Need suggestion on stand up arcade game

[Jestr]

Can anyone give me an idea for getting into the back of my Vindicators stand-up? The guy I bought it from could not find the keys. He said that I could bend back the locking mechanism on the back and then screw it back on. This seems sorta invasive. Is there a better way?

[Achika]

Have you thought about calling a lock smith? Just ask them if they can get into arcade machines before they come out and you have to pay for their time. Once open, either leave it open, or buy a new locking mechanism from an cab/arcade part supply place.

[maxlords]

Drill the lock. You can get a new one for like $5. That's what all the techs I've worked with did. I have a box of like 150 of those locks back home...if I was home I'd get one for you. Should be dirt cheap tho.

[davidbrit2]

If it's just a wafer tumbler lock, those suckers can be picked in about 20 seconds on a bad day. How else do you think I got into the the safe and utility closet in the hotel room? :-)

[ehall]

Drill the lock. You can get a new one for like $5. That's what all the techs I've worked with did. I have a box of like 150 of those locks back home...if I was home I'd get one for you. Should be dirt cheap tho.

Definetly. Drilling the lock is quick and easy. And if you need another lock they are very cheap.

http://www.happcontrols.com/

[FABombjoy]

You might just be able to put a pair of vise grips on it and spin the entire lock mechanism.

[DarkSoul]

That invasiveness is pretty common, and rarely results in any damage.. I'd give it a quick shot at picking it if you have any experience with that, then pry it open with a screwdriver (or drill the lock if you wanna take a step up)

[gamergary]

Just get a cinder block and throw it at the lock. :D

[davidbrit2]

Um, the cinder block can be the absolute last resort. :-)

As for spinning the lock in place, it probably won't work, since the locks usually aren't circular tubes. This is done specifically to keep the entire mechanism from being rotated and defeated. It's worth a shot, but I wouldn't bet on it working.

[CrazyImpmon]

Those lock are typically oval shaped so rotating it wouldn't work anyway. And unless it was a deadbolt type, you could try to open it with a pair of paper clips.

[Tom61]

This is done specifically to keep the entire mechanism from being rotated and defeated.

You'd be surprised how many of those locks are actually in round holes, or the MDF compresses quite easily allowing it to turn.

Also, another option that sometimes works is to remove the marquee (normally just held on with some screws), and get someone with long skinny arms to remove the nut that holds the locking bar to the lock.

[captain nintendo]

can you say c-4? LOL
kidding, try drilling it or maybe a lock smith....

[dave2236]

excelent idea wit htaking off the marque. I had to do that with mine. Then take out the light bulbs cause I busted one with the pliers. Then get a vice grip and hold the bolt while someone in the outside jams a screwdriver in the lock and turns it counter clickwise.......dave rethinks.......yeah counterclockwise......righty tighty, lefty loosey. Then you go to menards or local hardware store and buy yourself a new lock for $2 bucks, new lightbulbs, and a can of air to blow all the dust off your chip. Put it back together and your good to go.

In case if anyone is wondering I have an Arkanoid machine.

hope this helps, dave

[Jestr]

Thanks for all of the responses. I will try to get it open tonight. Now if only I could find a cinder block... 8-)

[sidgoop]

I repair video games for a living, and I have to totally agree witn ehall and maxlords. Get a drill with a 1/4" bit, place it dead center in the keyhole, and keep drilling until it goes all the way through. Then take a small flat-head screwdriver, jam it in the hole and give it a twist. Get a lock from www.happcontrols.com. They're relatively inexpensive, and will fit right in the factory hole. Trying to twist the lock with pliers or going in through the marquee is very risky. 99% of all arcade games are made with standard particle board, and are not made to withstand pressure on certain places that are not specifically reinforced. You could easily damage an otherwise excellent machine. I've seen it happen many times. Not me, of course... :roll:

[Charlie]

For most of my machines I don't put them under lock and key... it's easier for people to just under it and press the token button.

But yeah, Drill the bastard off. Alternately, you can find someone real strong to put a pair of plyers between the lock rods and just pull the thing open until it breaks off.

[Jestr]

Hey all,
I got it off! Vindicators has a screwed on panel behind the monitor. Thanks to your suggestions, I pulled it off and had my wife reach down with a screwdriver (skinny arms!) and simply unscrew the lock. Now for the next problem, the boards and monitor have about 15 years of dust on them. What is the best way to clean them. Canned air will probably just blow the dust around. Any suggestions?

[Sega Hitman]

This may seem like a crazy solution, but from what I hear it's safe to put arcade boards in the dishwasher. I've heard numerous people say this on the arcade newsgroup. I'm not about to go try it out for myself, but it's an option for ya. :)

-Hitman-

[Charlie]

Use these things called air cannons... it's pressurized air that you can buy in a can... comes with a large straw. You stick the straw in the thing, pull the trigger, and it takes care of it. If you have a Costco, Office Max, or Staples by you then you should be able to get some.