queer and loathing in the nation's capital
These posts have to do with my partial restoration of a 80’s Defender cocktail table.
Ok. First snag. These games come with four boards: CPU (left), ROM (right), Sound, and Hook-Up. The CPU board that came with my game is actually for Stargate, Joust or Robotron. The CPU for the Defender system can only be used for Defender and isn’t compatible with the other machines. The reverse is also true, so I need to track down a Defender board. I can’t complain, I got these for free. Plus, I can get SOMETHING for the board, so I’m better off than I would have been without any boards.
I’ve opened it and have checked out the insides, to see just what I’ve gotten myself into. This is the coin mechanism. I have no idea what all this mess does. I’ll deal with it later. :)
This is my Defender Cocktail table the way I got it. It’s not in bad shape, but it could be cleaned quite a bit and it’s not running. I think it was a deal at $150, including all boards in untested condition. I’ve never restored an arcade game before, but I’ve built a few computers and know my way around them so I’m not too worried. I mean, how difficult can it be? (Oh no, I’ve jinxed it!)
I’m going to try to update this as often as I can. It’s not pretty, but hopfully it’ll help someone else in this situation.
Maybe you’re here for some artwork: