I always thought of "backyarder" being a term that a dealer would use. my terms are: "backyarder" being someone who dosn't know what they are doing but tinkers anyway, "collector" someone who collects machines and is 'proud' of thier collection, "restorer" someone who has knowledge of their actions and gets any peice of junk and transforms it to a masterpeice. "dealer" somone who dosn't always care for the machines or the quality but is always in for the extra $'s and business
It is an interesting discussion. You are close, Mitch. I'd say a large percentage of the better games are restored by collectors and hobbyists as they donate their time and have no overheads. Dealers work to a budget. Some of the very best work is done by backyarders.