kind of money, step up... Otherwise this will just be another "I wish" type banter...

[_Iz-]

Stop supplying coins and make the kids bring their own...  The tokens will vanish too because they "look cool" or they'll discover they work at the nearby arcade as well and keep them for that...

Put a "coin-up" button(s) under the control panel.

[Pipercub]

That is how my machines are all set up. On all of them I have a small black SPST pushbutton in parallel with the coil mech microswitch. The switch is hidden under the control pannel. I am interested in going to tokens though just for the authenticity.

[Lilwolf]

Well, for 20 bucks with shipping... I bet you would get a few orders.  And in a few months they would be gone.  I would love to get some!

And since they would be cheaper then a quarter (20c) per... They are almost worth taking your own down to chucky cheese... but they might get pissed...

btw, they might not (legal reasons) sell any that will work in a happs quarter coin mech.  Good question to ask.

But I would be in for 100... I would have to find a way to tell my wife without her hitting me...  So I wouldn't count me in on a DEFINATE 100... but a probable hundred... And if you had them for a month or so... An almost definate 100....  

[Captain Rotundo]

Well I would order mame tokens (say the mame logo on the obverse and a "1 credit" standard thing on the reverse) as well but in doing the math I just don't see how enough people would pay for them to make them worth while.  and believe me I thought about it...  having a spare 4000 tokens that I paid $500-$600 isnot my idea of a good investment

maybe I'm wrong, maybe more people would want them... if so we should get a count of how many and how much they'd be willing to pay. at $600 if we could get 15 people to chip in 40$ pluss shipping (I would assume we'd have someone make the order that everyone trusts with thier money, and that wouldn't be me since I'm fairly new here) every one could get 300 tokens, and that leaves 10% (most places have an up to 10% error rate allowed per order)

If you don't want three hundred then maybe you could resell some.... and of course after the outlay for the mame logo die future tokens would be cheaper per 5000 lot.

[mp2526]

Just an FYI, I'm seriously in the process of ordering tokens.  They will be .984 which is slightly larger than a quarter (token companies won't make a quarter sized tokens as people might use them as slugs to rip off vending machines).  Since my company does have assets, although limited at the moment, I'm trying to get permission from the Mame guys to use their logo, I don't want to piss anyone off.

As these will also serve a marketing purpose for my company, one side would be my company name/logo, the other would be the Mame logo (I'll eat the $195 charge for my company logo die as a marketing cost).  I have to figure out my budget as I didn't originally plan for this cost, so I can't give you any prices right now, but it will definately be under $20 for 100 tokens (not including shipping).  It will probably be a month before I actually get the order off, so if you guys can wait and you don't mind my company logo on one side, then I think you will be happy with the results.  I might also in the future, be open to the idea of various other token designs as well.

[jcoleman]

Would there be interest in .900 tokens as well?  I have been pursuing this for a few days. BTW coin mechs are adjustable (at least some are).  

John

[Captain Rotundo]

I look foward to your tokens mp2526.  I was not ignoring you, I am simply a hands on person that likes figuring things out for myself, add that to the amount of times I've heard "I/My company will....." with no action and you can understand... I will definately look into your products as soon as they are available, but will also look into my own DIY methods in the meantime.

[grafixmonkey]

Try emailing sweetestcocguy@aol.com, I bought 500 used 0.900 23mm tokens from him for $15.

Wade

I second the suggestion, the guy's pretty great.  Expect to clean them in some vinegar though.

And yes, Happ is mondo expensive.  I think they come out to $0.16 to $0.18 per token, where the guy Wade mentioned comes out to something like $0.03 per token, depending how easily he gets his current shipment.

By the way, your kid's friends might pocket the tokens too.  Especially if they can be used in a local arcade.  (and I bet they'll try it too.)  I know that I could take my tokens down to the local TILT and play games for 3 cents a pop with the tokens I have.  I'm not going to because that'd be pretty nasty to do, but kids don't think along those lines.

You might also be interested in my current cab addition project...  I'm using the quarter mechs that came with my door, but rigging optical switches at the tops of the chutes so that everything will trigger a credit...  but tokens will return to the reject bin to be reused, and quarters will fall to the piggy bank inside.  The circuit is fairly simple, and I think you can get everything at Radio Shack.

[Thenasty]

could we see a pic/toturial of that optical circuit that you built ?

[DarkKobold]

Will these work in normal quarter mechs? If so, count me in!

[grafixmonkey]

could we see a pic/toturial of that optical circuit that you built ?

Am building...   not quite built yet...  gotta make some cardboard doohickeys or something to hold the sensors in place around the coin chute.  also have to find the correct resistors to drive these components, but that shouldn't be difficult, just have to actually get down and do it.

Will these work in normal quarter mechs? If so, count me in!

Should work in any mechs.  I'm using them on Happs quarter mechs.  It will work with no mech too, since I'm using a part of the coin chute to do it.  It can also be powered directly from the IPAC using the power pins on the LED header.

What I'm doing is finding a hole where I can see through the coin chute, that is blocked when a coin passes through.  Then I place a light emitter (I'm using infrared) on one side of the chute and a light detector on the other side.  Probably held in place by a little bit of cardboard stuff and maybe some hot glue.  The light detector spits out 5v when there is no light, and 0v when there is light.  So, it works similar to a pushbutton switch as far as the IPAC is concerned.

[papaschtroumpf]

Any update on that optical circuit? My mechanical coin switch died and I'm thinking about going optical.

[screaming]

Let me start off by saying that I am VERY interested in ordering custom tokens, and I'm happy that this has already been discussed to some extent (if it wasn't, I was going to start it ).

the actual cost (MAME logo on one side, generic logo on the other, 5000 tokens, + shipping) will be just under $600...

  Okay, that sounds reasonable.  I would be willing to spend $50 for 400 custom tokens (50/(600/5000) = ~400).

To make it worth putting up that kind of money I would expect them to be sold for like $18 (+ shipping) for 100 tokens. (& 250 for $40)

  Well there seems to be enough interest right here in this thread. Why can't we get someone to volunteer to be the runner-man to collect money and order the tokens?  I would definitely volunteer to be that person, but I've only been posting here for a couple days.. You people don't know me yet  We'd need someone like saint to do it.

  That said, I think the hardest part is going to be getting everyone to agree on a design.  I would say having one side with a BYOAC logo (maybe the ball-top joystick?) on it is almost a definite. The other side?  Unfortunately I don't think everyone's cabs are MAME-specific, so a MAME logo wouldn't work. A naked chick? Hell, I'd go for that, but I don't think other people (or other people's spouses ) would. a Pacman/donkey kong 'collage' might work, or a simple 'ONE PLAY' text..

What do you guys think?

/Steve

[mp2526]

FYI, the $600 quote from above only gets you one side custom artwork, the other side would have to be chosen from their stock designs, else you would have to add another $195 to the cost.

[mp2526]

Also, www.hoffmanmint.com sells tokens as well, their 5000 custom price per 1000 is $69 with a $195 custom die fee (die fee applies per side).  In fact, they will do custom lots in smaller amounts than 5000.  Its more expensive per piece cost, but here are the prices for their .984 custom tokens.

Qty     Price/1000
1000   $179
2000   $112
3000   $88
5000   $69
10000 $63
25000 $62

Tokens Direct is cheaper at the 25000 lot, but I doubt you guys are going to go for that many, and they don't offer custom prices for anything lower than 5000.

[screaming]

Also, www.hoffmanmint.com sells tokens as well, their 5000 custom price per 1000 is $69 with a $195 custom die fee (die fee applies per side).  In fact, they will do custom lots in smaller amounts than 5000.  Its more expensive per piece cost, but here are the prices for their .984 custom tokens.

Qty     Price/1000
1000   $179
2000   $112
3000   $88
5000   $69
10000 $63
25000 $62

Tokens Direct is cheaper at the 25000 lot, but I doubt you guys are going to go for that many, and they don't offer custom prices for anything lower than 5000.

Wow! That's great info! Okay, since no one's really stepping up to the plate on this, I will now.   If you're interested in custom tokens for your cab, PM me or post here.  Price will totally depend on the number of responses I get.  Once we get enough people to commit to buying, we can start talking about design, etc.

I am very interested in having my own unique tokens for my cab, but it's definitely too financially restrictive to do it by myself (not to mention, I don't exactly need 5000 tokens).. and I'm sure many of you feel the same. I think it will add a nice touch to having my own arcade.. besides, I spent $100 for my 4p coin door, might as well spend a couple more beans to get to use it

/Steve

[Chris]

Just posting on this thread so that those involved in this "custom token" discussion will know that this has finally happened, in case they've managed to miss the other hundred threads on the subject.  See http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=19225 for preorder information for the BYOAC tokens.

--Chris

[AmericanDemon]

::;  Talk about Necroposting.