inexpensive ball tray & a playfield light

[mudfud]

hi guys.

I realized last week that mud pans for sheetrock work are just the right size to tuck in the bottom of the machine.

they're sturdy and cheap: $3 for plastic, $11 for stainless, at home depot

if you hook them under something (my machines had an edge, could put a hook or nail if needed), then they don't fall off the bottom ledge.

also, I found these picture lights at IKEA for $10. by sliding the bottom plastic and clipping it on, I have a moveable light to put on the pachinko that i'm playing at that time.

they are 12 VAC, so I might use one of my rechargeable battery packs to power it, if some of the pachinko's are too far from an electrical outlet.

i'm off to add a low tray indicator light to the ginza.

[wrkey]

Cool idea about the picture light. I've been considering something of the nature myself, or 'track lights' in my KeyChinko room. Question, does the light being positioned as you have it create a glare from the glass?

[JACKSJE4]

Great idea on both fronts!

I have found that Ice Cube storage bins from Target ($3) or Walmart ($1.25) work well to catch the losing balls also. You can easily cut them with a utility knife to fit your machine.

[bill812]

The Mud pans were my first thought for a ball catcher tray, but they taper upwards to the point where they are too wide at the top for my machine, and in order to fit properly under the ball return, a slot would have to be cut out and the edges smoothed out so you don't get cut when handling/refilling the upper tray. I happen to have one of each and they initially seemed like a great solution for me. I opted to create a custom tray from a shoe box, which was a better alternative for me. You can view my post under "home made ball catcher tray" if anyone's interested .
The picture frame lights are a nice touch...

[pinball wizard]

mud pans are an excellent idea.one of my pachinkos came without a ball tray,and i have been using a cardboard box all this time.and to think that in a closet 2 feet from where my pachinkos are,i have one of those plastic mud pans.i never thought of trying that,but they fit perfectly in my wall cabinet!!! since mine has been used for drywall mud and is kind of scuzzy,i think i will go to menard's and pick up a new one to use in my pachinko.

[mudfud]

Cool idea about the picture light. I've been considering something of the nature myself, or 'track lights' in my KeyChinko room. Question, does the light being positioned as you have it create a glare from the glass?

no glare, just shadows, which give it an interesting look.
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mud pans are an excellent idea.one of my pachinkos came without a ball tray,and i have been using a cardboard box all this time.and to think that in a closet 2 feet from where my pachinkos are,i have one of those plastic mud pans.i never thought of trying that,but they fit perfectly in my wall cabinet!!! since mine has been used for drywall mud and is kind of scuzzy,i think i will go to menard's and pick up a new one to use in my pachinko.

no, wouldn't want plaster in the pachinko, eh?

also, watch out for the stainless edge on the pan, if yours has one. I thought about trying to pull if off, but it's not that sharp.

and, a small piece of mouse pad or cardboard will cut the noise and bounce down.