The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Restorations => Topic started by: Strangeways on January 21, 2009, 04:26:24 PM
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Williams Big Deal Restore
Something different - an EM restore that I did around 7 years ago. I enjoy working on EMs in between my favorite SS machines.
Background
This was another of the machines that was left over from the route days. You can see in some of the initial pictures the line up of machines that were also in storage for 10 years or more. It was removed from a Social Club along with a few other machines. When it was picked up, the front door was wide open. Obviously the site didn't care about the machine even to the point of stealing their own takings...
Condition
Playfield - 7/10. Mylar installed. Very dirty, but there were patches of mylar raised that were hiding a VERY nice and colorful playfield.
Backglass - 7/10. Not bad, but some of the white areas around the score windows were very flaky.
Electrics - 7/10. Most of the steppers were clogged up with lube. A couple of relays were toast, as were a few playfield coils. Chimes unit was not good
Cabinet - 8/10. In great condition for its age
Objective
Have the machine restored to the best condition possible. The playfield has potential and the cabinet did not require a repaint. All the moving parts would be rebuilt. It should look like an 8 - 9/10, but mechanically be perfect.
That objective was met - The new owner has never called for a service call !
Initial Pictures
Here is the only "before" picture that I have. Playfield looks very good, thanks to Dad for laying contact in the old days. Plastics and targets are good and original. The registration sticker is still on the Apron - dated 1993.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20136.JPG)
The head without the backglass is rather uninteresting. There is a couple of neat "fixes" I did to improve the game. Notice the "zero" on the score reels ? (Fake). I made a nice improvement there.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20123.jpg)
Under the bonnet - Not bad at all. A few burnt coils, but overall I was pleased. There's a Sky Jump to the right and a Hot Hand and a Smart Set on the left. Also the cleaning kit included the Nifti and rags !
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20134.jpg)
Stripped Playfield - I didnt take any pictures of the plyfield other than the one above. Here's a picture of the playfield after I removed the contact. The colors are really nice. ZERO wear.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20124.jpg)
Again - This is a restore I completed around 6 - 7 years ago and it was sold to a collector while I was still working on it. I will cover work on the steppers and a couple of improvements I made.
Updates soon !
:D
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wow such a beautiful playfield. Please tell us what you had to do to it!!
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wow such a beautiful playfield. Please tell us what you had to do to it!!
All in good time !
The playfield glass is in the machine which may explain why it looks so nice.
Many hours still went into the playfield - I will cover that in detail later.
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From the photo's it looks like it has potential to come up pretty nice
I'm sure you'll go all out on it Nino *%*
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You were even using Nifty back then to clean the playfields :lol
This game looked like she was in pretty good nick to start with and is actually a pretty cool game for a Williams 70s EM
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Update - Strip the machine
As mentioned by a few of you - the game was already in great condition. Which is true - But have a look under the bonnet ! There are metal shards all over the place, and all the fuses are blown or blown off the fuse panel. Very ugly. It would be stupid to try and get the game working prior to removing any conductive material from the baseboard.
Question - From the pictures of the baseboard - any idea as to WHAT may have happened ?
Have a close look - there is a clue or two
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20130.jpg)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20129.jpg)
Right - So the baseboard has to be removed and cleaned with an air compressor. In the end, I opted to remove each stepper unit and rebuild them (covered a bit later on in the thread). The playfield and baseboard are removed for attention. The rest of the machine is stripped completely, and each section will be cleaned. Theres not much fade in the cabinet, so I was VERY pleased with that.
BTW - These initial pictures are from the storage building that all the machines were stored in when I had them given to me. I might have a look if I can find some VERY early pictures shortly after I dusted all of them down. There was an original BALLY box (paragon, Spacies, KISS ???) that the machine came in.. Very interesting.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20074.JPG)
Playfield
The playfield was stripped early on and the contact was removed in a very short time. I removed the contact with a hair dryer set to low and I took my time. Not one speck of paint was raised. The adhesive residue was removed with Shellite (bunnings). The first clean was dome with Nifti on a rag, then Novus 2. Funny story with Novus - NO ONE sold it in Australia except Novus windscreens. I had to get it specially ordered in ! But as you can see, the results were stunning for a machine produced in 1977. I was VERY pleased !
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20126.jpg)
Theres a scratch near the horseshoe - the only noticeable blemish on the playfield.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20128.jpg)
Thats one impressive playfield !
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20112.jpg)
First Problem
Have a look at the below picture of the horseshoe area. The plastic guide is missing a section - in fact it is broken right off and is missing ! It should travel vertically and join the post near the wooden guide. This needs to be fixed / modified. I went to a great deal of trouble with this repair - but I learn a lot in the process !
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20013.JPG)
Next Update - Fix the Horseshoe !
:D
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That is one SWEEET lookn playfield... bloody awesome for its age
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Jesus!....that's really come up nice , i'd be pleased too #*#
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Very nice indeed.
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Very nice indeed.
Its already sold Tony. No - You cannot have it %.% %.% %.% %.% %.%
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I guess I'll just have to prise that Night Rider from you then. :lol
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WOW! That playfield came up a treat Nino!
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Horse shoe Repair
Common problem with the Dig Deals I've seen is the plastic horseshoe guide. Almost always broken or chipped. Over time, this can prevent the ball from it's normal "flow" and we have issues with broken plastics and wear areas that should not be there. So rather than repair the broken guide, I thought I'd make my own out of perspex.
Here's a picture of my challenge;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20032.JPG)
Notice that the bottom of the guide is broken off and missing. So I have to guess what it should look like, which in the end was fairly simple. I traced the area with tracing paper, matching the leftover piece. I used a piece of perspex that was cut out ti just over the size of the curved area. My Bench grinder was a stone wheel that dad the EXACT diameter that I needed (How's that for a stroke of luck).. So I simply followed my outline by placing the curved section on the stone wheel and gently "grinding" away. This method was hugely successful !
I used a file and 180 grit, then 600 grit to have the surface the ball contacts "super smooth". I used 180 Grit to prepare the larger plastic to be glued to a smaller piece to provide more support and surface area for the ball.
I then used araldite to glue the pieces together;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20053.JPG)
I had to make my own posts for it which were simply some old Arcade Board stand-ups cut to size and glued on "square" ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20099.JPG)
Here is the "old" next to the "New"
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20093.JPG)
The finished product - installed in the game ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20049.JPG)
I did trial a metal guide at one stage, but the guide has to be transparent for the light to shine through. I was really happy with the repair. It probably took me a day to sort it out. Small price to pay to have the game in working order !
:D
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Hey Nino
Any chance of some plastic scans???? I have this playfield in the cupboard waiting to hang on the wall once i can make up some of the missing plastics?
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Hey Nino
Any chance of some plastic scans???? I have this playfield in the cupboard waiting to hang on the wall once i can make up some of the missing plastics?
Daniel,
Nino sold this game 7 years ago :lol
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!)# I noticed that he sold it iwas just hoping he had the plastics scanned. Or am i the only one who scans all the plastics for emergencies?
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!)# I noticed that he sold it iwas just hoping he had the plastics scanned. Or am i the only one who scans all the plastics for emergencies?
Daniel - I don't have a scanner - yet (working on that) - I just rely on talented guys like Wotto and Gavin !
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Thanks Nino
Was worth asking
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Nice work Nino ^^^
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Here's the continuation of the restore with a few pictures. First up is a picture of the playfield complete with shoehorn repair, apron and a few other parts. I think I was very fortunate to have had a great playfield to work with from the beginning.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20047.jpg)
The cabinet did not require a repaint. It just needed Nifti, some rags and elbow grease. Later on I put the finishing touch of a good polish with Mr Sheen. It can really bring out the reds and blacks. The legs are simply polished, and the door was disassembled, cleaned and reassembled.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20111.jpg)
Inside the cabinet was simply washed, and allowed to dry (outside). The baseboard with all the electrics has been removed. This makes it easier to work on later on (on my workbench). It takes 10 minutes to properly clean the inside of the machine.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20114.jpg)
Under the bonnet - The door has been cleaned and note the two plastic protectors that surround the coin switches on the inside of the door. They are always missing from these games. Special note - Look on the Paragon - There's a Novus 2 bottle. WOW you say... The only place that carried Novus products in Australia (at the time I did this work), was "Novus windscreens". So I used to drive to the Novus workshop near my place and pay $15 ! Sometimes, they had to order it in for me, as not all the stores had it all the time.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20116.jpg)
Next Update - Steppers !
^&^
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Looking real nice!
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I thought I had heaps of pictures of the dis assembly of a stepper unit - but I don't have good pictures. I will document a stepper rebuild on one of the future EM Restorations. For now, I'll just describe some of the work done.
First problem with just about EVERY EM game is the "Hold" relay. Even notice the annoying "humming" sound in the background of an EM whenever you turn it on ? Sometimes is resonates and gets louder - all the more annoying. sometimes you can adjust and clean, but the coil within the "Hold" relay is always activated when power is applied to the machine. So it is almost ALWAYS worn out to a crispy brown color. Rather than muck around, I replace them. Keeps the machine quiet. Here's a picture of the old next to the new.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%20EL%20011.JPG)
Stepper Units
For the most part, Stepper units can be left alone for years without problems, but all moving parts need maintenance at some point. During their route days, maintaining steppers was very simple. Spray them with CRC. They will keep working until the next time they need to be lubricated. That was ok THEN. But since we are hobbyists, we should take better care of these mechanisms. Typically, most EM newbs are reluctant to service a Stepper. But we all start out as "newbs" - right ! The easiest way to explain a stepper is to switch the game on and watch someone play the game. Check each stepper and note down the differences between them. Once you work out "what" they do, it makes it easier to diagnose or repair. With any machine that has been in storage for a long period, I rebuild the steppers units - All of them. The experience of rebuilding a stepper is invaluable in repairing them later on, and builds on your knowledge of EMs. Before rebuilding the steppers, have the game in working condition.
Rebuilding a Stepper Unit
This will be brief, but I will venture into more detail on the next EM restore.
1) Identify the stepper unit and its function in the game
2) Take plenty of pictures - "rest" position, all the way to it's "full" travel
3) Check the tension of any springs - count the turns on any of the shaft springs and write that down (crucial)
4) Do NOT lose the smaller springs or "mix" them up. I usually place then next to a ruler and take a picture
5) Soak the smaller parts in alcohol - This will remove the grease and grime
6) Wash the rest of the parts with a toothbrush and alcohol. I "stiffen" the toothbrush by shortening the bristles
7) Use a green scotchbrite and alcohol to wash the shaft.
8) Let everything dry
9) Drop a "drop" of machine oil in the shaft
10) Reassemble stepper unit and return it into the game
11) Check that the stepper moves freely and does what it is supposed to (See step "1")
12) Turn on the game and play test it.
Why would you playtest the game after rebuilding only one of the steppers ?
As mentioned above - you need to have the game working before rebuilding any steppers (unless you are confident the problem is within the steppers). If you have introduced a problem by rebuilding the stepper, then the problem is isolated to that stepper.
Here's some pictures of the Steppers in the Big Deal ;
Bonus Unit
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%20EL%20013.JPG)
Ball count Unit
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%20EL%20036.JPG)
Boards and Wipers
These are on the reverse side of the Stepper. They are easy to clean. Simply use a green scotchbrite soaked with alcohol, and gently scrub until the gold contacts "Shine". While the wiper contacts are out, clean the contacts as well. When it is dry, drop a "drop" of machine oil on your finger and smear it on the surface and over the contacts. Here's a dirty one ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%20EL%20034.JPG)
After spending a few hours working on the steppers, this is what you shoiuld be looking at ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%20EL%20010.JPG)
Reverse side - with a new power cord.
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%20EL%20009.JPG)
After rebuilding the steppers on this game, it typically fired up and worked straight away !
:D
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The "Zero" Score reel
The Zero Score reel is a "fake" score reel - just a plate with a sticker and the number Zero in it. They are always slightly faded, or sometimes they peel off. In this machine, they had faded and deteriorated to the point where they had to be touched up at one point, with a texta. I wanted to locate some stickers to replace them, but they didn't exist. The only way to fix this was to make my own.
This is how they looked on the machine ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20036.JPG)
Removing them was easy - they fell off ! Just touching them caused them to fall off. Here's a picture of the old sticker and the base ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20046.JPG)
I took one of the stickers to work. One of the "artistic" guys took a ruler - measured it up and created the sticker in a paint program. After a bit of tweaking, I printed it on an A4 sheet of adhesive backed paper ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20048.JPG)
I then used some "contact" to cover the adhesive paper to give it that "plastic" look;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20067.JPG)
Finished product - Looks HEAPS better ^^^
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20094.JPG)
Only problem is that I discarded the unused portion of the printout, and I have another machine to do in the future !
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Nice tip there, welll done.
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I did a similar think with a space mission pinball except i did every score reel. I made a scan off the only surviving reel and went from there. were not perfect but better than completely missing. First two digits in the photo have been redone
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All that was left was to re assemble the playfield, give it a final wax and buff and sort out any issues. There was only one problem that I found, which ended up being on the Coin Stepper. Easy fix. Here are some pictures of the playfield ;
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20059.jpg)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20061.jpg)
My Favorite shot
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20077.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20084.JPG)
(http://www.aussiepinball.com/strangeways/restores/Big%20Deal/Big%20Deal%201%20082.jpg)
Since it was done a long time ago, there are some things I could have done to make the machine look better. The white area around the scorereels could have been touched up and the backglass sealed - as an example.
I spoke to the new owner around 4 years ago, and it has never missed a beat !
It is actually a fun game to play.
Thanks for reading !
^^^
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Thanks for sharing - one day I will get an EM just to say I have one (and because they make good projects, by the sound of it). One day.
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Thanks for sharing - one day I will get an EM just to say I have one (and because they make good projects, by the sound of it). One day.
Steep learning curve for some - But rewarding once you start. Quite a few EM newbs have given it a go here recently, and are enjoying the experience !
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Well done Nino! Looks great ^^^
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Thanks for sharing - one day I will get an EM just to say I have one (and because they make good projects, by the sound of it). One day.
Steep learning curve for some - But rewarding once you start. Quite a few EM newbs have given it a go here recently, and are enjoying the experience !
What are your top ten in terms of pinball play?
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Thanks for sharing - one day I will get an EM just to say I have one (and because they make good projects, by the sound of it). One day.
Steep learning curve for some - But rewarding once you start. Quite a few EM newbs have given it a go here recently, and are enjoying the experience !
What are your top ten in terms of pinball play?
Top 10 EMs ?
Hmm.. Might start a poll methinks !
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What are your top ten in terms of pinball play?
Top 10 EMs ?
Hmm.. Might start a poll methinks !
Not overall top 10 EMs, I am after a list of the top ten players in EMs.
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Looks Great Nino ^^^ i just love your attention to detail you go into on your restores!!
Very inspirational, as are all of your restores , which have made me go the extra mile on my own.. especially the Dracula im presently doing.
Im now looking at some of my early resto efforts and thinking to myself, "i can do better"! :lol
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Looks Great Nino ^^^ i just love your attention to detail you go into on your restores!!
Very inspirational, as are all of your restores , which have made me go the extra mile on my own.. especially the Dracula im presently doing.
Im now looking at some of my early resto efforts and thinking to myself, "i can do better"! :lol
Ahhh - The feeling is mutual, Mitch !
I have learnt more since the inception of this site, and I'm glad to see other member's restores - just to see their methods. Certainly Daniel has taken over by sheer volume at the moment, so I might have to "pull out" another older restoration !
I REALLY want to learn playfield touchups and eventually clear coating.