Breaking Down Arcade Game Machines

[Coach Carstens]

I live near Milwaukee, WI and I recently went to my first arcade auction.  I wanted to bid on so many things, but was unsure how much I could break down any type of machine.  I may be asking from ignorance here, but in general, how much can you break down a cab or a driving cab?  Also, what about those bowling things?  I heard they break down into 4-5 parts.  Are there sites on this type of thing, or maybe you experts could give me some tips/tricks.  The reason I ask is that my basement door i around a sharp corner, and I worry about being able to get stuff down there.

Thanks,

Chris

[daywane]

None of mine break down
I have seen a sight were a Father and son had to cut the machine in half to get it home and patched it back up. I do not have the link any more.

[spystyle]

Basements can be such a pain! I have arcade cabinets in my basement and they can only stand in certain areas becasue of low ceiling and pipes, take some measurements in your basement and around the door, maybe you could practice fitting things around that door with an empty refrigerator box?

There are many cabinets that are short if your basement ceiling is low, like Gauntlet and Low Boy cabs.

As for breaking down cabs : I own 4 factory cabs and the only thing that comes off is the control panel (should it be wider than the cabinet body)

If it's impossible to get a real cab in to your basement on account of that small door, you could build one and leave all the screws exposed, following my guide in the link below. Instead of patching and burying the screws leave them exposed, so you could back them out with your drill and dissassemble the cab. The screws are black so a flat black cab with exposed drywall screws would still look nice.

Or maybe you could talk to a carpenter about adding a larger door to your basement?

[mp2526]

Most Cabs I've seen are glued stapled and nailed together, and wouldn't come apart easily especially due to there age.  You would probably destroy them trying unless you were very careful.

[Coach Carstens]

Well, I was looking at some driving games during the auction, and it seems some seats,t cwere bolted on and would easily come off.  there were others that appeared like they might come off, but I wasn't fully able to tell.  Is there was way to tel if it may or may not come apart without actually doing it?

[RayB]

Driving games and sit-down cockpits are usually designed to split in half for hauling. but it will vary depending on WHICH driving game you're looking at whether or not the two halves will still fit down your stair well. I have the same problem as you and getting a standard upright down the stairs/corner is about as big as I can go.

~Ray B

[Sylentwulf]

The other problem is, any games that you DO happen to find that can be taken apart (which I have yet to see, other than the seats on driving cab's) Is that they're usually re-built at the arcade, THEN the artwork is put on, so if you take it apart, you'll be destroying the artwork as well.

[fredster]

Lots of driving machines break down, just bring a set of sockets/wrenches and a battery powered hand drill is always handy.

Most of the machines on the market were designed to be moved through a 36" door opening.  Otherwise, you can't get them in stores.

Next time you go, ask some of the people.  The guys who unload them sometimes help set them back up.  They can help you with that one.  Ask people around you if they know, you are amoung people who do it for a living so somebody there would be able to help.

I don't believe there is a standard way they design it.  Most of the time, double games come into 4 pieces.  Look at the bottom and you can see where they bolt together.  Most of the sit down cab games break into two pieces.

I hate big machines.  I don't buy very many of them.  I like my back the way it is without braces.

[menace]

I know a member (who shall remain nameless) who has broken down at least 3 machines and has reassembled them in his basement--I couldn't tell they had been taken apart!  If you are careful and have a good flat bar you can disassemble a cab without wrecking it.

[daz]

I have a dual sitdown cabinet that I am getting rid of right now. See my post in the buy/sell forum "Free cab in MN". You can see how the seats come off. This particular cabinet came apart very easily but still you are left with 2 heavy large parts. In fact,  the main reason I am getting rid of it is because of the size and bulk.

Jesse

[AlanS17]

It's been my experience that the only machines that comes in sections are driving games and over-sized cabs (like Showcases). I have a Super Hang-On that breaks into 2 pieces, and most Showcases (I believe) break into 3. Any upright machine with a 25" or less monitor is virtually guaranteed to be one solid chunk or wood, and I pity the person who thinks they can take it apart and re-assemble it successfully without a problem.