The Aussie Pinball Arcade

Aussie Pinball Forums => Pinball Mods => Bally / Williams => Topic started by: Pinprick on May 30, 2011, 03:36:33 PM

Title: The Addams Family - BLACK conversion Part 1
Post by: Pinprick on May 30, 2011, 03:36:33 PM
First, let me say that this idea was stolen from Mark C. and several pinball modding pioneers.

My good mate Elkor-Alish suggested that I should convert my TAF to a Black version - but I said "don't be silly"
However, the idea Festered away (excuse the pun) and eventually work began.

Here is a list of changes so far:

* Legs, bolts & lockdown all powdercoated textured black
* New Stern black siderails with integral finger guards
* Black flipper buttons
* Black shooter housing
* Custom price cards using Fiddums font
* Custom apron decals - simplified a bit (coming)
* Sprayed flip bats black
* All rubbers, rings & sleeves black
* All black star posts from PSPA
* All black vinyl switch covers from PSPA
* Main ramp flamed & sprayed black underneath, masked stair decals for lighting
* Main ramp switch cover blackened & custom Itt & What? decal added
* All plastics customised/Black backgrounded using Photoshop and Lexan
* Cloud topper sprayed black inside, custom translucent decals fitted, custom light show fitted (see pics)
* Electric chair darkened w/- spray & drybrush, custom internal flashers & Uncle Lester mod fitted
* Black Cadillac 1933 Town car. Headlamps 3mm LEDs, Cabin Green 6v Ablaze
* Blackened clear pop caps and added see-through custom spiderweb decals, cointaker LEDs
* Standup targets re-fitted with black discs/rectangles
* Simplified apron decals are in the works
* Bookcase sprayed black & book decal added
* Bookcase base laminated with custom black/white "masonry" & Mylar decal
* Thing's box decalled, but will soon be sprayed black & studded with chrome pinball rivets
* Things fingernails painted black
* Blue flasher dome above Thing flipper, Green one over the Swamp
* Probably some shit I've forgotten too

Stuff yet to do:

* Pinball Pro speaker kit - when I can afford it
* Playfield: basically all the Grey areas will be airbrushed Black, the "masonry" will be handpainted Black w/-
   White mortar then the whole thing clearcoated with ceramic.
* Black pop bumper wafers - waiting on PSPA
* Cabinet decals - still under consideration

Pics - next installment.



Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: jumpback on May 30, 2011, 03:44:49 PM
looking forward to the next installmet
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: Pinprick on May 30, 2011, 03:50:56 PM
Pics
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: Caveoftreasures on May 30, 2011, 05:17:46 PM
Interesting, need to see more. Customising any machine you love is always a big YES with me.

Wednesday, the young girl from the Addams Family would love the dark theme. She was a emo kid who always wore black. She would like it  ^^^

Maybe you shld call it the "Wednesday Black TAF".
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: newpingirl12 on May 30, 2011, 05:39:30 PM
Interesting, need to see more. Customising any machine you love is always a big YES with me.

Wednesday, the young girl from the Addams Family would love the dark theme. She was a emo kid who always wore black. She would like it  ^^^

Maybe you shld call it the "Wednesday Black TAF".

I know nothing on the subject but it sounds interesting and we'd all love to follow your journey :D
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: mildflame on May 30, 2011, 05:46:24 PM
Wow thats alot of changes! ^&^ Is there really a Black edition like the gold edition or is this your mod (made by colletors)
Sounds interesting, dont stuff it up! lol
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: MartyJ on May 30, 2011, 05:51:15 PM
Wow thats alot of changes! ^&^ Is there really a Black edition like the gold edition or is this your mod (made by colletors)
Sounds interesting, dont stuff it up! lol

Hey Mitch,

Nope the 'black' versions of games is something the various collectors around the world have come up with over time.  Definitely not a factory edition on TAF.

I think it stemmed from the world wide shortage of clear toppers (only the black smoked ones left), but its great to see members personalizing their games!
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: Damien on May 30, 2011, 07:27:17 PM


When i had the idea for black, i also wanted to do large black webs on the sides..
made as part of the side trim..
But i wasnt going to cut the webs out until after powder coating the side rails..
so you see the edge of stainless shinning thru the edge of the web..
even thought of having them hang under the cabinet body.. along the legs..

but after new playfields and all the labor i had to leave it out..

who remembers the addams toppers we made at timezone? they looklike the roof assemblys!

Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: Duckman on May 30, 2011, 10:18:18 PM
Doin the Addams Blacks was an amazing project, i loved it. Even took a few pics along the was just for my own enjoyment.

They are saved on my laptop in a folder marked "F^#K Addams Gold.   As in, these things just looked the shiz.. !*!

Good luck with your Re-resto Pinprick, I look forward to seeing what this Addams morphs into. ^^^
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: wonder on May 31, 2011, 10:00:06 AM
Got a bit of work there Max,should look different when finished.
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: pinnies4me on May 31, 2011, 11:51:15 AM
First, let me say that this idea was stolen

Actually, credit where credit is due - I understand this emanated from Gene after Northern Plastics mucked up the tint with the topper run for IPB.

Looks good though, wonder what it does to the game value? Up or down??
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: Pinprick on May 31, 2011, 12:35:05 PM
Doin the Addams Blacks was an amazing project, i loved it. Even took a few pics along the was just for my own enjoyment.

They are saved on my laptop in a folder marked "F^#K Addams Gold.   As in, these things just looked the shiz.. !*!



Thanks Tim
I'd be really intererested in seing those pics & hearing the story behind your Addams Blacks project.
Seems I'm following in the footsteps of many more pinheads than I credited. It's great fun and other people's ideas are always more than helpful.
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: Dirty daz on May 31, 2011, 02:24:04 PM
nice job looks good nicer than gold ed
how many hours have u spent working on this??
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: RatBag on May 31, 2011, 11:18:43 PM
Isn't there a law about  vandals buying black spray paint?
Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: Pinprick on June 01, 2011, 08:58:15 PM
Thanks for the comments & questions folks:

Succinct answers from Mr Pinprick:

Daz: Ive always thought the Gold edition was a piss poor money milking effort by WMS.
Daz: Probably around 20 hrs work give or take.
Ratbag: Funny as diarrhoea in a wetsuit mate  <.>




Title: Re: TAF BLACK conversion
Post by: pinwaz on June 15, 2011, 02:51:33 AM
 ^^^ u rock maxwiz.congrats on an awesome effort $#$