Thank you to all my customers in 2011 and I hope to see you all next year.

By way of thanks I'm offering 15% off all listed prices on my website so grab a Christmas bargain now!

About Us

We are a very small family business. Unlike large companies who just throw things together, we take pride in building each and every machine by hand, ensuring that each unit is as it should be and individually tested - if we are not happy it's done again. We have many satisfied customers who will vouch for our thorough quality of work.

As a result of each machine being hand made, only small quantities are produced. We are always designing new games which usually means small amounts of each are only made once and not repeated.

We think that a game should look pleasing, involve the player if possible and normally contain an element of skill.

History

I have always had an interest in machines. From the age of 7 I started making chocolate vending machines out of lego. They did actually operate automatically, some were motorised and some were manual. Then from that I moved onto hardboard and chipboard glued together and with features such as empty when lit lamps and illuminated payout trays.

Obviously I did not have many tools or much money so I used old furniture for cabinets and any electrical items I could strip for parts such as Hi-Fi's, old projectors, etc. I even used windscreen wiper motors from cars to make my first coin pusher. The only tools I had were a rasp and a drill so to make a hole for a payout I would drill around 30 holes then use a small hacksaw blade to cut the panel out, then file the rough edges away with the rasp. It took ages!

Eventually I got more money, especially when I left school and started work, and gradually added to my ever growing tool list and my skills got better along with the materials and tools. Over the years I have learned what materials work well together and, of course, what will stand the test of time (and what won't!). The latest tool to my collection is a lathe so now I can remake machine parts and design my own.

So now, some 36 years on, my aim is to supply quality machines that take good money, will last a long time and be priced to suit anybody. If looked after properly, out of order stickers should be a very rare sight indeed. I always have on display a selection of prototype machines so anyone can see what they are buying.

Why not contact us today - you won't regret it!

Simon Barker
Barkers Vintage Amusements