View Full Version : My Collection (Updated)
Flack
03-02-2007, 04:11 PM
If you're really bored, check out the arcade section of my website. I just gave it a massive overhaul, and it now includes information and pictures on all my cabinets.
http://robohara.com/arcade
grimbal
03-02-2007, 08:50 PM
I saw that you "gave away" a original Star Wars cab.........
:eek 2::puppydogeyes::(:bawling:
In the late 90's I tried several of the local vendors around here to try and snag one but they had sold off their working cabs back in the early 90's. For around $150 each. :frustrated:
XYXZYZ
03-02-2007, 09:47 PM
That was very interesting, can't wait for your arcade collecting book; any estimates on the release date?
Damn, I wish I had more room...
Flack
03-02-2007, 10:49 PM
No firm date for the book yet, but I'm shooting for a late spring/early summer release.
Yeah Grim ... I still kick myself over that Star Wars cab. Fact is, chances are it was probably a 10 cent fuse or something that blew. If only I had known then what I know now ...
ecresto
03-03-2007, 12:53 AM
nice website , i used to have a mk2 cabinet that i bought for 200 . but i turned around and sold it for a grand . in all actually i wish i would of kept it . im gonna try to get some more when i can find some .
Technosis
03-03-2007, 10:55 AM
No firm date for the book yet, but I'm shooting for a late spring/early summer release.
Great! Please keep us posted as the date approaches...I'm looking forward to this
Flack
03-11-2007, 11:43 AM
New pictures!
http://www.robohara.com/arcade/arcade_032007_1.jpg
http://www.robohara.com/arcade/arcade_032007_2.jpg
http://www.robohara.com/arcade/arcade_032007_3.jpg
http://www.robohara.com/arcade/arcade_032007_4.jpg
http://www.robohara.com/arcade/arcade_032007_5.jpg
http://www.robohara.com/arcade/arcade_032007_6.jpg
http://www.robohara.com/arcade/arcade_032007_7.jpg
Kid Ice
03-11-2007, 12:41 PM
I would have to paint ARCADE in giant letters on the side of the building.
Flack
03-11-2007, 04:02 PM
You know, I've considered decorating the outside of the arcade in some way ... I'm just not sure I want to draw attention to the building from strangers. I've been planning some wooden cut-out characters for some time now, maybe I'll find a way to affix them to the side of the building in some fashion.
Vectorman0
03-11-2007, 09:08 PM
Very nice.
Maybe you should paint the shed with UV reactive paint, so only you know it's there and you could light it up with hidden black lights when you are in the mood.
And put me down for a pre-order of your book (w/ signature!).
boatofcar
03-11-2007, 09:56 PM
Flack, I wouldn't put anything on the outside of your room either. The last thing you need is someone breaking in and messing with your stuff. Have you ever bought a cab, restored it, and turned around and sold it? I don't know what kind of market that is, I was just curious...
Arcade Antics
03-11-2007, 11:14 PM
Have you ever bought a cab, restored it, and turned around and sold it? I don't know what kind of market that is, I was just curious...
Several posters here have done it. :) However, it takes a lot of know-how and skill, time and patience, etc. Most folks I know of who invest the time do it as more of a hobby / "save the classics from extinction" kind of thing versus any kind of side income, the market (for the most part) isn't really such that you could sell a game that needed restoration and offset the costs of parts and (more importantly) your time spent on the project.
StealthLurker
03-12-2007, 12:54 AM
That's a truly awesome setup you've got there. What kind of electrical upgrades etc, would you need to do to safely run that many machines?
.
Flack
03-12-2007, 11:05 AM
Flack, I wouldn't put anything on the outside of your room either. The last thing you need is someone breaking in and messing with your stuff.
Fortunately for me, the previous home owner had a home alarm installed, and had it extended out to the building. It's a zone of its own, complete with a door sensor and a motion detector. Of course, we would have to be out of town for a while for someone to clean out the building. While I know home burglaries can happen quickly, I'm hoping one of my neighbors would notice a moving truck and burglers with dollies and arcade games coming and going!
Have you ever bought a cab, restored it, and turned around and sold it? I don't know what kind of market that is, I was just curious...
I have considered it before but it's usually a lot of work for a little cash. The biggest problem with arcade games financially as a hobby is, like classic cars, arcade cabinets aren't worth the sum of their parts. Like I mentioned the other day, I bought a working Robotron cabinet the other day for $75; the same guy sells rebuilt monitors for $150. Unless you have a lot of parts lying around that you got for free, it's hard to turn a profit.
There are what I call "the big 10": Pac, Ms. Pac, Centipede, Donkey Kong, Defender, Pole Position, Q*Bert, etc. The games that your parents would know if you asked them to name an arcade game. Those games, restored, all usually sell for $500+. So if you could find one of those really cheap and then restore it, you could make some money. It almost never works out to be profitable on a time/money ratio, but if you like doing it (labor of love thing) then it can be rewarding.
If you want to know where the money's at, it's in MAME/Multi cabs. You can get a multiboard like the one I just got for under $300, so if you got a working game for $100 and combine them now you're at $400, and let's say an additional $100 for paint, buttons, marquee, etc. Multigame cabs seem to be selling for $800-$1,000 at the auctions I go to. MAME cabs seem to be selling around the same price range, and if you're into computers you can always find a friend dumping an old computer that it MAME-worthy.
I think there will always be a niche market for restored classics, but everytime someone buys one the market gets a little smaller.
Flack
03-12-2007, 11:09 AM
That's a truly awesome setup you've got there. What kind of electrical upgrades etc, would you need to do to safely run that many machines?
Again I lucked out. The previous owner built the building from the ground up as a workshop, so the building has its own circuit breaker and lots of heavy duty outlets. I have had all the games turned on several times now (plus all the other stuff, like slot machine, computers, etc) with no problems. The only problem I have ever had is, we have our pool's filter plugged into an outlet on the outside of the building. With the pump and filter going AND arcade cabs on, it'll kick the breaker.