Free Play all the way. I pull the mechs if they are there and get rid of the coin tray to make room for storing parts and the manuals.

I have two different friends who were all about their machines running on quarters when they first got into the hobby. Within a year or so both were quietly running on Free Play.

I want to get a token machine and modify it to dispense tokens at the push of a button.

I modify the coin mechs in my games to take Chuck-E-Cheese tokens. I have been a little lazy about it with some of my more recent pins, but ideally all of my games would run on tokens. I think it's just a fun way to add to the arcade nostalgia for me and it kind of makes winning a free game more a big deal than if it's on free play. I also liked collecting coins as a kid, so I think the token thing taps into that a little.

I also modify the plastic plates and labels and things to say "Tokens". Most plates I can print out and glue to the back of a cut piece of plexiglass for an authentic-looking panel.

Game-specific parts get stored further back in the cabinet for me.

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Free play for me cause i store parts and stuff in the coin box. Hehe

Well, can't really compare what I paid in Canada to what would be available in the states, but I did a quick search and saw this price page:

http://www.tokensdirect.com/products/aluminum-0984-custom-token

Just to give you a ballpark idea for in the states.

There would be some additional costs, like having your original die designed/created.

I bought 5000 tokens. The dispenser hopper takes 2000, and I was thinking of getting a coin pusher that would take another 2000, and that leaves a 1000 float.

yeah, I had to clear all my coin boxes, but it wasn't a big deal to throw everything into the goodie bags.

For all of you that use .984 tokens,,, where do you buy the coin mechanisms? I bought some many years ago, and remember paying about $11 a piece. Now I see them costing over $25.

I think you can buy new cradles or modify your existing ones so they will take just about anything. all that you need to do is change or alter that one piece?

-c

I just have to say... playing the games with a pocket full of tokens jingling in your pocket is the way it's meant to be . So much fun. Especially earning those replays.

Damn right.

You can't have an authentic arcade without tokens. Great job frolic. Maybe I'll have to mint my own someday when I run out of my 27,000 boppers arcade ones hahah

And as for .984 token mechs. Just keep your eyes on ebay. I managed to get a box full for $50 used once. Or just contact some ops in your area. See if they have any kicking around. Or talk to your local chuck e cheese tech hahah

Is it working with the new canadian money?

yup. the guy i bought it from reprogrammed it for the new bills. It also takes the old bills. Works great. Basically scour online ads if you want one, coin-op vendors are always selling stuff.

I thought coin mechs were adjustable.
So a 25 cents mech like: http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=15
Can't be set up for tokens?

It *is*, but you need a cradle for the right size coin, and then adjust the width of the magnet.

It's just easier to buy new ones for the size you need.

My pins usually come with coin mechs and it's not too difficult to take parts out to make a quarter mech accept something else. A possible downside is that the mech would accept multiple coins, but in a home environment who cares?