Back to the Arcade - Part 11 - Bonus

​This is not really part of my arcade machine build, but it has become an integral part of the experience.

A recent visit with my Aunt was near the time I was completing my arcade game cabinet and she has been downsizing and thought I could use some things for my game room. Among the items she had some vintage pub signs - both lighted and non-lighted, some nice wooden barrels, and for the purpose of this post, a Kwik-Koin coin changer.

​When she came to me with the Kwik-Koin changer and asked me if I wanted it for my game room, my first questions was, “What is it?” She showed me that it held quarters and you could reach under and squeeze the lever and 4 quarters would be dispensed.  Instantly it clicked; this would be a perfect accessory to my game machine since it uses quarters.

Kwik-Koin Coin Changer

I have been visiting my Aunt for many years and remember seeing this relic many, many times in her home office.  I never gave it much thought and just wrote it off as some sort of defunct microscope.  Many years ago, she owned a tavern and this was used specifically to make change for the pool tables (and probably some arcade machines).  She has had all kinds of unique things around her home.

I really liked the idea of the coin changer, but it wasn’t exactly the most attractive piece of equipment, so I had an idea.  I had been wanting to make an industrial style lamp for my game room anyway, so I started sketching and came up with this…

Decorative Lamp with Integrated Kwik-Koin Changer

Now I have a multi-functional, decorative piece that is definitely a conversation starter.  It is fairly straightforward design using black iron fittings but I want to give a shout out to my friend Roy, The Gun Painter who owns a full-service gunsmith shop and has the equipment I needed to machine a couple of the parts for the lamp section.  I highly recommend him if you are looking for a custom paint job on any of your firearms.  Check out the gallery on his website at www.thegunpainter.com.

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Continue to Part 12 - Leaderboard

Intro | The Games | Control Panel Configuration | The Controls | Control Panel Lights | Research | Specific Games | Hardware & Software | Game Configurations | Cabinet Build | Artwork | Bonus | Leaderboard | Summary