Restoring classic gaming machines is no small feat, but Lawton Barnes is here to guide enthusiasts through the process. In the latest installment of Metal Shop, Barnes embarks on a five-part journey to revive an IGT Double Bonus draw poker machine, transforming it from a worn-out relic into a fully functional piece of casino nostalgia.
“This IGT Double Bonus draw poker machine used to be old and busted,” Barnes explains. “We are going to turn it into the new hotness that you see here.”
The Inspection Process
Barnes acquired the machine for $200, a price he describes as “not great, but not terrible.” However, he warns hobbyists and resellers alike to factor in transportation costs. “I live in Dallas. This was being sold in Houston… That was 471 miles. My total cost of acquisition was $515 plus eight hours of my time.”
Upon first inspection, the machine showed multiple issues. The “Call Attendant – Coin In Timeout” message indicated a problem with the coin-in optics, which is crucial for registering player credits. “When you have a properly working coin-in optics, those first three numbers are going to say one, one, one,” Barnes notes, demonstrating the self-test function.
The machine was also missing its candle, the light that signals attendants in a casino setting, and had a dim screen. While Barnes won’t be covering CRT repairs in this series, he offers a separate video tutorial for those facing monitor issues.
Determining the Denomination
One key question when restoring an old poker machine is figuring out what denomination it accepts. Barnes walks through several methods, including checking the coin comparator, inspecting the coin hopper, and using the machine’s self-test function. “This is in fact a 25-cent hopper,” he confirms, saving himself the trouble of swapping out parts.
Next Steps
With the machine diagnosed, Barnes is ready to move forward. “When we come back in part two, we’re going to repair the coin-in optics error and replace the locks,” he teases.
For those eager to follow along, Barnes provides additional resources, including downloadable owner’s manuals at metalshop.poker and related repair videos on his YouTube channel.
Restoring a classic poker machine may take patience and skill, but as Barnes would say: Keep on rocking like Dokken!
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