My summer projects

[Paul Olson]

I have been around here long enough that I pretty much know what needs to be done to get and keep my MAME cab working. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about restoring original games, so I will probably have a lot of questions.

About a week ago, I bought my first dedicated cabinet, a Ridge Racer for $200. I thought that would give me a fun project to work on for the summer. Turns out, there isn't too much involved on that one. I need to work out some monitor issues, and do some more cleaning, but it is fully playable.

For the last year, I have been driving past a house that had 3 games in the garage. I don't know how it took me a year to go talk to the guy but it did. I actually went to ask him if he had any problems with heat or cold keeping them in the garage, since my Ridge Racer has to stay out there (he said just don't turn them on when it gets really cold, and I'll be fine). We started talking, and he said he might get rid of them, of course, I said I might be interested. I ended up going home while he called his wife to discuss it (one of them was hers). He called me a few minutes later, and said he would give them to me, I just needed to pick them up. 

The Space Invaders looks like it is in pretty good shape, but it is not working. He said it worked about 10 years ago, but the board died and he couldn't find a replacement. I can find a board, I'm just hoping to find one for a good price. I would appreciate any advice I can get on this cab. I am starting to read up on restorations, but I really do not know much about boards and all the original parts.
What is the best thing to do with the side art? from the wear on the edges, it looks like it was painted on, but it is cracking with age.



The Zaxxon works. It needs a little TLC, but it isn't bad. Last night, I tightened up the stick and and got the trigger working. Player 1 start button isn't working, I'm going to have to trace the wires on that one, It looks fine at the CP. The Hole for the screw to mount the handle on the base was really worn. I had to grind down a washer to the right size so it would hold it tight. Seems to work great so far. OH yeah, I still suck at Zaxxon. 

[danny_galaga]

sweeeeettttttt! thats a pretty hard freebie to top!