The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Restorations => Topic started by: MartyJ on November 09, 2011, 09:35:12 PM
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Its been a little while since I have posted a restoration / cleanup thread. I've had so many machines through the workshop I had a bit of catching up to do.
Anyway I recently purchased a TZ and managed to get it home and up the driveway (big thanks to Marco for transport and muscle)
Overall its a fairly tidy TZ. Straight out of the container to home. I would guess its been in storage for at least the last 5 to 10 years, going by the corrosion (on the balls) and rubbers etc.
Playfield wear is almost none. Scoop holes etc probably the best I've seen for a long time. Machine was 100% complete and after spending about an hour checking each and every coil, removing boards, checking connectors, transformer, jumpering, fuses etc (which I do on each and every machine which goes through the workshop) it powered up and I went through and tested all solenoids and switches. The only fault is the clock optos (original board and very common). Other than that it was ready for tear down.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3407.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3408.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3409.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3410.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3411.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3412.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3413.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3449.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3450.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3451.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3452.JPG)
All metal assemblies will be removed, checked and repaired / strengthened and TIG welded with stainless steel. Below is common and almost all assemblies on a TZ suffer this type of damage. For a fraction of the cost of replacements (if you can even find them) its well worth getting repaired.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3453.JPG)
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Love the curtains in your workshop, Marty %.%
So the TIG welder will be put to good use. Pinball looks like it has not had too many plays and should scrub up well after you perform your magic. Looking forward to the updates.
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Definately filthy. Should come up a treat. Well done. ^^^
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Marty,
Looking forward to watching your progress and the final result which will be excellent as usual!!
Jeff
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Looks like a great machine to start with looking forward to watching the restore
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From what I understand, those TZ era playfields are very durable and usually come out in great shape after clean & wax.
In case you want these, here's a link to some score cards I made up when I had mine:
http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff201/rgpimage/TZ/
If the link doesn't work for some reason, just let me know.
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff201/rgpimage/TZ/TZ-apron2.gif)
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Look forward to the updates, mine was as dirty as that with corrosion as well before I started *%*
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Looks like a nice machine for a project.
Playfield looks great through the dirt and i'm sure you'll get it looking a million dollars when your finished with it.
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Thanks Vinito, I've seen those score cards on another machine and was definitely planning on using them! Thanks for the link.
Playfield is now about 98% stripped and I've begun the initial clean. Is coming up very nice so really a good clean, polish and wax should do it. Each and every mech will be removed, cleaned etc as well as fully rebuilt.
Hopefully a few more pics after the weekend.
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make sure you do the lock ramp mod (while it is out) stops ball Bounce-out especially the power ball
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That looks identical almost to the TZ I got a few years ago Marty, dirty as, but sure came up nice when that protective layer of filth was removed.
Have fun!!
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make sure you do the lock ramp mod (while it is out) stops ball Bounce-out especially the power ball
Thanks mate. Yep, I'll add it to the list. I won't be doing any 'bling' mods, this will be left for the future owner(s) to decide on. However any that improve gameplay or add reliability will be.
All metal ramps now being inspected for damage or fatigue and will be repaired prior to cleaning. The main scoop ramp has been repaired and now ready for de-greasing and regraining.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3471.JPG)
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Looks like a great base to start a resto Marty really looking forward to your progress.
Great job on that scoop aswell u would never know it had been cracked
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Hurry up and get it going so I can maybe put a highscore up on it. I can nudge games as of two days ago now
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Hurry up and get it going so I can maybe put a highscore up on it. I can nudge games as of two days ago now
We only brought it home on Monday this week Rob! At least give me the weekend to get it finished! &&
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I noticed the smirk I know it could be finished by Sunday night knowing you!!!
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More progress today. Sorry Rob, waiting on some parts so won't be ready by tomorrow night... !!!
Playfield was removed from cabinet and cleaned, polished and waxed. Very happy with overall condition of it.
Cabinet has had a light clean to get rid of the dirt and smells...
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3493.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3494.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3495.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3496.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3497.JPG)
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Looks great Marty keep up the great resto these things do get a thrashing over the years that's for sure when I recently did a flipper rebuild on my ToM the flipper bushes had snapped that's probally cause of the thousands of games it had played they where really built to last I reckon :)
Peter
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Bit more progress over weekend. All topside metal components have been cleaned and tumbled.
Metal ramps have all been repaired and strengthened where required.
Topside re-assembly is nearly done, just waiting on some more parts. All plastic posts are new. The old ones were beginning to get brittle so not even worth cleaning them.
Below is a quick shot of the inserts. Years of filth and never been cleaned. All have been cleaned and are like new. Standard on games that I shop.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3498.JPG)
Topside:
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3501.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3502.JPG)
All lamp boards were removed and cleaned. All header pins re-flowed, all diodes checked. Again a must do...
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3505.JPG)
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Work continuing on the underside of the playfield. Rather than just 'checking' coil sleeves, all are replaced without question. To my surprise, most were reasonably clean - again another sign of a fairly low play machine.
Have hit a small hurdle along the way. The kicker assembly (P/N A-16434) has had an in-house repair by an inexperienced tech / business / operator at some stage. This is what happens when you MIG weld mild steel at this thickness with a cheap gasless MIG or Bunnings special. Is such a dirty weld, destroys and warps the metal around it and the did not even get good penetration. Very much a 'rough as guts' repair. Unfortunately I've seen repairs time after time like this locally and even on top side components / scoops. ^&( *!@
Due to how the metal has warped, I think this may be beyond repair.
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Those "in house" repairs were crude while the game was still earning money for the operator. I don't think anyone really takes the time to do a PROPER repair, or replace the assemblies that are broken or badly repaired. The method you are using is much cleaner and more professional.
Keep up the good work ^^^
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Already looks like a completely different machine to the one we inspected last week Marty,
Fantastic work, and sweet scoop repairs too ^^^
Timbo
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Due to how the metal has warped, I think this may be beyond repair.
Meh. Metal is a little like Play-Dough and nothing is beyond repair given enough labor time. But yea, unless it's unreasonably expensive or not available, even making a new one would be preferable than repairing that mess.
I've MIG welded and even stick welded stuff that thin plenty of times, but you do have to set the machine right and wiggle things around correctly at least. Looks like the guy just had it set too hot and/or lingered too long in the wrong spots. TIG is the proper way of course, mainly (in my opinion) because if you want you can set the machine so low it will barely light a cigarette so thin material is a no biggie.
Things are coming along. Looks like it will be a beauty when you're done. #*#
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Just playing the waiting game on new parts.. Plastics and some minor mods still to arrive then it should be back in no time.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3513.jpg)
As with all my shopouts, new pop bumper wafers, bodies springs and lamp holders. Caps were also replaced with new ones.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3514.jpg)
Again an important and often overlooked step - stand up targets cleaned and polished. New foams added on all to make them like new. All are tested as well.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3515.jpg)
Small modification from RTBB. Took about 5 min to install and well worth it.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3516.jpg)
New slingshot switches. The old ones had taken a beating.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3517.jpg)
New clock PCB assembly. This is a two part board (same as original) so will fit into casing perfectly. Opto's are removable so clock will not have to be disassembled to swap one out.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3518.jpg)
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Great progress.. ^^^
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This game will make mine look ordinary. Can't wait to play it mate. Hope to get the invite soon.
Btw I put the mini pf switch mod on mine last week and think its really neat, a design improvement in my opinion. Well done mate.
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Always welcome Rob. As soon as I finish it I will invite you and a few of the locals around. No doubt you will put a high score on it. CV, Police force, Star wars and hopefully a minty FT will be ready as well...
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The machine is coming up nice Marty. Twilight Zone is always a great looking machine when shopped. Well done. ^^^
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wow... what a sensational job. This machine looks superb. Must give you allot of satisfaction mate.
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Coming along nicely Marty. TZ is a title I never gave much attention to. The widebody format and the "clutter" of objects on the playfield often left me searching for where the ball had disappeared ! I played Greg's machine 6 months ago, and his game changed my mind - it is an incredible player. The lesson I learnt was that to truly appreciate a game this complex, you have to give it time and also be lucky enough to play a game that had been restored correctly and plays accordingly.
I'm sure this game will play perfectly, and I look forward to the pictures when finished ^^^
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More progress. Just waiting on new ramp flaps to arrive then it will be ready to be completed. Few little odds and ends today after a long meeting with some other industry figures..
Small item that often gets over looked and is probably outside the general 'shopout' but I stripped and cleaned the lock down bar receiver and re-dipped the handle.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3525.JPG)
Playfield with most plastics back in place (all brand new)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3526.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3527.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3528.JPG)
Just waiting on some new vinyl cover clips then the mini pf will be done and dusted.
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3529.JPG)
Last of the mods. Thanks to a good mate for supplying this one!
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3531.JPG)
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Finished...Well just waiting on a part for a PCB but otherwise everything tested and working well.
Overall I'm quite happy with how the game turned out and will make a great game for someones collection, and at least between $1500 to $3000 cheaper than those on eBay!
With - brand new clear plastic ramp from http://www.RTBB.com.au
All new playfield plastics, rubbers, globes (each and every one is new), plastic posts. Full flipper rebuild (x 4 - inc new flipper bats), each and every mech rebuilt, NEW coil sleeves, new ramp flaps, new clock PCB. Plays very fast and snappy!
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3533.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3534.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3535.JPG)
(http://www.melbournepinballrestorations.com/tz/IMG_3536.JPG)
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Looks awesome Marty well done you have done a terrific job I love the twilight zone sign who's the talented person that made that up? And do they do other titles?
Peter
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Excellent job Marty. The new owner will be stoked. Looking forward to your next restoration.
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Well done Marty. Looks like a great machine that someone has the opportunity to add to their collection. I'm glad you went with the white rubbers.
^^^
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Yoda. Teach me i want to know your Jedi ways of restoring pins. ^^^ ^^^ ^^^
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Nice job Marty, looks great ^^^
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Looks awesome Marty well done you have done a terrific job I love the twilight zone sign who's the talented person that made that up? And do they do other titles?
Peter
Hi Pete,
I cannot be 100% certain where the sign came from, but I believe it was http://www.pinballdecals.com/TZModPage.html
I think there is one available for Funhouse but they've got lots of other cool mods for other games.
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Very nice work Marty . Machine looks excellent now ^^^
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Nice and clean, bet it plays like a dream :) Enjoy it!
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Great work as per usual Marty. ^^^
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Wow that looks great. I look forward to the day i get to own a Twilight Zone.
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Really top job and super photos *%*
Now, having seen your excellent work, I'm doubly keen to give my TZ a birthday.
Been adding mods, toppers etcetera and generally skirting around the big job.
Now it will be the first cab off the rank in the workshop . . .
Cheers
PP