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Author Topic: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!  (Read 3228 times)

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Turnarcades

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Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« on: September 28, 2009, 11:23:12 pm »
From many years on the scene and starting up Turnarcades in a difficult economy, I personally believe UK arcade enthusiasts are seriously short-changed compared to our american cousins when it comes to building our arcade machines, restoring cabinets and generally keeping the arcade spirit alive. I feel that as small a nation we are, the enormity of the arcade scene back in the day in this country was second only to America. This is evident from the number of British members on forums like this, the efforts to bring conventions on the hobby back (ie Insert Coin '09) and the trade that other UK-based vendors like us find ourselves lucky enough to receive.

Unfortunately, from my own enquiries, trade experience and conversations with forum members and other vendors, it is evident that obtaining the parts needed for cabinet building, maintenance and restoration is very difficult. Even supposedly simple parts you think would be readily available are very hard to find once you start to look for them. This means having to resort to ordering from abroad, which although now common with he advent of the internet, is not always ideal due to the costs/duty/delivery soon adding up, not to mention the ridiculous waiting times.

To get to the point, I'm taking a leaf out of Andy's book (ie. Ultimarc's various interfaces born out of demand) and have decided to try and eventually offer something to the community (well the UK and Europe at least) that is simply needed but often overlooked. I'm looking to expand Turnarcades over a long period and would like to start offering parts and accessories that simply aren't commonly available on this continent for European customers, without the need to import goods that aren't necessarily ideal for us as arcade enthusiasts. I think we need something like this to encourage more enthusiasts to take up this hobby and for restorers to preserve video game history.

What I'd like to do is draw on all UK (and European) member's experiences and try to identify items that would either be useful, commonly requested, currently have to be self-fabricated, are rarely available or are just not available but would be beneficial to the community. I'm thinking along the lines of things like cocktail cabinet clips, T-moulding in metric sizes, replacement glass, cheaper marquee retainers, artwork, custom electronics (like a magnetically-shielded, low-profile speaker system that instantly connects to a PC), catches, mounting solutions or maybe even specially-commissioned displays for home-build use.

If users can submit suggestions in replies on this thread, I will add them to a master list in this posting. Once the listing is complete, I will be approaching some companies to see if fabricating these parts is feasible business-wise, and maybe even other vendors with the right contacts can take some of these suggestions forward. Although I'd like to expand and offer these items, I'd really just like to bring these points into focus so any member here who is in a position to do so could think about taking the idea forward if they can and give UK hobbyists the choice we deserve.

So, to kick this list off:

  • T-moulding - various grades/colours/widths in metric sizing (for the DIY scene)
  • Cocktail clips - various materials/finishes/sizes again in metric sizing (for the DIY and resto scene)
  • Marquee retainers - home or commercial grade, easily trimmable, various materials (for the DIY and resto scene)

Any suggestions will be added, then whittled down to most popular. I will also ask if Saint will sticky this if the topic proves popular. It's your chance to have your say and get these things we need, even if it's something new that doesn't even yet exist (but should).

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2009, 07:50:08 pm »
Lets face it. The UK is a pile of crap. In a lot of cases, It works out cheaper to buy parts from the US. Gordon Brown or who ever is in charge just like to have a big fat wallet.

Turnarcades

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2009, 10:10:22 pm »
...which is the point of this thread. If experienced forum members and anyone who's built a cab can identify the more difficult to obtain items, I'm looking to make it happen. Whether it be us or someone else, we need to get these parts noted down so maybe us or another vendor can see about getting these parts fabricated in the UK in limited runs and make them available much cheaper than ordering stuff in overseas.

I'm amazed there's not been more interest in this - it's problems with part rarity and supply issues that make the 'UK price watch thread' so redundant, if the parts aren't readily available at a good price.

Franco B

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2009, 02:34:51 am »
To be honest there are not that many parts that I can think off that are that hard to get hold off.

As far as t-moulding goes I think you would have to stock a lot of different colours/styles other wise people are only going to go to the usual sources. What size metric t-moulding are you thinking of, 12mm + 18mm? The thing is you can pretty much use imperial sizes with metric material.

Glass clips, I'm not sure how popular they would be. There only seems to be a couple of Euro cocktails built a year at most.

Marquee retainer may be a good idea. I used it on my 1st cab but  don't really like the look of it so would probably use something else now though like polished/sprayed ally L section from B&Q.

I do think its a good idea, I'm just not sure if you will get enough custom to make it worth your while.

What would be good is if you could become a reseller for Happ and GGG on this side of the pond. I'm sure you would get a lot of business that way.

turnergw

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2009, 07:27:25 am »
I would love the idea of a 'one stop shop' for arcade parts in the UK.  I'm fairly new to the building side of this hobby, and am still building my first cab, but it took a lot of research, looking around, comparing prices, working out shipping rates, and so on to work out the most cost effective way of getting stuff delivered, and I ended up going with multiple different suppliers at different times for similar bits of kit.

Whilst the likes of Ultimarc and Gremlin solutions offer a good selection of the more common parts, it's frustrating to see just what a huge selection is out there from international suppliers, but buying just one or two items simply isn't worth it once post and customs is factored in.  I would heartily second Franco's idea of a Happ / GGG / etc reseller in the UK.

A few specific things I think it would be good to have supplies of in the UK:
- T-molding, and the slot-cutting router bits for it (I got both from the states, but the customs + post came to more than the items themselves!)
- Some of the GGG items (interfaces, lighting, etc)
- Coin doors & mechanisms (there don't seem to be many options for these over here)
- Monitors - arcade, and possibly even large non-widescreen LCDs if it's possible to get hold of them (I know this might be contentious!)
- Maybe some of the more basic items used in the physical cab construction, like flourescent lights sized for the marquee, castors for the cabinet, forstner drill bits, hole saws, etc - some of these seem to be very hard to track down in the UK
- Marquee / CPO / side art printing - I'm interested in getting some side art printed, but not sure of any UK suppliers.

I really hope you can expand your business to cover some of these, and more - I'm certainly hooked after nearly completing my first cab, and several friends have expressed interest in doing the same.  I'm sure there is huge untapped potential for cabinet building / restoration out there in the UK, as most people just don't realise it's possible (and fun!)

Best of luck to you, and I hope to be ordering stuff from you in the future!

garwil

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2009, 07:51:08 am »
I'm still in the planning/saving up the cash phase of my cab build but I'd love it if I could order GGG stuff etc. from someone in the UK. Good luck mate!

Turnarcades

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2009, 11:42:27 am »
Thanks for the input guys.

Franco - you're a bit more resourceful than most anyway with your fabricating skills so maybe that's why you didn't struggle. What I'm trying to say is that if you are building a cab the choice is limited and only available from a single source in the UK, if available at all. I'd love to be a re-seller, but I'm hoping to take this a bit further than that - even just as a re-seller, the parts still end up expensive by the time they go to retail. I'm talking original ideas or simply UK-fabricated solutions. I may be contacting you anyway as I'm aware of your metalworking skills!

Oh, for the record I was thinking of those exact sizes for the T-moulding. Yes non-metric can be worked with, but again why should we have to go abroad for it or pay too much for it from a re-seller?

Turnergw - some good ideas, that re-iterate or expand on what I was already thinking of. The monitor idea may be contentious, but anything's possible.

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2009, 01:39:16 pm »
Its not availability that bothers me, Its the price of the parts. I would like to see cheaper parts, Similar to US prices. Happ buttons and joysticks in the UK are almost double the price of the US.

T molding is all sizes and colours is available from Eblag at a reasonable price though

Minwah

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2009, 04:24:54 pm »
Possibly:

'Special' microswitches (like for coin mechs, flight stick/yoke buttons etc),
Molex connectors.

I'm sure these are available somewhere already but it's hard to be sure you've found the correct part.

shrunkenmaster

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2009, 03:30:55 am »
Great idea here. Just finishing my second build and it's always the little things that seem to cost a fortune. Try finding a coin mech microswitch with a long wire lever in the UK - yes, Happ do them, but do you really want to order £50's worth as a minimum order?!

As far as t-molding goes, I've been getting mine from a very nice chap called Dennis Hannah. Cheap, reliable, great service. He'll send you whatever lengths you like too, doesn't seem to mind small orders too, which is nice. He's on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/T-Molding-for-Arcade-Machine-Restoration-Mame-Tmolding_W0QQitemZ320426833413QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Video_Games_Coin_Operated_MJ?hash=item4a9aed7605&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Also I'd like to mention Nigel at arcadestickers (sales@arcadestickers.co.uk) - recently got a bartop CPO, bezel, 2xsideart and a marquee all for under £50. Quality, packaging and service all amazing!



Ian

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2009, 04:48:52 am »
As far as t-molding goes, I've been getting mine from a very nice chap called Dennis Hannah. Cheap, reliable, great service. He'll send you whatever lengths you like too, doesn't seem to mind small orders too, which is nice. He's on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/T-Molding-for-Arcade-Machine-Restoration-Mame-Tmolding_W0QQitemZ320426833413QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Video_Games_Coin_Operated_MJ?hash=item4a9aed7605&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

And you get a discount of 10% if you contact him by email instead of through ebay! I also bought from him, great service on email and fast delivery to Denmark with no problems! Highly recommended.
Building my first bartop CAB

Avinitlarge

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2009, 04:34:05 pm »
I bought mine from him via email too. It was an all round good service :applaud:

Rusty Shackelford

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #12 on: October 02, 2009, 04:26:52 pm »
I third for Marque retainer
How about side vinyl?
Also 2 player coin doors would be nice

Turnarcades

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #13 on: October 02, 2009, 06:13:54 pm »
That's a couple of mentions for microswitches customised for various applications - like the coin door dedicated switch idea. Vinyl printing I'm currently looking at - both colour prints and tri-colour stencils for older side-art replication. I'm currently assessing Nigel's service at arcadestickers.com but I know that prints are limited to a maximum width of 27", which is not quite big enough for true full-size machines.

Thanks for everyone's input so far - If you know of any current offerings please post them in the UK price watch thread; this topic is to explore the possibility of UK-fabricated items and the potential of a one-stop shop. If all goes well we may be able to get things like T-moulding much cheaper, as even from the ebay user linked above, it works out to roughly £35-40 per cab.

Avinitlarge

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #14 on: October 02, 2009, 07:17:03 pm »
I dont know how much you could sell the T molding for but the bloke on ebay sells it for 75p per foot minus 10%

ark_ader

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #15 on: October 02, 2009, 07:49:39 pm »
With competitive companies like Ultimarc and Gremlinsolutions (I like Arcade.de their joysticks are cool), plus GGG (Randy is Ace) the problem of getting parts is not an issue.

In a problem economy holding stock is a bad idea.  I would look at getting a chain interested in your other products.

How many inquiries are made into getting parts versus parts ordered?

How many crap cabs do we see go cheap on ebay?  Loads.

The UK has enough arcade parts to sink a ship, well enough for cabinet builders.

With all due respect I would not order my parts from Turnarcades as my favorite vendor is Gremlin Solutions and I can order my parts and get them delivered extremely quickly, or if it is a hard part to find I have to wait.  Big deal.

Sorry mate but you are small fish swimming in an ever decreasing pool of arcade related business.

If I was you I would seriously look into making three cabinets - Bartop - Woody/Slim - Cocktail and make them up and flat pack them for people who do not have tools, knowledge or space to build a cabinet.

If I saw a reasonable priced slim cab flat packed I would be real tempted to buy one.   I'm sure others would too.  ;)

Get them all ready for Christmas and get your parts from those whom I already mentioned.

Stick to what you are best at and leave the arcade parts to Andy and Gremlinsolutions.

They are the big fish.  ;D   It would be a nice idea, two years ago. 

Doing it now would be a rod for your own back.

Oh and I'm sure your bank manager will love you for being in debt.    ::)
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Turnarcades

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #16 on: October 02, 2009, 10:17:10 pm »
This isn't a discussion about how well Turnarcades is doing but I can say I don't need advice on how to make my business succeed from someone who has not done the same. Even your persistent trolling of my threads has done nothing to harm our business, regardless of the attempts.

The UK does not have enough cheap parts suppliers and my first post does say I'm not necessarily going to take these forward myself - I'm trying to raise awareness and look into getting those remaining parts looked into so no-one has to struggle or get them available cheaper. Even if they can't be as widely available as the US, hopefully existing parts can be made available cheaper. I have absolutely no problems with my own supplies as I have suitable resources and contacts, but many people attempting their own home builds do not.

With all due respect Ultimarc sell great parts and their own manufactured interfaces, but do not carry certain essential parts like T-moulding and although Gremlin Solutions do carry a wide variety of stock, they are about the only worthy one-stop shop in the UK and unfortunately they are far from cheap, due to the fact they are only resellers and do not source or fabricate their own parts or cabinets. I have always given advice to customers on where to source there parts direct and mentioned Gremlin Solutions a lot. Unfortunately, enquiries I (and friends) have made to them are replied to disappointingly slow and many customers of mine have returned asking for parts after less-than-helpful communication from Gremlin Solutions. I also have a trade friend who works closely with them and has also expressed reservations.

ark_ader

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #17 on: October 03, 2009, 04:27:32 pm »
With that kind of attitude I cannot see how you could succeed.  ::)
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Franco B

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2009, 04:32:58 pm »
I will ad my two penneths worth tomorrow. (I'm up at 5am joy of joys).

Focusing is a problem right now   :D


sealslayer

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2009, 08:56:23 pm »
If you know where to look you can get parts very, very cheap, the problem is those who know where to get the cheap parts keep this information to themselves.

If you want quick and reliable generic parts then your best off heading over to Suzo, after all this is where Gremlin and Ultimarc buy some of their stock from to resell and its only a £50.00 minimum order.

I wouldn't even bother trying to go down the route of manufacturing, labour costs in the UK are just far too high compared to the far East. The clips for my cocktail cabinets worked out at £93.00 for 50 clips made from 2mm mild steel, I can now buy pretty much the same clips for less than 30p each from Taiwan.
« Last Edit: October 03, 2009, 09:08:50 pm by sealslayer »

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2009, 02:03:14 pm »
Sounds like a great idea.

Things that I would be very interested in:

- T-Moulding
- Slot cutting bits
- CPO Vinyl (custom printed and plain in a variety of common colours including black).
- Semi-transparent custom printed vinyl (or similar material) for marquees.
- Carriage bolts. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get these in the UK in sizes smaller than M6.
- Universal joystick mounting plates.

Things that I'm fairly interested in:

- Coin Mechs. I like the ones that can be programmed to accept a variety of different coins. They occasionally
  crop up on Ebay (mostly from China) and don't appear to be too expensive.
- Locks.
- Cocktail cabinet clips (especially the type used on the Taito cabinets).
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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #21 on: October 04, 2009, 02:15:29 pm »
If I was you I would seriously look into making three cabinets - Bartop - Woody/Slim - Cocktail and make them up and flat pack them for people who do not have tools, knowledge or space to build a cabinet.

Isn't he already doing that?
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #22 on: October 04, 2009, 05:52:08 pm »
I recon if you add Bob Roberts, Tornado Terrys, Gremlin, Ultimarc and Swallow AM together, It would be the perfect shop. It might be worth looking at what they are selling. Bob Roberts may take some beating though. I recon he has the best arcade aladins cave in the world.

Minwah

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #23 on: October 06, 2009, 05:48:04 am »
- Carriage bolts. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get these in the UK in sizes smaller than M6.

Forgot about these, but yes! I searched for ages and I either had to buy them by the thousand, or pay a fortune for them. I ended up getting them from Bob Roberts. That said, his prices were very good and as everyone knows great service so I don't mind ordering from him.

shrunkenmaster

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Re: Calling all UK forum members - UK arcade parts supply discussion!
« Reply #24 on: October 06, 2009, 09:23:40 am »
Where's Bob Roberts at please?