The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Archived Threads => Homepin => Topic started by: Homepin on January 22, 2014, 05:30:52 PM
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I have been asked many times if I am able to get these drop target contacts made for early Williams games such as Gorgar. These contacts are not available anywhere as far as I know. The PCBs that they wipe against have been reproduced but not the actual bronze wiper itself.
We are looking for some "test" projects to run when the 45 tonne press is delivered and this might be one of them if I can source the correct material to stamp them from.
This is an original one:
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/large.jpg)
....and this is a snapshop of our drawing for the replacement (there are some changes such as the bend position):
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/Contact_First_Drawing1.jpg)
I'm unsure when we will make them but they are in the list of things to make for those needing some.
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Nice one Mike . I'm sure you will sell plenty if you can sort out the tooling ^^^
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Nice one Mike . I'm sure you will sell plenty if you can sort out the tooling ^^^
+1 - put me down for a dozen!!
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Nice one Mike . I'm sure you will sell plenty if you can sort out the tooling ^^^
+1 - put me down for a dozen!!
+2 i'll be interested in getting some of these too ^^^
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+3 out me down for a dozen aswell
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+4 before they disappear in a Flash.
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great to see his come to fruition.
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..............and we will be able to make them in left and right hand versions (with the extra hole in the middle) to suit Williams EM score reels.
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First a very big thank you from the pinball community to Studley67 (Damien) for sending me the sample bits to work from. Without the generous assistance from guys like this many parts would be next to impossible to re-create and the pinball community as a whole would be far worse off.
Ammended drawings for both types. Waiting on some material samples and also for the die factory to come back to work - it's Chinese New Year for the next couple of weeks - must be time to go and buy a truckload of fireworks...:D
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/2A.jpg)(http://www.homepin.com/pics/1A.jpg)
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Yippee fireworks wish we could buy them here #@#. But I'm more excited about the wipers ^^^
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Awesome Mike !
I do have NOS wiper brackets, without the contacts, and I've been keeping them in case of emergencies because they are impossible to find !
Keep up the good work with these parts made of unobtainium !
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Well this project has dragged on a bit but I'm pleased to say that I ordered the die to be made a few days ago for stamping the phoshor bronze material and the contacts arrived this morning. They are silver coated copper and were surprisingly expensive (I guess it's the silver part that makes them expensive?).
While I'm waiting for the stamping die to be made I can make up the two other simple dies we need "in-house". One for riveting the contacts to the spring metal and the second for creating the 'crease' for the bend in the part.
Minimum order for the contacts is 10K pieces but I have other uses for them as well as this project.
For what looks like a pretty simple part it actually involves quite a lot of effort to make.
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/slider1small.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/contacts1.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/contacts2.jpg)
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Thank goodness that Cavey is coming over
he can attach the first 10000 contacts
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Thank goodness that Cavey is coming over
he can attach the first 10000 contacts
I started using glasses at the age of 43 (10 months ago) so getting me involved in these copper little fellas would be like asking a blind man to do solder work.lol
But I will visit Mike and the factory. A fun trip for myself and my son to go on.
Pete, I will get you the recipe for those Chineese sweet buns to bake up a batch. If u haven't tasted them before, they are bloody nice.
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Pete, I will get you the recipe for those Chineese sweet buns to bake up a batch. If u haven't tasted them before, they are bloody nice.
As I posted before, my sons partner is a Chinese girl
the often treat me to real Chinese cooking
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lucky. but can u bake the ones I was talking about ? ....get the recipe then and post me up a batch of those fine buns.
shld ask Mike, what does he eat all the time when he is over there/and his favourite food whilst he is slaving away designing all these pinball parts. Man cant work on a empty stomach.
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lucky. but can u bake the ones I was talking about ? ....get the recipe then and post me up a batch of those fine buns.
shld ask Mike, what does he eat all the time when he is over there/and his favourite food whilst he is slaving away designing all these pinball parts. Man cant work on a empty stomach.
probably fried chicken
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The crispy skin goose with bok choy , rice and super large diet coke for $2 was my favourite when over there... great little place just inside Guangzhou station. Could happily live off that most days
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Well this project has dragged on a bit but I'm pleased to say that I ordered the die to be made a few days ago for stamping the phoshor bronze material and the contacts arrived this morning. They are silver coated copper and were surprisingly expensive (I guess it's the silver part that makes them expensive?).
While I'm waiting for the stamping die to be made I can make up the two other simple dies we need "in-house". One for riveting the contacts to the spring metal and the second for creating the 'crease' for the bend in the part.
Minimum order for the contacts is 10K pieces but I have other uses for them as well as this project.
For what looks like a pretty simple part it actually involves quite a lot of effort to make.
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/slider1small.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/contacts1.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/contacts2.jpg)
fantastic.good to see when a plan comes together. ^^^
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Checked in on the place that is making the stamping die for these this afternoon (no, not the same place that made the die for the Hankin table brackets) and they almost have it ready to run off some test stamps. I should be able to grab a handfull of test stampings tommorow and test the press and riveting die that should also be ready tommorow (from yet another different place).
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/hshoe.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/hshoe2.jpg)
and this is the contact riveting die set being made:
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/rivetdie2.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/rivetdie1.jpg)
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Unreal mike @@*
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The die maker gave me ten stampings he made this morning from the new die. It still needs some tweaking and will be finished by Tuesday I'm told. At least I was able to confirm that the contacts I have fit the holes perfectly. Now I just need to finish overhauling the press I bought and make a simple die for the bend in these contact wipers - shouldn't be long now before they are ready to post out!
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/newcontacts1.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/newcontacts2.jpg)
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Fantastic Mike, I don't know where you get the time for all this?!?!
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Awesome news Mike ^^^
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As mentioned in another thread put me down for some PLEASE %.% %.%
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Packaging is sorted.....
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/wiper_boxes.jpg)
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Hi Mike, Your press should be good for a few things. What brand is it. I use a few presses at my work. Biggest being a a Dieffenbacher 2500 tonn. the smallest a prehistoric ALN at about 500 ton when its running properly. We use them for compression molding of Automotive parts, Shower bases etc. The big press uses 4 large ABB foundry Robots and is very impressive when running We use GMT, thats a fibreglass mat embedded in a thermalplastic sheet to mold products. The GMT is heated in a huge pizza looking oven to over 200c then 1 of the robots will pick it up and deposit into the press... 45s later out pops a part.
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Yes im in for some too. please.... ^^^
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Now to rivet the contacts on and form the shape of the arms........
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/almost_ready.jpg)
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Oh my.. Looks like someone will be VERY busy..
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I am looking forward to receiving the test samples next week.To report on. $#$ ^^^ @@*
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I am looking forward to receiving the test samples next week.To report on. $#$ ^^^ @@*
I'm looking forward to getting them to you......... ^^^
The rivet stamping tooling fits the machine now after a few small modifications from my first design (it's a learning curve...) - after riveting the contacts then it's another small machine to bend the contacts to the correct shape........getting there......
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I am glad you have taken this on and not me.There is a lot more to it than a piece or bent copper. !@)
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OK, I caved and changed the label on the boxes - well, the staff did....:D
Thanks to Fire_Power (AA) for pointing out one error in qty I had made even after extensive research....
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/hc3.jpg)
This is the press we will use for riveting the contacts - looks a bit crappy but after we replaced the bearings in the motor and I built a new PCB and fitted double "activate" switches for safety it works a treat - a few adjustments to the slides and it is super accurate. We are building a stand for it today. (Yes, there IS a guard on the flywheel - it is in the swung open position to enable accurate setting up of the die).
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/hc1.jpg)
This is the business end of the press showing the new die for riveting the contacts:
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/hc2.jpg)
After the contacts are riveted on the part will be pressed in this small press to give the arms their shape - I am still waiting for the CNC guy to finish the small die we will use for this final part of the job.
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/hc4.jpg)
It's probably becoming pretty obvious by now why nobody else has made these parts.......no one else is STUPID enough....:lol
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Where do I buy em mike? Firepower drop target retrofit on the cards
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Where do I buy em mike? Firepower drop target retrofit on the cards
They will be on the Homepin website for sale in about two weeks if all goes to plan.
Studley67 will confirm they fit and work correctly before I sell any to the unsuspecting public... %.%
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I am always amazed at the challenges you take on and solve Mike . Awesome work on this one ^^^
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Amazing amount of work involved for such a small simple looking part. Well done mike
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Inching ever closer to a finished product all the time. the riveting press & die is almost right - it just needs a little bit more tweaking then the contacts can be riveted to the metal horseshoe - after that we can finish the bending die (still not quite right).
Here is the first test one we did:
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/rvtface.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/rvtback.jpg)
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Well we are very VERY close to having finished contacts now. Still waiting for the die to be finished that will put the crease in the metal but it will take several days to complete this step. I hope by posting every step of the process in this pretty simple part readers can see just how much is involved in something like making a complete pinball machine.......
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/makecontacts.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/riveted.jpg)
A few pieces were chosen at random for a resistance check and also a 'destruct' test to make sure the riveting was solid - no problems at all so far in the process.
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/testcontact2.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/testcontact1.jpg)
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&feature=youtu.be
says "invalid link" for me but maybe it will work??
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&feature=youtu.be
says "invalid link" for me but maybe it will work??
Theres a thread on Pinside regarding having these made using micro switches.. seems the guy is experiencing a few difficulties getting the product reliable... might be a good opportunity to introduce these Mike? Demand worldwide would be pretty huge id say..
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacement-for-those-sliding-horseshoe-contacts-in-williams-drop-targets
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Yes I have seen that thread previously. I went ahead with these because there are many people who would NEVER modify their machine even if he made a professional kit that replaced the wipers and it proved reliable.
Most people just want replacement "bolt in" parts to fix their machine with the minimum of fuss from what I have seen???
&feature=youtu.be
says "invalid link" for me but maybe it will work??
Theres a thread on Pinside regarding having these made using micro switches.. seems the guy is experiencing a few difficulties getting the product reliable... might be a good opportunity to introduce these Mike? Demand worldwide would be pretty huge id say..
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacement-for-those-sliding-horseshoe-contacts-in-williams-drop-targets
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Yes I have seen that thread previously. I went ahead with these because there are many people who would NEVER modify their machine even if he made a professional kit that replaced the wipers and it proved reliable.
Most people just want replacement "bolt in" parts to fix their machine with the minimum of fuss from what I have seen???
&feature=youtu.be
says "invalid link" for me but maybe it will work??
Theres a thread on Pinside regarding having these made using micro switches.. seems the guy is experiencing a few difficulties getting the product reliable... might be a good opportunity to introduce these Mike? Demand worldwide would be pretty huge id say..
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacement-for-those-sliding-horseshoe-contacts-in-williams-drop-targets
Totally agree .. my thoughts were that no doubt the guy would stop trying if he knew that these were to become available.. would certainly save him a lot of frustration
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I'll let you tell him - I don't go to Pinside.
Yes I have seen that thread previously. I went ahead with these because there are many people who would NEVER modify their machine even if he made a professional kit that replaced the wipers and it proved reliable.
Most people just want replacement "bolt in" parts to fix their machine with the minimum of fuss from what I have seen???
&feature=youtu.be
says "invalid link" for me but maybe it will work??
Theres a thread on Pinside regarding having these made using micro switches.. seems the guy is experiencing a few difficulties getting the product reliable... might be a good opportunity to introduce these Mike? Demand worldwide would be pretty huge id say..
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacement-for-those-sliding-horseshoe-contacts-in-williams-drop-targets
Totally agree .. my thoughts were that no doubt the guy would stop trying if he knew that these were to become available.. would certainly save him a lot of frustration
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Mike, I think there is better luck making or finding horseshoes out there. 70s machines need to stay in their era. You are on a definite winner.
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I'll let you tell him - I don't go to Pinside.
Yes I have seen that thread previously. I went ahead with these because there are many people who would NEVER modify their machine even if he made a professional kit that replaced the wipers and it proved reliable.
Most people just want replacement "bolt in" parts to fix their machine with the minimum of fuss from what I have seen???
&feature=youtu.be
says "invalid link" for me but maybe it will work??
Theres a thread on Pinside regarding having these made using micro switches.. seems the guy is experiencing a few difficulties getting the product reliable... might be a good opportunity to introduce these Mike? Demand worldwide would be pretty huge id say..
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacement-for-those-sliding-horseshoe-contacts-in-williams-drop-targets
Totally agree .. my thoughts were that no doubt the guy would stop trying if he knew that these were to become available.. would certainly save him a lot of frustration
OK.. ill post about these, and yes, fully understand why you don't go to pinside but there are those who vouch for you
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I can now TRULY say that I fully understand why these parts have never been reproduced by anyone else! There is so much more to making them that I could have ever imagined.....
The final bending die was finished today so I scooted down the road and picked up the die and machine and set it all up. We have run off the first few hundred pieces and cleaned them up and packed them.
I will get them up on the website shortly for those interested.
Here is the die set up in the machine and running out the first few parts:
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal1.jpg)(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal2.jpg)
Washing the parts to remove any grease and fingerprints in a 'green' solution of vinegar, lemon juice and salt
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal3.jpg)(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal4.jpg)
Drying and final QC to ensure all contacts are riveted in place, the bend is in the correct direction and that the right number of parts are going into the package as marked on the box.
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal5.jpg)(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal6.jpg)
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal7.jpg)(http://www.homepin.com/pics/bendfinal8.jpg)
[video=youtube;QoVrtaa26Ks]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoVrtaa26Ks&feature=youtu.be[/video]
youtube video of the final step....
&feature=youtu.be
It has been a very long journey getting these parts finally ready for use but I really hope that they help many machines have a new lease on life with fully working drop targets.
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That's unreal.. bent into shape one by one. Mike I think that if we knew the amount of work involved in making some parts we would never do it! Going down a path blind is often the only way to do stuff.
Well done mate.. small part but a huge effort to get there.. ^^^ ^^^
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That's unreal.. bent into shape one by one. Mike I think that if we knew the amount of work involved in making some parts we would never do it! Going down a path blind is often the only way to do stuff.
Well done mate.. small part but a huge effort to get there.. ^^^ ^^^
I agree. At least no one else has to go down the path of reproducing this part ! Well done Mike !
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great stuff,glad these are now available. ^^^ @@* #*# $#$
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Thanks for the kind words guys - these are now available on my website:
http://www.homepin.com/horseshoe.html
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Just placed my order well done Mike my Gorgar and firepower a drop targets will work everytime for the first time in many years
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Just placed my order. New lease of life in a Flash.
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Wow . Great effort to bring this part back to the market , nice work on the package too.. Loads of Williams collectors will be very happy!
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Nice work Mike, will grab a set soon for my Gorgar, not like I need to replace them yet, A small price to pay for the massive effort you put in to get that project finished ^^^
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Well done Mike, will place my order shortly. ^^^
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Received my order a couple of days ago. Packaging is good, came in a hard jewel style box all well wrapped in plastic and silica gel to keep moisture out. Contacts look to be well made to last as long as originals. I will fit and test them on my Flash when I get a chance.
Thanks Mike, I think they will sell well as there are a lot of Williams machines out there in need of these.
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Received my order a couple of days ago. Packaging is good, came in a hard jewel style box all well wrapped in plastic and silica gel to keep moisture out. Contacts look to be well made to last as long as originals. I will fit and test them on my Flash when I get a chance.
Thanks Mike, I think they will sell well as there are a lot of Williams machines out there in need of these.
Mine arrives as well the damn packaging would cost as much as miles selling the whole lot over here.
I'm in the same boat ill fit them as soon as I get some Daniel time
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Ordered! Just got to find a couple more boards as well
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I've got spare boards pete
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I knew u would! Will have to pull these out of the box again and see what I need to finish the 2 banks off.
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......I am heading to Australia for a well deserved short break on Tuesday so Monday will be the last opportunity for a little while for anyone wanting these contacts.
I will be able to post them from the post office at Hong Kong airport when I leave on Tuesday afternoon. Postage in Australia is simply too expensive and would add about $6 to the cost of these. I can send them registered post from HK for just a few dollars.
Orders will have to be in by lunchtime Monday for me to get them packed and do up the post office paperwork.
The Homepin parts website is currently closed but here is a direct link to the horseshoe contacts page (the shopping cart on the page will work OK):
http://www.homepin.com/horseshoe.html
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Pack of 11 ordered,
Thanks,
Red