| Arcade Collecting > Restorations & repair |
| Trying to save this Franken-Pac (should have killed it with fire) |
| (1/10) > >> |
| Keroppi:
So my sister linked me to this franken-pac for only $50! This was the only picture I had to go off of...the art looked to be in good condition, though there was clearly a bit of rough at the bottom edge: ...so I messaged the guy, and he didn't know anything about it (he was having a garage sale) but I asked him to hold it until I could get there (he agreed) and headed down. Once I arrived, he told me that someone had just tried to buy it but he held it as agreed. Once I got a look at the cab, my first reaction was to turn tail and leave, but since he missed a sale for me, and I knew it was worth at least $50 in parts, I loaded it and left. I was hesitant because the whole bottom of the cab is a goner. Water damage to the base, and some wood-boring insect has turned the bottom 4"-8" on the front and one side into swiss cheese. The bottom panel is only even attached on the one (better) side leaving it like the leaning tower of pisa: So, I spliced in a new cord, checked the fuses, and powered it up. Lo and behold, it boots. Came with Mike Doyle's wonderful 96-in-1 also, which was worth the price alone. Other than desperately needing a cap kit, the only issue is the board: it has a weird issue with the sprites, where they show/move only in the upper left quadrant, and wrap over the displayed maze and through the screen. A video of what I mean is here: If anyone can chime in on what to check, I'd appreciate it. I read most sprite placement issues seem to stem from chips 1E/2E so I put those on order. Even if I parted the cab, I'd still like to get the board fixed up first. I've done bondo and basic cab repairs, but I have never done any extensive woodworking like replacing a whole bottom chunk of a cab. Doing it back like original/properly will require dados, rabbets, and biscuits. All stuff I have not done. On one hand, it's a ton of work that will give me new skills. On the other hand, I had no original intention on re-stenciling the cab, or making it concours perfect. I had hoped for mild cab repair, some touch ups, and putting back the pac pieces and having a decent looking player machine. Even after repairing the cab I will have to put a TON more work/money into making it presentable (especially the kickplate), which at that point I'd might as well go all out and make it mint. If I was going for mint, this is clearly the wrong cab to start with. I really wanted a pacman, and tbh it's difficult to consider stripping a classic like this and sending it to the arcade high in the sky, but...what would you do? |
| Titchgamer:
In terms of the woodwork you could maybe make a boot/stand for it to contain the bottom of the cab? After its been patched up/treated of course. |
| Keroppi:
--- Quote from: Titchgamer on April 08, 2019, 04:45:13 pm ---In terms of the woodwork you could maybe make a boot/stand for it to contain the bottom of the cab? After its been patched up/treated of course. --- End quote --- What, you mean like one of those 1-up arcade bases? Nah, if I'm going to bother I am going to repair the cab itself. If I would be willing to cut and corners, it's be do things like attach the base with metal L brackets and extra blocks instead of dados, etc. |
| Titchgamer:
--- Quote from: Keroppi on April 08, 2019, 05:09:08 pm --- --- Quote from: Titchgamer on April 08, 2019, 04:45:13 pm ---In terms of the woodwork you could maybe make a boot/stand for it to contain the bottom of the cab? After its been patched up/treated of course. --- End quote --- What, you mean like one of those 1-up arcade bases? Nah, if I'm going to bother I am going to repair the cab itself. If I would be willing to cut and corners, it's be do things like attach the base with metal L brackets and extra blocks instead of dados, etc. --- End quote --- Kind of I guess yeah, I was thinking something a little more elaborate though heh. Its the only way I could see you saving that in original condition without some serious work. |
| Keroppi:
Yeah, it will require serious work to even stabilize it. It's serious work or trash heap. |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Next page |