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Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: Level42 on July 30, 2008, 05:28:57 pm

Title: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Level42 on July 30, 2008, 05:28:57 pm
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff92/spindaddy69/img_1121.jpg)

Great thread about this on the KLOV forum:

http://forums.webmagic.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=2&Number=834503&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1&nt=14
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: ahofle on July 30, 2008, 06:30:04 pm
Holy crap there are two Computer Spaces in there?  WTF!  :dizzy:
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: SirPeale on July 30, 2008, 08:31:35 pm
Holy crap there are two Computer Spaces in there?  WTF!  :dizzy:

I read three.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Mauzy on July 30, 2008, 10:38:39 pm
holy crap in a hat dude... given my current desperation in finding games, i would be glad to give something like that stuff down a go
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: SavannahLion on July 31, 2008, 03:02:23 am
Why don't I have that kind of luck?

The thread would be a lot easier to read if everyone didn't keep giving the same kind of lame ---smurfing--- advice. How many people posted just to say to rent a fork lift? Yeesh.  ::)
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: ChadTower on July 31, 2008, 09:25:54 am

A fork lift does no good if you can't go in there.  That is not a safe looking building to enter.  Gotta reinforce the structure first.  Computer Space is cool but not worth dying for.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Matthew Fisher on July 31, 2008, 10:57:06 am

Computer Space is cool but not worth dying for.

Maybe not for one, but there are two up there...   ;D
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: ChadTower on July 31, 2008, 11:05:04 am

Don't get me wrong... I'd go to great lengths to get them out of there.  I think a lot of those people are underestimating the danger of that building.  It is entirely possible they get in there and the cabs are now part of the structure.  Or the flooring is so rotted that even if they brace the structure they have to set new plywood down just so they don't fall through.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Mauzy on July 31, 2008, 12:37:11 pm

Don't get me wrong... I'd go to great lengths to get them out of there.  I think a lot of those people are underestimating the danger of that building.  It is entirely possible they get in there and the cabs are now part of the structure.  Or the flooring is so rotted that even if they brace the structure they have to set new plywood down just so they don't fall through.

Very true. One of the guys said something like the back half of the top floor didn't have sub-flooring.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Level42 on July 31, 2008, 02:34:02 pm
The thing is, the Computer Spaces are really light (just 50 kg), about half the weight of a regular upright. Now, those EM machines THAT's a different story ! I'm amazed it's still up at all.


Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: ChadTower on July 31, 2008, 03:29:34 pm
Now, those EM machines THAT's a different story ! I'm amazed it's still up at all.


A reason to suspect they could be empty.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: RayB on August 01, 2008, 02:41:34 pm
Well the CS's were saved. I'll save you the trouble of having to slog through the horrible spelling and pointless drivel in that thread:

http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff92/spindaddy69/

Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: ChadTower on August 01, 2008, 02:43:14 pm
Awesome!  Those are some happy looking dudes.


EDIT:  wait... it looks like they went up there without bracing the structure at all.  I can't believe someone would risk their life for a couple cabs.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: shardian on August 01, 2008, 03:20:40 pm
Awesome!  Those are some happy looking dudes.


EDIT:  wait... it looks like they went up there without bracing the structure at all.  I can't believe someone would risk their life for a couple cabs.

In the scary foundation picture, it looked like there was already some 4x4 bracing. not much, but some at least.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: ahofle on August 01, 2008, 03:51:31 pm
Well the CS's were saved. I'll save you the trouble of having to slog through the horrible spelling and pointless drivel in that thread:

Much appreciated. 
Why are those forums so highly regarded again? :dizzy:
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: SavannahLion on August 01, 2008, 06:17:59 pm
EDIT:  wait... it looks like they went up there without bracing the structure at all.  I can't believe someone would risk their life for a couple cabs.

Many of those old buildings were built really well. I tore down an old four story work workshop where the lower floor looked a lot like that barns that was built into a hill side in snow country. We unloaded five cubic tons of crap from the top two floors, lopped off those two floors and were pulling up the the main floor before the building finally decided to give way and roll down hill.

Despite spewing another four cubic tons of crap downhill, the structure still held together before smashing into a shed.

I only had to patch a small 1" hole in the shed.  ;D

In other words, if the barn still looked like that after so many years and is still standing, I doubt the barn is in any hurry to reach the ground.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: ChadTower on August 01, 2008, 06:36:42 pm

That's an awfully big gamble to take with your life, though.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Level42 on August 01, 2008, 06:42:38 pm
Ow come'on. The worst thing that could have happened would be that the floor would collapse. So, they would fall down, that's not that high. And then the roof would come over them (at least, what's left of the roof). And then the machines could come crushing in here and there......naaaaah, nothing like a bit of real-life Donkey Kong play :)

I see no safety shoes and no helmets.....t-t-t-t :D
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: SavannahLion on August 02, 2008, 12:36:18 am
That's an awfully big gamble to take with your life, though.

That is fair. Based on your individual experience, I can see why you would be hesitant with something like that.

This guy evaluated the situation. Made a determination based on the risk involved. Felt the risk was minimal and now he's at home looking at not one, but two Computer Space cabinets. Exactly what I would have done.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Mauzy on August 02, 2008, 12:54:09 am
My policy has always been 3 of four corners must be touching the ground (thats how that barn was btw...) and there must be at least 1 complete wall. Everything extra after that is gravy. 
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Crowquill on August 02, 2008, 02:22:20 am
I was less worried about the stability of the structure and more worried about how they were going to get up to the second floor. Probably would have been tough without the tractor/lift thing. I figure if the flooring is solid enough to hold that many EM games, then it should hold at least one of them. It worked out well and Jason now has two shiny Computer Spaces.

I'm waiting to see if he's the belle of the ball at the St Louis auction this morning.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: rwaelde on August 02, 2008, 08:18:47 pm
My name is Ryan Waelde, I was the first to enter the barn.  Although it was super sketchy, it was only a 10 foot drop, and decided it was secure enough to enter.   Me and Jason looked over the structure, and conducted a few tests, and decided to enter at our own risk.   
One CS was in the right front, one was at the right rear.  I literaly had to throw stacks of records, manuals, a sewing machine, a wardrobe, pinball back boxes, and countless piles of roofing that had fallen through. 

We decided against pulling out the EM games, and the Juke, but we got out what we wanted.  One machine was complete, and one was missing the board set, and tubes out of the Television( incase you didn't know, it has a GE tv in it).  Jason isn't exactly sure of the future of the CS's, but atleast they aren't in danger of being burned down. That's what the barn's owner plans on doing any day now.

And what is most surprising, is that you would never know they had ever been exposed to moisture, since all of the gelcoat, and plywood is perfect. The insides look clean, and the control panels are near perfect. Each one carrying a Tax stamp dated 7-31-77, 31 years to the day of removal.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Level42 on August 04, 2008, 01:28:22 am
Great, I love those kind of stories. Was the juke in a bad shape ? Guess that would be worth a couple of bucks ;)


Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Mauzy on August 04, 2008, 01:11:20 pm
IDK about a supposed juke, but he was definitely about 25 years too late for what was left of those pins in the woods :'(
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: rwaelde on August 04, 2008, 07:41:33 pm
The juke wasn't in that bad of shape, but you had to move some extremely rough stuff to get to it.  Had it been a seeburg, or early rock-ola, we would of tried, but it was just an old NSM from the early '70s.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: SirPeale on August 04, 2008, 08:38:26 pm
Don't knock NSMs, they're good jukes.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Jack Burton on August 05, 2008, 11:57:42 am
Kinda makes you wonder what kind of other stuff was in there.

Sewing machines are collectibles to a lot of people and go for good money at yard sales and auctions.  And the could records have could been anything. 

How much did you guys end up paying for the CS's?
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: rwaelde on August 05, 2008, 06:01:20 pm
You might not understand, there was no roof on this building for years.  The actual vinyl was in fine shape, the fact that all of them were stuck together in a heap of rotten sleeves and labels might be the reason no one removed them.  The sewing machine was also in great shape, considering that it had no wood left on it but a bit of rotten frame.  Try to imagine a yard sale that was left out for 15 years, then consider the value of the items.
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: Level42 on August 06, 2008, 06:20:43 am
....and what a great thing that the CS cab was polyester :)
Title: Re: Where to store a Computer Space....
Post by: RayB on August 06, 2008, 05:29:27 pm
....and what a great thing that the CS cab was polyester :)
Polyester and disco balls, that's what Computer Spaces are made of.   ;D