Well, its 3.5 years since this story started, and if you recall back when i picked them up, the owner (who was not living anywhere near Magnetic Island, where i got the other machines from) had requested i leave one machine behind for him to fix up one day. I had never met the guy, just talked on the phone and via email. Anyway, it was our neighbour's 50th Birthday this weekend, and the do was over on Magnetic Island, so we decided to head over with the kids and make a weekend of it. Headed over with the car on the barge on Friday arvo, and got ourselves settled.
We were staying about 500m away from the house where the original stash was scored, and i thought the owner had said he would return home soon after i got the main lot of machines (so 3 or so years ago now). So i dropped in on Saturday morning, and knocked on the door - a guy came out, and I introduced myself, and sure enough it was the owner. I sat down and had quite a yarn with him, talking about some of the machines of his i had restored, as well as getting some stories from him about operating during the heyday. He said he bought most of the (12 or so) machines 2nd hand for $1500 to max $3000 - then sited them, and gave a cut for the site, as well as another guy to service and collect the money. He said he would consistently get $5500- $6000 per month for the 12 machines.
Anyway, i asked if the last machine was still there, and as i thought, it was. So we wandered out to the back shed, and had a look- this pic was taken after i folded the headbox up and rubbed some dust from the glass.
I remembered that the cab was shagged on this one, but had a feeling the translite was missing, so was quite surprised to see it intact (and in reasonable condition!). There was no proper key to open the coin door, however i undid the torx screws on the backbox with an old pair of vice grips, and found some leaking batteries...but no apparent damage to the board- it looked like the leak was contained to the batteries themselves!!! The rest of the board looked quite tidy as well.
So i offered him a price, he was happy as he acknowledged he wouldn't get around to getting it going, so i backed the car up and loaded it in!!
Absolutely love the Kia Carnival for this sort of stuff, as well as a very understanding wife! This shot is from this morning all packed up ready to head home
While it is filthy, it seemed to have less possum exudate than most of the other machines, so it didn't stink the car out which was nice!
So got the machine home, and out of the car and into the shed - basically the cab is falling apart every time i touch it
Got the drill out and drilled the lock, the lockdown lever was seized, so poured a heap of WD40 in there and wriggled for ages and it eventually came. Interesting two part lockdown bar - the top part was held on with two screws
Was VERY happy to see this when the glass was removed
Everything intact, quite good playfield, and not too dirty compared to some of the others earlier in this thread.
Underneath is pretty festy....
So had a quick look over, removed the sound board - the machine has been unused for over 10 years, and the tantalum capacitors dry up and explode - so i will replaced these before powering the sound board up.
Threw caution to the wind, and plugged it in and fired it up....
WWWWWOOOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOO
Pretty much a working machine - boots fine, all lever switches and coils work, most lights work, mist motor works. I couldn't start a game, as a couple of optos aren't working, and it thinks a ball is stuck in a popper and continually tries to eject.
So with a comp coming up, and a TZ restore on the go, its unlikely i will do too much with this in the near future, however will start a thread when i do decide to do something.
Happy days, and always keep your eyes out in a back shed - even if possums lurk within!!!!
