Tricking out a Make Trax?

[zzaz3]

Hello all!

So, a buddy of mine is selling a Make Trax for $150.  It's working fine, but the screen flickers occasionally.  I'm probably going to buy it.  Do you guys think thats a good deal?

If so, how should I go about making this a 'custom' arcade machine.  Like installing a computer and putting in more controls.  I understand making a cabinet from scratch, but I'm lost when it comes to this.  Any ideas?

Thanks! 

[CheffoJeffo]

Would be incredibly bad form to kill a working classic ... so don't.

From the FAQ:

Please do be mindful that we don't destroy what we're trying to re-create.  Many classic arcade machines are rare and worth a heck of a lot more intact than altered.  Ideal candidates for this type of project are machines that have already been abused by previous owners - artwork destroyed, poorly converted, etc...  If you have a classic cabinet in good shape, you can probably sell it to a collector and get a trashed but usable cabinet in the bargain.

For an example of why you shouldn't kill a Make Trax cab, have a look at this one raised from the dead:

http://www.cgcc.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18652&sid=2da3cb0f94bd972fea3eaeb408754a20

[zzaz3]

I had no idea...   

How much do you think it's worth?  Is there anything I should look at when I go to pick it up? 

[Silas (son of Silas)]

Dunno what its worth, but like classic cars, its worth more to many people than its value in £££ (ok, so this is a forum inundated with people from the other side of the pond so $$$  )

A good rule of thumb is trick out your own build, preserve an original.

If I were you, I'd buy it, restore it, enjoy it 

[bkenobi]

Only if the cab has decent side art and a board set.  If it's a crap cab, then sell the guts and hack away.   

But, to each his own I guess.  I've never seen/played that game, so I have no appreciation for it's "classic" status.

[zzaz3]

Well, I bought it and I'm picking it up some time next week.  I have no idea what I'm gonna do with it.

Any tips on restoring this old cabinet.  Or does it even need restoring?  Also, he said something about how the screen flickers occasionally.  You think it's just a loose connection or what?

Oh and any tips on how I should go about moving this thing from his house to mine would be greatly appreciated.   

Thanks for the feedback!  I got some pictures for anyone who cares to see.

[SirPeale]

Make Trax is awesome.  Heck, most Williams games are. 

As for the flicker, it could be anything from bad caps to bad solder joints, a loose connection...many different things.

[zzaz3]

So what do you think I should do with it?  Restore it?  Leave it as it is?  Sell it?  or do what bkenobi said?

[SirPeale]

If you don't care about the machine itself, there are collectors that will make sure that you get a cab you can Mame to your hearts content, and that the Make Trax will be well taken care of.

What state do you live in?

[zzaz3]

I live near Atlanta, Georgia.  I'd be happy to sell/trade it to someone who might value it more.  I'm more of a Neo-Geo guy myself, so Make Trax is just another arcade machine to me.