The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Arcade Collecting => Restorations & repair => Topic started by: Level42 on February 05, 2007, 09:18:36 am

Title: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 05, 2007, 09:18:36 am
So.........was this first a Radarscope that got converted to a Donkey Kong and then to a Mario Bros.........or......was this a Radarscope that was directly converted to a Mario Bros..... ?

Anyway it looks VERY nice and it's MINE :D !!!

YES !

Just one slight problem........no PCB  :'(

Anyone got a Mario Bros PCB for sale ?    :D



EDIT: TO DO LIST:

- get a capkit and a width-kit for the Sanyo 20C
- install capkits
- mount the new audio amplifier properly
- repair side damage (need PAINT for that, trying to get some from Darthnuno :)
- repair kickplate damage, only then can I reinstallg the coindoor
- fix the coinmech frontplate or get a new frontplate or entire mech.
- get CPO overlay (ordered with Mamemarquees since there are no silkscreened repro's of the narrow-body MB CPO.)
- get CP carriagebolts THANKS LUIGI !!!
- get coinmech bolts
- get 2 orange NINTENDO push buttons
- get a 4-way restrictor for one joystick
- dissassemble and check/fix joysticks
- try to do a leaf switch hack  for the buttons. (Yes I AM willing to sacrifice originality for this !)
- polish the bezel more
- paint the foot black

Damn, that's a lot more than I thought !

After the restore is complete I will be searching for a way to get the following running:

- MB PCB (already in there 100% OK.
- Popeye bootleg PCB. Working and on it's way from Germany. Hope I can select video inversion on that one.
- DKjr bootleg PCB. Working already here. Needs video inversion. Sound was OK on JAMMA, seems to be a problem with it on the Nintendo cab (weird)
- DK (original) -4  board (unknown if it works)

I even got an original DKjr board here now, but it's completely dead. This one has the audio amp on board ! (Which is pretty rare AFAIK).

Anyway, for all this I need Mark Spaeth's Nintendo switchers which are not available yet....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: leapinlew on February 05, 2007, 10:13:15 am
I've seen the orange version in the wild. I think they made some like that and some powder blue. It looks like the wide body version to me. I think Donkey Kong was narrow nintendo cabinet.

Congrats! It's an awesome game.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 05, 2007, 10:28:38 am
That's an original Radarscope cab......there was another game that used that cab as well, but can't think of it off the top of my head.
Note how many slots are on the speaker grill and that it has only one coin slot, defineately an early Nintendo cab from when they went to that cab design.

Are there any metal tags on the back of the machine? (top area)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 05, 2007, 10:37:11 am
Thanks leapinlew.....an extremely rare find here !

Check out KLOV's info about Mario Bros:

...
The game was originally released in the dedicated wide-body cabinet seen above. Many later games were built as conversions, often using other Nintendo cabinets like the orange Donkey Kong Junior cabinet shown on the right.
...
The conversion kit came with the control panel assembly, front plexiglass, marquee, sideart, hardware to re-orient the monitor, the PCB and the wiring harnesses. It was designed to quickly convert Donkey Kong and similar Nintendo series cabinets.
...

This is what the wide-body looks like:
(http://klov.com/images/M/cMario_Bros..jpg)

You can see the following differences: The speaker is in the center pn the wide body, and the marquee is different. The conversion-kit has a text balloon on the left saying: 2-player feature !

KLOV also says that the early Donkey Kongs were red, instead of the famous blue because of the Radar Scope conversion....


Oooooooo wellll I'll have to wait to wednesday when I'm going to pick it up :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 05, 2007, 11:31:01 am
That's an original Radarscope cab......there was another game that used that cab as well, but can't think of it off the top of my head.
Don't you mean that the not-selling Radar Scopes were converted to DK ? I thought Radar Scope was Ninteno's first arcade game ever ?

Note how many slots are on the speaker grill and that it has only one coin slot, defineately an early Nintendo cab from when they went to that cab design.
[/quote] Well remember I'm in Europe so it could be because of this that it only has one coin mech. F.I. the Galaxian I've got also only has one coin-entry/mech, while every other Galaxian I've seen (on the internet) so far has two...

Are there any metal tags on the back of the machine? (top area)
Can't answer that until wednesday I'm afraid.....will let you know !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 05, 2007, 11:44:54 am
.....there was another game that used that cab as well, but can't think of it off the top of my head.

Or maybe you meant Heli Fire ? http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8101
However, this cab is different in that the sides are not sloped back near the CP. (The black & white) picture of the Radar Scope cab on KLOV is exactly the same as that Heli Fire cab.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 05, 2007, 08:33:47 pm
Well, this has been a topic of discussion a few times on several forums and all seems open to opinion and interpretation. I've personally looked into it a little and come to some of my own conclusions. Some of the "early years" of Nintendo as far as "arcade" games is a little lost as far as true documetation of which came first....the chicken or the egg type thing. They most defineately had a few "arcade" games before Radar Scope. I'm thinking Radar Scope was one of the first to distribute overseas to the US and abroad etc.

1979
Monkey Magic
Sheriff
Space Fever
Space Launcher
SF Hisplitter

1980
Space Firebird
Radar Scope
HeliFire

1981
Donkey Kong
Sky Skipper

As for the history of Radar Scope and it's demise into Donkey Kong......

Wikipedia on Radarscope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_Scope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_Scope)

Arcadeguy's great page about it:
http://www.arcadeguy.com/radarscope/ (http://www.arcadeguy.com/radarscope/)
(although I disagree with a few tidbits of it)

I guess I was thinking of something else when I said that there was another red cabinet game of that same design. I think now I was making more of a relationship to design time frame and the distinguishing differences between an early red Radarscope cabinet and a later red Donkey Kong cabinet. I'm almost certain, in my opinion, that some of the early Radarscopes were defineately converted to a DK after previously being a Radarscope. There were also some DK's put out in Radar Scope cabinets that were never actually completed as being a Radar Scope game when it was realized that Radar Scope was failing in the market, so they were never completed and then turned into DK's. But I also think that there were red DK's put out shortly after DK became a hit in the red cabinet from the same assembly line as the Radar Scope but they were never intended to be Radar Scope's....they were indeed the first of the dedicated DK's. I say this due to the slight design differences you'll see in the "early" cabinets versus the "later" ones. (refer back to line one of this paragraph)
The "early" ones were red... duh.... had only five slots on the speaker grill.....and only one coin mech.
The "later" ones were also red.... have seven slots on the speaker grill.....and have two coin mechs. (I think the second one was added to decrease maintenance requirements from coin jam problems, having a "backup" coin mech for customers to use)
You'll notice that HeliFire and Space Firebird were both made in the same year as Radar Scope and also carry the same characteristics as the "early" design. I know they are not exactly the same, just note the similarities between them in design.

1980 Radarscope
http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&id=856&image=2 (http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&id=856&image=2)

1980 Helifire
http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&id=501&image=1 (http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&id=501&image=1)

1980 Space Firebird
http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&id=1023&image=2 (http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&id=1023&image=2)

Now here's a couple showing what I consider the "later" design.
(and also what we pretty much see from then on on all Nintendo cabs of that design)

Newer Red DK 1
http://www.classicarcadeonline.com/donkeykong_8.html (http://www.classicarcadeonline.com/donkeykong_8.html)

Newer Red DK 2
http://www.atarifreak.com/donkey%20kong.html (http://www.atarifreak.com/donkey%20kong.html)

Ok...... now I hope some of that made sense. I tend to get lost in some of the info myself, and I'm always open to opinions and interpretation by others.

And if you find any metal tags on the back we can also tell you what those mean.
Hopefully they were left on there, most conversions only have the current one on there even though "technically" they should have left all of them on there.

TRS- Radar Scope
TGK- Donkey Kong
TMA- Mario Bros.

On the Mario Bros. note.... the ONLY dedicated Mario Bros. cabient was the black wide-body with the speaker grill in the middle. Any others that you find are all conversions.

 :dizzy: Did I miss anything??   ;D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 05, 2007, 09:00:30 pm
Yup... I missed something..... ;)

The earlier DK four board pcb's had two different wiring harness pin styles.
One is considered the "classic" pin style and the other is considered the smaller "Radar Scope" pin style.
I consider the Radar Scope style the "early" style and the classic style the "later" style.
So if you ever come across a red Nintendo cabinet like those that still has the four board DK pcb in it, you can tell if it was originally a Radar Scope by comparing the pin style between a "classic" style and the smaller "Radar Scope" style.

Another reason I think there were red DK's that were NOT originally Radar Scopes.
They later went to the two board game pcb's for DK.
(most likely when the blue cabinet came out I think)

By the way....did I tell you that cabinet looks to be in great shape.... good score.
And I think it was originally a Radar Scope, but looks fabulous as a Mario Bros. as well.
Great classic either way.......
Look forward to seeing more of it and digging up it's history.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: steveh on February 06, 2007, 11:27:04 am
that system looks bad ass.  hope you can find some nice pcb's to run it .
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 07, 2007, 02:45:58 pm
Kevin, thanks for all that great info, I love it !!!!

Indeed, this cab looks amazing on the pics...

I wonder if I can resist reverting it back to a DK ?  ;)

The Mario artwork is fabulous I think though....

Funny you mention the Sherriff.....there was one for sale in Austria about half a year ago...I really liked the  cab, but the game.....Nahhhh...

Regarding the PCB's: Has anyone played the DK/DKjr/MB 2005 re-release cab ?

(this one: http://www.namcoarcade.com/nai_gamedisplay.asp?gam=dnkykong )

I wonder how they solved the horizontal/vertical problem since both DK's are vertical and Mario Bros is Horizontal obviously.

Would it be an option to run this board in this cab ? And would there be any chance of getting such a board ? I've seen some of those Namco boards on ebay but I don't think I remember seeing this one ?




Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 07, 2007, 03:17:01 pm
It runs a 25" monitor...I bet they run it horizontally and then you get the vertical games on the horizontal monitor smaller with black on each side.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 07, 2007, 04:40:52 pm
OK, but the original DK cab uses a 19" monitor right ? So then the vertical games would be very small....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: RayB on February 07, 2007, 08:06:41 pm
No. A vertical game that was originally 19" would look about the same on a 25" with black bars on either side. Mario Bros however, would look huge compared to the original.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 08, 2007, 01:27:33 am
No. A vertical game that was originally 19" would look about the same on a 25" with black bars on either side. Mario Bros however, would look huge compared to the original.

Yeah, I think I didn't clearly wrote what I meant: I assume that the original monitor is still in this cab. This is 19" right ? (The vertical monitor was turned for Mario Bros, there were parts in the Mario Bros Pak to do this). So suppose if I would run the new three-in-one original Namco PCB of 2005 on it, then Mario Bros would look normal but the DK games would be way too small because of the side bars....unless they did some stretching or anything, but I'd hate that.

And those boards are hard to get and pretty expensive I guess.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 08, 2007, 01:15:20 pm
Hey, when I re-read the information here: http://www.classicarcadeonline.com/donkeykong_8.html
it is mentions this:
_____
The Double Donkey Kong and high score save upgrade will be installed in here shortly.

Also, it is capable of playing several other Nintendo games. It can play Donkey Kong Jr and Donkey Kong 3. It can also play Popeye and Mario Bros if you rotate the monitor. It also plays VS. games like Super Mario Bros and Excitebike.
______

Now, this is very interesting. I would love to be able to play Popeye on this as well, and if possible I can turn the monitor and play the DK games....

So my question is: How does he mean that it also plays these games ? I haven't seen any combo board like that ?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: steveh on February 08, 2007, 04:09:53 pm
i would assume you would have to swap the boards.  or maybe they make a switcher. 
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 08, 2007, 07:10:52 pm
So my question is: How does he mean that it also plays these games ? I haven't seen any combo board like that ?

He was just referencing different games that were designed as kits, etc that would plug into and be playable on that wiring harness. It's not an all in one board or anything like that. They usually had a seperate set of brackets that came with these kits that were used to rotate/re-mount the monitor if needed for the horizontal games. (like if going from a Donkey Kong to a Mario Bros.)

Nintendo did alot of thinking when it came to making these cabinets "universal" and designed alot of their kits around the fact that so many of these cabinets were already out there. (easier to market and sell a kit than it is a whole new machine)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 09, 2007, 03:17:56 pm
Ahhh, I thought so already.....what a shame. Would be great to have an "all in one" board like that.

There's been a small delay in picking this baby up.....tomorrow I have arranged a van and I will go get it. Watch for pictures here !!
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 09:30:08 am
YESSSSSSSSSSSS !! It's safe and sound in my home. Left this morning to pic it up. About 1 1/4 hours driving, no problem :)

However, I feared that this cab would not fit in my own car because of it's depth.(Heigth isn't the issue really.) Also, it's a pain to load (and unload) it in my stationwagen, so I asked a friend if I could borrow his Peugeot Partner for a morning, and he said no problem :D

1st: Ready for take-off....
2nd: At the seller's.....hah, "Brand new, still in shrink-wrap" .......well almost, but not completely ;)
3rd: Yeah, it fits perfectly in the car and was a breeze to load ! (My "helper" is my son Mark) The bottom of the cab looks great, no water damage.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 09:34:36 am
1st: Mario and Luigi, ready for the trip !
2nd: And it's at it's new home !
3rd: My wife said, let the shrink-wrap on, good protection until you can start working on it (until I finished the Galaxian).....of course she was right but it's like giving a gift to a kid and telling him to not unwrap it just yet.....pointles :D :D
So I un-shrink-wrapped it and............OH MY GOD !!!! THIS LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW !!!
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 09:38:09 am
REMEMBER, these pictures are all straight out-of the shrink-wrap, NO CLEANING DONE YET !

1st: Left side, also here NOT A SINGLE SCRATCH or any other thing....I LOVE IT !
2nd: Sorry, he insisted ;)
3rd: Marquee: M-I-N-T

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 09:42:07 am
1st: Bezel: M-I-N-T !   BUT LOOK AT THE MONITOR  !!!! IT'S IN VERTICAL  POSITION !?!?!?!!?!? I do pray they installed bolts on the side BEFORE putting ont the side-artwork....else we have a problem Houston...

2nd: CP. So Is this cab all Hallalujah ? Naaahhhh, that would be impossible. First the CP is not bad,, bot not mint either. It has seen some play.

3rd: Another reason for hating smoking: Cigarette burns  :angry: :angry:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 09:46:42 am
1st and 2nd: What a shame ! The seller told me the previous owner has caused this damage by "smacking" the cab in between other things......... :cry:
O well, there's no real fun in it if I wouldn't have to restore anything.....this will need some filling and painting....

3rd: Coindoor. Some rust, and a bit dented but not too bad.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Loki on February 10, 2007, 09:48:35 am
Congrats! That's an awesome looking cab!! O.o
How does it look inside?

Ouch... to bad about the cigarette burns :(
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 09:56:58 am
1st: Backside.......darn no key !!! Gotta drill out this one, and it's a nasty job.....

2nd and 3rd: OK and here's something VERY interesting: YES, this cab has first been a Radar Scope. The model nr. says: TRS

But what's REALLY interesting is the little "Made in Japan"......soooooo this baby comes tstraight from the land of the Rising Sun and not from the US........I like that :) (Straight from the source :D )

Model: TRS-UP-UK ........RS=Radar Scope, I guess UP means Upright (there were also cocktail and cockpit (!) versions of Radar Scope) and the UK stands for.......United Kingdom. The 240VAC is also very clearly pointing to the UK. The seller told me this cab is indeed coming from the UK. Not much more info though....

Serial No: B01520

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 10:00:11 am
Congrats! That's an awesome looking cab!! O.o
How does it look inside?

Ouch... to bad about the cigarette burns :(
Thanks, still uploading pics as you read this ;) Well....a new CP overlay is readily available :D

More pics:

1st: Counter, looks like new......
2nd: coin-mech, looks like new (on the inside)
3rd: this was at the place where the coin-box should be.....it's a power supply as AFAIK.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 10:02:10 am
1st and 2nd: Inside shots from the coin-door: Looks like ANOTHER power supply on the left side.....on the right....the missing PCB  :cry: but I knew this already....

3rd:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 10:03:25 am
Some very quick cleaning:

If you forgive me,  I will now go and drill-out that lock on the back..... :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: RayB on February 10, 2007, 12:19:15 pm
So... are you going to be converting this back to Radar Scope?

 ;D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 10, 2007, 12:53:27 pm
So... are you going to be converting this back to Radar Scope?

 ;D
Whoahahahahaha.....what do you think ?

IF (and it's a big IF) I will ever convert it (back) it will be to a Kong of course.....             
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 11, 2007, 01:22:34 am
Personally I have always wanted to build a Mario Bros. and mentally I have always thought it would look best in a red cabinet........ TADA !!......sure enough it really does look good in that cab.
Keep it as is.
DK's can be found easy enough.
Radar Scope just ain't worth the hassle to round up the parts for.
(my opinion of course) :cheers:

Great history find for sure though.
Hard to find a red one that has been converted over at least twice now and still have the TRS tag on it.  :applaud:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 11, 2007, 05:37:24 am
Thanks Kevin !

I love the cab as it is, the Mario Bros. art is simply great both in design and shape. (I think the cutenes factor was something that Nintendo has always been strong in. Atari f.i. failed in that part, they made great games, but they never had a "hero" that players could relate too.....drifting off ;) )

Did you also notice some color differences on the side-art ? Mario's blue outfit seems to be a little bit lighter than I've seen on other pics on the internet......could be that the repro's are a bit off of course.....I "think" the side-art on this one are originals, but how can I know for sure ? I have also tried feeling if there is some other artwork under the Mario Bros. but there doesn't seem to be anything so it's probably been removed.

I think the biggest mystery is why the monitor is (back ?) in it's vertical position. I haven't investigated so far if the parts for putting it horizontal have been installed. That monitor is built in a pretty riggid frame...gotta study the Mario Bras Pak instructions on how that was done...

Radar Scope is out of the question for me. Besides finding the parts, this would be nice to do if it would be my 6th or so cab of this shape, but it isn't.
You say "DK's can be found easy enough". That may  be true in the US, but here in Europe it's a LOT different. I can tell you that I don't even remember seeing a dedicated Donkey Kong here in the 80s. I played Crazy Kong lots of times though, but of course these were in generic cabs. I did play a lot of DKjr and I think that one (at a movie theatre) was an original, but again not 100% sure....

Anyway, they are very rare here, just like most classics. I think if I would re-convert it to a Kong (and do a restoration) it would be worth quite a bit here....especialy since it's red.

Hah, yeah that TRS-tag is great....I hadn't expected that this one would have come from Japan though.

I checked out the CP yesterday, and there's some broken microswiches for sure. I also saw that the joysticks are limited by a 2-way restrictor plate (and of course there are no up-down microswitches), but I guess it could be made into 4 (or even 8) ways. I've checked around, and the only Mario Bros. PCB I found so far is at Mikesarcade.com and it's a whopping $140,-
I'd thought the CPO would be available  as weel, but all I can find is the version for the wide-body, not for the conversion-kit :(

I'm in no rush though, I first have to get the Galaxian ready, so I can look around for some time. If I fail to find one, I might be putting an old PC in it running Mame. Or one of these 1000 in 1 boards ? I'd love to be able to play DK(jr) and Popeye as well on this cab...even if it needs monitor rotation

By the way, it turned out the lock was not locked and I could pry the back open ....here's some pics:

1st: back open, there's the 2nd power supply....
2nd: Yep, it's the original Sanyo monitor alright


Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 11, 2007, 05:40:29 am
Some more inside pics....lots of wires and small connectors....

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 11, 2007, 01:37:17 pm
I'm wondering if the conversion to Mario Bros. was ever completed. (?)
The wiring harness is super clean compared to the rest of the original inside stuff.
The Radarscope/DK harness would be different from the Mario Bros.
You might have some "extra" stuff in there as well.
What kind of edge connectors can you find in there?

And that might also explain why the monitor is still vertically mounted.
Are there any extra holes in the sides of the cabinet around the monitor mounting holes?
The conversion from vertical to horizontal always required some new holes.
So maybe it was never mounted horizontally.

It does appear to have the Sanyo 20EZ.

But a good cleaning would be in order to sort things out a bit further on the wiring.

Could be interesting.   ;D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 11, 2007, 03:51:21 pm
Kevin, you're right. This conversion was never completed. There are no extra holes in the sides....No brackets for horizontal positioning of the monitor. The whole monitor fixing looks like a puzzle to me though....a huge "wood" case around the monitor...I don't know where to start to remove it....it looks very different from the metal "framed" monitors I've seen on pictures on Kong machines.....maybe this was a Radar Scope "feature" ?

MAYBE this will make it able to put it in horizontal position still ? Will require a LOT of "hacking" though I fear....

Indeed, there are also "spare"  cables. Shouldn't there be at least one big PCB-edge connector ? Didn't find it....

Check out the pics 1st is the top of the "cage" right, mounted into the side panel, 2nd the same on the left.
3rd: The space between the left side of the cab and the "cage" around the monitor.

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 11, 2007, 03:52:51 pm
1st and 2nd: "Inside" the "cage".
3rd....whe under side of the cage, mounted into the side panels...
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 11, 2007, 03:55:47 pm
1st: geeeeeezzz, some nice "fixing" of the light  :banghead:  That bulb has been burning a really black spot in the wood....and what is that metal shield lying about there ? Could have easily scratched the marquee...luckely it didn't !

2nd: bezel removed....yep looks vertical to me  :dizzy:

3rd: UK Mains plug still attatched...
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 11, 2007, 03:58:08 pm
Wiring harness, fixed inside the cab..
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 11, 2007, 04:01:09 pm
1st: Power sockets for monitor and marquee TL fixture I guess...(100 Volts ?)

2nd: flatcable going to monitor......cut, but I can fix this, got those connectors and pins at work :D

3rd: The "Spare" cables....3 of them :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 11, 2007, 10:35:53 pm
Wow...interesting for sure.
I'd bet that's the original monitor setup for Radar Scope still.
The back angle it has seems a bit steep from most I've seen as any other game.
(could be wrong on that though)
I've never seen one boxed in like that before.
I recognize the one flat board going across the back towards the bottom of the monitor, but that's it. (looks like a cross brace for the cab sides)
Does the black piece on around the front of the monitor come off easily?
One of your pics makes me curious if it has a universal cabability.(vertical or horizontal)
Can you get any more pics of the monitor chassis without dismantling the box around it or removing that cross brace?

The cut ribbon cable is defineately for the video signal input.
The DK's and beyong also had video inverter boards that the signal from the game pcb went into and then from there it went to the monitor. But I don't know if the Radar Scopes had the same inverted color video signal as the rest did. So yours may not even have that piece. (not that the Nintendo games actually used it, it was actually for the NON-Nintendo games)
It probably doesn't have the audio amp either.

The wiring harness connectors look like they are from the Radar Scope era as well.
Those and the early DK boards used several small individual connectors like those where as a Mario Brothers board has an actual edge connector style.

Nice marquee setup.  ;D
I would think the light bulb socket configuration is the original and the flourescent ficture was added.

That outlet in the bottom IS 100v !! and is for the monitor.
Absolutely do NOT use anything else for that monitor.
You should be able to trace it back to the transformer in the bottom of the cab.

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 12, 2007, 09:37:22 am
.a huge "wood" case around the monitor...I don't know where to start to remove it....it looks very different from the metal "framed" monitors I've seen on pictures on Kong machines.....maybe this was a Radar Scope "feature" ?

yep radarscope have those wood cage.

can you please provide a lot of pics of the wood case and measurement ??
the one we picked few times ago (see below) does not have the wood case, we would like to restore it to it's full glory

thank's

(http://vectorzorg.free.fr/RT/img/dsc0068qj5.jfif)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 12, 2007, 09:45:06 am
Came across a good site with some good pics of the insides of a Radar Scope..... sure enough.... looks like yours never has been a Mario Bros yet.

Zorg: Is your monitor mounted horizontal? (just looks like it is)

http://arcade.thelittons.net/Radarscope/ (http://arcade.thelittons.net/Radarscope/)

And here's a pic showing what you would normally find on a Nintendo cab that has had the monitor rotated etc. (for those that may be curious as to how obvious it really is)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 12, 2007, 11:42:09 am
Zorg: Is your monitor mounted horizontal? (just looks like it is)

Unfortunatly yes, the cab was converted.

also note, that even more unfortunatly, the cab is not mine  :hissy:,
it pertains to one of my friend.

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 12, 2007, 11:45:47 am
Hey Zorg,

I can get you as many pictures as  you like, but in return I MUST have pictures of that cab !!!!

It shouldn't get any stranger: You've got a Donkey Kong cab in France with a Horizontal monitor, and I've got a "Mario Bros" cab in Holland with a vertical monitor !!!!! Talk about co-incedence.

I can't see it on the picture, does that cab have the bolts on the sides like Kevin shows on that blue cab pic ??
If not, this could be VERY interesting !

The monitor does seem to be lying very flat though....much flatter than my monitor's position...
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 12, 2007, 12:44:55 pm
I can get you as many pictures as  you like, but in return I MUST have pictures of that cab !!!!

as soon as I go to my mate basement you'll have as much photos as requested :D

Quote
It shouldn't get any stranger: You've got a Donkey Kong cab in France with a Horizontal monitor, and I've got a "Mario Bros" cab in Holland with a vertical monitor !!!!! Talk about co-incedence.

open for a trade ?? :D :D

Quote
I can't see it on the picture, does that cab have the bolts on the sides like Kevin shows on that blue cab pic ??
If not, this could be VERY interesting !
/quote]

I'll check that.

maybee greg will pop up on the thread, I have pointed him this thread
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 12, 2007, 08:16:05 pm
Two red cabs overseas, both with five slot speaker grills, single slot coin doors, both look to be in great shape, one is vertical, the other horizontal..... yep .....you must now crate them both up and send them to me in the US for further investigation.  ;D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 12, 2007, 10:22:07 pm
you must now crate them both up and send them to me in the US for further investigation.  ;D

 :laugh2: :laugh2:

yep just provide the adress   :dizzy:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 13, 2007, 12:21:55 am
Zorg: What was your friends cab converted to with the horizontal monitor setup?
(curious why it has the DK everything else still though)

Are the metal ID tags still on the back of that one?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 13, 2007, 01:06:13 am
Two red cabs overseas, both with five slot speaker grills, single slot coin doors, both look to be in great shape, one is vertical, the other horizontal..... yep .....you must now crate them both up and send them to me in the US for further investigation.  ;D
Hahahaha, sure thing.....I'll pay for p&p as well right ? :D

Sorry, but please do allow us poor Europeans, who normaly don't have a wealth of available machines, our candy  :laugh:

Kevin, did you notice that picture of the tag of that Radar Scope link you posted ? => Made in Japan !
But the model nr  is TRS-UP-US (where mine is TRS-UP-UK obviously). But I always thought the Radar Scopes had been built in the US. Looks like they were all built in Japan and shipped......any DK tags that show they were built in the US ?
I wonder if there were also "TRS-UP-EU" machines......Back then, the UK had 240VAC mains, and mainland Europe 220VAC. Not a big deal normaly, but machines were specificaly made for both voltages then. Now we all have 230VAC here....

Zorg: a trade did cross my mind :D but I'm not sure what to do yet....let's first "exchange" pictures.....I won't have much time the coming days though, I'll do my best to shoot a lot and post them....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 13, 2007, 01:09:57 am
Zorg: What was your friends cab converted to with the horizontal monitor setup?
(curious why it has the DK everything else still though)

Moon patrol
I guess first Radarscope where converted to DK, and then modified by the pprevious owner.
the cab was used by his kids.

her's the list some of the modification I remember,
monitor was changed for an Hantares
new power supply added while the original on still on the cab
huggly sqaure button added on the CPO
coin door was "holed" (is it the term) to add a free play button


Quote

Are the metal ID tags still on the back of that one?

yep, TRS-UP-GM (upright for germany)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 13, 2007, 01:15:34 am
Kevin, did you notice that picture of the tag of that Radar Scope link you posted ? => Made in Japan !

But I always thought the Radar Scopes had been built in the US. Looks like they were all built in Japan and shipped......

right, the cabs where built in japan, and when nintendo realised that radarscope was a flop, they asked operators to send back the cabs, and they shipped it to japan again. once converted to DK, the cabs where shipped again to operators...

Quote
Zorg: a trade did cross my mind :D

huuuuuu please remember the cab is not mine..
originaly it was a joke, as request to ship both cabs to US is.


Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: arcadefever on February 13, 2007, 01:25:18 am
ZORG,   i know that red donkey kong was a long long trip for you to go get it  ;D

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 13, 2007, 01:36:42 am
ZORG,   i know that red donkey kong was a long long trip for you to go get it  ;D

yep but it worthes the km, we picked 3 great cabs during this road trip, Space Invader, Centipede and this one :D plus 2 days speaking arcade history and so on with Greg.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: arcadefever on February 13, 2007, 11:24:59 pm
ZORG,   i know that red donkey kong was a long long trip for you to go get it  ;D

yep but it worthes the km, we picked 3 great cabs during this road trip, Space Invader, Centipede and this one :D plus 2 days speaking arcade history and so on with Greg.

that was a great trip  :cheers:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 14, 2007, 04:23:12 pm
Level42 I should be abble to take pics on tuesday, let me know if ther some parts you specificaly want.

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 14, 2007, 04:57:40 pm
Well, I'm mostly interested in the monitor position of course.

Front and back (inside) pictures are very welcome....the more the marier I guess....I wonder if the monitor is inside the wooden cage and how it's mounted in there....

I hope to take some more pics in an hour or so, and post them here !



by the way.....I've dreamed about a rotating monitor in this baby  :laugh:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 15, 2007, 02:52:06 am
Well, I'm mostly interested in the monitor position of course.

Front and back (inside) pictures are very welcome....the more the marier I guess....I wonder if the monitor is inside the wooden cage and how it's mounted in there....

the cab does not have the wooden box, that's why I asked for dimension and photos of the box.
I'll shoot as many photos and details. :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 16, 2007, 01:58:43 am
OK, then I'm still interested how it's mounted ;)

Didn't have time to take pictures, but I did have another quick look at the cage. I think I now know how to remove it. There's a metal strip that needs to be removed.(It looks a lot like this: http://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=MONXBARN , and it seems to be mounted the same, but not 100% sure.....(Notice it's also indicated as being used in Radar Scope !)

(http://www.mikesarcade.com/eStore/datasheets/pinouts/MONXBARN.gif)

Then it looks like I can slide the whole cage up and out of the cab....

I'll give it a try tonight.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 16, 2007, 06:04:07 pm
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, it looks like this metal strip is a bit different. Not 100% sure if they are exchangeable.

Releasing the cage is quite easy, remove the two nuts on each side of the metal upper strip. Then on the bottom there's also a metal strip that's fixed both the the cage and the cab. Remove the screws and then it's very easy to slide up and out the complete cage (make wires loose first :) )

This is great, removing the monitor is making it much easier to carry the cab around :D

First, I had a feeling that this cage would make it possible to turn the whole cage to get a horizontal monitor, but this turned out not to be true. However, it should be very possible to rotate the CRT only within the cage. By sawing out a horizontal hole and drilling 4 holes for the corner mounts of the CRT. I don't think there's a possibility to make this rotating within the cage. However, the current stands that hold the cage in the cab look like you could build about anything on it :)

OK, enough talk, pictures !

1st: I'm lifting up the "curtain", something to keep it dark in the monitor area...
2nd:There you see the upper metal strip that holds the monitor in place, this is the right side (from the back of course)
3rd: this is the left side
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 16, 2007, 06:09:20 pm
1st: Yeah, metric nuts !!! Loosen two on both sides
2nd:...then the strip is loose
3rd: The cage is resting on the back side on this wood.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 16, 2007, 06:10:06 pm
1st: The whole back side, monitor cage still in cab. That wood seems to be in a 45 degr. angle.
2nd: metal strip on bottom side of monitor, left side
3rd: idem, right side
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 16, 2007, 06:23:24 pm
1st: OK I removed the three screws on the metal strip and loosened all wires (!!!!!!) Now I can easily shift the entire cage up. Sorry, but I was home alone while doing this, else I would have made some pictures of shifting it out/up.
Here you see the now-empty cab. There's the big wood that supports the cage.

2nd: OK cage on floor, backside

3rd: Left side

4th: Front
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 16, 2007, 06:27:56 pm
And the last one....the left side.....look at that stylish woodgrain finish, what were they thinking in Japan ? Even the inside should look nice, or was this scrapwood ?

Look at that dust too, the inside is even worse. It's really really black, very fine dust. It's a miracle the outside of the cab is in such good shape.

All in all, this is quite a nice construction, although I can see it's costly (labor !) and no wonder they changed it later.

I think there many possibilities with this construction. F.I. I could make two frames with different monitors, one horizontal, one vertical and then simply swap monitors (would require an interface though and two "new" TV's).

Or maybe it's possible to make a whole new, rotating construction. It's very possible to rotate the CRT alone I think, but this would be a bit more definite....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: blueznl on February 18, 2007, 03:23:11 pm
Verdorie, level42, waar vind je toch van die mooie kasten...
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 19, 2007, 04:28:50 pm
Verdorie, level42, waar vind je toch van die mooie kasten...

Tsja, ik sta er zelf ook versteld van hoor ! Veel geluk en goed opletten denk ik.... :) Groetjes !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Kevin Mullins on February 19, 2007, 07:33:09 pm
Verdorie, level42, waar vind je toch van die mooie kasten...

Tsja, ik sta er zelf ook versteld van hoor ! Veel geluk en goed opletten denk ik.... :) Groetjes !

"Gazuntight"
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 23, 2007, 05:18:15 am
Hey Zorg, I put up all those pics for you and no reply ?  ::)

Need any measurements ?  8)

By the way Kevin........that's German......not Dutch, but of course Dutch comes from Deutsch which means German but we are NOT German we speak "Nederlands", so from now on, all you English people say "Nay-der-lunds" to our beautiful language and not Dutch anymore because thats Deutsch and foreigners never seem to hear the difference between German and Nederlands.....and although we're all good friends now, we still would like to......

aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh ;) :P

Lekker belangrijk :) (=like thats' important)

HAhaaha (to confuse you even more: German= Gesundheit  Nederlands=Gezondheid) and yes it means the same :P

Sorry guys, I'm on some pretty strong medicine currently....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on February 23, 2007, 08:48:10 am
Hey Zorg, I put up all those pics for you and no reply ?  ::)
Quote

I'm currently busy as hell..
spent most part of the night removing crap paint on 5 Midway coin door, then sanding, sanding and sanding again then priming those babies :D

I did not forgot the cab photos I promised, but currently to access the cab, we need to move too much stuff in order to acces this one. Once the place will be more accessible we will provide photos :D (only problem it may take a while....)

Quote
Need any measurements ?  8)

sure if you can provide the measures in order to recreate the wood box, it will be a great step for us.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on February 23, 2007, 11:22:01 am
Hey Zorg,

No worries I understand :)

If i have some spare time I will measure the cage.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on March 06, 2007, 11:16:03 am
I won a Mario Bros. PCB set on e-bay.......I know it's untested but it seems to come from a supplier's warehouse. I don't know, I just hope I'm lucky on the PCB-front for once....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on March 12, 2007, 07:20:09 pm
I guess I will need another wire-harness for this. The connectors that are currently inside the cab don't look like anything that will be fitting on the Mario Bros PCB set.....

Can anybody take a look at the pictures of the wires and connectors and who knows this Nintendo stuff let me know ? Any place to get a new harness ?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on March 22, 2007, 03:27:54 pm
Can anybody help who knows what harness I will need for the Mario Bros PCB ?

Thanks ! :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: audiomidiman on October 05, 2007, 03:23:40 pm
Opps... Wrong Topic.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on May 26, 2008, 02:58:57 pm
Level42...how did the eBay pcb work out for ya? Do you still require the Mario Bros. harness?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on May 26, 2008, 04:33:45 pm
Hah, well it's still waiting here for it's first test-run......

I might need it. I just pulled the cab from my shed (and parked the Centi there) and am removing all loose stuff in there.
Let me check what's in there and get the PCB set. This is going to be a bit of a puzzle to see what goes where :S


This cab is totally filthy inside. I think I will remove every single part inside to give it a total cleaning.

I already found the two power supplies again.

The good news is that the coin-door and marquee holders have been powdercoated already (together with the Galaxian stuff) :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on May 26, 2008, 06:14:26 pm
Funny how interesting it can be to read your own old thread :) Was a nice way to refresh my memory.
Wunder, yes I need a harness. All the plugs and cables I have are for the Radar Scope/Early DK boards and won't fit the MB PCB set.

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on May 27, 2008, 01:47:02 pm
First steps:

Cut off the UK power plug and installed a proper one (:P).

I removed the cable that ran to the incadescent light bulb that was on the marquee. That bulb didn't have the screw-in connection as we have over here, but the one with two pins sticking out the sides. I guess that's a US version (Japan) ?
Anyway, I will install a new TL fixture anyway so I removed the mains cable. And plugged it in:

FLASH and all of a sudden TV went out as well. The circuit breaker had jumped. There was another loose piece of mains wire that was unisolated and short circuiting :S

Stupid !

Removed it, next power up. The transformer puts out about 98 Volts AC. Looks OK to me. Chose one of the PSU and connected it, I can measure the usual voltages on various pins so I guess this one is OK. No time to check the other,but there was still time to plug in the monitor.
No sparks, but a nice start-up sound. We have neck-glow and (and that's a great feature of an inverted signal) an all white screen ! Exactly like it shoud be without a signal connected.

Damn, that's sweet !

Sure it has some problems, it's moving a bit in the horizontal direction and there seems to be some sync issues, but there's no signal connected now and I guess it could do with a cap-kit.

There's a slightly burn-in that clearly gives away that it has been used in vertical position. There's a high-score on the top and some stuff on the bottom, but I can't identify it. This actualy may well be from the Radar Scope game !!!
Who knows, maybe they half-converted it and still played Radar Scope in it ? I guess that's a 2-way game too....

A very good start indeed ! :)

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 01, 2008, 02:57:26 am
Man it's great to have some time to work on a cab....

This is how it looked when it came out of the shed: What a shame about all that side damage.....but with some good cleaning it will already look a lot better....still uncleaned here:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0830/web.jpg)

I removed the bezel and marquee before it went into storage and put them in a safe place.
The coindoor has already been powdercoated and just needs to be mounted back.
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0832/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0833/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0834/web.jpg)

The back is going to need a fresh black paint:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0860/web.jpg)

What do you do when the original Japanese sized 100V tube dies ? You replace it with a carefully mounted incandescent light bulb all the way on the right side of the marquee area. I bet it gave a nice even lighted marquee !! The wood under it was _just_ not burned all the way through !  :banghead:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0836/web.jpg)
Needless to say I removed this "nice" set-up.

I wondered what that grass-like stuff was under the original fixture. Turned out it was some tape that dried out so much is became like straw....weird. There was also stuff like that over the typical Japanese starter-lamp. My guess is that those tapes should have been removed when the machine was first put in service but no-one bothered....

I'm still not sure wether to find for an original tube for the original fixture or replace the whole thing. The last option is probably easier, cheaper and giving a more even lit marquee.....

This is the dirtiest cab I've found so far. The dust inside looks black/dark grey, like car exhaust particles, maybe it was in a garage for a long time ?

Anyway, it needs some serious vacuuming...
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0839/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0840/web.jpg)

Yes vacuuming is pretty needed and effective:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0841/web.jpg)

Removed the power supply board. This was what it originally looked like, even vacuuming doesn't get it that clean :)
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0842/web.jpg)

First things first: Let's check the power supplies.
Let's see what comes out of the transformer:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0845/web.jpg)

Looks fine to me. It doesn't produce 100VAC exactly because the mains wiring is hooked up to the 240 VAC tab (former UK standard) and we now have 230 VAC all over Europe (and yes, that includes the UK, wether they like it or not :P). Anyway, the other option would connect it to the 220VAC tab, but that would give a (slightly) too high voltage. All in all, this is the set-up I choose, so I let it be as is.

As a "bonus" the cab came with two PP-7B supplies.
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0837/web.jpg)

Let's check both the PP-7B's:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0847/web.jpg)

The first works fine. Power levels as expected, maybe needs some small adjustments but it's unloaded now....
The second is completely dead. Maybe just the fuse, but could anything of course. Will check that out later.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 01, 2008, 03:23:44 am
The CRT. The spots sare just dirt which cleaned off without a problem. There is a light but clearly identifiable  burn-in of Radar Scope. I can see the high score words on the top and the lines of the "3D" grid. Also the power meter (or where the ship moved) on the bottom.
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0848/web.jpg)


So, at one time it looked like this:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmi9q19lC34[/youtube]

Inside shot of the monitor cage. Here's a "left-over" from possible controls on the front-side. The control area is covered by a lid on the front (normally this is under the black covering bezel).
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0853/web.jpg)

The controls board. I think the audio section is here too, but I'm not sure. Is this the same on the 20-EZ ?
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0854/web.jpg)

The monitor PCB. There's no indications of what type of monitor this is. The CRT does have a Sanyo label. The Radar Scope manual mentions some 14" monitors (for the cocktail of course) and the 20EZ, but also the 20-DZC. Since D comes before E, I guess that is the one inside my cab....
Needless to say this needs a good cleaning....
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0859/web.jpg)

There is no separate instruction card on MB, unlike DK and DKjr. instead it is "integrated" into the CPO. So, I will need to remove those sticky residues and paint the bar above the CP black again.
It's also not in the best physical shape, it can do with some extra screws here and there:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0864/web.jpg)

Original speaker. Look at the kickplate, it's been hit badly right next to the speaker....The way of "mounting" the kickplate to the lower CP part is also not very sturdy: staples ! Will need to fix that...
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0862/web.jpg)

Some more vacuuming of the wood that carries the monitor cage.
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0863/web.jpg)

The speaker looks fine still:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0865/web.jpg)

Just a bit dirty:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0866/web.jpg)

This shows the kickplate damage better:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0867/web.jpg)

This doesn't look very nice at all:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0868/web.jpg)

If anyone knows where to find exactly the same laminate covering in the correct color.......
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0869/web.jpg)

Still, cleaning will get it to look a lot better already....

Extreme nudity:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0870/web.jpg)

Monitor removed:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0871/web.jpg)


Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 01, 2008, 03:36:53 am
Well......of course I need a horizontal monitor for MB right ?

So, the simplest way is to simply rotate the wooden cage:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0872/web.jpg)

Nice idea, eey.........there's only one slight little tiny problem:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0875/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0873/web.jpg)

And another, problem, it doesn't fit between the two sliding guides on the carrying panel:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0876/web.jpg)

You see the strips on the right and left here.....so they must go !
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0877/web.jpg)

After removing the strips it sits nicely. Now let's see how to solve the sticking out part of the cage.
Luck is with me: there are no essential parts of the monitor itself sticking out ! It's just "empty" space. Only the controls (audio?) PCB is in the way, but that's easily moved to a bit lower spot in the cage.
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0881/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0882/web.jpg)

So, let's mark what I will have to remove to make it fit:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0880/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0879/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF0878/web.jpg)

I'm a bit worried that the strength of the structure of the cage will be a lot less when I remove that part, but I can flip over a part of the wood and reconnect it, making a new angled back-end. I will also have to fix the cage to the cab support, but since it's wood all-over that won't be a problem....

Another good thing is that I can still turn the monitor back in vertical position when I want to.

Regretfully I didn't have the time anymore to put the saw in the wood.....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 01, 2008, 03:48:49 am
Looking at the pictures again, it looks like the control/sound PCB isn't in the way at all. It looks to be fully inside the cab, I could cut the wood a bit further to the right and don't have to move that PCB. But pictures can be wrong....ah well, we'll see how it goes....


O and for those who might missed it

I am looking for a Mario Bros. wiring harness !!!
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 02, 2008, 06:03:35 pm
Anyway....let's continue.....since I always start on the front side and then drag my feet to do the backside, I started to reverse things this time :)

First some sanding:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF0883/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF0884/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF0885/web.jpg)

Then some primer:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF0892/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF0889/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF0887/web.jpg)


Hope the white primer will work with the black paint.....

By the way, am I the only one who seems to spend more time to clean the tools and hands then the actual painting ?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 03, 2008, 05:39:18 am
Good news, good news ! Found a MB harness :) Thanks Wunder !

Guys, I'm a bit worried. I keep having visions of having this cab with a rotating monitor. It's probably impossible because the cab's not wide enough but in dreams everything is possible..... :D

I won a pretty cheap but fully working (tested it) DKjr. bootleg board and I would LOVE to be able to play it in this cab. (Who knows maybe a Double DK even ?)

Now, the Nintendo joysticks are great in this way that you cannot see from the outside wether it's 2 way or 4 way. The only difference is the restrictor plate and the extra microswitches (& wiring of course). There's no need to hack the CP for it, it moves within the same position.

I could easily convert the left joystick to 4 way, allowing it to play both games.

But the monitor _is_ of course the issue. Sure enough, when I'm finished I can rotate the monitor by hand from the back, but that's not too practical of course...

Also, the bootleg board outputs a none-inverted video signal. The origianl MB board-set that I have will output inverted video (if it works....), so there's an extra challenge there, but that's also solvable.

I know it would be almost impossible, but it keeps bugging me :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 04, 2008, 04:44:53 pm
Crossed my mind while working on the monitor: those Nintendo cabs are WAY too low ! They're the lowest cab I've seen so far and when I look at the monitor (in horizontal position !) through the bezel, I see it only half-way. I'm not overly tall (1,85 m.) but I will really have to bend to see the entire screen. When the monitor is in vertical position it's even worse !

Probably because the Japanese are generally small people ?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 08, 2008, 04:39:00 am
YEAAAAAHHHH, the wiring harness has started on it's journey across the Atlantic  :applaud: :applaud:

Thank you Wundercade !  :cheers:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on June 08, 2008, 12:56:35 pm
No problem Level42, glad I could assist.  :cheers:

With Nintendo cabs...I almost always use a stool to play them. Because of how short they are. Even so, they're still my favorite style cab.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 12, 2008, 10:48:38 am
Soooo, I finished the 2nd layer of paint three days ago. It doesn't look as shiny as the flash makes it look like, but I still think it's pretty shiny for a semi-gloss paint. Will try another brand next time I guess.

Anyway, it looks a LOT better than it was:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1143/web.jpg)


Wunder, the harness arrived yesterday but I wasn't at home. Thanks for the quick shipping !  :applaud: :applaud: Picked it up from the neighbors as soon as I got home from work and  naturally I wired everything up for a test-drive:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1146/web.jpg)

 Finally I would know if the "untested " Mario Bros. PCB that I bought over half a year ago from internet would do anything at all.......well:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1147/web.jpg)


YES  !!!! It runs absolutely perfect !, picture, sound, inputs everything is fine ! I guess the arcade-gods were somewhat pleased with my restorations and thought I deserved a bit of luck this time.

Well the guy who sold me this PCB said it was pulled from a working machine and then stored for years and that he thought there would be a reasonable chance for it to still work, but yet I expected the worst (but hoped the best of course).

Played my first game, but I had to switch control connectors because the P1 jump button is stuck and left is not working. Pretty clumsly to start a game that way.

About the monitor: It looks A-MA-ZING ! Colors. focus everything looks like new ! The only thing I notice is a very slight wiggle in the screen. Nothing a cap-kit won't fix I guess.

What a great project this is so far ! Amazing progress within weeks :) Gotta go, more later !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on June 12, 2008, 06:04:56 pm
Alright!!! :cheers:

Glad to see you got it soo quickly. I don't know what the fuss about shipping to Holland was about. It was no hassle at all. I only had to fill out that little US Customs card and that was it. I'd have no problems doing it again if needed. I'm also glad to see the harness worked out for you. And that your PCB is working. Nice job so far.

-Don
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 20, 2008, 06:31:32 pm
Well, after getting it working I replaced the TL-light fixture with an el-cheapo one from the Gamma (DIY store here). Those cheap one's are always to long for cabs, but I simply remove the tube holders, ballast and starter and mount them on the wood. Throw away the metal frame. Of course this way I also need a shorter tube. I got a warm-colored one this time, of course those are a bit more expensive but it looks better.

I put back the marquee and the retainers, also the bezel and re-installed the cleaned T-molding. So it's playabel now. I must say it's very addictive, even in one player. I can't seem to reach level 11 !  :banghead:

Co-op play is mega-fun !!!

After playing it's time for work again:

I started to open up the cage of the monitor to have a look. No-one seems to either have or even know this monitor. It's not a 20EZ. This was probably the model that preceded it. It may be the 20C or 20-DZC....

Anyway, you can find pics of all the monitor parts here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=80668.msg849629#msg849629

If anyone has any info ( a manual !!!???) about it that would be great.

There is really no need for me to cap-kit it. The picture is absolutely brilliant. The only thing I need to adjust still is the width of the picture. That control is not on the little PCB with all the pots.

Tomorrow I will saw the cage so it will fit in the cab in both horizontal and vertical postions.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 21, 2008, 10:18:04 am
OK, though the KLOV forum I found out that the monitor uses the same PCB as the 14" Sanyo. So that's solved and Atari was nice enough to make an excellent manual for that monitor.

I did the "operation" today, and it turned out OK:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1170/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1171/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1172/web.jpg)

Now it fits :) ! I secured the left side to the bottom shelve to give it a bit more stability, but otherwise it's very sturdy. Now at least I can close the cab again.

Adjusted the monitor completely. The bad thing is that the width coil won't go "far enough" to make the picture as wide as needed....would a new one fix this or do I have to change something else ?

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: arcadefever on June 22, 2008, 01:21:13 am
 :applaud: very nice !!! happy to see the PCB working after many years of storage  ;)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 22, 2008, 04:06:01 pm
:applaud: very nice !!! happy to see the PCB working after many years of storage  ;)
Thanks fever... :) Yeah I really expected the board-set to have at least some problems but it's still running 100% :)

Now I gotta make up my mind on how to restore the sides and kickpanel......should I paint it completely or just "touch-up" the bad parts..... I fear of loosing the "original" look of the laminate when I paint it....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 28, 2008, 04:13:19 am
If anyone ever needs the exact replacement for the Nintendo coin mechs:

(http://www.asahiseikousa.com/assets/images/KWM740_70.jpg)


http://www.asahiseikousa.com/html/roll_downkwm740.html

Amazingly, they are still in production and look exactly like they did 27 years ago :)
They are a bit costly, $38,- from what I've read elsewhere...but they're all aluminium so NO rust :)

Does anybody know a dealer ?

I found a dealer in Indonesia that has all the spare parts for this mech listed but I don't feel really comfy about ordering there.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on June 30, 2008, 05:06:40 pm
Some updates:

I loosened the sound/control board to see what cap values I needed to re-cap it. Well it was a nightmare to get it loose because of the (much too) long bolts that I needed the nuts to un-screw off. This plus the fact that Nintendo obviously was scared this PCB could come loose in transport and they put some really sticky stuff on it to hold the nuts.

Got all three loose eventually and wrote down the values. Then I put it back in place and fired up the machine again.......no picture. Stupid me ! I had removed the neck-board from the CRT to be able to reach the control/sound board better and forgot to put it back  :banghead:

Powered down, re-installed the neck-board and powered up again. No vertical deflection anymore, no sound anymore  :banghead: :banghead:

After some searching I found out that a soldering had come loose. Resoldered it and had perfect picture again. Sure was glad it was just that !

However, the sound now sounded like it was constantly "tripping". Only some peaks seemed to "get through".

I checked out my local electronics parts dealers' catalogue and decided instead of trying to revive the old sound board, I would replace it with a much more modern solution:

(http://www.vellemanusa.com/images/products/0/k4001.jpg)

http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/view/?id=350529

A small and cheap kit, a simple one IC amp. (For just €9.95 I couldn't justify trying to get the old-amp working again (and maybe fail).

I connected the 7P-Sound connector (+12V and GND, thanks Ken) as supply for the amp, since that connector is only used for the old-style DK boards. I removed the volume pot from the control board and set it up in the ingoing line. It worked great, but it was very loud :) I'll need a logarithmic pot I guess or a different value...
Turned it down, and now it sounds fine. Although there is still some small hum. I guess this must be picked up in the board-set someway. However it is much,much less than it was.

I'll put up some pics when I finished it installing neatly.



Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on July 01, 2008, 01:34:55 am
Is the monitor a SanyoEZ that came in the cab with that wood case or is it something else? Is MB video inverted like DK?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 01, 2008, 06:35:16 am
No, it is not an EZ. This was an earlier generation Sanyo. After long looking some guys at KLOV identified it as the Sanyo 14" PCB set. The only model ID I could find on the monitor itself said "20C".

Here's a link to a thread in the monitor section I started about this monitor, lots of pictures there:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=80668.0

Atari made a nice Service Manual for that monitor and indeed the video schematic seems to be correct largely (although I've found some small errors/differences). However, the combined control/sound board is not described in that manual.

Yes Mario also uses inverted video.
Are you still looking for a EZ Wunder ? I think if I were you, I'd look for a video inversion board from a EZ. There have to be some people who have removed these from their EZ. And then use a regular monitor.

On the other hand, the Sanyo does look like a very good quality monitor, the picture is like new on mine.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on July 01, 2008, 10:50:30 pm
Yes, I am still looking for one. I have recapped Sanyos and WG's and by far the Sanyo seems to recover to almost like new after recapping. It's a great monitor. I do have a spare K4600 monitor, but like you said, I'd have to get an inverter board and fashion the mounting for it. It seems there was always Sanyos for sale just prior to me needing one, I guess that's life, huh.

Could you post a pic of how you set up your Marquee splice? I think I am going to do it your way.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 03, 2008, 02:33:40 pm
Could you post a pic of how you set up your Marquee splice? I think I am going to do it your way.

What exactly do you mean with the marquee splice ?


I found this GREAT thread about a red Radar Scope that got converted to a DK. IMHO that is the only PROPER cab to put all that red-colored artwork in. The artwork was clearly designed for that red cab ! What "crazy-fool" at Nintendo decided it had to be changed to light blue ????

The proof: Bruno used the repro CPO to have the color scanned and the paint was a 100% color match for the sides !!!

(http://www.arcadelifestyle.net/dk/pa2.jpg)

(http://www.arcadelifestyle.net/dk/pa4.jpg)

I hope he has the color-code for that brand/machine......or maybe he has some paint left ? :D

Anyway, enjoy:

http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=339.0
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on July 04, 2008, 01:12:46 pm
I should've been more specific...sorry Andre.

What I mean is, can you show a pic of how you hooked up your replacement marquee light to the existing power supply? With  perhaps a explanation so we can duplicate it if we ever need to replace the original Nintendo light.

Thanks. :cheers:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 04, 2008, 03:51:21 pm
No problem Wunder, sometimes I think my English is pretty good, but i keep learning every day :D

Well, keep in mind that in Europe we use 230VAC instead of the US 120VAC but the way it is done is exactly the same over-there.

The thing to keep in mind that you always need to connect stuff that runs on the mains power behing the mains switch AND behind the main fuse. This way it's protected and it will turn on and off with everything else (which is kinda handy ;) ).

This sounds simple enough,but I've connected two 230VAC fans on my friend's Star Wars games and I got it wrong there in the first place (fans were running constantly....).

Anyway, the Nintendo is a great cab for this since it has the switch and  main fuse right next to eachtother where the mains is connected.

BEFORE YOU START DISCONNECT THE CAB FROM THE MAINS POWER BY REMOVING THE PLUG FROM THE WALL OUTLET !!!

So, of course I removed the old light fixture. I cut of the wire next to the old fixture so we can re-use it on the new one.
On the other side of the wire, I cut of the (american) mains plug that normally goes into the socket at the bottom of the cab. Be sure you cut the right one, on my cab it has WHITE wire, the DARK wire is the monitor plug, that needs to stay on if you like a picture when playing the game :P.

Stripped both wires and tinned them with a little solder to make the stranded wire more stiff so it will hold better under the screws on the terminal block.

Next, the two wires are connected parallel to the incoming mains wires (the one's that come from the fuseholder).

See the picture:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1185/web.jpg)

Of course, connect the TL fixture as described in the manual that comes with it. Don't forget the earth wire !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: jimkirk on July 05, 2008, 01:30:51 am
If anyone ever needs the exact replacement for the Nintendo coin mechs:

(http://www.asahiseikousa.com/assets/images/KWM740_70.jpg)


http://www.asahiseikousa.com/html/roll_downkwm740.html

Amazingly, they are still in production and look exactly like they did 27 years ago :)
They are a bit costly, $38,- from what I've read elsewhere...but they're all aluminium so NO rust :)

Does anybody know a dealer ?

I found a dealer in Indonesia that has all the spare parts for this mech listed but I don't feel really comfy about ordering there.
You can order direct from ashaiseiko like I did. Call the Vegas number and ask for Mike Sparto here is a link http://www.asahiseikousa.com/html/roll_downkwm740.html. The mechs are pricey $38.00 plus approx. $3.00 credit card fee and shipping. Expect to pay about $45.00-$50.00 total.Mike can order just the face plates if you have mechs already.Takes about 6-8 weeks from Japan.Just a couple of options to have brand new looking mechs.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 05, 2008, 02:38:24 am
Great info, thanks. I'm currently discussing this with the European office in the UK. Let's see what they come up with :) It might still be cheaper to get it from the US with current rates, don't know. The UK office asked for the serial nr. to give the correct price.

Alternatively, there is a way to get them look a lot better too (although I wouldn't go with the hammered style):
http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=339.msg2247#msg2247

Has anyone tried to adjust it to accept other coins ?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Blanka on July 05, 2008, 03:56:54 am
Wow, that is an amazing coin mech. The way they are supposed to look like IMO!
I really want one in a less-is-more-coin-design 1 guilder/1yuan/1mark (that german coin was not that bad either, and if you have a guilder mech, you can also use chinese yuans as cheap guilder replacements) flavour. The Euro is over-designed IMO (damn french). But if it has to be Euro, then 50ct I guess would be acceptable.
So Level 42, if you find a propriate buying channel for the netherlands, let me know.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 05, 2008, 06:53:08 am
Didn't know about the Chinese yuan....could be handy because I'm going to need more coins when my gameroom gets done.

The quality of the mech looks to be great. It's all aluminium and there's not a spot of rust or anything on the one that was in my cab. Only a bit dirt and scatches.

The front-plate is very scratched however and also has some spots that seem to be rust.

Blank, I just dropped them a mail, expect an answer early next week.

Where are you (about) ? (Forgive me if I already asked this :) )
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on July 05, 2008, 11:27:12 am
Thanks for the info on the marquee light wiring Level42.  :D

On a different note.....that Seiko mech is ALMOST an exact replacement. The original Nintendo DK and DK Jr. had a different coin return holder that looked more like a protruding ear, not the one pictured in the Seiko mech below. Other than that little factoid, it looks exactly right.

This is the original style coin return holder that goes under the return button:
(http://www.videogameparts.com/images/1201977951227174543388.jpeg)

A little difference that most probably won't care about.....but just the same....
(http://www.asahiseikousa.com/assets/images/KWM740_70.jpg)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 05, 2008, 11:41:17 am
The mech on my machine is missing the return holder.

I like the one pictured on the mech picture better.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on July 05, 2008, 12:21:07 pm
Yes....sometimes original isn't always better.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: jimkirk on July 05, 2008, 05:34:21 pm
Thanks for the info on the marquee light wiring Level42.  :D

On a different note.....that Seiko mech is ALMOST an exact replacement. The original Nintendo DK and DK Jr. had a different coin return holder that looked more like a protruding ear, not the one pictured in the Seiko mech below. Other than that little factoid, it looks exactly right.

This is the original style coin return holder that goes under the return button:
(http://www.videogameparts.com/images/1201977951227174543388.jpeg)

A little difference that most probably won't care about.....but just the same....
(http://www.asahiseikousa.com/assets/images/KWM740_70.jpg)
Either style coin holder is original because Nintendo used whatever asahiseiko had in stock to meet production needs. That is why you will see DK'S with either style coin holders. Videogameparts.com has the closed style holders,here is link http://www.videogameparts.com/category.sc?categoryId=30
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 07, 2008, 10:46:31 am
So, I thought: Great, Nintendo used metric sized hardware, now I can get it "around the corner". Well, don't you believe it. The lockbolts that are used on the CP are M4 (that is 4 mm.). I've looked on-line, I've called several hardware stores NO-ONE has lock bolts below M5 !  :banghead: :banghead:

I didn't even dare to ask about the M3 blind bolts that are needed for the coin door.

The thing is, the one's that are still there look fine still, but there are just not enough of either of them. The joysticks each only have 2 bolts etc.

Guess this will mean ordering them in the US  which feels insane for metric sized stuff  :banghead: :banghead:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on July 07, 2008, 12:53:13 pm
Don't feel too bad. My local hardware store doesn't have anything below M4. Thankfully, I needed M4.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 07, 2008, 06:11:15 pm
Hey, I live in Europe, we INVENTED the metric system (well actually Napoleon did) so I am ENTITLED to M4 lock-bolts "around the corner" ;) ;)

I think the bolts on the Nintendo coindoors are M3.......anyone know where to get these ?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 15, 2008, 09:59:16 am
About time to kick myself and get going on with this one. It's just TOO much fun to play (and my son is getting better and better at it :) )....

I added a TO DO section in the first posting.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 16, 2008, 05:45:46 pm
Soooo, let's start with the CP.

Let's see the condition it's in. I've scraped away small parts of the CPO. It looks very much to me that the guys who did the "conversion" stuck it right over some rusty parts. Seems there was no glue on those parts at all.

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1320/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1321/web.jpg)

I wonder if these are cigarette burns or maybe rust from under the CPO....
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1323/web.jpg)

The usual joystick edge wear:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1324/web.jpg)

Well you get the picture:
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1325/web.jpg)


Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 16, 2008, 05:53:15 pm
Now.....everybody makes mistakes right ?  I mean, even brilliant game creators like Nintendo can make mistakes......

They did........they used....

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1326/web.jpg)


...MICRO-SWITCHES  :scared :scared :scared :scared :scared


Readers of my restoration threads know I'm a leaf-man (with a tiny exception here and there).....

So......Let's correct Nintendo's mistake:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1329/web.jpg)

Look at that nice ring on the right, we're going to use it again ! B.t.w. Nintendo's buttons are not the standard sized one's.....

Anyway, let's take a nice leaf-switch and holder and.....
(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1330/web.jpg)

Tada !! perfect fit !! :D

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1331/web.jpg)


Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 16, 2008, 05:59:26 pm
So, now we're left with these:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1333/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1334/web.jpg)

Don't worry, I'm not going to throw them away....

they're needed here:

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1328/web.jpg)

I can even re-use the small metal strips on the joystick.

Yes, gonna convert one joystick to 4-way for Popeye and the Kong games of course....

Of course I'd like to make the joystick leaf too, but I don't think there's an easy solution to that. And I'm not going to spend almost 70 bucks for a Wico replacement....maybe I could use GGG's Micro-Leaf switch here too ?

We'll see that later...

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 17, 2008, 02:08:21 am
O forgot the best part... right after replacing the MS on the jump button I played a game and.....

(http://gallery.mac.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1336/web.jpg)

...I instantly improve my record with over 20.000 points !!!!!!!
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 21, 2008, 10:24:41 am
Ha, I had bought a DK (4-tier) and a DKjr (2-tier) boardset from the bay from a German guy.
Let's say that I payed a lot less than you'd normaly pay for a working DK board-set. Both were sold untested however. I tested the jr. earlier and it seems completely dead. I already found that one of the sockets of the PROMS has one pin open wide and I bet it's not making contact....

However, I gave the DK set a test-drive this morning and it comes up, and runs attract mode fine :) Didn't have more time to try to credit it etc.

The vertizal size is too big, and I couldn't adjust it, but I found out pretty quick why: the potmeter is broken-off (maybe due to transport). There's also one cooling body missing from a white chip (the one next to it still has it. That chip got pretty warm, but nothing too bad. Both very simple fixes.

Nice score, this means one step closer to my ultimate Nintendo cab. The DK was the most important one for me since I already have the working bootleg Jr.  The DK will be fitted with a D2K kit in the near future :)

(O and I'm at 138 k now. First time that I reached the Icicle's on my own :) Twin Galaxies, here I come ! :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Spyridon on July 21, 2008, 01:16:08 pm
one step closer to my ultimate Nintendo cab.

Now if Mark Spaeth ever gets his Nintendo switchers done you'll be in good shape.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 21, 2008, 02:49:58 pm
Exactly !.......gotta be patient and I need to do more than enough stuff in the mean time, but I do hope they will become available pretty soon....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 22, 2008, 04:15:42 pm
Received the bootleg Popeye PCB today. As promised it works fine, but as excepted with a bootleg,non-inverted video.....

Also, there's something strange with the sound. None of all the other boards I tried (DKjr, DK, Popeye) produce any sound.....kinda weird. Maybe my amp set-up. The bootleg boards also have on-board amplification so maybe they're overdriving the inputs of the amp and so it shuts off.....will need to investigate that..
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 23, 2008, 05:53:10 pm
Major set-back...this evening, when my son and I went for our regular game or two the game suddenly died completely, at least the screen gave a whit picture.

I checked, and it looks like the PSU is dead. No voltages at all, so I guess I am now forced to try and open it up.....any good tips ??
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 24, 2008, 01:45:33 am
Weird. After trying "one last time" after an hour or two, the MB worked fine again !

Does the Nintendo PSU have some overload protection that restores after some time ? I know there are "automatic" fuses that work like that but I wonder if they were already in use then ?

I'm thinking that maybe my audio amp. is overloading it a bit, will measure the current it draws to see about that.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Wade on July 24, 2008, 11:51:37 am
Steve at pinballresource has new Nintendo style coin door/mechs for $10 on special.  Only token mechs but they can be tweaked.  I use tokens on my machines but after repainting the face plates I honestly couldn't justify even $20+ shipping for brand new ones.

Wade
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: joe average on July 26, 2008, 02:25:23 pm
This has been cool to read. 

I picked up a nice mario bros a while back that I've been working on turning back into a dk.  Interesting how different that one looks.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on July 31, 2008, 03:30:55 pm
The CPO is in ! Pics soon !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on August 01, 2008, 01:49:36 am
OK before you look at the pics:

I mailed Scott from Mamemarquees the pictures so he could compare. I am happy with the CPO. This is printed from existing files and without an original it's impossible to get a 100% match (if at all possible). Honestly I would always prefer a NOS CPO and then a silkscreened repro CPO, but in the cases that both are just not around, Mamemarquees is an excellent alternative and I'm glad he's around to make this because else my Centipede and MB would have had terrible condition CPO's. (My Centipede has a bright blue colored CPO, and my MB is a "narrow-body" and both are not available in silk screen reproduction....)

So, with this info, I compared the original and the repro. And here are the pics:

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1412/web.jpg)

Original:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1413/web.jpg)
Repro:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1414/web.jpg)

Original:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1415/web.jpg)
Repro:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1416/web.jpg)

Original:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1417/web.jpg)
Repro:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1418/web.jpg)


Original:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1419/web.jpg)
Repro:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1420/web.jpg)

Green color compared:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1421/web.jpg)

Blue color compared:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1422/web.jpg)

Bricks compared:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1423/web.jpg)

Personaly, I like the black edges around the letters of MARIO and LUIGI because it makes them stand out against the background much better. Everything else are minor things you'll only see with a 1:1 comparison like this.

I'm positive it will look great once installed !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on August 06, 2008, 02:16:39 pm
Received some samples from Formica. Sorry about the first pics quality, for some reason my camera had a problem focussing. Of course the colors are not a perfect match, but the one in the middle comes pretty close.

However, the biggest change in look would be that the original is perfectly smooth, while the Formica has a slight texture. Also it's much less shiny, but I'm not sure the shine was original or is from age/cleaning etc.

Anyway pics:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1480/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1481/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1482/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1483/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1484/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1485/web.jpg)

I've also requested some samples from Italian laminate factory Abet. Hope they arrive before my holiday...
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Wade on August 07, 2008, 10:45:04 pm
That looks pretty good for an inkjet.  If it weren't for the bricks being off in color it'd be pretty tough to tell.  Inkjetted CPO's are far nicer than inkjetted sideart, marquees and bezels, since those don't even resemble the original screenprinted originals, but the CPO's can look pretty good due to the textured lamination.

That center formica sample looks pretty good.  It is possible your cabinet color has faded slightly, as my MB was obviously faded once I got the sideart off.  Maybe not.  Either way, you won't find a color sample in laminate that is exact I'm sure, but that middle one looks very good.  I agree on the texture, the wilsonart I used on my MB had a matte finish and very slight texture, versus the original japanese plywood cabinet which had a slightly flatter and slightly shinier finish.  In the end, I'm happy with the laminate.  The match in color and texture is usually just as bad or worse when I paint.

Wade
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Muerto on August 08, 2008, 12:20:39 am
That looks excellent!
- as wade said, maby the color on the org MB is faded in the sun...
When youre finished with this restoration, it would be cool if you did a post where you brought it all together: color codes, where to buy, things you should be attentive of, etc.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on August 08, 2008, 01:48:19 am
Yup, I was pretty happy with the Centipede CPO I got from Scott as well. Even though there were some color errors, but those were in the file (from the big collection we all know about :) ) so not Scott's fault at all. That one was still better in color match (check my Centipede thread).

I guess you're right about the Formica Wade. There is still one thing holding me from deciding between painting and laminate: The original side-art is in mint shape. With the Formica I would have to remove it of course and get new side-art. Repro, and different color turtle. Also increases the price when choosing the laminate route.

I received the Abet samples yesterday, but they don't seem to come as close as that one Formica color. There is one sample that has a very nice glossy effect, but that one is not the right color and the gloss is TOO much.

There is still one sample on it's way from yet another Italian factory called Arpa.

Would Wilsonart send samples to Europe ? It doesn't look they have offices abroad ?

Maybe we should look for a Japanese/Chinese laminate factory ? The colors I've seen so far are just a bit more "classy". I guess we're looking for a color a bit more like fire-truck red :) Asian tastes are different so maybe they have something a bit more brightly colored.

I know I won't find an exact match so we'll see what we end up with.

For now, I have another problem since the Sanyo yesterday was starting to loose vertical deflection. I guess that cap-kit is getting really necessary.(It was already folding over). I hope the 19" has the same value caps as the 13", I can compare it now nicely between my MC cabaret and the Nintendo.....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Wade on August 08, 2008, 07:44:48 am
I can't explain why yours has different colors on the sideart (maybe because it was a kit? is it a different size compared to regular MB sideart? that might explain it).

However, as much as I like my cabinets to be as nice as possible, since yours has sideart that is flawless, I would lean towards just keeping it and living with the dings in the sides.  Very careful touchup of the areas where the red is missing completely will hide the flaws pretty well, and that cabinet is still in better condition than most I run into.  If money were no object, then I'd probably go ahead with the laminate and new sideart.  The laminate, sideart, and overlay pretty much doubled the cost of my game, but the total cost was still reasonable to me for a keeper game.

It's a tough call!

Wade
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on August 15, 2008, 03:28:53 pm
There were two official versions of the side-art. My bet is that the blue colored turtle version came with the kit.

Anyway, I may well end up doing it Darthnuno's way. I hope I can get his paint left-over.... :D

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw9q_LaVWVE&feature=related
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on August 31, 2008, 04:48:15 pm
Right....on with the CP restore (this game is too much fun, was hard to go on with the restoration :).

Well I removed all the hardware from the CP.  Some pics:


Exactly the reason why I'm all for painted "all over" CP's and also the reason why I'll give this a nice paint....

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1643/web.jpg)

The other's a lot better. Guess which one was "Player 1".....
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1644/web.jpg)

Yugh....
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1645/web.jpg)

Original Nintendo blue colored buttons....
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1646/web.jpg)

My first Nintendo joystick disassembly...
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1647/web.jpg)

Completely cleaned it very thorougly with q-tips & pure alcohol. Especialy the "pillow ball" that's stuck for life inside the joystick was a "joy" to clean. At least it IS very rewarding since it felt a lot better after removing all the sticky goo everywhere.....

I removed the "top layer" of the CPO with the heating gun. It came of a lot worse than expected. Will turn to the nasty (sticker remover) chemicals next.....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on September 01, 2008, 04:32:46 am
Received some samples from Formica.
I've also requested some samples from Italian laminate factory Abet. Hope they arrive before my holiday...

Can you, please, provide the name of the formica supier ?

it may be usefull for a project I have.

regards
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on September 01, 2008, 09:51:32 am
Formica: Simply ordered from the Euopean site. I guess this one is closes to you Zorg:

http://www.formica-europe.com/publish/site/eu/france/fr/home.html

Here's where you can ask for the samples (free).:
http://www.formica-europe.com/publish/site/eu/france/fr/home/services0/mysamples.html
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Darth Nuno on September 01, 2008, 12:11:10 pm
There were two official versions of the side-art. My bet is that the blue colored turtle version came with the kit.

Anyway, I may well end up doing it Darthnuno's way. I hope I can get his paint left-over.... :D

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw9q_LaVWVE&feature=related


Hi André,

What I can do for you is to go back to the paint shop with the right color reference and buy 0.5 or 1 liter of paint, and then send it for you  ::)

Let me know my friend  :cheers:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on September 06, 2008, 01:51:37 pm
thanks

I will order some samples in order to match the one I need.

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on September 07, 2008, 05:01:21 am
There were two official versions of the side-art. My bet is that the blue colored turtle version came with the kit.

Anyway, I may well end up doing it Darthnuno's way. I hope I can get his paint left-over.... :D

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw9q_LaVWVE&feature=related


Hi André,

What I can do for you is to go back to the paint shop with the right color reference and buy 0.5 or 1 liter of paint, and then send it for you  ::)

Let me know my friend  :cheers:
Bruno, with the code on the first tin you bought they should be able to create exactly the same color again .  I think 0,5 liter will be plenty to touch up the bad spots on the cab. If you can do that for me it would be great (I cannot get a reference from my cab without damaging any of the parts that are in sight).

There's no need to send it......I think I still need to come over for something anyway :D

By the way, I will be in Genk next weekend for the Collectorsshow (Luc will have a stand with some of his classic videogames and pinballs !) It's a 2 hours drive for you. If you could make it there, I can bring the SW perspex :) And we can enjoy some great games and fellow collectors !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Darth Nuno on September 10, 2008, 02:28:18 pm
Bruno, with the code on the first tin you bought they should be able to create exactly the same color again .  I think 0,5 liter will be plenty to touch up the bad spots on the cab. If you can do that for me it would be great (I cannot get a reference from my cab without damaging any of the parts that are in sight).

Good news for you André  ;)

I went to my usual paint shop this afternoon... they don't work with the brand "CORONA" anymore.
But because I still got the reference, they have done an equivalent color in the brand "Dulux".
There it is something you  8)

(http://www.arcadelifestyle.net/dk/redlevel1.JPG)

Of course I've to check if it looks similar :

(http://www.arcadelifestyle.net/dk/redlevel2.JPG)

It looks the same... hope it'll match your cab like mine  :P

By the way, I will be in Genk next weekend for the Collectorsshow (Luc will have a stand with some of his classic videogames and pinballs !) It's a 2 hours drive for you. If you could make it there, I can bring the SW perspex :) And we can enjoy some great games and fellow collectors !

I should be there this sunday... prepare the Star Wars stuff  :cheers: I'll bring the paint  :cheers:
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on September 10, 2008, 05:44:00 pm
Yes !!! Excellent news my friend. Looking forward to see you again !

SW perspex is ready for transport :)

See you there !
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on September 22, 2008, 02:19:17 pm
Got the paint and want to prepare the bad parts as good as possible.

My question: would it be possible to bondo just the bad parts with the original "laminate" still on the side ? And then paint the bad parts. Not sure how it will look but I'd like to give it a try.

Alternatively could I bondo the bad parts with the laminate still on and then paint the entire side (masking off the side-art).

I'd prefer to see if I can just touch up the bad parts.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on September 24, 2008, 02:46:35 pm
Preparing the CP....the sticky stuff was even nastier than the Centipede.

I tried "sticker remover" fluid and it did NOTHING for it. So I did it "the old way" again. Costs a number of sanding discs and a lot of time but the result is that this is one game I always win :D
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1754/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1755/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1756/web.jpg)

I'll primer and paint it before applying the new CPO.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 05, 2008, 03:52:27 pm
After all the options I checked about coin mechs for the nintendo I decided to give the frontplate a fresh coat of paint and be done with it.
I have no clue what coin this mech accepts (probably 20p or something like that), but I have a smart little plan to let it accept any coin.

Anyway before:

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1787/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1792/web.jpg)

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 05, 2008, 03:58:03 pm
About paint, I took a look at the paint that my friend Bruno (DarthNuno) had mixed for me and I think the pictures say it all:

With flash:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1788/web.jpg)

And without:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1789/web.jpg)


Amazingly it's a 100% match under both flash and without. That's normally pretty rare. Well done Bruno and thanks !

I tried applying it with the technique that Bruno used on his cab. Although it hides the defects pretty good, I am planning on just repainting everything.
That will require masking of the artwork and repairing the sides with bondo etc.

I discovered that there are too much discolarations. I'm starting to think my trusty cleaning product Dasty is a bit too harsh on some materials. It looks like it took away some of the red at the parts I cleaned most intensely.

Any tips on masking the side-art without damaging it ?
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 08, 2008, 06:22:18 pm
Finaly: The CP is done !

Anyone wonders how a black CP would look on a red Nintendo cab ?

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1794/web.jpg)

First I put small holes at the center marks of the locations where the buttons and joystick-holes will come:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1795/web.jpg)

Next I turn over the CPO, put the CP on it and allign all the small holes to be dead-centered:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1796/web.jpg)


Fix one side of the CPO with some tape:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1798/web.jpg)

Cut of the backing paper on the other side of the CPO and stick it to the CP.

Then roll off the rest of the backing paper while pushing and sticking the CPO on the CP. I simply used my hands only, no bubbles:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1800/web.jpg)

CPO flat on CP:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1801/web.jpg)

Next step, folding over the edges. Actually the hardest part IMHO. Got one or two tiny bubbles, not visible though. I had to re-apply the larger fold-over one time to get rid of some larger bubbles.
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1802/web.jpg)

Next: Trimming the edges with a very sharp knife. Pretty easy, just use the metal as your guide:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1804/web.jpg)

All holes cut out and some excess trimmed on the right side and on the "fold-overs":
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1806/web.jpg)

All hardware re-installed:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1808/web.jpg)

(need to get two orange buttons).

And the always-popular old vs. new pics:

OLD:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100272/DSCF1555/web.jpg)

NEW:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1809/web.jpg)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 11, 2008, 05:16:26 pm
Does anybody have a single bolt for mounting the coin-mech ? I've got three but of course need four. It's a flat-topped bolt.

Also looking for the coin-return "ring" that is missing on my mech
.




For the first time in my life, I've used "bondo" (although it's called differently here). I'm simply not a handy guy at work like this, but there's a first time for everything.

I can now understand why it's so popular in our hobby. It's pretty easy to work with, even by a clumsy guy like me. The first results after sanding look very good indeed, tight corners etc.

Some before shots:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1810/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1813/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1817/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1819/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1820/web.jpg)


Will sand tomorrow as it produces a lot of dust and I'll do it outside (should have done the bondo-ing outside too, it smells terrible).
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 12, 2008, 05:52:26 pm
Regretfully, my wife had other plans for today, so no sanding. I'm going to use my trusty B&D on this as the bondo is a mean thing to sand down.

I feel kind of relieved that I started with the bondo. Something I was looking up against. This experience will come in nicely for my Space Invaders.....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Spyridon on October 13, 2008, 10:26:20 am
This is coming along nicely.  Excellent documentation as usual!

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 27, 2008, 11:41:31 am
Thanks Spyridon ! It's nice to get some feedback once in a while (though the counter shows lots of people have a look :) ).

Finally did some sanding last weekend:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1830/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1832/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1831/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1833/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1834/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1835/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1837/web.jpg)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1838/web.jpg)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 27, 2008, 11:45:14 am
I wasn't too pleased with the first results. I know everything should feel very smooth, but however much I sand it doesn't seem to get much better. It's not terrible, but probably it would show on some parts.

I re-bondo-ed some parts and did some parts that I missed.

I'm looking for a good idea to restore the lower edged of the speaker panel and the kick-plate. Both are very dodgy. Any tips to get a nice straight angle on those ?

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: joeks on October 28, 2008, 03:43:31 am
i would bondo larger area's if i were you. so you cover more of the little scratches and dents with one area of bondo. and then sand that until it's super smooth. for sharp 90 degrees edges i always use a "plamuur-mes" :) bondo-tool/knife? works great.

success with the cabinet! i envy you very much. (building myself a donkey kong cabinet from scratch with mdf)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Spyridon on October 28, 2008, 05:49:51 pm
i would bondo larger area's if i were you. so you cover more of the little scratches and dents with one area of bondo. and then sand that until it's super smooth.

I agree.  Put a lot more bondo on there and then sand smooth.  If it's really rough, you may want to really sand it down before your next coat of bondo.  Don't be afraid to put too much on.  It will sand off.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on October 28, 2008, 07:57:47 pm
But what's the sense of applying a lot of bondo and then sanding it off ?

Today my order from Mike's arcade arrived (VERY quick delivery !):

What a difference a couple of buttons can make:
(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100139/DSCF1843/web.jpg)

Compared to the original (the one with the orange ring and red push button inside) there is a VERY minor color difference, but it might as well just be age. It's so minor, it's hardly worth mentioning (I will put up a comparison pic later). The springs are very light on these buttons, probably because they were ment for the original Nintendo microswitch buttons. Since I replace those with leafs, I will change the springs to get a bit more resistance since it's now a bit too light even for my taste :) But that's nothing Mike can do about, just my stubborn love for leafs.

What you don't see is that I also ordered (and installed) the 4-way restrictor plate for the left joystick, feels much better than without one !

Since I was ordering from Mike anyway, I also ordered the "flat" Nintendo white T-molding. It's a lot whiter for sure than the original that are on my cab. Not sure if that's because of age (could well be). Still not 100% sure if I will apply it, but I will do a 1:1 comparison soon.....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: joeks on October 29, 2008, 03:58:43 am
with a larger bondo area, you can be sure you have covered every single bump and scratch. when you just fill the scratches you think need filling, you probably won't get a smooth surface overal covering the area.

i googled a few pics to show you:
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/1763/achterkapplamuurqf8.jpg

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/9303/300620081534eo2.jpg

mind you, those pics are allready after sanding :) see how much bondo is used?
but i am sure it will feel reeeeaaaaal smooth.


good luck!
greetings

Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: WunderCade on October 31, 2008, 05:52:29 pm
Yeah, I've found that "skim-coating" large areas with bondo finishing compound works great. It's not as thick and fills small cracks and divets better.
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Darth Nuno on November 02, 2008, 01:12:11 am
I suggest you to put a lot more bondo too.

I've done similar job on that midway (http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=195.0) conversion.

Here's the area to fix :

(http://www.dragonslairfans.com/pacman/topc13.jpg)

A lot of bondo as you can see :

(http://www.dragonslairfans.com/pacman/topc15.jpg)

...of course it increases the sanding process, but the result is great  8) :

(http://www.dragonslairfans.com/pacman/topc16.jpg)

To less bondo and it'll go away during the sanding process...



Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on November 15, 2008, 04:08:15 am
OK thanks for the tips, I'll try that. For now I guess the MB project is on hold though. From now until the end of the year I will need every spare minute for the construction of my gameroom.

However, look what I just found "in my backyard" (i.e. Germany):

(http://www.arcadeshop.de/images/arcade-coinslot-steel05eu.jpg)

http://www.arcadeshop.de/product_info.php?products_id=548&language=en&osCsid=84f5b8265e2c57f0963322b8d76d547c

That looks like a great replacement. Doesn't look like it's the original brand, but the plate looks identical. Not sure if it's the exact size though. And the price is a lot more friendly than the original one....
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: zorg on November 19, 2008, 09:45:59 am
You can save the original coin plate quite easily with a really cheap method

sand it down to the bare metal (aluminium), finish the sanding with a really thin wer sand paper (600 the 1000)
then forget it for a few weeks ouside the house. autumnal weather will give the aluminium his natural anodisation.

I've done it a few times and the result worth the time needed to forget the part :D
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: ckong on November 05, 2009, 04:33:42 pm
This is a great topic, a lot of very useful information. the part that I am most interested in at the moment is the painting/bondo discussion. I got an original Donkey Kong cab a few weeks ago, with some severe samages on the kickpanel (6 bolts to hold a coindoor bar or something like that) and both sidepanels. Here are two pics of them, but there are more damages.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Donkey%20Kong%20Restoration/CIMG1675.jpg)
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Donkey%20Kong%20Restoration/CIMG1612.jpg)

At the moment I am busy with restoring it, and I will repair the damages with 'bondo' (don't know what it is, I use two component woodfiller) and then repaint everthying with leaving the sideart on. I will mask the sideart of course, with sticky foil. I will post more pics of this process in my restoration topic over here: http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=1059.0 (http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=1059.0)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: Level42 on November 05, 2009, 05:06:56 pm
Hey Erik !

Bondo is called polyester plamuur here :) !

There are several brands, I bought this one:
(http://www.alabastine.nl/interactive/images/85_polyester_plamuur.jpg)
Title: Re: Mario Bros in Red !
Post by: notanoob81 on November 27, 2009, 05:29:26 pm
Had to subscribe.
 :applaud: