Galaxian No. 815

[korendog]

Level42,
I'm pretty sure those bubbles you are seeing is rust underneath bubbling the paint.  I'm also in the middle of restoring a Midway coin door.  The Midway sign on the front is riveted in.  The condition of mine isn't bad so I'm just gonna leave it and restore around it, taping it off.  If you were really industrious, I suppose you could drill out the rivets and remove the sign.  You'd just have to find yourself a way to rivet it back on.

[korendog]

Forgot to say, very nice acquistion and super job on the restoration so far.  Keep it up.

[Level42]

Hey Korendog, thanks, yeah, I concider myself a very lucky man !

Actualy, first I thought these bumps were deliberatly put on specks of paint. But when I looked at that close-up pic I took, I tend to agree with you that this is actualy rust.

However, it's strange that they are also on the back side, where basicaly there doesn't seem to be (much) paint....

I'm still not sure. I think I will try to pry open one of those bubbles to have a look. I guess if I'll see rust...we know the answer

About the plate: yeah, I will be replacing mine (I already ordered a brand new one). It's looking pretty beat-up. If I wouldn't have found that www.arcadeshop.com is selling these I wouldn't have thought about it, but now it's a thing not to be missed...now why does that package of parts taking so long to cross the ocean ?

Edit: Indeed, those are rivets. We call them "pop nails" but I checked wikipedia and it's exactly what we both mean I think I know someone who has the tool to do this, so it should be pretty easy to put it back just like it was

[Level42]

While waiting for the much needed parts from the States (and getting a Mario Bros, see the thread under Arcade Misc.) I did some simple, but very much needed work:
Clean and sand the top.

Pictures speak for themselves I guess....

[Level42]

And the result:

Not bad, not bad at all. But what a shame about those cigarette burns !

[Level42]

I also still had to clean the right side of the cab.....

1st: This has come off....
2nd and 3rd: The result....very nice !

[Level42]

Some detail shots...close-up pictures show more bad spots than you normaly see....

3rd pic: After this work, it's time for a nice Belgian beer ! Fresh from my personal tap (will very likely end up in my gameroom )

[patrickl]

So jealous   Looks really great.

Don't have much to say, just like seeing how you bring the beauty out of the beast.

[Level42]

Thanks Patrick !

It's those little encouragements that makes me keep posting

When my Gameroom's finished (could take some time) you're welcome to come over and enjoy it

[patrickl]

Cool, I'd love that.

[spacies]

Galaxian sure is a nice looking machine.

Great job and enjoy your beer!

[johnperkins21]

That artwork looks to be in good shape. Congrats.

Do you plan to bondo/paint those cigarette burns or leave them there for authenticity?

[leapinlew]

Do you plan to bondo/paint those cigarette burns or leave them there for authenticity?

Isn't it funny that there is even cigarette burns on the machine? I mean, talk about an era gone by. I remember when my arcade installed ashtrays on the arcades. Now, you can't even smoke in some bars!

[spacies]

Now, you can't even smoke in some bars!

You can't smoke in any bars here!
In fact any you can't smoke in any inside workplace, office, shopping centre etc

Heck, even some beaches have smoking bans now. 

BTW, I don't smoke.   

[Level42]

I'm a non-smoker too. It's pretty relaxed here in Holland (like you didn't know that ), although you can't smoke at work anymore, which I think is a good thing...
Restaurants and bars etc. still smoking allowed (restaurants certain areas, but not with walls between) but I wonder for how long...all public places no smoking too.

Anyway, bondo etc. is out of the question. Galaxians are covered with a vinyl that has a certain structure. I think you can see it on some of the pictures of the topside. So that's impossible to fix with bondo.

I also think that very vinyl is the reason why there's no Galaxian repro side/kick-art available......if anyone could point me to a source for exactly the same viny, I'd very much appreaceate it (I have been searching).

So, the only real option would be replacing the entire top of the vinyl. I prefer to leave the burn-marks over removing the vinyl and painting the wood. Painting the vinyl could be a possibility, but I wonder how that will turn out. Should be very thin paint I guess, to leave the structure in tact.

Gotta get the metal parts done....no time to go to the powder coater :S !
 
Also, have some of you guys ordered from www.arcadeshop.com before ? He told me he sent the stuff on january 30th and it's still not here. That's pretty long for airmail shipping. Especialy at the cost he charged.....I'm getting worried.....

[Level42]

There you go, when you start complaining.....the package arrives. However, mixed feelings  !!

First the mail-man wanted about €30,- from my wife. Turns out this was sent as a busines package incl. value etc, so the customs things I should pay VAT over it, plus costs of course. They even add VAT to the shipping !!!

Anyway, the stuff is here, that's the most important. Quick check, eveything is there. There a three buttons, regretfully one is a bit different from the other two. More spring resistance, a bit higher plunger....o well...

The T-molding is fine, just like the Midway Coindoor Plates.

The CPO seems to be great as well, but on closer inspection I can see this is a misprint. The colors of the Galaxians on the bottom are clearly shifted from where they should be. Also, the hole for the Fire button is so large, the button almost falls through it....will be very hard to apply this and still not see the metal panel....

I just talked to my friend DarthNuno, and he told me his CPO has the same problem, and even that some original Galaxians had the artwork with this problem !?!??! Is this true......if so, I will never forgive myself for ruining the original artwork that was on my CP, even with the bad spots on it.......

Also did the grounding and first layer of finish paint on the top insides of the side panels.....will be very nice....

Pictures will appear ASAP !

[Level42]

OK piccies !

1st & 2nd: Sanded, like a baby's skin...
3nd: First some primer (Ground paint we call it )

Finished pictures later !

[Level42]

OK stuff from the States:

[Level42]

and more...

Are these off or what ?

[Level42]

The button holes...

1st: Pl.1&2, fine
2nd: Fire.....too big !! (This seems to be on DathNuno's as well...probably a(nother ?) production error.

[csa3d]

and more...

Are these off or what ?

Yeah.. i'd be pissed if I ordered something and it came through like that.  I'd not consider myself being picky or that kind of mistake being trivial.  Boo to that!

[Level42]

yeah, that's how I felt !

But....as I mentioned, DarthNuno indicated that this was also on HIS repro that he ordered from the US (different supplier though), but it looks exactly the same. He said that there was original Galaxian artwork that had this problem, and probably they used one of those as a "master".....

The on-line artwork files are fine, they do NOT show this error. Also, the text is MUCH more like the original (Check out the question mark on one of my pics and compare to this: http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/details.php?image_id=288&mode=search (Download the ai file).

Now, the seller, arcadeshop.com agreed to refund me the $40,- BUT he wants me to e-mail him a picture showing that I have cut the whole CPO in 20 pieces.......

I could have this printed localy of course BUT I would need the original material used. I want that "speckle-shine" !
The backside shows this stuff is 3M Stamark Laminating Adhesive.  Would it be possible to buy this somewhere...AND have it printed ?

I have a feeling the off-prints will irritate me to no-end everytime I look at the cab. Probably no-one else would notices, it's just something that YOU know is wrong....

[sfrascella]

That CPO does not look good. Thanks for posting those pics, I was about to order one from Arcadeshop.

The rest of the machine looks great, that side art is in good shape. What did you use to clean it? The texture on the vinyl seems to trap the dirt.

[patrickl]

Doesn't mamemarquees use the same laminate for their CPO's (so you might be able to have it printed there from the artwork files you have)?

[Level42]

That CPO does not look good. Thanks for posting those pics, I was about to order one from Arcadeshop.

The rest of the machine looks great, that side art is in good shape. What did you use to clean it? The texture on the vinyl seems to trap the dirt.

Check out reply #15, there's a picture of the stuff I used.



 It's a degreaser from a very cheap chain-store here. I checked out the bottle. It says "Works strongly on any kind of dirt" It's highly concentrated ideal for cleaning ovens,kitchens, grills, pans, and very dirty floors. There IS a warning on it to try out this stuff on a spot out-of-sight before using it on coloured materials. There was a point where I thought I was actualy removing sligtly some paint. I thought there was some coloring on the paper-towel I used, but this paper towel had some colored printing on it and it looked like it was this giving the coloring...I'm not 100% sure though.  I cannot see any proof that the paint has weakened or wore off at all. Very much the opposite, the colors are vibrant and beatiful.

I used a sponge with a "rough" side for the white parts. Did some good rubbing, and most of the dirt and yellow comes of this way. I don't dare to use it on the painted parts though, although I think it will be ok if done carefully. Seem they used some prety sturdy printing inks, only the human touch (sweat = acid) has hurt it at the spots where players held their hands...

The stuff I use is called "Dasty" (English name "Elbowgrease") and it's made in Italy. Looks like this factory is making products that look like A-brand products but selling at low prices. I don't care, it works great and is cheap (€1,89 for the bottle). It just happened to be in the kitchen as my wife uses it for cleaning so.....

Here's the manufacturers site: www.dastyitalia.it  Not all is in Italian, some English as well

Here's a direct link to the product: http://www.dastyitalia.it/frame4.html

I do know that my hands felt really dry after using it....

___________

Sfrascella, about the CPO: The upright Galaxian CPO is not on the list on www.arcadeshop.com.
The CPO art for Galaxian there is for the cocktail.
I had mailed arcadeshop.com with some questions and he replied that he still had one CPO for the Upright. (I wonder WHY it wasn't listed......!)

I am getting more and more convinced that this is simply a case of a bad original being used. I think this because the blue, yellow, red and green are EXACTLY on spot on the rest of the art. F.I. the word "FIRE" is surrounded with green, black letters, red inside, perfectly on spot. The same with the edges. The outer edge is blue, then there's a green line (on the instructions and Player 1/2 section) and there's yellow inside of that. All look fine.
There IS however clearly some difference in the letters used for the instructions. (Check out the question mark) It's also a little blurry, like the letter H is "filled up a bit. But I could have lived with that without a problem.
_____________

Patrick, great suggestion about mamemarquees, don't know why but I hadn't though of them. However, the pictures on their site are waaaaaaaayyyy to small to judge the quality. The main thing is that this CPO seems to be printed on some pretty special stuff. It's called 3M Stamark Laminating Adhesive. I searched for it on the net and of course 3M's site, but all I find under "Stamark" are adhesives for lines on roads !?!?!?

Anyway, the really important thing here is that shiny-speckled look. I don't really know how to describe it, you can see it on the picture I guess. You can even feel that structure. If Mamemarquees prints the Galaxian art on material like that, I will be ordering from them very soon

I'll drop them a mail...

[patrickl]

Actually, if it's called "Stamark Laminating Adhesive" then my guess would be that that's just the adhesive used and no so much the clear "speckled" laminate that's covering the print. BTW is it really speckled or just textured?

[Level42]

Actually, if it's called "Stamark Laminating Adhesive" then my guess would be that that's just the adhesive used and no so much the clear "speckled" laminate that's covering the print. BTW is it really speckled or just textured?

Mmmmmm, I hadn't thought about that ! That could be very true. It's not really "speckled" it's structured.  I think the close-ups of the "bad" CPO show it really nicely. This is for sure one thing where this art is exactly like the original.

This shows it really well:

[patrickl]

Sounds like the textured lexan laminate that printers use to cover the CPO prints. Show that picture to mamemarquees and he will tell you if it's what he uses. I think he has several options.

Forgot to say, but really amazing how they can keep on using a misprint like that. You would think they would fix it and print it properly.

[javeryh]

You are doing an amazing job so far!  I really like how everything is cleaning up to look brand new...

[Level42]

Thanks javeryh ! It will be looking as brand new as possible

Well, currently the project is at a (hopefully short) stand-still because I'm not too well health-wise. Have a bacterial infection on (in ? of ?) my lungs. Peneciline is now killing all the germs....anyway, a little time for something else.

I won a genuine "Parts and Operating Manual" for the Galaxian on E-bay for a vey good price (considering some other asking prices I've seen). (Gotta thank Arcadefever who was very helpful in forwarding me this
!!!)
The manual is in great condition and it is a lot easier to read the schematics from the originall fold-outs then from the scanned pages. There are even some loose schematics with it. The real bonus was that there was a number of Midway Service Bulletins with it. I'd like to scan them and share them but where to upload them ? Everything I've sent to KLOV.com so far seems to end up in the trashbin....anyway there are some fun/interesting things to get from these. I'll make a list here:

- the WG 19k4500 monitor has only been used in the upright cab.
- the cocktail was equipped with an Electrohome G07901
- adapters to put WG in cocktails and Electrohomes in uprights were made by Midway
- there is mention of a Electrohome G02-25" for the upright !!!!! It doesn't become clear if they were installed from the factory or used as replacement. Very weird, is seems to be hard to put a 25" inside the cab. Has anyone ever seen this ?
- the first dated Service Bulletins were from february 11, 1980 (one is not dated)
- a feb. 11,1980 Bulletin explains how to wire a up a Galaxian logic board to a b/w monitor for bench testing. (Remember that Galaxian was the first with a full color monitor, so most workshops probably only had B/W monitors.....)
- very often the name of the game is mispelled as Glaxian
- from april 15, 1980 the Electrohome monitor was also put into the uprights due to "supply problem".
 The mounting brackets had to be altered for this. (This means my cab is from before that date, which figures seeing the very low serial no.)
- the four controls contrast,brightness. color and tint are not used. These controls are located in the upper right side of the monitor panel. (Should have known that earlier, I already wondered why they didn't do a thing )
- April 16,1980: Serial No. #101 to #8400 (includes mine ): Apparantly the machine sometimes lost credits. This modification explains to put a 100mf 10V capacitor over (one of the) coin switches. (This later caused other problems...read on) Mine didn't get this modification...
- April 29,1980: Apparantly, there were problems with static (Static condition causing a false RAM and ROM test) as this SB explains about an Anti-static kit. It's a PCB that went between the excisting wire connector and the Galaxian PCB and a really big fat wire from the new PCB to one of the mounting bolts of one of the transformers (a ground point).
- (Here comes my favorite) April 29, 1980: quote:
WHEN PROGRAMMING THE GLAXIAN GAME FOR 50 CENTS PLAY, CHANGE THE COIN DOOR WINDOWS TO 50 CENT TYPE.ORDER WINDOWS FROM MIDWAY PARTS DEPARTMENT - PART NUMBER - 0090-00902+4600
unquote

DUHHHH !!!!!    (Aparantly the game was popular enough to raise more money per game ?)

- from serial no. 11500 the program was changed (3rd program). New bonus values: (Depending on DIP switch settings), 7000, 10000, 12000, 20000 (apparantly the players got better, or were underestimated in the first place
-jun3 5th, 1980: Upright serial #101 to #1570 and cocktail #101 to #1970: because of the added capacitor on the coin switch (see above) it was apprantly possible to gain free credits by pounding on the coin door ( ).
This SB explains how to add a tilt switch (it's a slam-switch imho)

So far the SB's. Notice they indicate serial number ranges from #101 to #xxxxx. I think we can conclude from this that the production runs started at #101 and that serial numbers #1 to #100 were reserved for prototypes, maybe demo machines etc.

Something else from the Manual itself: There's a complete drawing of the TL-light fixture for the marquee. However, the partslist mentions:
Incandescent light assemlby - used after game no. 3000. So the first 3000 got a TL lighting, and then they switched to using normal bulbs. The strange thing is they indicate 12V lamps, is that true or is that a typo ? (They should be 25W by the way.....i case you need to replace yours ?) From seeing pictures of these lamp fixtures I'd say they were regular 120V bulbs....

OK, I hope I didn't bore you guys with this trivia....

Gee, I'd really like to talk with the guy who's name is under all these Service Bulletins. He was Midway's Service Manger then. I bet he could tell lots of interesting stories from that time.

[csa3d]

- April 16,1980: Serial No. #101 to #8400 (includes mine ): Apparantly the machine sometimes lost credits. This modification explains to put a 100mf 10V capacitor over (one of the) coin switches. (This later caused other problems...read on) Mine didn't get this modification...

Mine has this!  I was wondering wtf that was all about.  I assumed that it was some attempt to make both coin slots act as though they were a single credit unit.  I'll be posting pictures of my coindoor restored coin door later in the week.

-csa

[Level42]

- April 16,1980: Serial No. #101 to #8400 (includes mine ): Apparantly the machine sometimes lost credits. This modification explains to put a 100mf 10V capacitor over (one of the) coin switches. (This later caused other problems...read on) Mine didn't get this modification...

Mine has this!  I was wondering wtf that was all about.  I assumed that it was some attempt to make both coin slots act as though they were a single credit unit.  I'll be posting pictures of my coindoor restored coin door later in the week.

-csa

yeah, well I figure they put it in there from the factory from that date on. It also indicates that it only needs to be done on one coinswitch only.

[csa3d]

Here is mine for anyone who cares.  Notice the blue compacitor in the bottom left.


-csa

[Aurich]

MameMarquees uses a polycarbonite laminate over the vinyl for CPO graphics, which will give you a similar if not same textured look. The quality is excellent, I would recommend them to anyone.

[Darth Nuno]

Hi my friend,

You're doing a great job on your Galax' cab, congrats 

As I said, don't be worry regarding your CPO repro... I've done a picture from one of my original control panel I still have... and as you can see, it has a problem with the red color ... check it out :



Hope to meet you very soon 

[Level42]

MameMarquees uses a polycarbonite laminate over the vinyl for CPO graphics, which will give you a similar if not same textured look. The quality is excellent, I would recommend them to anyone.

Thanks, I' posted a message on the contactform...no response so far....
Anyway....can anybody please upload a close-up (use your Macro setting on your camera) of a CPO from Mamemarquees ?

There is one other problem I didn't see before. The copyright notice has been removed from this repro !!!!!!! Guess they were scared or something ?

Nuno, my friend, Thanks !

Yeah......I actualy think that a slight misprint just like that is (read: WAS) on my original CPO as well. I could have lived with such a minor thing, but the blue and green are still right on spot on the commanders ship and the other Galaxians on your picture !(Same as mine).

Here's some more pictures (yeah better believe it, I got more than already showed here )

The first shot is the original CPO:



The second the repro:



I maybe too anal about this all......but on the other hand, when doing something (and pay good money for it), do it 100% right. Same thing with the coindoor. I still do no know if the bubbles were there on purpose or not (see the other thread, opinions differ !!!)

There are 2 versions of CPO graphic files available. One is absolutelty perfect (straight lines, colors spot-on) BUT doesn't have the coyright sign ( (c) 1979 Midway Mfg.).

The other looks like a worked-up scan. Lines are far from straight however. BUT this one has the copyright notice....

Could someone take up the task of including the copyright info in the first file ? ( http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/details.php?image_id=288&mode=search ) I am not a vector expert or anything so I need to rely on some help here. Maybe I should put positng in the Artwork section.

[sfrascella]

Thought you might be interested in this

http://www.thisoldgame.com/thisoldgame/new_page_2.htm

He has a silk screened Galaxian repro for $29.00

[Level42]

Great find, don't know them !

Thanks.....

However, why do all these companies think that a picture with a size less than a stamp is OK te actualy sell the products.....

I don't want to make another mistake. I e-mailed them to ask for a high-res big picture of their version....

That Galaxian kickplate seems wrong, where's the blue on the lower side ? Also, I wonder if the vinyl will have the same structure as the original.....but if so...........VERY tempting

[arcadefever]

(Gotta thank Arcadefever who was very helpful in forwarding me this
!!!)

  happy to help 

[Level42]

Mmmm....this is done very nicely:

http://www.arcadeoriginals.co.uk/00118.html


But:

- the coin door is black => WRONG !
- couldn't they have removed the manufacturers plate before painting the back white ? Or at least tape it off PROPERLY ?
- the midway coindoor logo plate is stuck on with the adhesive, they forgot to put back the rivets, details, details...
- and what I REALLY don't understand: inside black paint NOT redone.....black = black , until you start flash photographing

Shame that a nice job looses it at details like this. If you going to pay that kind of money, it should be perfect

I wonder on what vinyl that side-and kick art was printed. And if it was printed on a full sheet and then cut to size, or that it's a smaller sheet...can't tell from the pictures. It looks VERY good though !!!

With these prices, I will have to raise my insurance when I've finished both my Galaxian and Mario Bros. I mean UKP 1895 = $3.723 = €2.827  I mean.....I think that is a LOT, yes I know there are costs and working hours in it.....but this is a LOT. It's clear what market they are targetting...but who can blame them....maybe I should start a business like that