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Arcade Collecting => Restorations & repair => Topic started by: epslon on July 28, 2017, 02:20:13 am

Title: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on July 28, 2017, 02:20:13 am
Been working on one and so far have all the side art, cp, surround & lighted marquee sourced and ordered. What i cant seem to find is the plastic topper, that bolts to the top & holds the ad/flyer above the lighted marquee. I added a pic i found for reference. I did a search and saw there was a guy a couple years back making repros of these but stopped.

Any help on whether finding a repro or an original would be appreciated!
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on July 28, 2017, 06:15:20 am
I have a CO2 laser. I can cut and etch acrylic. If you had good pics with measurements I might be able to help you. I looks like two sheets of acrylic clipped together. The back piece might be pocketed to hold the flyer.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on July 29, 2017, 04:05:39 am
Here is a closeup of a repro that was done a couple years back. It's 2 pieces of plexi using screws to hold it together and there is some etching design inside one piece that lets the light reflect through it. I can get the measurements for the base where it attaches to the cab and estimate the width based on pictures. I think for it would need to fit an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet for height. It doesn't need the text above it but that is a nice touch.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on July 29, 2017, 07:28:53 am
I can do that. 8.5 by 11 is within the cutting area of my laser. Once you get me the dimensions including thickness, I can tell you how much the materials cost.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on July 29, 2017, 03:33:05 pm
Here is the bracket that it bolts to on the bottom. I included the measurements. I believe each piece would be "L" shaped where it screws in. Front piece looks to be just plain, while the back piece would have the etching for lighting. I appreciate you looking at this.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on July 29, 2017, 05:42:31 pm
So looking at this the base would be 15" wide, tapering to 12" at top.  I'm thinking the thickness should be 1/4 each sheet but what do you think? I'm not familiar with etching, so i don't know how deep it needs to be to refract light?
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on July 30, 2017, 12:12:36 am
It doesn't need to go very deep. Let me know what you want etched.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on July 31, 2017, 12:23:09 am
Just wanting it to look like the following pic.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on July 31, 2017, 09:42:48 am
If I go to my local home store the cost for materials will be about 30 dollars. I can get a better price online, but it will take a few days to get the materials. That is up to you.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on July 31, 2017, 02:19:38 pm
Pm sent!
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 02, 2017, 03:16:34 pm
I was looking back at your measurements. How wide and deep is that slot?
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: opt2not on August 02, 2017, 03:17:53 pm
I was looking back at your measurements. How wide and deep is that slot?
Lol, quotes out of context are indeed fun! ;)
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 02, 2017, 03:19:12 pm
I left that one for you. I wanted to see if you were paying attention. ;)
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: opt2not on August 02, 2017, 04:21:25 pm
Haha, I thought so.  :applaud:
But for a Sega candy cab restore, I'm definitely keeping my eye on this one. Always enjoy seeing the cleaning up of these wonderful cabinets.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 02, 2017, 07:56:24 pm
I was looking back at your measurements. How wide and deep is that slot?

I'll get the measurements tonight when i get home.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 02, 2017, 08:41:17 pm
Haha, I thought so.  :applaud:
But for a Sega candy cab restore, I'm definitely keeping my eye on this one. Always enjoy seeing the cleaning up of these wonderful cabinets.

Well i can post some pics of the restoration as it is progressing.

Pic 1 & 2 : Just picked up. Tested and worked great, screen has no burn in and 61k on coin counter.

Pic 3: Removed stand, control panel, marquee, and locks. Cleaned unit and applied new side stickers.

New lighted marquee just arrived. Will be installing that soon. Ordered new joysticks, sanwa buttons & speakers (they worked but were dried out and cracked). The control panel was sent out for media blasting. So just waiting for things mostly now.

Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 05, 2017, 07:22:48 pm
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=361193;image)

This is what I have so far. The two round holes at the top are for bolts to hold the two sheets together. You can make it pretty by using chrome cap nuts in the front. I don't know how they are held together down in the slot. I think you will have to handle that part. For both sheets to fit in the slot, one will have to be 1/8 inch thick. That should not be a problem.

I threw an image of a random arcade flyer so you could get an idea of the proportions.

The Aero City title will be etched into the back of the front acrylic sheet. It should light up nicely.

I didn't include any of the framing stripes yet. If you want them I can do it. My graphic design skills are rudimentary at best.

Let me know how all of this looks. I am headed to Florida on vacation on Tuesday. If you let me know soon I can probably ship it out before I leave. Otherwise it will have to wait until after the 15th when I get back home.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 06, 2017, 01:15:10 am
I think 2 bolts on top is great. I can handle bolting it on bottom. I like the mock up and did a small revision. I dont need the fancy line art but maybe a simple [ ] around the flyer and the words in 1 line? I did a quick mockup in photoshop below.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 06, 2017, 06:21:51 am
I will get on it today.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Locke141 on August 06, 2017, 10:45:24 am
I love that this is coming together. Mike what Laser do you have? I had acsess to a 60 watt CNC laser at a previous job. What a wonderful machine that was.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 06, 2017, 12:55:39 pm
I have 2 Chinese 60 watt CO2 lasers. They are very useful.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 07, 2017, 08:45:58 am
Unfortunately I ran out of time to get this done before my vacation. I leave tomorrow morning at 4:30am. I have too many loose ends to tie up at work before I leave. I will finish this up after I get back. I will be back home on Monday the 14th.  The changes you requested will be no problem at all.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 07, 2017, 04:26:39 pm
Unfortunately I ran out of time to get this done before my vacation. I leave tomorrow morning at 4:30am. I have too many loose ends to tie up at work before I leave. I will finish this up after I get back. I will be back home on Monday the 14th.  The changes you requested will be no problem at all.

Np, thanks for the update.



I installed the new speakers and marquee over the weekend. Sanded and painted the speaker grills too. Sunday i picked up my control panel and surround from the media blaster. I used 3/8 electrical plugs from some metal electric boxes i had and they fit nice and snug. Used metal filler to bond them and sanded everything. Just have to primer, paint and then apply the artwork. I'll post pics of it soon.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 07, 2017, 04:31:39 pm
Unfortunately I ran out of time to get this done before my vacation. I leave tomorrow morning at 4:30am. I have too many loose ends to tie up at work before I leave. I will finish this up after I get back. I will be back home on Monday the 14th.  The changes you requested will be no problem at all.

Np, thanks for the update.



I installed the new speakers and marquee over the weekend. Sanded and painted the speaker grills too. Sunday i picked up my control panel and surround from the media blaster. I used 3/8 electrical plugs from some metal electric boxes i had and they fit nice and snug. Used metal filler to bond them and sanded everything. Just have to primer, paint and then apply the artwork. I'll post pics of it soon.
It's looking good. I always keep my eye out for a cab like that. They never seems to be available around here.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Locke141 on August 07, 2017, 07:22:30 pm
That does look nice.

I was thinking if your only going to have one poster one size poster in there, you could etch the inside of the back plate where the poster will go for a slight back light effect.

I'm living in Asia now and see sit downs all the time. I should try to pick one up, I've seen some tucked away in the back of an arcade being used for spare parts.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 11, 2017, 10:15:58 pm
Started on the CP now. Plugged the extra holes and after sanding, hit it with white primer to prevent any rust. Joysticks arrived today but still waiting on buttons. I'll be installing that and wiring it up once everything is here. Included a few progress picks.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 15, 2017, 01:57:50 pm
Good Morning, you back yet?

Unfortunately I ran out of time to get this done before my vacation. I leave tomorrow morning at 4:30am. I have too many loose ends to tie up at work before I leave. I will finish this up after I get back. I will be back home on Monday the 14th.  The changes you requested will be no problem at all.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on August 15, 2017, 02:02:04 pm
I thought I sent you a PM yesterday. I got back home Sunday night. Right now I am getting up to speed at work. I hope to be cutting your topper tomorrow.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 15, 2017, 04:01:09 pm
Whoops i missed the pm! Thanks man
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on August 19, 2017, 06:23:53 pm
Control panel is wired up and working. This machine is about done! Just need to install new cam locks (once they arrive) and the display topper.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on October 17, 2017, 01:35:42 pm
Update time:

Installed the new top marquee. Still need the top bolts and finish designing the flyer i'm putting in there but this cab is done being restored back to its former glory!

Big Thank You to Mike A. for all his hard work and help in this project! I really appreciate it.

Here's a few pics below:
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: harveybirdman on October 17, 2017, 01:47:24 pm
Great job.

Did you make an adapter for king of air? Is the cab still mamma? What are your thoughts on the board?

Props Mike A for being an outstanding contributor to the forum look forward to meeting you at Zapcon!
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: HaRuMaN on October 17, 2017, 01:48:33 pm
Is the cab still mamma?

I love those mamma cabs
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on October 17, 2017, 02:09:21 pm
Great job.

Did you make an adapter for king of air? Is the cab still mamma? What are your thoughts on the board?

Props Mike A for being an outstanding contributor to the forum look forward to meeting you at Zapcon!

No adapter needed. It was plug and play. Cab is mamma's second cousin jamma  ;D I love the board, i'd say 40 of the 50 games work great. Few have some tearing/sound or slowdown issues though. Overall a good purchase for the price for a great collection of vert games.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: harveybirdman on October 17, 2017, 02:20:07 pm
I bought a knockoff and gave it to Malenko, who had to sacrifice a perfectly good Jamma harness to make it and it's stupid pinout go...

Where did you get yours?  I may throw one in to BulletReign because I'm never going to afford a real Truxton II.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on October 17, 2017, 02:39:02 pm
The cab looks good. I must say the topper makes the whole project work. ;)

Seriously. You did a good job and you finished it. Too many good efforts go unfinished.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: Mike A on October 17, 2017, 02:46:08 pm
Thanks Birdman.

Any relation to bird person?
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=362997;image)

I have never met an avian-american. It should be interesting.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: harveybirdman on October 17, 2017, 02:48:54 pm
Didn't you see the pictures of me at Zapcon?

Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on October 17, 2017, 11:43:43 pm
I bought a knockoff and gave it to Malenko, who had to sacrifice a perfectly good Jamma harness to make it and it's stupid pinout go...

Where did you get yours?  I may throw one in to BulletReign because I'm never going to afford a real Truxton II.

I ordered mine off aliexpress.

Just a quick note: Its a blue unit that looks like a ps4.
Title: Re: Restoring a Sega Aero City Cab
Post by: epslon on October 17, 2017, 11:46:18 pm
The cab looks good. I must say the topper makes the whole project work. ;)

Seriously. You did a good job and you finished it. Too many good efforts go unfinished.

Thank you! Took a long time but worth it.