How Many Tokens Should I Get?

[Jamesbeat]

I am in the process of desiging a full-size upright Mame cab, and I intend to use coin mechs with tokens.

My current setup is a bartop, and the P1 & P2 start buttons are programmed to issue credits.
Using buttons instead of coin mechs makes it difficult to keep track of how many credits are being used, especially as there are four family members who use the machine.

I'd like to strike a good balance between having too many tokens ($$$) and not having enough (constantly having to empty the machine).

For those of you who use tokens or quarters etc, how much of a 'pool' do you suggest for one machine?

I know this is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' type question, but let me know your experiences.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Not sure on the amount you should get, but I thought you'd maybe want an AnyCoin Mech?  They take all coins including pennies, dimes, tokens, etc.  Perhaps this will make it easier to decide?

https://www.arcadeplastics.com/any-coin-mech

D

[Jamesbeat]

I already saw that actually, but thanks for the idea.

I'm planning something similar, but I'll probably just weld up a couple of sheet metal chutes instead of buying/nodding mechs.

The main reason I want tokens is for the extra realism they add to the experience, so I will still be needing tokens whether or not my mechs actually require them.
Using a motley collection of pennies, foreign coins and washers doesn't appeal to me

I have found that the lack of tokens has been an unexpected disappointment with my bartop. Just doesn't feel right.

[Token]

Jamesbeat, if you find a source that sells tokens in small quantities, please post it here. I've been looking but all the vendors want you to order in the thousands.

[vwalbridge]

I already saw that actually, but thanks for the idea.

I'm planning something similar, but I'll probably just weld up a couple of sheet metal chutes instead of buying/nodding mechs.

 

Talk about building a clock to tell time. DeL's suggestion was spot on.

[vwalbridge]

Jamesbeat, if you find a source that sells tokens in small quantities, please post it here. I've been looking but all the vendors want you to order in the thousands.

Boom

Poker Tokens

[lilshawn]

get however many tokens you want?

it's your machine, you can just open it up and take them back out if you want you know.

perhaps you misunderstood the purpose of the anymech....

the anymech is a chute that emulates the coin chinking through a mechanism sound... without the hassle of reject coins. it will take anything and reject nothing.

what you put in the slot is your business. you can put tokens if you like.

[Token]

Jamesbeat, if you find a source that sells tokens in small quantities, please post it here. I've been looking but all the vendors want you to order in the thousands.

Boom

Poker Tokens

Thank you! 

[wp34]

+1 one for anymech.  Fantastic and easy to use product.

I bought my tokens from Holland Computers.  They let you choose the qty.

http://www.hollandcomputers.com/store/pc/Arcade-amusement-game-token-designed-for-arcade-game-coin-boxes-984-7-8-Inch-Nichole-Plated-2397p6438.htm

[yotsuya]

I buy lots of token from eBay when I need to. I have 15 games that use them, so I need a lot.

Oh, and +1 on the AnyCoinMechs. Arcadenut has already done the work for you.

[lilshawn]

too bad the BYOAC token thing crashed and burned.  some great tokens where to be had.

anybody want to take a stab at 2016?

[Jamesbeat]

get however many tokens you want?

it's your machine, you can just open it up and take them back out if you want you know.

perhaps you misunderstood the purpose of the anymech....

the anymech is a chute that emulates the coin chinking through a mechanism sound... without the hassle of reject coins. it will take anything and reject nothing.

what you put in the slot is your business. you can put tokens if you like.

I understand what the Anymech is.

As to getting however many tokens I want, that is what I am trying to determine.

If I had one token, I would have to empty the machine every time I want to coin up.
If I had infinite tokens, I would never have to empty the machine.

There must be a reasonable number somewhere in between those two extremes where I would only have to empty the machine, say, once a week or so.

The question is, what is that number?

[yotsuya]

There must be a reasonable number somewhere in between those two extremes where I would only have to empty the machine, say, once a week or so.

The question is, what is that number?

42.

[harveybirdman]

So long and thanks for all the fish.

[pbj]

Go to Dave and Busters or Chuckie Cheese and buy your tokens from there.  Cheaper than you're going to get anywhere else.

[Jamesbeat]

I already saw that actually, but thanks for the idea.

I'm planning something similar, but I'll probably just weld up a couple of sheet metal chutes instead of buying/nodding mechs.

 

Talk about building a clock to tell time. DeL's suggestion was spot on.

I'm on a tight budget. Building a cab from scratch is expensive, as I'm sure everyone here is only too aware.
The money I would save by not buying Anymechs could go towards better glass, a tool that I need, or a bunch of tokens..

[Jamesbeat]

Go to Dave and Busters or Chuckie Cheese and buy your tokens from there.  Cheaper than you're going to get anywhere else.

The Chuck E Cheese by me has a coupon for 100 tokens for $20, which is $0.20 each.
Used tokens can be had for around half that on eBay.

My local D&B closed down a few months ago, so I don't know about their prices.

[wp34]

get however many tokens you want?

it's your machine, you can just open it up and take them back out if you want you know.

perhaps you misunderstood the purpose of the anymech....

the anymech is a chute that emulates the coin chinking through a mechanism sound... without the hassle of reject coins. it will take anything and reject nothing.

what you put in the slot is your business. you can put tokens if you like.

I understand what the Anymech is.

As to getting however many tokens I want, that is what I am trying to determine.

If I had one token, I would have to empty the machine every time I want to coin up.
If I had infinite tokens, I would never have to empty the machine.

There must be a reasonable number somewhere in between those two extremes where I would only have to empty the machine, say, once a week or so.

The question is, what is that number?

It all depends on how often you are going to play.  I've only played 5 games this week for example.  Start with 50 tokens and see how it goes.

[pbj]

Sure,  if you want a bunch of nasty old mismatched crap from defunct car washes, then go with ebay.

You want a bunch of clean, new tokens that you can actually use when you get sick of shoving them into your mame cabinet, go visit chuckle cheese.

[Token]

It's hard to know how many tokens you will need. Are you using MAME on a computer now? If so, how many "coins" do you use a day? My goal is to make it so I don't have to empty the coin mech until the kids go to bed and/or the guests leave.

For me, that means 100 should be enough unless we are having a dedicated gaming party or something. YMMV

And not to beat a dead horse, but the AnyCoin "coin-mechs" are $7.50 each. Best deal around for cabinet builders, IMO.

[Jamesbeat]

Sure,  if you want a bunch of nasty old mismatched crap from defunct car washes, then go with ebay.

You want a bunch of clean, new tokens that you can actually use when you get sick of shoving them into your mame cabinet, go visit chuckle cheese.

There's a seller on eBay right now that has various lots of used tokens that are all matching and have been polished in a tumbler for around 10 cents each depending on quantity.

Plus, a bunch of Chuck E Cheese tokens wouldn't last long since I have a 5 year old

[pbj]

Okay, then throw $50 at your boyfriend on ebay and stfu?

[lamprey]

How many machines do you have?
What is the peak amount of play you expect?
How often do you want to empty the machines?
Are you going to have a "bucket" for people to pick out of or a coin dispensing machine?

If you have 2-5 machines that don't get much play, you might be able to get buy with a couple hundred tokens. If you have 30+ machines and have 50 people playing all night things change.

[vwalbridge]

I already saw that actually, but thanks for the idea.

I'm planning something similar, but I'll probably just weld up a couple of sheet metal chutes instead of buying/nodding mechs.

 

Talk about building a clock to tell time. DeL's suggestion was spot on.

I'm on a tight budget. Building a cab from scratch is expensive, as I'm sure everyone here is only too aware.
The money I would save by not buying Anymechs could go towards better glass, a tool that I need, or a bunch of tokens..

Dude, this thread is hilarious.   

Also, (as the old saying goes) if can't find $7.50 for an "any Coin mech"...then you are in the wrong hobby.

[Jamesbeat]

Okay, then throw $50 at your boyfriend on ebay and stfu?

No need to spit your pacifier out.
You answered a question I didn't ask with information that was incorrect.
Respectfully suggest that you stfu

[Jamesbeat]

I already saw that actually, but thanks for the idea.

I'm planning something similar, but I'll probably just weld up a couple of sheet metal chutes instead of buying/nodding mechs.

 

Talk about building a clock to tell time. DeL's suggestion was spot on.

I'm on a tight budget. Building a cab from scratch is expensive, as I'm sure everyone here is only too aware.
The money I would save by not buying Anymechs could go towards better glass, a tool that I need, or a bunch of tokens..

Dude, this thread is hilarious.   

Also, (as the old saying goes) if can't find $7.50 for an "any Coin mech"...then you are in the wrong hobby.

$15 for two mechs.
I have a strict budget of $250 to complete my cab (though I already have pc, monitor, encoders, controls and a few other items).
I'm broke because I just bought a new lathe, does that men I shouldn't build a cab because I don't have room in my budget for mechs I don't need?

[Jamesbeat]

I already saw that actually, but thanks for the idea.

I'm planning something similar, but I'll probably just weld up a couple of sheet metal chutes instead of buying/nodding mechs.

 

Talk about building a clock to tell time. DeL's suggestion was spot on.

I'm on a tight budget. Building a cab from scratch is expensive, as I'm sure everyone here is only too aware.
The money I would save by not buying Anymechs could go towards better glass, a tool that I need, or a bunch of tokens..

Dude, this thread is hilarious.   

Also, (as the old saying goes) if can't find $7.50 for an "any Coin mech"...then you are in the wrong hobby.

$15 for two mechs.
I have a strict budget of $250 to complete my cab (though I already have pc, monitor, encoders, controls and a few other items).
I'm broke because I just bought a new lathe, does that mean I shouldn't build a cab because I don't have room in my budget for mechs I don't need?

[lamprey]

$15 for two mechs.
I have a strict budget of $250 to complete my cab (though I already have pc, monitor, encoders, controls and a few other items).
I'm broke because I just bought a new lathe, does that men I shouldn't build a cab because I don't have room in my budget for mechs I don't need?

I think the point is that you can use the coin mechs for other types of "tokens" (i.e. Pennies) since token are probably more than the mechs.

[pbj]

Good luck, kid.

[8BitMonk]

Apparently this is WAY too rich Jamesbeat's blood but for anyone else looking for some unique arcade tokens I just picked up some from Arcade Otaku. A little pricey (~$30 with shipping for 50 tokens) but they're brand new and fairly unique.

Since the name roughly translates in 'arcade obsession' it's appropriate for most of us. 

[Jamesbeat]

Good luck, kid.

Thanks.
I already have a list of everything I need, and it comes to just under $250.
Like I said, I already have a lot of what I need.
I'm gutting my bartop and transferring the parts to an upright, not building from scratch.

[vwalbridge]

You should start a build thread under the "Project Announcement" section.

[Jamesbeat]

You should start a build thread under the "Project Announcement" section.

I was going to, but I'm not sure I want to any more.

[RandyT]

You only need one token.  Rig the coin mech so it rejects anything you put in it (or use one meant for quarters), and rig a switch into the reject path.  Pick it out of the return hole and re-use it as many times as you want

[harveybirdman]

I was going to, but I'm not sure I want to any more.

You're new around here so let me let you in on a little secret...

pbj gotta pbj


Do a project thread, and don't be troubled by peoples opinions.

[vwalbridge]

You only need one token.  Rig the coin mech so it rejects anything you put in it (or use one meant for quarters), and rig a switch into the reject path.  Pick it out of the return hole and re-use it as many times as you want

You missed the part where he wants to track how many credits are being used.

Using buttons instead of coin mechs makes it difficult to keep track of how many credits are being used, especially as there are four family members who use the machine.

[yotsuya]

You should start a build thread under the "Project Announcement" section.

I was going to, but I'm not sure I want to any more.

If you're gonna get butthurt after a little PBJing, then I think I can safely say we don't want you to, either.

[8BitMonk]

You only need one token.

[pbj]

Most of us don't use tokens for very long.  I can understand his desire to use them as I shared it briefly.  If he chunks $20 at Chuckle Cheese and uses their tokens, it gives him a chance to inexpensively test the experience.  If he decides he likes tokens, he can invest in more from e-bay when his disposable income situation improves.  If he doesn't like the tokens, he takes his kid to the arcade and they have a fun afternoon spending those tokens.

[RandyT]

You missed the part where he wants to track how many credits are being used.

Why would this be any different than a coin mech?  Or even a credit button?  Same use of a switch to send an impulse to a controller and/or counter indicating that a coin has been dropped or button pressed. 

Will each family member be getting their own branded tokens to spend in the machine? 

This is starting to sound like one of those "Mr. Lincoln, how long do you think a man’s legs should be?" questions.

Most of us don't use tokens for very long.  I can understand his desire to use them as I shared it briefly.  If he chunks $20 at Chuckle Cheese and uses their tokens, it gives him a chance to inexpensively test the experience.  If he decides he likes tokens, he can invest in more from e-bay when his disposable income situation improves.  If he doesn't like the tokens, he takes his kid to the arcade and they have a fun afternoon spending those tokens.

Best advice I have heard.    I was going to suggest just using quarters.  They only cost 25 cents each and you can always sell them for what you paid for them.