Temple’s Penny Arcade Trailer Project

[brigham]

It reflects the value of today's pound.

[pauljt71]

It's looking good.
...but why would anyone keep old pennies in stacks of TEN?

From a commercial perspective I need to charge £1 for 10 coins. This way in the event that people walk off with them instead of play them in the machines I am not out of pocket. They are in effect playing with 10 pence per coin.

[brigham]

Sorry about the misunderstanding.
The comment was intended to reflect my concern for preserving our national heritage, rather than a criticism of your business plan.
People need to become familiar with the handling and working of our heritage currency, otherwise, like the Welsh language, it will die out.
I feel that we in the slot machine fraternity are the custodians of more than just machinery.

[pauljt71]

So the latest is that the shutters and wooden pillars to cover the metal uprights are all completed.

Rounding boards next and then the painting starts. Then the lights............

[brigham]

It certainly can't be called 'flimsy'.
Good idea to add the second axle.

[pauljt71]

Today has been first fit on the rounding boards........paintwork starts next week.

[arrgee]

People need to become familiar with the handling and working of our heritage currency, like the Welsh language, it will die out. I feel that we in the slot machine fraternity are the custodians of more than just machinery

Interesting comments Brigham and I quite agree, however, it is probably not widely known, but as a decimalisation experiment, the first attempt at English decimal currency was 171 years ago in 1849 when the government introduced the florin ( 2/-) which as most of us know was one tenth of a £, it only took 122 years to fully implement the system, but I guess that's par for the course when talking politics. Interestingly it was the last coin of the 'old coinage' to be withdrawn back in 1993.

[badpenny]

I can't see decimalisation catching on when all is said and done.
It'll just scare the horses and stop them laying eggs.

BP

[brigham]

Inflation would have eliminated it in any case; although it isn't clear whether the 'great inflation' of the early 'seventies was CAUSED by decimalisation, or whether decimalisation was a device to conceal the magnitude of it.

[pauljt71]

I can't see decimalisation catching on when all is said and done.
It'll just scare the horses and stop them laying eggs.

BP

Love it

[pauljt71]

So a couple of pictures of the shutters and also the first proof tracing of the artwork for them.

I am basing the design on the Lakin and Co. style of Edwin Hall. The finished arcade will be period in style rather than new. Uprights and frame are all to be marble effect painted.

Some of you coin experts out there may spot the date on the old penny! I was considering running a competition where customers that find one in their purchased old pennies can win £50

[brigham]

The artwork promises to be amazing.
You need the deep, heavy lead-based paints that the specialists use. Not sure where you would obtain them.
Perhaps the Fairground Heritage Trust could advise?

[sweetmeats]

Craftmaster paints. www.crafterpaints.co.uk Phone number 01954231308

[treefrog]

Looking good so far and from what you have mentioned you're getting a professional to paint, so I am sure it will look fantastic.

For reference the paint mentioned by Sweatmeats is Craftmasterpaints. The other well known brand I am not sure is available any more was Keeps - last of the lead-based signwriting paint, I am led to believe. I use for many purposes including machine restoration, as better than cheaper enamels.

How many machines and what types do you plan to use? I was wondering, if weight is not an issue, whether an extender table/base could have been added or pulled out to cover the tow bar and jockey to give more play area and full walk around. Just a thought, but maybe too much to carry... Looking forward to seeing the end result.

[pauljt71]

How many machines and what types do you plan to use?

The trailer is small and will initially take 8 machines. I will look at what I have as most suitable when it comes back from the paint shop and I start to fit them in. The Octopus pusher will feature along with a couple of the Mills machines I have restored. A past the arrow, Pilwin and Elevenses for starters

[pauljt71]

So progress on the shutter artwork is going well. Marbling and layout of the design has commenced!

Here are the uprights ready for marbling and lining out.

And this is the proscenium, for the lights to be attached to.

The trailer has been etch primed and painted fairground cream inside, here is a shot of the roof space.

All going to come together very quickly now, hopefully in the next 2 weeks. The arcade will be at my Mini Vintage Fair weekend on 26th and 27th September for its first outing....let’s hope the paint dries!

[arrgee]

Wow Paul, this looks like it will be a superb piece of 'travelling slot entertainment'
Do you need to obtain any licences or local permits to operate this?

[pauljt71]

Thanks for the feedback. This is going to be an interactive historical exhibit. As such there is no direct gambling for a cash or any other prize. Those wishing to have a go will “buy” old pennies from me. They can choose to take them home or put them in the machines to experience this “living history exhibit” all machines will run on old penny only.

I am sure there is a huge debate to be had about licences etc and lots will have their opinions, however I am running this as a hire attraction and exhibit/ experience so will not be going down the gaming or gambling licence route.

[brigham]

Spoken like a true operator!
You can waste a lot of time talking to busybodies, and eventually you end up at the same point:
"...What are yuz ganna dee aboot it?"

[pauljt71]

Spoken like a true operator!
You can waste a lot of time talking to busybodies, and eventually you end up at the same point:
"...What are yuz ganna dee aboot it?"