Vintage Machine Restoration and Modification

[ShockSystem]

The cleaning fluid fumes are making me giddy too.

Why aren't you waring your Ultra Stealth Super Overlord Breathing Mask like mine?

[luckydog]

maybe Dishpan likes getting high

when I worked in hot stamping at the print shop I had to use a lot of acetone on the hot metal chase to clean off the glue left after removing the brass plate or die. the fumes really got to me sometimes

[dishpan]

I get high while listening to John Denver ... Not!

[ShockSystem]

Hello all!

After my attempt at the removal of the ball tracks with brute force which failed horribly, I came up with a new game plan. Work smart, use power tools! Originally I thought that I must save and restore the clips that secure the tracks in place - Then I though; why am I working so hard to deal with little rusted folded staples! These can be replaced with small fresh nails bent at a 90, or staples folded to match - So let the cutting begin!

A little clean up to even them with the game surface and were good. some filler should take care of the rest.

[luckydog]

its naked

[ShockSystem]

Now it is time to remove the back plastic mechanism cover for cleaning and access to drill for LEDs and run wiring. I sanded and prepped the cell face (linoleum?) and evened out the surface as best as I could. I noticed a lot of separation in areas around the pocket holes. I used the CA glue injection technique with clamps to re-adhere the cell face to the plywood underneath and repair some of the separated layers.

[ShockSystem]

Here is the naked face of the machine with the first coat of dark gray enamel. The glossiness will tone down once I "texturize" it.

Here also are the restored face pins fresh from the tumbler. Nice, bright and shiny!

[ShockSystem]

Here are the pictures of the plastic cover payout window thingy. It has these two clear plastic green lenses that will be perfect for some additional lighting. The cover itself is faded and yellowed so I wanted to refinish it in a teal / jade color. I saved the little yellow sticker on the front to reinstall after completion.

The final shots are of the refinished piece and a test fit. I will place an alternating fading set of lights in the green lenses.

- Shock

[ShockSystem]

Hello all,

Here are the shots of the original center and then polished and restored. The yellow centerpiece cover will be shaved of the surface detail, re-coated teal / jade and prepped for 10 LEDs for each side

[ShockSystem]

I retouched the cleaned and polished flowers with black details.

Ok, ok, I couldn't help it - I had to test fit some of the details and pins onto the playfield to see if I liked the work - So here are the shots!

[luckydog]

do you plan on putting a design on the face of the cell??

[ShockSystem]

Yes,

There will be a silver circuit pattern in the background and the overall characters will be from Ghost in the Shell - The Major (good looking cyborg woman), Tachikomas (blue robot tanks) and Bato.

Here is the picture from my cell test - I cut a 24/60lb gloss paper image, adhered it to painted particle board, and sealed it with polyurethane floor covering. It survived a pretty good torture test (you can see the marks where there is no coating).

[MrGneiss]

Great work so far, great thread too!! Can't wait to see the rest!!

[DrDark]

WOW Amazing work

[ShockSystem]

Hello all!

Thanks for the all complements and encouragement.

Many of the electronic components that I have ordered have arrived. I have started assembling some of my test circuits to tweak the designs. I now have a multitude of LEDs - red, blue, purple, green, yellow, white, flashers, multicolor burst, square and super high output. The "star" pattern LEDs are 1watt and 3watt output over 100 lumen! These will easily replace the jackpot bulbs.

Faders, flashers, chasers are all in the works - Once I have some of the examples completed on the prototype board I will post some video clips.
If anyone would like the information I can list the vendors that I got the parts from - All very good prices.


- Shock

[digital1]

OMG!

That is gonna be so cool!

Over my head but very cool.

[ShockSystem]

Here we go!

I couldn't resist any longer. I started to map and drill the holes for LEDs and the locations of the different effects. I'm confident that I can complete the circuitry for the pattern even if lay the playfield LEDs out in advance. I also test fit the rails and "open" tulip lights in purple and blue - I think though, I will go with a multicolor flash when the flowers are open and blue to purple on the ten step "chase" sequence up the launch ramp when you fire off a ball.

I am building a slow fade effect for the green clear plastic lenses under the launcher the payout section will have a white strobe effect when you win.

I am still debating on what effects I want to use when you win a jackpot.

I would love to hear ideas and suggestions.

- Shock

[Moparformances]

your way over my head as well with this light show..

could u make the lights light from the top to the bottom when u hit a jackpot?? to symbolize the ball's falling from the top to the pay out tray??

[chmer01]

Hello all,

Here are the shots of the original center and then polished and restored. The yellow centerpiece cover will be shaved of the surface detail, re-coated teal / jade and prepped for 10 LEDs for each side

What did you use to re-coat the yellow centerpiece.

Yes,

There will be a silver circuit pattern in the background and the overall characters will be from Ghost in the Shell - The Major (good looking cyborg woman), Tachikomas (blue robot tanks) and Bato.

Here is the picture from my cell test - I cut a 24/60lb gloss paper image, adhered it to painted particle board, and sealed it with polyurethane floor covering. It survived a pretty good torture test (you can see the marks where there is no coating).

I like the first pic the best. I've found some good shots on the net but those are great looking.

OMG!

That is gonna be so cool!

Over my head but very cool.

DIDO on the electronics.

Kudos to you, I would never had gone thought the haste of trying to restore the back plywood. I would have used the old one as a template and just replaced the plywood.

[ShockSystem]

What did you use to re-coat the yellow centerpiece.

>>> I used an acrylic plastic coating paint that will be coated with polyurethane with the rest of the playfield face once the holes for blue LEDs are in place.

I like the first pic the best. I've found some good shots on the net but those are great looking..

>>> Thank you! I found some shots I liked and a little Photoshop work...Ta, Da! There are plenty of fan based wallpapers out there that will bake great backgrounds as well. I'm an anime fan (as I'm guessing you are) and the "Japanese-ness" goes with the project. I want to talk with Digital1 about vinyl print for a future project (I have 8 more to go).

I'm thinking, Appleseed, Cowboy Bee Bop, Bubblegum Crisis and Macross. I had not seen (modern) pachinkos with those themes.

DIDO on the electronics.

Kudos to you, I would never had gone thought the haste of trying to restore the back plywood. I would have used the old one as a template and just replaced the plywood.

>>> Sorry if I went over everyone's head - I was just very exited. I will post better explanations and the images of the final schematics and boards. I wanted to see if I could restore it - In the future, now that I have gained some experience, I am more confident that I could set up a "fresh" playfield. I was worried about pin placement (solved) and maintaining the proper feature dimensions (holes, tulips, mechanics, swing arms, tubes etc) and placement.