Also, study cabinet profiles. You can tell what the game originally was by the shape of the cabinet. Sometimes you can find some gems, sell the innards later and restore it to its former glory.
I really think the thing we need to worry about it what's going to happen to all the forums? If those die the hobby will be dead. I know I rely on KLOV, BYOAC and others.
In the case of BYOAC, it's scary to think that the forum is in one guy's hands. What if he passes. <shudder>
So as long as the forums exist, so will the hobby. :-) IMHO.
My advice is to grab them first before anyone else does! :-)
If you have a garage, that would be best. You never know what you will find inside of a cabinet, especially from a barn. Wear gloves and a respirator if possible. Mouse nests and droppings are common.
Get the MultiVS Lite from highscoresaves.com 8 games in 1 and you can easily burn different games if you get tired of them. No rom swapping... Just DIP switches. Easy Peasy.
Check out this thread over at BYOAC. All the info you need on reproducing Nintendo cabs. Heck, you may even find someone who can cut and laminate a piece for you.